Chapter 164: Ch164: Zane The Investigator
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Name: Daniel Dikson
Race: Human
Companion: Veilintina [Lust Demon]
Exp: 230/45000
Level: 43
HP: 4500/4500
Mana: 3300/3300
Charm: 30 [+]
Strength: 70 [+]
Dexterity: 50 [+]
Vitality: 50 [+]
Intelligence: 50 [+]
Essence Points Available: 00
Skill: {Voodoo Trap} {Pouch} {Mana Link}
Ability: {Third Eye} { Veil Incantation} {Eternal Eye} {Varitas Incantation}
Combat Arts: {Shadow Stepback} {Shadow Jump}
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This feeling...
A tense, stretching sensation spread through his entire body, as though every muscle was rebuilding itself and his physique was growing stronger with each passing second, like the satisfying ache after an intense workout — the kind that reminded him his body had become more powerful than before.
...
Daniel ended up eating breakfast in the afternoon.
Once he finished, he washed himself at the well, then changed into a fresh red tunic and navy pants, ready to leave for Arcana Town.
"What? I thought you were going to stay for a week or something?" Marnie asked, her expression clouded with surprise and disappointment.
"My training isn’t over, Mom. I just took a day off because I missed you," Daniel said, his tone gentle.
A moment of silence settled between them.
Marnie’s eyes widened as she stared at Daniel, unable to speak for a heartbeat.
’For me? Me?’ She wondered.
"Don’t worry about me. I’ll return home after I finish my training and become a great shaman," he said with a reassuring smile.
She hurried from his room and returned moments later, her fist clenched. "Son, don’t tell your father, okay?"
Daniel gave a soft nod and accepted her offering.
When he opened his hand, he found nine silver coins.
Great.
With that, he left Arcane Village. Half an hour later, he arrived in Arcana Town. However, instead of heading to his rented house, he made his way to the underground basement opposite the town gate.
As he drew closer to the hidden entrance, the pouch at his right pocket gave a faint vibration.
Daniel stopped and scanned the area. No people. Then he pulled out the Exil Gatekey, and climbed down the ladder.
This time he came prepared and drew a candle from his pouch.
*Snap*
With a flick of his finger, a thin spark of lightning leaped from his fingertip.
*Zap*
The wick caught instantly.
A golden flame bloomed, pushing back the darkness and casting warm light across the narrow passage.
’Right, right, straight, then left... and right. Yeah. Hope I still remember correctly,’ he thought before moving forward.
Before long, he lost his way. Instead of reaching Zero’s door, he stumbled upon a different wooden door, with torches mounted on either side.
*Knock-Knock*
"Hello, is anybody there?" Daniel called.
A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a man with a thick mario mustache.
"Oh, you must be Daniel, right?" the man asked, his tone warm.
"You know my name?"
"Everybody knows your name. The young Exil member who returned from the Hardest Trial with a rare artifact. You can call me Fransis, by the way. So, what brings you to my doorstep?" Fransis asked with a smile.
"Right. I was... lost," said Daniel with a neutral expression.
"Lost?"
Daniel gave a small nod.
Fransis let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I’ve never heard of anyone getting lost in here.
Go straight, take two lefts, then one right. You’ll reach Zero’s door."
"Thank you," Daniel said before turning away.
Three minutes later, he arrived. However, the door was locked from the outside.
Disappointed, Daniel wandered through the underground tunnels, hoping to find Zane’s room.
To his surprise, the first door he encountered was none other than Zane’s, with a plaque that read:
Investigator.
*Knock-Knock*
"Who’s there," a familiar voice called from inside.
"It’s Daniel."
"Come in," said Zane.
Inside, Daniel saw Zane seated at a wooden table, with books stacked like towers in front of him and papers scattered across the tabletop, as though he had been buried in work for hours.
"State your business, Daniel," Zane said with his gaze locked on the paper before him.
"You know where Zero is?" Daniel asked with a neutral expression.
"He’s probably out for lunch at the bakery," Zane replied.
Daniel sat on a stool beside Zane and scanned the room. The room looked like a library, with shelves lined with books, a board, and pieces of chalk, along with several sketches pinned to it.
What a boring place is this...
"If you don’t mind, may I ask what you’re doing, Zane?"
"I’m just going through these handwritten reports from the past week and trying to connect the dots to see what makes sense," Zane replied.
"Like?" Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"Like this. Four days ago, another Pilgrim Barrier was breached east of Raven Town. I suppose the shamans have already restored the barrier, but... but the real question is: Who broke it? No ordinary person can break a Pilgrim Barrier," Zane said, his tone patient, like a teacher explaining a lesson.
Raven town? Barrier... what?
"What’s this Prilgrim Barrier?" Daniel asked.
"Not prilgrim. Pilgrim," Zane corrected. "It’s a barrier that prevents random dungeons from spawning inside the safe zone."
"Safe zone?"
"Yes. We’re basically living inside a safe zone. Beyond it lies a world full of danger, dangers like magical beast that breathe fire, dragons and many many more, lurking in the shadows," Zane said.
Daniel stood up and paced beside the table, his arms crossed. "If there’s so much danger outside, doesn’t that mean the barrier is constantly attacked from the outside?"
Zane shook his head. "No, that’s not how it works.
There are different barriers for different problems.
And the Pilgrim Barrier can only be broken from inside. The person must possess a strong mastery over elemental powers or be a warrior. Only then can he or she breach it."
Daniel’s expression turned serious. "Then whoever broke it wanted the danger inside?"
Zane’s eyes narrowed. "Exactly. That’s what bothers me.
And I think the one who broke the barrier in Arcana Town must have been in Raven Town as well. Or maybe there’s a connection between the two. A party? Business? Maybe. But why? That’s what I’m trying to find out."
"Hmm... interesting," Daniel said, his expression thoughtful. Then he recalled something. "Oh, by the way, do you know someone named Klaus?"
Zane’s eyes widened, and he turned toward Daniel in an instant.
"How do you know that name?!"
