The days following my evaluation were a hurricane of media frenzy and bureaucratic chaos. As I had feared, the RMB didn't just record my rank; they broadcasted it. The announcement of a 9th S-Rank sent shockwaves through the nation. My name, "Arthur Tempest," was plastered across every news ticker and social media feed. To the world, I was a sudden miracle, a nameless "unaffiliated" ghost who had achieved the pinnacle of power at Level 9. Reporters swarmed my neighborhood, and black sedans belonging to the major Guilds' recruitment teams lined the streets outside my apartment like vultures waiting for a carcass.
I expected the headache, but it didn't make the noise any less grating. Leaving the "real world" to sort itself out, I retreated back into the 1st Floor of the Tower. My destination was the one place no reporter would dare follow: the deep, obsidian silence of the Hall of Deprived.
When I had first arrived here, my [Navigation] skill had pulsed with the location of the L-Rank Holy Sword 'Excalibur', hidden deep within the Vampire Lord's Treasure Vault. Now, as the partner of the Vault's owner, the path was clear. I stood before the massive, iron-bound doors at the rear of the throne room, where a cold system message greeted me.
"[Notice: You have reached the Vault of 'Dracula'. You need the permission of 'Dracula' to enter.]"
I infused my mana into the Bharam's Ring, and with a swirl of crimson mist, the miniature Melchior manifested beside me.
"Tsk... what a greedy human," he grumbled, his voice echoing in the hollow hall. He landed with a light thud, adjusting the lapels of his perfectly tailored mini-tuxedo. Despite the complaint, his eyes held a glimmer of amusement. He knew exactly why we were here. He stepped toward the door, his small hand glowing with a dark, ancient radiance.
"[Notice: The Authority of the blood of 'Dracula' has been confirmed!]"
"[Notice: The Vault has been opened!]"
"[Notice: Due to the Tower's Restrictions, you are permitted to choose a single item with the permission of 'Dracula'.]"
"Damn Restrictions," I muttered. Melchior simply shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets and strolling into the vault as if he hadn't just been a prisoner here for eons. I followed, my eyes widening at the mountain of treasures. Gold, gems, and artifacts of incomprehensible power lay in piles, but the Tower's laws were absolute. I could only take one.
The Excalibur was there, resting on a velvet pedestal, radiating a light so pure it hurt to look at. It was tempting, but I was a realist. At my current level and rank, the Tower's "Probability" and "Restrictions" would likely seal the sword's power, turning a legendary blade into a heavy paperweight. Besides, as long as it sat in Melchior's vault, it was effectively mine to claim later.
I ignored the weapons and focused on a small, pulsating crimson orb tucked away in a dusty corner. Melchior gave a curt nod of permission, and I reached out.
"[Congratulations! You have successfully obtained the S-Rank Item 'Philosopher's Stone'!]"
"[Usage: Created by the famed Alchemist Nicholas Flamel. Capable of transmuting elements into pure steel or gold. Contains a massive Mana reserve.]"
This was the prize. The Philosopher's Stone was the only S-Rank item in the vault that I could efficiently utilize at my current stage, not as a battery, but as a catalyst.
"[Activating the Exclusive Skill, 'Fusion'!]"
I didn't hesitate. I pulled a few other items and skills from my mental library to create the ultimate defensive bridge.
"[Fusing: S-Rank Item 'Philosopher's Stone', D-Rank Item 'Holy Chalice' (Replica), D-Rank Skill 'Magic Novice', and D-Rank Skill 'Mind and Body'...]"
The world inside the vault seemed to hold its breath. The crimson stone dissolved into liquid light, swirling around the replica chalice and merging with my own neural pathways. The fusion was violent, a searing heat that felt like my veins were being filled with molten lead, but I forced the process to completion.
"[Congratulations! You have successfully obtained the SS-Rank Skill 'Absolute Cancel' Lvl 1!]"
"[Usage: You are able to cancel the use of Skills as long as you set your sight on the target. For sufficiently powerful magic, the effect may be a temporary suspension rather than total erasure.]"
I exhaled, the heat receding and leaving behind a cold, sharp clarity. [Absolute Cancel] was a god-tier skill, the ultimate "No" to any mage or monster that relied on complex sorcery. Even in the highest reaches of the Tower, where magic could rewrite reality, this skill would ensure I remained the master of my own fate.
"SS-Rank..." Melchior whispered, looking at my hand with newfound respect. "You certainly know how to spend a gift, Arthur."
"The 2nd Floor opens soon," I replied, closing my fist. "I don't plan on being interrupted by anyone's magic."