Breakfast had run a bit late, and Robert was more than willing to brag about how to get a golden body. Plus, he had shared some of the methods that they could try, and they all heard of a few methods that sounded interesting. Apparently, there wasn’t just one path to power, and it was only when going beyond gold that someone would have to undergo a special encounter to achieve it. Everyone in this village was stuck at gold, and he said that there were maybe five people above it in the entire world.

  The methods that interested them were either through physical trials or absorption. They had potions that could improve a person’s body to gold, but they were extremely toxic and would permanently damage the body if someone failed. Honestly, that sounded perfect for Mash even it took several weeks to accomplish the improvement. His skills should make it so that potions wouldn’t be able to harm him, as one of his skills removed the negative effects of things he consumed. It would mean that he would need to start asap and would need to stay in the dungeon for at least one week and up to one month. It depended on how close to gold he already was. Mash imagined he was pretty close if there was a connection to stats, but he didn’t really know.

  The other three didn’t have as easy methods. They could risk the medicine too, but it was too much of a risk. Robert had some training methods that would work too, although that would still take a year or two to accomplish. Mash would feel bad for them, but he remembered how bored Jill had acted and decided that it would be fine. They could spend years training; he would take his shortcuts. Especially since Robert had told him that his family could get him the potions if he wanted to try that method. Mash had needed to explain his immunity to consumed potions, and that had seriously surprised the man. It turned out that was a common secondary gift. Reaching gold was not easy, but most fighters achieved it within their lifespan, and many people tried using the potions.

  Even after talking to Robert, they didn’t immediately focus on training. They decided that could complete multiple tasks at once and went to the library to learn what they could on their own. There might be more information on the powers of this world but would also help them in learning anything about the dungeon.

  Robert had informed them that the servant his father had captured provided some very convincing evidence. The demons are more invasive and widespread than initially believed; however, he didn’t know why they were here. It sounded like the demons were led here, though they didn’t know by who or why. Mash’s best guess was that the dungeon wanted them to figure out why the demons were in the village, and deal with it.

  To that end, Red suggested they try and find out what significance the village has, and why someone would attack it. The lord believed it had to do with his daughter’s inauspicious birth, but they didn’t know what exactly that meant. There was a lot of general information that they needed to find out, and the library would be a good place for that.

  The library was actually within the mansion, and not a public destination in the village. They didn’t actually ask a servant for directions, as Red would be expected to know where the room was. They spent a few minutes searching for it but managed to find it fairly easily. His domain let him look into rooms and the library was very noticeable. Entering the room, Mash quickly grew excited. Initially, he expected a personal library to be fairly small, but he was pleased to see that he was wrong. Dozens of shelves were filled with books and there were even some piles of books along the ground. Searching through all of these would take far too long, and they got started immediately.

  They split up the library into sections, and each of them covered a quarter of the books. They split their objectives into different priorities, and the top of that list was learning of the powers here. While clearing the dungeon was still important, they weren’t trying to rush it. Plus, so long as they were here, they could continue to help the people when they needed it. They all wanted to learn what they could, as several of the things they had seen had been very interesting. Gaining magic abilities and new power was what Mash had focused on, but the others had been similarly interested by some of the technology here.

  One of the things Jill was hoping to find out about, was a device that moved on its own. It didn’t require any mana, and anyone could use it. She had learned of it from Rebecca who had talked about it, when telling them of news from the capital. Mash hadn’t considered learning things outside of gaining power, and he chastised himself for his narrowmindedness. It turned out that he wasn’t being greedy enough. The others had the right of it, he should be trying to learn everything he could.

  Their second priority was the dungeon, and Mash made sure to grab any books that mentioned history. After grabbing everything that interested him, he was left with hundreds of books. Maybe, he was being over-ambitious, but he might as well read as much as he could. However, he couldn’t stop his greed and the first book he started with was about their gifts. Despite his ability to gain powers, he wanted to know if he could also get gifts. They spent most of the day in the library and were surprised when a servant came to grab them for dinner.

