"Tsk tsk, Mind Flayers! Iâve heard theyâre masters at controlling Spiritual Energy," Laisa couldnât help but exclaim.
"Yeah, every Mind Flayer is skilled in Spirit Magic, which is a type of energy almost completely different from our mainstream spellcasting system, extremely difficult to resist."
Sulfur Vine nodded, looking deeply in agreement.
Upon hearing "Mind Flayer," Raine couldnât help but remember he needed to research at the association, plus he was full and well-rested, so he said:
"If everyoneâs rested enough, should we head to the association now?"
"Sure! I actually want to check the second floor for any information on Mind Flayer larvae," Elise was the first to agree.
"Yeah, the Shapeshifterâs corpse verification should be almost done as well." Sulfur Vine nodded.
....
A quarter of an hour later.
Raineâs group of four arrived at the Mill Town Adventurer Association Branchâs second floor.
As they each had their own tasks, they agreed to meet later at the second floorâs public lounge, and went about their own business.
Just as Raine bid farewell to the three women, a slightly joyful voice came from behind:
"Mr. Rein, good afternoon!"
It was Liya, wearing the associationâs standard female receptionist uniform, greeting with a smile.
However, her gaze briefly paused at the departing Druid Maiden Sulfur Vineâs black little horns, eyes showing a hint of confusion.
Because if she remembered correctly, this Tiefling lady seemed to be a member of another Black Iron Level Adventurer Squad.
Yet sheâs with Mr. Rein...
"Hello, Miss Liya."
"I happen to have something Iâd like your help with."
"My Chest Armor of Courage has some damage, I need it repaired."
Hmm?
Liya blinked, somewhat incredulous as she looked at Raineâs chest armor with its numerous visible scratches, internally gasping.
Isnât this the Courage Chest Armor that was only exchanged two days ago?
You know, this is a Fine Level Magic Equipment!
Even in Lankote Snowfield, a Winter Wolf with a Challenge Level of three may not leave such visible claw marks on the Courage Chest Armor.
Has Mr. Rein been fighting with a Dragon Race creature?
"What, the branch canât repair it?"
Seeing Liya in a daze, Raine couldnât help but ask.
He had heard from Schneider before that Black Iron Level Adventurers could enjoy one-stop services on the associationâs second floor, such as equipment repair and daily supplies...
"No, no, of course we can, the scratches didnât penetrate the chest armor; the inscriptions inside should be undamaged. The branch can directly repair it," Liya quickly said.
"However, Mr. Rein, youâll need to pay a certain repair fee."
"Approximately how much?"
"Around 5~10 gold, but it needs to be confirmed by the Armor Forger."
Even though Raine was mentally prepared for a possibly high repair cost, he couldnât help but twitch slightly upon hearing the price.
Donât be fooled by his transactions amounting to two-digit gold coins at times.
In fact, a month ago, he was still using silver coins as the unit for adventures and daily life.
"No problem. By the way, could you check how much is on this card?"
While speaking, Raine handed over the Crystal Card that Benest thanked him with.
"Sure, Mr. Rein. Please follow me."
Liya accepted the card respectfully with both hands and quickly moved behind the second-floor counter, skillfully operating it.
"Mr. Rein, thereâs a total of two hundred gold coins in it."
Raine remained calm, but internally gave Benest a big thumbs upââWorthy of a High-Level Classes memberâgenerous!â
"By the way, Miss Liya, does the association have information about the Harpers Alliance?"
"Sorry, Mr. Rein, the Harpers Alliance is a cooperating organization with the association, detailed information is not available for query."
"Of course, if you only need basic information, itâs in the âIntroduction to Adventurer Association Cooperative Organizations,â would you like to borrow it?"
"Sure, also, does the association have information on the Mind Flayer?"
Considering the troublesome and peculiar nature of Mind Flayers and their larvae, Raine felt it necessary to understand more thoroughly.
"Mind Flayer? Mr. Rein, Iâll check that for you."
"Yes, Mr. Rein, Iâve found thirteen books, such as âOrigin of the Mind Flayer,â âCommon Enslaved Species of Mind Flayers,â âIntroduction to Brain-Eating Monster Spiritual Spellsâ..."
"Additionally, there are related manuscripts requiring points to access, would you need them?"
"Hmm... like?" Raine was taken aback.
"For example, âInvestigation Report on Ancient Gray Dwarvesâ Resistance within the Mind Flayer Subordinate System,â âExploration of Ancient Gis Yankeesâ Motivations for Resistanceâ..."
Liya fluently listed a string of manuscript titles.
Surprised by the number of related manuscripts, after a moment of pondering, Raine said:
"Letâs start with âOrigin of the Mind Flayerâ and âCommon Enslaved Species of Mind Flayers.â"
First Iâll get a general understanding, and if necessary, Iâll borrow specific books or manuscripts to study later.
"By the way, also get me one on Gray Dwarves, preferably an introduction to the Dark Furnace Clan."
Suddenly, Raine remembered the hand-drawn secret map related to the Dark Furnace Clan.
"Sure, Mr. Rein."
"There are six books, âSocial Structure of Gray Dwarves,â âIntroduction to the Dark Furnace Clan...â...
"The second book, please."
...
Several minutes later.
Inside the independent lounge on the associationâs second floor.
With the chest armor sent for repair, Raine asked for a private lounge and began calmly reading the materials.
"Dark Furnace Clan... around Dark Furnace City... estimated population of about 30,000 to 50,000... highest leader is the Master of the Dark Furnace..."