In the strike of her Eureka moment, Amanises laid back down on her bed, closing her eyes and dozing off to sleep.
She didn't dream however, being instantly transported above the River of Souls.
Hmmm, it should work.
She planned to make a poem that was drawing upon the power of the great River, but she had no idea what to ask for.
This River doesn't only possess the power of Sleepless does it?
Her spiritual intuition was much more potent here, feeling almost as if she were in her own home turf.
Amanises used this potency to 'guess' the effects of this River.
Just as Mr Fool said, since my Pathway is interchangeable with Corpse Collector and Warrior—this river also has a connection with them.
And what a strong connection it was!
Huh, this thing can mostly subdue the dead and undead, most of it being of the Corpse Collector.
She looked down at her feet.
Maybe that would've been a better choice...
Well, it didn't matter—if she needed to, she could always just switch pathways for the demigod stage.
Don't dwell on it too much.
Amanises simulated the feeling of waking up from a dream, instantly opening her eyes in the real world.
She made a quick assessment of what she had gathered.
I can indeed ask the River for blessings.
And those blessings will only be granted if my request is in the form of a poem.
The effects can be a stronger spirituality—she would be able to see Spirits without the need of activating Spirit Vision.
Another effect is communication with the undead—if the spirit is still present, she can communicate with it freely.
Next is strength—she can draw immense power from the great River, but it can only affect her physicality.
Depending on how big the poem is, she can multiplicate her own prowess by two to five times! But it also wasted a huge amount of spirituality.
Of course, after the poem was cited, this power will decrease over time, completely ending after no more than 20 minutes.
But still, so far this was the biggest enhancement!
There's no way I have been able to do this all this time and didn't even think of it?
She had been enclosed in this small bubble that her fellow teammates have made for her, that she didn't even consider actually using what she has been endowed with.
I should definitely rely on this thing more, this is insane!
Amanises picked up her pencil again and set to write, verset after verset inscribed itself on the white paper, accumulating spirituality.
Once she was done, a whole new set of poems entered her personal stockpile.
I have to memorize each, and make sure that I don't mention them in front of my colleagues as that will definitely arouse suspicion.
She felt a little guilty for benefiting so much, but then again—Amanises didn't even belong in this world!
I shouldn't be having any of this, yet here I am!
Why shouldn't one make lemonade out of lemons?
It's tasty!
***
Serenity Spirit Domain, Backlund Branch of The Arcanists.
Amanises passed through the familiar weathered wall and made her way inside the Spirit World, looking around and not noticing any changes.
Compared to Tingen, I've barely seen any of my actual teammates…
Backlund is a busy city, not many have the time to slack off like Tingen.
Shame, I would've liked to hang out with those guys.
She stopped in front of a large double door inscribed with mysterious symbols.
After knocking thrice and making sure she received permission, Amanises opened the heavy sculpted blocks of stone with ease.
She enhanced herself slightly!
"Good afternoon, Captain!" She greeted her own Captain, after so many days of not seeing each other, he didn't look happy one bit.
Well, he didn't look mad either so there's that!
"Welcome back, lady Evelyn. Have you recovered?"
She suddenly remembered the whole ordeal in Tingen, and how it ended.
"Yes. I have."
"Good." He nodded, getting up from his seat. "Since you have become a Sequence 8, there are some things you must be made aware of now."
I would still like some rest, but okay. Her mood felt complicated.
"You are now free to choose a Sealed Artifact that will belong to you, as well as receive the permits to attend different organization events such as auctions or trading.
"There's also a combat training area in the Grand Castle. If you wish to attend."
Damn this thing is stacked.
"Can I be more informed on the events of The Arcanists?"
"Sure."
...
Crested Cesimir had told her all about the different events.
Apparently, the trading system used both currency, but also contribution points.
What were contribution points?
Well that was what you gained after you completed a mission issued by the higher‐ups, silly!
"Sir, how do I know how many contribution points I have? No one had mentioned anything about this to me..."
"With this." His eyes flicked to a nearby painting that featured a narrow landscape, one that focused on an empty path that was obscured by a distant fog and evergreens.
Instead of voicing her confusion, she decided to wait and see what the captain meant.
"Krolik, please show this lady her contribution count."
Suddenly, along the painted pathway, a small rabbit started hopping closer and closer.
The rabbit had pure black eyes with only a white dot serving as its pupil, fixated on her.
Seeing the hopping and growing rabbit made Amanises' skin crawl, she had never seen something so cute become so eerie and off-putting.
Before the rabbit could step out, it stopped just as its muzzle could touch the other side of the canvas, and a high-pitched voice called out.
