The day had gone by in a flash. Alister and Terra, given the chance, spent hours practically scouring all the treasures in the treasury. Despite their thorough search, they found no other items that could be used in the crafting of the omnipotent elixir.
Yuuto, observing Alister’s growing obsession, eventually made him stop his search. If left alone, Alister would have decided to start examining each item one by one, and even Yuuto didn’t have the patience for that. So, Alister had to leave with only one of his desired items.
However, Yuuto, being a man of his word, personally offered Alister three other items to meet the required item count specified in their contract. Despite his disappointment, Alister knew he had to accept this compromise.
They stepped out of the treasury, Yuuto proceeding to close the massive doors behind them. Alister held the items he was given in his hands, unable to put them in his inventory with Yuuto still being so close by.
With a respectful nod, they parted ways, heading to their separate rooms for the night. Alister felt a touch of relief and frustration. He had at least one of the items he needed, but the road ahead still seemed uncertain.
Once far away from Yuuto and out of sight of the other guild members, Alister discreetly dropped the items into his inventory. He didn’t want to draw any more attention than he already had.
Gazing at the system window with the items listed, Alister mumbled to himself, “Although they were never my goal in the first place, they will undoubtedly help me in my efforts to find the necessary items in the future.”
[Inventory
– Eternal Bondmaster (Rank: SS)
– Phantom Spade’s Mask (Rank: A)
– Ring of Haste (Rank: B)
– Dragon Overlord’s Heirloom (Rank: SSS+)]
Alister felt a bit satisfied with the items. ‘Although it was not intentional, I wouldn’t be surprised if giving me these high-ranked items actually dropped the guild’s net worth, even if it was by a decimal,’ he thought.
As his eyes landed on the Dragon Overlord’s Heirloom, a memory flashed in his mind.
Back in the treasury, after reading the item’s status window, Alister had momentarily frozen with shock. His thoughts raced. ‘Wait, if all this is true, then… That woman in the picture was once…. How? Who is she? Could she… Could she be…?’
Yuuto walked past Alister with a smile on his face, but half of his face darkened.
Alister’s eyes widened as he instantly whipped around to face Yuuto. “Who was the person who wore this necklace before?”
Yuuto paused and turned to look at him, wearing a puzzled expression. “Someone who wore that necklace before? I don’t understand what you are talking about. What do you mean? It’s just another treasure in the guild.”
Alister’s voice turned serious. “Don’t play games with me. I saw you in a picture on an old smartphone with the Union president and a woman wearing this necklace, and you yourself said it brings back precious memories. Who was she?” freёwebnoѵel.com
Yuuto looked further confused. “Alister, I don’t know what you’re talking about. That was an item my guild members and I got from defeating a boss monster.”
His expression turned downcast, as it seemed these memories surfaced to his mind.
“I said it holds a lot of precious memories because many of my guild members died in the battle to secure that item. It brings back their smiles and the happy moments we shared. Those are the memories I was talking about.”
‘Wait… That doesn’t make sense. Is he trying to say he and his guild members were the ones that killed the first dragon? That’s crap… No wait, he said a boss monster. Maybe it was guarded and then stolen by a monster. That makes more sense, but that’s not what I’m asking.’
Alister calmed down and spoke. “Look, sir, you just need to tell me this: do you or do you not know of a woman who wore this necklace?”
Yuuto let out a sigh. “Look, Alister, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Photo editing apps had come a long way even before the apocalypse. Anyone would want to take a picture with a guild master and the Union president. The photo you are talking about was most likely edited.”
Alister countered, “I’m no fool. The picture I saw was taken on an old smartphone. It looked ages old. I wouldn’t even be surprised if it was taken before the apocalypse or around the era it descended. But back then, there’s no way you would have been a guild master, nor would the Union president have been the Union president. Who would want to Photoshop pictures of people who would have been total nobodies?”
Narrowing his gaze, Alister said, “You’re obviously lying to me.”
Yuuto turned around, his back facing Alister. “I may, I may not. All I know is you got what you wanted, Alister. Stop trying to poke into my past. You’ll get a headache if you do.”
“But-”
Before he could finish, Yuuto’s silver mana surged out from his body like a raging inferno. It was the first time Alister had seen mana take such a massive form in his life. He instantly froze, an immense chill running down his spine.
Yuuto’s tone turned cold. “Look, Alister, I’m not gonna lie. I like you, but don’t take my fondness as an opportunity to disrespect me. I just said I don’t know what you’re talking about, so you should let go of any questions on your mind. Are we clear?”
Alister reluctantly nodded.
Yuuto’s mana instantly faded, his expression turning playful. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. Continue with your search now,” he said as he walked back to the door, waving his hand.
The memory ended.
Alister let out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad things worked out for me in the end,” he said to
himself.
He walked up to a wall, leaning against it as he trembled.
‘I really thought I was going to die.’
‘Heck even the system was giving me warnings that my life was in danger.’