The Fishman Warlock was the tribe's leader, and the Fish Pearl within its body could already be considered a magical material, worth over a thousand.
This was the evidence for the mission handover, and the Wizard Tower would purchase it at market price.
Obtaining it meant the mission was a complete success.
However, the group didn't immediately head back. Instead, they waited outside the cave until the next morning when the toxic smoke had dissipated before venturing inside to investigate.
This time, they found numerous scattered materials, ranging in value from a few Magic Stones to over a dozen.
The elite warriors, possessing Demonized Organs, could also condense Fish Pearls worth tens to hundreds.
There were also various miscellaneous items to be gathered around…
Another unexpected haul!
…
A few days later, the group returned to the Wizard Tower, handed over the mission, and sold the materials.
After calculations, the total earnings amounted to around 3,750 Magic Stones.
"As agreed, we'll split it equally, so each person's final share is 750 Magic Stones!"
They discussed and decided to divide it evenly.
The reason they didn't use a more complicated method to determine who contributed more or less was that they hadn't yet established a clear leader to oversee the distribution.
So, to save trouble, they simply split it equally.
Roy was quite satisfied with this.
Although his current strength far surpassed the others, relying solely on himself would never have been as safe or efficient.
Until this advantage reached a tipping point, he still needed the help of his companions.
"With this amount of Magic Stones, there's a lot I can do next.
For example, refining the Magic Stones to maximize the profit.
Purchasing various potions as a last-resort measure.
Or even preparing some Enchanted Items with spell-like abilities for myself."
However, after wandering around the market street, Roy quickly realized he was overthinking it.
This amount of money wasn't enough to buy Enchanted Items.
"Forget it. If I can't afford Enchanted Items, I'll just browse around and see if there's any good deal to snatch."
The market street around the tower often had stalls selling a variety of items.
While there were plenty of counterfeits, occasionally, there were also good finds.
After browsing for a while, Roy came across an Automaton Beast Magic Leopard constructed from Light Spirit Oak, Magic-source Mechanisms, alloy claws, and other materials.
To be precise, it was a semi-finished product.
One that lacked a Puppet Heart.
The stall owner was an Old Apprentice who looked quite mature, though it was unclear how many years he had been stuck at the intermediate apprentice stage.
Seeing Roy stop, he began pitching: "Friend, it's very cheap, only 500 Magic Stones!"
Roy inspected it briefly and confirmed that the Automaton Beast already had the complete joint structure of a puppet creation, but it lacked a power source like an Elemental Furnace or Magic Core, forcing it to be sold as an empty shell.
This was likely an unfinished project due to insufficient funds.
"This thing looks pretty good. Why are you selling it?" Roy wasn't planning to buy it, but he couldn't help asking out of curiosity.
"To be honest, if you buy it, you'd be getting a great deal. An Automaton Beast like this shouldn't be sold so cheaply."
The Old Apprentice spoke with a hint of inexplicable melancholy.
"But what can I do? The Wizard Tower has assigned me a mandatory mission, and I'm going to risk my life!"
"This automaton is useless. It's better to just exchange it for Magic Stones."
"Another mandatory mission?" Roy frowned.
"Exactly. The incident in the Small World 'Chalkland' last year had too significant an impact. The ley lines near the Wizard Tower have already started to become chaotic.
During my years as a steward at the Wizard Tower, I spent too much time and energy pondering over these external objects and failed to convert them into combat power in time. Otherwise, sigh..."
The Old Apprentice shook his head.
Roy couldn't be bothered to listen to the other's complaints; it might just be a ploy to sell goods.
What he cared about were the words "Chalkland."
This was a term he translated based on his predecessor's memories and the language of the Wizard World.
In it, "Chalk" refers to a certain component material, and "land" is similar to the concept of a country.
But it wasn't a secular country in the strict sense; it was more like a divine kingdom, a paradise.
Therefore, the full meaning of "Chalkland" is "the paradise of the Chalk Folk created by the gods," a typical Box Garden World, a Demiplane, a Pseudo-divine Kingdom!
"A typical Genesis Experiment Box Garden..."
Roy tried to probe the Old Apprentice for more information, but the other knew nothing beyond the name, so he had to give up.
The Old Apprentice pushed hard: "Friend, even if you don't want to buy the whole thing, at least take a look at the claws of this automaton.
This is Aquinas magic gold!
If you only want this, I can sell it to you for 400 Magic Stones, how about that?"
The entire broken automaton is 500 Magic Stones, and just the claws are 400 Magic Stones?
Roy couldn't help but want to laugh upon hearing this.
However, upon closer inspection, an inexplicable special sensation made him slightly startled.
Looking more carefully, its surface had a smooth, jade-like texture, and inside, there seemed to be a liquid resembling blood flowing.
"It really is Aquinas magic gold!"
Roy recalled a piece of knowledge.
"This is a magical metal that only a formal Wizard can refine. Where did you get it, and why did you use it on this apprentice-level automaton?"
The Old Apprentice looked utterly defeated: "In these times, who doesn't have grand ambitions?
Since I was a low-level apprentice, I've been determined to become a great Puppet Master, crafting various automatons.
Of course, the materials for the attack weapons have to be of the best quality!"
The most notable characteristic of Aquinas magic gold is that it contains Law Remnants from the same eerie world.
It can continuously refine and grow by absorbing the metal elements, Life Energy, and magic from blood.
Because of this, besides its scientific name, it also has another notorious common name—Bloodthirsty Magic Metal!
"It is said that its growth potential is extremely high, making it a growth-type magical metal material.
You can buy these claws back and melt them down to extract the effective components.
Even if you don't do that, you can make them into weapons.
They will grow stronger as you fight and kill, and even have self-repairing abilities!"
The Old Apprentice was persuasive, pushing hard for the sale.
With just this little, how could it be enough to forge a proper weapon?
At best, it would be a small dagger.
Moreover, as a Warlock Apprentice, there isn't much need for melee weapons.
What Roy thought of was using it on his own Hair Demon Physique.
The Hair Ghoul is a type of aberration with high growth potential. By fusing with its characteristics, one can gain the ability to grow by absorbing blood!
"400 is too expensive. If you're willing to lower the price a bit, I might consider it..."
After a moment of contemplation, he began to haggle with the Old Apprentice.
In the end, he purchased the six claw blades of the mechanical beast for 300 Magic Stones.
(End of Chapter)