Steampunk: Sixth Era Epic

Chapter 97 The Arcane Technique of Gluttony

The network of alleys, like a maze, connected Tobesk Lower Town with the fringes of the University District. Walking along the alley and turning the corner, one could see a steam pipe, for some reason severed, leaking water outward.

For the safety of his boots, he circled around the puddle. He then continued forward and soon spotted a rusted metal staircase clinging to the dark yellow outer wall.

Thumping up the metal staircase to the second floor, it felt as if the entire staircase was shaking.

After knocking, he said to the inside,

"I was referred by Cuckoo, she mentioned there was a problem with the quality of the last book."

"She always says there's a problem with our books, that woman is too picky,"

came a muffled voice from inside. After opening the door, a man with bare arms tattooed with an anchor led Shard down the hallway. Holding his breath behind him, Shard noticed the man had a strong body odor.

"Do you know the rules?"

"I don't; I've just arrived in Tobesk from out of town,"

Shard replied in a stifled voice.

"So what do you want to do? Buy books at the library, or consign books?"

"To buy books,"

he said, muffled, since he was holding his breath, but luckily, since he wore a mask, the strange voice probably went unnoticed.

"Alright, this way."

The corridor's floor was peeling up in many places due to dampness, making squeaky noises as they walked. All the doors along the corridor were closed; it was unclear whether they were occupied.

The man led Shard up the corridor and turned left, directing him into a small room temporarily unoccupied to wait.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The room was unusually dim, windowless, filled with an aroma of...canned fish, which Mia might enjoy. The space was smaller than the bathing area of the washroom at No. 6, Saint Delan Square, and contained only a sofa. Across from the sofa, the wall had a small square hole that was covered by a wooden board.

On one side of the hole on the wall hung a rusted black iron gas lamp. The man leading the way lit the lamp, letting the dim yellow light faintly brighten the room before he closed the door and left.

For ordinary people, this might lead to their death by overeating, whereas for Circle Sorcerers, the effect varied depending on the difference in levels among several other factors.

This was an Arcane Technique consigned to the Black Raven Library. The seller set the price at 14 pounds and 3 shillings and did not provide materials for learning the technique. Learning requirements included having "Gluttony" and related Spirit Runes, which had to be of the Enlightenment or Whisper type.

Shard, even if he bought it, would not be able to learn it.

"Satiety Food" was an Arcane Technique that could only affect oneself and had a relatively more complicated effect. The user needed to set a target food item they could consume after using the Arcane Technique, and every ten minutes, they had to eat the food four times continuously, with each consumption more than the last. It was necessary to reach a state of fullness after the final consumption.

Once the four consumptions were complete and the "Satiety Food" effect was fulfilled, the chosen target food could be turned into a foodstuff that could satisfy one's fullness with just one bite. It satisfied not only the psychological but also the physiological need to eat.

More importantly, the target food consumed under "Satiety Food" had a healing effect, but regardless of the effect, it only worked on the user of the Arcane Technique.

If one wished to change the target food, it would require at least one complete lunar cycle.

This Arcane Technique was also consigned in the library. Since the created food only affected the creator and the effects were not very pronounced, the price was very low, only 9 pounds and 7 shillings. However, if the buyer wanted the learning materials, they needed to pay 11 pounds in full.

Learning this Arcane Technique could only involve Desecration-type silver Spirit Runes related to "Food", which Shard happened to possess.

"But is learning this Arcane Technique useful to me?"

He asked himself, then decided it was very useful. It could not only save him money for food, but also in case of injury during the day, he wouldn't have to rely on "False Immortality" to endure the pain.

More importantly, even though the effects leaned towards mental healing at night with the Arcane Technique "Cyndia's Silvermoon Blessing," "Satiety Food" could slightly compensate for this shortfall, though sadly, the healing effect of this technique was not very pronounced.

"This may not necessarily be the case."

A murmuring voice arose at the bottom of his heart.

"Why?"

Shard asked inwardly, though outwardly, he still portrayed a hesitating and thoughtful demeanor.

"Your Gluttony does not originate from the residual power of touching an Evil God, but rather seemingly from devouring part of a Deity's power. This Spirit Rune, unlike normal Desecration Runes, is very powerful. Furthermore, compounded with the Divine Afterglow State, the Arcane Technique you learn from it might be very powerful."

Shard also felt the uniqueness of "Gluttony", as whenever he summoned the Ring of Fate, "Gluttony" would flash with a silver Spiritual Light, a manifestation typical of a normal Spirit Rune taking effect.