Ryan shook his head.
"I'll save it as a trump card for later."
Having recovered his strength, Ryan kicked aside the pile of bones at his feet. He searched beneath the bed for a while before finally feeling out a wooden box.
When he opened it, he found a dark black ring inside.
Ryan took out the ring and tossed it into his Backpack. After identifying it through the system, its information appeared before his eyes.
[Ring of Death]
[Quality: First Tier · Legendary]
[Effect 1: Constitution +3, Spirit +3, Magic Power +3]
[Effect 2: Immunity. Immune to all damage for twenty seconds.]
[Feature: Upgradeable]
[Equipment Requirement: None]
[Description: You already have the ring, so what are you waiting for? Take it and propose! Wait, the target is... the God of Death? Σ(⊙▽⊙"a!!]
Letting Ryan Hook Up with Lin Qi—Isn't That Great?
Although he had roughly known the ring's attributes, seeing them still gave him a small shock.
Even if those three attribute points were converted according to Lin Qi's attribute growth, they would still be worth three or four levels, not to mention that absurd damage immunity effect.
Twenty seconds. That was enough for him to do many things.
"I'd forgotten this was actually a legendary item. Good thing I came here."
No matter who equipped this thing, their combat power would rise by a huge margin.
Of course, immunity was not invincibility. No matter how overpowered a First Tier item's description sounded, there was still a limit to what it could withstand.
For example, the full-force strike of a Third Tier or even Fourth Tier extraordinary being would definitely break the Ring of Death's invincibility effect.
The power of extraordinary items was directly related to their tier. Ryan knew that much.
But then again, what the hell was with that description? Was that the system's twisted sense of humor?
"Who should wear it?"
Since its equipment requirement was "none," even Shari could wear it. But Shari's level was too low. If she died and dropped her equipment, that would be a massive loss.
Ryan calculated it in his mind. If Shari equipped the Ring of Death, her attributes would theoretically be about the same as a character at level ten. She should have no problem dealing with those prison guards.
He put it away for now. After searching the basement once over and finding nothing valuable, Ryan finally carried the lamp outside.
When he returned the way he had come, he saw from afar that the outskirts of the old campus were packed with people. A group of security officers were escorting Blood God Cult Believers out.
Most of them hung their heads. Young university students naturally did not dare resist the intimidating police officers. Only a few who seemed mentally unstable were still shouting, "Blood Sacrifice to the Blood God!" before being forcibly shoved into police cars.
"Captain Ryan!"
A security officer hurried over. "We arrested eighteen people involved in illegally spreading Heretic beliefs. One refused to cooperate and was knocked unconscious while trying to escape. He's already been sent to the hospital."
Ryan nodded slightly. "Good work. Take all of them back and interrogate them carefully. Pay special attention to their mental states. Notify me immediately if there's a problem."
It was not that Ryan was making a mountain out of a molehill or deliberately making things difficult for these students. The Outer God's Mental Pollution was everywhere, and one could be infected without realizing it.
If it was not stopped in time, it would not only harm them—it would harm everyone at Berman University.
"Yes... but Berman University's leadership is over there. Should you go meet them?" the security officer asked.
Quite a few Berman University students came from noble families, and the school itself had influence and power. He worried that making arrests like this would cause trouble.
"Ignore them. If they ask, just tell them the truth."
Ryan did not care.
The security officer accepted the order and left.
"Captain Ryan, where did you go just now?" Jack ran over.
"I went inside to take a look."
"Anything?"
"No."
"Huh? Then why were you looking for me?"
"Director Jonathan said you knew about the extraordinary Trading Market?"
"Oh, that." Jack nodded. "I went there once before the New Year, but the people there are very mysterious. How should I put it? Mr. Jonathan said nothing would happen, but it still made me uncomfortable. Everyone hides their identity and acts all secretive."
"Where is it?"
"It's in the Inner World. It isn't easy to enter, and it only opens at certain times. If you want to go, I can take you there."
Ryan thought for a moment and temporarily gave up on visiting the Trading Market.
Jonathan had said that even if he went, he might not be able to buy what he wanted. Before, he had had no choice, but now that he had the ring, it was enough for Shari to deal with those prison guards.
There was another reason as well... Anything available for trade was either cheap trash or too expensive to afford. It was a lose-lose situation, and it could easily draw unwanted attention to him.
The conclusion was that there was no need to go unless necessary. It did not matter if Lin Qi had to suffer a little. He could have her grind more Wild Monsters later. She was bound to get some good drops eventually.
As Ryan returned home with the ring,
Elsewhere, the banquet hall of Aideburg was also nearing its end.
The banquet hosted by Berman City's nobles and wealthy merchants was nominally meant to welcome Princess Cassidy, but very few of them could actually speak to her. They did not have the nerve to approach the Princess rashly, but they certainly had plenty of nerve to use her welcome banquet as an excuse to build connections and form cliques.
After all, noble banquets like this were platforms in themselves. Wasn't the reason outsiders desperately wanted in so they could take the opportunity to meet people from higher circles?
And with one incident after another recently occurring in Berman City—first the Housing and Construction Department, then the Bureau of Investigation—it gave people the strange impression that Her Highness the Princess intended to clean up the workplace.
So they all watched and listened carefully, trying to find out why Her Highness the Princess had come to Berman City.
Lin Qi sat alone in a corner of the banquet hall. Her current role was that of intermediary between the Gate of Janus and the Empire, and Cassidy was naturally the Empire's representative.
The young nun drew attention, but her expression warned strangers to keep their distance.
