Chapter 142: The Sudden Spiked Wheel

Chapter 142: The Sudden Spiked Wheel



Ryan thought for a moment and merged into the crowd, carefully examining the stalls.

Although Bat Market had many vendors, Ryan was hesitant to make purchases.

Perhaps the items on display were more reasonably priced, but they required an experienced eye to discern their authenticity.

For now, Ryan still lacked this skill.

Fortunately, there were also many formal shops along the street, and from their signs, Ryan could easily identify each shop's main business.

Compared to the stalls, these established shops were likely more trustworthy.

Ryan observed several shops in a row, and finally, he found one with a relatively high foot traffic. The sign above the door depicted herbs, beakers, and test tubes, indicating a potion shop. He entered.

"This is the only one I have, 0.2 fluid ounces, 5 gold and 6 silver coins," the boy said, retrieving a thumb-sized bottle from the cabinet behind him.

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"Old friend, it's been a while!" Baron Norman removed his hood, revealing a smile, and greeted Ryan warmly.

Of course, even if Ryan had crafted the potion himself, it wasn't meant for his own use but for 'Cookie.'

"Ryan, what are you doing?" Emma, his mother, widened her eyes in surprise, looking at Ryan who was holding his younger sister.

"I'll take five bottles."

This reminded Ryan of the potion masters in the Royal Apothecary Association, who were likely not as simple as they seemed, and probably not ordinary people.

After circling around, Ryan realized that the Bat Market wasn't very large, only about a hundred meters long and a single street wide.

Ryan's pupils suddenly constricted.

"Dennis, you can cancel your evening plans."

"Norman, you know I haven't been out in a while."

"How much?" Ryan asked succinctly.

"It seems we need to deal with them quickly!"

Maestor County City.

"Quick, hide!" Ryan pushed his mother, Emma, and quickly locked the door.

"No," Baron Norman shook his head.

However, Ryan was still hesitant.

"What?" Dennis was taken aback, momentarily confused.

"Father, are you finally going to take action yourself?" Dennis' eyes lit up with anticipation as he looked at Norman.

It could be said that if it weren't for Ryan, any other experienced knight would likely have met their end on the spot!

"What about the Nocturnal Vampire Bat's wings?"

"The newly appointed Ward Knight of the Crowley family is Ryan."

"Do you have Golden Sunflower?"

Just as Ryan had fallen asleep, he suddenly woke up with a start.

"Sir, we have some," the little boy said, looking at Ryan with a slightly surprised expression.

"Mother, wake Father, and Mint, you take care of her."

Therefore, Ryan felt that by quickly raising the levels of other profession panels, such as Blacksmith and Trainer, he could accumulate a certain amount of skill points and attribute points, thereby increasing the combat power of the Arcane Apprentice.

Thinking about it, Ryan realized that the Empire's strength was unfathomable, and he had only witnessed a fraction of it!

"Alright, sir, all the materials you need are ready," the boy said respectfully, placing a black linen bag on the counter for Ryan.

As Ryan rode the carriage back to the Crowley family manor...

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After his training, Ryan quickly fell asleep.

However, at this moment, Ryan's mind was preoccupied with returning home early, as he had many tasks awaiting him, such as forging Bloodstained Steel Warhammer and improving his Blacksmith profession level.

"This is the target, and I hope you can deal with them quickly."

At first glance, it was normal for Frost Month's night to have a thin mist, but Ryan keenly noticed that the mist was slightly dark and thickened at a visible rate.

Ryan had just calculated the cost, and even if he succeeded in crafting the Mutagen Potion in one go, the cost per fluid ounce was nearly 12 Imperial Gold Coins.

Ryan glanced down, and the thought of such expensive materials being used to feed the dogs made his lips twitch slightly.

As Ryan exited the Bat Market and entered the carriage, the coachman curiously asked, "Sir, are we heading back now?"

Ryan hastily attended the banquet, then, under the watchful eyes of Baroness Crowley and Jennie, he left early and returned to his home in Shiny Gold Town.

"I want a smaller amount," Ryan said, looking at the larger square bottle in the other person's hand, clearly much bigger than the one he had obtained from Endry.

"We just received news from the Black Sail side yesterday," Baron Norman explained. "Since they couldn't find a suitable opportunity to strike Shiny Gold Town, Phil Claz didn't manage to kill Ryan."

At the same time, Ryan searched for the Magic he wanted to collect, but couldn't find any shops selling it individually. However, in several general stores, he spotted the ancient book similar to the one Jennie had brought.

Dennis then remembered the servants around and immediately stopped talking.

"The Hallucinogen Potion is 25 Imperial Gold Coins per fluid ounce."

