Magic Material Residues

Black almost laughed—but stopped himself, realizing he might set the little bunny off again.
He knew Elaina couldn’t resist this temptation.

Obsidian Nectar was a breakthrough material—capable of giving novice-class users a massive power surge.
Breaking through from Level 19 to 20? No problem.

But on the market, it cost a staggering 100 gold coins—far beyond what ordinary families could afford.

Even though Elaina was a duchess’s daughter, as a bastard and illegitimate child, her allowance was meager—often stolen by her so-called “sisters.”

For her, obtaining Obsidian Nectar was impossible.

“Follow me.”

Black whispered, then crept toward a certain spot on the Hodir.

Elaina had no idea what he was doing—but for Obsidian Nectar, it was worth the risk.

Like two sneaky rats, they slinked all the way to a storage warehouse.

“We’re here. This is it.”

When Black stopped, Elaina looked up curiously—and read the sign.

“Magic Material Storage”

!

No way.
His “great plan”—was he planning to steal?

This was the royal storage vault—filled with rare, priceless magical materials.
But—

Stealing from the imperial family?
That was a nine-family extermination crime!

Elaina’s face darkened.
She shouldn’t have trusted this stranger.

“So this is your brilliant idea?!”

Seeing her murderous glare, Black quickly realized she’d misunderstood.

“We’re not here to steal! You’ll see in a moment!”

He pulled her aside and waited—like a thief in the shadows.

“……”

Elaina watched his suspicious movements, utterly exasperated.
She never thought she’d end up acting like a criminal.

Clang!

Soon, the warehouse door opened.
Several uniformed figures wheeled out a small cart.

Elaina squinted—royal alchemists.
Their job? Refining magical materials into potions and treasures.

They must’ve just finished a batch.

After they’d moved a safe distance, Black crept forward—and gestured for Elaina to follow.

That cart…
Is it filled with finished potions or treasures?

Don’t tell me he’s planning to rob them?!
That’s worse than theft!

Elaina groaned, regretting her decision deeply.

But to her surprise, Black didn’t try to attack.
He just… followed them.

They trailed the alchemists onto the deck—where the group dumped the entire cart’s contents into the sea.

Elaina stared.

That’s…

She realized—magic material residue!

Leftovers from refined materials.
Still had trace effects—but mostly toxic.
Useless. Dangerous.

To prevent desperate people from using them, these residues were strictly disposed of—dumped at sea.

So… they’d sneaked around, hid, followed people… for this?

What was wrong with this guy?!

Elaina couldn’t make sense of it.

After the alchemists left, Black turned to her:
“You know Levitation, right?”

“Yeah.”

It was a basic spell—she’d learned it at Level 10.
But why was he asking?

She soon found out.

Because Black jumped into the sea!

Yes—he just jumped!

Straight into the spot where the alchemists had dumped the residue!

Elaina stood frozen.

“……Ah! What are you doing?!”

Ten seconds later, she finally screamed, rushing to the railing, watching Black flail in the water.

But Black just gave her a thumbs-up—then dived.

Elaina’s heart pounded.
Her wand trembled in her hand.
What is he thinking?!

This was the open sea!
Deep waters!
A Hammerhead Sea Dragon could surface any second and swallow him whole!

Just as she was about to jump in after him, Black resurfaced.

“Cast Levitation on me!”

Elaina snapped to action—raising her wand and casting the spell.

“Whew… finally made it. Being in the sea sucks.”

Black collapsed onto the deck, gasping.

“You scared me to death! Why did you jump in?!”

Seeing her pale, terrified face, Black grinned—and held up what he’d retrieved.

“Of course, for this! Residue of Malta Grass, Madeira Fruit, Hermes Root!”

“For this?!”

Elaina was furious.
What was wrong with him? Risking his life for residue?

And it was useless anyway!

“Don’t underestimate it. I know a spell—one that can refine this residue into Obsidian Nectar!”

Black said confidently.

He wasn’t lying.
This method existed in the game.

In Dragonblood, both pay-to-win players and free-to-play players had paths to power.

The rich could buy rare materials and power up through potions.

The free players? They grinded, discovered hidden methods.
The devs had left plenty of loopholes—ways to turn seemingly useless trash into powerful breakthrough items.

Refining magic residue into Obsidian Nectar?
A legendary F2P technique—discovered by countless hardcore players.

“Refine residue into Obsidian Nectar?!”

Elaina couldn’t believe it.
It sounded like nonsense!
How could royal alchemists miss this—yet a pirate knows it?!

Impossible!

“Don’t believe me? Just do as I say. I promise—a miracle will happen!”

Black smiled—so confidently that Elaina felt herself wanting to believe.

“First, use Basic Fireball to burn all the residue into ash.
Then, use Water Scroll Technique to absorb the ash into water.
Next, apply a Novice Sorcerer’s Divine Edict…”

Elaina followed his instructions, casting spell after spell—performing an entirely new form of alchemy.