The Devil’s Cage

Two dark gold glowing items: one was a book, the other was an index finger crystal ring.

[Name: Essentials of Prime Viper Secret Techniques Record]

[Type: Book]

[Rarity: I]

[Attack: None]

[Defense: None]

[Attribute: Able to level up one or more Viper Sect or Dragon Sect skill level(s) after reading (The level of increment depends on the rank, level and number of the skills)]

[Effect: None]

[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]

[Prerequisite: Mystical Knowledge (Viper Sect, Grand Master)]

[Remark: Zoyedark was an orthodox Viper Sect member. After much scheming for part of the Dragon Sect Ultimate, Zoyedark recorded it in a very traditional way, together with the skill itself]

…

[Name: Shadow Crystal I]

[Type: ETC]

[Rarity: I]

[Attack: None]

[Defense: None]

[Attribute: Increases negative energy (shadow) item’s abilities, rarity]

[Effect: None]

[Able to bring out of the dungeon: Yes]

[Prerequisite: Mystical Knowledge (Pro)]

[Remark: Zoyedark’s biggest secret was how he got his hands on this crystal. No one knew before and no one will know in the future]

…

When he saw the shape of a book, Kieran already had guesses about [Essentials of Prime Viper Secret Techniques Record] and it was indeed within his expectations.

Everyone had their own habits.

Like the assassins from Viper Sect; whenever they acquired some secret they didn’t wish to be discovered, yet wanted to pass down, it would be natural that they would use the mystical knowledge that circulated in Viper Sect to record the secret.

However, Kieran was slightly surprised about [Shadow Crystal I].

It wasn’t the shadowy attribute itself.

When Zoyedark used the shadow as an offensive method, Kieran was prepared to acquire a shadow-type equipment or skill book but [Shadow Crystal I]’s remark made Kieran think more about it.

“Secret? Is it related to the scheme of destroying the prairies that he had been planning for so long?” Kieran wondered.

His speculations didn’t stop him from using [Shadow Crystal I].

Unlike [Essentials of Prime Viper Secret Techniques Record], which had a lot of restrictions, Kieran fulfilled the prerequisite of [Shadow Crystal I].

As for which equipment he wanted to use it on?

If the description didn’t have “negative energy (shadow)” in it, Kieran would surely have used it on [Half-dead’s Gaze]. Now, with the slight limitation, there was only one viable option left for Kieran: [Spectre’s Grip].

[Spectre’s Grip]’s attribute slightly overlapped with [Mardos’ Lair] but Kieran didn’t dislike the overlapping.

He had always believed in this saying: quantity incites qualitative change.

Wasn’t overlapping a type of cumulation of numbers?

If he didn’t have to consider the usage of Golden Skill Points, Kieran wouldn’t have minded overlapping similar skills and boosting them to a certain level.

While in terms of equipment, Kieran had fewer scruples.

[Using Shadow Crystal I, enhancing Spectre’s Grip]

[Spectre’s Grip rarity enhanced. Solidified as a ring!]

[Name: Spectre’s Grip]

[Type: Accessory]

[Rarity: Above Legendary]

[Attack: Powerful]

[Defense: Extreme]

[Attributes: 1. Shadow Chain; 2. Shadow Strike]

[Effects: None]

[Prerequisites: None]

[Able to bring out of the dungeon: Yes]

[Remarks: The power of a reincarnated spectre is enhanced and solidified. It belongs to you now!]

…

[Shadow Chain: Form a dark chain using negative energy to bind your target, Target has to undergo a Strength authentication in conjunction with your Strength. If they pass, they will be released but have to suffer a Strong Negative Corrosion Damage (shadow) damage. If they fail, they will be bound for 2 seconds and suffer a Powerful Negative Corrosion Damage (shadow) per second for 2 seconds, 2 times per day]

[Shadow Strike: Assemble the shadows in a 25-meter range and form 1 to 10 Shadow Spikes (1 Shadow Spike has Extreme attack with 50 meters in length. As the numbers go up, the attack rank will be lowered and the length shortened. When all 10 Shadow Spikes are formed, all Shadow Spike attacks will be locked at Strong and 5 meters in length.)]

…

“Not bad.”

Kieran commented on the powered-up [Spectre’s Grip].

Although it was still a wide gap from [Mardos’ Lair], attacking with shadows would catch any opponent off guard.

And almost instantaneously, Kieran thought of how he would put this equipment to use.

Re-equipping [Spectre’s Grip], Kieran continued to check the rest of his loot from the dungeon in his bag.

Most of them were goods for sale.

Other than keeping the equipment that required corresponding mystical knowledge level and the books that recorded Raven Sect and Viper Sect mystical knowledge, Kieran additionally kept [Dark Stream Dagger] for himself.

The reason why Kieran chose a Rare rank [Dark Stream Dagger] and not the Legendary rank [Cunning Viper Sword] was because of the attribute [Soundless] in the dagger.

Compared to [Cunning Viper Sword] that provided attack and extra attack buff, Kieran tended to lean towards the silent approach to things.

Together with [Ghastly Woods Short Knife], Kieran sent the screenshots to Lawless.

Lawless replied at the next instant.

Lawless: Legendary rank equipment?

Lawless: Are you sure you sent it to the right person?

2567: I did.

Lawless: You bastard, your luck is really something else.

Lawless: Poor me… Sigh, I think I’m going to propose a pay raise to Rachel.

Lawless: Legendary rank equipment will attract a lot of loners in the community. I’ll take care of the rest, but you have to show your face at the end of the auction.

2567: Sure.

…

After Lawless’ astonished words plus the habitual nagging, Kieran gave a firm answer.

As for his friend’s astonishment?

Kieran understood it though.

It wasn’t that Lawless couldn’t get any better equipment, but that he couldn’t keep any equipment for himself at all.

The terrible luck together with his attribute [Overload] lead any equipment that landed in Lawless’ hand to only end up destroyed.

Because of that, Lawless tended to favour firearms more because they were much more affordable.

Looking at the messages about his friend wanting to propose a pay raise to Rachel, Kieran hesitated after thinking about what would happen to Lawless if he owed any more points at Rachel’s place. Then he gave his friend a better option.

2567: I suggest you sell your body to pay for your debt.

2567: Believe me, there’s a 50% chance of Rachel accepting it.

Lawless: What about the other 50%?

2567: You will get chopped to death on the spot.

Lawless:…

…

After a short and quick silence, Lawless’ nagging exploded, so Kieran ignored him and tidied up appropriately before going out to Harvest Inn.

However, the moment he stepped out the door, he frowned.