"This is absurd!" Leo thought as he stared at the ring weirdly.

To face a middle tier planet, he needed this ring. And to use that ring, he needed to face a middle tier planet. Wasn't this an impossible loop.

"Do you not have anything else with less restrictive conditions?" Leo asked just to be safe. "I'm sure you can find something if you look around your trash bins?"

"Hmph, do you think we are running a marketplace?!" Malakor scoffed. "You either take what you're given, or leave it behind. That's final. If you want to use the ring, sacrifice souls to it."

While Malakor was scolding Leo, Skeleton Swordsman Ossius lowered his head. He looked like he was heartbroken as he turned back to Malakor.

"I can't believe you lied to me," Ossius asked, his voice trembling in sadness. "How could you do this to me?"

"What are you even talking about?!" Malakor exclaimed. "Don't say anything! Just listen silently."

"You lied to me, and you don't even want me to question you? You told me something else when I asked you about the process of multiplying these rings." Ossius' voice grew louder.

"You never told me anything about soul sacrifice or taking lives. Why did you lie to me?! Why did you keep it a secret even from me? Just you wait, I'll tell His Majesty."

"You... You idiot, couldn't you stay silent for a moment?!" Malakor slapped the back of Ossius' skull. "Everything was going well! I almost had him, and you had to jump in between. Do you not have any brain?"

"What do you mean?" Ossius rubbed the back of his skull, tilting his head sideways.

"You fool, I lied to him, not you! I was testing his conviction to see if he really has what it takes to be given this ring. But you... You couldn't keep your mouth shut. You exposed everything!"

"How would I know that you were lying to him and not me? You should've told me in advance!"

Ossius and Malakor started arguing, while Leo was simply left ignored, watching the scene as his lips started twitching.

After a long time, the fighting stopped and Malakor sighed as he looked back at Leo.

"Fine. Since this idiot has already exposed everything, I will tell you the truth. You don't need to sacrifice souls to multiply these rings."

"Then what do I need to do for that?"

"You don't need to do anything. Just wear the ring on your finger and say, 'multiply', the ring will take the price on its own from you."

"And what would the price be?"

"Who knows? It is different for everyone we tested it on. The price is never the same. It can range from things like your senses, or maybe something more... But don't worry, it won't take your limbs."

Malakor said in an amusing tone. Although he was disappointed that he couldn't scare Leo and test his resolve like before, it wasn't half bad to see the look on his face now.

Ossius also nodded, as the answer finally matched with what he had heard.

Meanwhile Leo looked at Malakor in silence.

'That's reassuring... My ass. Isn't that price worse than souls? The sacrifice just shifted to my things. If it takes away my sense of sight, won't I be blind all my life? What the heck is wrong with this ring?'

'Who would even make something like this to only be useful on a middle tier planet? Were the people of that forgotten planet stupid?'

After a long and awkward silence where the two sides simply looked at each other, Leo broke the silence.

"Are the senses, or whatever this ring takes, gone forever?" he asked.

"Not quite. It's never permanent. The cost probably ranges from a few hours, to a few months at most. It's always random, so I can't give you a more accurate range."

"So it depends on luck? It's like a gamble..." Leo mumbled, wondering if he could really use this thing.

'Wait a minute... Who says I need to use this ring on myself?' Suddenly his eyes lit up, as he thought of something.

"This is perfect!" He exclaimed. "Thank you so much!"

"Hmmm? Are you happy? What a weird human." Malakor shook his head in silence.

"Whatever, I'll grant that ring to you then. But remember, I'm only lending it to you. You must bring it back! And don't leave any ring out in the open if it's not to blow them up."

"And lastly, I'll tell you the method to set up the ring for explosion."

Malakor didn't stop speaking. Even Leo was surprised at how much an undead could talk, since this guy went on for hours, even talking about ways to keep the ring spotless clean and so on.

After what felt like an eternity, Malakor finally stopped speaking. Meanwhile Leo was sitting on the ground, exhausted.

"I'll keep that in mind. Now, I should take my leave." Leo quickly stood up as soon as Malakor stopped speaking, as if he was worried that the guy might start talking about more nonsense.

He had already received everything that he wanted. Now all that was left was to put the plan in motion. A plan that was explosive.

"Here, take this as well. This is a storage ring. This should help you carry those things without breaking your back."

While Leo was leaving, Malakor tossed out a storage ring that landed before Leo's feet.

"See? You're not that bad. Even though you're a little talkative and love to mess with me, but deep down, you still treat me like a little brother," Leo said as he picked up the ring and started putting the things in it.

"I treat him like a little brother?" Malakor mumbled, but he again shook his head and stopped speaking. "Well, he's a good child, so maybe that's why."

"I don't know what you are planning to do, but I do wish you luck. I hope you succeed. And if you need any help, don't forget to ask." Ossius also bid Leo farewell.

Leo quickly started keeping the things in his storage ring. And amidst the items that he was packing, there was one white crystal that turned pitch black once it was touched by him.

However, in his hurry to toss things in his storage ring, Leo didn't pay attention.

He quickly placed everything that he had received from Necropolis on this trip, and ran out at his fastest speed, as if he was worried that Voldred might return, and he would have to spend more time explaining about the prince.

Fortunately, on the way out, there was no other obstruction.

He was easily able to step in the Necropolis Ship, and his ship flew into space, disappearing into the stars.

....

Meanwhile back in the Necropolis Palace, silence had once again returned after Leo left.

"Oh no, I again forgot to ask him. How was he able to understand our ancient language the first time?" Malakor suddenly exclaimed, almost facepalming himself.

"Oh right, there was that thing as well." Ossius also thought about it now that Malakor had mentioned it. "Then again, I am sure that child will be back again. We can always ask him next time."

"I suppose you're right." Ossius nodded, as he reached out his hand and held the floating staff in his hand. "Though have you heard the rumor which states that we are looking for Celestial Lotus? Which fools are spreading it?"

"Yeah, don't we have plenty of Celestial Lotuses here?" Malakor nodded. "In fact we also gave one to that child right now, didn't we?"

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