Chapter 167

Advanced Mining Level 9.

Advanced Logging Level 6.

Advanced Fishing Level 6.

Advanced Magic Level 4.

Intermediate Cooking Level 3.

Combat Master Level 1.

Farming Master Level 1.

The fruits of my diligent efforts have manifested as skill level increases.

Most encouraging was the news that mining had reached Advanced Level 9.

It was a rewarding outcome from consistently sending clones to the mines ever since acquiring the Clone skill in the Eternal Shadows.

Once I reach mastery in mining, I’m considering redirecting clones to logging or cooking.

It’s quite the efficient skill overall.

While it’s fun occasionally observing people living in the mirror world, nothing beats the efficiency of a clone for experience gain.

I don’t know what achievements await when mining reaches mastery, but truthfully, gaining skill experience is harder than achieving accomplishments when considering various conditions.

As I methodically examined and checked various system aspects while building solid foundations…

There it was – Modes.

The overwhelming pressure of being handed a tens-of-millions gold mode out of nowhere when hidden modes opened up.

Just as I was basking in the accomplishment of opening a several-million gold mode, that moment left me feeling lost.

Looking back now, with no idea I’d be making this much money, it was a mode I thought would take 2-3 years minimum to achieve.

Floating Island [22 millionG]

New Continent [75 millionG]

What once seemed like an unreachable amount of gold isn’t anymore.

Operating the merchant guild brought in more gold than expected.

With expanding trade routes and increasing product varieties…

Thanks to Rio’s hard work running around everywhere, the gold in my possession has surpassed nine digits before I knew it.

The profit from the merchant guild selling goods rivals that of my crops and cocktails.

Especially considering how massive the farm has grown.

Managing the village at a loss has become ancient history.

The investments are paying off faster than expected.

I haven’t forgotten about the dedication and hard work of talented individuals like Berdetto and Rio behind all this.

Tens of millions gold modes.

An amount that once seemed impossibly high…

Now both are within reach. While having spare gold is great, I can’t buy both simultaneously, but purchasing the Floating Island poses no problem.

Thus, I moved my finger toward the spot marked 22 millionG and touched it.

Like pressing a vending machine button, there was a faint resistance.

22 million gold vanished instantly.

A holographic map appeared before my eyes, indicating where to set the location for the Floating Island’s appearance.

I carefully pondered its placement.

Where should this place go?

The Floating Island.

A legendary site where dragons once headed.

I vaguely recall hearing such tales, though they aren’t entirely accurate.

Just hazy memories tied together.

The crucial fact remains – a dragon’s dwelling place.

It’s likely a dangerous land unsuitable for placement right next to Valley of Starwind.

Especially given we battled dragons fiercely before.

Though it was also where a certain dragon with slightly awkward human speech shared brief memories with me – Bell.

Good memories exist alongside less pleasant ones regarding dragons.

Particularly risky to keep beings who call humans ants nearby.

Moreover, with no clear idea of potential returns, it’s beyond my control to manage even if placing the Floating Island nearby.

This feels more like a necessary procedure to return to Earth rather than anything else.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t throw such risks into the world.

Thus, the location I considered for the Floating Island was a desolate, lifeless, remote area.

Some cold northern region.

A barren land emptied by the Eternal Shadows leaving no traces.

Geographically still frigid and uninhabited – ideal for placing the Floating Island.

Following the map, I selected a land near the very northernmost point and summoned the Floating Island.

With the gold gone, the system indicated the mode was successfully unlocked.

“Hmm.”

Having steadily created and installed warp devices wherever I went, traveling north wasn’t much of an issue.

Just arranging and organizing the numerous warp locations became somewhat tedious.

Preparing equipment just in case and warping…

Space folded as familiar permanent permafrost came into view.

Upon stepping on the ground, the first sensation was an immense shadow.

All around was dim, with sunlight barely reaching from far away.

A world swallowed by night.

Despite it being daytime, what blocked the sun was the enormous island itself.

The massive Floating Island darkened the sky, revealing its majestic presence.

Rising to match the island’s height with magic, only then could I fully take in its appearance.

Mist enveloped the island, creating a hazy rainbow.

That scenery exuded mystery.

The island was tranquil.

For some reason, magical energy surged violently.

Like magma, magical power flowed intensely throughout the island without escaping.

Being past the stage affected by such environmental influences, I slowly stepped onto the island.

The green earth swayed gently.

The vast grasslands were obscured by thick mist limiting visibility.

Normally, piercing through it wouldn’t be an issue, but the sticky, destructive flow of magic in the fog heavily obstructed sight.

Attempting to force through it would be possible but highly inefficient.

Moreover, the improved vision would soon be blocked again by the dense fog.

Walking through physically proved the better choice.

No traces of powerful creatures were visible.

Few signs of life detected by projecting magical energy onto the ground.

