The Guest Suite of the Frostfall Estate looked like a dragon's hoard.
Piles of glowing blue mana crystals were stacked on the floor, on the desk, and even on the bed. They hummed with raw energy, lighting up the room without the need for lamps.
Alfred stood by the door with an empty trolley, looking pained.
"Sir," Alfred cleared his throat. "Just for the record... the value of the items in this room exceeds the annual GDP of a small country. Are you certain you want to... 'use' them all tonight?"
Kael picked up a fist-sized crystal. It was a Grade-A Refined Mana Stone, worth 500,000 credits alone.
"Don't worry, Alfred," Kael smiled, though sweat was already beading on his forehead. "It's an investment. I'm going to turn this money into safety."
"As you wish. I shall ensure no one disturbs you."
Alfred bowed and closed the door.
Kael was alone with the hum.
He sat cross-legged in the center of the pile. He felt like a starving man sitting at a banquet. His System was vibrating, sensing the immense density of "recyclable" material.
"System," Kael whispered. "Continuous Recycle Mode. Target: All crystals in contact."
He placed both hands on the floor, touching the base of the pile.
[Initiating Mass Recycling...]
[Warning: Energy intake will exceed Host's natural capacity.]
[pain_inhibitor.exe not found. Proceed?]
"Proceed."
WHOOOOM.
It didn't start as a trickle. It started as a tsunami.
The blue light from the crystals turned into liquid streams, rushing into Kael's palms.
[+500 SP]
[+500 SP]
[+500 SP]
Kael arched his back, a silent scream trapped in his throat. It felt like he was pumping molten lava through his veins. His [Mana Skin] activated automatically, trying to contain the pressure, but cracks of light began to appear on his skin.
He was overdosing on mana.
focus, Kael told himself, gritting his teeth until they creaked. Think about the Banquet. Think about the Cult.
He visualized the red signal the Cult planned to use. He visualized Seraphina's terrified face on the balcony.
Anger fueled him. He forced his channels to widen.
[+1,000 SP]
[+2,000 SP]
The crystals around him began to turn gray. They lost their glow, crumbled into dust, and collapsed into piles of ash. The mountain of wealth was evaporating.
[System Points: 8,500]
[System Points: 9,200]
[System Points: 9,800]
Blood trickled from Kael's nose. His vision blurred. He felt drunk, powerful, and infinite.
"Just... a little... more..."
He grabbed the last, largest crystal—a massive S-Grade core—and crushed it in his hand.
CRASH.
The energy exploded into him.
[DING!]
[Threshold Reached.]
[Total System Points: 10,050]
[CONGRATULATIONS!]
[System Level Up: 2 -> 3]
Kael collapsed onto his back, breathing heavily. The room was dark now, covered in gray ash. But his eyes were glowing with a stable, intense violet light.
A new menu unfolded in his mind.
[LEVEL 3 UNLOCKED FEATURES]
1. Artifact Creation (Custom): Host can now design items using System logic.
2. Recycle Range Increased: 5 meters.
3. Shop Update: Rare Materials added.
Kael laughed hoarsely. "Finally."
He sat up, wiping the blood from his nose. He didn't rest. He didn't have time.
"System, open Artifact Creation."
A 3D grid appeared in his vision.
"I need to build a jammer," Kael muttered. "Something that absorbs external mana signals and stabilizes the user's core."
He pulled out the [Green Boss Core] he had looted from the Iron-Grave Golem. It pulsed with necrotic stability—the power to hold a massive construct together.
He placed it in the center of the ash pile.
"Base material: Golem Core (Stability)," Kael dictated.
"Secondary material: [Condensed Frost Essence] (extracted from Seraphina)."
"Function: Signal Absorption and Soul Anchoring."
[Analyzing Design...]
[Estimated Cost: 3,000 SP.]
[Success Rate: 85%.]
"Do it."
Kael activated the skill.
The Golem Core floated into the air. Kael poured his newly acquired mana into it. He stripped away the necrotic elements, leaving only the concept of "unyielding stability." He wove the Frost Essence into it, tuning the artifact to Seraphina's specific wavelength.
The item spun faster and faster, shrinking, compressing.
ZZZZT!
A blinding flash filled the room.
When Kael opened his eyes, a small object fell into his hand.
It wasn't a weapon. It was a necklace.
A simple silver chain holding a pendant that looked like a deep blue sapphire. But if you looked closely, the "sapphire" swirled with a violet vortex inside.
[Item Created: "The Silent Night"]
[Rank: A]
[Effect: "Nullify" - Automatically absorbs and neutralizes any external mental or magical compulsion directed at the wearer.]
[Durability: 3/3 Charges.]
Kael clenched the necklace in his fist.
This was it. When the Cult sent their signal to trigger the dragon, this little stone would eat it.
He checked his clock. 06:00 AM.
The Banquet was tonight.
Kael stood up. He felt lighter. Stronger.
He walked to the bathroom to wash the ash and blood off his face. He looked at his reflection. His eyes seemed deeper, more dangerous.
"Alfred!" Kael called out.
The door opened instantly.
"Sir?" Alfred looked at the room covered in ash, his eyes widening slightly, but he regained his composure fast. "I assume the... investment... was successful?"
"Very," Kael tossed the necklace to Alfred. "Put this in a jewelry box. The fanciest one we have. Wrap it as a gift."
"For the Lady?"
"Yes," Kael walked past him, heading to the kitchen. "I'm going to make breakfast. Real breakfast this time. No burnt toast."
Alfred looked at the necklace, sensing the terrifying power dormant inside it.
"Sir," Alfred paused. "Are you planning to start a war tonight?"
Kael stopped at the top of the stairs. He looked back, grinning.
"No, Alfred. I'm planning to finish one."