Death... and me

"Eh?!" Triwe was surprised to hear those words. "What do you mean?"

Rean then explained, "The energy in these crystals is too unbalanced. It wouldn't be a problem if you were going to use them in Divine level equipment. However, because you're purposely trying to reduce the level of the equipment, you need something more harmonious so that it won't break apart. Let me guess, every time you finish forging, or even during the process itself, the blades start cracking for no reason, right?"

Triwe was truly amazed by Rean's knowledge, replying, "Yes! That's exactly what's happening!"

Rean nodded after hearing that. "Now you know why. That is also why I'm heading to the spirit races' territory myself. It's not like I can't acquire Azure Stream Crystals in the Himaria Clan territory, but they're all just like the crystals you have. We need to ask the Azure Lilibel Spirits to make them for us with specific traits regarding energy. The same thing applies to you. The crystals you got are probably something you bought instead of talking with the Lilibels, right? If so, that won't work."

"I see..." Triwe couldn't help but become somewhat disappointed after that. "I paid so much for these crystals. To think they're actually useless for what I need."

Rean shrugged his shoulders in response. "Well, it's not all that bad, right? You can still sell them to someone else and recover some of your Divine Stones. Anyways, without the right type of Azure Stream Crystals, forging a piece of equipment at the Golden Peak-level won't happen."

Triwe didn't mind it. "I still have to thank you, though. Now I know what I have to do."

Rean smiled in response, preparing to leave. "Well then, this is it for now. I'll take my leave."

However, Triwe immediately came with him. "I'll go with you, then. With me here, you'll be able to get permission to enter the spirit races' territory straight away. This is my way of saying thanks for the help you gave me."

Rean was obviously happy to hear that. In the end, his trip to the Drugo Organization building wasn't a complete waste of time. "Well, if that's the case, I'll thank you for the help as well."

At the same time, in a closed room somewhere else in the city, a man opened his eyes. Just like the other experts there, he had his Divine Sense spread all over the city, trying to find the twins the Drugo Organization needed. 'That's quite some knowledge about forging. Even Divine level blacksmiths would have some trouble finding the problem in those crystals with just a glance.' However, he quickly shook his head. 'Then again, he did say he had experience forging with Azure Stream Crystals, so I guess it is to be expected.'

Little did Rean know, but even after signing the Soul Binding Contract, he was still being watched by the Drugo Organization. No, Rean knew that the Drugo Organization's experts were watching the entire city with their Divine Senses. He just didn't know that they were paying such close attention to him even after the contract. In the end, his conversation about forging with Triwe was what saved him from trouble. In other words, that corroborated his own fake story.

Later in the Traversing Office, Triwe's position as a member of the Drugo Organization had accelerated things. Instead of having to wait in queues, he simply brought Rean straight to a private office and arranged the authorization quickly.

"Alright, Sir Tian, here is your authorization. Just show this badge at the Traversing Tunnel, and one of the spirits there will guide you through the Gods' Diving Barrier. Once you decide to come back, just return to the city on the other side and use the same tunnel. This badge will also be valid there," said a worker.

Right after, he looked at Triwe, saying, "As for you, sir, you don't need any badges since Drugo Organization members have free passes as long as they aren't above the Space Bending Realm."

Drugo nodded in response, satisfied. "Alright, thanks."

Rean couldn't help but look at him after that, asking, "Are you going to the Azure Lilibel Race?"

Triwe quickly nodded. "I don't have any other choice, do I? You might not know this, but it's not like I have any important position in the Drugo Organization. I can't simply ask someone to head there and do the job for me. It would be too expensive."

Rean knew the first part. As mentioned before, anyone with real talents would have been given a Void Shattering Pill, after all. "Well, I think you're doing the right thing. Then again, you know I'm coming back with the same type of crystals, so why didn't you just ask me?"

Triwe glanced at Rean, asking him, "You would charge more than you paid, wouldn't you?"

"But of course! I'm making a living here, you know?" Rean answered without a shred of shame.

"Sigh..." Triwe sighed in response. "Even after selling the remaining Azure Stream Crystals, I would still be short on Divine Stones. I have to save as much as possible. Fortunately, I have free teleport usage as a member of the Drugo Organization, so it's more worthwhile heading there myself. Sorry for ruining a possible business opportunity."

Rean didn't mind. After all, he wasn't planning to go back at all. "That's okay. By the way, do you think I can use the free teleports if I'm with you? Teleportations are quite expensive."

Triwe could only smile in response. "Oh-ho! And what would you give me in return? I already helped you with the authorization, so we're already even here."

Rean didn't mind. He wasn't short on Divine Stones at all. Instead, he just wanted to use Triwe as a way of preventing unnecessary suspicion. Rean already inquired about the Azure Lilibel Race's location, and it just so happened to be on the way to the demon beasts' territory. It was very convenient. "Well, you can forge your equipment after getting the right crystals. However, you'll still fail several times. If I help you, you can learn how to do it much faster. I believe you also want to save time and materials since you'll have to forge something in front of that elder of yours, right?"

Naturally, those were the words Triwe was waiting for. "Seems like we have a deal."