Spark reverted from his partial werebeast form. The fur receding. His human hands returning. He felt a slight strain in his muscles. The light feedback of Framepath adaptation settling in.
He went about the grim business of looting the bodies. Not many things in them could attract his attention. But he still gained some coins or magical components.
Looting complete.
Spark walked over to the prison carriage. The captives inside peered out through the barred windows. Their faces were a mix of fear and hope.
Spark looked them over. None of them seemed like threats. They were simply victims caught in Hell Crow's net.
He located the locking mechanism. A complex rune lock. But it was too simple for him.
A few calculated applications of energy infusion. Guided by his deep rune knowledge. And the wards sputtered. The metal was screeching as the lock disengaged. The heavy door swung open.
"Come out!" Spark called.
Hesitantly, the captives began to emerge. Amongst the huddled, fearful figures, two stood out. They were cleaner. And they carried themselves with a residual air of authority. Despite their chains and rough handling.
And they were different from the others. On their necks, crude and heavy rune collars pulsed faintly. Inhibitor. Signifying sealed power.
The strength of the rune layer... It should be able to seal Tier 3 power. Spark quickly recognized and understood the rune circuits.
"Who are you?" Spark asked the two. His voice was back to its casual, though still deep, public tone.
One of the two stepped forward. A man with a weary but determined face. "Lord Nighthawk!" He greeted politely.
Spark raised his eyebrows. "You know me?"
The man nodded. "I am Vindent Roper, Agent Wing-003, from Royal Enforcer." He said. "We've met previously,"
"Wait!" Spark tried to recall his memory. "Aren't you the bodyguard of Prince Leonel?"
"We did meet when I was tasked to guard the Prince." The man responded. "But, my main task is actually investigation."
"This is my partner, Killian Green, Agent Wing-032." He introduced the other person. "We were infiltrating Hell Crow before we were compromised."
"You're both Tier Three right? How come you got captured by this rabble?" Spark raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"The one who escaped was Doctor Crow, a Master of Poison." Agent Roper said. Embarrassed. "We didn't expect to be recognized and poisoned. They sealed our abilities." He indicated the collar.
Spark looked at the collars. Crude work, easily undone. He reached out. Touching the collars with a touch of Soulcraft energy. A twist, a disruption of the inferior rune sequence. The collars clattered to the ground. Their sealing magic broken.
Agent Roper and Green gasped. Testing their restored power. A sense of relief washed over their faces.
"Thank you for freeing us."
"It doesn't matter." Spark said. Waving a hand. "Can you take them to safety? I'm not escorting anyone. I still have things to do here."
"We will get these people to safety." Agent Roper said. Looking at the still-shaking captives. "Gutlark Town is the nearest settlement where they can find help and protection."
"Good." Spark said, already calculating his own priorities. He didn't want to waste several days escorting a group of non-combatants.
"You two are Tier 3. You can handle it. Head there. Gutlark Town is about three days walk that way." He pointed. "Stick to the path as much as possible until you're out of the grassland. Avoid the Shadowfen itself. There are worse things in there than slavers."
Agent Roper and Green exchanged a look. He was simply handing them responsibility and sending them on their way. No demands. No requests for reward. Just... releasing them.
It was unexpected, but logical. With their abilities restored and two high-tier agents leading, the group had the best chance of survival.
"We understand." Agent Roper said. Inclining his head. "We are in your debt."
Spark offered a dismissive wave. "Just keep moving. Less fuss that way."
He watched as the two agents quickly organized the freed captives. Getting them pointed in the right direction. And starting them down the path.
They glanced back once. But Spark was already turning away. His part was done. He had trained. Eliminated a nuisance. And upheld his minimal moral code.
He walked back towards his ambush site. Then turned towards the direction of his hidden camp. Lilith would be back soon. He didn't doubt her ability to deal with the fleeing slaver.
...
Spark Nighthawk returned to the hidden camp. The scent of blood and gunpowder fading behind him. Replaced by the fresh, wild smell of the Greensea Grassland.
He moved with the easy power of a predator returning to its den. His immense frame parting the tall grass like a ship cutting through waves. Not long after, he had reached his destination.
Lilith was already there. A still, watchful presence in the deepening twilight. At her feet lay a figure. Small and limp against the rising ground mist. A woman, unconscious.
