Chapter 9: Materials For Awakening
As I walk back into my room, I can't help but think about how strange my new family is.
'And my next plan of action…'
'I should first try to understand the system as much as possible. That alone will give me an advantage.'
'Since I can't take the main character's opportunities because of the Chaos Instructor… then I'll take the opportunities that originally belonged to Dominic himself.'
'At least… the Dominic who was possessed by the ancient demon is no longer alive.'
'I'll take what should have been his.'
'And after that… I'll take some of the main character's supporters' opportunities.'
'Right now, my greatest cheat is knowledge of this world.'
'Though… it's unfortunate I can only use it a few times.'
'I don't plan to follow the script blindly just to limit myself.'
By the time Dominic finished thinking, he had already reached his room.
He opened the door, stepped inside, and sat down quietly.
After a brief moment of silence, he stood up again and walked toward a nearby bookshelf. His fingers brushed against the spines before pulling out a book. Then he grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper, placing them neatly on the table.
Without hesitation, he began to write.
As the ink flowed across the paper, his thoughts continued.
'First… I need to awaken my Wood Heart.'
'If I don't awaken it properly, suspicion will arise.'
'That's something I cannot afford.'
'The method I'll use… is the one the Chaos Instructor taught the protagonist.'
Since it was knowledge that could be replicated without directly interfering with the protagonist, Dominic wasn't worried about being discovered.
It would be easy to explain.
After all, a noble of the Blackwood family could easily claim that such knowledge was gathered through extensive searches conducted by his servants.
'When the protagonist killed Dominic and took his Wood Heart… he still needed to awaken it.'
'That was when the Chaos Instructor taught him this method.'
'The fastest method.'
Dominic's pen continued moving.
tear of the World.
a strange like tear that has the property of healing and can connect someone to nature
and can increase the affinity to wood and nature if used,
Sunset Flower.
a flower that only blooms at sunset, has the power to bring warmth to those in cold areas and has the property of clearing the mind and healing the body but produces a scorching heat while healing the body
Sword of Darkness.
a sword that is powerful at night but weak in the morning. can plunge someone into darkness when stabbed by it but can also make the user insane after prolong use
Twisted Flower.
a flower that can twist the mind of its user and control the user it has the property of changing the personality of the user.
These were the materials required for the Wood Awakening.
After finishing the list, Dominic didn't turn around.
"Rachel."
A shadow on the ground shifted.
From within it, Rachel emerged silently, her expression as indifferent as ever, her face completely devoid of emotion.
Dominic picked up the paper and handed it to her.
"Go and buy the items listed here for me. Do your best to be quick. I need them urgently."
Rachel's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Whether intentional or not, her surprise was evident.
Normally, such tasks were handled by ordinary servants—not a personal battle maid whose primary duty was protection.
She hesitated for a brief moment before speaking.
"I'm afraid I can't, Young Master. My duty is to protect and serve you. Leaving you alone could put you in danger."
Dominic looked at her indifferently.
"So… are you defying me?"
His voice was calm, but cold.
Rachel felt a shiver run through her body.
Even without any killing intent, the pressure in his voice alone was enough to unsettle her.
She quickly bowed.
"No, Young Master. I'm merely trying to fulfill my duty. I was assigned to protect you. Leaving you would go against my protocol."
Dominic raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Do you think you are stronger than my mother?"
Rachel stiffened.
"No, Young Master. I would never think such a thing."
"Then why do you think you can protect me within the Blackwood Mansion better than every guard, every battle mage, the hidden protectors… and my own family?"
"Do you believe you are more capable than all of them?"
Rachel immediately shook her head.
"That's not what I meant. I only wish to ensure your safety."
Dominic's expression didn't change.
"Within the Blackwood family, no one can harm me."
"So while you have the freedom to move… go and complete the task I gave you."
"If there is anything you need, you may purchase it as well."
With that, Dominic walked toward a cupboard and opened it.
Inside was a large sum of money.
He took a portion of it and handed it to her.
"And remember… be fast."
Rachel glanced at the money, then at Dominic.
A trace of surprise appeared in her eyes.
Even the young miss of the Blackwood family didn't possess this much money—and she was known for never spending.
After a brief moment of thought, Rachel understood.
Dominic had always been timid. He rarely went out and almost never spent his allowance.
Naturally, the money accumulated over the years.
Among noble children, he could easily be considered extremely wealthy.
Without another word, Rachel nodded.
Her figure dissolved into the shadows once again.
Silence returned to the room.
Dominic sat down slowly, his mind already moving to the next step.
'Next… I need the Body Training Physique Technique.'
'The one the ancient demon found in the Blackwood family's backyard.'
'He never used it to its full potential.'
'His own techniques were superior… but he still needed Dominic's body to reach a certain level before using them.'
'But now…'
'I'll use it properly.'
'To its fullest potential.'
'And thankfully… I know where it is.'
'The author never made its location too complicated.'
After organizing his thoughts, Dominic shifted his focus.
'For now… the most important thing is the system.'
"System."
A faint glow appeared before him.
A panel materialized.
[Name: Dominic Blackwood]
[Age: 8 years]
[Ability: None]
[Active Characters: None]
[Initial Gift: Unopened]
Dominic's eyes lingered on the last line.
'Initial gift.... unopened'
Without hesitation, he spoke.
"System, open the initial gift."
[Opening initial gift…]
[1%… 2%… 9%… 20%… 50%… 80%…]
The percentage continued to rise.
[85%… 90%… 99%… 100%]
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining…]