Chapter 30: Tana's Interest

"Did you really succeed? I feel the aura of evil has suddenly weakened significantly."

Bianoch was astonished. She had just seen a flash of light soar into the sky from the center of the ruins, though it vanished in an instant.

"Yes, we made it through by the skin of our teeth. Would you mind exchanging business cards with me?"

Yelin was still persistent. Only recently had he realized how useful elemental enchanting was and why heirloom equipment from the elves was so precious.

Earlier, when Shiate was observing the Blazing Sun, she told him that weapons capable of adding elemental attacks were worth more than twice as much as non-elemental weapons of the same level and type.

It was only possible to forge weapons with inherent elemental attacks or resistance gear by incorporating rare ice crystals or fire stones—and even then, it was just a possibility...

"I'm sorry, I don't have these 'business cards' you speak of."

Bianoch frowned. Having spent so many years in the Flame Graka, where would she find the materials to make such things?

"You know, the kind that can enchant a weapon with fire properties..."

"How did you know about my hidden skill?"

"Huh?"

"I have a self-created skill that allows me to infuse my own flame energy into a weapon. When attacking, the weapon will carry scorching fire."

"I see..."

So, it turned out Bianoch didn't have "fire cards." Instead, she performed manual enchanting, adding fire-attribute attacks to weapons personally once they were handed to her.

Although it was a pity she couldn't sell them for profit, it shouldn't be a problem to ask for her help if needed. The two sisters had just decided to return to Hendon Myre to visit their master, whom they hadn't seen in ten years, so it was on their way.

Nearby, Tana reached down, grabbed the Minotaur King Saud by the foot, swung him around with all her might, and hurled him toward the center of the Dark Thunderland ruins.

*Boom.*

*Crack.*

With a perfect parabolic arc, he landed; one could faintly hear the sound of trees snapping.

"Don't worry, he won't die from the fall. The complete Great Magic Circle will purify the evil aura and the Black Nightmare within him... Hmm? Black Nightmare?"

The six of them exchanged glances instantly, then swarmed back into the Dark Thunderland ruins, rummaging through everything in a flurry.

In the end, it was Tana who found a shattered Seed of Nightmare outside the ruins. "Pure natural energy, and of a very high grade. To think it could directly destroy an Apostle's item..."

"In other words, a powerful being passed by the edge of the Dark Thunderland and casually destroyed the Seed of Nightmare?"

Bianoch flew into the sky to look around. She hadn't seen anyone approach from the outside, and the other directions were nothing but overgrown, desolate plains where, generally, not a soul could be seen.

"Forget it. Since the person had no malicious intent and even helped us, there's no need to investigate their identity. Let's head back."

"Bianoch, put on this outfit. This fire-garment of yours isn't a good influence on children..."

"Shameless!"

"If you wore *that*, it would be an even worse influence!"

"Shameless, degenerate!"

"I'm complimenting you! After all, I have a pretty good idea of your figure."

"Get over here and taste my Rising Dragon Sword!"

***

On this rare night of celebration, Seria very thoughtfully prepared a few side dishes to go with a large pot of beef hotpot, and Linus also brought two bottles of wine to join in the fun.

"So, Seria, you're planning to go to Hendon Myre?"

Linus set down his empty glass, fished a cigarette from his pocket, and brought it to his lips, but quietly tucked it away when he saw Shiate and the others.

"Yes. The source of evil and the Black Nightmare in the Forest of Grand Flores have disappeared. Although the goblins and cat-folk can't be completely eliminated for the time being, I believe the Forest of Grand Flores will only get better!"

"Besides, once Lord Saud wakes up, he should return to Graka. He will manage the Forest of Grand Flores well."

Seria looked at the surrounding walls and furniture. This was a place she had lived in for a long time, and it was the source of her first pot of gold. Leaving it behind truly filled her with a faint sense of reluctance.

"That's good. The Forest of Grand Flores was never the place for you to stay. If you go to Hendon Myre, remember to find Shusire; she will get you settled."