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  They had missed lunch, and the servant explained that they could bring food to the library if they wanted. Jill immediately accepted, and Red got chastised for not doing her work properly. Luke covered for her, telling the servant that he had requested her help searching through the books. Mash thought about what he had read.

  The book on gifts had been extremely enlightening, and he wasn’t sure he could get one even if he wanted. Apparently, it only worked for humans, and Mash wasn’t sure if he qualified. He would tell the others and at least try to receive one, but he didn’t have high hopes for himself. Jill and Luke, on the other hand, could try and receive one. Gifts were always a good thing, though most were extremely minor, and some sounded useless. Many gifts offered new ways to perceive the world, improving things like sight and hearing. There were a few more substantial ones like the ones the twins had shown, but most fell into the barely useful category.

  According to the journal he had read the other day, Mash’s original gift had been an improved sense of touch. Which was widely considered to be one of the most useless gifts. The book had listed some of them according to superficial rankings and that was one that fell near the bottom. He saw the manipulation of hair among those at the bottom and realized how subjective the list really was. Having seen the power of hair magic at the arena, Mash believed it should have been placed higher.

  To get a gift, they would need to enter what was known as a sanctuary. It was a place where their God had descended in the past. Their God’s passing was enough to saturate the land with power and blessings, and it fell upon the people to prove themselves worthy to receive it. A person could only take a trial for a gift once every five years, and he was certain that they would all try and get one. Even if it didn’t work, they would at least take the chance.

  Mash was curious to hear about what the others had read up on but wanted to do it privately. He followed the servant into a dining hall and was surprised to see the head of the household sitting at the table. He was with Edward, but his other children weren’t present. Mash took a seat and wanted to start eating. As they got closer to the room, his hunger had sprung up. It had been forgotten in his excitement, though that was passing now.

  “Welcome. What have you all been studying?”

  He narrowed his eyes at Red in particular, but Jill was the one to speak. She had been taking charge of most discussions, and none of them minded as she was obviously the most comfortable in those situations. Plus, she didn’t have a problematic appearance.

  “Luke and I wished to protect the people for a short while and have been looking into why the demons are here, and more information on them. Although we may have gotten a bit distracted when browsing your collection. Thankfully, Mash and Elli had decided to join us, and their aid has been greatly appreciated.”

  She spoke somewhat formally, and Mash guessed that she had learned of the proper way to speak to nobility. Edward responded to Jill’s statement, hesitation filling his voice.

  “Did you foresee something; do you need my help? I’m sure my clones could speed up the process.”

  He was clearly alarmed, and Mash understood why. Jill’s arrival at the village had been a huge boon but had also revealed something big. Essentially, she was currently occupying the position he usually had, and Edward was treating her like she would know of anything crazy that was coming.

  “No, it isn’t that urgent as of yet, however, if I think we need your help, I will seek you out. However, I would appreciate it if you could keep me up to date on anything you find out.”

  Edward nodded his and looked like he wanted to say more, but his father stopped him.

  “Thank you for your help, but let us move to lighter topics while we eat.”

  Everyone agreed with that, and the meal began in earnest. Mash was pleased, eating the strangely sweet stew. Mash wondered if everything here was sweet, as most of the dishes he had were on the sweeter side. It wasn’t a complaint as he enjoyed sweet foods, but he decided he would look at a recipe book later.

  The rest of the meal went by quickly, and at the end, he was told that the potions he wanted were ready. They had prepared enough for a month, so he could get started whenever he wanted. Mash was excited and didn’t waste any time, though the servant had tried to warn him to wait until his food had fully digested. The servant explained that the process would be painful, and he might throw up if he did so. Mash could handle some pain and mostly ignored the warning. His friends stuck around though, looking at him with a bit of jealousy. He rolled his eyes and remembered to tell them about gifts and what he had learned.

  That appeased their jealousy greatly, and Luke and Jill were tempted to go to the sanctuary right away. He wanted to laugh at their flip-flopping attitudes but settled on telling them that they might all be able to get a gift and they could go in the morning. They agreed but pushed Mash to get it over with.

