Unholy Player-Chapter 166: Emberdart Minnow

Adyr bought 3 Cragfin Sentinels at 700 each, spending a total of 2,100 energy-value crystals to increase his overall defense and durability by 30%.

While at the same shop, he also spent some extra energy-value crystals on mineral-dense stones that would suit both the fish and his Duskrend Spark.

This was another clear advantage. The Cragfin Sentinels thrived in the same kind of habitat Duskrend needed. The cave he had already prepared with its mineral pool would work perfectly for both Sparks, and since neither species was aggressive and they consumed the same minerals, they could comfortably live together. Sharing a food source would also make their upkeep straightforward.

That left him with 3 empty slots, which he decided to fill with 3 more Sparks that had passive abilities. This time, he would look for Ignis Path Sparks to passively increase his speed and reflexes.

He had considered going for active skills first, but passive abilities made far more sense at this stage. They didn’t require energy to use, which would make him more efficient in a fight and in his daily training. On top of that, this was part of his long-term plan to reach Rank 3, so laying the groundwork with passive stat boosts was the most logical move.

The other reason was cost. Active Rank 3 Sparks were extremely expensive, and Adyr had seen their prices since gaining access to the third floor. Sparks that increased general stats passively offered far better value.

With that in mind, he browsed shops specializing in Rank 3 Ignis Path Sparks focused on speed and reflexes. It didn’t take long before he found one that met his criteria.

The shop looked like a mining tunnel dug straight into the heart of a volcanic seam. Deep crimson lines threaded the walls like glowing veins of lava, their light casting shifting red reflections across the jagged stone. Thin streams of molten rock ran along the floor, winding between soot-black boulders that steamed constantly, releasing wisps of dark smoke into the warm, dry air.

Clusters of flame flickered in shallow pits dug into the ground. Around these glowing embers scurried tiny lizards no larger than Adyr’s palm, their bodies a deep, smoldering red. Every movement left a trail of faint heat, and their scales shimmered as if they were absorbing the ambient fire. Thin plumes of gray smoke curled up from their backs, dissipating before reaching the ceiling.

This was the Spark Adyr had been searching for.

[Name] Emberdart Minnow

[Path] Ignis

[Rank] 3

[Ability] Heatstream Reflex / Spark Rush / Flame Drift

Description:

Emberdart Minnows inhabit underground fissures where molten veins and streams of lava carve through solid rock. They move by weaving swiftly between heated crevices, propelled by the constant thermal currents. They feed on active flame, drawing sustenance directly from places where fire burns and flickers across the glowing stone.

Ability — Heatstream Reflex, Spark Rush, Flame Drift:

The Emberdart Minnow benefits from Heatstream Reflex, an innate adaptation that passively heightens its reaction speed and movement precision by channeling thermal energy through its body. When threatened or agitated, it channels this heat into a focused Spark Rush, bursting forward in a streak of ignited air to evade harm or strike at nearby targets before gradually cooling and regaining its equilibrium. In stable conditions, the Emberdart Minnow engages Flame Drift, allowing it to hover and navigate slowly on gentle currents of rising heat, conserving energy while remaining extremely responsive to sudden changes in its surroundings.

Adyr read the description and nodded. When subdued, the passive skill Heatstream Reflex would be his. According to Liora’s notes, this skill not only increased movement speed and reflexes by up to 10% but also granted a moderate degree of heat resistance. Like the other Sparks, this one could also stack, allowing him to raise these effects by up to 30% if he subdued three of them.

The price was only 50 more than a Cragfin Sentinel—750 energy-value crystals, which was more than fair.

Without wasting time, Adyr called out to the shopkeeper. The owner appeared as abruptly as always, took the payment, and handed over the Sparks. Adyr left as soon as the transaction was complete.

He wouldn’t need to buy any special materials to build the Emberdart Minnows’ habitat. He already had a plan that would cost him far less.

When he left the market, he had just over 1,200 energy-value crystals left. The wealth that had once made him feel rich had vanished in an instant, earning only a dry, humorless smile.

He had chosen the most cost-effective Sparks available, yet this trip had shown him just how quickly Rank 2 preparations could drain his resources.

Still, there was no reason to regret it. His defense, durability, reflexes, and movement speed had all increased by 30%. Even the slight boost in heat resistance was a valuable bonus. It was a solid and necessary improvement.

I can’t even afford a flying mount, he thought as he flew back, turning in the air with his wings.

It wasn’t just because all 10 slots were full—it was also because his crystals were nearly gone. He still had to subdue the Sparks he’d bought, and the remaining crystals barely covered that cost.

The exact cost to subdue a Rank 3 Spark was 200 energy crystals—twice the amount required for Rank 2.

When he returned to the Draven Mansion, he instructed Vesha, who was waiting for him like a loyal assistant, to make sure no one disturbed him. Then he went to his room, locked the door, and began subduing his Sparks.

Meanwhile, Adyr’s Earth body slowly emerged from a simulation room.

He had arrived at player headquarters in the morning, and by now it was already noon. The entire time, he had moved from one simulation to the next without pause, registering talents one after another until he reached his goal.

By the end, he had successfully registered 4 Level 2 talents.

[Observer] Lv3, [Tracking] Lv2, [Throwing] Lv2, [Cooking] Lv2, [Linguistic] Lv2, [Tactician] Lv2, [Stealth] Lv2, [Trapper] Lv2, [Butchering] Lv2, [Architect] Lv2, [Scouting] Lv2, [Surgery] Lv2, [Reader] Lv2, [Masonry] Lv2

He had registered a total of 14 talents, saving the last one for Swordplay. None of the talents had been chosen at random; he had thought them through carefully, making sure they were talents he could advance to Level 3 with relative ease.

Masonry, for example, was one of those talents—it would help him arrange his Sanctuary now and still prove useful later. He was already considering picking up Blacksmithing as well once more slots opened.

The reader was equally important. The tome Spark he’d borrowed from Liora was packed with data on countless Sparks, and even going through a single Chapter took considerable time. The sooner he increased his reading speed and comprehension, the less time he would waste on research.

The remaining talents all covered general survival skills, rounding him out into someone who could endure harsh conditions and adapt as needed.

After leaving the training floor, Adyr went straight to his room, sat at his terminal, and began browsing the shop. Nearly all of his crystals were spent, so it was time to use some of his merit. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

He needed to improve his Twilight Land with supplies for the new Sparks, and he also had his gear to replace. His current blades were worn and dulled, and it was past time to upgrade them.

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