"Curent tally: 39 points." Before anything else could be said, the rabbit hopped back along the pathway and into the fog.
"S-so all the paintings here house a Spirit?" She spoke with a stiff smile on her face, her eye twitching.
"No. Only a few."
She was ashamed that she had no idea that could happen. It felt like something natural in this kind of environment.
After that small, almost comical event, the captain started explaining further.
"You can use those contribution points in many ways, from borrowing a special, dangerous or powerful Sealed Artifact—to exchanging it for a formula or ingredients."
He then stopped but started again after Amanises opened her mouth, cutting her off.
"The entire potion for Nightmare is 200 points, while the formula is 75."
"..."
"Thanks."
"Trading isn't only done during events. There is a special room in the Grand Castle, one that can hold said item or a piece of the item's information to be purchased or exchanged."
So this is just online shopping? Interesting...
"Auction events happen only once a month. The items can range from Grade 3 Sealed Artifacts all the way to grade one. Including Beyonder weapons and formulas."
"Aren't formulas given here? Why should we auction it?"
"I'm talking about formulas that aren't in the pathways which we offer, or from incomplete sequences.
"It can be much cheaper during auctioning, as mostly High-Sequence formulas are given.
"Most buy them to sell them further."
So this can be monopolized...
Amanises' inner corporate manager started grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Regarding combat training. The classes are held everyday at the Grand Castle with a chosen instructor, with the area being free for enter anytime. If you wish to train by yourself that's fine too."
It seems like he really wants me to learn combat.
That's quite welcome given her trashy aiming problems. Perhaps the captain is just simply worried.
"Anything else I should know about before picking out my Sealed Artifact?"
"No."
Before Amanises could turn towards the way of the Castle Gate, she stopped in her tracks and threw a glance back at Cesimir.
He stared back at her in a puzzling way, raising an eyebrow.
"Seems like you didn't forget anything. Good." She had gotten used to captain Dunn's forgetfulness.
***
In the depths of the Spirit World, the Grand Castle of Elpahel.
Amanises raised her head to observe the never-ending floors above, being captivated by the almost illusion-like feeling.
It felt like she was staring directly at the abyss.
"Follow me."
She walked behind captain Cesimir like a leashed puppy, not forgetting to give a greeting towards the working receptionist.
They climbed a number of floors together, it wasn't much but she didn't bother to count.
"Here."
Room 608—that was the only thing on the name plate.
Without waiting, Cesimir opened the door to reveal a large room, with a small number of tables arranged neatly like a display.
"These are the items that have been approved to be handed out. You can make your selection. Keep in mind that once you choose it yours, it's non refundable. You can only trade it through the trading room."
Amanises nodded absentmindedly, slowly scanning each item.
I wonder which one captain chose...
She passed by a few small items, brooches, pins, pendants and accessories.
In front of each displayed item, their respective information has been shown.
"The Gentleman's Offering—by giving an item to another person one can complete one of the four types of Bribe randomly. Enhances physical strength and dexterity. Must be kept in humid areas and around well dressed people."
"Emblem of Success. The user can tilt luck in their favor by accumulation. Once used, the user will experience a period of misfortune triple the luck used."
"The Half-opened Eye. The owner can observe and receive hidden knowledge and also use different spells. The knowledge can be dangerous or even deadly."
"..."
Amanises read the descriptions one after another, realizing a common point.
Most of these are of Sequence 7...
Not just most, but rather all of them.
Well of course, the items must grant a boost in power, while also being easy to keep and with negligible side effects.
I heard those from the Seer pathway and Demoness pathway are good, but sadly I don't see any...
Unfortunately, the selection didn't offer what she actually wanted.
Both of those pathways offer substitution powers which are simply broken in a fight!
She wanted one so bad!
Unfortunately, even if Seer was the main pathway coveted by The Arcanists, this specific Sealed Artifact was missing.
Shame.
She stepped in front of more weapon-like Sealed Artifacts. Swords, axes, guns and even spears.
These don't look so bad and they would also cover my need for a weapon.
Unfortunately, that came at the price of being mediocre.
A sword that belonged to Sheriff, another one that was of Provoker.
A spear that belonged to Pyromaniac but would burn the user and a dagger from Unwinged Angel.
Amanises then turned back to the captain.
"Have you made your selection yet?"
"No." She shook her head. "There's nothing here that matches my needs."
Cesimir sighed through his covered mouth and uncrossed his arms from where he was leaning on a wall.
"What needs do you have?"
"I want a strong weapon, or something that offers a substitution spell."
