In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

"Take it easy. There might be traps here," Michael cautioned.

"Yes, Grandfather. It's better to be cautious," Marcus said, calming down.

Michael, having just found the Heart of Fire, tried to steady his emotions.

Since this was an ancient temple, there was no telling what dangers lay ahead. The sight of the bodies in the previous room came to mind—this temple was one dedicated to a god that demanded human sacrifices. They had to proceed with care.

As they left the central hall, a long corridor appeared. The atmosphere was dark and oppressive.

When they reached the end of the hall, a grey mist began to rise. The mist slowly coalesced into a human shape, then shifted to become a woman, her hood pulled low.

"[At last, you've come! The new master of Ashes and Fire, I see.]"

Michael's heart began to race. The new master of Ashes and Fire? Was it because he held the Heart of Fire, or had it been the goddess's power he absorbed? Regardless of the reason, he felt no fear.

He steadied himself and chose to be bold. "It's a pleasure. I am Michael von Crassus. Who are you?"

The woman's figure responded with deep reverence.

"[I am a loyal servant, waiting for my master for countless years. I have been bound here, serving ever since. How is the goddess? Is she safe?]"

Michael paused, recalling the final moments of the statue. He decided to be honest; there was no reason to lie.

"The goddess passed on her final strength to me before returning to the heavens."

The woman froze, her words momentarily lost. After a long pause, she smiled sadly.

"[Ah, the goddess! So noble, even in her final moments. Master, may I ask... will you avenge the goddess? Will you destroy the Radiance?]"

Michael didn't hesitate for a second. The vows he had made after witnessing the tragedy at Crowley Manor were still fresh in his mind, the memories weighing heavily on him.

"I will dedicate everything to destroying the Radiance."

Building power and increasing his worth was part of that mission. Perhaps there was a bit of personal ambition mixed in, but that didn't matter.

The woman bowed deeply. Her movements were graceful and respectful.

"[Then I will serve you as my master. Welcome, new master of Fire. I am Lucrecia, the goddess's steward.]"

"A steward? What kind of storehouse are you guarding?"

Lucrecia's red lips curved into a smile.

"[What would you like? Gold, jewels, weapons and armor, food supplies, cloth, magical materials… We also have training rooms, sleeping quarters, and baths.]"

Michael exchanged a glance with Alfred.

Marcus, barely able to contain his excitement, stomped his feet impatiently.

"Well, I guess we should start with the jewel storehouse."

Lucrecia smiled again, and the grey mist enveloped the group.

"[It might make you dizzy, so please close your eyes.]"

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They all closed their eyes. A slight dizziness overcame them, and it felt as though they were being pulled somewhere. The air shifted, and Lucrecia's voice spoke once more.

"[You may open your eyes now.]"

Anticipation filled Michael's gaze as he opened his eyes—only to feel disappointment wash over him.

In the vast, dark storehouse, there were only a few boxes.

He frowned as he surveyed the empty shelves.

"Is this it?"

He couldn't hide his disappointment as he asked. Lucrecia laughed nervously, her smile faltering.

"[There was significant consumption during the last great war, so...]"

Michael quickly regained his composure. This was still a surprising find—there was no reason to complain.

Marcus, snorting in frustration, was practically foaming at the mouth. Miaomiao tapped her paw against the ground, visibly irritated. Alfred showed no interest in the boxes, standing still as though unaffected.

Michael opened the first box, and his mood immediately brightened.

Inside were bars of gold, stacked neatly. The gold bars were the size of a finger, and the sight of them filled him with a sense of satisfaction.

By the size of the box, Michael estimated the value to be around 500,000 gold. This alone would be enough to pour all the current funds in his estate into further development.

Marcus stared at the gold, his eyes wide with awe. Michael quickly stuffed the box into his spatial pouch, before Marcus could make a move.

Marcus looked as though he'd just witnessed the saddest thing in the world.

Michael, feeling buoyed by the gold, opened the second box with excitement.

Inside was a single necklace—an exquisite pearl necklace. Its size was unlike anything Michael had ever seen. He was mesmerized as he lifted the necklace.

"Wow… this is beautiful," Miaomiao said, her voice full of awe.

The necklace was beyond stunning. Each pearl was adorned with platinum and ruby, and the centerpiece was a teardrop-shaped pearl the size of a thumb. The pearls gleamed with a soft, ethereal glow, as if the light within them was coming to life.

Michael's resolve firmed. This would become an heirloom, passed down through generations.

"Does it please you? This pearl necklace can also be transformed into a brooch or a tiara if you prefer," Lucrecia explained.

Michael's desire to keep it only grew stronger after hearing that.

Marcus, with his eyes wide and almost glazed over, was entranced by the necklace.

Michael tucked the necklace into the spatial pouch along with the box, and then with trembling hands, opened the third box.

This one was filled with an array of sparkling jewels: sapphires, emeralds, rubies, topaz, diamonds—gems of every kind, each one shimmering brightly.

Marcus couldn't hold back anymore. With a determined leap, he pounced on the box, diving into the jewels and wrapping himself in them.@@novelbin@@

"[Hey, you idiot! Get out of there! Those are Michael's!]" Miaomiao yelled, grabbing Marcus by the tail to drag him away.

"Calm down, Marcus! Stay still, and I'll give you ten of the gems you want."

Marcus, still dazed, stared at them with wide, confused eyes.

"[S-sorry, ma'am. It's just instinct…]," Marcus stammered, retreating sheepishly.

Michael pretended not to notice the jewel caught on Marcus's claw and turned his attention to the last chest. Inside, he found it filled to the brim with white silver—an extremely rare and valuable material.

A chest like this alone was worth as much as an entire castle. Michael looked up at Lucrecia and asked, "If this is what's left over, just how much was there in the beginning?"

"[Our goddess once ruled the world. There were countless chests like these, filling entire storehouses. But those days are long gone,]" Lucrecia said with a bittersweet smile.