Chapter 209 - Alchemist (1/2)

'Do I need to fall in love? What the fuck?! Exclaimed Wain to himself.

He didn't understand how such a condition was even possible. He was ready to go after some soul or another unique item like the Ring of Damned, but Wain couldn't expect the condition to be love.

That was a big problem because Wain understood that he would only get the fifth form when he truly fell in love.

Wain wasn't going to betray himself and his ideals and try to love someone for profit forcibly.

In fact, Wain understood why many people talk about love as something magical and the most important thing in the world. Stories, poems, whole stories, and even wars were dedicated to love. It was a great power whose properties no one has yet unraveled.

Wain had nothing against love, but he never intended to love anyone. He did not want to command his heart, which was equivalent to losing freedom. However, at the moment, he found himself in a problematic situation.

Wain had specific tastes. This was due to his past, the things he had seen in his childhood, especially in his teenage years, and many other factors.

Erza was trying to capture him, and partly Wain liked her, but she had too many unacceptable traits for him. Her madness attracted him, but it was an unconscious faux pas born of desperation and hopelessness.

Wain appreciated a girl's character and qualities, but he realized that looks were just as much an influence.

Many said that the most important thing is not the appearance, but what a person is inside, it was true, but all these people forgot about one thing.

When two people meet for the first time, the first thing they do is assess the external qualities of each other.

If there was sympathy between them and was a reason to talk, they could get to know each other better.

In this case, a suitable appearance worked as a catalyst to start communication between the two people, and it could not be denied or changed.

”Damn, this is such a headache. All I can do is hope for luck.” Wain muttered grudgingly.

His only option was to accidentally meet a girl who would make his heart start beating harder. Wain was confused, but he had no other choice. Sooner or later, he had to meet a similar obstacle.

”I shouldn't dwell on it. Maybe I'll get lucky.” Whispered Wain and closed his eyes.

He decided to try something. Previously Wain had always been able to know the approximate location of his target. He knew it seemed like nonsense, but he had to try to figure out where his next target was.

”Damn...”

However, as Wain had anticipated, his venture proved unsuccessful. This time he would have to do something unique to go higher and get new powers.

”Eh, life always surprises at the most unexpected moment.” Mumbled Wain and walked over to the cauldron.

All the while, the goblins worked diligently, picking fruit and crystals and stirring them.

Wain looked into the cauldron and saw a blue, bubbling liquid with small, bright shards of crystals floating in it.

”Hmm, I'm no expert, but the color of the decoction doesn't seem bad. Maybe it really will make something unusual and valuable.” Mumbled Wain and walked out of the garden.

He decided to head towards Frigus, who was supposed to be digging a tunnel with the Trolls at the time.

...

Wain reached the right place with the help of the map. In front of him was a long tunnel, more than ten meters wide and incalculably deep. Wain was surprised that a few dozen Trolls could do something like that.

He knew that the Trolls were masters at this and could dig faster than moles, but still, the size of the work done amazed him.

Frigus helped the trolls by carving massive ice blocks, but the trolls did most of the work.

It also helped that they had to dig through the ice rather than rock or soil. The ice was less dense and solid, and it made the work much faster.

Wain nodded and stepped forward. He walked down the tunnel for about ten minutes until he finally saw the Trolls and Frigus in the distance.

The tunnel was lit by energy crystals, which Frigus and the Trolls had not mined. They decided to use them as endless torches.

”Frigus!” Wain called, approaching them.

The monsters immediately turned around and saw Wain smiling contentedly.

”Oh, you're back already.” Frigus muttered. ”It's good to see you.”

”Me too.” Wain nodded, ”Any luck?”

”Unfortunately not.” Frigus shook his head, ”We're already under the Snow Desert, but as you can see, there's still ice here. I'm not sure if there's anything underneath the tons of snow and sand.”

”Hmm, I see, too, that you have recently entered Snow Desert territory. Perhaps you should change course and try digging up or down?” Wain suggested.

”That's not a bad idea, but I think, in that case, we might be off the right course. Honestly, the Trolls are already pretty tired, I give them an increased amount of crystals as an exception, but it's not enough. They need a long rest.” Pronounced Frigus.

The trolls behind him continued to work. After the evolution, they became much stronger, and their attribute changed to ice.

They were tall and muscular, and their eyes were full of confidence in their cause. Their spirit and steadfastness would have been the envy of anyone.

”You're right. It's probably not worth the risk in this situation. Well, stick to the plan. Sooner or later, you'll definitely find something.” Said Wain and headed for the exit of the cave.

”Good.” Frigus muttered.

”Argh! Argh! Argh!”