A solution came to mind almost instantly.
The [Absorption Rune: Null Drift] was already a type of mana gathering rune, designed to gather leaking mana.
I just had to connect it to the Warp Point.
I got to work.
Using fairy dust, I drew Connector Runes between the two main runes.
These were very basic runes, not even considered Apprentice-level.
Once that was done, I drew a Disguise Rune over the whole array.
It wasn’t perfect invisibility, but it would hide the presence of the Rune Array from anyone who casually looked — even if they were skilled in magic detection.
’Finally done with this side.’
I activated the portal again, and stepped through it, reappearing inside the cave.
I repeated the same process there.
First, I drew another [Absorption Rune: Null Drift].
Then I connected it to the Warp Point with a fresh set of Connector Runes.
Lastly, I masked the whole rune array with layered Disguise Runes.
By the time I was finished, I had two linked Warp Points with passive mana supply.
I could now teleport to and from the estate whenever I wanted, without worrying about the barrier or the estate’s magical detection systems.
"This should make moving around much easier," I whispered to myself, brushing off my hands.
I stepped onto the rune one last time, returning to my room.
Once I was certain everything was working as ended, I returned to the forest clearing I used as the base.
I opened another portal to the nearest city from there.
"I’ve got about seventy percent of my mana left," I muttered as I stepped through. "Sheesh. Long-distance travel eats mana like candy."
I landed in a quiet alleyway behind a local café.
It was late enough that the streets were mostly empty. Perfect.
I immediately used Shadow Assimilation to merge with the shadows around me.
The shift in perspective was always a little dizzying at first, but the power that came with it was worth the adjustment.
I sank into the nearest shadow, then began moving through the streets.
I searched house after house.
Some had motion sensors or alarms.
Others had CCTVs inside their living rooms.
"Who the hell puts cameras inside the house?" I whispered, annoyed. "Do it outside like a normal person."
I kept searching until I found what I needed: a house with a functioning computer, no internal surveillance, and people who were already asleep.
Still, I didn’t move in right away.
First, I opened my Inventory Rune and pulled out the necessary alchemy ingredients.
Using the [Quickmix Technique] perk from my Alchemy class, I combined the ingredients without needing to create runes or chanting.
This was the benefit of the perk.
It let me skip the chanting and runes for simple alchemy processes.
A Dreamroot Mist Pill formed in my hand, faintly glowing.
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I tossed it into the house through an open ventilation shaft.
A soft pop followed as the pill exploded inside, releasing a mist that would induce deep sleep.
Five minutes later, I entered through the shadow under the back door.
Everyone inside was unconscious, lightly snoring.
I went to the computer room, powered it on, and sighed in relief when it didn’t ask for a password.
Since I was in Shadow Assimilation mode, my physical form was reduced to about six feet tall, and I could sit on the chair comfortably.
"To think I’m happy about being able to sit on a chair without having to climb it like a mountain," I chuckled.
I logged into the Underworld black market site and opened the tab labeled "Anomaly Hunter License Application."
A message popped up on the screen.
...
Welcome, Alan Veritus.
Your Anomaly Hunter License application has been verified.
Please visit: The Minotaur’s Mug, 24 Plaka Street, Thessaloniki 54624, Greece.
Tell the bartender: "Zagreus has escaped once again."
Upon verification, you will be taken to a hidden chamber beneath the pub. There, you may select an Anomaly Hunt mission.
Successful completion of this mission is required to earn the license.
.
Please Note:
1. Missions are first-come, first-served.
2. All hunts are team-based. Solo hunting is prohibited.
3. Failure to cooperate with your team may result in disqualification.
4. You have three days to arrive at the location. Missing the window means you’ll need to wait for the next quarterly test cycle.
...
I leaned back in the chair and rubbed my face.
"A team mission, I figured as much."
"After all, solo Anomaly hunts are prohibited due to the danger associated with them."
The details were quite easy to understand.
But then I noticed something.
"Greece? Seriously?"
I glanced at the screen again.
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It wasn’t a mistake.
Thessaloniki. Greece.
I sighed.
"Well, that complicates things."
Given the likelihood that I’d need to return there more than once, using standard portals was out of the question.
It would consume way too much mana, and I still wouldn’t be able to cover even one-fiftieth of the distance.
Switzerland and Greece were quite far.
"I need to set up long-distance Warp Points."
They weren’t easy to make.
First, I’d have to scout quiet, isolated locations across multiple countries.
Then I’d need to draw [Absorption Runes: Null Drift] to supply passive mana, [Connector Runes] to form stable links, and [Disguise Runes] to keep the whole array hidden.
It would take a lot of time.
"That’s what I get for choosing the Underworld as my market," I muttered.
I started creating Warp Points immediately after.
First one was in Walensee Bunkers in Switzerland.
Then Mösern Forest Shelter in Austria.
After that, Obir Cave Outpost on the Austria-Slovenia border.
Kočevski Rog Forest in Slovenia.
Črni Kal Quarry Ruins.
Risnjak National Park in Croatia.
Velebit Ghost Path, also in Croatia.
Biogradska Gora’s Forgotten Watchtower in Montenegro.
Šar Mountains Hermit Cave in North Macedonia.
And finally, Xirochori Ruins near Thessaloniki, Greece.
Each place had to be scouted personally, checked for human traffic, mana flow, and compatibility with my long-distance Warp Points.
Unless the location was compatible, it would consume too much mana.
I had to keep that in mind since these were not simple Warp Points.
It took three days to complete everything.