Di Kota Jantung Nocturn, Main Hub...
Setelah suka cita dengan teman-temannya berakhir, Levi tak kembali ke apartemennya. Ia terbang jauh, lalu teleport ke studionya di Bentangan Tanpa Batas. Hanya saat berada di bawahperlindungan Nocturn ia baru berani memeriksa dompet-dompet dimensinya.
Ia tahu terlalu banyak panas di kalangan mereka saat ini, akibat kejamakaran di Situs Kuno... meskipun tak tahu apakah Supervising Radian memantau dia, ia lebih suka berhati-hati.
“Saat ini, aku tak bisa menjual material Leviathan Phoenix atau artefak Azhukar... bahkan ke Black Slime Syndicate,” bisik Levi sambil berjalan melalui dompet dimensi Azhukar secara kesadaran.
“Memang benar, lebih baik simpan untuk beberapa bulan lagi atau lebih,” nod Head Titan, “Diketahui umum bahwa saat sebuah planet dimakan oleh Pohon Kematian Purba, banyak Scavenger mendeteksi gangguan dimensional melalui perangkat atau artefak... mereka mengincar retak spasial untuk mengumpulkan apa pun berharga di antara ruwakan.”
“Tapi... berbeda dengan Planet Ashori,” Levi memegang hidungnya, memusing, “Aku pikir akar Pohon Kematian terhubung ke sungai puing di ujung jauh, bukan dekat dengan Hungering Dark... Raden akan menemukan hal ini?”
“Selalu ada pengecualian,” jawab Ash’Kral, “Seharusnya kamu bersyukur ini terjadi... meski Scavenger tak biasanya berdekat dengan Hungering Dark, Oblivars dikenal menggunakan Hungering Dark sebagai pintu masuk antara alam bawah dan Dimensi Bayangan... jadi Raden akan mengira bahwa Azhukar pasti dibunuh oleh seorang Oblivar. Itu satu-satunya kesimpulan logis. Raden mengikuti Order dan penalaran rasional hingga titik dulu.”
“Itu cocok untukku, kujungjawab Levi dengan lega, “Namun... lebih baik simpan dulu.”
Levi meninggalkan penyimpanan artefak, tak ingin tergiur untuk menjualnya... Ia pernah melihat macam-macam artefak yang ada, yang termurah hanya Kelas C.
Meskipun Kelas C dianggap rendah, tak boleh dilupakan bahwa artefak sama seperti harta alam dimensional... Grade penting untuk artefak atau harta dengan Aspek umum. Makin langka Aspeknya, makin sulit syaratnya naik tingkat.
Ada juga artefak yang dihargai hanya C di atas display, tetapi detilnya membuatnya tercengang.
Ini adalah artefak pembunuh dengan penampilan pita merah... namun, begitu digenggam erat pada anggota tubuh atau lehermu, ia terpotong dan teleport ke dimensi lain. Berarti, artefak ini mungkin dihargai rendah, tapi masih mengandung kekuatan spasial.
Setelah membaca detil kebanyakan artefak, Levi menyadari mengapa Azhukar tak mencoba menggunakannya melawan dia... bentuk void-nya yang tak kasat meniadakan 99 persen efek artefak. Bagaimana bisa ia menggunakannya pada entitas yang menjadi manifestasi dari kehampaan?
Setelah sejenak berjalan, Levi tiba di penyimpanan Rare Collectables.
Ini pertama kalinya ia masuk. Saat masuk, Levi sedikit terkejut melihat ratusan stasiun display megah yang tersebar beberapa meter satu sama lain. Setiap platform mengangkat wadah kaca transparan.
Yang mengejutkan Levi adalah ratusan bulu unik dan aneh yang dipegang oleh dua pegangan kayu.
Beberapa wadah berisi bulu biru terang dari burung yang sudah punah, lainnya gelap tapi bersinar seperti kaca, dan sebagian hampir tak kasat, seolah-olah bisa menghilang kapan saja.
“Apakah Azhukar pengagum koleksi bulu? Apakah ini hobisnya?” bisik Levi dengan nada kebingungan.
Levi pikir ia akan menemukan gudang harta karun penuh kolekli berharga, namun tema ini ternyata seragam: bulu burung.
Di samping setiap wadah ada papan kecil yang menampilkan asal usul bulu, jenis burung, cara menemukannya, tingkat kelangkaannya, dan bahkan sebuah puisi kecil ditulis oleh Azhukar sendiri.
“Ini sesuatu yang lain,” komentar Titan, “Kebanyakan bulu mungkin tidak bernilai selain “kelangkaannya”, tapi aku bisa melihat beberapa yang dianggap harta alam high-grade.”
