The Poison Master was infamous enough that you could find at least one rant about him on every game community page.
There was even a half-joking saying online: “If you want to learn how to curse properly, just search ‘Poison Master’.”
And Jun fully understood the rage of those community users.
The Poison Master himself isn’t actually that strong.
The problem was his stealth.
And his almost pathetically thorough ability to stay hidden and avoid danger.
No, more accurately, he never enters danger in the first place.
He only made moves on enemies who looked easy, always preparing to sever his tracks once, twice, or even more if needed.
Even if I collapse the mine, he probably won’t show up.
Still, according to Ginovan’s diary, it was clear the Poison Master was searching for something inside the mine.
The only issue was that no one could say when he’d decide to go in.
What’s certain is that he’s somewhere nearby.
There was only one way to draw someone like him out.
The Heavenly Church has to give him a direct order.
That’s why Jun leaked some information designed to pique their interest—
A rumor that a large cache of ancient spirit stones had been discovered inside the mine.
Ancient spirit stones were essential materials used by the Heavenly Church in the creation of Evil Spirit Orbs.
And more importantly, because the materials themselves were classified as unique items, they wouldn’t be restored even if Blackout was reset, which meant the Church would have no choice but to respond.
They should be taking the bait right about now.
Did the Poison Master and the Heavenly Church take the bait?
Only time would tell.
***
A faint smell of fish drifted past.
The Poison Master wrinkled his nose in distaste and looked in the direction it came from. There, the city was alive with a festive atmosphere.
“Tch.”
Apparently, the imperial family had provided food for the miners who were out of work due to the mine collapse.
It wasn’t something he cared about, but given his current circumstances, the city’s joyful vibe only irritated him more.
I’d better finish the mission and get out of here quickly.
Annoyance was annoyance, but duty was duty.
After checking his surroundings multiple times, he finally confirmed there was no sign of anyone near the mine.
Still, I can’t just walk in blindly.
Given his cautious nature, one to test even a stone bridge more than ten times, he didn’t let his guard down just because he couldn’t sense anyone nearby.
…Good. Nothing’s showing up on the artifact. No signs of any traps either.
He considered the possibility that someone might’ve tampered with the site, like collapsing the entrance to the mine, but he chose to trust the artifact that had saved his life time and time again over the years.
[Phantom Clone]
A clone summoned beyond the collapsed entrance of the mine.
Though it couldn’t deal any physical damage, that wasn’t the extent of its ability.
Swap.
As he activated his mana, his body and the clone’s positions shifted.
“Phew… Alright. Let’s go.”
It hadn’t been long since he entered with a glowstone in hand.
Being a level 6 user himself, he quickly moved through the mine, focusing on locating two particular items.
Moltan’s Joy, and the Ancient Spirit Stone.
Moltan’s Joy was a pure white gem. It was exceptionally hard in its natural state but could be finely ground and mixed with water to create a consumable mineral drink.
It wasn’t lethal when ingested, but it did contain highly concentrated narcotic properties.
Though not extremely addictive, the mineral was indigestible and would remain in the body, continuously releasing its drug-like effects. The user wouldn’t even realize they were addicted, slowly losing their sanity over time.
And if it accumulated beyond a certain threshold, it could turn a person into a complete lunatic…
There’s nothing better for targeting imperial members than this.
Because it sparkled like a jewel, no one ever thought to ingest it, and since it could only be found in small quantities deep within mines like this one, obtaining it was incredibly difficult.
I wasn’t sure, but I asked them to check… and it really was here.
A substance he managed to locate thanks to Ginovan, a relative of Botan whom he had sent to investigate.
The Poison Master carefully tucked the gem into his inner pocket, then ventured deeper inside.
But where’s the Ancient Spirit Stone?
Moltan’s Joy was important, but what mattered even more was his master’s command.
Following that directive, he made his way further into the depths of the mine.
“Phew… Damn it.”
The Poison Master frowned as he felt the surge of mana rippling through the area.
“There’s way more mana stones here than I expected.”
He’d anticipated a high yield, but this was far beyond what he imagined.
This is going to make using my abilities much more difficult.
An unstable environment.
Normally, with his temperament, he wouldn’t even set foot in a place like this. But the situation left him no choice.
Uncomfortable with the cold sweat running down his back, the Poison Master was just about to go even deeper when—
“Black money is real.”
“No way, he actually came?”
From a corner deep inside where there had been no sign of anyone, two women suddenly appeared.
One was a slender woman with two swords strapped to her waist.
The other placed gold coins onto the outstretched hand of the sword-wielding woman. Her eyes were wrapped in a black blindfold.
“Well now. Thanks a looooot for showing up today, of all days.”
Before the blindfolded woman even finished speaking, the Poison Master didn’t bother replying. He immediately grabbed the poison pill at his waist and swallowed it whole.
And at the same time, he activated a skill.
[Will Manifestation]
[Transformation – Poisonous Will, Single Path]!
In response to his will, the poison within his body burst outward.
However, for it to affect living beings rather than objects, the targets had to be within a fairly close range.
