Novel Full Chapter 73: Tolkien is Free, The Storage Space Expander
Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Tolkien is Free, The Storage Space Expander
Meanwhile, inside Tolkien’s shop, events were unfolding at the exact moment Leon completed the [Blood Heart Challenge].
Tolkien was still bound.
Heavy chains wrapped around his legs, and torso, glowing faintly with restrictive runes that drained his strength nonstop.
They anchored him to the ground and suppressed his power, forcing him to remain in place day and night.
Even breathing felt heavier with those things on him.
For years, the [Moon Sect] had used these chains to keep him under control.
They forced him to work endlessly, crafting weapons, repairing equipment, and most importantly, creating the [Blood Moon Crystals].
Every swing of his hammer was done under threat. They had promised him freedom.
All he had to do was wait until they obtained the [Blood Heart].
But now, that heart was gone. The door of the shop burst open.
Several figures stepped inside at once.
A tall man clad in crimson armor walked forward, his presence alone making the air tense.
Behind him followed dozens of [Moon Sect Devouts], their expressions cold and hostile.
The moon sect general looked directly at Tolkien.
“Alas,” the general said calmly, “you have failed.”
Tolkien let out a low laugh.
“Hah,” he said, lifting his head slightly. “You mean that you failed.”
The general’s eyes narrowed.
“Our failure is yours as well,” he replied. “For you will die today.”
The devouts tightened their grip on their weapons. There was no hesitation in their movements.
They had decided to kill him now that he was no longer useful.
“But do not fret,” the general continued, raising his sword slowly. “This is merely a stepping stone in the grand scheme of things. I know you are far stronger than us, but eventually… you will fall.”
The blade flashed.
Slash!
The sword cut across Tolkien’s chest, carving a deep wound that sent blood dripping down his torso.
Tolkien grunted but did not scream. He was level 50.
In normal circumstances, none of these people would have even dared to touch him.
But the chains changed everything.
They suppressed his attributes to such an extent that even someone at level 25 could injure him, given enough time.
It would still take a long while to kill him, but it was possible.
The [Moon Sect] thought this was their moment.
Unfortunately for them, they had chosen the worst possible timing.
Ding!
[“Celestial” has taken the “Blood Heart” and freed you from your chains.]
Tolkien blinked.
“Oh?” he muttered, lifting his eyebrows in genuine surprise. “That kid actually did it?”
The runes on the chains flickered. Then shattered.
One by one, the restraints disintegrated into dust, their suppressive power vanishing completely.
In a single breath, Tolkien stood up.
The air around him shifted violently as his true presence erupted outward.
“Huh—”
The moon sect general barely managed to utter that sound before Tolkien moved.
The hammer in Tolkien’s hand slammed forward with terrifying force. The general’s head exploded on impact.
His body collapsed instantly, lifeless before it even hit the floor. The devouts froze. Their faces went pale.
“W-What…?”
“Oh…”
That was all they managed to say. Tolkien did not waste time.
He stepped forward, each movement precise and heavy, his hammer swinging again and again.
Each strike ended a life. None of the devouts could even hope to resist him.
The difference in strength was absolute. In mere seconds, the shop was silent once more.
Bodies littered the floor, blood pooling beneath them. Tolkien exhaled slowly and looked around.
Then he waited. A few minutes passed. Footsteps echoed from outside.
The door opened again. Leon and Emilia stepped inside.
Leon’s eyes swept across the scene, taking in the corpses and the shattered remains of the chains.
“Wow,” Leon said calmly. “I guess you really were stronger than expected.”
Tolkien snorted.
“Hm. They kept me chained for years,” he replied. “That doesn’t mean I got rusty.”
Leon nodded, then scratched his chin.
“How did they even capture you in the first place?” he asked. “You’re level 50. That shouldn’t be possible.”
Tolkien’s expression darkened. He said nothing.
The silence stretched for a moment. Leon didn’t press further. He had no reason to.
The important part was that the quest was complete, and the outcome had been more than worth it.
Tolkien reached behind the counter and tossed something toward Leon.
“Here,” he said. “You earned it.”
Leon caught the item easily. It was small, about the size of his palm, shaped like a tiny brown backpack.
The [Storage Space Expander].
Appraisal!
[Storage Space Expander (Mythical): Use to increase “Storage Space” capacity by 30.]
’Nice.’
Leon didn’t hesitate. He poured mana into the item, and it dissolved into light that flowed straight into him.
Ding!
[Your “Storage Space” capacity has reached 140.]
Leon’s eyes lit up.
What made this even better was the fact that it didn’t increase the cost of his next expansion.
The base price remained the same. That alone made this item absurdly valuable.
Another panel appeared immediately after.
Ding!
[Your reputation with “Tolkien, The Cursed Blacksmith” has increased exponentially.]
Leon smiled. Then he appraised Tolkien again.
—
[Tolkien, The Cursed Blacksmith]
[Level: 50]
[Talent: ???]
[Combat Power: ???]
[Details: A blacksmith that has been chained by the “Moon Sect” for a long time, now eager to start making weapons again.]
—
Leon knew what that meant. Tolkien was one of the strongest natives in the [Lower Domain].
Even level 50 players would struggle against him.
His raw stats were absurd, and that was without considering the skills he possessed.
At Leon’s current level, defeating him would be impossible.
“So,” Leon said, breaking the silence, “what now? Are you staying in [Moon City]?”
Tolkien looked around his ruined shop.
For a moment, he said nothing. Then he grinned.
“Heh. I actually like this city,” he said. “But my shop is destroyed. I think I’ll relocate.”
Leon blinked.
“…?”
He didn’t question it further. His reputation with Tolkien was already high enough.
He could sell materials to him, request services, and possibly ask for help in the future. That was all that mattered.
Tolkien walked out of the shop. Emilia’s eyes sparkled.
“Do we follow him?” she asked eagerly. “I want to see what he’s planning!”
Leon chuckled.
“Why not,” he said. “We can take a break after everything that happened and push to level 25 tomorrow.”
“Yay!”
And just like that, Leon and Emilia followed Tolkien through the streets of [Moon City].
Several [Moon Sect Devouts] attempted to block their path. None survived.
Tolkien crushed them effortlessly, barely even slowing down. Leon watched closely.
After about fifteen minutes, they reached the main square of [Moon City], right near the entrance gate.
“Oh, we’re back here,” Emilia said, looking around. “Wait… I think I know what he’s about to do!”
Leon raised an eyebrow.
“Hm?”
Tolkien stopped. He turned toward the crowd and grinned.
“Alright,” he said loudly. “Let’s get to work.”
He pulled wood from his storage space and began assembling a stand.
In just a few minutes, a solid blacksmith stall stood in a busy corner of the square. Then Tolkien shouted.
“I am the best blacksmith there is in the [Lower Domain]! I can repair or enhance your equipment and create new ones for a price!”
Players nearby began to turn their heads.
“A blacksmith?”
“Wait, maybe enhancement success rates are better if he does it.”
“I don’t care if I have to pay, I failed my upgrade three times already.”
More and more attention gathered around the stand. Leon stared. His eyes widened.
’No way,’ he thought.
Tolkien was setting up shop. Right here. In the middle of [Moon City].