Chapter 75: Abyssal Curse Cube

  That night, all the carriages rested together. Numerous large and small bonfires were lit around the area. The aroma of food and roasted meat filled the air.

  While Devil beasts might be attracted by the scent of roasted meat and campfires, no one worried since they have large numbers of fighters here.

  They were still a considerable distance from Ratana City. Given their travel speed, they would arrive safely by noon. This mission was truly complete. Everyone rested contentedly.

  Many members of Unit 3 joined soldiers for a lively dinner. This long royal mission had brought them closer together. Princess Pailin remained the same. She chatted casually with every soldier, sharing food and distributing sweets from her Palace Hold bag.

  Even though the mission had lasted over two weeks and Princess Pailin had used many things, her Palace Hold bag seemed to remain undiminished. Nitaan couldn't help but wonder how much she really packed in that bag.

  She keeps pulling things out like a magic trick…

  After chatting with those around him, Nitaan seized the opportunity and climbed up a tree, setting up his hammock to relax and admire the bright moon in the night sky.

  It was as if even the sky wanted to celebrate with them. The night sky was clear of clouds, with only the bright moon proudly displaying its beauty, surrounded by countless colorful stars. Nitaan saw the Wolf and Sheep constellation, but it seemed further away than usual. From what he had learned, Silalai town and FlameFrost Village were in different directions, making the angle of view for the Wolf and Sheep constellation different.

  He remembered the time he went hunting Devil beasts with Injan's group. That night, the sky was also filled with colorful stars like tonight. He had heard in childhood classes that some Enlightened could harness power from the stars. Back then, he was very excited by the variety of Words of Power.

  What was Injan doing? He suddenly thought of the talented young man. Injan was one of his first friends in Ratana City. Injan even gave him his medallion. Nitaan would never forget that kindness.

  Kiita suddenly jumped up and lay on top of him on the hammock. Even though it was large, the hammock didn't shake at all. Nitaan usually tied the hammock tighter than usual, knowing Kiita liked to lie on it. But this time, Kiita seemed more comfortable with ‘Gravity’. He even reduced his own weight to lie more comfortably on Nitaan.

  Nitaan smiled, stroking Kiita’s large head. He took out a fine comb and lovingly brushed Kiita's fur. Nitaan felt a sense of déjà vu. Lately, whenever he secretly escaped from the bustling crowd to rest and brush Kiita's fur, a small woman would soon appear out of nowhere and start chatting animatedly.

  He looked down at the large bonfire below. Soldiers below were still enjoying their meal, sitting in a circle and chatting merrily. At the center of that circle of smiles was none other than Princess Pailin.

  She sat amidst the light, surrounded by smiles, while he lay on a hammock in a tree, surrounded by peaceful darkness. This contrast made Nitaan chuckle.

  Despite their differences, their worldview felt surprisingly similar. He couldn't help but laugh when he thought back to when she became his friend.

  That's Pailin for you. Nitaan smiled.

  He knew many people. He also had a fair number of friends. He is even close to those in Unit 3. However, the significant age difference made him feel a little awkward.

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  While he felt somewhat familiar with Injan, their initial employer-employee relationship and Injan's overly polite demeanor prevented him from feeling truly close.

  Therefore, the first person who truly befriended him, treated him as an equal, and fostered a genuine sense of closeness was Pailin.

  Nitaan leaned back in his hammock, stretching his arms and legs lazily. Kiita, though regretting that Nitaan had stopped grooming him, still snuggled closer. Nitaan reached into his pouch and pulled out a small black bottle.

  The small black bottle reflected the moonlight into his eyes. Even though it was devoid of any soul, Nitaan felt as if he could still hear a continuous mournful wail emanating from it. Outwardly, he could faintly see two Ancient Characters carved into it:

  ‘Slave Contract’

  ‘Soul Shaker’

  When he sent his spiritual energy into it, the information flooded into his mind.

  This bottle was called the Abyssal Curse Cube, a Second word Engraved artifact.

