The Undying Heart
The edge of Floating Island 4.
On a square with high guardrails.
It was already packed with people.
Roger and Shar walked through the crowd and finally found a suitable spot to observe.
He looked around.
The horizon seems to be getting farther and farther away.
"Sixth Sense: You perceive that the floating island and Truth Mountain are slowly rising."
It seems that the tremors and weightlessness just now were caused by a change in the center of gravity of the floating island.
The arrival of the demonic tide is a gradual process.
At first glance, there didn't seem to be any particularly obvious features.
At least on Floating Island 4.
Roger didn't notice any change.
The human settlements beneath the floating islands did not immediately descend into chaos.
However, starting today...
The floating boats from the six floating islands will cease operation.
According to Shar.
In a while, even the "Ether Gate" will close.
These facilities will only reopen to the residents of the floating islands after the demonic tide has completely ended and the Magic Abundance has returned to normal.
The duration of the demonic tide varies.
It can take anywhere from one month to six months.
These will be some of the most boring days for the residents of the floating islands.
This is also the time when friction is most likely to occur.
The arrival of the demonic tide did not disrupt Roger's regular life.
It just made him feel a little heavy-hearted.
He wanted to do something for the civilians living beneath the floating island, but ultimately found that he couldn't do anything.
No one could stop the surge in Magic Abundance.
The floating islands and Truth Mountain cannot support such a large population.
As for leaving Gem City, that's just wishful thinking—
Heading west leads to the Red Soil Wasteland, followed by the Primitive Forest south of the "Scar of Death".
The monsters there become stronger and more ferocious after being baptized by the demonic tide.
Let alone ordinary people.
Low-level Adventurers used to be easy targets.
To the east lies the mountain range that leads to "Thunder Highlands".
Between the mountains, there are also "Boundary River" that ordinary people cannot cross.
The south, on the other hand, is a more dangerous land with an even higher Magic Abundance.
The only place that seems to offer hope is the north.
But Alan had warned Roger when he crossed the Serra River Bridge—
The duty of the Guardian of the Boundary is to prevent large-scale "boundary crossings".
The residents on the ground wanted to survive.
All I can do is pray that I'm lucky enough to withstand the distortions caused by the excessive Magic Abundance.
otherwise.
They will become monsters even more terrifying than the Marshland Refugees Roger had ever seen.
This feeling of helplessness deeply affected Roger.
His thirst for power stemmed from this.
Since we are powerless to change the detestable situation.
Therefore, the only option is to focus on protecting oneself.
Getting stronger every day.
Someday.
He will change all of this.
He firmly believed this.
Two nights later.
At Roger's home.
In the basement where a "Weak Space Magic Array" was installed.
A line of three-meter-tall muscular men were orderly queuing up to receive Roger's "physical examination".
A weak space solidification array cannot create a dimensional space out of thin air.
However, it can greatly expand the original space indoors.
Roger's basement was originally less than 70 square meters, but after being expanded by the magic circle, it has a usable area of nearly 1,000 square meters.
This made his idea of keeping a muscular man in a golden house a reality.
Tonight.
He will change the contract medium for these Red Heart Loyalty followers.
Accompanying the acquisition of a large number of "Ancient Stubborn Stone".
Rabbit Skin have lost their value.
Today during the day.
Roger bought a large quantity of "Bauhinia Water" and 10 standard "Engraving Knife" from an alchemy supply store.
The work of the contract lawyer was naturally put on the agenda.
On the spacious desk.
Roger didn't even raise his head, wielding his sword with lightning speed.
As stone chips rolled down, crooked and messy Purgatory Language suddenly took shape.
"Next!"
"Drip blood!"
"Fool, I'm not asking you to bleed, I'm asking you to spit blood!"
"Next!"
Under Roger's efficient command.
Not long after.
The contract replacement was completed smoothly.
After switching to the "Hardstone Contract," the strength of the Quasi-Horned Demon all increased simultaneously.
On the data panel.
"You have successfully changed the contract vessel, and the average combat power of your servants has increased by 20%."
"You have received an additional reward from the Ancient Stubborn Stone: the ability to share."
