Chapter 2289 Writing Destiny <TOC> Chapter 2291 Lewis' Hat
Translator: SumTLMan
On the four sides of the box, there were very intricate antique bronze-colored rose vine patterns, and in the center was a blooming red rose made up of a multitude of tiny diamonds.
In the heart of the red rose, stood a black cross.
This pattern looked like some kind of emblem.
Seeing Angel’s gaze fixed on the rose, Feng guessed his confusion and said, “What this pattern is, I do not know. I suspect it might be the emblem of some family, but unfortunately, I have not found any related information. However, this pattern, in my view, is not important because it merely symbolizes something without any extraordinary significance. Instead, it is the box itself that you need to take good care of.”
Angel, who had initially focused on the pattern, shifted his attention to the box upon hearing Feng’s words.
“This box looks very ordinary, and indeed, it has not shown any special effects. But when I first received it, it was in this box, and only this box could contain its essence. Any other box would not suffice.”
Angel: “It? Are you referring to something inside the box?”
Feng nodded: “Even if the box has no other effects, the fact that it can contain it and conceal its aura is already quite remarkable.”
Angel: “What exactly does ‘it’ refer to?”
“Why don’t you open it and see for yourself?”
After saying this, Feng sighed softly, murmuring in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s, “Back then, if I had known that the ultimate price would be this, I might have hesitated about seeking the Book of Kael.”
Feng’s display of such reluctance in front of Angel showed how he had not completely let go of whatever was inside the box.
The fact that a legendary wizard like Feng could not let go of it was enough to show that the contents of the box were extraordinary.
“Since this item is so precious, I think it’s better to leave it with Mr. Feng,” Angel said calmly.
Feng: “As I said before, the game is not over, and this is the price I must pay.”
Angel held the box in his hands, weighed it, then gently placed it on the table, pushing it towards Feng: “I can accept it for now and then gift it back to you.”
Feng looked at Angel with interest: “Are you really willing to part with it?”
Angel: “Yes, I have already received many good rewards in this game, and I won’t miss this one.”
Angel’s words were not false. Although he did not like being a pawn in the game, he had indeed gained a lot from this experience.
Just speaking of tangible gains, he obtained a bloodline avatar of the Demon God, as well as the coveted shell of the Demon God’s descendant from Lord Mengke, and even the Source Fire, which he acquired because he was caught in the game.
The intangible benefits that come not from physical possessions are plentiful, including the friendship of Odeklaes, the recognition of the Will of the Original Tan Continent, the favor of Vaudeurs Lord, the development rights of the Tidal Realm, among others… There are many benefits that Angel has not accounted for, such as the friendly relations with Fafnir and Innkeeper Night. These intangible benefits encompass networks, friendships, and invisible yet promising rights and interests. They are in no way inferior to tangible gains, and may even surpass them.
Although many of the benefits were earned by Angel himself, at their root, it was because Angel entered the game that he was able to gain these benefits.
It is precisely because he has gained so much that Angel does not really need this treasure. His relentless pursuit of the treasure is more about wanting to understand the true nature of the game and Feng’s intentions.
Feng looked deeply at Angel: “You answer so quickly? Why don’t you open it and see, then answer me, can you bear to part with it?”
Angel: “If I open it, maybe I really won’t be able to part with it. So, it’s better not to open it.”
Hearing this, Feng was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily.
After a long while, Feng stopped laughing: “I’ve always wondered if anyone would come here, and what kind of person that would be. I didn’t expect it to be someone as interesting as you.”
“If I were not just a consciousness, I would truly wish to contact my real body and make friends with you.”
Angel: “There’s no difference between consciousness and the real body, right?”
Feng smiled and shook his head, not continuing the conversation, but pushed the box that was in front of him back towards Angel: “I was somewhat reluctant before, but now, giving it to you, I feel much better. At least, its future owner is an interesting person.”
Angel wanted to refuse, but Feng waved his hand: “Don’t refuse. Do you think the trap set by the Book of Kael would really let you bypass it so easily? It’s yours, it’s meant for you.”