  Before Mash got started, Coraline entered the room, apparently having learned of what was happening. At first, she asked him why he would do this, and he explained again about his immunity to harm from things he consumed. She seemed offended more than worried now, as it probably felt like he was keeping a secret from her. Well, there wasn’t much he could do about it unless he was willing to reveal the whole truth to her. That still felt like a bad idea, and he merely apologized to her.

  Now, that all the distractions were dealt with, Mash eagerly picked up one of the potion vials. They were in this strange glass tube, and it was sealed by a wooden cork. Mash pulled it off easily and downed the potion not really worried about the consequences. It was a lot thicker than he expected and found that it was sweet like everything else. He swallowed it, in one fluid motion, and felt it as it traveled through his throat. It didn’t really feel like much at first, but that changed after a moment.

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  Chapter 132: Trials

  Name: Mash Stellumbra  Class: Draconic Thunder-wood Imitation

  Level: 78

  Health: 1800 / 1800

  Energy: 3110 / 3110

  Fortitude: 180

  Endurance: 111

  Strength: 130

  Agility: 150

  Intelligence: 200

  Wisdom: 90

  Charisma: 76

  Free Stats: 0

  Skills: Hunt, Thunder-wood Creation, Inhuman Hibernation, Monstrous Transformation, Thunder-wood Imitation, Draconic Domain, Adaptable Monster Core, Monstrous Humanity, Wooden Body, Mimic’s Avarice

  Hunt: You have gone beyond your limits when fighting enemies and devouring their power. Go beyond your limits. Continue current fight even after depleting energy. Stats improve while at 0 stamina. Continues until either you or your enemies are dead.

  Current Bonus: +100% stats

  Inhuman Hibernation: You have stolen the techniques of mages and monks to form an artificial technique, your inhuman body morphing it to fit your corrupted nature. Hibernating will increase the rate at which your body recovers, healing most wounds.

  Current Rate: +200% recovery

  Thunder-wood Creation: You know how deadly sticks can be. Forge your mana into wooden creations. Lightning has tempered your wood, and it thrums with the power of thunder.

  Wooden Body: You can connect with the wood that you are touching. By expending your energy, you bring your creations to life as another one of your limbs.

  Monstrous Transformation: Transform your body taking on aspects of those which you have consumed.

  Thunder-wood Imitation: Form imitations of creatures you have consumed, imitating some of their bodily functions through your wood.

  Draconic Domain (Passive): Your eyes just weren’t enough. Sense the changes in the mana around you. Connect to the mana in your space and inherently understand the nature of the mana. Your presence suffuses the space, weakens the magic of enemies beneath you.

  Current Range: 21 feet

  Adaptable Monster Core (Passive): An unnatural mana core has fundamentally altered your body, fusion with a monster has given you access to its potential. Stamina and Mana combine to become energy. Your monstrous body is better able to handle the changes to your core.

  Current Bonus: +50% efficiency

  Monstrous Humanity (Passive): Giving up your humanity has improved your body, improving your physical control, natural defenses, animalistic intuition, and mana control. Now, a human in appearance only, you further empower yourself through your monstrous side.

  Mimic’s Avarice (Passive): Devour your enemy in battle to temporarily raise your stats. The fresher the victim the stronger the bonus. Gain full benefits even when consuming through your magic. Absorbs some properties of those you devour alive. Removes the negative effects of things you consume.

  Priscilla Form: Improved Mana Control and control of wooden creations, Better Lightning Resistance and Power: Thin dark blue and green scales that match Priscilla's cover his body

  Dragon Form: Raw Power and a lot of it: Thicker black scales that would look more like armor cover his skin and his body bulks up a bit and he grows claws on his hands and feet.

  Winged Cat Form (Sphynx Form): Improved Reflexives and Agility, Something he hasn't realized yet, and flight: Fur grows over his skin, and wings sprout from his back

  nvisible Lizard Form: Has mentioned it but hasn't used it yet, so far you know that it grants him the ability to become somewhat invisible

  Demon Form: black fire affinity

  Treant Form: Improved Wood affinity, living wood creations