"Hmmm. Regarding substitution, I'm afraid there isn't anything I can offer. Artifacts of the Seer pathway are often shattered and given to new Arcanists."
"Shattered?"
"Beyonders of Sequence 2 and above can shatter a Sealed Artifact to restore it back to being a Beyonder Characteristic safe for potion making."
"Ooh."
"But regarding your weapon needs..." He suddenly stopped and stroked his chin.
"There's a very strong option we have, but not something I think you could use."
"Well could you show it to me? I can't make the decision unless I know all of my options."
"Sigh. Alright follow me." Despite being Sleepless, Cesimir looked visibly exhausted and lacked sleep.
I'm sorry captain. But I need to make use of this opportunity!
They climbed up a floor and stopped in front of room 715, also called The Armory.
"This is where the weapons are kept. Mostly regular ones but few here are Sealed Artifacts or Beyonder items."
He introduced her to the mundane weapons and the limited usage Beyonder items.
"They aren't bad, but most are here for decoration."
Then, he stopped in front of a magnificent looking axe.
Amanises wasn't all that into weapons, as her days of playing games were over as she grew older, but this was truly something to marvel at!
This looks insane! Just by being in its presence I feel strong!
She took note of the brown bandages that covered its handle.
"This is Sealed Artifact number 2-334 Until Dawn."
H-huh? Why does that name feel familiar?
He extended his hand to it, if he were selling her some goods that could only work after you've spent more money.
"This axe belongs to Warrior's Sequence 6—Dawn Palladin. It's one of our strongest weapons under demigod level.
"This axe has purification powers, as well as strength enhancement abilities.
"However, it is incredibly heavy and hard to get a hold of and actually use.
"Not even Warriors of the same Sequence can make full use of it."
Amanises stared at the heavy axe, feeling a slight tremor in her chest.
That tremor wasn't from fear or disappointment, but rather—excitement!
This is exactly what I need!
The effect of her strength poem still hadn't worn off!
"Captain, is it safe to lift now?"
"N-now? I mean sure. If you can." He almost stumbled over his words, but then stepped back, making way for the woman.
She didn't stand ceremony, spitting on her palms or stretching as if she were to pull Excalibur out of its stone.
No—Amanises simply walked up to the axe and picked it up with one hand, putting it over her shoulder.
"I'll be taking this."
She turned around to give a proud look to her captain, keeping a smug grin away from her lips.
If it weren't for the high collar that hid most of his face, Amanises could've swore that his jaw was left hanging.
"Ahem! Ahem! That's—That's good. Good job." He cleared his throat and walked towards a section of the armory, one that was a simple stack of drawers with more papers.
He took out a few of them and handed them to Amanises, who still held the huge axe on her shoulder.
"These are the details of the Sealed Artifact. Please read them thoroughly."
Amanises glanced down at the papers, feeling her questions being answered with each added line.
Name: Until Dawn
Danger level: 2
Description: A Gothic crescent battle axe that stands at 170cm height. Its blade is unnaturally sharp and inscribed with many symbols and patterns, asymmetrical resembling the arch of a cathedral window.
It is made from the hardest pure steel, with fine engravings that resemble barbed wire along its handle for better grip.
Origin: Made by the greatest Artisan, Roselle Gustav himself, the axe has been kept inside the cathedral of Steam for a very long time.
At some point, it was brought to the battlefield by one of its bishops, only for the owner to never pick it back up after it had fallen.
Usage requirements: If you are able to lift it, use it like a regular battle axe.
Abilities: Giant's Might—gives the user a physical enhancement equal to that of giants, raising their constitution, regenerative abilities and might to an incredible degree!
Hurricane of light: By shoving the axe into solid ground the user is able to manifest a storm of purifying light, which tears through enemies and evil spirits alike.
Dawn Armor: The user will be covered from head to toe in an impenetrable layer of light. It will only last for less than a minute.
Negative effects: The user will become a battle hungry beast the more the axe is swung. The effect will wear off over time after usage is done.
The user must maintain a cool-headed mind and not give in to the Sealed Artifact, otherwise they might risk becoming its puppet.
After 15 minutes of usage, Until Dawn will completely overshadow the user's mind with battle lust and desire for bloodshed.
Sealing Method: The axe's handle must be wrapped in bandages that have been soaked in the blood of an enemy that has been defeated using Until Dawn specifically.
If the bandages are removed or damaged the seal will lose its effect and Until Dawn will start affecting nearby creatures with an insatiable Battle Lust.
...
After reading the entire file, Amanises smirked without being noticed.
Perfect.