Minori immediately looked at the introduction of "Magic Rising."
The information wasn't complete, but based on speculation and what he could see, he gradually pieced together the enhancement's capabilities.
"I just consumed 110 points of magic power in one go. Luckily, I didn't trigger a higher-level spell—though I couldn't have anyway."
Minori felt his internal mana reserves nearly drained. A chill ran down his spine at the thought. But seeing that the magic was still under his control, he let out a dry chuckle.
"Self-sufficient?"
The prerequisite for using Magic Rising was clear: one had to have already mastered a lower-tier version of a spell.
For example, since he had learned the first-tier "Healing of Minor Injuries," he could enhance it by two levels to cast the third-tier "Healing of Severe Injuries."
So!
"Magic Rising" didn't truly let one cast unknown magic. It only elevated what was already known.
Minori stepped out of the ritual circle and approached Sukyu Juju. Holding the Orb of Death in his left hand, he pointed his right palm toward the fallen lizardman.
"Magic Rise—Healing of Severe Injuries!"
A palm-sized magic circle bloomed in his hand, followed by a soft milky-white light that gently enveloped Sukyu Juju.
"Finally figured it out."
Minori smiled, ignoring the skill notification that blinked on his status panel.
Since he already unlocked Level 3: Healing of Severe Injuries, there was no need to waste effort on Level 2: Healing of Moderate Injuries.
From that angle, Magic Rising had clear drawbacks. If a spell like Fireball didn't have a higher-level version available, then Magic Rising would be useless on it.
[Death Orb: 280 → 210/280]
"Seventy points gone—this spell is a mana hog," Minori muttered.
Magic Rising alone consumed 50 mana. Add to that the doubled cost of the spell itself, and if cast within a ritual, the cost could quadruple.
At this level of consumption, Minori knew he couldn't afford to treat it as a regular tool. No wonder the old priest-lizardman considered it impractical.
Especially since ritual casting took time and wasn't viable in combat. But in large-scale operations? It could be a game-changer.
Even so—
The existence of this magic gave Minori something real: a trump card, and a way to simulate higher-tier spells.
Take Fourth-Tier Papermaking, for example. With Magic Rising, he could boost it to fifth-tier quality, saving himself a precious skill point.
More importantly...
He currently possessed the fifth-tier resurrection spell, "Resurrection of the Dead." In theory, using a ritual with Magic Rising could temporarily grant him the seventh-tier spell "Resurrection"—allowing full revival.
Unfortunately, seventh-tier spells required a Believer Caster level of 43 to 49, and he was still far from that.
"Still, the gains far exceeded expectations." Minori glanced at Sukyu Juju, slowly regaining consciousness under the healing light, then at Kuro by his side.
"Woo."
The dog instantly understood, stepped forward, and slammed its paw onto the back of Sukyu Juju's head.
Bang!
His head hit the ground hard, knocking him out again.
"Draw the entire ritual circle for me."
Minori walked over to the old priest-lizardman and handed him a sheet of long-lasting magic parchment from his item box.
The ritual circle was complicated.
Though Minori had watched carefully, he didn't trust himself to reproduce it perfectly—so he had the old priest draw a miniature version for study.
He was good at "borrowing ideas."
By the time the priest finished, the sky outside had already turned dark.
Minori carefully packed the parchment and ritual scroll into his item box. Then, he looked back at the priest.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Snap!
He placed his hands on the priest's neck and twisted sharply. The spine cracked, and the lizardman dropped lifelessly to the ground.
『Experience gained: 510』
Minori picked up the unconscious Sukyu Juju, slung him over his shoulder, walked out of the wooden hut, and calmly set it ablaze.
"Next tribe."
His voice was faint, blending with the flickering firelight.
Using the same method as before, once Sukyu Juju awoke, Minori used "Racial Charm" to seize control of his mind.
From him, he learned of two nearby tribes: the Green Claw Tribe and the Dragon Tusk Tribe.
The Green Claw Tribe wielded the rare weapon "Frozen Fang."
The Dragon Tusk Tribe, meanwhile, had a different treasure—a large barrel of rare, high-quality liquor.
In terms of strength, Green Claw had more than 120 warriors—double the number of the now-ruined Small Fang Tribe—and five priests. Dragon Fang had similar numbers of warriors but only two priests.
From Sukyu Juju, Minori also learned that the former chief of the Dragon Fang Tribe had once lost to Green Claw's chief—who now held the Frozen Fang—and left on a journey in pursuit of greater power.
As a result, the Dragon Fang Tribe's current leader was weak.
Target confirmed.
Late at night.
Moonlight from the half-moon dimly lit the terrain.
The Dragon Fang Tribe slumbered in peace. Only two drowsy lizardman warriors guarded the entrance, nodding off against the wooden gateposts.
From the shadows, Sukyu Juju and the evil dog emerged—silent, cold, obedient.
Above them, floating mid-air, Minori watched from the sky.
"Let's begin," he whispered.
This was the last easy battle. After this, the rest would be war against multiple tribes at once.
He pulled out two scrolls—one in each hand—and crushed them.
Woosh! Woosh!
Two Archangels of Flame materialized in the sky, their holy radiance piercing the night.
Without pause, both angels descended with flaming swords drawn, like divine meteors falling toward the slumbering tribe.
At the gate, Sukyu Juju raised his slingshot.
"Rapid Shot."
In a blur, he loosed two stones.
Bang—
Each struck a dozing warrior dead-center in the head. Blood sprayed, and both lizardmen crumpled without a sound.
No warning cry. No resistance.