Half an hour later, in the alleys of Northwest Main Street.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sir Cain."
A figure clad in a black robe, his face completely concealed, appeared before Cain.
"My name is Fels. Like you, I am currently investigating matters related to the Artificial Labyrinth."
"And?"
Cain rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. "You should understand that is not what I want to hear, right?"
"Uh, please do not resort to violence."
Fels instinctively took a step back.
He had begun sending familiars to observe Cain earlier that morning.
Although the time had been short, he had already gained a clear understanding of Cain's combat ability.
One word could describe it. Monster.
If they fought directly, he probably would not survive even a minute before dying violently.
"To be honest, I am actually a subordinate of Ouranos. I came here hoping to cooperate with you."
Under pressure, Fels mentioned Ouranos name, hoping the other party would show some consideration.
But Cain clearly had no intention of doing so.
"It does not matter if you are Ouranos subordinate. You sent familiars to spy on me without explanation. You die here today."
Cold sweat broke out across Fels' body.
Feeling the killing intent pressing toward him, he dared not hesitate and quickly raised both hands.
"Sir Cain, regarding that, I can apologize. Please forgive me..."
"Stop. Stop. Stop. That is not what I want to hear."
Seeing that the other party still did not understand, Cain dropped the pretense. He raised his hand and rubbed his fingers together, making his meaning obvious.
"If you want my forgiveness, give me a dozen magic books (grimoires) and about eighty to a hundred magic items."
Fels froze.
Even though breathing was no longer necessary after becoming a skeleton, he still felt suffocated.
Was that a demand a human being could reasonably make?
"Um... could the price be a little lower? I do not have that many magic books (grimoires) or magic items."
"Tch. Do not try that with me. Do not think I do not know who you are. You are the legendary sage. How could you not have at least that much in storage?"
"???"
Fels was stunned again.
What?
How had his identity been exposed?
Faced with Cain's increasingly shocking statements, Fels mind struggled to process everything.
"Stop standing there in a daze. Hand over the goods and I will forgive you. I might even share some exclusive information."
Seeing Fels standing there speechless, Cain quietly stepped forward, shortening the distance between them.
To be honest, when he saw Fels delivering himself to his door, his mood improved immediately.
After all, all of his efforts to earn money ultimately came down to buying equipment, magic books, and magic items.
As the legendary sage, Fels could help him fulfill two and a half of those needs.
Magic books (grimoires) and magic items were obvious. Fels could also help acquire high grade equipment.
Since Fels had willingly exposed his weakness, Cain would not be Cain if he did not take advantage of it.
Meanwhile, as Cain slowly approached, Fels finally snapped back to reality.
Although he did not understand how Cain had discovered his true identity, this was not the time to think about it.
"Ahem... Sir Cain, regarding the magic books (grimoires) and magic items, I can provide them. However, could the demands be a little more reasonable?"
"No problem."
Cain also knew it was unrealistic to empty Fels inventory in one go, so he readily agreed.
"Three magic books (grimoires) and ten magic items. That is my final offer. If it goes any lower, I will kill you."
"...Agreed."
Fels replied while feeling a sharp pain in his heart.
If he had known things would end like this, he would have listened to Ouranos and approached Cain directly for cooperation.
Now look at this situation. He had not gained much information from the surveillance, yet he had already paid nearly half of his personal wealth.
"Pleasure doing business. Here is a small gift."
Having obtained what he wanted, Cain was in a very good mood. He immediately pulled a red crystal from his robe and tossed it over.
"A gift?"
Fels stared at the crystal. It resembled an eyeball, with a "D" pattern engraved in the center.
With his experience, it was easy to recognize that this red crystal was a special magic item.
But why would someone like Cain, who extorted others at the slightest disagreement, give him a magic item as a gift?
Could it be...
"Is this magic item related to the Knossos?"
"Correct. That is the key to the Knossos. I took it from Ishtar after sending her back."
Cain replied casually.
He had a clear reason for handing this item to Fels.
As the key used to enter and exit the Knossos, the Evilus remnants must control the keys very strictly.