"Your servants have gained the 'Attack Effect - Lightning' through shared abilities."
"Attack Effect - Lightning: Each of your attacks will have a 10% Lightning Element effect."
"You gained the ' Undying Heart ' through the ability to share."
"Undying Heart: Your Constitution +1;"
When your heart is destroyed, you will not die, but a second heart will grow quickly.
Cooldown time: 30 days
"Playing a Contract Master is all about collecting stones!"
"The Stubborn Stone Faction is truly powerful!"
Looking at the large handful of heart-shaped stones in my hand.
Roger was overjoyed.
There are reasons why Rabbit Skin has become a substitute.
After the contract carrier was changed to a stubborn stone, the strength of the Quasi-Horned Demon increased dramatically! Not to mention the additional sharing abilities.
The attack effects greatly enhance the hunting efficiency of the minions.
The Undying Heart not only compensated for Roger's physical weakness (Constitution +1).
In addition to being 100% robust, it also provides him with double insurance!
This increase in combat power is not just a little bit.
besides.
After the contract was completed using Ancient Stubborn Stone.
Roger was finally able to view the complete attribute list of his underlings—when the Rabbit Skin was used as a carrier, he could only make a superficial observation using the Qi Divination Technique, and his understanding was not detailed enough.
He glanced at it quickly.
He looked very satisfied.
The devil's bloodline is indeed a good thing.
The six attributes of Quasi-Horned Demon total around 73 points.
A very few standouts, like the Woodpecker —its six attributes combined have a whopping 78 points! "Wait!"
Roger suddenly realized something was wrong and abruptly looked up to question, "Why is your preferred profession a mage?"
The Woodpecker scratched its head, somewhat bewildered. "Really?"
"Master, I'm not entirely sure, but I do learn magic very easily."
After saying that, he performed a Deformation Technique, seemingly to demonstrate.
Looking at the girl in the black dress in front of me.
Roger put his hand to his forehead and fell into deep thought.
The Woodpecker had followed him through countless battles, and he had always used it as a human shield!
In the end, it turned out that his profession was actually a potential mage.
Who would believe this if I told them!
The six attributes of the Woodpecker on the data panel are as follows:...
"Strength 17, Constitution 14, Intelligence 18, Perception 6, Charisma 14, Agility 9"
"No wonder he always looks so weak."
Roger silently shook his head.
A constitution of 14 points is clearly insufficient to support a strength of 17 points.
He was able to withstand the Thunder Dragon entirely because of his stubborn and unyielding spirit.
As for why it took so long to discover that he was destined to be a mage.
The shocking "Perception 6" says it all.
People with low perception.
I always live in a daze.
The six points of perception were roughly as follows on Earth in my previous life.
"Hee hee, time for dinner!"
A moment later.
"Huh? Have I eaten? No, I don't think so."
After a while.
"Hooray, time for dinner! (ω)"
"From now on, you will begin to learn magic, and I will provide you with Spell Book."
Roger concluded definitively, "But if you want to do any experiments, you must get my approval."
"Wu Gu".
"From now on, you'll be responsible for following him around, never leaving his side."
It was certainly a pleasant surprise to discover a highly intelligent mage among the servants.
However, the extremely low perception cast a slight shadow over this joy.
In the days that followed.
Roger's life maintained a monotonous rhythm.
However, as the Magic Abundance gradually increases.
The number of Aether Dragon Eater near the Xiang Nan Tree began to decrease dramatically.
Shar's hip pain flared up more and more.
It's gotten to the point where I need to take "Drowsy Potion" every day to fall asleep if I don't receive treatment!
During the treatment process.
Roger discovered that the effects of "qi" were waning, so he had to increase the dosage in order to alleviate the sorceress's pain.
In this way...
His stay at the Shar Villa was also extended considerably.
One day.
After half a day of treatment.
Roger walked out of the physiotherapy room with a sigh of relief, his steps a little unsteady.
Shar followed along with a beaming smile.
"You're absolutely amazing, A Ba."
"I think I can't live without you anymore. Here, this is today's pay."
"By the way, come with me to a court hearing tomorrow morning."
Roger was about to refuse.