“Besides, I am now just a consciousness in a painting, and it won’t be long before I disappear with the fading of this painted world. Giving it to me is pointless.”
“Don’t even think about giving it to my real body. It’s useless. Since I’ve decided to part with it, then the destiny written for its end, it belongs to you. Take it, it may be precious, but after all, it’s just an object… And since the Book of Kael has designated this object for you, it also indirectly shows that it’s more suitable in your hands than in mine.”
Since Feng said so, Angel thought about it and didn’t refuse any further.
He was indeed curious about what treasure Feng had left behind.
Thinking this, Angel reached out and picked up the small box, studied it for a moment, and quickly mastered the technique to open it, gently unlocking the tiny mechanism. The box immediately opened a crack.
As the crack appeared, the originally concealed aura immediately dissipated.
This familiar aura…
Angel’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise as he looked up at Feng across from him: “Is it a Mysterious Object?”
Feng pondered for a moment before responding, “You could say that.”
“You could say that?” Why does that sound not so certain?
However, Angel didn’t delve too deeply into it. He could distinctly feel the mysterious aura emanating from the cracks of the box… Without a doubt, this was definitely a Mysterious Object.
If it was indeed a Mysterious Object, it’s no wonder Feng was so protective of it. Mysterious Objects are an irresistible temptation for any wizard.
Angel was no stranger to Mysterious Objects; he possessed one himself. However, there’s a compatibility between Mysterious Objects and wizards, where some objects only reveal their full potential with the right person. For example, the “Dream Conch from the Moonlit Coast” would be considered worthless in the hands of other wizards, but in Angel’s hands, it becomes a strategic item capable of changing the era.
Since Feng mentioned that this Mysterious Item was the price designated by the Book of Kael for him, it must be highly suitable for him.
What could a Mysterious Item that suits him be?
At that moment, a memory flashed through Angel’s mind, a scene from the painting studio in White Cloud Hamlet. The most memorable part of that studio for Angel wasn’t the various paintings, but a rune bearing corner there…
Angel remembered that the rune bearing corner in the studio radiated a strong mysterious aura. It was because of such a rune bearing corner that the otherwise crudely drawn runes not only took shape but also exhibited significant effects.
At that time, Angel speculated after seeing that rune bearing corner, whether Feng possessed a Mysterious Pen.
A Mysterious Pen capable of inscribing runes.
Angel didn’t know much about what Mysterious Objects Feng possessed, but his only guess, the “Mysterious Pen,” was particularly suitable for Angel, who was proficient in enchantment.
“Is this box containing a pen for inscribing runes?” Angel couldn’t help but ask Feng.
Feng raised an eyebrow: “The fact that you thought of this indicates that you’ve seen the rune bearing corner in White Cloud Hamlet, huh? Your guess is in the right direction, but do you really think… such a small box could contain a pen?”
Indeed, the box couldn’t possibly hold a pen.
But who’s to say this box isn’t a special spatial item? Previously, when Angel saw the oil painting, he hadn’t expected there to be such a vast world within it either.
However, since Feng had put it that way, it probably wasn’t a pen.
So, what could it be?
With a slight exertion of force, Angel pried open the seam of the box.
As the lid was fully opened, the contents were revealed to Angel. However, when he looked inside, he was utterly astonished.
He had guessed that if it wasn’t a pen, it might at least be a carving tool for inscribing runes, otherwise, how could one draw the rune bearing corner?
But to his surprise, the box was empty… there was nothing inside.
However, it wasn’t entirely accurate to say the box was empty because on the inner wall of the box, there was a rune symbol very familiar to Angel.
It was the very rune bearing corner he had seen in the studio in White Cloud Hamlet!
This rune bearing corner was drawn on the inner wall with a ghostly blue blood ink. And the entire mysterious aura of the box emanated solely from this single rune.
Angel examined the inside of the box again carefully and observed it from the perspective of mental power, but in the end, he still didn’t find anything else. Only this single rune was asserting its presence.
Could it be… Angel suddenly thought of a possibility and looked up at Feng.
