Chapter 405 - 404: Index +1

Chapter 405: Chapter 404: Index +1

So, there was no other choice.

Seraphina Sinclair could either give up this flame and hand it over, or she could negotiate with the restaurant behind the waiter and pay a price...

No, she would have to pay a heavy price to obtain the right to use this so-called "Flame Container."

Seraphina Sinclair was completely unwilling to do the former, yet she couldn’t afford the latter.

Even though she had only caught a glimpse of the Stardust Gallery through the waiter, Seraphina Sinclair knew it was an absolute behemoth.

’How could a restaurant with such power possibly care about the wealth of a mere human like her?’

Knowing her own limits was one of Seraphina Sinclair’s greatest strengths.

She remained silent, pondering for a moment before asking, "What is the exact purpose of this flame? If I were to use it, what could it do for me?"

She had to understand the value of the Holy Flame before she could make a sound decision.

The waiter had nothing to hide regarding this question. It considered for a moment, its expression turning serious. "If you can tame this flame, you will have a chance to become a Demigod in the future."

’Demigod?’

’Another new term.’

Seraphina Sinclair’s heart beat slowly, THUMP, THUMP, yet each beat sent a jolt of alarm through her.

’What does being a Demigod even mean?’

To Seraphina Sinclair, it meant being half a step away from godhood.

The meaning of "god" in human culture was self-evident.

’Half a step from godhood...’ For a mortal like her, struggling to survive in The Black Mist World, the temptation was nearly impossible to resist.

But Seraphina Sinclair knew that the more alluring something was, the more terrible its price.

She forced down the tremor in her heart and pressed, "A Demigod... what does that mean, exactly? Does having this flame merely grant an opportunity, or is the flame itself the key to becoming one?"

The waiter seemed to appreciate that Seraphina Sinclair could remain calm and ask critical questions even when faced with such a temptation.

It nodded, its tone growing more serious. "A very pointed question, guest. The Dragon Heart Golden Flame, aside from the beneficial side effects I mentioned earlier..."

"Its greatest value lies in the traces of enlightenment it contains, condensed by an S-Class Great Dragon through extreme suffering and countless years... *That* is what’s most precious. Of course, an opportunity is not a guarantee."

"Swallow it, and you might achieve sublimation within the flames, taking that final step. But it’s far more likely you’ll be incinerated, with not even a scrap of your soul left behind. And even if you do succeed in taming it, you will still need to expend tremendous effort to become a true Demigod."

Seraphina Sinclair struggled to process the waiter’s words, asking again, "Then, about Demigods..."

The waiter suddenly coughed softly, cutting Seraphina Sinclair off. It lowered its voice, as if about to say something taboo.

"If you were to become a Demigod, you would be one of the most powerful beings in this entire world. As for further explanations, forgive me, but I cannot say more. You have not yet come into contact with the real world, so I cannot tell you its rules."

Seraphina Sinclair understood.

’Swallowing the flame is a high-risk, high-reward opportunity.’

’She wouldn’t swallow the flame now, but she would have to, eventually.’

’Becoming a Demigod, one of the most powerful beings in the world, is the only path to survival I can see.’

’After all, I haven’t forgotten that Gloomdrake is still out there, eyeing my life.’

She stopped asking about that distant goal and brought the conversation back to the urgent matter at hand. "So, about the Undying Fire Lamp. If I want to borrow it, what’s the price? Or rather, what does the restaurant need me to do before they’re willing to lend it out?"

The waiter seemed relieved by Seraphina Sinclair’s pragmatism.

It pondered for a moment before saying, "Given your current circumstances, guest, directly exchanging for the long-term use of the Undying Fire Lamp is... not very realistic. However, there might be another way."

"Another way?"

"Yes." The waiter nodded. "Besides accepting trades for physical goods, the restaurant also has a tradition of making investments."

’Trading something from the future for something in the present?’

After a moment of thought, Seraphina Sinclair realized that was the only thing she had to offer.

A sliver of hope had just sparked in her heart when she heard the waiter sigh, dousing it with cold water. "However, the Undying Fire Lamp only has nine compartments to store flames, and only the last one remains. If there were more slots available, the chances of *that person* agreeing to such an investment would be higher. But as it is..."

The waiter looked into Seraphina Sinclair’s eyes and shook its head gently. "The chances are slim."

Seraphina Sinclair: "..."

After a moment of silence, Seraphina Sinclair said, "No matter how low the odds, I have to try. What do I need to do? Do you need to make an introduction for me, or is there something I should prepare?"

The waiter scratched its head, then glanced back at the Dragon Corpse.

’Seraphina Sinclair knew the introduction wouldn’t be a problem.’

As expected.

"Alright," it said. "I can try to make an introduction for you. The restaurant’s review process for these matters is quite strict. I will inform them of the flame’s type, your potential, and convey your wishes. But as for the outcome... I can’t make any guarantees."

This was its way of telling Seraphina Sinclair not to get her hopes up.

Seraphina Sinclair understood, but she nodded and thanked the waiter for its help anyway.

The waiter paid her thanks no mind. It listened quietly until Seraphina Sinclair was finished, then opened the Lightgate again. After a final, lingering look back at the Dragon Corpse, it turned and stepped through.

Its expression was like someone facing a tragic, final parting.

Silence returned to the canyon. The sky was full of twinkling stars. A cloud drifted past on the wind, and Seraphina Sinclair finally saw a bright moon hanging high above.

Seraphina Sinclair mentally rehearsed what she would say. Feeling a bit more confident, she turned her attention to the E-level monsters.

’Waiting around is just a waste of time. The reward for collecting all the F-level monsters was so good, the E-level one should be even better, right?’

’Opportunities to see so many E-level monsters at once are rare. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to use this chance to fill out my E-level bestiary?’

So, Seraphina Sinclair immediately picked a direction that looked promising and started using Insight on a monster that closely resembled a wolf.

[Moonshadow Wolf (E-level)]

[Description: ...]

’Hmm... a creature I haven’t seen before. The bestiary entry should be unlocked now. Excellent.’

’Next.’

[Stoneplate Lizard (E-level)]...

’New one. Haven’t seen it before. Bestiary +1.’

[Shadebat (E-level)]...

’I’ve seen this one, but that’s fine. Next.’

[Bonerot Vine (E-level, Plant-type)]...

’Oh? A rare plant-type E-level monster. Bestiary +1.’

Time slipped by quietly as Seraphina Sinclair focused on her "Bestiary +1" mission.

When the waiter returned, Seraphina Sinclair didn’t immediately realize its significance.

It wasn’t until the Lightgate suddenly expanded—growing large enough for the entire Dragon Corpse to pass through—and then erupted in a blinding flash of light, that Seraphina Sinclair realized it: whatever would decide the flame’s fate... had arrived.