Now that one key had been lost, obtaining another one would become much more difficult.
Instead of searching for new keys, it would be simpler to create copies.
"Fels, since you are the legendary sage, you should have a way to duplicate this key, right?"
"...I will need some time."
"That is fine. You have plenty of time. Just remember to give me two keys after you finish copying it."
"?"
So he gives one key and expects two in return?
Fels emotions became rather complicated.
However, after interacting with Cain for a short time, he had already adapted to Cain's personality of never accepting a loss.
After storing the key away, he returned the conversation to the main topic.
"Mr. Cain, please tell me everything you know about the Knossos."
"No problem. But this is not a good place to talk."
Cain pointed toward the alley exit not far away.
They were currently on Northwest Main Street, close to the Adventurers Guild headquarters and the Hostess of Fertility.
It was not late at night yet, and many pedestrians and adventurers were still passing through the street.
Speaking here risked being overheard.
"Let us find somewhere quieter. Actually, why not go to your base? I can also collect the things you owe me."
"..."
Fels suddenly fell silent.
Although Cain's suggestion was reasonable, bringing the other party to his own base...
Well. It should be fine. Probably.
...
Two hours later.
Carrying a fully packed large backpack, Cain returned to the Hestia Familia in an excellent mood.
"Mr. Cain! You are back!"
Bell was practicing with his sword in the courtyard.
Seeing Cain arrive, he quickly stopped and ran over.
Cain nodded and asked, "How was your adventure in the Dungeon this afternoon?"
"Uh... well... how should I say it? It was a bit rough."
An awkward expression appeared on Bell's face.
Because Folkvangr had been destroyed during Cain and Ottar's battle, the training with the Freya Familia had been temporarily suspended.
After bringing Bell away from the Freya Familia, Cain allowed him to gain combat experience in the Dungeon.
Naturally, Bell had been extremely excited.
After witnessing Cain and Ottar's fight, he was completely fired up and eager to battle monsters himself.
With Cain's permission, he immediately entered the Dungeon and spent half the day fighting Goblins.
Then he got beaten badly.
Although ordinary people can fight Goblins after receiving a Falna, Bell lacked combat experience.
Combined with his terrible luck of encountering multiple Goblins spawning together, he ended up running away in panic.
Because of that experience, after returning to the Familia he immediately asked Aisha and the others to teach him combat techniques.
"Mr. Cain, Miss Aisha said the first three floors are training grounds for novice adventurers. How long did it take you to clear the first three floors?"
"The first three floors? About two hours."
"Huh?"
Bell exclaimed in shock.
"Two hours? Did you reach the fourth floor on your very first trip?"
"To be precise, the eighth floor."
Cain answered after thinking for a moment.
At that time he had just obtained Thunder Breathing and had gained basic combat ability through ability sharing.
The Goblins on the first few floors were killed with a single slash each, offering no training value.
To raise his status, he went straight to the eighth floor and spent most of the day fighting monsters using the characteristics of the Killer Ants.
"Bell, you should not use me as a comparison."
Seeing the stunned expression on Bell's face, Cain patted his head.
"When I first received my Falna, I might have been a blank slate. But I had trained for a long time before that. My combat experience and physical fitness were not those of a beginner."
"I understand."
Bell nodded seriously.
After today's experiences, he was no longer as naive as he had been yesterday.
Now he clearly understood the enormous gap between himself and Cain.
If he wanted to become that strong, he would need far more effort.
"By the way, Bell."
At that moment Cain spoke again.
"Do you know about magic books (grimoires)?"
"No."
Bell shook his head.
"Magic books (grimoires) are items that can awaken magic. For example, my first magic was awakened through one."
Cain pulled a magic book (grimoire) from his backpack.
"I happened to meet a very kind person today and obtained four magic books (grimoires) from him. I will give you this extra one."
"Huh? This... this is too valuable."
Bell instinctively stepped back.
Even without knowing the price, he could tell such an item must be extremely expensive.
"Mr. Cain, I am only a beginner. Something so valuable should go to Miss Aisha and the others."
