Chapter 69: The Sewage Ship (3) — The Helpless Selection Meeting

The special boss, despite its status, still crumbled easily before the formidable combination of Zhao Tianhe and his companions.

To be fair, this time the special boss was indeed weaker than the last, which probably explained why it didn't drop any Summoning Charms.

"It seems Summoning Charms only drop from special bosses or those rainbow-heart monsters. Too bad, even after pestering Pixie so many times, she still can't remember where else those creatures might be found."

Yet the equipment dropped this time was nothing to scoff at: one boss item, and one elite item.

Plated Bracelet, Elite Accessory, Grade C

Special property: Every hour, gains a protective layer that can neutralize curse effects (can negate up to level four curses; for anything higher, it only weakens, not fully negates; protective layers do not stack).

Cage of Malice, Boss One-Handed Orb, Grade C

Dark Element Affinity +3

Special property: Active skill—Cage of Malice. Imprison the soul of a monster you have slain (at the cost of forfeiting all loot and experience from the kill). The equipment gains different bonuses based on the strength and type of the imprisoned soul, up to a Grade C boss or Grade A elite.

Skill cooldown: twenty-four hours. The imprisoned monster soul can be released, transforming into an undead creature; killing it then yields loot and experience.

The orb itself resembled an oval-shaped metallic birdcage. Inside, there flickered a strange glow like ghostfire; when displayed, it floated nearby, casting light as a lantern.

"This accessory can be traded away. I don't need it," Zhao Tianhe said. "But dark elemental protection spells are exceptionally strong against curses. With this, I could practically become a master of curses!"

Elemental affinity not only made it easier to sense various elements and thus simplified spell learning, it also reduced mana consumption. With this piece of equipment and the right soul, Zhao Tianhe could now cast second-tier dark spells, with significantly less mana cost.

"Indeed, it's quite impressive. It's just a pity we can't test it out today..." Jeros glanced at the chaotic ruins, the ceiling above still shedding falling stones from the second level, and gave a slightly awkward chuckle. "That first huge explosion killed it instantly. I never even got to see the monster's special ability..."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Anyway, I suppose I finally have what it takes to tackle a Grade B dungeon now, don't I?" Zhao Tianhe asked with a smile.

"Yes. I'll file the application in the next couple of days. Given our qualifications, we have the right to choose suitable dungeons rather than simply accepting the Association's assignments," Jeros replied with a grin.

For local heroes like Jeff and Lainis, unless they displayed special talent, the Association would only assign dungeons based on combat ability. But Zhao Tianhe and his companions were different. As S+ potentials, their future prowess in some field was guaranteed, so the Association allowed them the privilege of choice.

"It's a shame, though. Hopefully it's not some godforsaken deserted island. Saint Roseport..." Zhao Tianhe found himself feeling nostalgic for the place, especially since those kitchen utensils he'd bought for the apartment hadn't seen much use yet...

"Oh? Looks like we've got two lucky ones..." Suddenly, Jeros spotted two elite specters on the second floor. "Why not test your abilities? One of these souls should serve you well."

Zhao Tianhe nodded, eager, and began recalling the incantations for first-tier dark spells.

A dozen spheres of negative energy shot forth—this was the first-level spell, Corrosive Darklight. Its power was barely enough to strip a layer of skin from a person; Zhao Tianhe usually used it to wash dishes, and it was particularly effective, highly recommended in the Encyclopaedia of Everyday Magic.

"What is with my luck? Not a single talent activation?" Zhao Tianhe watched as the spheres struck a specter, but the creature showed little reaction. After all, being a being of concentrated negative energy, it probably felt no more discomfort than a person would from a gentle breeze—perhaps even enjoyed it.

"Well, high elemental affinity means low mana consumption—again! Twenty rounds of Dishwashing Art!" In his mind, Zhao Tianhe had already named the spell Dishwashing Art.

This time, his talent shone. Among the orbs flew a two-meter-long black spear and a slow-moving black sphere.

"Supernatural spell sense triggered, Corrosive Darklight transformed into third-tier spell: Spear of Netherlight (deals powerful piercing and negative energy damage to the target)."

"Supernatural spell sense triggered, Corrosive Darklight transformed into fourth-tier spell: Death Pressure Sphere (automatically tracks the target, accelerates over time, causes massive negative energy explosion and inflicts multiple random curses on impact)."

"Fourth-tier magic!" Zhao Tianhe grinned at the notification. Even a Grade C elite, even with resistance, could maybe withstand two third-tier spells of the same element; a fourth-tier spell, not even one. This was in the bag. He immediately turned to cast at the other specter.