Those few were merely weak magical beings.

No dragons were present.

Feeling curious while moving further inward…

Something blocked my path.

A barrier-like wall of mist.

Then the system started glitching, displaying red messages.

[C. Fortress Drifting Through Dimensions]

“Achievements not completed! You cannot venture deeper!”

“Proceeding further will be dangerous due to the swirling mist!”

“Recommended to complete at least 3 achievements before revisiting!”

Stopping my steps at the system’s urgent message.

I knew this was a special terrain, but didn’t expect it to be part of an exploration area.

And one labeled ‘C’ at that.

Fortress Drifting Through Dimensions.

Originally not from this world, forcibly pulled in perhaps?

Opening the system to check achievement conditions for exploring the Fortress Drifting Through Dimensions.

[C. Fortress Drifting Through Dimensions]

Achievement: This fortress exists yet doesn’t! (Reveal a two-dimensional island into reality)

Achievement: Where do dragons dwell? (Visit the Floating Island)

Achievement: Where did the dragon go? (Uncover the true nature of the mist covering the Floating Island)

Achievement: Save the dragon! (Reveal the secrets of the Floating Island)

Achievement requirements differing from others.

Unlike other explorations granting entry tickets upon completing all achievements,

this one advances achievements based on activities within the Floating Island.

Definitely a place related to dragons…

But no dragons are visible.

Where have they gone?

Moreover, the final “Save the dragon!” achievement feels oddly unsettling.

Is the dragon in danger?

Staying here too long wraps me in an eerie chill.

Difficult to attribute solely to the northern cold.

My body isn’t fragile enough to be affected by minor temperature changes.

Two achievements already completed.

Revealing the true nature of the mist and uncovering the Floating Island’s secrets will complete all achievements.

Thus, time to reveal the mist’s true nature first.

Using magic to forcefully capture condensed mist and bringing it close to examine via the system.

[Dragon’s Blood]

“…”

Dragon’s blood.

If the system isn’t providing false information, this means the mist is literally dragon’s blood.

Perhaps explaining the intense magical energy.

Examining further unconsciously through the system.

[Dragon’s Bone]

[Dragon’s Tendon]

[Dragon’s Heart]

[Dragon’s Eye]

“…”

The mist carries different meanings.

However, the unsettling implication they share is the same.

A dragon’s corpse.

Or fragments of a dragon regardless of form.

How can such ordinary-looking mist contain these things?

My brain momentarily freezes at the incomprehensible phenomenon.

Even advanced-level magic knowledge fails to explain it.

My skills only provide deep expertise in specific fields rather than general worldly common sense.

Just as I’m trying to contemplate curiously…

I feel intense foreign matter rising from my lungs.

Thinking about it, I’ve been breathing here since arriving.

Meaning the mist has entered my body quite deeply.

Dragon’s blood, mist, eyes…

Whatever it is, mixing inside me causes mild nausea.

Would this be fatal to dragons?

Even with a human body, it’s quite lethal mist.

Invisibly seeping in without warning to cause such effects.

Remaining here too long isn’t advisable, so I quickly warp back home.

“Ugh…”

Sitting down while squinting my eyes.

My body unresponsive, I slow down time significantly.

Time’s deceleration blurs.

Only then does my battered body naturally begin recovery.

Self-regeneration combined with magical healing starting.

My body heating up as it gradually dispels the mist.

A faint trickle gathers in my hand from my mouth.

[Dimensional Mist]

[Faint Remnants of Oblivion]

Then it changes its identity, showing me another name.

Not dragon fragments.

Still unclear what exactly it is, but it’s obvious the mist played some role on the Floating Island.

Uncovering that will reveal the truth.

“Huff…”

Spitting out all the deeply penetrated mist.

Carefully compressing the expelled mist with magic and sealing it in a metal box before putting it in my bag.

Naturally sealing it so it doesn’t escape anywhere.

Absolutely unacceptable for this mist to affect others if it leaks.

Bell’s image suddenly comes to mind.

Her fading figure is extremely vague.

Did Bell also encounter the same fate after being caught in the mist?

Can solving the mystery bring her back?

I don’t know.

My head feels dizzy, thoughts not functioning properly.

Even though I inhaled the mist briefly, its effects are quite severe.

Despite expelling everything inside my body, the nausea persists.

Quietly suffering alone in a secluded corner in case this state is contagious.

Finally, I have a reason to visit Gilbert.

Since it appears to be a magical phenomenon, Gilbert’s broad knowledge might be helpful.

Seeking advice from Berdetto, known as the sage, would be wise too.

Slowly regaining stability and standing up.

If the 22 million gold Floating Island hides something this terrifying, what secrets does the 75 million gold New Continent conceal?

Chuckling weakly at the ominous thought, I move slowly.

Destination: Tower of the Mage.

Where Gilbert resides.

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