Levi setuju, memindai detail beberapa bulu saat berkelana.
Ia tak mengharapkan ini, tapi ia tidak mengeluh... Ia tahu bahwa koleksi ini berharga bagi pembeli yang menghargainya. Nilainya mungkin puluhan juta kredit jika seseorang benar-benar menghargainya.
Levi tahu bahwa ada banyak entitas di alam semesta ini yang bosan akibat imortalitasnya; salah satu hal yang membuat mereka senang adalah memiliki koleksi yang tak ternilai. Azhukar mengumpulkan bulu langka adalah buktinya.
Saat Levi masuk lebih dalam, ia mulai menemukan bulu unik... ya, setiap bulu adalah unik, tidak ada duplikat, tapi yang terakhir begitu aneh, ia bahkan tak bisa membayangkan spesies burungnya.
“Apa sih ini...”
Levi mengomentari sambil mendekat pada wadah berisi bulu kecil yang berubah-ubah warnanya. Setiap kali warna dipilih, penampilannya dan aurnya berubah sesuai.
Jika merah, penampilannya jadi liar dan ganas... jika biru, menjadi lentur dan cair seperti cairan... Saat berubah ke hijau, pembuluh tipis menyebar seperti akar tanaman, mengeluarkan bau daun basah dan udara segar.
Dan seterusnya.
Tanpa menunggu jawaban, Levi membacakan detail di sampingnya.
“Burung Percepia Chroma... makhluk unik dan misterius yang hidup di Ranah Persepsi. Ia tak lahir seperti makhluk lain; ia muncul saat keseimbangan ranah terganggu oleh emosi kuat, lalu menghilang saat perdamaian kembali, meninggalkan satu bulu untuk memastikan eksistensinya di realitas, bukan hanya dalam mimpi.” Levi mengangkat alisnya, terkejut, “Ranah Persepsi memang tempat yang penuh misteri, dengan makhluk yang lahir dari emosi dan menghilang kembali ketika perdamaian pulang.”
“Dapat dipahami... Ranah Persepsi dipercayai sebagai lanskap mimpi terpadu yang dipakan diri dari mimpi dan emosi semua makhluk hidup di alam semesta... sebagian besar penghuninya lahir dari mimpi atau emosi kuat orang-orang, eksistensinya sangat bergantung padanya, padahal mereka tak sadar pernah ada.” Ash’Kral mengangguk, “Burung ini cukup langka karena salah satu sedikit makhluk yang mampu meninggalkan bulu nyata di realitas... Jika Dream Catchers mengetahuinya, mereka pasti iri sampai mati atau merampasnya semua.”
“Indah sekali,” bisik Levi dengan senyum tipis yang menghargainya.
Seberapa pun ia membenci Azhukar atas apa yang dilakukannya kepada saudaranya dan teman-temannya, ia harus mengakui koleksi ini luar biasa... Puisi yang ditulis justru membuatnya semakin berkesan.
Lahir dari pikiran, ia terbang sendirian, Warnanya berubah dengan hati yang tidak dikenal. Ketika perdamaian datang, ia menghilang dari pandangan. Sebuah bulu tersisa, masih memancarkan cahaya...
Singkat, namun menggambarkan seluruh kehidupan burung itu.
“Sayangnya, kamu juga harus menahan diri untuk menjual koleksi ini,” pengingat The Titan, “Azhukar mengumpulkan karena hobi, tapi egoisme tidak akan membiarkannya tersembunyi.”
“Benar.”
Levi mengangguk setuju lalu meninggalkan penyimpanan untuk pergi ke Lab Eksperimental... Jujur saja, ia masih belum memutuskan apakah akan menjual koleksi ini atau tidak.
Upaya, sumber daya, dan waktu yang digunakan untuk mengumpulkan koleksi ini terlalu banyak untuk sekadar diberi harga. Levi tahu jika ia akan menjualnya, ia akan menjual semuanya sekaligus agar nilai koleksi tetap tinggi... Setelah keputusannya diambil, ia tak ingin menyesal kemudian.
Tapi untuk sekarang, ia pergi memeriksa laboratorium.
Setelah membuka pintu, ia disambut dengan laboratorium yang bersih dan nyaman... udara beraroma herbal, logam, dan sesuatu yang manis lemah. Ruangan redup, diterangi oleh lampu kristal oranye hangat. Meski tak ada mesin yang ia kenal.
Tiga meja berdiri membentuk segitiga... mereka membawa vial, peralatan kaca alkimia, dan buku tebal berisi IIthorien kuno, dibiarkan terbuka.’
Peralatan kaca yang tak terpakai, seperti tabung, labu, dan lainnya diletakkan di rak di dinding.