"Aisha already has magic. She does not need it."
Cain placed the magic book (grimoire) directly into Bell's hands.
Fels had originally promised three magic books (grimoires). This one had been an extra he found casually.
Giving away something obtained for free did not hurt at all.
More importantly, Bell was worth the investment.
Looking at the flustered boy, Cain coughed lightly and spoke with a serious expression.
"Bell, do not feel embarrassed."
"As someone who has experienced this myself, I know how difficult it is for ordinary people like us to become strong."
"I am giving you this magic book ( grimoire) to give you a chance. A chance to grow stronger and one day catch up to me."
"If you do not want to waste my goodwill, then work hard and become stronger. I look forward to seeing you reach the peak one day."
"I... I understand."
"Also, if you become strong enough, you might meet many beautiful women in the Dungeon."
"Eh? Really?!"
Bell's attention was instantly diverted.
"Of course."
Cain replied casually.
"For example, on my first trip to the Dungeon, I met the Sword Princess from the Loki Familia."
"You know her, right? A Level 5 adventurer. She was captivated by me at first sight."
"Later she even secretly left her Familia just to visit ours and see me."
"Tha... that is amazing!"
Bell's eyes sparkled.
"Mr. Cain, what happened after that? Did your relationship progress?"
"Of course it did, but that is a long story. Focus on your training for now."
After giving Bell a mysterious smile, Cain waved and walked toward the annex.
Bell watched him leave, then lowered his head to look at the magic book (grimoire) in his hands.
After hesitating briefly, he rushed back to his room.
The temptation of encountering beautiful women was far too powerful.
Repeating to himself that he must grow stronger and repay Cain someday, Bell opened the magic book.
...
Meanwhile.
After leaving Bell, Cain returned to his room and began taking items out of his backpack.
It had to be said that as a sage from a thousand years ago, Fels truly possessed many incredible items.
An invisibility cloak. Eye crystals used for long distance communication. Recording glasses capable of capturing images. boots that enhanced leaping ability and movement speed.
After organizing all the magic items, Cain finally removed the magic books (grimoires) and opened one.
Each person possesses three magic slots.
Aside from Current Propulsion and the State of Selflessness, Cain still had one empty slot.
Now that he had spare magic books (grimoires), he naturally wanted to try awakening another magic.
Time passed as Cain quickly finished reading the magic book( grimoire).
However, unlike the first time he used one, he did not enter a mental world while reading it.
"Did the awakening fail?"
Cain frowned slightly.
Magic books (grimoires) differ in quality.
As a legendary sage, the magic books (grimoires) created by Fels were top tier.
If even one of those could not awaken new magic, it meant the potential within his body was too great. Even with an empty slot, the book could not trigger a new ability.
To awaken a third magic, he would likely need special experiences that generated unique experience points.
"It seems luck will decide."
Cain set aside the remaining two magic books.
Such high quality magic books (grimoires) could easily sell for hundreds of millions of Valis.
Wasting them would be foolish.
As for the third magic, he would eventually obtain one.
Unlike others in the world of DanMachi, Cain possessed the Mist Space, which allowed him to share abilities and strengthen magic.
Given enough time, he might even break the world's limits and gain a fourth or fifth magic.
Hum~
As if responding to his thoughts, the Mist Space within his mind suddenly resonated.
Since he had nothing else to do, Cain accepted the call and his consciousness entered the Mist Space.
"Yo. DanMachi me. You came quickly."
On the plaza within the Mist Space, Demon Slayer Cain, who had been absent for more than half a month, waved cheerfully.
"Guess what good news I brought."
"The Demon King Potion?"
"You guessed correctly."
A proud smile appeared on Demon Slayer Cain's face.
Seventeen days had passed in the DanMachi world, but fifty two days had passed in the Demon Slayer world.
After nearly two months of effort, he had finally found the Blue Spider Lily and successfully created the Perfect Demon King Potion.
"Come on, DanMachi me."
"It is time to update your status."
T/N - Fels true gender is unknown, but I'll be using He/him pronous.
...
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GIVE ME YOU POWER STONES.