Though reluctant, Don stared at his luxurious bed and tearfully chose the lesser of two evils: "Chat first, endure the annoyance, and resist the urge to strangle the idiot" over "defy the rules and suffer the consequences."
After all, his mystical item had a vicious streak.
[System: "Humans~ So damn masochistic~"]
Don: "..."
Speechless, he swore to himself that one day, he would throttle this System.
No—better yet, hang it from the ceiling as a marionette.
[Giggle~]
Expressionless, Don opened the door to find Owen standing there in a linen shirt, clearly also ready to retire for the night. He held a wooden box, his face solemn—though to Don, he still looked annoyingly cryptic.
Don glanced at the maid beside him, who bowed and closed the door behind her.
"What is it? Did Father tell you something?"
Owen said nothing, simply handing over the box.
Don took it and opened the lid. Inside lay a still-beating black heart, pulsing rhythmically as if alive. The moment the box was unsealed, the surrounding spirituality seemed to drain away, a tide of death and decay seeping into reality through the organ. Don activated Spirit Vision to examine it.
[System: *"Appraisal initiated. Automatic deduction: 1 appraisal count remaining (139/140).*
Item identified as Sequence 4 'Undying' characteristic from the 'Eternal Darkness' Pathway.
Reverse-engineer potion formula? Warning: High appraisal cost. Proceed with caution."]
'No.'
Don closed the lid, eyebrows raised. "Father gave this to you?"
"Yes." Owen dropped heavily into a chair. "Along with the advancement ritual and Sequence 5 potion formula."
As a high-ranking angel gradually regaining his memories and power, Baron Lamud acquiring a Sequence 4 characteristic for his son wasn't surprising. For beings at that level, such materials—whether from mystical creatures or actual Beyonders—were rare but obtainable.
"But you're only Sequence 6. You haven't even fully digested your current potion. Jumping straight to Sequence 4 would turn you into a monster."
Was Father preparing for another bout of amnesia? Don pondered the implications, already forming his own plans.
"That's why I want you to craft this 'Undying' characteristic into a mystical item," Owen said. "You know an exceptional artisan, don't you?"
Since all of Don's items were forged through the System's Artisan Module, Owen's assumption wasn't unfounded.
Don set the box on the table. "Fine. That's manageable, but it'll take time."
The System's crafting wasn't instantaneous.
"That's not an issue." Owen nodded. "As for the final product… just try to minimize the side effects."
"Mystical items at the demigod level usually have nasty drawbacks… but I'll do my best." Don had never used the System to craft something of this tier and couldn't guarantee the outcome.
"Also, I've decided to enlist."
Don blinked. "The military? Why?
If it's about potion digestion, you're not on the Hunter Pathway. You don't need battlefield experience—you should be hunting undead in the Spirit or Underworld instead."
Joining the army would also risk exposure to the royal family and the Augustus faction.
"Father is leaving," Owen said simply. "I intend to earn military merit."
As a child, Owen had dreamed of knighthood and earning a noble title through his own efforts. This was his chance.
He clenched his fist, determination hardening his features. "Little brother, just wait. I'll win you all of Tingen."
Don's eye twitched. "...Are you sleepwalking? It's the middle of the night."
"Instead of delusions, why not pray to the Evernight Goddess for sweet dreams?"
Do you even know how vast Tingen is?!
Owen's face fell, but before he could retort, Don ushered him out with a kick to the rear.
"Tch—"
"Early to bed, early to rise." Don clapped his hands. "The item will take about ten days. I'll hand it over then… Anything else can wait till morning. Goodnight."
The door slammed shut.
Owen: "..."
Cold-hearted bastard.
---
After a brief worm-like wriggle in bed, Don sat up and eyed the wooden box.
He retrieved it, stashing both container and characteristic into his System inventory.
[Sequence 4 'Undying' characteristic secured. Containment protocols applied.]
'System, activate 'Artisan.''
Sighing, Don picked up a silver dagger from the desk and erected a spiritual barrier, isolating the room.
[Artisan Module engaged.]
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Ripples of energy radiated from Don, the air filling with shimmering particles of light. Mystical sigils materialized across the walls, their glow hazy and surreal.
Ignoring the occult display, Don focused on the transformed System interface. With a thought, he submitted the Sequence 4 characteristic to the Artisan Module.
[Sequence 4: Undying]
"The Undying possess near-limitless lifespans. Successful ascendants wield supreme authority over the undead, mastering the very concept of 'Death.'
"They traverse the Spirit World and Underworld through 'Gates,' their nascent mythological forms capable of enslaving mortal minds with a gaze."
(End of Chapter)