Platform batu bulat di tengah segitiga... mirip altar pemanggil dengan tatakan IIthorien yang indah dan memukau di atasnya.
Kawah tembaga, ditinggung, berada di atasnya, masih terlihat bersih dan sempurna, seperti tidak dibiarkan untuk membusuk bersama barang-barang lain selama berabad-abad.
“Laboratorium alkimia yang cukup baik... Azhukar pasti alchemist pribadi yang meneliti jalannya evolusi sendiri untuk mencapai Glorious Evolution.” puji Ash’Kral sambil mengangguk kepala.
“Aku sepenuhnya setuju,” setuju Levi, memasang buku... Meskipun bahasanya IIthorien kuno, Levi tetap tak paham apa pun.
Tidak masuk akal... seperti seorang mahasiswa sastra membaca soal matematika lanjutan. Otaknya tidak berfungsi.
Levi menggaruk kepalanya dalam kebingungan lalu bertanya, “Ash’Kral... kamu mengerti ini? Aku tahu kamu Master Array, tapi bagaimana dengan alkimia? Apakah kamu setenang itu juga?”
“Apa menurutmu?” Ash’Kral tersenyum tipis, tak menyembunyikan keangkuannya.
“Baiklah, ajarilah aku.”
“...”
Meanwhile, in Nocturn’s Heart City Main Hub...
After the hangout concluded with his friends, Levi didn’t return to his apartment. He flew a great distance and then teleported to his studio in the Boundless Expanse. Only when he was under Nocturn’s safety did he dare check his dimensional wallets.
He knew that too much heat was on them at the moment due to how things ended in the ancient site... although he had no clue if the Supervising Radian had his eyes on him, he preferred being cautious.
"At the moment, I can’t sell the Leviathan Phoenix’s materials or Azhukar’s artifacts... not even to the Black Slime Syndicate," Levi murmured as he strolled inside Azhukar’s dimensional wallet through his consciousness.
"Indeed, it’s better to hold on to them for a few months or more." The Titan nodded in approval, "It’s a known fact that once a planet gets devoured by the Primordial Tree of Death, many Scavengers pick up on the dimensional disturbances through devices or artifacts... they camp the spatial tear to collect anything of value through the rubble."
"But... it was different for the Ashori Planet." Levi held his chin in confusion, "I thought that the Tree of Death’s root connects to the celestial rivers of rubble at the far ends, not so close to the Hungering Dark... Won’t the Radian find out?"
"There are always exceptions." Ash’Kral replied, "You should feel glad that this happened... although Scavengers aren’t usually situated so close to the Hungering Dark, Oblivars are known to use the Hungering Dark as a gateway between the lower realms and the Shadow dimension... so, the Radian will assume that Azhukar must have been killed by an Oblivar. It’s the sole logical conclusion. Radians follow Order and rational thinking to the letter."
"That works for me, I guess." Levi sighed in relief, "Still... It’s best to hold on to them for now."
Levi left the artifact storage alone for now, not wanting to be tempted to sell them... he had seen the kind of artifacts stored inside, and the least expensive was C Grade.
Although a C Grade was considered low, one shouldn’t forget that artifacts were just like natural dimensional treasures... Grade mattered in terms of artifacts or treasures with a common Aspect... The rarer the Aspect, the harsher the conditions for its grade to be rated high.
There was even an artifact graded as a mere C on the glass display, but its details left him speechless.
It was an assassination artifact with a red ribbon appearance... however, the instant it was tightened around someone’s limb, neck, or such, it got severed and teleported to another dimension. This meant the artifact might be graded low, but it still possessed spatial powers.
After reading the details of most artifacts, Levi realized why Azhukar didn’t bother using any of them against him... his intangible Void Form negated 99% of the artifacts’ effects. How could he use them on an entity that became the embodiment of nothingness?
After taking a short stroll, Levi arrived at the storage for Rare Collectables.
This was the first time he entered it. Once he was inside, Levi was slightly stunned to find hundreds of grandiose display stations situated a couple of meters away from each other. Each display platform lifted a transparent glass container.
What surprised Levi was the sight of hundreds of mysterious and peculiar feathers being held by two wooden handles.
Some cases held bright blue feathers from birds long gone, others had dark ones that gleamed like glass, and a few were almost see-through, looking like they could disappear at any instant.
"...was Azhukar an avid feather collector? Was this his hobby?" Levi muttered with a dazed tone.
Levi thought that he was going to find a treasure trove filled with various rare collectables, but instead... the theme was unified to bird feathers.
Beside every case was a small plaque showing where the feather came from, what kind of bird it belonged to, how it was found, how rare he graded it, and even a written poem for each feather signed by Azhukar himself.