Spark looked at her and recognized her as the escaping slaver. Her face was turned slightly. Revealing raw, jagged scars that ruined what should be a beautiful face.
Spark stopped before them. Lilith looked up. Her eyes were meeting his with perfect, uncomplicated loyalty. "Master Spark. I secured the target."
"The one who ran away?"
"Yes, Master." Lilith confirmed. "She is designated 'Doctor Crow' by the organization. She is... unimpressive in direct conflict for a Third Tier individual. Her physical strength and raw magical output are low."
She paused, and continued. "However, her reputation is significant within the underworld. She is their preeminent alchemist and poison expert."
An alchemist and poison expert... Dabbling in two minor paths of power instead of the main path. Interesting.
Spark recalled the summary of paths of power in this world. Three major paths: soulcraft, technomind, framepath. Nine minor paths: runecraft, alchemy, poison-potion study, smithcraft, farmcraft, wishart, gucraft, eldritch demonology, and monster taming.
Spark only knew a little about alchemy. And almost nothing about poison-potion study. It added a layer of potential utility he hadn't considered.
"Her class?" He asked.
"A Battlemage, Master." Lilith replied. "But her specific focus was not direct combat. Her soulcraft is tied to plant fairies. Her Framepath Fusion changes her into half-plant creature. Not oriented towards direct combat applications at all."
Spark digested the information. Battlemage. But focusing on non-combat development. Interesting. A specialist. Not a frontline fighter.
Lilith continued. Laying out her assessment. "I considered termination. However, her unique skillset as an alchemist and poison master is valuable. For your future plans, Master, I believe she represents a greater asset alive than dead."
Spark agreed immediately. Killing her was easy. Keeping her meant acquiring a potent tool.
He was building an empire disguised as a collection of successful businesses. But his true ambition soared beyond the clouds. Towards the uncharted floating lands and distant continents.
His still-in-progress, custom-built sky-ship was a symbol of that ambition. For such grand endeavors, he needed loyal, high-tiered individuals. Reliable muscle, skilled experts.
And Lilith was right. It was undeniably more convenient if these assets were female. His trust issues were absolute. He trusted no one not bound by unbreakable magic or brainwashing.
Friendship and natural loyalty were concepts he no longer trusted. But controlling women came with inherent advantages beyond their primary skillsets.
Employees who were also companions. Subordinates who also fulfilled his physical needs. It simplified things. Reduced variables.
Lilith was the prime example of this efficiency. Another third-tier female? A skilled alchemist to boot? It was too good of a chance to be missed.
He looked at the unconscious woman. Scarred. Weak for her tier in combat. But potentially lethal in other ways. An infamous poisoner. Not an innocent. Perfect.
"An asset. Indeed." Spark echoed. The word carried the weight of ownership.
He knelt down. The movement was fluid despite his size. From his pack, he withdrew the Slave Grimoire.
He opened the Grimoire. The page was blank parchment, waiting. He placed one hand on the woman's scarred forehead. The other resting on the open book.
The unconscious woman's body glowed green for a split second. And then she dissolved into a stream of greenish mist, containing vibrant energy. The mist flowed directly from her form. Into the open pages of the Slave Grimoire.
The grimoire trembled. And then, it clicked shut. With a soft, final sound.
She was inside.
The weight of the Grimoire in Spark's hand felt quite different now. Heavier. More... alive.
He opened and looked at the Grimoire page. A two dimensional charcoal drawing of the scarred woman was there. On the left-hand page of the book. On the other side, status panel appeared in specific format.
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Feather Newfield]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 21]
[Class: Battlemage]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 0%]
[Modifier Currency: Rose Petal]
[Soul Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Mind Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Body Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Talent: Verdant Soul]
[Talent: Moist Physique]
[Personalities: Cowardly, Envious, Ruthless]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Plant Fairy, Flower Fairy, Rain Fairy]
==[Growth Item: Mystic Water, Earth Quartz, Blue Crystal]
==[Shared Talent: Fast Recovery, Plant Affinity, Water Affinity]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Plant Appraisal, Rapid Growth, Healing Rain]
[Framepath Monster: Mandrake, Bellgnome, Mystic Trent]
==[Growth Item: Poisonous Mushroom, Heavy Water, Pure Milk]
==[Shared Talent: Poison Immunity, Disease Immunity, Healing Affinity]
==[Ability: Framepath Fusion - Floral Dryad]