Wizard Lord:I can Extract Anything

With Magic Sword Amadeus leading his nightmare forces away, Amadeus City and the entire territory fell into an unguarded state. This wasn't due to negligence; rather, Amadeus' decision to mobilize all nightmares was a cautious one.

He couldn't have anticipated someone like Richard.

In the eyes of nightmare creatures, Richard's technique of creating avatars was bewildering.

Nightmare creatures lacked gender and reproduction, all evolving from basic nightmare spirits.

How could one nightmare creature produce another?

Even if a new nightmare creature was created, the lack of a soul meant it couldn't be an avatar, only a new kind.

Furthermore, Amadeus' order to mobilize everyone prevented neighboring territories from taking advantage during the Black Tide.

The Black Tide was a disaster for all nightmare creatures. If Amadeus fought it with full force, any marauders would face retribution, even before the Nightmare Lord.

The Black Tide also offered potential gains. Should Amadeus return victorious, any marauding nightmare knight could expect repercussions.

Amadeus never considered someone like Richard.

Richard used Nightmare Power to create a Cloak of Invisibility, slipping into Amadeus City's inner quarters.

The inner city bustled with bizarre nightmare spirits, aimlessly fleeing in terror of the incoming Black Tide.

Richard moved among them, silently navigating the city.

Above, Ulysses scouted for hidden treasures.

The Black Tide's sudden onset forced Richard into action prematurely, relying on Ulysses to compensate.

Ulysses soon landed on Richard's shoulder.

"Caw, there's a place without nightmare spirits. Worth checking out."

"Lead the way."

Following Ulysses, Richard weaved through the city, reaching a silent street.

In the chaotic city, this street was devoid of nightmare spirits, as if deliberately avoided.

Richard stepped in, immediately overwhelmed by inexplicable fear.

It was akin to an investigator facing an eldritch god, a wordless dread gnawing at his sanity.

But then, a warm white light surged through Richard's soul, flooding him with courage.

Fear evaporated before this newfound bravery.

"Intimidation spell? No, this involves nightmare rules; it's too effective otherwise."

With fear dispelled, Richard calmly assessed the situation.

"The Badge of Courage's effect is surprising. It doesn't block fear but kindles my own courage.

True strength comes from within?"

The Badge of Courage, a recent acquisition, was untested until now, proving its merit.

Buoyed by courage, Richard traversed the street with ease, soon finding a peculiar shop.

A toy store, filled with toys.

Among them, a massive chest stood out.

"Caw, looks like a trap," Ulysses remarked. "I'll bet it's a mimic. The real treasure's elsewhere."

"Is that so?"

Richard eyed the chest, quietly entering the store.

The toy shop was spotless—not typical for the Nightmare World, where dust accumulated without care.

Most rooms were dusty, furniture and floors marked by nightmare spirit tracks.

Richard examined the toys without touching them. His energy vision revealed they were linked by energy pathways, triggering if disturbed.

The only unlinked object was the large wooden chest.

But that didn't mean it was harmless.

Through energy vision, Richard saw the chest teeming with energy pathways, resembling a nightmare creature.

Summoning a mithril spear with Nightmare Power, Richard inscribed runes with battlefield alchemy.

He tapped the chest.

Thud, thud, thud!

The chest remained inert.

"Caw, sure you want to open it? Let's keep looking," Ulysses advised. "It screams trap."

Richard glanced at his avian advisor, asking:

"Ulysses, have you been tricked by mimics before? Is that why you suspect every chest?"

Ulysses glared, retorting, "Caw, as the great Lord of Flocks, I wouldn't fall for such simple traps!"

Richard, familiar with Ulysses' bravado, knew his self-proclaimed title meant he was bluffing.

With the spear ready, Richard opened the chest.

Inside, a maw of fangs lunged, a scarlet tongue darting to ensnare him.

But Richard's spear pierced the mimic's mouth, pinning its tongue and lid.

"Caw, told you it's a mimic," Ulysses preened. "My judgment surpasses yours."

Richard glanced at his smug companion, using Nightmare Power to don long gloves, reaching into the mimic's throat.

The mimic thrashed, but mithril's strength held firm.

As Richard fished around, the mimic's struggles intensified.

Finally, the mimic vomited—not bile or corpses, but black Nightmare Crystals.

"See," Richard gestured to Ulysses, "there was something inside."

Ulysses, seeing the crystals, was momentarily speechless.

He asked, "Caw, how'd you know it had something? Did your energy vision show it?"

Richard shook his head, "In energy vision, it's just a mimic."

"Caw, then why think it held something?"

Richard replied calmly, "We're in the Nightmare World. Mimics fit its rules. Their deceptive nature makes people dismiss them as fake chests.

Who'd think a mimic is the real deal?"

"Caw, so you guessed it held something?"

"No," Richard said evenly. "I just tried my luck. The mimic couldn't resist, and searching took little time. Even if I triggered a deadly trap, I'd only lose some Nightmare Power."

The mimic's vomiting ceased, yielding about fifty thousand units of Nightmare Power in crystals.

These might not be its entire stash, but Richard didn't want to wait.

He pocketed the crystals, binding the mimic with mithril chains.

It resisted, but Richard's handling had sapped its strength. Bound, it was tossed into another magic pouch.

Ulysses remarked, "Caw, you take the box too. Truly shameless."

Richard shrugged, "Why not? The war's intense. Its owner might never return. Better it serves me than be killed by other nightmares."

Leaving the toy store, Richard roamed the street, finding nothing else, before continuing his search in the city.

Most nightmares kept their crystals in their territories. Only Great Nightmares or favored subordinates like Puppet Richard resided long in Amadeus City.

Most were Amadeus' guards, who didn't need personal stashes, drawing directly from his stores.

After searching the city, Richard found no other caches, feeling disappointed.

"Caw, why not check Amadeus' manor?" Ulysses suggested.

"Hmm? That's no easy place. Why suggest it?" Richard queried, puzzled.

"Caw, saw a wizard take down two guards and rush in. You might catch some spoils," Ulysses said casually.

"What?!"

Richard's eyes widened, recalling the Dreamwalkers' plan.

The third-circle wizard intended to infiltrate Amadeus' manor, sparking territorial conflict. The Black Tide's appearance emptied Amadeus' forces, perfect for seeking the nightmare artifact!

Richard quickly decided:

"Let's go! We can't miss the master's feast without at least sipping the broth!"