The specter pierced by the Spear of Netherlight felt the crushing force of the Death Pressure Sphere and tried to flee, but the seemingly sluggish black orb picked up speed, detonated, and annihilated the specter utterly.

The other specter was destroyed outright by three third-tier spells.

Two notifications rang out, signaling the opportunity to imprison souls. After some thought, Zhao Tianhe chose the one slain by the fourth-tier spell.

Once absorbed, the ghostfire in the center of the cylindrical metal cage transformed into a twisted, black-misted, screaming face, and the equipment displayed a new attribute.

Grade C Elite Specter: Dark Element Affinity +1, Mana maximum +50, Mana regeneration +1 per second.

"Now I can clearly sense the presence of dark elements. With some practice and my own perception, I might even be able to cast third-tier spells!" Zhao Tianhe said smugly, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"If you manage that, all the better," Jeros said with a smile and a nod. "As you are now, you could handle two Grade B elites at the same time. The real journey is just beginning."

"Then, to celebrate a new adventure..." Artoria declared with a solemn expression, "let's have a feast!"

"Yesterday's seafood pizza was delicious! Today, I'll have ten!" "Hey now, think of Ahe's wallet for once..." "Haha, don't worry! Three bosses, that's at least twenty gold in subsidies! Multiple bosses are way more lucrative than one special!"

Leaving the sunken ship catacombs, Artoria and Elé donned sunglasses and straw hats. Lately, the two of them—especially Artoria—had become far too famous.

Not only were they exceptionally talented, but they had also defeated the bizarre monster that appeared at the press conference, sending their notoriety soaring.

Recently, the Dungeon Management Association's weekly annual female hero contest had seen a flood of unsolicited letters nominating Artoria.

Of course, those in the know at the Association ignored these, which only fueled public discontent.

After all, the annual female hero selection wasn't simply about strength and deeds; appearance, charisma, popularity, and other factors were crucial. Otherwise, they could just send a few S+ candidates to the top.

With the encouragement of unscrupulous tabloid magazines, Artoria's exclusion—even from preliminary selection—was touted as evidence of backstage manipulation and disregard for public opinion.

The result was that Artoria's popularity skyrocketed, while the Association, unable to randomly release information about S+ potential Zhao Tianhe, was caught in a bind.

After all, Zhao Tianhe was a summoner, inherently fragile, and society was not as harmonious as it appeared. Even powerful heroes faced trouble if targeted, as evidenced by Zhao Tianhe's recent brush with death at the hands of those strange bugs. The Association's protection of heroes was all-encompassing.

For the past few days, Artoria and Elé hadn't dared leave home, heading straight from the dungeon to the hero apartments, spending their days swimming and ordering takeout.

At the same time, security patrols around the hero apartments had been increased, with numerous warning wards set to keep out relentless paparazzi.

Yet, under the pressure of public opinion and ignorant masses, the Association was forced to compromise...

"What?! Artoria is going to the capital to participate in the annual female hero contest?!" Zhao Tianhe was stunned upon hearing the news from the Saint Roseport Association staffer sitting in the living room.

"We have no choice. Other than leaking your personal information, this was the only option left," the staffer replied with a helpless shake of the head. "Those unscrupulous magazines fan the flames every day, and we can't find any arguments to counter them. This is all we can do."

Zhao Tianhe's detailed information was known only to former teammates in Rogue Town and relevant Association personnel. Lainis and the others, living in a remote inland town, were both out of the loop and, as heroes, wouldn't casually reveal a comrade's abilities to ordinary people—the Association strictly controlled this.

"What a hassle. Now the Grade B dungeon application will have to be put on hold," Jeros sighed with frustration. "To think we're being led by the nose by idle gossip—it's infuriating..."

"There's nothing to be done. We are, after all, only one part of society—granted, the most fundamental and important part, but we can't exist apart from the world," the staffer said, shrugging and rising to leave. "The projected schedule is three days from now. Just treat it as a little vacation."

"Well, some relaxation might do us good. Anyway, I'll submit the application at the same time, so we can head straight for the Grade B dungeon when we return," Jeros said with a smile. "And it's not without its benefits—if you win, the prize and cash reward are quite substantial."

"Oh?" Zhao Tianhe, Artoria, and Elé all perked up at that.

With the demands of royalty, Zhao Tianhe's wallet was never exactly full, and dating Elé—little gifts and the like—was costly.

Saint Roseport, being a tourist city, was expensive enough, and every gift for Elé meant getting something for Artoria as well, adding even more strain.

Zhao Tianhe was, in fact, a rare "daylight" hero—constantly short on funds—which was why he'd been so eager to advance to Grade B.