Chapter 39: Fourth-Tier Magic Stone

As soon as the words "magic stone" slipped out, White Festival and Black Tea immediately regretted it. They glanced around, relieved to see no one had overheard, and quickly pulled me, still confused, toward the nearest appraisal shop—the very same one I'd visited before.

On the way, White Festival opened a chat channel and asked me to recount how I'd obtained the Kodo Beast's magic stone. Both of them sighed in amazement; such a strange event was rare indeed.

From their reactions, I confirmed my earlier suspicion: the Kodo Beast's magic stone was certainly valuable, and those tier-three experts appearing in the Kodo Beast Valley were likely after this very stone.

With that thought, impatience stirred in me.

The moment we entered the appraisal shop, I couldn't help but ask, "Brother White, Sister-in-law, what exactly does this magic stone do? You both seem so nervous..."

White Festival shook his head with a bitter smile. "We're not entirely sure. I've heard before that magic stones only drop from specific level 15 or higher king-class bosses, but it seems the level requirement has changed. As for their uses, they're varied: sometimes they're quest triggers, unlocking hidden professions; sometimes they're needed for advanced skill or spellbook quests; or for other equipment rewards. Of course, all of this must be completed through quests. The magic stone is just the key. Many people are buying them at high prices... so..." He rubbed his forehead and smiled wryly. "Ah, your luck is extraordinary—losing a level and getting a magic stone in exchange... Well, let's just get it appraised first!"

Clearly, he knew Black Tea's intermediate appraisal skill wasn't enough to reveal the stone's properties.

"Right, it might be the trigger for a hidden profession! No wonder those three tier-three experts were so desperate for it. If I knew the Kodo Beast dropped magic stones, I'd camp there every day!" Black Tea was both excited and animated, suddenly clapping my shoulder. "If this triggers a hidden profession quest, you'll be blessed—encountering a hidden profession right after changing jobs. But..." She paused, frowning. "A level ten boss... That seems a bit low. Doesn't seem likely..."

Her enthusiasm cooled somewhat.

But for me, this was already a delightful surprise—not a disappointment by any means. Glancing at my pitiful ten gold coins in my backpack, I handed the Kodo Beast magic stone to the appraiser I'd previously pegged as a swindling old man.

...

The old man took the appraisal fee without ceremony. A golden glow burst from his hand, enveloping the magic stone.

In the next moment, the dazzling golden light sank into the stone, and strange markings appeared.

Done, the old man acted as if he'd completed a trivial task, shoving the appraised stone into my hand and turning back to his dull research.

We three gathered around, staring intently at the Kodo Beast magic stone, which now glowed faintly red, and at the magical beast motif etched upon it:

Kodo Beast Magic Stone (Quest Item):

Tier-four skill—"Revival" quest trigger, usable by Priests.

Learning that the stone was a trigger for a tier-four spell, White Festival and Black Tea exchanged a look.

"Revival?"

"A tier-four magic trigger? Is there some change in the rankings?"

But... Revival!

That explained everything.

The magical Kodo Beast's greatest ability was resurrection—the most sacred and truly remarkable magic in its repertoire. With enough mana, one could revive the recently dead limitlessly!

No wonder those three tier-three experts kept venturing into the valley for this stone.

A priest with Revival and full mana investment, if taken in by an organization, would be worth at least as much as a top-tier tier-three team—perhaps even more!

In today's ever-fierce competition in "The Age of Magic," the value of a tier-four priest was immeasurable.

But alas...

Such things held no value for ordinary players. Unless one possessed a powerful background and strength, it was impossible to raise a high-tier priest. Besides, the profession, nurtured in a hothouse, suffered a painful path to advancement!

Even Dragon Flame Mercenary Corps, the group White Festival and Black Tea belonged to, had a top priest stuck at level 29, who'd failed the tier-three advancement quest over a dozen times and was on the verge of collapse—if not for the pleas of his brothers, he'd have deleted his character and chosen another profession.

Across "The Age of Magic," there were only about ten priests with tier-three strength, all of whom had recently advanced through special means.

As for reaching tier-four and qualifying to learn "Revival," that was an even more distant dream.

Who knew how many Kodo Beast magic stones those tier-three experts had managed to collect during this time? One thing was certain: at this stage, the stone wouldn't fetch a good price.

Hearing all this, my earlier excitement crashed.

Holding the gently warm magic stone, I muttered, "So this thing is useless?" Frustration welled up in me; the stone felt hot, and the ten gold coins I'd spent seemed wasted.

Just as White Festival and Black Tea were about to nod in agreement...

A pleasant, unfamiliar female voice came from the direction of the appraisal shop's door.

"May I take a look at that magic stone?"

Startled, I turned. A beautiful female mage with bright eyes and an elegant aura had just lifted her cloak and walked over, greeting us as if we were old friends, her gaze settling on me.

White Festival and Black Tea both froze: How did she get here?