Chapter 36 – The Shadow Investigator**
A week after the landmark agreement with the Three-Legged Crow's Hut, explosive growth swept across Goldbear Territory like a revitalizing spring flood. The once-quiet roads, long neglected under previous lords, now bustled with activity from dawn until well after dusk. Caravans bearing the proud golden bear-and-fusion emblem of the company rolled in and out daily, their wheels carving fresh ruts into the improved highways.
Raw ores mined from newly secured veins glittered in the sunlight as they arrived. Monster materials harvested from controlled dungeon runs were carefully sorted and processed. Bundles of rare herbs, enchanted woods glowing with latent mana, and shimmering mana crystals flowed steadily into the territory's warehouses. In exchange, finished goods poured outward: enchanted armor that gleamed with subtle protective runes, spell-infused tools that made farming and craftsmanship more efficient, high-quality alchemical goods, and valuable dungeon-sourced resources sought after by merchants across the kingdom.
The transformation was visible everywhere. Villages that had once huddled in fear of bandits now expanded with new timber-framed homes and sturdy stone foundations. Roads were being methodically repaired and widened, their surfaces reinforced with enchanted gravel that resisted erosion. Farmland, previously parched and struggling, benefited from newly constructed irrigation channels infused with gentle water-manipulation enchantments. Small workshops—some dedicated to leatherworking, others to basic artificery—sprang up one after another, each employing local families who had long dreamed of stable income.
Even the tax burden on commoners had been noticeably reduced, a move that earned Glic immense goodwill among the populace. No longer did the people speak of him simply as "Viscount Goldbear." In markets, taverns, and village squares, a new title began to spread in respectful, almost reverent tones:
The Merchant Lord.
Far to the south, in the gleaming heart of the Fae Wood capital, one of the tallest towers of the prestigious Fae Wood Wizard Tower pierced the clouds. Its marble balconies overlooked the sprawling city like watchful sentinels. On this particular afternoon, a sleek black raven landed gracefully on one such balcony, a sealed scroll clutched in its talons.
A young apprentice in pale blue robes hurried inside, breathless from the climb. He knelt before an elderly wizard seated at a grand oak desk. The wizard's emerald robes were adorned with intricate silver star patterns that seemed to twinkle faintly with stored mana.
With calm, deliberate movements, the old wizard—Elder Rowan—broke the seal and unfurled the report. As his eyes scanned the lines, his silver eyebrows rose gradually.
"…Interesting," he murmured, a note of genuine intrigue coloring his usually impassive voice.
Standing beside him was a younger wizard, barely into his thirties, with sharp features and an eager expression. "What does the report say, Elder Rowan?"
Rowan passed the parchment over without a word. The younger man read quickly, his eyes widening with each line.
"A frontier viscount has nearly tripled the economy of his territory in less than half a year. He has created dozens of practical low-grade enchanted items. Discovered and secured a previously unknown dungeon. Defeated the notorious Crimson Blade Bandits. And now… he has secured formal cooperation with the Three-Legged Crow's Hut itself."
The younger wizard frowned deeply. "Impossible. He's only a First-Ring Wizard Apprentice, correct? How could someone so young achieve all this?"
Rowan nodded slowly, his gaze distant. "Exactly. That is what makes it so concerning."
Within the ancient halls of the Wizard Tower, raw strength alone rarely drew sustained attention. Talent, innovation, and potential—that was what truly mattered. And Glic Goldbear had displayed an alarming abundance of all three in an impossibly short timeframe.
One major achievement could be attributed to luck or fortunate circumstances.
Two might be coincidence.
But five… or more?
That defied easy explanation.
"Could there truly be an unknown Master Artificer working behind him?" the younger wizard asked, still skeptical.
Elder Rowan shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "I doubt it. The Goldbear Fusion Company's growth is too perfectly synchronized. The inventions, the military reforms, the economic policies, the rapid dungeon development… everything follows a single, cohesive vision. It does not feel like the work of separate minds."
He turned toward the large arched window, looking out over the capital's rooftops. "I believe the mysterious artificer… and Viscount Glic Goldbear… are far closer than anyone realizes."
At that moment, another elder entered the chamber. She was a woman of middle years, dressed in flowing black robes embroidered with silver ravens whose wings seemed poised for flight. Unlike the battle-oriented wizards who dominated the Tower's public image, she specialized in the subtle arts of information gathering, espionage, and divination.
"I've received direct orders from His Majesty," she announced without preamble.
Rowan inclined his head. "The Faerie King himself?"
She handed him a second, more heavily sealed scroll. "The King wishes to know whether this Glic Goldbear is a rare genius… or a future threat to the kingdom's stability."
A heavy silence settled over the room. Finally, Elder Rowan allowed a small, calculating smile to touch his lips.
"Then we will send someone capable of uncovering the truth."
Hidden deep beneath the foundations of the Wizard Tower lay a secretive organization known only to a handful of the highest-ranking members: the Silent Eyes. Their mandate was straightforward yet vital—observe, investigate, and render impartial judgment on potential threats or assets to the realm.
Among their elite investigators stood one particularly renowned figure: Luna Ashvale.
Age: Twenty-six.
Rank: Three-Ring Wizard Apprentice.
Specializations: Illusion Magic, Divination, and Enchantment.
