Chapter 1268: Section 1269: Glenn’s Idol
“Right, what’s the current situation in the Abyss like?” David asked curiously, “Has Lord Monty’s plan succeeded?”
“You know about Monty’s plan?” Angel looked at David in surprise. Although everyone knew of Monty’s plan, apprentices usually wouldn’t be clear about the specifics.
David chuckled, actually, he hadn’t cared much about the situation in the Abyss before, but since Angel had visited the Abyss, he would occasionally inquire about its news. Coupled with snippets of information leaked by Lianna, he had learned many secrets.
The more he knew, the more he wanted to know, especially news about such prominent figures. Even if they were far removed from his life, what did that matter? And it was precisely because they were distant that they seemed more curious, more beautiful, more mysterious, and more magnificent.
The gossiping nature of humans arises just like that.
Initially, David hadn’t been too interested in such gossip since it had been beyond his reach, but with Angel’s journey to the Abyss, his curiosity was piqued.
...
“I don’t know if Monty’s plan succeeded,” Angel paused, “And do you really think someone of my level would have access to that sort of plan?”
It made sense to David, but he had no idea that Angel was blatantly lying.
“However, since the Mentor brought me back to the Southern Domain, I suppose the matter has come to a conclusion. It won’t be long before magazines start reporting on it. I’ve heard my Mentor say he also discussed the Abyss with ‘The Mirror’ magazine. Once ‘The Mirror’ publishes, you’ll know.”
David nodded, somewhat dejected. He didn’t feel that Angel was incorrect; it was normal for Angel not to know the inside story.
He was understanding towards Angel for now, but once he actually got his hands on ‘The Mirror’ magazine, he realized that Angel had been weaving tales. ‘The Mirror’ had detailed Angel’s exploits in Lassudral, demonstrating that Angel not only knew about Monty’s plan but had indirectly advanced it.
However, by the time David grasped all this, grinding his teeth in anger at Angel, Angel had already left Barbarian Cave.
After catching up on recent events, Angel purchased a lot of Demonic Materials at the alchemy shop.
Some materials weren’t available on hand, and David even made a special trip back to Rose Garden to exchange some items from Mentor Lianna’s stock to complete the assortment.
By the time he had finished his purchasing, it was nearly evening.
After packing the last batch of materials into his bracelet, David asked curiously, “The Demonic Materials you bought this time are a bit odd. A large part consists of Demon Plant, which, as far as I remember, are used in some spiritual power potions. Are you planning on delving into Potionology? And this one, Udon Juice and Pungent Dragon Grass, isn’t that Magic Insect feed?”
Angel responded, “I am dabbling in Potionology, but not in depth. I mainly bought these to cultivate a certain Magic Insect.”
“Magic Insect? Although Magic Insects are relatively easy to rear, if you don’t involve yourself in Summoning System tricks, they can easily consume their master,” David warned with concern.
“I understand that; the Magic Insects I’m cultivating are not aggressive,” Angel assured him to put his mind at ease.
David didn’t say much more, trusting that Angel had a plan for everything.
“Speaking of Magic Insects, a very ferocious newcomer has appeared on the first level of Sky Tower recently, even more ruthless than Black Jack was initially. He used Magic Insects to kill many on the arena—merciless and brutal. Even after repeated warnings from Sky Tower, he continued as he pleased. In just a month or two, he’s been called the Newcomer Butcher. He has offended many and killed many,” David said, shuddering at the thought. “All newcomers are monsters, and I heard that he has just stepped into being a level one Apprentice.”
“Controlling Magic Insects? What kind of Magic Insects?” Angel’s mind suddenly flashed with an image of someone brutal, uncontrollable, and controlled insects: “Could it be the White-footed Sea Spider?”
David looked at Angel in confusion, “So you know about it? Yes, it is the White-footed Sea Spider. Its venom can be countered with Expel Toxins, but he also controls two other mutated spiders. Their combined venom is difficult to expel, and the poison is lethal on the spot.”
Angel rubbed his forehead, remembering Tree Spirit’s words not long ago: “Don’t worry about these two little guys. It would already be good if they didn’t bully others. Looking at the current situation, their capability to stir up trouble in the future is estimated to be no less than Flora’s.”
Indeed, the Newcomer Butcher David referred to was, if nothing unexpected, one of the two Talented Ones that Angel had brought back from Hailan.
Feng Man.
Feng Man, during his time at the Vichy seaport garrison, had nearly killed several innocent soldiers with the White-footed Sea Spider, showing a level of ruthlessness comparable to Gu Yina’s.
“His name is Feng Man, one of the Talented Ones I brought back recently,” Angel sighed, “Indeed, his character is quite unyielding, and so is Gu Yina’s. If not necessary, try your best to avoid them.”
