Chapter 294: I Want Your Bones

Chapter 294: I Want Your Bones

Kaso’s metal-knuckled fingers tapped the table, producing a sharp, metallic clink.

His right arm, a masterpiece of interlocking metal and crystal, gleamed under the lamplight. Each joint moved with mechanical precision, a marvel of craftsmanship.

“If you need truly high-purity mana crystals,” he murmured, his gaze sweeping the unconscious figures around the tent, “ordinary explorers’ stock won’t suffice.”

His blue-white cybernetic eyes flickered. “I know a special collector. He specializes in high-grade materials from the Fourth Layer and below. He might meet your needs.”

“Hmm? Who?” Reynolds leaned in, curiosity piqued.

Kaso’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Aize. A former element life, reshaped by Abyssal modification until barely human.”

Reynolds stiffened. “That half-mad ‘Flash Vortex’? I thought he’d vanished from the trade circles.”

“Officially, yes,” Kaso replied. “But for the right clients? His vaults still open—for those he deems… ‘interesting’ enough.”

Luo En caught the subtle tension in their exchange. Aize, it seemed, was no ordinary contact.

“Element life?” Luo En raised an eyebrow. “I thought they avoided Abyssal Exploration.”

Kaso chuckled, a dry, metallic sound. “Most do. Aize’s an exception. He wasn’t born an element life—he was a reckless Abyssal explorer first. His physical body was annihilated during an accident in the Fifth Layer. His soul fused with an Abyssal Treasure, becoming… what he is now.”

“A being of pure mana,” Kaso continued. “But not one you’d call ‘friendly.’ If you want to meet him, I’ll guide you. But be warned—communication with Aize isn’t… conventional. He speaks through raw energy waves. Most minds shatter under the strain.”

Luo En weighed the risk against the prize of pure mana crystals. After a pause, he nodded. “Lead the way.”

Kaso delegated his remaining transactions to an assistant, then escorted Luo En and Reynolds through a narrow passage to the outpost’s secluded rear.

Luo En observed the mutated explorers around them. A towering woman passed, her scaled skin shimmering with metallic hues. Her gaze lingered on Luo En—a silent appraisal of an unfamiliar face.

“Zanya,” Reynolds whispered. “Former Mercury School failure. Now a renowned material hunter. Her ‘twisted skin’ mutation redirects physical force—a rare Abyssal gift.”

Nearby, the Nikol brothers haggled over wares. One had half his face consumed by black crystal, his eye sockets glowing violet. The other, outwardly normal, revealed needle-sharp teeth when he spoke, his voice echoing unnaturally.

“Famous duo,” Reynolds noted. “The elder’s ‘Crystallization’ halted mid-process—few survive such instability. The younger communicates with Second Layer entities, giving them an edge in intelligence.”

A gnarled figure nearby tended to pulsating plants. Vines curled around him like pets.

“Montro,” Reynolds said. “Once a gardener in an Abyss-edge town. A plant’s venom mutated him. Now he’s our bridge to Abyssal flora.”

Luo En studied the crowd. These explorers were both victims and beneficiaries of the Abyss—twisted yet transformed, paying unimaginable costs for power beyond conventional paths.

“They’ve turned mutation into mastery,” he murmured. “A paradox of destruction and creation.”

Reynolds nodded. “The Abyss gives and takes. It reshapes us. We fear it, yet depend on it. Even our magic’s foundation stems from its chaos.”

Kaso, usually silent, added, “Some trade beauty for strength. Others health for knowledge. A few… their very humanity for impossible power.”

They reached a dome unlike any other structure—a translucent blue sphere, its surface alive with flowing mana patterns.

“Aize’s Ripple Dome,” Kaso said. Touching his metal arm to a spot on the wall, the surface rippled open.

Inside, the space defied logic. Crystals of every shape floated midair, their glow illuminating a central mana vortex—spiraling from deep blue at its base to radiant white at the apex.

“Step through,” Kaso urged. “Stay calm. Aize… feels everything.”

As Luo En crossed the threshold, a wave of mana washed over him. The vortex pulsed, its light shifting as if acknowledging their presence.

The vortex spun continuously, emitting a low hum that strangely soothed the soul.

“Aize.” Kaso bowed slightly toward the swirling mass, his voice carrying unmistakable reverence. “I’ve brought two guests, as mentioned. They have… unique requirements for high-purity mana crystals.”

The vortex’s rotation quickened slightly, causing the ambient light to flicker.

No sound emerged, yet Luo En suddenly felt a direct mental link forming:

New visitors… rare… perceiving your fluctuations… complex… intriguing…

These fragmented thoughts lacked linguistic structure, manifesting instead as raw consciousness impressions—yet their meaning was clear. Simultaneously, Luo En sensed a faint discomfort, as if something brushed against the surface of his mind.

“This is how he communicates,” Reynolds whispered, his expression strained from similar mental pressure. “Elemental beings seldom use spoken language. Aize’s Abyssaberration nature amplifies this tendency.”

A tendril of mana split from the vortex’s core, extending toward Luo En. It lacked physicality—a wisp of denser mana flow coalescing into a faintly eye-shaped tip.

