Chapter 233: Withered Object

A dark golden metal flower bloomed within his palm. Fang Jing pinched the metal stem with his fingers. As thin as bamboo, the stem flashed with a flowing, golden light-arc. This thing contained an indescribable strange force inside.

He touched the petals of the metal flower with his fingertips. He discovered the metal flower was woven from countless thread-like metal wires, bonded together to form a single metal flower.

The moment just the corner of one fingertip touched a petal, a ripple of faint light shimmered across its surface.

Fang Jing had no idea what this thing was for.

But since it was a strange object obtained from Hirakawa Tsurutada’s hands, it likely had some incredible purpose.

He lifted this golden flower with one finger, pondering its function in his heart.

For some reason, a flash of inspiration struck him. He placed the slender “branch” of the dark golden metal flower onto the ground.

At that very instant, a peculiar ripple pulsed out from the metal flower. It spread along the earth’s surface, a dark golden wave expanding outward.

“Damnation!”

Alarm surged in Fang Jing’s heart. He worried intensely that the metal flower might be transmitting some kind of signal. He swiftly reached out, snatching the flower back and clenching it within his fist.

The moment he touched it again, a strange sensation washed over him. He vaguely felt a secret connection forming between him and this metal flower.

“This is… the ‘Withered Object’!”

Information pulsed from the flower.

It let Fang Jing know this item was called “Withered Object,” a rare ancient artifact.

The category of “Withered Object” wasn’t a single item, but rather a series of artifacts bearing that title. Their creator likely wasn’t human, but something like a Nocturnal Species. Each “Withered Object” possessed a different ability. The one in Fang Jing’s hand was a particularly unusual piece among the “Withered Object” collection.

This metal flower “Withered Object” possessed a special ability: controlling “Shikigami”.

(Hmph. Though, this thing is useless to an ordinary person. Only Clan members can manipulate it using Curse Entanglement. In the hands of someone like me, a normal person, it’s just a useless item.)

Fang Jing sighed softly. Having understood how it functioned, a wave of emotion washed over him… This “Withered Object” was named Tsunoha’s Branch, a very peculiar object. It could control strange beings called “Shikigami.” Shikigami were a type of Evil Filth, evil spirits condensed from fear, killing intent, hatred, and other negative emotions. Tsunoha’s Branch controlled them in an extremely wondrous way.

Anyone could guess, such an item had broad usefulness and numerous applications. Sadly, he wasn’t a Clan member. He had no way to use it.

Stimulating it with his Resonance Field had allowed him to reach this point, but expecting to fully wield Tsunoha’s Branch was wishful thinking.

One had to understand, artifacts like “Withered Object” might not even have been crafted for human use. The master craftsman was an inhuman being to begin with. The “Withered Object” series, bearing that very name, were ancient relics created from the start to be used by “Outsiders.”

It could only be said this particular metal flower, Tsunoha’s Branch, was somewhat special.

“A pity, indeed!”

Fang Jing could only sigh quietly. It seemed he wouldn’t get the chance to wield this remarkable item.

He set these items aside and took out the gemstone pendant.

It was the gemstone pendant taken from the Maeda Girl’s hand. The pendant itself wasn’t remarkable. What mattered was the red gemstone within it.

Rubbing this ruby gemstone, he could feel the flowing power contained inside.

“This ruby has an enigmatic origin. To ordinary eyes, it’s nothing more than an unremarkable stone. In reality, its nature is probably extremely unique…”

He’d need to find some time to experiment with this gemstone later to confirm if it truly was what he suspected.

Besides the ruby pendant, he had also brought back the picture book titled “The Secret of the Baron of the Red Cloak.”

This mysterious picture book, “The Secret of the Baron of the Red Cloak,” had been written by a novelist named Kiryu Reizuke. The illustrations were done by another individual named Juemon Inshi.

Naturally, Fang Jing found these two individuals highly suspicious. He had sent someone to investigate the publisher associated with this picture book.

The investigation hadn’t been very smooth. It seemed the publisher of “The Secret of the Baron of the Red Cloak” had gone bankrupt over ten years ago.

