Cursed Immortality

The news about the first auction of the Ancient Artifact Industry Star Server instantly became the hot topic of the entire Epic Plains.

There were three types of people who had joined Jacob's star server. The first one was those who were after Jacob's weaponry. The second type were those who were after Jacob himself, and the last type were the spectators, and these people were the highest in numbers!

Right now, Faceless Ancient is the most infamous personality in the Epic Plains because of his blunt provocation to the three hegemonies as well as the terrifying technology he controlled.

People tend to watch this sort of drama, especially when the most prominent figures are involved in them. So, Jacob's star server became a kind of entertainment for the common public and a battlefield among the prominent nobles.

The news about the Atomic Grenade selling for a whopping 55.5 million ZC sends tremors in many hearts as they could only imagine just how massive potential the Ancient Artifact Industry had, and if they could partner up with it, they would be rolling in riches.

But the thing was, Jacob was simply impossible to reach because of his privileged Star ID despite everyone knowing his Star ID now. Furthermore, those who have thought of partnering up with Jacob didn't have the guts to announce it publicly.

However, just three days after the first auction, the Ancient Artifact Industry posted another post, but this time it wasn't an item auction post. Instead, it was a simple post that literally shook up everyone again.

"[Star Server: Ancient Artifact Industry]

"Restricted Post by Faceless Ancient (Star Server Owner): I'm looking for merchants to buy materials. Any merchant with 1-Star or 2-Star Privilege IDs can leave their resume in this Restricted Post, which only I can read the comments of no one else! I would prefer it if you guys won't try to waste my time by putting wrong information, or I'll kick such a person out. Another announcement for everyone, three atomic grenades with an addition of a new atomic item will be up for auction in 30 days. Look forward to it!"

This single post stirred an ever larger storm than the first post and even more people started to join the star server while those hidden forces began to move.

This time, the biggest movement was made by the rich merchants who wanted to get their hands on Jacob's weaponry so they could also gain profit, and the only way to get them without going through the fierce competition was to form a good relationship with him first.

As for the bigwigs, they instantly started to collect funds for this up auction!

But the person who stirred this storm was caved up in the alchemy guild of Alive Alliance City No. 543 and drawing something on a gray sheet with a golden brush, shimmering in a blueish hue.

Jacob's entire focus was on drawing this Advance Common Rank Talisman, which was an entry-level rune talisman described in the manual so the beginner could practice the rune inscribing.

In just four days, Jacob had already made the Basic and Intermediate Common Rank entry-level talismans, and this was the last one. Once he succeeds, he will be a full fledge Advanced Rune Artificer.

Then he can move on to entry-level array design for Master to Grandmaster Rank and then finally the entry-level formation blueprint for Senior Grandmaster to Basic Elder Grandmaster Rank.

Soon, Jacob made his final brush stroke, and the next moment, the gray paper suddenly glowed in blueish light as the blue rune symbols on it starting to merge and turning darker and bold.

A few moments later, the gray paper turned blue with a single rune on it, and his lips curled up, "A success!" He muttered, looking at the smooth talisman he had created.

Then he looked at all the ashes lying on the side of his workspace and sighed, "Just practicing the common talismans has cost me around one million ZC in pure materials. The arrays will be even more expensive—no wonder this profession is known for its money-burning capacity.

"Anyhow, I've earned quite a lot ZC, and soon I'll find sources to acquire even more materials which are difficult to find and can earn even more. The business is finally taking shape far more swiftly than I'd anticipated…"

Jacob was quite satisfied with his new booming business, but he was taking small steps to turn it into his empire just like he once did. But it was far easier said than done because of his enemies, and one wrong move, and he'll be as good as a goner.

Nevertheless, he longed to come to terms with the danger involved in his way, and all he could do was to be as careful as he could get because he needed to earn ZC and then use those ZC to expand his arsenal for the upcoming trials since he had to leave no matter what once it started.

That's why he was willing to take some risks now since those risks were nothing in front of the upcoming trial.

"Now that my money problem has been solved and I have a temporary base of operation. The only thing left is to collect food…" Jacob's eyes shimmered with murderous light as he looked at the massive glass window and the brightly lit city outside.

"But I can't just kill wantonly, or it would create too much commotion. But I can't be moderate with it either. I need the strength of a Tier-9 Epic or at least to protect myself from one and escape. So, I probably need to turn by blood at least 70% before the trial starts.

"Sigh… this is such a hassle and all because of those damn pirates…" He gritted his teeth before calming down and stood up from his seat, and started walking towards the exit as he thought, 'I might as well deliver the merch while I'm at it!'