Axel remained in the dark clearing, firmly holding the Healing Lacrima in one hand while the map marked with the Winged Eye lay spread out on the ground before him. The air grew noticeably colder and heavier, as if the environment itself were reacting to the decision he had to make.
He knew the nature of Dark Guilds well.
They were alliances not officially recognized by the Magic Council and, as such, treated as criminal organizations. Unlike legal guilds, which followed the rules imposed by the Council, Dark Guilds rejected any form of limitation. To them, rules existed only to suffocate a mage's true potential.
In practice, most were composed of Evil Mages—individuals who placed profit, power, and cruelty above any sense of morality. In more extreme cases, some became fanatical cultists, worshippers of Zeref.
Axel knew very well who Zeref was.
To the world, he was remembered as the most powerful and evil mage in history, a wielder of forbidden magic capable of destroying nations. But Axel knew the truth: Zeref was a reclusive young man, cursed with powers he could not control, someone who deeply hated himself—on top of being the founder and current emperor of the Alvarez Empire.
Delving into this kind of territory meant serious trouble.
Even so, Axel couldn't ignore the potential.
(Axel's thoughts):Risk and reward, Ddraig. Where there are Dark Guilds, there are rare items, forbidden magic… and most likely high-quality Lacrimas or Ethernano crystals. Exactly what I need for the bike.
— Exactly, partner! — Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind, filled with enthusiasm and a thirst for battle. — Power exists to be used, not hidden away. If you find rare materials, use your Artificer skill to steal the technology. If you find an enemy who challenges you… use me. You need to evolve. Rank Green missions won't give you Levels.
Axel took a deep breath.
He carefully stored the map and the Healing Lacrima, then approached the bandits he had defeated earlier. Using the ropes he carried in his backpack, he tied them up securely, making sure they would eventually be found by a patrol.
— Let's go, Ddraig. The Fairy Tail mission is complete. — He stood up, adjusting his backpack. — Now… the Artificer's mission begins.
Axel activated the Emperor's Eyes, focusing on the point marked on the map. The location led deep into the forest, far from known patrol routes—an ideal place for illegal activity.
As he put away the Healing Lacrima, a possibility made his heart race: if that location was an Ethernano crystal depot, he wouldn't just finance the construction of the motorcycle—he'd also secure the fuel needed to make it run.
Without hesitation, Axel activated Shadow Step.
His body merged with the darkness of the forest, moving with the silent precision of a predator. Branches, shadows, and roots became natural allies as he advanced.
The forest was dense and dark, but Axel felt no fear. His focus was absolute. He was ready for whatever came.
For about thirty minutes, he followed the map's markings, alternating between rapid movement and careful observation. As he progressed, he felt the region's natural Ethernano growing denser, older, and more charged—a clear sign of intense magical activity.
Then, he noticed the change.
Muffled voices.Magical light filtering through the trees.
Axel crawled up to a rocky ledge and concealed himself completely beneath thick shrubs. From there, he had a clear view of the area below.
The forest opened into an artificial clearing. At its center, a large fissure in the rock emitted an intense blue glow. Crates, tools, and piles of crystals were scattered throughout the area, while several mages worked on extraction.
Axel activated the Emperor's Eyes and Magic Vision simultaneously.
— Flow Analysis… — he murmured, activating his Artificer Magic.
The world shifted before his eyes.
Ethernano flows became visible, revealing around twenty individuals spread across the clearing and near the fissure's entrance. Axel quickly analyzed the density and structure of each person's mana.
Common mages.Most used basic elemental magic—Fire, Earth, and Wind—ranging between Rank D and Rank C. Their flows were unstable, slow, and poorly controlled.
Cannon fodder, he concluded.
His gaze then shifted to the crystal piles.
Raw and refined crystals in large quantities. The purity of the Ethernano was high, with no major magical impurities. It was exactly what he needed.
A true jackpot for the motorcycle project.
Axel smiled faintly.
— Perfect… nothing but cannon fodder. If I'm fast enough, I can knock everyone out and leave with the crystals.
But then, something caught his attention.
In the shadows at the entrance of the rocky fissure stood a motionless figure.
That individual's mana flow was completely different.
It wasn't just large—it was oppressive. Dense. Aggressive. A presence that slightly distorted the surrounding Ethernano. The Boosted Gear, even sealed as a tattoo, pulsed faintly in response.
— Careful, partner! — Ddraig's voice turned serious. — That's the most concentrated power you've felt since you arrived in this world. That man is the Guild Master… or at least his right-hand man. His Rank is close to your current Level—maybe even higher.
The man's Ethernano was a dark purple, with complex, violent patterns. He wasn't casting magic—just observing the workers—but his presence dominated the entire clearing.
Axel held his breath.
— So this is the part of the reward that comes with the risk… — he muttered. — If I fight him, I'll have to use the gauntlet and all my power.at the limit.
— Yes, — Ddraig confirmed. — He justifies a Boost. Plan your escape route. Infiltrate, steal the crystals, and avoid a direct confrontation. Only fight if you can incapacitate him quickly.
The plan changed.
Axel couldn't afford to face a Rank A or B mage in direct combat. A prolonged fight would expose too much and leave him vulnerable.
With extreme care, he descended from the ledge and began moving along the edge of the clearing.
Silent. Calculating.
Axel had entered full hunting mode.