Chapter 300: The Drama (Part 2)
On the other side, Jinse was staring wide-eyed at several new items that had just appeared in the guild store. Two new instances… and unbelievably, even an epic-quality skill book—"Armament Haki"—and there was only one copy available!
Armament Haki: A skill that increases one's attack and defense power. It can be applied to the user's body or infused into objects.
This must be a buff-type skill… The protagonist's most famous ability is Conqueror's Haki, so Armament Haki shouldn't be inferior. The price was on the high side—600 contribution points. Experience wasn't an issue, but Jinse only had 200 contribution points at the moment!
Just as she was about to find someone to chip in and sponsor her so she could act quickly, the book was instantly bought out. Jinse was so angry she ground her teeth and wanted to claw at the wall, then immediately logged off!
At that exact moment, the eleventh episode of the drama series had just been updated on the forums. As a die-hard fan of Wayne Sturwell, Jinse's irritation instantly vanished. She eagerly clicked open the pinned video thread.
Not long ago, episodes nine and ten had come out. Because Wayne Sturwell hadn't appeared, they had received unprecedented negative reviews.
Both episodes had been educational in nature, focusing on lifestyle skills like engineering and forging, along with their representative figures.
Episode nine had depicted the City of Engineering, Langerveil, capital of the Byron Republic, and told the story of Byron's chief master engineer, Master Black, along with his successor, Emlyn the Spear of Judgement. Although Emlyn was fairly handsome and very strong, when compared to the thrilling Wayne Sturwell versus Archibald battle from before, the contrast was stark—and so the reviews had been overwhelmingly bad.
Episode ten was even more ridiculous, covering the walrus master craftsman Priestley and his successor, the walrus Dick. While their story was nothing short of epic, Jinse's take on such odd-looking nonhuman heroes was: better not to watch at all.
Once was enough, twice was tolerable, but three times? Hopefully, episode eleven would finally feature the great Wayne!
The video began to play. The scene shifted to Darkland. A leaf drifted down. Inside a dim alchemy workshop, an old man with graying hair sat in a wheelchair, his life flashing through his mind.
Voiceover:
"My name is Dalian Turing. I was born in 1352 in Brusanar, a small city on the southwestern border of the Bryston Kingdom. From childhood, I was fascinated by alchemy, convinced it was an art that brought mankind closer to the gods. You cannot imagine how, with just a beaker and a crucible, one thing could be transformed into another. Gifted as I was, I quickly became Brusanar's most outstanding alchemist and chose to pursue advanced studies at Vick University."
"My choice proved right. There, I not only perfected my craft but also met the love of my life, Larela. Witnessed by the Sun Goddess, we married in 1373. In 1374 and 1375, we welcomed one son and two daughters. I loved them more than anything."
The scene shifted to a young Dalian Turing with Larela Turing. Dalian looked ordinary, but carried a scholarly air, while Larela was graceful and gentle. Jinse was already faintly excited—she recognized them. They had lived right next to Wayne's alchemy lab before. As expected, anyone associated with Wayne was a big shot!
Jinse could already sense the scent of a hidden quest.
"In 1376, I joined the Bryston Royal Alchemy Society, and in 1379 became an army alchemist in the Bryston Army, fighting against the Northlanders."
"For fifteen years, I served with dedication, never fearful, never retreating. My only concern was Larela, who cared for my parents and children back home. In her letters, she told me that separation was the gods' test. I kept her words always in my heart."
"Fifteen years passed in a blink. I became history's fourth Master-level alchemist and in 1384 was promoted to major general, stationed at Watchhold. Larela at last brought our son and eldest daughter to join me."
The screen flashed again. Dalian was now in his prime, wearing a long alchemist's robe, brimming with energy.
"In 1386, the Northlanders invaded the Aryta Plateau again. Short of soldiers, I had no choice but to send my own children into battle. That was my greatest lifelong regret. In one campaign, they both fell on the battlefield. I was devastated. But the war was won, sparing millions from displacement. That brought me joy, even through the pain."
The scene changed again. Dalian's hair was fully white now, his face aged decades in a moment.
"In 1390, we finally crushed the Northlanders. I retired, a decorated noble, admired by all. I was only 48. Thankfully, Larela's health was good, and my youngest daughter, Aileen, excelled in her studies—perhaps even able to inherit my craft. The only pity was, she was never close to me."
"In 1391, I became president of the Royal Alchemy Society. But misfortune struck our family: my youngest daughter fell ill with uremia, a disease beyond current medicine. The only hope was an alchemical transplant of a healthy kidney. Mine was a match. Some advised against it, but titles meant nothing—this was a father's love for his daughter."
"In 1402, due to rejection, my daughter passed away one ordinary evening. It's said the older you grow, the more you remember the ones you've lost. At night, I would dream of my children, of battlefields filled with artillery fire. Thankfully, Larela was still with me."
"In 1412, I became Darkland's first Grandmaster Alchemist. But age spares no one. One morning, I awoke unable to stand. Yet Larela never abandoned me, never left my side. Looking back at our forty years together, the one right choice I ever made was choosing Larela."
"In 1432, my health declined further. Cold weather brought endless coughing. I resigned from all positions, and we retired to Darkland. Larela loved staying busy, so she opened a breakfast shop near Vick University. Seeing her happy made me happy."
The screen shifted to the snow-haired, stern Dalian in his wheelchair, beside the kind-faced Madam Turing.
"In 1452, at age 90, Larela still cared for me, pushing my wheelchair every morning for 22 years. Perhaps this is love. But as years pass, mortality approaches. Unlike me, Larela was no transcendent, and death loomed over her. That was my greatest fear. If I could obtain enough necro-cores and life-cores, I could extend her lifespan. When I had no one left to turn to, Wayne Sturwell helped me."
The scene turned to Zhou Ning in a black trench coat and half-tall black hat. Then it showed him chatting and laughing with the Turing couple, eating the snacks Madam Turing had prepared, then smiling as he promised Mr. Turing to obtain necro-cores and life-cores.
The screen suddenly turned white. In boundless snow, Zhou Ning walked alone in his black trench coat, braving wind and sleet. The scene flashed: Zhou Ning sprinted, shot down a five- to six-meter stone giant, his twin guns fading into light, then bent to pick up a black necro-core. Another cut, Zhou Ning entered a forest in Southwells. The shot finally locked on him.
The comments section exploded, flooding the screen.
"Crying—this is what a drama should be!"
"Fired up! Finally seeing my Bro Wayne again, thank the heavens!"
"Damn, so that's why Wayne entered the Weather Tides! That's why he refused so many treasures, just to get necro-cores. I'm crying!"
After so many days, Zhou Ning had finally reappeared in the drama. Every viewer was on edge, awaiting the next plot twist.