Chapter 169: Magical Items

The chances of finding rule-infused items in the Death Swamp Ruins are slim, and they are hard to locate.

The last discovery of such an item was over a hundred years ago.

Despite this, many still venture into the ruins each time they open.

The Death Swamp Ruins open once every ten years, and this year marks their reopening.

The ruins are controlled by major wizard families and organizations, leaving independent wizards without a chance to enter.

Each faction has a limited number of slots, already allocated.

For the Moss family, losing a few slots is more painful than the 100,000 magic stone compensation.

The ruins contain items that magic stones can’t buy, their value beyond measure.

Yet, under Augustus Academy’s mediation, the Moss family must accept the outcome, despite any grievances.

…

“Helag, we have extra slots. Interested in the Death Swamp Ruins?” Brack asked with a smile.

Helag had earned great merit for the Terchy family, defending Blackrock Valley, and received a reward of 5,000 magic stones.

Additionally, the Terchy family offered Helag a slot for the Death Swamp Ruins, should he choose to go.

After learning about the ruins, Helag pondered the opportunity.

His primary concern was the danger.

The ruins are fraught with peril, though years of exploration have mapped safe and unsafe areas.

However, unforeseen variables could arise once inside.

Yet danger brings opportunity, and the ruins hold many treasures.

Especially items with rule power, which, though Helag is currently gaseous, will be invaluable when he reaches crystallization.

Acquiring such items early would greatly aid his future, increasing his chances of advancing to a second-level wizard.

Missing this opportunity means waiting another ten years.

The Terchy family offering Helag a slot is a gesture of goodwill.

With more Terchy members entering, their strength increases.

Helag could simply follow them, collecting items along the way.

Though tempted, Helag felt unprepared, wary of potential mishaps.

He decided to go but planned to prepare thoroughly.

“How long until the Death Swamp Ruins open?” Helag asked.

“Three months,” Brack replied.

“Three months should be enough. I’ll prepare,” Helag decided.

Now, he had some self-defense capability, unlike before.

With the decision made, Helag focused on preparation.

In three months, his strength wouldn’t significantly increase, so he needed external aids.

This was an opportunity to test some ideas.

Returning to his underground lab, Helag instructed, “Deep Blue, simulate a magical item creation method. Requirements: stability, remote detonation capability, structure similar to previous-world bombs, and accessible materials.”

Helag aimed to create bomb-like magical items, unseen in the Barrens.

His past-life experience taught him the power of compressed energy release, prompting this experiment.

“Task logged, simulation in progress, estimated five hours,” Deep Blue reported.

The method for creating magical items was in Deep Blue’s database, though Helag hadn’t tried it.

Five hours later.

“Simulation complete. Based on current data, the structure is as follows.”

A circular structure appeared before Helag, with a red crystal inside, wrapped in animal fur.

“Materials: Fire Lizard Crystal, Fire Lizard Fur, Niter, Mandrake Juice…”

Helag noted the main material was from a creature called the Fire Lizard.

These creatures, found throughout the Barrens, develop a Fire Lizard Crystal upon maturing.

The crystal allows the Fire Lizard to emit high-temperature flames, its primary energy source.

Deep Blue’s structure used the crystal as a core, igniting it with magic, combined with special structures and components for explosive power.

The Fire Lizard Fur provided natural compatibility, ensuring stability.

Usage was simple: infuse a bit of magic into the sphere, then detonate with preset commands.

With the structure ready, it was time for experimentation.

First, Helag needed materials. He approached Brack, “Mr. Brack, could you procure Fire Lizard Crystals and Fur for me?”

“Fire Lizard? What’s it for?” Brack asked, puzzled.

Fire Lizard Crystals are fire spell materials, but Helag specialized in dark energy, rarely buying such items.

“For experiments,” Helag explained.

Brack didn’t press further, nodding, “No problem. If I recall, a Fire Lizard Crystal and Fur set costs about thirty magic stones. How many do you need?”

“Ten sets for now, possibly more later.”

Helag ordered a modest amount, intending to test the item’s effectiveness before committing to more.

If unsatisfactory, he’d adjust materials and formulas, avoiding waste.

Three days later, ten Fire Lizard Crystals and Furs arrived.

The furs were small, just enough to wrap one set.

Fire Lizards were cat-sized, so their furs were small.

After paying three hundred magic stones, Helag returned to his lab, eager to begin his first magical item creation.

His status in the Terchy family had risen, ensuring quick material acquisition.

Back in the lab, Helag followed Deep Blue’s structure to create the magical item.

The process was simple, far less complex than potion-making.

In an hour, Helag held a leather-wrapped sphere.