Hate me, Miss Witch!

ACHOO—

Shiayar sneezed violently.

He touched his nose, his expression a little troubled.

Lately, Shiayar's spiritual perception had been restless. Every morning when he woke up, he felt his eyelids twitching.

He always had the feeling that something subtle was about to happen to him.

But no matter how much Shiayar pondered, he could never find a clear clue.

He even made a special trip to consult a renowned diviner in the Empire Capital, but this so-called great prophet, who claimed to possess a high-level Sovereign Rank divination owl Pet Beast—

In the end, only offered the advice: "Drink more goji berries and eat more kidneys."

This not only left Shiayar quite baffled but also cost him three hundred Rhine gold coins for nothing.

It seems being a charlatan is quite profitable. Maybe I could get a Time-type Pet Beast and swindle people too, he mused.

Shiayar washed his face and quickly got his emotions in check.

Today was a particularly important day.

Today was not only when the "Warm Heart Lucky Bag" in the mall refreshed, but it was also when his first task would refresh after completing his beginner mission.

If Shiayar previously thought Classless Experience Points and Skill Seeds were precious enough, then after seeing the dazzling array of items in the Sands of Time Mall, he set an even bigger goal for himself.

Grind tasks, then clear out the store.

Never mind anything else, just take the "Black Chalice." If it truly is a wish-granting machine, doesn't that mean that as long as I can figure out how to eliminate its side effects, I could return to Earth?

Of course, having lived on the Western Continent for so many years, Shiayar had already grown fond of many people and things here.

Still, it would be great if I could take Ennie back to visit my old home.

Never mind the cliché storylines like a "triumphant return," "the dragon king's comeback," or "I, a Legendary Beastmaster, got selected by a bizarre death game with strange rules."

Just things like Coke, a PS5, the internet, and air conditioning... Shiayar really missed those.

Those were all wonderful things that could improve life, so much better than this fantasy medieval world with its still underdeveloped magictech technology.

Let's start with a small one, Shiayar thought, thoroughly washing his hands at the sink. Then, with a touch of his spiritual power, he activated the screen and redeemed a Warm Heart Lucky Bag, limited to one purchase per week.

This item is definitely worth redeeming. With a guaranteed minimum reward, I can't lose out.

[You have purchased "Warm Heart Lucky Bag," consuming one Sands of Time. Current remaining Sands of Time: 26.]

There was a flash of blue light.

[You have obtained "Rank-transcending Skill Experience Card (Limited Time)" *1]

It's not a small Experience Point crystal this time? Could the superstition about washing one's hands before a draw actually work? A glimmer of joy crossed Shiayar's heart as he started to examine the properties of his newly acquired item.

[Rank-transcending Skill Experience Card (Limited Time)]

[Rarity: Blue]

[Category: Limited Time Item]

[Price: 10 Sands of Time]

[Description: Upon use, allows a Pet Beast to temporarily learn a Rank-transcending Skill compatible with its ability system. The Skill's proficiency is fixed at "Perfection" for a duration of 3 minutes.]

[Note: This experience card is a Limited Time Item and will automatically expire after one day. (Current remaining validity: 23 hours, 59 minutes, 53 seconds)]

This was an item that Shiayar couldn't currently redeem directly from the Sands of Time Mall. It was likely from an item category the system had mentioned was not yet unlocked, but it was included in the Lucky Bag's prize pool and could be drawn.

Staring at the "Rank-transcending Skill Experience Card (Limited Time)," Shiayar fell into thought. To be fair, a "Rank-transcending Skill Experience Card" must be a very powerful item.

Although its duration is only three minutes, within that time, one could essentially use a brand new Rank-transcending Skill at "Perfection" proficiency without any limitations.

Shiayar acknowledged the strength of Rank-transcending Skills.

After all, "Amaterasu," which had once broken through the Twilight Incarnation's defenses, was merely a quasi-Rank Transcending skill. Most of my other Pet Beasts' main battle Skills are still at the High Order level, including the extremely practical "Flash" and "Moon Reading."

Perhaps when I break through to the 4-Ring level and become a Master Rank Beastmaster, and my Pet Beasts also advance to Sovereign Rank, these Skills might then have a chance to transform and ascend in rank.

And the three-minute duration, given my typical battle style of planning for a decisive strike, would actually be enough to turn the tide of a battle at a critical moment.

But the most frustrating part is that this experience card is only valid for one day. In other words, I have to use the card today, or the lucky bag will be a waste.

And now, situated in the Empire Capital, I'm not under the same pressure as when I was preparing for the final battle against the Azure Garden Dukedom. Thus, there isn't a suitable opportunity to use this experience card.

Either I find a way to take on a high-difficulty mission today...

Otherwise, I can only let Silver and the others experience its future capabilities, paving the way for them to create this Skill themselves eventually.

That was one use for it. Although the experience card's effect only lasted three minutes, the experience and insight gained from using that Rank-transcending Skill would remain afterward.

If Shiayar had possessed an experience card back when he was helping Silver create "Amaterasu," allowing Silver to experience the specific abilities of "Amaterasu" beforehand, the subsequent creation process would have been much easier.