The Adventurer's Mission Log

Chapter 10 The Whereabouts of the Sublimation Reagent

"Okay, of course I know about sublimation reagents. No bachelor doesn't know about them."

This reagent can stimulate the bloodline of alien species—whether it's used to cultivate new monsters or to promote the mutation of half-humans.

However, the reagent formula was monopolized by the various tribes of Banusirhan.

"My teacher, Aristoc, was a Grand Scholar at the Imperial Academy. He once tried to decipher the formula for the sublimation reagent..." At this point, a deep sadness flashed across Reginald's brow.

"People only know that Aristocrats died suddenly in the laboratory, but I know for sure, and I will always remember, that it was the assassins of the 'Hand of Shadows' who assassinated him."

That was a Silhani assassin organization. The Silhani's "ruling master" wouldn't allow the formula to be leaked; he didn't want the slave warriors to escape his control.

"What is the connection between the sublimation reagent and the Silhani people? How do they monopolize the formula?" Tenor couldn't help but ask, after all, it was a matter of life and death.

Noticing Tenor's confusion, Reginald went on to explain:

"...Uh...it seems you don't know the origin of half-humans."

The ancestor of the Silhani people, Silhan, was the first half-human from another world. You may have heard of the "Great Cataclysm"—a disaster that occurred three thousand years ago.

The three dimensions collided, causing some things belonging to another world to enter our dimension of existence.

Sylhan was a refugee from another world, like the elves of Orodlin Highlands, the imperial dwarves, and the greenskin tribes of the Great Plains.

"If you don't understand..." Reginald looked troubled, shifted his posture, rested his chin on his left hand, and considered how to explain.

"No, thank you, I can still understand, please continue." Tenor listened intently, finally finding some answers to things that had been troubling him for a long time.

Meanwhile, the others were already yawning out of boredom, or simply went out to do other things.

Reginald cleared his throat and continued:

"Sirhan was a great prophet who led his people out of the empire's enslavement and established a homeland on the continent across the strait."

From then on, that land and its people were called "Sirhani."

"I see... but I think you can get to the point." Tenor wasn't interested in the detailed origins of the Sylhani; he only needed to know that the first half-human was Sylhan.

Reginald sighed, "Well, you're really impatient."

Sylhan and his followers kept the secret of the potion to prevent more people from going astray and becoming helpless half-humans... but even the noblest of men could not escape Mor's scythe.

Death took his life, and with it all his glorious ideals...

...Under his leadership, Banusirhan was an equal and mutually supportive alliance of exiles.

After his death, his successors gradually became dictators of Banusirhan.

They created cyborg soldiers to uphold their family's rule; they built palaces, controlled the oases, and united to prevent the formula from being leaked.

"So, your teacher touched on their secret..." Tenor felt a sense of unease. How did these Sirhani people know that someone had cracked their formula? Were their informants everywhere?

Reginald let out a sad, subtle sob, but the painful memories were quickly suppressed:

"My mentor wasn't the first to try to crack the formula, but... all those pioneers died in the hunt by the 'Hand of Shadows'."

I have heard that some scholars have used the power of demons to decipher the recipe, but there is one thing in the recipe that they do not possess. Without that thing, all attempts to decipher the recipe are in vain.

In any case, what you need to understand is that sublimation reagents only circulate among the "Mamur" of Sylhani. Occasionally, finished products are sold, but even the lowest grade of sublimation reagent commands a high price...

"For example, 30 gold coins." Reginald blinked. Adventurers always need a reason to track Ascension Reagents, and 30 gold coins was the "why."

Tenor felt a tightness in his chest—the lowest level of sublimation potion was level three.

Based on the principle that the higher the grade of the material, the more expensive it becomes...

If he worked honestly and diligently to earn money, his life savings wouldn't be enough to buy potions of level five or higher.

"If you are willing to serve the Mamurs, you can get a third-tier potion by creating ten gold coins' worth of value for the lord."

...Let's assume you belong to a higher level, such as—higher-level.

You might have to serve them until you see Mohr! before you can get enough reagents for the next order.

"If you can drink the potion and advance in Death God Mor's Garden, this might not be a bad choice." Reginald chuckled wryly at the end.

Tenor knew that "Mamur" in the Silhani language meant "the appointed one," a local official appointed by the "ruling Lord."

Initially similar to an imperial governor, but eventually became a hereditary local lord.