"The structure of Ryan's house is not strong enough to withstand such intense attacks. In an instant, two large holes appeared, and dirt flew everywhere, along with smoke and dust!" Mother Emma screamed in terror.

"The mist outside is a bit strange. Stay in the room and don't come out," Ryan said, handing Mint to Mother Emma and pointing to the thick mist outside the window.

Ryan nodded slightly, thinking to himself that this automatic screening mechanism was quite good.

At this moment, there were only two people in the room, Norman Baron and his son.

The boy took out a bottle of dark liquid from behind the counter

He also took out a small package wrapped in paper, which seemed to contain a powdery substance.

Since he was at the Bat Market, he also planned to stroll around, learn about the situation, and see if there were any magic-related books available for purchase.

This was similar to the bottle he found on Endre, and its size was comparable to the capacity of the emerald ring.

Even a Level 1 Arcane Apprentice would have mental energy far beyond that of ordinary people, so there was no way Ryan could have overheard him so easily.

This made Ryan a little disappointed.

He wondered if this was innate or the result of practicing Basic Meditation.

On the other hand, it was clear that the Black Flame Cult had more than one Apostle-level expert, or rather, there might be someone or something even stronger than Apostle-level.

This cost Ryan 120 Imperial Gold Coins, immediately taking away nearly a third of the 500 Imperial Gold Coins he had just obtained.

This statement left Ryan stunned.

The little boy was clearly startled, wondering why this customer wanted to buy 5 small bottles when buying a large bottle would be more cost-effective.

Indeed, the bat symbol seemed to hold some secrets, and it seemed that only after reaching certain requirements could one see them.

This was a monster!

Additionally, the other party's offer also left Ryan speechless. These ancient books written in Arcadian language cost three to five hundred gold coins, while the incomplete Arcane Apprentice's diary was priced at nine hundred Imperial Gold Coins.

"Ryan? I don't know any knight named Ryan," Dennis frowned in thought, but he still couldn't react. In Dennis's mind, he still couldn't associate Ryan with the formal knight.

This made Ryan's heart tremble.

The theme of the banquet was to celebrate the addition of a Ward Knight to the Crowley family.

"Sir, this bottle is a hallucinogenic potion, and this package contains the corresponding amount of powder. Once injected, it can quickly volatilize the hallucinogenic potion, forming a hallucinogenic poison gas," the boy introduced.

Immediately, Ryan took off his Radiant Greatsword and rushed out of the room.

Shiny Gold Town.

"This... also has it." The little boy seemed a bit nervous, guessing that the gentleman before him was probably a potion master specializing in negative energy potions. It was common knowledge that potion masters in this field often had bad tempers.

Being a part-time potion master? It's too expensive in the early stages!

However, it was clear that the other party couldn't be treated as an ordinary little boy.

Ryan tried once, pretending to stop and examine the materials, intending to eavesdrop, but the other party saw Ryan and stopped talking, immediately closing his mouth.

Additionally, if Ryan didn't have the Heaving Breasts skill points, he wouldn't know his success rate.

Just then, Level 3 Danger Sense warned him that danger was approaching.

When Ryan left the apothecary shop, he was already carrying the large bag.

This prompted Ryan to immediately get up and look out the window, where he saw a thin mist rising over Shiny Gold Town.

"Dong dong dong"

In the shadows at the other end of the room, an old man with gray hair and a black robe raised his eyebrows in surprise, looking at the suddenly appearing Norman Baron.

Ryan was surprised to find that many of the potions he saw were also listed in the Merit Exchange Book.

Ryan was still thinking that if this hallucinogenic potion was like gas, it would volatilize as soon as it was opened, in which case it would be quite troublesome for him to put it in the emerald ring.

Just as Ryan had finished arming himself, he saw that the mist outside the window had become so thick that he couldn't see more than ten meters away.

He looked at himself in the bronze mirror, feeling very satisfied.

As the boy prepared the materials Ryan needed, Ryan also looked around the room.

"I need to find an old friend for help."

So, it was natural that Ryan couldn't find anything good here.

Norman Baron waved his hand, and immediately, two maids who were helping Dennis put on his tailcoat left the room.

Soon, Ryan saw many stalls selling various unknown herbs and raw materials.

But Agatha Wiggins had no choice but to take out precious ancient books from the family library.

He firmly believed that as long as his father was willing to take action personally, that Ryan would not live to see tomorrow.

When Ryan returned home, he found that it was already ten o'clock.

After all, the advantage of high mental energy in potion making was evident, whether in terms of controlling the quality of materials or in various operational techniques, it was all very beneficial.