The president of the publishing company had also likely passed away a few years prior.

Moreover, the various editors and internal staff of the publisher had scattered to the wind, making the investigation exceptionally difficult. The clues they could gather were very limited.

“The investigation into the original publisher is very difficult. Looks like… the only way is to start from another angle.”

Kiryu Reizuke was a famous mystery novelist.

In fact, apart from mystery novels, he also wrote some horror and thriller works.

His first work, “Alien Catalog,” after being submitted, won the 73rd Japan Super Mystery Writers Association Award for Short Stories.

Later, he published another short story, “House of Shadows,” in the magazine “Kibidanso – Blow Out.” It secured first place in the short story category of that year’s “This Mystery Novel is Amazing!” awards.

Afterward, he continuously published several mystery novels in the “Island of Calamity Series.”

Many renowned critics praised his works highly. Several of his works have been adapted into movies and television dramas.

However, he personally disliked appearing in public. He never even attended several book signing events.

The current rumor was that he hid in the countryside in Hokkaido, living a life on a ranch, writing during his leisure time – almost as if writing was just a side job.

There were basically no photos of him outside. He remained secluded. Apart from a few editors specifically handling his manuscripts, no outsiders knew this famous writer’s true identity.

“Since he’s been a famous writer for over ten years, finding some trace of him shouldn’t be completely impossible. This is the lead to follow…”

Since there was a lead, there was no need to worry.

What came next was his own business.

Fang Jing glanced at his status panel.

Presently, his various attribute stats were nearing their limits.

Name: Nishizuka Tsukasa

Age: 17

Occupation: Primary Fate Devourer

Fate Hue: Bronze

Strength Attribute: 10

Physicality Attribute: 10

Speed Attribute: 10

Stamina Attribute: 6.2

Mind Attribute: 7.9

His Three Core Attributes had been pushed to their absolute peak. Having reached the ceiling of human potential, he currently found no way to break past this limit.

His Stamina Attribute, boosted by constantly practicing skills and utilizing the additional benefits of “Seal of the Asura Hand” – specifically, gaining 0.01 Stamina Attribute for every non-human life form hunted – had already risen to 6.2.

The earlier skill notation under “Seal of the Asura Hand” – Hunting one non-human life form grants a 0.01 Stamina Attribute boost – had now moved over to the entry for “Abnormal Martial Art: Extinction Wheel Fist.”

His Mind Attribute, meanwhile, had been steadily increasing through adding knowledge-based skills.

Raising the Mind Attribute was relatively simple; just learning new knowledge and broadening one’s horizons could steadily improve it.

His biggest current challenge was the ceiling of his martial skills.

“Since the physical limits can’t easily be breached, why not focus on advancing ‘Extinction Wheel Fist’ further…”

On Yūmi Island, he had comprehended an entirely new Abnormal Martial Arts system. This was a new skill born from melding his Fate Grade with Ancient Martial Arts, appearing as a new entry in his skills panel… “Abnormal Martial Art: Extinction Wheel Fist.”

(Abnormal Martial Art: Extinction Wheel Fist, First Layer, Progress 0%)

Currently, this skill was still in its lower stages – just the First Layer, with progression just beginning.

However, Fang Jing had gained over three hundred Growth Value points on Yūmi Island. Added to his accumulated points earlier, and the points obtained from several items sent after his return by the Kyogado antique shop, he had amassed over four hundred points.

Having these four hundred-plus Growth Value points, he decided to pump them directly into pushing “Extinction Wheel Fist” upward.

“Let’s start steadily advancing it from the First Layer!”

The thought emerged, and he poured a massive amount of Growth Value into “Abnormal Martial Art: Extinction Wheel Fist.”

The progress bar immediately began racing upward like a sports car. Before long, it pushed him into the Second Layer.

Entering the Second Layer simultaneously, he felt the “Primal Rage Resonance Field” start to rotate. The resonant pulse from the field also gradually grew stronger. But… there weren’t any truly substantial changes…

He didn’t ponder this deeply. He continued investing Growth Value, driving his Extinction Wheel Fist higher.