CHAPTER 68: ITEM SEARCH

Now it was time to seek her most desired treasure—the skill stone for the epic Arcane Blood Art !

But then a thought struck her. How exactly does this work?

Zephyrona had said the system of the Sanctuary responds to the deepest desire of whoever enters. If that were true, then all Mimi had to do was focus on what she wanted most!

Alright then... all I need to do is think of it clearly.

Mimi shut her eyes, her tail flicking with determination as she pictured the shining stone in her mind.

Please, Treasury of Ten Thousand Stars... guide me to the Arcane Blood Art skill stone!

And then, almost instantly—

[Request received. Would you like to see the skill stone for Arcane Blood Art?]

The words rang out, clear and resonant, filling the vast chamber like a divine proclamation.

"W-Woah! What was that?!" Emilia cried out in shock, her head whipping around as her eyes darted to the shelves, the platform, and the glowing orbs around. "Where did that sound come from?! Mimi, did you hear that too?!"

It sounded calm and feminine, layered with a faint, otherworldly echo, like the voice of a goddess carried in the air.

"Meowww!" Mimi answered loudly, nodding her small head. Her ears were perked up, fur standing on end. She had heard it as well.

It was like someone had hidden enchanted loudspeakers throughout the chamber.

Mimi’s whiskers twitched in excitement.

Yes! It worked! My words... they were heard!

However, Emilia looked down at her, eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Arcane Blood Art? What’s that? Did you just... request it?" She hugged Mimi closer, peering into her feline eyes.

"Meow!" Mimi confirmed with all her might, her tiny paw pressing against Emilia’s chest.

"I’ve never even heard of such a skill before," Emilia muttered, frowning. "Wait... how do you know about it?!"

...Well.

If Mimi told her the truth, that she used to be a gamer girl from another world called Earth who got reincarnated here in Arventia, would Emilia even believe her?

Or worse, telling her that Arventia Online was actually a game?

Emilia might absolutely flip!

But then again, it wasn’t like Mimi could explain anything in the first place! She couldn’t talk, because she was just a cat, after all! That alone saved her from a thousand awkward questions. No need for excuses, no need for explanations.

Haha, perks of being a cat!

"Oh, I see! Is it something that Lord Siamelumis suggested for you to get in here?" Emilia asked curiously.

Ooooh!

Mimi’s eyes widened.

Yeah, yeah! That’s some good deduction, Master! Very clever!

Of course, Emilia was completely off the mark, but that worked perfectly in Mimi’s favor. She didn’t need to say a word, and her master had already filled in the blanks herself!

Very wrong, but not bad! Let’s just go with that!

"Mew!" Mimi meowed brightly, even bobbing her head as if to confirm Emilia’s guess.

"Ohh, that’s so nice!" Emilia smiled warmly. "If Lord Siamelumis said so, then we’ll definitely find it!"

Alright, back to the matter at hand.

Mimi still hadn’t answered that mysterious voice. The Sanctuary was waiting for her decision.

Thus, she steeled herself, focused her thoughts as sharply as she could, and answered inwardly with all her will:

Yes, please! Lead me to Arcane Blood Art!

And instantly—

[Confirmed. Searching for Arcane Blood Art skill stone.]

The words echoed through the vast chamber, and both Emilia and Mimi froze, holding their breath as though afraid to disturb the process.

Please have it! Please have it! Mimi begged in her heart.

And then, only a moment later—

[Ding! Item found. Three Arcane Blood Art skill stones available within the Sanctuary of Ten Thousand Stars. The nearest one is located on Floor 216.]

HECK YEAAAAAHHH!

Mimi threw both paws into the air, her tail flicking wildly in triumph.

Emilia burst out laughing at the sight. "Haha, you must be so excited!"

"Meow!" Mimi spun back around and meowed happily, her amethyst eyes sparkling with joy.

[Please follow the light.]

"Oooooh!" Mimi’s eyes widened as the glowing orbs that had been orbiting lazily around the platform suddenly stirred. One by one, they shot upward, streaking through the air like a flock of radiant birds, weaving together to form a shining trail that beckoned toward the upper floors.

Quick, Master! Follow them!

"MEWW!" Mimi urged, pressing her tiny paws against Emilia’s chest.

Emilia’s lips curved into a grin. She understood immediately. "Alright, hang on tight!" she said, tightening her grip on Mimi before resting her other hand on the crystalline orb at the center of the platform.

The runes beneath their feet flared to life—

Woosh!

The platform shot upward, the air rushing past them as shelves and treasures blurred by in a cascade of glittering light. The hundreds of hovering orbs swirled around them like guiding stars, their glow brighter than ever.

Mimi’s heart pounded faster with every passing second.

This is it. This is really happening! Soon, I’ll have it—the first step in my grand plan! My power, my future... Arcane Blood Art will be mine! Mwehehehe!

Yes! That signature evil laugh was already playing inside Mimi’s head again!

And so, higher and higher they soared, until at last, the guiding orbs slowed. Their movement softened to a graceful glide, and the platform eased to a halt.

"Floor 216..." Emilia murmured, glancing at the number engraved into the wall in gleaming runes.

The lights shifted again, gathering around a single shelf and illuminating it like a spotlight.

Mimi’s gaze followed, and her breath caught.

Oooh!

There it was!

Resting neatly upon a pedestal was a shimmering skill stone, glowing with a deep purple hue and pulsing faintly with power. That glow! It was the unmistakable color of an Epic-tier skill stone!

Mimi’s eyes widened, her claws flexing with anticipation as she zoomed her vision in to inspect it. Instantly, glowing text appeared once more before her eyes.

Oh yeah...

It was indeed the Arcane Blood Art!