Unlike the flashy battle wizards who hurled fireballs on the front lines, Luna's greatest weapon had always been information. She had single-handedly uncovered corrupt nobles embezzling royal funds, exposed hidden Black Wizard cults operating in the shadows of major cities, and mapped forgotten ancient ruins that yielded powerful artifacts for the Tower. In her career, she had never once failed a mission.
Elder Rowan personally handed her the thick dossier. Luna accepted it with graceful poise, her sharp violet eyes scanning every page with practiced speed. A faint, intrigued smile curved her lips as she absorbed the details.
"Glic Goldbear…" she whispered, almost tasting the name. "This sounds genuinely interesting."
Meanwhile, deep within the secure underground laboratory beneath Goldbear Manor, Glic stood surrounded by floating blue System windows. The air hummed with latent magical energy, and the faint scent of ozone and enchanted herbs lingered.
**Available Recorded Spells**
**0-Ring Spells:**
Acid Splash, Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Frostbite, Mage Hand, Mending, Light, Dancing Lights, Thorn Whip, Chill Touch, Poison Spray, Blade Ward, Eldritch Blast, Lightning Lure, Green-Flame Blade, True Strike, Minor Illusion, Message, Thaumaturgy, Vicious Mockery, Shillelagh, Shape Water, Thunderclap, Sword Burst, Toll the Dead, Primal Savagery.
**1-Ring Spells:**
Bless, Bane, Alarm, Beast Bond, Catapult, Fear, Absorb Elements, Burning Hands, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Disguise Self, Expeditious Retreat, Fog Cloud.
Glic smiled with quiet satisfaction. His collection was growing steadily, each new spell opening doors to countless fusion possibilities. Yet even as he reviewed the list, another notification materialized.
**Unlocked Difficulty:** Normal
**Reward Multiplier:** ×2 Experience
**Opponent Database Updated:**
Goblins, Hobgoblins, Dire Wolves, Giant Eagles, Mushroom Monsters, Crimson Blade Bandits.
**New Simulation Available:** Combined Unit Combat.
Glic's eyes brightened with excitement. "I almost forgot about this feature. It's time to put it to proper use."
With a thought, the world around him dissolved into white light. When his vision cleared, he stood in the center of a vast, featureless white arena that stretched endlessly in every direction. Opposite him, fifty simulated enemies materialized in perfect formation.
Ten snarling Goblins.
Ten cunning Kobolds.
Five burly Hobgoblins.
Five slavering Dire Wolves.
Twenty aggressive Mushroom Monsters.
The System's neutral voice echoed through the space:
> **Simulation Start.**
Immediately, the horde charged with terrifying coordination.
But unlike harsh reality, death inside the simulator carried no lasting consequences. Glic could experiment freely, pushing the boundaries of his magic and tactics without fear.
"Fog Cloud!" he commanded.
Thick, obscuring mist exploded across the battlefield, blinding the charging monsters.
"Burning Hands!" Flames roared forth, engulfing a cluster of goblins in searing agony.
A massive Dire Wolf leaped toward him.
"Lightning Lure!" Blue ethereal chains snapped out, yanking the beast into a devastating follow-up.
"Toll the Dead!" A ghostly bell tolled, and the wolf collapsed mid-leap.
Hours—perhaps days from Glic's subjective perspective—passed within the simulation. He ran scenario after scenario. Every crushing defeat taught him valuable lessons about positioning, resource management, and spell timing. Every hard-fought victory refined his battlefield instincts.
---
**New Discovery**
After dozens of intense simulations, the System displayed a new message:
> **Combat Style Recognized**
**Preferred Fighting Method:** Battlefield Commander
**Compatibility:** 97%
**Bonus Effect Unlocked:**
**Command Radius** – All allied fused creatures within thirty meters receive a 5% increase to coordination, reaction speed, and morale.
Glic blinked in pleasant surprise. "So… the System evolves and adapts according to my actual fighting style. Interesting. Very interesting indeed."
Three days later, a lone, unassuming carriage crossed the border into Goldbear Territory. Inside sat Luna Ashvale, dressed in simple gray traveler's robes. She wore no Wizard Tower insignia, no expensive jewelry, and carried only a plain wooden staff that could pass for a walking stick. To any observer, she appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary traveling scholar or minor merchant.
She smiled softly as the impressive walls of the Goldbear Estate came into view on the horizon.
"So… Glic Goldbear," she murmured to herself. "Let's see who you really are."
High above the estate, one of Glic's specially enhanced Giant Eagles circled lazily on thermal currents. Its vision, augmented by fusion magic, spotted the approaching carriage from several kilometers away. Through the active Beast Bond connection, the information flowed instantly to Glic in his study.
He turned toward the window, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A visitor… The Tower moves faster than I expected."
The System responded promptly:
> **Alert**
> Unknown Spellcaster Detected
> Estimated Rank: Third-Ring Wizard Apprentice
> Threat Assessment: Medium
**Suggested Action:** Observation before Contact.
Glic's smile deepened. "If you've come to investigate me… then allow me to investigate you first."
Far from the notice of either of them, deep beneath the Mushroom Grove Dungeon, something ancient and powerful began to stir in the primordial darkness. Thick, bioluminescent roots pulsed with raw mana. A pair of enormous golden eyes slowly opened, gleaming with intelligence far beyond that of any ordinary dungeon creature.
A deep, resonant voice echoed through the underground caverns like rolling thunder:
"Another… bearer of the Ancient Fusion Authority…"
The dungeon itself had begun to awaken.