Jack turned his attention to the [Fire Immunity Necklace]. It had a straightforward power. Activating his Treasure Hunter class once more, he drew another spellcard.

[Spell Card: Fire Immunity Charm]

[Type: Blessing]

[Effect: Encircles the caster with a protective aura that grants complete immunity to normal, non-magical flames and significantly reduces damage from magical fire for several minutes.]

[Requirement: Usable by any transcendent. Caster must possess a minimum Mysticism of 10.]

[Maximum Duration: 20 minutes]

[Cooldown: 5 minutes per use]

"A practical spell." Jack noted.

The spell's effect was potent. Essential for environments with fire hazards or against fire-based enemies. It offered a reliable layer of protection that could save lives in specific circumstances.

He then focused on the [Great Sanctuary Scroll]. Extracting another spellcared from the object. It was...

[Spell Card: Sanctuary Field]

[Type: Domain]

[Effect: Creates a stationary, spherical defensive field that repels incoming minor projectiles and significantly reduces damage from all external attacks, particularly effective against negative energy. Lasts for a long time or until destroyed.]

[Requirement: Usable by any transcendent. Caster must possess a minimum Mysticism of 30.]

[Maximum Duration: 12 hours or until destroyed]

[Cooldown: 20 minutes per use]

"A powerful shield domain." Jack assessed.

It was the spell for a protection during camp break in the wilderness. Or a tactical retreat and a moment of respite in heavy combat. Allowing for regrouping or healing. It was definitely a precious spellcard.

Finally, it was time for the [Buckler of Retribution]. The essence of the artifact was reflection and redirection. He concentrated. Generating a new spellcard. His appraisal showed that it was...

[Spell Card: Mirror Ward]

[Type: Conjuration]

[Effect: For a brief moment, creates a shimmering, reflective barrier around the caster that instantaneously redirects the next single incoming projectile or single targeted normal spell back to its point of origin.]

[Requirement: Usable by any transcendent. Caster must possess a minimum Mysticism of 30.]

[Maximum Duration: 30 seconds or until a projectile/spell is redirected]

[Cooldown: 2 minutes per use]

"Excellent!" Jack stated. A genuine smile touched his lips.

It was a perfect counter-measure. When timed correctly, it could turn a powerful blow against its sender. Making the aggressor taste their own medicine. Definitely useful.

After all, battle wasn't always about brute force. Clever traps and precise counters were often more effective. And this spell card was an embodiment of that principle.

Jack smiled widely. Seven artifacts. Seven new spellcards. Each added a new layer of capability to their burgeoning arsenal.

The mundane treasures and gold coins were merely a bonus. These artifacts and their derived powers were the true wealth of the Grim Spirit Sea. Jack felt the familiar surge of satisfaction that came with growth. With acquiring the means to overcome the next challenge.

"Alright, Ladies and Gentlemen!" Jack said. His voice cut through the quiet murmurs of the crew. "As usual, all the mundane treasures... those gold coins and jewelries... will be shared equally. Baroness Artheim and Mirella will arrange that."

"As for these artifacts..."

He pointed at the [Unholy Urn]. "This thing is a blight." He said. "I'm sealing it. I'll put them together with the sealed artifacts from the Dagon Queen. Any problem with that?"

Baroness Artheim frowned, her gaze lingering on the urn. "High risk, I assume?"

"To the soul, yes." Jack replied bluntly. "It's power was to refine soul into an unholy fire. It's too dangerous and might corrupt the user."

"Then, seal it away, Captain." The baroness nodded. The other crew members didn't seem to have any problem with that either.

He then slid the [Grail of Prosperity] toward the center of the table. "This one is a different story." He said. "It's very useful for us, but it originates from the Church of Prosperity. If we use it carelessly, the shameless church might detect it and demand to take it back for free. I'm thinking of placing this in the Mirror Mansion."

"Is it the legendary [Grail of Prosperity]? The missing artifact from the church?" Baroness Artheim asked immediately.

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"Correct."

"Wait!" Leon immediately interrupted. "This is that legendary thing? The one that can create Water of Life? The liquid that can turn desert into forest, heal any wound, and resurrect the dead?"

"It's the grail. It's powerful. But not that powerful." Jack said helplessly. "Its function is simple. Pour pure water inside, and gradually it will turn into the Water of Growth that could speed up plant's growth. Pour milk, and it will turn into Recovery Potion. Pour alcohol, and you will get consecrated Holy Water."

"I knew that the legend must be exaggerated." Leon sighed.

Serene commented. "But that's still incredible though. It's like gaining super fertilizers for free. And getting ninety nine percent discount for recovery potions and holy water."

Reina added. "Putting it in the Mirror Mansion is a smart choice, Dear. We can use it there to have an unlimited source for recovery potions and holy water. It will greatly help our survivability in the expeditions."