Everyone knew she was the Princess's guest, so none of those cliché scenes of fools harassing respectable women happened.
After a while, Jonathan walked over.
Like Lin Qi, he had come at Cassidy's invitation. His sole task was to uncover the mastermind behind the attack.
"I laid everything out with Adler."
Jonathan wore a suit and had even made an effort with his appearance. His temperament had transformed from that of a dejected middle-aged man into a successful man of status.
"What did he say?" Lin Qi asked softly.
"Heh. Of course he denied it, but I could tell. All these years, the League of Fire's operations in Berman City haven't been for nothing. I don't care. I told him I'd be watching him from now on. You should've seen his face. It was hilarious, haha!"
Jonathan sat down with a wineglass in hand, raised it toward Lin Qi, and took a drink by himself.
"Wasn't that too impulsive? If you investigated in secret, you should be able to find some clues," Lin Qi said.
"No, no, no. You don't understand that guy. An old fox like him won't leave behind evidence. It's better to be direct and throw him off balance. That's the only way we'll have an opportunity." Jonathan shook his head. "Besides, Her Highness the Princess isn't looking for him. She's looking for the person behind him."
It was not difficult to identify Adler. The difficult part was obtaining evidence against him and dragging out the real mastermind behind the scenes.
There was a way to play with the cards face-up as well.
"I'll keep watching him from now on. The Princess asked me to tell you not to worry. She'll find a way to investigate the Blood Cult matter and won't forget the Gate of Janus's favor."
Jonathan did not care much about that. Janus's favor could never truly be repaid. Perhaps that was exactly what Princess Cassidy wanted. A favor created a bond, and as long as the relationship remained, she would profit from it.
When the time came, anyone who wanted to deal with her would have to consider the Gate of Janus.
"Do you never smile?" Jonathan smacked his lips as he looked at the unsmiling Lin Qi. "You should learn a thing or two about dealing with people from Ryan. That kid is much smoother than you are."
Lin Qi said nothing and only drank her tea.
"How about I introduce you to Ryan?" Jonathan said with a mischievous grin.
It suddenly occurred to him that Lin Qi had become a Priest at such a young age. Judging by her performance at the Train Station, she would likely become one of the Gate of Janus's core higher-ups in the future. He had heard that the Saintess candidate for this generation had not yet been decided. Maybe she really had a chance.
Just think about it—if a genius from the League of Fire got together with the Gate of Janus's Saintess, the two major extraordinary forces would join hands. Who would dare act recklessly before the Augus Empire then?
Wasn't that wonderful?
Lin Qi remained silent. She just kept drinking tea.
"Hey, I was only joking." Jonathan laughed awkwardly and walked away, though he was already calculating how likely it was to happen.
The dinner ended amid a harmonious atmosphere.
Cassidy declined Bill's invitation to stay at the castle and instead chose a noble hotel in Berman City.
On the way back, she invited Lin Qi into her carriage.
"Jonathan intends to find evidence against Adler. With his abilities, he may succeed, but I can't wait that long." Cassidy got straight to the point. "Lin Qi, I intend to use harsher means to force Adler into submission."
Lin Qi said, "How?"
"An attack plan. The Heretic forces in Berman City are running rampant. It would not be impossible for the Hand of Darkness to capture or even kill Secretary-General Adler in retaliation." Cassidy smiled faintly. "What do you think?"
"It needs to be planned carefully. If it fails, it will be troublesome."
Assassinate Adler? Ryan would burn incense and shout, Praise Janus!
"Of course. Once I have planned it out, I'll have Echo inform you."
Lin Qi got out of the carriage halfway through the journey.
"Your Highness, is it really all right to tell her that?" Echo, who had remained silent the entire time, asked hesitantly. "What if the news leaks..."
"The one I wanted to tell was not Lin Qi, but High Priest Lia. As for a leak, there is no need to worry. The Gate of Janus hates the Blood Cult, but they also want to eradicate heretical forces like the Hand of Darkness."
Cassidy changed her tone as she spoke. "Perhaps I do not need to rush back to Baron so quickly. If I can take control of Berman City, I will have room to choose. Father Emperor will not begrudge me a fief, but I need to cultivate people I can trust... Echo, what do you think of Ryan?"
Just as winning over Lin Qi could establish ties with the Gate of Janus, Ryan likewise represented the League of Fire.
And they were both young and full of potential. That was why she had spoken up to help Ryan when he was promoted.
If she could help Ryan climb to a higher position, Jonathan would also be grateful to her.
Cassidy's eyes flickered slightly.
She was an ambitious woman. Others could sit on the Emperor's throne, so why could she not?
Ryan, who had already returned home, knew nothing about what had happened at the banquet. He only learned that Cassidy intended to assassinate Adler when he logged into the game and checked Lin Qi's Idle Record.
He was so happy that he opened a bottle of liquor on the spot to celebrate.
The day of clearing his name was close at hand!
What Grand Duke Marganna? Master Ryan was done serving her!
"Don't rush. Let them go first."
Ryan had no intention of getting involved in the assassination. The key was Lin Qi. He had to make sure Lin Qi delivered the final blow, ensuring Adler could not reveal even the slightest information about him.
As for now,
Ryan switched to Shari's Character Interface. With the ring's attribute bonuses, he should open the big treasure chest first.
Three updates, 9,000 words. Please show some support~~
Combo Skill
Cassola Prison.
You're taking action again? What exactly is down there?
Edward had been keeping an eye on Shari. When he saw her walk to the entrance of the hole, he asked curiously.
She had clearly gone down earlier, only to scramble back up in a panic, as though there was something incredible below.
Before you continue