Angel wasn’t worried that David couldn’t defeat them if they clashed, but these two youngsters were devious and cunning; if not completely crushed, they would follow you like Tibial Maggots. Thus, the best course of action was to ignore them altogether.
By the time Angel left the Alchemy shop, it was already midnight.
However, there is no concept of night in the Underground Market; it was still brightly lit outside. After bidding farewell to Baruba and David, Angel returned alone to Illusion Demon Island.
…
Unknown to Angel, soon after he left the alchemy store, a teen adorned with skeleton ornaments arrived at the door, exhausted.
This teenager was Baroque’s apprentice—Glenn, and a look of delight passed across his face as he looked up at the sign for “Promy Alchemy Shop.”
Just like Baroque had said, he actually came to Barbarian Cave solely for Angel.
Following the incident in the Purification Garden, Angel’s fame burst forth in Sky Mechanical City. Initially, Glenn was dismissive and even developed a sense of hostility toward Angel, especially after his friend, Shadow, praised Angel by his side. But as more and more of Angel’s achievements came pouring in, including a music box that fetched two hundred thousand Magic Crystals at the ancient auction, as well as the production of high-level alchemical works like the recording… Glenn, an emotional person, became influenced.
The King of Beasts’s exploits had moved him, an assiduous and resilient figure who was undeterred by mockery and always stayed true to himself—much like Glenn’s own secondary-school-syndrome tendencies.
After witnessing a string of Angel’s accomplishments, Glenn was genuinely touched deep down.
He felt a conflict of emotions towards Angel; he harbored both hostility and admiration for Angel’s achievements, and even secretly considered him an idol.
These complicated feelings were what brought him to Barbarian Cave. He was there to meet his “idol” and to defeat his “idol” as a way to resolve his inner turmoil.
Others might find it difficult to understand Glenn’s way of thinking, but this was his sincere inner struggle—a secondary schooler’s attempt to untangle the knots in his heart.
When Glenn learned from Baroque that the despondent middle-aged man who had sat beside him was none other than Angel, he was excited to have been so close to Angel, yet also struck with regret for not challenging him on the spot.
Therefore, after David and the others had left, he tried every means to find Angel.
He tirelessly sought out information on “Glimpsing the Hidden Secrets.”
Once he had pinpointed the location, he rushed over immediately.
As Glenn excitedly knocked on the door of the alchemy shop, he was met only with disappointment.
“Angel? He’s already left with his mentor… Where to? Of course, out of Barbarian Cave… As for where exactly, how should I know?”
…
Angel was unaware of Glenn’s situation.
After his return to Illusion Demon Island, finding out that Sanders hadn’t come back yet, he went back to his room to start his routine meditation and continued with the task of constructing the “Gate Model.”
When he opened his eyes, he saw Sanders’s alchemical familiar, a small Magic Falcon, perched outside the window.
Upon seeing the Magic Falcon, Angel knew that Sanders had returned to Illusion Demon Island.
He immediately followed the little Magic Falcon to Sanders’s study.
Upon pushing the door open, there was Sanders, deep in thought. The wall lamp cast his features in stark relief, as if he were a perfectly sculpted statue.
Only when Angel stood in front of him did Sanders slightly lift his head, “We leave tomorrow night. Take care of any business you need to by tomorrow. By the way, I saw Dororo earlier. He was planning to come and find you, but I told him to visit you tomorrow morning instead.”
Angel nodded. He indeed needed to see Dororo, and he also made a promise to Popota that he would keep.
“There’s another thing. I’ve asked some wizards who are sure to have Constant Fragments for sale. The Plane Fusion has just ended, so there aren’t many willing to sell at the moment, but after a while, there should be more people looking to sell.” Sanders paused, then added, “Even if nobody wants to sell, don’t worry. Though the Plane Fusion failed, there are still many Constant Fragments produced. Upcoming large-scale auctions are bound to see some action, but you’ll need to prepare plenty of Magic Crystals if it comes down to bidding.”
“I understand,” Angel responded. His desire for Constant Fragments was not for the sake of the Witchcraft Garden, but to exchange with Vifette for a Magic Rune Scroll that would increase his luck attribute.
In terms of value, Constant Fragments were certainly worth far more than the Magic Rune Scroll, but as far as Angel knew, only Vifette possessed such a scroll. Since Vifette insisted on trading only for Constant Fragments, and Angel couldn’t do anything about it, he had no choice.
Without a lead on Constant Fragments, Angel had no choice but to put it aside for now.
He wasn’t in a rush, after all. Even if he got his hands on the Magic Rune Scroll that increased luck right this moment, there was no immediate use for it; it could only be set aside.