Chapter 93: Finding Humanity’s Greatest Alchemist

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Riven quickly drove his car into the city and then continued toward one of its poorer districts — the same area where Daniela used to live.

It was also the place where this particular person was currently staying.

The streets were filled with suspicious-looking figures and homeless people. Drug addicts, many of them dependent on otherworldly substances created from gate ingredients or monster parts, occupied several corners and alleys.

In a few places Riven even saw people whose bodies were slowly crystalizing into mana crystals. Mysterious men dressed in black were quietly taking those victims away one by one.

"Mana Crystallization..." Riven murmured under his breath, narrowing his eyes.

When someone consumed too many Mana Drugs in a desperate attempt to grow stronger, their bodies could begin turning into pure Mana Crystals.

Those people always mysteriously disappeared not long afterward.

Riven had later learned that Claymore and Frostbane were the ones responsible. They took the crystalizing victims to their private laboratories, where the unfortunate people were used for experiments related to Mana Crystal production.

And... for other far more disturbing genetic and bioengineering experiments.

Riven clenched his teeth tightly. Right now he still could not do anything to help those people.

But soon enough, he was going to tear the entire system apart.

He forced himself to calm down, taking a slow breath in and then exhaling steadily.

"One step at a time, Riven," he whispered to himself as he moved deeper into the dark districts.

Eventually he reached an open area filled with abandoned buildings where a few people still tried to make their homes.

Some of the structures had been ruined by past Dungeon Breaks. Several low-ranked F and even Unranked Gates hung close to the area. Hunters sometimes had to travel all the way out here, pay various fees, and risk their lives just to enter those weak gates.

Riven ignored the activity around the gates and kept walking until he arrived at a run-down three-floor building. He stepped inside and discovered that a large wooden cabin had been constructed within the ruined interior.

There was a secret laboratory hidden there. Thin trails of smoke continued to rise from the chimney.

He walked up to the door of the cabin and knocked.

Knock, knock.

There was only silence.

Noir tilted his small head, glancing behind them to make sure they had not been followed.

Knock, knock.

Still no response.

Yet Riven could clearly sense that someone was inside. They simply did not want to open the door.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

He knocked once more.

Then he heard hesitant footsteps approaching from the other side. A nervous voice finally spoke through the door.

"Um... are you from the Yakuza Guild? I-I still don’t have the elixirs done... I-I swear that once I get them finished I’ll bring them to you! I just... don’t have the money yet... I know I’m in crippling debt but... please have mercy. I’ll make them! I swear! I just... keep failing. Why? I... I am supposed to be an Alchemist but..."

It was the voice of a deeply depressed young woman who had lost almost all faith in herself after watching her creations fail one after another.

"I’m not from the Yakuza Guild, but I can help you deal with them forever," Riven spoke calmly through the door.

"...Huh? W-Who are you?" she asked, her voice filled with cautious curiosity.

"I am a client," he answered. "I’d like to commission you for a few things, Label."

"?!"

She slowly unlocked the door and opened it just a little, her purple eyes gleaming faintly in the darkness of the room. "H-How do you... know my name?"

The face of a pale-skinned young woman with long dark purple hair covering half her face appeared in the narrow opening. She was wearing a simple black dress and nothing else.

Riven offered her a gentle smile. "May I come in? Name’s Riven Claymore. I am interested in making some business with you, young lady."

"?!" Label gasped in pure shock. "C-Claymore?!"

Label coughed hard from the sudden surprise and then frantically tried to close the door. In her panic she tripped over something on the floor and fell hard onto her butt. The impact caused dozens of bottles, tools, and ingredients inside the room to tumble down and shatter.

"Uuhh... not again..." she cried quietly, staring at the fresh mess.

"Um, excuse me," Riven said as he stepped inside. "Boy, keep watch outside."

Noir gave a small nod and remained by the entrance, carefully watching the street. Riven walked farther into the laboratory and took in the complete chaos of Label’s workspace.

"N-No! Don’t enter! Oh noooooo!" Label screamed in frustrated horror. "You’re seeing it! You’ve seen everything! Ahhh, it’s a mess, I know! Please don’t report me to the authorities! I swear I am not illegally making any drugs! Okay?! I only make potions! I-I don’t have the license but... but I can...! I..."

"Calm down," Riven said gently. He offered her his hand and carefully helped her stand up. "How about we begin by cleaning this place, huh? Then we can talk properly."

"Eh?"

Label tilted her head in confusion as she watched Riven begin cleaning the entire laboratory with startling efficiency. He moved at breakneck speed, displaying the incredible competence of a dedicated house husband.

"Woah?!" she was deeply shocked by how quickly the room transformed. "It’s clean! All of it?! You even put all the usable ingredients in one neat place and... where did this furniture come from? Y-You’re amazing, Riven— Ack! A Claymore! Wait, don’t kill me!" she suddenly begged, dropping to her knees in front of him.

"C-Calm down," Riven sighed, slightly exasperated. "I know my family has a bad reputation, but... I am not like them. Stand up. We need to talk. Would you like some tea?"

"Tea...?"

From one moment to the next, Label found herself sitting at a neat table, drinking fragrant green tea and eating delicious freshly baked cookies. Across from her sat an incredibly handsome and clearly wealthy young man who looked like he had stepped straight out of her wildest dreams.

Just what the hell was happening anymore? Her head felt like a complete mess as she desperately tried to make sense of her current situation.

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