Return Of The Strongest Player

"I don't know if it's true, but that is what I've heard," Diamond explained, her face pale. "Also, I've seen him kill people simply for looking him in the eye. He's a lot like those gangsters you killed."

"You've 'seen' him?" Arthur inquired, squinting.

Diamond nodded casually as if it wasn't a big deal. "He came to the Central City of the First Floor for an unknown reason, escorted by a certain man with ice powers. That's when he killed the people."

"But that isn't all," Diamond continued. "He also tried to sexually harass someone there, but the man with ice powers stopped him. This incident was a few decades ago now, but I vividly remember it."

"Also, he was involved in a scandal with another mid-rank clan, in which he was rumored to have refused to honor a deal. However, instead of apologizing, he exterminated the entire clan, instead."

Arthur nodded. All of the incidents were quite famous and widely known. However, he still couldn't wrap his head around Diamond's knowledge about 'sacrificing his family in exchange for power.'

It seemed to be a mere rumor, but was it possible?

It was obvious that the high-ranking clans weren't aware of the specifics, as the Saint Sealing Devil was still living at this moment, without being exploited by any of them. However, could they have a faint idea?

If so, Felix's life was in danger.

'I don't care if he dies later, but I can't let him die until I've settled in the tower. A few years, maybe? I need him to protect me when I get the 13th Constellation Token, and help me act as a mercenary in the upcoming war.'

Arthur didn't pay mind to Diamond's concerns, as he was aware of Felix's character. He only trusted the man because of the River Of Oaths. If it weren't for his inability to break promises, Arthur would have never come into contact with him.

For a man like the Saint Sealing Devil, knocking a few heads off peoples' bodies was equivalent to regular activities on a Tuesday.

He was definitely powerful enough.

'But he has already committed,' Arthur muttered internally. 'The reason he was able to dishonor the other guy's deal was because one of his subordinates made the deal without mentioning Felix's name. Tricky bastard.'

'But this time, using such a loophole is impossible.'

"I see…" Arthur muttered. "However, I'm certain of my decision. He is our only option at such a time."

Diamond nodded, somewhat perturbed, but didn't dare question the crimson-eyed man, her employer.

"Ferhill, we have a few materials stored in the back, right?" Arthur inquired. Getting the gist of the situation, Ferhill immediately left the room before returning only a few minutes afterward, holding a few sets of items.

He placed them on the floor.

"Matthew, sit in a meditative position."

Matthew did as ordered. Arthur plopped down on the floor beside him, shutting his eyes while commanding the boy to follow his every movement. 'The guy can already use mana. It seems Diamond taught him a little bit.'

Arthur willed the mana in his body to engulf three items, all with distinct features. "I will be refining a pot capable of brewing pills for alchemy."

Uttering those words, a streak of purple light emerged from the items. Arthur slowly drained their energy before condensing it, allowing the items to wither away. The metal melted, while the grass withered.

The purple energy floated across the room, engulfing it and providing it with ample warmth. It was illumination at its finest, similar to LED lights.

Following that, Arthur extended his arm, grabbing a regular, silver pot with complex markings etched upon it. He took off the lid, allowing the purple energy to seep within while producing a sizzling sound.

Once the sizzling subsided, the purple light then engulfed the pot, causing it to levitate. Sweat trickled down Arthur's forehead as he performed the specific part of the process. His body trembled.

The markings on the pot became defined, while a certain aura surrounded the pot.

It was as if the pot had been reborn. With a more intense and profound aura, the pot had ascended from a mere household item to a full-fledged artifact capable of being used to brew and craft pills.

"I don't expect you to be able to do this on your first try, but you'll learn. Eventually."

With those words, Arthur named the pot. "The Profound Pot Of Alchemy."

The others cringed but did not voice their thoughts. Matthew sat in a meditative position, focusing solely on the pot before him. Arthur placed his palms on his back, guiding the boy through the process.

Diamond watched intently as Matthew sped through the process, performing only a little worse than Arthur on his first try.

'The guy's a fucking genius,' Arthur raised his eyebrows, utterly shocked by Matthew's performance. Had he been even a little experienced, the pot would've skyrocketed in terms of value.

This was exactly the sort of boost the organization needed to take off.

Suddenly, Diamond approached the pot, as if entranced by it. "Can I… try?"

Arthur cocked his head before nodding. "Why not?"

He placed his hands on Diamond's back, guiding her through the process. Her energy was much more potent, while her performance seemed to be refined as if she were an expert at the art.

She was even better than Matthew.

'I hit the jackpot,' Arthur revealed a joyous expression, cheering internally. Considering the two were still able to improve endlessly–as they were mere newbies in the art–the organization would eventually possess two heavenly refinement experts.

'I guess this is the benefit of talent,' Arthur muttered internally, slightly bitter that the two had received such results while being mere newbies, while the crimson-eyed man had trained for over a year during his former life.

It was truly unfair.

Then again, Arthur wasn't one capable of speaking about such subjects, considering his personal situation.

Receiving the legacy of 2 Starbreakers wasn't an ordinary task, by all means.