Free Web NovelChapter 145: Future Planning (1)
Lova’s departure left Shinon alone with his thoughts, and he couldn’t help but ponder the strange request from the system.
Why would it want him to get close to Lova, someone who was a part of the Phoenixes, his sworn enemy? It seemed counterintuitive and raised suspicions within him.
However, he didn’t dwell on it for long, realising he had more pressing matters at hand. His focus shifted to his ascension quests and the tasks he needed to accomplish.
The Dungeon awaited his return, but Shinon had two important objectives to fulfil before venturing back in.
Firstly, he needed to repair his broken Scarbite Armor, which had sustained damage during his intense battle with the Queen. His defences were compromised without the armour, and he couldn’t afford to face any formidable enemies without proper protection.
Additionally, he hoped to forge new equipment or items that could enhance his strength. The encounter with the Queen had exposed his weaknesses, and he was determined to become stronger.
However, both tasks would require time and effort, especially since he was still recovering. It would take at least a day before he returned to his forge and began hammering away.
With that in mind, Shinon decided to delve into his inventory, hoping to find valuable items or resources to aid him in his current predicament.
As he rummaged through the contents of his inventory, his eyes fell upon a cluster of insectoid eggs. Shinon vaguely remembered storing them there for Nova’s experiments before the Queen appeared.
The sight of the eggs reminded him of the dangerous creatures they originated from, and a shiver ran down his spine. He wondered if Nova could prepare a countermeasure for the insectoids before another queen appeared.
"She probably will- wait, what’s this?"
In the midst of inspecting the eggs, Shinon’s attention was drawn to a small, unassuming box tucked away in the corner of his inventory. He furrowed his brow, realising he had no recollection of obtaining such an item. freewebnσvel.cѳm
The memory gap puzzled him. Still, his curiosity was piqued, and he couldn’t resist the urge to open the box and uncover its contents.
With trembling hands, Shinon carefully lifted the lid of the small box, revealing its hidden contents. A soft glow emanated from within as the lid creaked open, casting an ethereal light on his face. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Inside the box, nestled on a bed of velvet, was a radiant orb pulsating with power—an essence captured from the formidable Insectoid Queen herself.
Shinon’s eyes widened in awe and curiosity as he marvelled at the orb’s iridescent hues. As he scanned the material, he realised it contained the essence of the Queen, a source of untapped potential that could be harnessed to create something extraordinary.
His mind raced with possibilities as he contemplated the ways he could utilise this unique material.
"I can’t believe it," Shinon whispered, his voice filled with excitement. "This essence... it holds incredible power. But how can I channel it? What can I create?"
His mind buzzed with ideas, each one more ambitious than the last. He envisioned forging a weapon imbued with the Queen’s essence, which could cleave through the strongest armour or unleash devastating elemental attacks.
No, he already had enough weapons because he imagined crafting armour that could render its wearer impervious to even the most deadly of blows. The possibilities were endless, limited only by his own skill and imagination.
However, as Shinon’s thoughts soared with grand visions of his creations, a sudden text notification appeared before him. Startled, he focused on the holographic display in the air before him.
[Notification: Material Forging Requirement - Mastersmith Level 4]
[Current Mastersmith Level: 3]
The words blinked before his eyes, demanding his attention. Shinon furrowed his brow in confusion. Mastersmith Level 4? He barely reached level 3 after crafting, god knows, how much stuff.
Reaching such a level of mastery seemed daunting, especially considering he had just begun his journey as a Shadowsmith a while ago.
To add to Shinon’s already mounting challenges, the system delivered another blow: reaching level 47 was a prerequisite for even attempting to unlock Mastersmith level 4.
He yearned for more knowledge, for the ability to tap into the full potential of the Queen’s essence. But it seemed that fate had other plans for him that required him to grow as a blacksmith before he could harness the true power of this material.
Taking a deep breath, Shinon closed the box, its contents safely tucked away once more. He understood that his journey was not over and that he had much to learn and achieve before he could unlock the true potential of the Queen’s essence.
With the meagre contents of his inventory examined, Shinon couldn’t help but feel a tinge of concern.
Aside from the insectoid eggs and the Queen’s essence, little was left to capture his attention. His personal stash of resources had dwindled, and the need for replenishment was apparent.
At that moment, Shinon’s thoughts turned to General Ironheart and the potential benefits their alliance could yield.
If the general could persuade the rest of the military to assist him, Shinon could gain access to a wealth of materials for his personal use. It was a prospect that excited him, as it would alleviate the strain on his diminishing supplies.
The idea of obtaining a significant stockpile of resources through the military’s assistance held great appeal. The vast array of materials at his disposal would allow Shinon to craft and forge with greater freedom, enabling him to create even more powerful weapons and armour.
However, Shinon was also cautious. He knew that relying too heavily on the military’s resources would come with its own set of challenges.
Trust was a delicate matter, and he couldn’t afford to become overly dependent on external support. He needed to maintain a level of self-sufficiency while also utilising the opportunities the military could provide.
"Hopefully, after I clear the dungeon, it will become a repetitive dungeon," Shinon mumbled while playing with the small box. "If that happens, not only will I have an endless supply of materials, but I could also lend the dungeon to the military for training purposes in exchange for goods."