Jack nodded. "Exactly. It's an asset for the entire group. So, any objection for this plan?"

The crew members shook their heads. The plan was therefore approved. The [Grail of Prosperity] would be kept in the Mirror Mansion.

With the arrangement of the two most troublesome items settled, the crew turned to the remaining five artifacts. The air grew tense with the usual competitive spirit of scavengers.

Jack held up a hand. "For these five, we'll do like we've done before. If you've already secured a great benefit in the previous loot, you sit this round out. That means me, Chloe, the Baroness, Don Donson, Autumn, and Argust are out. The rest of you, feel free to join."

Jack introduced the artifacts and their functions. He then produced a set of ivory dice. One by one, the allowed crew members rolled for the artifacts they were interested in.

The clatter of the dice against the wooden table sounded very loud in the silent cabin. It's like distant gunfire in the quiet sea.

Leon Drake managed to snatch up the [Arch-thief Seal]. He turned it over in his hands. A predatory grin was spreading across his face.

"This will definitely be useful for breaking into treasure vaults." He muttered.

Ned claimed the [Mystic Camouflage Cloak]. He uncharacteristically grinned widely and folded the cloak over his arm. He acted as if he intended to disappear the moment he walked out the door.

Mirella, the artist, acquired the [Fire Immunity Necklace]. She touched it with reverence. Her eyes were glazed. It was as if she was already imagining the sketches she could make while standing in the heart of a blazing flame.

Serene managed to roll for the [Great Sanctuary Scroll]. It was a one-time-use item. But she knew it was the ultimate insurance policy for her safety.

And Bell took the [Buckler of Retribution]. He immediately equipped it. The buckler settled against his forearm with a reassuring click of metal.

Jack watched them. Ensuring that the distribution was fair. But his mind was already elsewhere. The Grim Spirit Sea gave them plenty of benefits. But it was still a place of abomination. A place of entropy that grew heavier the longer one stayed.

The mental pressure here was terrible. The black waves outside the ship's hull seemed to become more agitated. The grim energy of the atmosphere pressing against the Silent Mermaid's wards felt like a physical weight that kept multiplying each day.

"It should be the time." Jack said. "We've got the loot. And we've got the crew of the Morning Light tucked away in the Mirror Mansion. There might be more treasures here. But finding them wouldn't be easy. And we still have Myriad Island Archipelago waiting. Who wants to stay?"

Nobody spoke. Even the most hardened treasure hunters in the room looked at the swirling, ink-black sea and the perpetually twilight horizon... and decided their ambition had been sufficiently sated.

"Then it's settled." Jack said. "We're leaving this realm."

He took out a small mirror from his [Spatial Backpack] and activated his [Mythical Mirror Realm].

"Everyone into the Mirror Mansion." He commanded. "Now! Move!"

One by one, the crew disappeared into the rippling, reflective surface of the mirror. The entrance to the Mirror Mansion.

Once the cabin was empty save for him and Rune, Jack put back the mirror and stepped out. Onto the deck of the Silent Mermaid.

The ship was swaying slightly. Caught in the calm grip of the graveyard's tides. Jack walked to the railing and easily jumped to the nearby wooden platform. A sodden, rotting fragment of a shipwreck. One of the many in the ship graveyard.

He quickly accessed his system and activated the command to unsummon the ghost ship. The Silent Mermaid shuddered. Its rotten hull, skeletal mast, and ripped black sails turned into ghostly mist. And then, it dissolved entirely.

Jack didn't wait for his boots to get wet. He immediately activated his [Nine-Anchor Portal Ring]. Multiple destinations appeared in his vision. Sapphire City Outskirt. Prehistoric Realm. Tideless Island. Lonestone City Home. Purplesky Realm. Despair Valley. And... Appleseed Town.

Immediately, he tapped into the mystic anchor he had left behind in the Appleseed Town. The ring glowed with a violent, white-hot intensity. The space in front of him tore open. Revealing the familiar, crisp air of the Orchard Island coastline.

Jack stepped through. Rune followed him right away. Glowing bright emerald in anticipation.

The transition was very quick. The oppressive, cold silence of the Grim Spirit Sea was instantly replaced by the lively Orchard Island.

Jack could hear the chirping of crickets and the distant, rhythmic sound of ocean waves hitting a real world's beach. He was standing on the edge of a secluded clearing. Quite a distance outside of Appleseed Town.

The sun was setting in the western horizon. Painting the sky in shades of orange.

He let out a long, ragged breath.

Rune drifted out from the portal. Her glow shifted to a warm, soft yellow. A sign of relief and contentment. She circled his head once. Then settled onto his shoulder.

The portal closed behind them.

Now, he just needed to find a secluded cove to re-summon the Silent Mermaid and re-open the gate to the Mirror Mansion. Taking his crew members and the ones from the Morning Light out from there.

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