  Despite its bottle-like shape, it was called a cube. This was because it was forged from hundreds of white souls. Initially, it was a cube-shaped box, as its name suggests. However, because the Craftsmith who crafted this treasure lacked skill and couldn't expertly compress hundreds of souls, the cube crumbled. Before it was completely destroyed, he compressed it into a small bottle, significantly reducing the sealed volume while maintaining its power.

  The surrounding cracks disappeared without a trace. Nitaan didn't know how Enlightened Flame Manifest achieved this, but this damaged Engraved artifact was repaired flawlessly.

  It can seal ten First word Engraver souls or three Second word Engraver souls.

  It can manipulate the mind of a sealed soul, forcing it to obey the user's commands.

  It grants the soul the "Soul Shaker" ability, resulting in a roar that shakes the very soul.

  This instantly reminded him of the silent roar of Vaira Locust, but strangely, the five Half-step Second word Devil beasts didn't use it.

  Each time a soul is sealed, ten white souls must be sacrificed as a power source.

  The user will constantly experience lamentations and nightmares.

  The user's personality will slowly change. Become more violent and bloodthirsty.

  Clearly, Craftsmith of Abyssal Curse Cube forged it specifically for Body and Soul: Sewn Spell, employing the Word of Power ‘Slave Contract’ to control the soul and seal it within this bottle.

  Nitaan looked at the Abyssal Curse Cube with disgust. Initially, Nitaan considered including this Engraved artifact in the pile of rewards shared among Unit 3. After all, he hadn't dealt with Sila himself. The main person handling it was Leader Mei.

  However, Pailin stopped him, arguing that Enlightened Flame Manifest had given it to Nitaan as a reward, and he should keep it for himself. And if Nitaan were to display this, people would wonder how he obtained it. Result in a lot more troubles to explain.

  Having heard that, Nitaan decided to keep it for himself. He certainly would never use it himself. Just the thought of holding something made from hundreds of white spirits made him sick.

  If he hadn't recognized the importance of treasure from the battle before, he would have destroyed this Abyssal Curse Cube without a second thought.

  But seeing how much impact a treasure can make when it's in the hand of a smart user like Pailin, Nitaan now wants to prepare his own treasure too.

  Although Malakai Empire's tournament prohibited the use of treasures, it was absolutely not the case in real combat. And treasures greatly impacted fighting power. Nitaan's desire to possess this treasure grew stronger than ever.

  He intended to sell it to someone he was sure wouldn't use it. He wanted to sell it to Pailin, but he suspected she would secretly increase the price.

  She had already helped me enough. Nitaan ruled her out as an option.

  Only three names remained that he thought had enough money to buy Abyssal Curse Cube:

  Injan, Colonel Lalanta, and Fang Ming.

  If the deal goes smoothly, then he will have a fund for his and Kiita’s treasures. From what he have heard, there are some treasures that are able to assist in Word Comprehending.

  If he could buy them, he should have a better chance of becoming a First word Engraver before the tournament, at least to some extent.

  Thinking of the tournament, Nitaan glanced at the giant dog sleeping on his chest. He thought of the time Kiita used Falling Vajra. At that time, he saw a crack in the northern sky in Kiita’s consciousness space.

  Kiita must be close to becoming a First word Engraver, Nitaan murmured.

  Nitaan couldn't help but smile. If Kiita could become a First word Engraver, their combat abilities would be greatly enhanced. Not to mention the ability to copy his Falling Vajra. Nitaan hadn't had time to ask Kiita directly, but he could guess that it was one of the abilities of Word of Power ‘Nitaan Wongjantra’.

  Thinking about it, he couldn't help but feel a little pain.

  Each spear costs 2000 Gaia. There’s also a cost for gloves too. But Kiita can shoot Falling Vajra for free… Nitaan grumbled.

  And that’s not even including the fact that Kiita is only six years old but is about to become a First word Engraver. Kiita’s also a 4-word Learner..

  My talent is worse than a dog… Nitaan sighed.

  Even though those around him say he’s a genius, even though those around him admire his speed in discovering Words of Power, he knows himself well. The real genius is this giant dog that is yawning and squeezing himself out from the hammock.