Fortunately, in this situation, they were close enough.
Let’s see you block this!
His skill, [Will Manifestation], specifically the technique [Poisonous Will, Single Path], wasn’t a type of poison that could simply be cured with an antidote.
It was, after all, an illusionary force created through sheer will.
Naturally, that meant antidotes or divine power couldn’t defend against it.
There was only one way to withstand it. That was powerful willpower. In other words, a high mental barrier.
But—
“Wow.”
“That’s a hell of an effect.”
The two women stood there unharmed, casually looking over their own bodies.
“Leader was right. Seeing is believing.”
“Whoa! You even know sayings like that?”
“Yes.”
“Seriously, who would’ve thought that whatever that World Tree thingy was would actually come in handy?”
Even after time passed, the two continued chatting calmly.
Poison Master’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Wh-What… how…?”
He recognized them the moment he saw their outfits.
They were Maya and Eleanor, members of the White Whale Mercenary Corps.
According to public information, they were only level 5. They were mere rookies from Poison Master’s perspective, yet they had completely nullified his [Will Manifestation]?
Even if the surrounding mana is unstable… there’s no way that would be enough to stop it at level 5…
Impossible.
They’d at least need the power of an artifact.
But mental defense-type artifacts were rare, extremely hard to obtain, and there was no way both of them could be equipped with one….unless this had been carefully prepared in advance.
Had his presence already been discovered? But how?
Whatever the case, I need to get out of here. Now!
With his skill, killing those two wouldn’t have been difficult.
But he didn’t.
The fact that they were lying in wait here meant that imperial knights were already swarming outside as well!
If nothing else, the Dragon Spear Knight Order is dangerous!
Even if it was only the vanguard, the deputy commander of the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order had already reached level 8.
His presence alone was what drove Poison Master into such urgency.
But then—
[Iron Rampart]
The already narrow passage was blocked off by a wall of steel.
Not even an ant could slip through.
“……!”
The mage of the White Whale Mercenary Corps appeared beside the massive wall.
Poison Master’s eyes twisted savagely the moment he saw him.
“You…!”
“Why the rush? I think we have a lot to talk about.”
No more words were needed.
He immediately poured mana into his dagger, blending it with his [Will Manifestation].
He intended to cleave through that steel wall and make his escape.
“And who said you could just run away?”
Shrrrak!
Pages from a prepared spellbook tore free, fluttering in the air to form a magic circle.
At the same time, Poison Master slashed the steel wall in a single blow.
[Iron Rampart]
“So what now? Want to spend all day cutting walls, or sit down for a chat?”
The mage’s mocking tone made Poison Master bite his lip.
“I’ll make you regret daring to block my path.”
“How original.”
Papat—
Poison Master’s movement, befitting someone at level 6, was lightning-fast.
In an instant, he closed the gap with Jun, his blade wrapped in [Will Manifestation], ready to cut him clean in two.
[Charge]
[Windburst]
Aiden’s sword covered in wind shot out from above, aiming straight for Poison Master’s throat.
“……!”
The force was far too great to ignore.
For a moment, he considered using [Will Manifestation] to block it, but Aiden’s ferocity pushed him toward the wiser choice.
[Phantom Clone]
A clone appeared right behind him.
In the next instant, he switched places with the clone and twisted his arm, slashing his sword toward Aiden.
Tadat!
Aiden reacted instantly, canceling [Windburst] with a powerful kick off the ground and leaping backward.
The moment his feet touched down, he launched [Charge] once more.
[Bash]
His sword infused with aura collided with Poison Master’s blade that was sheathed in [Will Manifestation].
Baaaang!
“Ghh…!”
Shockingly, it was Aiden who was forced back.
Though manifested through a skill, [Will Manifestation] was a superior form of aura.
With an unpleasant screech, like a sword screaming, the Sword let out a burst of flames.
No matter how cautious he might be, it didn’t mean Poison Master lacked skill.
He stepped in deeper toward Aiden without hesitation.
Swissh!
A sharp sound of something tearing through the air rang out briefly.
Poison Master instantly kicked off the ground, and a dagger embedded itself in the spot he had just occupied.
Swish! Swish!
More daggers flew in quick succession.
Poison Master’s gaze shifted to Maya.
She was throwing daggers so fast her hands were a blur. He barely managed to deflect them.
At the same time, his mind raced.
It’s not too late. I’m sure there were no side paths on the way here. Which means…
The mage had dug through the ground with magic to get inside and covered it back up.
Which also meant it would take time for the knights to arrive here!
If I wipe out these bastards and just escape this space, I’m in the clear!
He had left a clone waiting at his hidden retreat outside.
It was a precaution in case something went wrong. But at the moment, he couldn’t use it.
The mana was unstable in this space due to the mana stones embedded all around, making long-distance “transportation” impossible.
But conversely, if he could escape to a place without mana stones, movement would be entirely possible.
“Hoo… I’ll kill every last one of you.”
With those words—
Poison Master pulled a poison bomb from his coat and slammed it to the ground. Instantly, a cloud of poisonous smoke spread in all directions.
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