As a former elf, there was no point in guarding an abandoned Forest of Grand Flores.

"What about you, Uncle Linus? Why don't you come with us to Hendon Myre and open a smithy?"

"Me? I won't be going to Hendon Myre. An old friend of mine from the Bantu tribe, Reno, sent a letter inviting me to drink mare's milk wine. It's time I made a trip there, hahahaha."

Linus drank his strong spirits heartily and laughed repeatedly. The reason he had stayed in the Forest of Grand Flores, aside from his own reasons, was also because Shusire had entrusted him with looking after Seria, whose memories were clouded.

However, Tana had appeared later and taken over his task, but the Forest of Grand Flores had frequently seen twisted riots, such as the poisonous cat-king who exuded toxic gas, the centennial goblin lightning-caller Kaino, and so on.

In fact, if Yelin hadn't defeated Bone Prison today, Linus had already decided that in a few days, he would pick up his greatsword and head into the Forest of Grand Flores himself.

"By the way, Yelin, there is a humble swordsman dojo in the back streets of Hendon Myre. The instructor there, GSD, although primarily an Asura, has extraordinary swordsmanship, and his strength is definitely above that of an Awakened one. If you have a chance, go find him and see if you can become his disciple."

"Understood, I will try," Yelin agreed with a nod.

"Come find me tomorrow. I will teach you the three cores of Ghost Swordsmanship: Weapon Mastery, Shadow Step, and Overdrive. If you can grasp them before you move, you'll be able to step into the ranks of professionals."

Linus walked unsteadily, his steps wavering. He leaned against the wall, refusing Yelin's help, and insisted, "Are you looking down on me? I'm not drunk!"

It was the classic phrase of a drunkard, and Linus was no exception.

"Seria, what about the inn? Should we close it or sell it?"

An inn located on the main thoroughfare of Elvenguard had decent economic value; selling it should fetch a good amount of gold. Especially now that the poisonous cat-king and the lightning-caller Kaino were dead, the Forest of Grand Flores would welcome a new wave of adventure.

"Sister Tana will sink the inn and our two treehouses into the ground for safekeeping. Inns are gradually increasing in Elvenguard; it won't matter if there's one less."

Yelin nodded in deep agreement. The only reason this inn had survived until now, aside from Seria's popularity, was largely due to Linus's status as a blacksmith. But now, both of them were leaving.

After the celebration banquet dispersed, he grabbed Tana and headed toward his room, muttering something about "interest, interest"...

"Hey, hey, I gave you thirty seconds, but from the time you burned the corpses until Bone Prison died, it took several minutes, you know."

How could Tana not understand his intentions? He was demanding his reward. She sat on the edge of the bed, crossed her legs, and wore the expression of an evil older sister once again.

"I don't care. Your principal is here; just give me some interest..."

"Hmm~~" She mused for a moment. "Alright, you did perform well today. Becoming a professional is your first step. Close your eyes; I'll give you a reward!"

Though he was puzzled as to why Tana would be shy and ask him to close his eyes, he didn't think much of it. Full of anticipation, he obediently closed his eyes, his heart pounding, waiting for that touch of softness.

A silk ribbon was tied over his eyes, which surprised him even more.

What kind of game was this? Or was she just shy and afraid that he would open his eyes suddenly?

So, Tana was quite pure at heart after all~

Tana tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, pursed her red lips, and then moved slightly... She called for Shiate.

Shiate thought it was fun and dragged Kragh over, and then Bianoch and Seria were all watching, wondering what kind of new training method this was.

"Hey, are you planning to change your class to Asura?"

Shiate couldn't help but kick him. Wearing a blindfold in the middle of the night—he was either sick or an Asura.

"Wait? This voice?"

Feeling that something was wrong, Yelin snatched off the blindfold. When he saw Seria blinking her large eyes at him, even though he claimed his dignity had crumbled to dust, his face burned like fire... It was too embarrassing.

"Where's Tana?"

"She slipped away..."