You… intriguing… soul anomaly… mage… unconventional… growth…

The manatendril coiled around Luo En, seemingly analyzing him. With his heightened perception, he detected this wasn’t mere surface-level scrutiny but a deeper scan. Few could sense anomalies within his soul—Archmages like Uther being exceptions. No wonder Kaso and Reynolds spoke of Aize with such reverence; this mutated elemental lifeform was terrifyingly perceptive.

“I require high-purity mana crystals, specifically those from the Fourth Layer or deeper,” Luo En narrowed his eyes, voicing his intent while reinforcing his spirit barrier to prevent intrusion. “Kaso said you might have them.”

Direct… honest… acceptable… mana crystals… abundant… exchange… requires equivalents…

The vortex fragmented further, dozens of manatendrils emerging, each cradling a crystal. Suspended before the trio, the crystals gleamed with dazzling energy fluctuations—far purer and stronger than any Luo En had seen. Their colors and shapes varied, yet all shared a living, pulsating mana flow within.

“These are Fourth Layer products,” Reynolds murmured, eyes alight with appraisal. “The mana density and purity surpass even top-tier specimens.”

Luo En examined each crystal using Transcendent Perception, assessing quality and potential applications. One particularly caught his attention—a pale violet crystal shaped like an olive, its internal mana spiraling like a miniature galaxy.

“This one’s unique,” he pointed. “Abnormally high mana density with self-circulating properties.”

Aize’s vortex pulsed—a sensation of surprise radiated outward.

Discerning eye… rare… that is “Chaos Breath”… from Fourth Layer’s special cavern… mana self-circulating… exceedingly rare…

“What’s the price?” Luo En asked bluntly.

No need for Spirit Stones… exchange… equivalents… one of your bones…

Luo En frowned. “Bones?”

Kaso and Reynolds exchanged tense glances.

“Aize sometimes proposes unconventional terms,” Kaso whispered. “Rarely literal—usually symbolic or metaphorical.”

I sense your connection to higher-dimensional beings... I desire that bone...

Luo En pondered the cryptic request, deciphering its meaning.

Sharing… not plundering… you lose nothing…

“You want to share this memory as exchange?” he finally understood.

The vortex flickered—a confirmation.

So his recent link to the Hermit Star during The Murmuring of the Star Devourer meditation had attracted Aize’s interest. This eased Luo En—Aize feared provoking the Devourer, aligning with his suspicions.

How ensure you take only permitted memories? he asked cautiously.

The vortex reconfigured into a complex symbol hovering before him.

Contract… ancient rules… fair trade… breach means mutual ruin…

“This appears to be an elemental Contract,” Reynolds warned. “Binding—breaching brings severe consequences.”

Luo En weighed risks and gains. This crystal could revolutionize his Puppet Substitute’s charging process. Exchanging non-core memories seemed acceptable.

“I agree, but I retain full control over shared memories.”

The vortex vibrated with pleasure.

Wise… fair… mutual choice… equilibrium achieved…

Aize’s mana form reorganized into a complex structure—within Luo En’s transcendent vision, it vaguely resembled a humanoid face blending human and elemental traits, twisted beyond recognition.

Extend hand… touch Contract…

After verifying the contract’s safety, Luo En inhaled deeply, pressed his fingertip to the symbol.

Mana surged through his body, golden patterns flashing across his skin before vanishing. Simultaneously, memories surged—specifically his link to the Hermit Star, containing ancient fragment data.

Selection complete… exchange begins…

A sharp prick—then brief emptiness. The “Chaos Breath” crystal floated into Luo En’s palm. Contact sent a stimulating mana jolt through him, refreshing his spirit like an invigorating draught.

Transaction complete… fair… satisfaction…

The vortex calmed, crystals retreating. Luo En secured the crystal in his storage bag, scanning his spirit state for lingering effects.

“This was… an exceptionally rare successful trade,” Kaso murmured, awed. “Aize rarely extends such generosity to newcomers.”

Reynolds nodded, disbelief lingering. “Most leave empty-handed. Those who succeed pay far heavier prices. Aize truly finds you fascinating.”

You may depart… yet welcome return… especially you… ancient fragment bearer…

Aize’s final telepathic echo reverberated in Luo En’s mind as an oval portal reformed at the structure’s surface, signaling their exit.

Stepping into the Ripple Dome’s exterior, Luo En felt subtle relief. Though Aize showed no overt malice, the direct spiritual exchange had been draining. Behind them, the structure activated its isolation barrier, fluidic interior writhing as if in ecstatic rapture.

“Thank you for the introduction,” Luo En nodded to Kaso.

“Think nothing of it,” Kaso grinned, his metallic right arm glinting. “For future trades, contact me. The outpost’s quarterly material exchanges often yield treasures—I’ll reserve the best for you.”

Parting with Kaso, Reynolds guided Luo En toward a more crucial zone.

“Now that you’ve secured foundational materials, perhaps the Observatory’s interior holds unexpected research aids,” Reynolds teased cryptically.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end