"I understand the situation with the Black Sail Pirate Fleet. They have some sort of agreement with the Flame Black Church, which is why they decided to attack several towns simultaneously."

Ryan's thoughts were clear on this matter.

"By the way, Sir, why did you stay at the bakery for so long? The baker there is far more skilled than those in regular bakeries." The coachman hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

Ryan nodded as he examined the bottle the boy had brought.

At the same time, the sense of danger in Ryan's heart grew stronger.

After a brief moment of thought, Ryan concluded that this discernment was likely a mental attribute.

There was something wrong with this mist!

Soon, he would be attending the Crowley family's dinner party.

Ryan assured him that it was no problem and tentatively agreed to visit Agatha's Wiggins family with Jennie in three days.

A tall, cloaked customer with a star, moon, and sun emblem hanging outside their shop caught Ryan's attention.

The young boy glanced at Ryan, clearly hesitant to ask questions.

This was exactly as Ryan had expected. If the Bat Market was a place for Wizard Apprentices to gather and exchange goods, then most of the customers here were likely Wizard Apprentices.

As Ryan entered, a free boy approached him enthusiastically, "Welcome to Patricia's Alchemist Shop, sir. How may I help you today?"

Upon hearing his father's news, Dennis was beyond surprised. His eyes widened, and his mouth gaped so wide that he could fit an entire apple inside.

On the carriage back to Shiny Gold Town, Ryan contemplated quietly.

After a moment's thought, Ryan quickly went to his sister Mint's room and picked her up from her sleep, carrying her downstairs.

He realized that the shop was not a bakery as he had thought, and suddenly, Ryan seemed to understand.

The dinner party, a perfect opportunity for socializing and networking, was about to begin.

Without delay, Ryan began donning his Chrome Steel Knight Plate Armor and strapped the Radiant Greatsword and Bronze Warhammer to his back.

Aside from Endre, if his opponent had slightly higher mental energy and could cast a couple of low-level spells, Ryan and Hamilton might not have been able to escape the Elim Mine unscathed.

For ordinary people, it was highly unlikely that they would even notice the bat emblem, let alone find the entrance to the Bat Market.

Additionally, the Black Flame Apostle with a rubber-like body that could stretch suddenly would have been a formidable opponent if Ryan hadn't identified his weakness. Relying solely on sword slashes would not have been enough to defeat him.

Despite the thick mist outside, fighting in cramped houses was not conducive to Ryan's dual-wielding prowess.

"Yes, sir."

It was highly probable that only those with a certain level of mental attributes could see the bat emblem and the door to the divination shop, thus gaining entry to the market.

Considering the probability of failure and the need for a three-month supply of potions, Ryan purchased ten sets of raw materials in one go.

Ryan didn't ask any questions but waited for the boy to introduce himself. After all, it was wise to be cautious in an unfamiliar place.

"Do you have hallucinogenic poison?" Although the boy was young, Ryan didn't underestimate him and directly asked about the poison Endre had used in their previous battle.

While the boy didn't hold the same place in Ryan's heart as Claire, he was more than sufficient as a short-term spiritual anchor.

Although Dennis didn't know the Crowley family, they had managed to invite a formal Knight to serve as their Ward Knight. However, he wasn't too concerned about this.

After all, the mere 'Scorching Touch' spell, a basic contact-type magic, was enough to impress Ryan.

Inside, three boys with bright eyes, around ten years old, were working at the counter, with two of them attending to customers.

"Huh?" Emma, who had just opened the door, was startled by the fully-armored Ryan, and her sleepy eyes widened in surprise, instantly waking her up.

Before leaving, Jennie shared some good news with Ryan. Apparently, her friend Agatha also had some ancient books written in Spirit Script (Arcadian).

"Those despicable Black Sail Pirates! They are so dishonorable! If they had followed the agreement and killed Ryan, this wouldn't have happened!" Dennis grumbled angrily.

Agatha, Jennie's friend, was far less important in Dennis's heart than the beautiful Crowley Baroness, the widow.

He knew that the Crowley family's biggest issue was finding a suitable partner for a marital alliance, as no formal Knight would choose to marry into the family.

The boy serving them was quick-witted. He immediately hung a 'Temporarily Closed' sign outside and closed the door.

Suddenly, alarm bells rang in Ryan's mind. "Boom!!!"

Emma also sensed that something was amiss.

After acquiring the necessary materials for his plan, Ryan felt rather pleased.

With the aid of divine blood, Dennis, now a Provisional Knight, was trying on a dress suit with the help of a servant.

Just as he was about to scold the servant for their lack of manners, the door to his room suddenly opened, and Baron Norman, dressed in hunting gear, walked in.

