adventurers in the sewers

Chapter 116 Colin's Obsession!

"----yes."

Louis had some doubts about Colin's offer to stay, but he immediately agreed.

After all, Archmage Colin was one of their own.

Besides his most important secret—his cheat ability—he even knew his own identity as a hero. If he wanted to harm me, he wouldn't need to beat around the bush.

"Ignis, my two disciples and I have some cultivation matters to discuss, so we won't disturb you any longer. Please take good care of yourself."

Master Colin said to his junior brother.

The bald-headed grandmaster nodded, without giving it much thought.

Ignis's mansion is located in the inner city of Blackrock City. It is a residence arranged by the Mage Guild and is very grand, much more luxurious than Viscount Arwin's mansion in the inner city.

Many rooms in this mansion even have magic arrays installed to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping.

Colin led Louis's team to a side hall. He first had everyone sit down, and then personally inspected the soundproofing array in the area.

After confirming there were no hidden tricks, Colin slowly said, "Louis, tell me honestly now. Aside from the Shield Guard skills you've displayed, what is your true level of ability?"

Nora raised an eyebrow and asked, "Teacher, why are you asking these questions?"

After hearing about the various uses of the Hero's Codex, the necromancer's vigilance was also aroused.

She still wanted to live a peaceful life as a member of the hero's team, and didn't want Louis to die halfway through his entrepreneurial journey.

Colin:

For some reason, his heart, which had not beaten for decades, suddenly ached.

The little darling he raised from a baby is now turning against him!

Colin took a deep breath through his slurred throat before saying irritably, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to use Louis's current abilities to determine if he has a chance to compete for Molly's Hero's Codex."

Upon hearing this, all four members of Louis's team showed surprise.

The Level 4 professionals are coming soon, and there's still a chance to win the Hero's Manual?

Then Colin solemnly explained, "Actually, there is a secret about the Hero's Codex that even Ignis doesn't know."

"There is a mutual attraction between true heroes and unclaimed secret codes of heroes."

"This attraction isn't strong; normally, a wall would be enough to block it, so unless you witness it firsthand like I have, you wouldn't know it."

"But the three secret codes that Molly possesses are different."

"The Hero's Codex has a natural aversion to demons. They are currently being forcibly controlled by demons and are constantly trying to break free."

"Therefore, in my judgment, as long as you can get within one meter of Molly, the secret tome within her body can be drawn out by you."

"At that time, Molly's strength will be greatly reduced, and at the very least, she will no longer be able to use her three hero talents."

"In this way, we can bring back Molly's remains and the three Hero's Codexes before the Level 4 professionals arrive."

Colin's words undoubtedly opened up a new path for Louis's team.

The chance to obtain the Hero's Codex still exists.

However, it is clear that this is an extremely dangerous path, not only requiring exposure to the public but also facing the risk of being killed by Molly the Hero with a single sword strike at any moment.

That's a killing god who can easily kill a level 3 professional, why would he turn around and kill a level 1 professional?

Just blow on it and it's done.

A direct hit would be fatal, a mere glancing blow would cause serious injury.

Perhaps that's why Colin didn't mention this path yesterday. How could he let the hero face a level three peak enemy unless absolutely necessary?

Before Louis could speak, Dina immediately rejected the idea: "No, that's too dangerous."

"The Hero's Manual is certainly a good thing, but it's not worth Louis paying such a high price to obtain it."

"It's best for our team to develop quietly. Not every hero in history has fused with an unclaimed hero's manual, but that doesn't stop them from achieving great things."

After pondering for a moment, Nora shook her head: "I don't agree either—and after all, why are you so insistent, Teacher, that we personally welcome back Hero Molly?"

"Even that bald guy gave up, what else can't you let go of?"

"Whoever it is, isn't it enough to just bring Hero Molly back?"

Colin seemed to have anticipated his disciple's question.

He sighed. "Nora, given your personality, you should still be carrying Hillen's body with you, shouldn't you?"

Nora: "7"

The necromancer looked unusually uncomfortable, but still scoffed and said, "So what?"

Colin said in a deep voice, "When you and Louis were plotting to obtain Hillon's remains and the Hero's Codex, you should have noticed the abnormality of his corpse."

"Even though the secret manual has been extracted normally, his remains still possess supernatural properties. A single drop of his corpse fluid can greatly enhance the strength of ordinary monsters. You and Louis must have witnessed this firsthand."

Louis and Nora exchanged a glance and nodded—a bad feeling crept into their hearts.

"You should know that back then, Hiron was still a bit short of officially fusing with the Hero's Codex. In other words, he was just a quasi-professional who had already integrated the codex into his body ahead of time."

"If even the remains of a near-hero possess such extraordinary abilities, what do you think the remains of a level-three hero should be like?"

Colin's eyes, made of will-o'-the-wisps, inexplicably tinged with a sense of desolation.

Before the two could reply, he continued, "The answer is priceless—Molly's remains were used by the demons as a strategic weapon."

"But for the human kingdoms, the remains of heroes are usually used in a different way—to synthesize potions."

Synthesize a magic potion?

Upon hearing this, Dana, Nora, and Merry all instinctively touched their throats. They had taken quite a few potions these past two days; could it be—

Colin: "Don't be nervous. What you can buy are all low-level potions, potions synthesized from the remains of heroes. They are not something you can easily buy."

"Those are treasures of the royal family and various extraordinary associations, used by advanced professionals to enhance their attributes."

Louis and the others looked even more grim.

The Hero's Codex is a key material for level four professionals to break through to demigod status, and the remains of heroes become resources for the progress of level three to four professionals.

Is this definitely a hero, or some kind of ginseng that grew out of the ground?

Colin said helplessly, "Professionals at levels one and two can improve their attributes through their own efforts, but after reaching level three and four, every step forward becomes extremely difficult, beyond human capability."

"Most highly skilled professionals who lack natural talent will naturally seek external assistance, which is understandable."

"In order to strengthen the high-level combat power of the five kingdoms, many heroes are even willing to sacrifice their bodies after death to benefit future generations."

"But many heroes are unwilling to do so, and while the heroes are alive, naturally no one dares to make things difficult for them."

Even if the heroes die, their surviving teammates will protect their remains and ensure their safe burial.

At this point, Colin became sad: "But Molly is different. There were no immortal beings like elves or dragonborn in her team when she was alive. A hundred years have passed, and all her former teammates have passed away, leaving only me to eke out a living."

"I can't protect her body, and I don't want her to become a tool for producing potions after she returns, so I hope that with Ignis's support, I can cremate her as soon as we bring back Molly's body."

"This is the real reason why Ignis and I are unwilling to let a Level 4 professional participate."