"This is something else." The Titan commented, "Most of those feathers might have no other value than their ’rarity’, but I can see a few that are considered high-grade natural treasures."
Levi nodded in agreement, going through the details of some feathers as he strolled inside the storage.
He might not have expected this, but he wasn’t complaining... he could tell that such a collection was priceless for the right kind of buyers. Its worth might be in the tens of millions of credits if someone truly appreciated its value.
Levi knew that certain entities in the universe had reached a high level of boredom due to their immortality; one of the few things that brought them some joy was owning such a priceless collection. Azhukar collecting rare feathers was the proof.
As Levi got deeper into the storage, he began to find some unique feathers... well, each feather in the collection was unique, as there was no repetition, but the last ones on display were so bizarre, he couldn’t even imagine the birds’ species.
"What the hell is this thing..."
Levi commented as he leaned closer to a glass container holding a small feather that was changing colors over and over again. Each time a color was picked, its entire appearance and aura changed to match it.
If it was red, the feather’s appearance became wild and fierce... if it was blue, it turned limp and watery like it was made out of liquid... When the hue shifted to green, thin veins spread through the feather like plant roots, and it gave off the faint smell of wet leaves and fresh air.
The list goes on.
Not waiting for an answer, Levi read the details written next to it.
"Percepia Chroma Bird... it is a unique, mysterious bird that lives in the Realm of Perceptions. It isn’t born like normal creatures; it appears when the realm’s balance is disturbed by strong emotions, then vanishes once peace returns, leaving behind a single feather to validate its existence in reality, and not dreams." Levi raised an eyebrow in surprise, "The Realm of Perceptions is truly a mysterious place to have a creature born out of emotions and die off them."
"It’s expected... the Realm of Perception is believed to be a unified dream landscape that feeds off the dreams and emotions of all living forms in the universe... most of its inhabitants are born out of people’s strong dreams and emotions, their entire existence relies on them, while they had no clue they even existed in the first place." Ash’Kral nodded, "This bird is quite rare because it’s one of the few creatures capable of leaving a tangible feather in reality... If Dream Catchers were to find out you have it, they will die of envy or rob you clean."
"How magical..." Levi showed a faint smile, appreciating its one-of-a-kind beauty.
As much as he hated Azhukar for what he did to his brother and friends, he had to admit that this collection was absolutely amazing... The written poem made the experience even better.
Born from thought, it flies alone, Its colors change with hearts unknown. When peace returns, it fades from sight. A feather left, still holding light...
It was short, and yet it spoke volumes about the bird’s entire lifespan.
"Unfortunately, you should also hold off on selling this collection or some of its items." The Titan reminded, "Azhukar might be collecting them for the love of the game, but his ego wouldn’t allow him to keep it hidden."
"True."
Levi nodded in agreement and left the storage to go check the Experimental Lab... to be honest, he had yet to decide whether he wanted to sell the collection or not.
The amount of effort, resources, and time spent on it was simply too much to just put a price tag on it. Levi knew that if he was going to sell it, he was going to sell everything to keep the collection’s value on the high end... Once he made up his mind, he didn’t want to regret it.
But for now, he went to check on the lab.
After pushing the door open, he was greeted with a clean, well-spaced lab... the air smelled of herbs, metal, and something faintly sweet. The room was dim, lit by warm orange crystal lamps. Though it didn’t have any machines that he was familiar with.
There were three tables situated in a triangle formation... they were carrying vials, alchemy-based glassware, and open books filled with ancient IIthorien, left wide open. The unused glass tubes, flasks, and other pieces of equipment were placed on shelves resting on the walls.
A circular rocky platform was situated in the center of the triangle formation... it resembled a summoning altar with its peculiar and mesmerizing IIthorien inscriptions on it.
A bronze cauldron, sealed shut, was on top of it, still looking clean and pristine, like it wasn’t left here to rot with the rest of the items for eons.
"A decent Alchemy Lab... Azhukar must have been a private Alchemist who researched his own evolutionary path to succeed in the Glorious Evolution." Ash’Kral praised with a head nod.
"I can tell..."
Levi agreed, flipping some pages of the open books... although the language was ancient IIthorien, Levi still had no clue what the hell he was reading.
Nothing made sense... it was like a literature student reading an advanced math problem. His Brain wasn’t braining.
Levi scratched his head in confusion as he asked, "Ash’Kral... you understand any of this? I know you’re an Array Grandmaster, but what about alchemy? Are you just as good?"
"What do you think?" Ash’Kral smirked faintly, not bothering to hide his prideful smugness.
"Good, teach me."
"..."
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