Chapter 133: The Invitation

"Of course, it is because my meditation technique has improved significantly. I, Gutt, might actually have a chance to advance to a Level 2 Wizard!" At this thought, Gutt felt a surge of yearning; he had been stuck at Level 1 for far too long.

"Then you... never mind, your meditation technique wouldn't suit me." The one-eyed wizard thought for a moment and decided against asking about Gutt's technique, as it was considered quite impolite in the wizarding world.

"How many of us are going this time? I thought it was supposed to be a small-scale secret realm?" Gutt suddenly asked the one-eyed wizard beside him.

"Including the one you just contacted, there will be five of us. It’s just a small realm; with too many people, there won't be much to go around. Is the person you found reliable?" the one-eyed wizard asked casually. His own eye had been lost to a sneak attack by someone he trusted, which was why he looked the way he did. Although it would be easy for a wizard to heal the eye, he had chosen to keep it as a reminder never to make the same mistake again.

"Rest assured, it's someone I picked!" Gutt understood the one-eyed wizard's concern. They were old acquaintances, and he knew exactly what had happened to him.

"Very well. Contact me after you speak with him tomorrow. If he agrees, we'll set a time so we can make preparations."

The next day, after Suse woke up and had a light breakfast, he headed out. He glanced toward Jelin’s villa as he left, but decided against paying a visit. Instead, he made his way to the trading district to see what Gutt had wanted to discuss.

The trading district was as crowded as ever, the once-spacious thoroughfare now narrowed into a tight path by the wares displayed by the surrounding shops. Passing through the crowd, Suse finally spotted Gutt’s shop in the distance. Just as he was about to approach, he collided with another wizard.

"Excuse me!" the person who bumped into him muttered before disappearing into the throng. Suse didn't get a good look at the stranger, only noticing a mask, but he didn't pay it much mind—in such a crowded place, it was understandable.

Little did he know, the masked wizard who had just bumped into him was staring at Suse’s back as he entered Gutt’s shop. "Finally found you," the Phantom whispered to himself from within the crowd.

For over two months, since arriving at Ghost River Valley, the Phantom had been tracking Suse’s trail. Following the rumors along the way, he had finally tracked him to Holy Circle City. The collision had merely been to confirm if Suse was indeed the person he was hunting.

"What do you need me for?" Suse asked upon entering the shop. He almost didn't recognize Gutt.

"What? Don't recognize me anymore?" Gutt was amused by Suse's reaction.

"I honestly don't," Suse replied truthfully; the Gutt before him had indeed changed significantly.

"It’s all thanks to your potions!" Gutt chuckled.

Suse’s expression instantly turned helpless. *This old man isn't going to give up, is he? He wants me to brew more?*

"Don't worry, I brought you here for a good reason!" Seeing the look on Suse’s face, Gutt quickly explained.

"You have a good reason?" Suse looked at him with disbelief.

"Of course! We’ve discovered a small secret realm. Are you in?" Gutt proceeded to tell Suse everything about the discovery.

"So, you have no idea what's inside?" Suse realized what Gutt meant by a 'good reason.'

"Not that we don't know, but we have absolutely no information. However, the energy fluctuations are weak. Based on the era and the characteristics, we judge it to be a Level 2 Wizard’s secret realm. With you and me, there will be five of us entering; that should be enough. What do you think?" Gutt waited for an answer.

"How will the spoils be divided?" Suse was interested. If it truly belonged to a Level 2 Wizard, the reserves of advanced knowledge and materials would be substantial—that was exactly what Suse wanted. As for meditation techniques, he already had the Abyssal Power, so he wasn't in a hurry for that.

"Everyone gets a copy of meditation techniques and advanced knowledge. Materials will be split equally, though if someone contributes significantly more within the realm, a portion will be set aside as compensation," Gutt replied, having already thought this through.

"Fair enough. But aren't you afraid that someone might..." Suse made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Do you think we're a bunch of Dark Wizards? They’re all people I know. You can rest easy on that!" Gutt glared at him.

"All people you know? Oh~" Suse replied with a knowing look.

"Prepare plenty of potions, especially healing ones!" Gutt didn't want to get into a pointless argument and turned serious.

"I have no materials!" Suse spread his hands helplessly.

"You... for a potion-maker, being in this state is a talent in itself!" Gutt had never seen a potion-maker in such a predicament.

"Your shop must have plenty of good things. How about it? Do you want to..." Suse was clearly trying to extort him.

"Fine... go, just go!" To ensure a safer trip into the realm, Gutt finally agreed to let Suse into his private storage room.

Once inside, Suse headed straight for the shelves, grabbing the core materials he needed immediately. Before long, he emerged dragging a large cloth bag.

"So much! Just how much did you take?" Gutt was shocked by the size of the bag. He rushed into his storage room, only to discover that at least a third of his inventory was gone.

"These are all necessary. Think about it: if it really is a Level 2 Wizard’s realm, there might be manuscripts left behind. Doesn't that increase your chances of advancing?" Suse had no intention of returning anything.

"Are you sure these are all for potion-making?" Gutt clearly remembered that several rare prehistoric fossils he had been saving were missing.

"Of course! Are you the potion-maker or am I? You better think clearly—there aren't many healing potions in Holy Circle City, and you know how effective the ones that do exist are!" Suse had discovered this soon after arriving.

He had realized that while there was an endless variety of potions in the city, effective healing potions were incredibly scarce, and most were low-level concoctions that couldn't meet the needs of a formal wizard. This was exactly why Gutt wanted him involved; he had seen the effects of the 'Natural Whisper' potion, which was far superior to any ordinary high-level potion. Gutt was certain Suse had other types of healing potions in his arsenal.

"Fine, then. I hope the results don't disappoint me!" Gutt finally compromised; entering the realm was the priority.

"That's the spirit."

"When are we leaving?" Suse asked.

"It's not set yet, but I'm ready whenever." Gutt’s eyes kept darting toward the bag at Suse’s side.

"Let's make it a week from now. I have some matters to attend to after joining the Silver Rose, and I need the time to brew these potions." Suse felt a week was appropriate, especially since the Silver Rose would be assigning him tasks in a few days.

"A week... that works!" Gutt hesitated briefly before agreeing.

"Good! I'll be going then!" Suse couldn't wait to get back to his villa and take inventory of his haul.

"Sigh, off you go then," Gutt said, watching with lingering reluctance as Suse walked away with the materials he had spent so long accumulating.

After leaving the shop, Suse didn't head straight home. He visited several other shops, buying some basic healing potions. The materials for 'Natural Whisper' were too difficult to find, so he planned to have his chip analyze and modify the existing low-level healing potions. It didn't cost many magic stones, and it was worth it for the chip's reference.

After a circuit of the shops, he realized how rare healing potions really were. Many shops didn't stock them at all, and he could guess why: formal wizards simply didn't bother with such weak, low-level concoctions.