Shar yawned lazily. "Tomorrow's Truth Mountain Courtroom might be the most exciting event in years. Remember the ' Aether Dragon Eater ' I mentioned to you?"
"Someone can't hold back anymore."
The next day.
Truth Mountain Court.
The audience seats.
Roger sat on the comfortable, soft sofa, looking down at the crowd below.
Looking around, almost everyone there was a monk.
That's not surprising.
The participants in today's court hearing are all prominent figures from the six floating islands.
Among them are many high-ranking members of the Truth Society.
Naturally, most of them are monks.
If it weren't for Shar leading the way.
Even someone of Roger's stature couldn't climb Truth Mountain.
It was also because of Shar.
We've come this far.
Roger noticed many malicious glances.
However, those people did not take any action.
Because their attention is still largely focused on the people being tried today.
According to Shar.
That was a boy named Little Thomas.
He stood alone in the center of the hall, looking only twelve or thirteen years old, with the downy hair on his upper lip clearly visible.
It's hard to imagine.
This very child, barely out of his teens, trespassed into the forbidden Gem City Ruins District half a year ago and unleashed the terrifying monster, the "Aether Dragon Eater."
I've heard that the Aether Dragon Eater has caused tremendous losses to the Truth Society.
Many magical research projects were forced to terminate as a result.
This matter was discovered six months ago.
It caused quite a stir on the floating island at the time.
But the trial has been delayed until now.
The reason is simple.
Little Thomas's father is the Vice President the Truth Society.
That Extraordinary Mage, level 54, known as the "Left Hand of Wisdom"!
Despite the Vice President's repeated statements that he would not interfere in the matter.
But this still makes the whole thing more complicated.
Many people came to today's court hearing.
People aren't just here to watch a play.
The trial process at Truth Mountain was very streamlined.
Everyone spoke very briefly and quickly.
Soon it was Little Thomas's turn to defend himself.
Under the watchful eyes of a group of monks.
The boy raised his head.
His eyes were filled with fearlessness. "I have nothing to say in my defense!"
"I don't think I did anything wrong from beginning to end."
"Compared to you, aren't you the ones with the problem? You discovered the Aether Dragon Eater a long time ago but have been reluctant to release them."
"Your Honor, may I use the ' Eye of Surveillance ' to examine the situation beneath the floating island?"
"Just look around, anywhere is fine!"
The judge remained silent for a moment.
As a fellow Extraordinary Mage, he was certainly qualified to invoke the Eye of Surveillance of the Truth Mountain.
The next moment.
He agreed to Little Thomas's request.
Clear images from the Earth's surface began to slowly appear.
In the simple shack.
The frail girl clung tightly to the blanket, refusing to come out.
A middle-aged man with a full beard suddenly pulled her out, large tears welling up in his eyes, as he spoke to the girl.
The girl shook her head frantically, her tears soaking the sheets.
The middle-aged man went to great lengths to tie the girl to the bed.
Then he pulled back the sheets.
The girl's left foot was exposed.
But on her ankles, there were dense, light blue spots! The spots were spreading upwards at a speed visible to the naked eye.
It's almost grown to the vicinity of my skinny calves.
The middle-aged man cruelly wiped away his tears and brought back a saw from outside the house.
Then they stuffed the girl's mouth with burlap.
He gently hugged the girl and said many, many things.
Just as he was about to make his move.
Suddenly, a swarm of annoying mosquitoes flew in from outside.
The mosquitoes covered the girl's ankles.
He buried his head and began to suckle.
Soon after, they all flew away.
The middle-aged man stared in disbelief at the girl's ankle.
Those spots that symbolize destruction and distortion.
It just disappeared like that.
He put down the saw, hugged the girl who was still crying, and burst into tears.
Similar scenes are playing out on the earth's surface all the time.
After these touching scenes...
Little Thomas. shouted:
"You could have prevented this tragedy from happening much earlier, but you chose to do nothing!"
"I saved all of their lives!"
"And yet you want to judge me!"
"Does no one really find this ridiculous?"
The room was completely silent.
The Chief Justice calmly stated:
"But you have harmed the interests of Truth Mountain."
