NOVEL NEXT Ch. 89
Chapter 89: Holy Hand Grenade
【『Forest』· Barbalossa’s current bond level has risen from 2 to 3】
【You have unlocked a new Original Canon】
【Nightblade “Silence Disqualified” — Withering Pebble has been unlocked】
……
【The number of unlocked sequence long tiers has exceeded the first threshold, and the “The Fool’s Library” has further awakened】
【Restriction lifted — you may now simultaneously use Original Canons from different cards】
【Available Original Canon slots +3, current remaining available slots: 3/6】
……
As the Professor Barbalossa before him spoke a line that almost made one suspect he might break into dance the next second,
A line of azure blue text that Rast had long anticipated appeared in his mind.
“Silence Disqualified”
This psychokinetic-type Nightblade had finally been obtained by Rast.
And with the unlocking of the sixth sequence long tier in the The Fool’s Library, the number of Original Canon slots had doubled.
This was an unexpected delight for Rast.
After all, as the number of Original Canons from the The Fool’s Library continued to increase, he was already starting to feel the pinch of insufficient slots — activate Intuition, and he couldn’t use the Eye of Secrets; unlock True Name, and he couldn’t use Silence Disqualified.
It had solved an urgent need.
“I understand, Professor Barbalossa.”
“In any case, thank you for your guidance during this time.”
“This is the wine I brought for you this time.”
“Because you previously mentioned you prefer dark beer, I specially adjusted the selection and mixing methods to suit your taste.”
Rast pointed to the thermal container he had brought not far away and expressed his gratitude.
Because he had discovered that this Druid professor enjoyed drinking, Rast had made full use of his skills as a bartender and sommelier from Deep Blue Port, regularly bringing a variety of fine liquors to help raise their bond level.
Were it not for this targeted approach, coupled with Rast's astonishing talent in combat techniques which reignited the fighting spirit of the old security guard within Barbalossa’s heart,
Rast would never have been able to raise Barbalossa's favorability to level 3 in just half a month and obtain the Original Canon of “Silence Disqualified · Withering Pebble.”
Of course, “Withering Pebble” was merely the foundational ability of Barbalossa’s Nightblade — according to him, there was still “Lake of Silence” above that.
However, Rast didn’t care much about that — the abilities further beyond were not something he intended to pursue for now.
After all, Professor Barbalossa was a powerful transcendent who had lived for many years and seen much of the world, his mind already fully matured — completely different from someone like Ishta, a young girl easily swayed.
Achieving bond level 3 within half a month was already a result of Rast cutting corners.
To break through from “Familiar, Friend” to “Confidant, Close Companion” was not something that could be done just by catering to someone’s preferences.
That required long-term accumulation, companionship over time… or going through some unforgettable, life-and-death experience together.
Like what Rast and Shiltina had experienced in the two Nightworlds.
Only by truly fighting side-by-side and facing death together could one become a partner worthy of entrusting each other’s back.
……
“So, this will be the last time, huh…”
There was a trace of melancholy in Barbalossa’s tone.
With his status, even within the Tower of Arcana, he would never lack good liquor.
It was just that this youngster not only fought with the precision of a killing machine in every strike and move — his bartending skills were also astonishingly good.
Who knew what this youth had gone through under that seemingly young exterior to become such a freak?
He looked at the thermal container that held the wine nearby… but unlike usual, he did not eagerly retrieve the fine cocktails from it to enjoy.
Barbalossa’s gaze fell on the young man silently packing up, ready to leave.
“If I’m not mistaken, you’re about to enter the Terminal Nightworld, right?”
The boy’s departing figure paused slightly, and he smiled. “Professor, am I being that obvious?”
“No. Compared to those pure-hearted young girls in your cohort, you’re quite good at hiding your thoughts.”
“I suspect that even during our combat training, that aura of having fought through mountains of corpses and seas of blood was only one facet of you, not your entirety.”
Professor Barbalossa shook his head slightly. “But that time when Ingrid brought you out from the archive, I saw your eyes.”
“I’ve stood guard over the Terminal Nightworld in the Tower of Arcana for decades. I’ve seen many come and go — many Black Night Travelers heading toward the Terminal Nightworld,” Barbalossa said slowly. “That look in your eyes — I’ve seen it only a few times, and I remember each one clearly.”
“Everyone with eyes like that has left a striking mark in the night sky of the Obelisk… but in the end, they all died. The only exception was a girl named Shiltina.”
“Then I suppose, Professor, you’re about to witness a second exception.”
Rast chuckled, but his steps didn’t slow as he walked steadily toward the door.
Until his figure was about to disappear completely at the doorway, Rast suddenly raised his hand, catching something that had landed in his palm with precision.
It was a pure white sphere engraved with golden patterns, with a cross-shaped pin at the top.
Through the white casing, one could faintly see liquid-like radiance swirling inside — like a holy light that purified all.
【Holy Hand Grenade】
【Type: Transcendent Item, One-time Consumable】
【Rarity: Gold】
【Maximum Lethal Tier: Sixth Tier】
【Item Description: A weapon forged by the divine, capable of annihilating everything】
【Note: Deals special effective damage to targets with traits such as “Chaos,” “Evil,” “Pollution,” and “Disorder”】
Rast looked at the holy light-glowing white sphere in his hand and instinctively glanced back.
This was something Professor Barbalossa had given him.
“Just some old toys left from my days as a Black Night Traveler — no use for them now that I’m stuck here as security in the Tower of Arcana.”
“I’ve given away nearly everything else over these decades — only this one’s left. The other guys heading into the Terminal Nightworld are all Tier Five or Tier Six. They don’t lack firepower, so they had no use for it.”
“But for you, this might come in handy.”
Barbalossa’s voice rang out from afar.
“The Terminal Nightworld is different from other Nightworlds. Ordinary ones are just fragments of history, and the internal power level usually doesn’t exceed Black Night Travelers by much — for example, if it restricts Tier Two entrants, then the strongest Remnants within won’t exceed Tier Four.”
“But the Terminal Nightworld is different… even if you’re only Tier Two, you could easily get caught in major historical events involving high-tier powerhouses, or even legendary demigods, becoming an insignificant part of an epic conflict.”
“Of course, the mission requirements for clearing the Nightworld are adjusted accordingly — often you don’t have to fight directly, and can pass through clever tactics and survival.”
“If you ever get dragged into a historical current far beyond your capabilities in the Terminal Nightworld, with nowhere to run, no options left — you might consider using this thing.”
His voice came faintly from a distance.
“You’ve already seen the entrance to the Terminal Nightworld — I won’t go with you this time.”
“Becoming a Black Night Traveler doesn’t mean you have to accomplish grand feats.”
“Coming back alive — that’s the most important thing.”
Rast turned to look back and saw Barbalossa standing tall in the shadows of the Tower of Arcana.
That figure, clearly slightly hunched.