Chapter 202: Chapter 201: In This World, Be Extra Careful

The Black Robed Man took a deep breath and began to explain earnestly.

“Since you know my identity, you should understand that I was absolutely unwilling to stay in that mine. I was forced to present myself in that state due to certain constraints and had to live under the identity of a miner.”

“Yes, I understand.” Richard nodded.

“And the reason I ended up like that, in a way, was all thanks to the ‘contributions’ of the White Stone Tower!”

“So, after you regained your freedom, the first thing you wanted to do was to take revenge on them?”

“Yes,” The Black Robed Man nodded, “Previously in Cuijin City, I killed people out of vengeance against them, and now, aboard this giant wheel, I am killing for the same reason. However…”

“However what?”

The Black Robed Man smiled wryly, “However, this revenge is hardly true revenge. You must understand, the White Stone Tower is a massive Wizard Organization, with many wizards within it. The revenge I’m undertaking now can’t really hurt them significantly—it’s merely enough to make them bleed a bit and slightly appease the resentment in my heart.

Even though I’ve had the surviving wizard on this giant wheel deliver some harsh words to the people of the White Stone Tower, it’s just a bluff. For my safety, I definitely wouldn’t follow the wheel to the White Stone Tower. To ensure the continuity of my revenge, or rather, to carry out a better revenge, I can only make use of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.” The Black Robed Man nodded, his expression growing more serious, “One might call it observing, or even spying, but I am quite certain of your uniqueness. You are an interesting, intelligent, and equally formidable individual. I believe that if you can survive the journey to the White Stone Tower, you will undoubtedly carry out my revenge in my stead.”

Richard blinked, looking at the Black Robed Man and speaking, “Is there some misunderstanding between us? While I might be a bit smarter than the average person, it doesn’t mean I can do whatever I want. You also said yourself, with your current abilities, you wouldn’t dare venture to the White Stone Tower for revenge. Wouldn’t I be heading to my death by going there?

Plus, isn’t a characteristic of intelligence recognizing the situation? If I really arrive safely at the White Stone Tower, wouldn’t it be better to live there peacefully? Why should I engage in destruction, why should I help you take revenge? After all, my purpose there is to learn.”

“To learn?” The Black Robed Man laughed, nodding, “Yes, to learn. You are indeed there to learn. In fact, I’m not stopping you from learning. The revenge I’m talking about isn’t the straightforward, undisguised kind – I’m not foolish. In my view, ensuring your safe arrival at the White Stone Tower is the best form of revenge. Because you’re different from others, very different.

You’re intelligent, you’re special, so even if you hide, to achieve certain goals, you will still cause some damage to the White Stone Tower. Otherwise, you won’t get what you desire.

Sending you to the White Stone Tower is like driving a nail, planting a seed—I believe you will definitely bring me some surprises, and that is enough.”

“It sounds like I don’t really have a choice?” Richard said.

“Actually, that’s exactly it. A special person like you, disguised as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, once you enter the flock, the damage you can cause is unimaginable. It’s not as simple as killing a few wizards—it often involves deeper, more fundamental destruction that could even shake the foundation of the entire White Stone Tower.”

“You think too highly of me.”

“No, it’s that you hide yourself too well.” The Black Robed Man said, his eyes twinkling, “Of course, I won’t let you work for free. There will be rewards. Like this.”

As he spoke, a bead appeared in his hand, the size of an eyeball, blood-red in color, with a strange light flashing on its surface.

“This is a magic tool,” the Black Robed Man explained lightly, “Once activated with mana, it can unleash tremendous destructive power, roughly equivalent to my full strength in my current state.”

Richard raised an eyebrow, “Meaning it could instantly kill any of the four legitimate wizards on the previous giant wheel?”

“Actually, if the four wizards were together, it might be able to kill them all at once.” The Black Robed Man said, “After all, don’t underestimate the strength of my full power. In the previous battles, if it weren’t for a wizard forcibly leveling up, bursting with strength not his own, none of those four wizards would have made it back.

Of course, you should know, the damage from this bead is indiscriminate. So when you use it, be careful not to harm yourself, and end up dying alongside the enemy.”

Richard said, “Speaking of which, although you say this, you must be thinking that even if I die along with your enemies at the White Stone Tower, it wouldn’t really matter, right? After all, by the time I use this bead, I’d probably be in a desperate situation and killing one more person would mean avenging the White Stone Tower a bit more on your behalf.”

“Heh.” The Black Robed Man laughed, noncommittal, simply tossing the blood-red bead over.

Richard caught it lightly, pocketing it, and muttered to himself, “Since it can unleash such tremendous power, let’s call it the Destruction Pearl.”