Serving them was not a wise move—they only wanted slave warriors and did not trust free men.

Based on Reginald's explanation, it can be inferred that those organizations possessing sublimation reagents are actually controlled by the Banusirhan tribes.

So, as a wild half-human, Tenor can only be a sucker for now, buying sublimation reagents at an exorbitant price.

"What a swindler!" Tenor gritted his teeth in hatred.

However, transactions are not limited to monetary exchanges; there are also powerful means of negotiation.

"Do you have any clues about sublimation reagent?" Tenor only had ten gold coins in his pocket; buying it was out of the question.

Judging from the tone of that Valentinian, the sublimation reagent holder they were targeting didn't need to buy or sell; they were "easy prey."

"I don't want to deceive you." Reginald's emerald eyes were indeed filled with sincerity. "Yes."

Initially, we came to Laghettia to hunt down the "Masked Man".

The employer is a big shot in the city, but it's not convenient for him to be involved in this... otherwise we wouldn't have needed to flee the scene earlier." Reginald snorted. "We're heroes!"

...During the investigation before the operation, I discovered another dark force operating in the outer city...

Tenor's heartbeat gradually slowed down. The dark forces outside the city? Who else could it be but the Emerald Order?

Do they have sublimation reagents?

Sure enough, Reginald lowered his voice and his expression turned disgusted: "...Damn Emerald Order."

I often dealt with them when I was in Ronan! And now that I'm back in the Empire, I still have to "exchange" with them.

Those bitches who fuck boars!

I'd never heard of the Empire having any members there before, even at the academy.

Reginald swore, but quickly calmed down, leaving only a trace of anger in his voice:

"Half-humans are extremely useful weapons. What big move are those filthy things preparing? I noticed quite a few demon worshippers who failed to 'awaken' at their outer strongholds."

Judging from the characteristics of the corpses, their sorcerers were cultivating some kind of aquatic anomaly. Based on the number of corpses that failed to sublimate, it can be inferred that they had at least dozens of sublimation reagents corresponding to the third rank.

I didn't find any corpses of third-tier half-humans. If they had enough fourth-tier potions, they would definitely try to cultivate fourth-tier half-humans.

Not all half-humans can complete the mutation; once they attempt it, there will be corresponding corpses.

Therefore, they probably don't have higher-level potions... "...or they were very lucky and all of them successfully mutated... I suspect these lunatics are going to build an army!" Reginald's expression suddenly turned serious.

"What?! Taking awakening and sublimation potions can both lead to death?!" Tenor's focus wasn't on the Emerald Order's actions, but rather on the risk of mutation, and he couldn't help but blurt it out.

Reginald wasn't worried, after all, he wasn't half-human.

He found it amusing that Tenor, who had remained calm throughout, suddenly reacted this way.

I thought you knew, don't worry~

You are the most normal half-human I have ever met. You have a very good compatibility with your alien bloodline and will not lose your mind due to the mutation...

Hmm...maybe so.

This made Tenor even more upset—Reginald had previously said that he had only seen half-humans in books, and even half-human corpses.

Ternor was probably the first living half-human he had ever encountered. How could he not be normal?

Alas, things have come to this point, and there's no other way but to go down this dark path.

He couldn't possibly give up advancing for a little risk. At least dying while advancing would be a quick and painless death, but falling into the hands of a demon worshipper would be worse than death.

Moreover, it seems that the probability of death from mutation depends on "compatibility," and he has not shown any obvious rejection reaction so far, so the risk of advancement may not be that great.

He calmed himself down and got straight to the point:

"I need a third-order Ascension potion. If you need me to do anything, as long as it doesn't cross any lines... I can do it for you."

The Emerald Order is a threat to Tenor.

But even the Nordruwa Company dared to take on a job killing the head of the Pleasure Association.

By temporarily teaming up with them, we can not only avoid being hunted down by the demon worshippers, but also have the opportunity to raid the Emerald Order's stronghold and seize the Ascension Potion.

However, Tenor cannot completely trust the adventure team and must be cautious.

Reginald's eyes lit up; he certainly needed manpower.

"I like dealing with dwarves because they always keep their promises and don't beat around the bush."

I'm so glad you have such noble qualities as a dwarf.

"If we succeed, no matter how many doses we get, I can give you one vial of sublimation reagent."

"So, what do I need to do?" Tenor knew that what's free is often the most expensive.