"Aether Dragon Eater are terrifying war monsters. I don't know if you noticed just now, but every time they consume a certain amount of 'mutants,' these monsters become stronger, and their reproduction rate also increases as a result."
"After the demonic tide, their numbers and levels will reach a point that we cannot handle."
Can you take responsibility for this?
The judge's statement seemed to be exactly what the boy had expected.
He burst into laughter. "Then let's figure out a solution!"
"If the problem is really that serious, why waste time on the trial?"
"You who have seized power in the Ether Society, you who consider yourselves to be in high positions, you who consider yourselves geniuses... hurry up and put your brains to work!"
"You must have more options than those poor people on the surface, right?"
"Or are you unwilling to admit your incompetence, yet also unwilling to do anything to control the number of these monsters?"
His tone grew increasingly impassioned.
The silence of the crowd made him appear like a messenger of justice.
That moment.
Everyone subconsciously overlooked his age.
"How?"
Shar took a sip of red wine and whispered in Roger's ear.
"Great."
Roger smiled and said, "I meant his delivery of lines was very skillful."
On the data panel.
"Sixth Sense: You sense that Little Thomas is putting on a great show."
"He truly is the man I've chosen."
"Besides the enjoyable techniques."
"Your mind is incredibly sexy too."
Shar smiled and took Roger's hand.
Ignoring the surprised looks from onlookers, the two walked out of the courtroom.
Behind him.
Little Thomas's passionate speech continues.
"Nothing will come of it today; they're all cunning old foxes."
A viewing platform on Truth Mountain.
Shar lifted her skirt and twirled around like a graceful red butterfly.
Her voice sounded somewhat faint in the mountain wind:
"Little Thomas is just a pawn, and so is his father."
"Some people in the Truth Society are dissatisfied with the status quo."
"The ' Aether Dragon Eater ' is a spear, aimed, of course, at the guild leader who has been engrossed in researching Talen Martial Arts and hasn't shown his face for over half a year."
"Don't be fooled by the Chief Justice's reprimand of the child; they're all in cahoots."
"The forces that are truly being threatened are probably currently frantically guarding the Sub-Plane of Truth Mountain. I wonder what that guild leader has come up with."
Roger listened attentively.
He knew.
Shar said were all genuine secrets.
What are you going to do?
Roger asked.
There must have been a reason for Shar to say all this.
The sorceress smiled:
"I owe that old guy, the chairman, a favor. I might have to fight for him this time."
"Truth Mountain is going to be very turbulent from now on."
"You must promise me that you will stay on the floating island and not go anywhere until I return."
What if I don't come back?
"I'll allow you to go find other rich women."
Roger grinned, then hesitated for a moment. "How dangerous is it?"
Shar smiled sweetly, "She shouldn't die."
"They might not even fight."
"But it will definitely take a long time... poor my hip."
Roger silently shook his head.
Promise me!
"Stay on the floating island and don't go anywhere!"
Shar suddenly became fierce.
Roger paused for a moment, then nodded:
"Good."
That night.
The edge of Floating Island 4.
Bypassing the detection range of the "Eye of Surveillance".
Roger faced the biting wind.
He leaped! The whooshing sound of the wind rang in his ears.
With the effect of Ride the Wind.
He landed successfully shortly afterward.
The Magic Abundance on the surface is indeed very high.
Fortunately, he is Spell Resistance, so the distorted aether cannot affect him.
After confirming that no one was around.
Roger took the Gargoyle Statue out of his pocket.
The gargoyle spat out "Final Sanctuary" from its mouth.
The main room of the shelter was crowded.
One after another, the construction team of Quasi-Horned Demon jumped out.
In the night breeze.
Roger made a silent gesture.
The group marched in a grand procession towards the Ruins Area of Gem City! "If the Aether Dragon Eater is allowed to successfully grow in the demonic tide, the civilians on the surface may very well be harmed."
"Regarding this..."
"It is my duty!"
Roger activated the Ultimate Hunter.
They began searching for their brother's whereabouts.
I've already written 9,000 words today! That's more than the day it was released. There won't be any recommendation slots for the next month, so I can only pray for votes to ensure exposure.