Dennis had also started preparing for the Advanced Potion, which could take as little as a month or as long as three months. He was determined to break through and become a Knight.

Back at the Crowley Family Manor, Ryan, wearing a silver-gray Chrome Steel Knight Armor, concluded the hiring ceremony amidst the crowd's cheers and applause.

Thinking of that voluptuous woman, Dennis couldn't help but have a few more amorous thoughts.

A pair of massive iron spiked wheels, each with a diameter of one meter, spun at high speed, piercing through the kitchen wall and quickly cutting into it.

"It's me, Mother. It's Ryan," he said.

Due to the enemy's rapidly spinning spiked wheels, thick mist was stirred up, instantly clearing an area, allowing Ryan to get a good look at the enemy's appearance.

As long as he became a full-fledged Knight, he was almost certain he could secure the marriage alliance with the Crowley Family.

Previously, Ryan couldn't sense it, but now with his enhanced mental energy, he could judge the boy's mental power by observing his mental state and appearance, and it seemed to surpass that of an average adult male.

"However, Dennis, as you said, the boy's progress is too fast, almost abnormal," Baron Norman said after some thought.

After all, for the same volume, but it was a bit cheaper.

"What? Has that commoner Ryan already broken through and become a full-fledged Knight?"

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

"But I heard that a few days ago, Sheriff Hamilton of Shiny Gold Town severely injured the Flame Black Church during their sneak attack, which is probably why the Black Sail Pirate Fleet didn't continue their assault."

It seemed that the only feasible way was for Ryan to accompany Jennie to the library and look through the books there, and Agatha assured that this was still possible.

Inside Baron Norman's Family Manor.

As for Tina, her status was a bit too low, and to be honest, Dennis was a bit tired of her.

So, he decided to prepare the necessary skill points in advance, which didn't contradict his plans.

"Old friend, I've come to ask for your help this time," Norman said seriously, sitting across from the white-haired elder.

Also, he wanted to familiarize himself with the process of making the Mutagen Potion.

Dennis stood there dumbfounded for a while before snapping back to reality and asking, "Father, isn't he supposed to be dead?"

Just now, Ryan had purchased all the necessary ingredients for the Mutagen Potion at once, such as golden sunflowers, the wings of nocturnal vampire bats, the claws of carrion wolves, and more.

Additionally, Ryan wanted to see what was causing the attack!

Moreover, these eerie mists seemed to take on a faint black color.

As for magic, Ryan believed that through continuous collection, he would eventually find some Spirit Scripts.

Unexpectedly, there was such a thing as a catalyst for potions.

Although Ryan had purchased all the ingredients and understood the production process written in Akado language, he still needed to study carefully before actual production.

"Of course, Adams, as one of the few apprentice wizards specializing in incantations, I know the price to ask for your help," Baron Norman said in a low voice.

The mist seemed to be constantly changing, like tentacles seeping through door cracks and window gaps.

Besides, the production of some potions, such as the Advanced Potion, was obviously beyond the means of ordinary people.

Inside the Bat Market.

Additionally, the items sold here were also bizarre, including the eyes of some creatures, lizard-like objects, and various strange plants, most of which Ryan didn't recognize.

Checking the time, Ryan decided to return to the Crowley Family Manor first.

"Once a formal noble dies abnormally, it's difficult for the empire's investigation team to handle."

He quickly knocked on the door.

"Wow! Norman, you're a rare guest. What brings you here today?"

"Who is it?" Mother Emma's lazy voice sounded, while Father Ryan was sleeping soundly, snoring loudly.

From time to time, customers would stop by, carefully examining the materials and whispering to the stall owners.

Norman handed a thin folder to the elder.

After all, his father was an invincible figure in his heart since childhood.

"After all, if Ryan passes the ennoblement exam and becomes an official noble of the empire, it will be much more troublesome to kill him."

After some thought, Ryan decided to contact Lagra tomorrow to forge the hammer, while he organized the newly purchased materials and continued his daily practice of Bear Breath Technique and Basic Meditation.

However, if he only possessed the abilities of a Knight, his options for dealing with the strange enemies in this world would be too limited.

"It's Ryan, the farmer's son from Shiny Gold Town," Baron Norman said solemnly.

Before him seemed to be a giant metal maiden doll, nearly three meters tall, made entirely of metal）

The strange thing was that the doll's head was a closed-eyed girl with twin tails, while her lower body was a large, round shape with small feet, stepping on two rapidly spinning wheels that burned with black flames.

At the end of each of her arms was a metal spiked wheel, like the one that had just attacked Ryan's family wall, spinning at high speed.

"A metal maiden doll with wind and fire wheels, and twin tails on her head?"

Ryan was stunned!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end