Extraordinary Voyage
Chapter 108 Intelligence

Chapter 108: Chapter 108 Intelligence

"Mr. Richard, can I apply for an independent laboratory?"

Located in the Shadow Library of the Unknown Land (which is actually a part of Principal Princeton’s Witchcraft Garden’s Mechanical Workshop), Aiven called out to the librarian who was passing by.

Since formally joining the "Violet Eye," Aiven had spent most of his time in the library, absorbing all the mystical knowledge he could find, and had even observed a few experiments organized by senior members.

Although he hadn’t gotten to know many people yet, he was at least familiar with the librarian on duty, Mr. Richard.

"Of course, Mr. Aiven. The space as your basic benefit is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for any consumables yourself." Richard, who appeared mature, smiled slightly, agreeing to Aiven’s request with ease.

"No problem!"

Aiven was already very satisfied with the free access to basic knowledge provided by the library. He didn’t expect that the experimental consumables would also be free, especially since many materials involved in witchcraft are not only costly but also difficult to gather.

The "Violet Eye," being a secretive organization, did have its hidden motives, but it certainly wasn’t a charity.

After obtaining the laboratory keys, Aiven saw Richard about to leave and suddenly spoke up, "By the way, Mr. Richard. Although I don’t know how many people have access to the ’Shadow Library,’ apart from familiar faces like Delis and Alva, it seems that few other members of the organization visit here frequently?"

Richard turned with a mysterious smile, "Perform well, Mr. Aiven! If you meet the requirements, you’ll find out where the others are."

"Is that so?"

Aiven couldn’t fully understand but tried to make some guesses.

Being in a secret society, it couldn’t be this loose in its comings and goings. There must be some sort of internal promotion mechanism, absorbing members into the real core through assessments.

Many of the senior members he never met were likely even more powerful and had other places of activity, finding the foundational knowledge stored in the Shadow Library beneath them.

Putting these irrelevant matters aside for now, he immersed himself in his witchcraft experiments.

Not until evening did Aiven, the last to leave before the lock-up, step out of the library.

Though feeling somewhat exhausted, he successfully tested the potion obtained from the Blood Hand Gang’s base. Combining the foundational knowledge from the "Magic Potion" section, he determined their uses.

The entire identification process and the potion’s magical effects filled Aiven with a sense of accomplishment!

After quickly taking care of dinner at the academy’s cafeteria alone, he returned to the dormitory to find that his roommate Krell had already returned.

"Stayed in the library until closing again, huh? How are us ordinary folks supposed to keep up when a genius like you works so hard?"

Apart from the regular short training courses, soaking in the "library" had become Aiven’s routine, to which Krell had grown accustomed. Little did he know that the library Aiven frequented was the much-coveted "Shadow Library."

Bound by the "Violet Eye" contract, Aiven couldn’t tell others about it.

Even so, in just a couple of months, Aiven’s status in Krell’s eyes had risen dramatically.

Top three in every subject, genius with the highest overall score, destined to be valued by the military with a promising future. Inventor of the practical "Scurvy" treatment with potentially astounding influence, glowing with accolades almost within reach.

Not to mention, having two significant medals brought him into the higher echelons of the major powers, an achievement many dream of but never attain in a lifetime!

"Haha, if you’re willing, you can train with me every day. I’d be happy to share my experiences with you, Krell." Aiven half-joked, half-seriously, seeing Krell lounging on the living room sofa eating snacks like a salted fish.

"No way, if I could handle hardship, I would’ve enrolled normally long ago. Instead of doing short training classes just to gild my resume..."

Indeed, a true salted fish, yet Krell didn’t realize he was giving up a rare opportunity.

The inspiration Aiven gained from Elante gave him confidence in quickly helping the Knights below his own level find the best training methods to enhance cultivation efficiency. Considering their roommate status, he was willing to lend Krell a hand.

However, it seemed Krell was not that eager to improve his skills, so Aiven didn’t push the matter.

"Oh right, the intel on the ’Blood Hand Gang’ you asked for is sorted out, take a look. Though I don’t know why you’re checking this organization, my advice is to stay clear of them.

This dark force is very troublesome, and once entangled, it’s really hard to shake off, especially since this ’Blood Hand Gang’ is quite powerful, with several extraordinary-level experts among them."

Krell handed Aiven a bound file, simultaneously warning him, seemingly out of goodwill to remind his roommate to be cautious and not provoke such a troublesome evil force out of arrogance.

Even Krell’s Dawson Clan, the local power at New Inn Port, wanted nothing to do with those guys.

Aiven was grateful and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Once back in his room, he eagerly opened the intelligence file.

The Blood Hand Gang is a cross-national black force with influence spanning multiple countries. Though it’s not been around for long, its growth has been rapid. It has absorbed a large number of bandits, rogues, and henchmen, collaborating with the powerful to trade corrupt interests whilst gaining protection, making it immensely powerful.

On a certain level, its background isn’t a secret. Just like a beast baring its fangs, deterring potential threats from acting rashly.

Their main activities include smuggling, slave trade, operating entertainment venues, and so on—businesses covering grey and black markets alike. True to their name, those who offend the "Blood Hand Gang" often face bloodshed and even implicate their friends and relatives.

It’s rumored that they possess a uniquely extraordinary path internally; although leaning towards bloodthirsty and evil, surprisingly, they don’t face the same kind of persecution and roundups from the True God Church as wizards do...

Aiven continued reading.

Krell’s sorted materials seemed to come from multiple sources, and one piece even directly confirmed the legend of the extraordinary path, giving Aiven a rough idea of the abilities the trench coat man showcased during their previous encounter.

Extraordinary Path · Crimson Shooter: Conduct evil sacrificial rituals, sacrifice wise beings to summon demons of the Lower World, by consuming the demon blood...

"Crimson Shooters" are skilled in using mid-range weapons like flying sabers and firearms, exceptionally suited to operate in densely populated, complex urban terrains.

Even if the ritual succeeds, the evil side of human nature is thoroughly awakened, accompanied by flaws such as irascibility and an unstable mental state. Progressing in power requires continued crimes, collecting victims’ negative emotions—much more menacing compared to those hiding evil wizards!

The intelligence also indicated that authorities highly suspect the recent spate of missing children near New Inn Port is linked to them.

In an era where turbulent undercurrents hide beneath a seemingly peaceful surface, collecting children with natural extraordinary potential could only be for nurturing enforcers from a young age or sacrificing them to satisfy some powerful entity’s peculiar whims.

Either way, their fate is bleak.

The intelligence additionally emphasized that the City Defense Committee had joined forces with major guilds to investigate, but... there was no progress for the time being.