“Is this rune the Mysterious Object?”
Feng nodded: “To call it a Mysterious Object is correct, yet it’s too vague. More accurately, it’s a Mysterious Rune.”
A Mysterious Rune? Hearing this, Angel seemed to understand.
Angel had perused the Culuoli Chronicles, gaining a certain understanding of the Mysterious Objects. He knew that these objects sometimes transcended physical form, encompassing concepts and even certain energies that could manifest as the mysterious.
For instance, one of the Mysterious Objects Culuoli mentioned was——the Growth Ray, an energy-based mysterious. Its effect was peculiar; those irradiated by the Growth Ray would develop random organs within their bodies.
Similarly, a mysterious potion was observed. Angel once saw a mysterious potion called Sage’s Gaze at Master Midora’s place. This potion wasn’t meant for drinking; merely gazing upon it would bestow the potion’s unique effects.
Thus, if rays and potions could become mysterious, the idea of a rune undergoing a mysterious transformation seemed plausible.
With countless planes of existence, it’s conceivable that rituals and inscriptions of a mysterious nature could emerge. This realization made the concept of a Mysterious Rune acceptable.
After the initial confusion, Angel’s gaze towards the Mysterious Rune turned excited.
Being proficient in enchantment, he was eager to discover what changes this Mysterious Rune could introduce to the art of enchantment.
“What effects does this Mysterious Rune have? How should it be used?” Angel couldn’t help but ask.
“The specific effects, you’ll know once you use it,” Feng paused, then answered his own question: “You should be able to inscribe runes, right? Of course, you can. Since the Book of Kael chose this as a reward, it must be the most suitable for you.”
Angel didn’t deny it, modestly nodding in agreement: “I know a bit about enchantment.”
“Then you’ll know the effects once you try it yourself. As for how to use it, it’s quite simple.”
In just a few sentences, Feng outlined the general details and usage of this Mysterious Object.
This particular Mysterious Rune was named “Mad Hatter’s Coronation.” Feng did not explain why it was named so at the moment.
The laws for using the rune are essentially threefold: First, the rune can be transferred onto any tangible object by simply touching the object with the rune, at which point it will move onto the object. Second, once the object bearing the rune has been infused with energy, the rune will no longer transfer. Third, the “Mad Hatter’s Coronation” rune on its own is ineffective; it only works when combined with other runes, becoming an integral part of a complete rune system.
For instance, if one were to touch a carving pen to the rune inside a box, the rune would transfer from the box into the pen.
When writing, as long as one focuses energy into the pen carrying the rune, it is possible to inscribe the “Mad Hatter’s Coronation” Mysterious Rune onto leather paper. At this moment, because energy has been infused into the pen, the rune within the pen will not transfer onto the leather paper.
After use, if no more energy is infused, the rune will once again exhibit its transferable characteristic.
Typically, after using the “Mad Hatter’s Coronation,” one would store the rune back in the box. This is because when the rune is on other objects, it continuously emits a mysterious aura, but within the box, this aura is concealed.
After hearing Feng’s explanation, Angel took out a piece of sheepskin paper specially for inscribing runes from his bracelet, ready to experiment.
Before starting the inscription, Angel suddenly wondered, “Does this Mysterious Rune get consumed?”
Feng shook his head, “No. At least, I’ve used it many times and have never seen it deplete.”
Hearing this, Angel let out a sigh of relief, thinking that since this is a Mysterious Rune, if it were to be depleted after a single use, it would be a great loss.
Angel took out a carving pen, pondering over which rune to draw.
The “Mad Hatter’s Coronation,” despite its grandiose name, actually signifies “transformation” in the realm of runes.
This means that any rune that possesses the “transformation” aspect can substitute it with the “Mad Hatter’s Coronation.”
“Transformation” is a commonly used aspect in runes, with a wide range of applications, but Angel couldn’t possibly start with carving complex runes. For experimentation, it’s best to start with a simple rune.
Among the simple runes, which ones contain the “transformation” aspect?
After pondering for a moment, an idea formed in Angel’s mind.