At that moment, the Black Robed Man took out a second item, a long scroll.

“This is a rare Magic Scroll,” he began, “it contains a spell known as ‘Concealing Breath Skill’. The creator of this spell was said to be a powerful wizard named ‘Eugene Andrew’, who lived a long time ago, and later it was modified by a wizard named ‘Angelle’.

Its effect can be said to be null, yet also very powerful. It conceals one’s own mana fluctuations, making one appear as an ordinary person indiscernible to anyone. If mastered, it can even hide one’s life force, thereby shielding oneself from enemy perception and silently approaching the enemy to launch a surprise attack.

This spell should be the ultimate pursuit of many Thieves, but I believe, in your hands, it will serve a greater purpose.”

Having said this, the Black Robed Man tossed the scroll over.

Richard caught and accepted it, whispering, “Concealing Breath Skill, huh? Quite an apt name.”

“Alright, there’s also this item.” The Black Robed Man pulled out a third item, a simple ring that looked somewhat old and ordinary. However, as he looked at the ring, his gaze revealed a hint of reluctance, and it seemed like a difficult decision before he finally looked up and spoke slowly.

“You might not know now, but you will eventually hear many rumors. The rumor says that in the White Stone Tower, there’s a great secret hidden. Once this secret is unveiled, one can gain unimaginable benefits. I can tell you that this rumor, the secret mentioned, truly exists.

I once tried to unveil it myself but unfortunately failed. The reason I ended up in the state you found me in initially is also related to this secret. Now, I feel somewhat weary and no longer wish to try. However, I can pass on some of the gains from this secret to you, this ring.

What it does, you do not need to know for now, but when the time comes, you will naturally understand. In fact, I don’t think you can solve the secret. But due to a certain mindset, I still hope that you can go further on this path than I did.”

With those words, the Black Robed Man threw the ring to Richard.

Richard caught it again and kept it, this time without saying anything, simply responded with a casual, “Uh, okay.”

The Black Robed Man stood up, exhaled deeply, and looked straight at him: “That’s all the reward I can offer you, and I believe you will make good use of it. Actually, even without any reward, I believe your conduct in the White Stone Tower wouldn’t be poor, but… I am not that kind of person. Ha ha, I am very kind, yes, I am a very kind person, ha ha.”

By the end, the Black Robed Man laughed, but his voice lacked genuine mirth.

After laughing, the Black Robed Man wore a deep look: “I am leaving now, planning to sort out the remainder of my time, as I have already been delayed far too long. But before I leave, I want to give you a piece of advice.”

“Uh? Speak,” Richard responded.

The Black Robed Man continued, “You are a clever man, there is no doubt about that. From my observations and from what you’ve spoken before, it seems you are determined to understand everything happening around you. That’s good, it’s precisely what makes you different. But I must say, sometimes… pretending not to be so clever is actually the real cleverness.”

The Black Robed Man looked up, his eyes rolling back as if recalling something, a look of fear momentarily crossed his face: “Some… things, some… taboos, should not be explored, or they will lead to unbearable consequences, which is what I suffered from.”

Re-focusing on Richard, the Black Robed Man took a deep breath: “Anyway, you… be very careful…”

With those final words, the figure of the Black Robed Man twisted and then vanished like smoke inside the cabin.

Richard stood motionless, his eyes flickering.

After a while, the No.1 Ring activated, “Pearce’s Nerve Sensitivity Technique” was released, enhancing his perception. After fully confirming that the Black Robed Man had left, Richard finally exhaled deeply.

His body relaxed slightly; Richard put away the Crystal Skull he had been holding in his right hand and walked to a chair.

With a squeak, Richard lifted a long, thin wooden board under the chair and began to take out White Jade Plates, each intricately carved with Magic Runes. He then went to every corner to retrieve more White Jade Plates.

These were all quietly carved and strategically placed earlier. Their power might not seem astounding, but the precision in their placement, burst direction, and angle ensured a powerful central force. Thus, if used properly, they could surprise even the most powerful foes.

These were meant to guard against the Black Robed Man. However, his final words convinced Richard that the man had truly left, so these arrangements were no longer necessary. It might be better to keep them on hand to use against another enemy one day.

After collecting the White Jade Plates, Richard sat down in the chair and glanced at Pandora lying on the bed. She was still sleeping, possibly dreaming sweet dreams as she smacked her lips.

Turning his gaze away, Richard began to seriously contemplate the words of the Black Robed Man, and after a while, he muttered to himself, “White Stone Tower? Revenge? Secret? Taboos? Hm, it’s getting more and more interesting…”

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com