CHAPTER 41: MAGIC SHOP

’I still need nine more pairs of eyes,’ Richard thought, gazing at Apple Town while wondering where he could obtain them.

To acquire such things meant he had to blind nine more people. It sounded cruel, but he could always do it to criminals.

In Apple Town, criminals were not hard to find.

Almost everywhere, gangs could be seen harassing merchants for money.

In this city, they were practically untouchable, always backed in secret by officials who took their share of the profits.

Richard didn’t even need to search—he could find their lairs easily.

One such hideout was a large, two-story abandoned building. Richard only had to stand before it to smell the heavy stench of alcohol.

It was empty for the moment—the gangsters were out collecting money.

The door wasn’t even locked. Richard simply stepped inside and was greeted by piles of jars and bottles.

Torn women’s clothing littered the floor.

Bloodstains could still be seen.

Richard slowed his breathing, unable to stand the stench of alcohol.

But his curiosity won out, and he climbed the stairs to the second floor.

There were two doorless rooms.

He peeked inside each and found beds—not bad ones, but messy, clearly used for all sorts of worldly pleasures.

He entered one of the rooms and approached a slightly open wardrobe, sensing a faint aura within.

When he opened it, he was startled to find a pile of glowing stones—fifteen in total.

"Nature Spirits," he whispered, never expecting to find such treasures in a gang’s lair.

Fifteen wasn’t much, but to someone who had none, it was priceless. At the very least, it meant he wouldn’t need to hastily sell the hilt of the Obsidora Wood Sword.

With his current amount of Aether, even five of them could quickly replenish what he spent.

Without hesitation, he moved them into his ring. To him, this wasn’t theft—he had come here to slaughter.

Besides the Spirits, Richard also spotted a book.

Opening it, he realized it was a Codex titled Codex of Giant Human.

But it could only absorb Tier 1 Aether. Its sole advantage was the ability to enlarge one’s body.

Richard wasn’t interested, yet he stored it anyway.

"Mm..."

His eyes narrowed at the sight of a chest under the bed.

With a swift pull, he dragged it out. It wasn’t even locked. Inside was a pile of copper and silver coins, filling nearly a third of the chest.

For common folk, it was no small fortune.

"I’m rich, hahaha..." Richard couldn’t hold back his laughter—it even came out rather loudly.

"Who’s there?" a sudden shout came from below, making Richard snap his mouth shut.

"Are they back?" he muttered, quickly storing the chest before standing near the door as heavy footsteps approached.

Moments later, a burly middle-aged man appeared, thick mustache and beard making him look like a bear in human form.

Both froze in shock—the gangster, seeing a child in their room; Richard, seeing such a large man.

Even the bravest men didn’t dare intrude into their lair. Who would’ve thought a boy would?

Soon, more men arrived—this time younger, in their twenties and thirties.

"Who’s this kid? What’s he doing here?"

"Can’t you see? He’s clearly stealing."

"What? A brat daring to steal from us?"

The gangsters muttered in disbelief.

But Richard only gave a faint smile.

Quietly, he released a small wave of power. Too large, and they would simply explode.

This one, however, struck directly at their hearts—making them burst.

One by one, they collapsed, eyes wide open.

Richard didn’t bother speaking with them. He killed them quickly.

Then he walked over.

"I suppose I’m starting to get used to this dirty work," he said with a bitter smile before plucking out their eyes, collecting nine pairs.

Afterward, he left casually, slipping out the window.

What followed was something he hadn’t expected.

DING!

(Your mastery over Codex of Moonshadow has increased from 8% to 11%!)

(Your mastery over 100 Shadow Monster has increased from 8% to 11%!)

(Your mastery over Lighting of Darkness has increased from 7% to 11%!)

[Codex:

Codex of Dragon Emperor (31%)

Codex of Moonshadow (11%)]

[Arcane Arts:

100 Shadow Monster (11%)

Lighting of Darkness (11%)]

One notification after another appeared as he stepped out of the window, bringing a wide smile to Richard’s face.

’I can finally begin the ritual. I’ve gathered everything I need—except the virgin’s blood still in the Fire Spirit Queen’s body,’ he thought.

Of course, he could find such blood in the city, but there was no need. He planned to perform the ritual in his ancestor’s hut, where it would be far safer.

Richard didn’t rush home. He strolled around. After all, he still hadn’t disposed of Damon’s gruesome corpse.

Now he was free, able to wander wherever he wished—eventually reaching the district lined with Magic Shops.

Though Apple Town was small, its people studied magic, and it even had a school. Naturally, the city had shops selling magical wares, though all of them were modest in size.

They traded in Codices, Arcane Arts, Weapons, Artifacts, and Mystical Plants.

Richard had originally intended to sell his sword hilt here, but now that he had both money and Nature Spirits, he decided against it.

He came only to browse.

The first shop he saw made him pause, watching from outside.

It had a single display table filled with ancient books mixed with strange objects, while swords and spears hung along the walls. He even spotted Sky Armor—something Magi often wore for protection.

"What’s that?" Richard’s eyes narrowed at a plate-like object inside the display, feeling a strange connection to it.

It seemed tied to one of his powers—but with so many elements at his disposal, he couldn’t be sure which.

Richard suspected it might be something that could help one of his elements perform in a more amazing way.

As far as he knew, when elemental affinity reached 90%, one did tend to be able to sense things that were beneficial to them.