As You Sow, So Shall You Reap (2)

The black staff, faintly radiating an unpleasant aura, drew Systia’s sharp gaze.

If anyone other than Jade had been holding it, an ordinary human would have had their body stolen in an instant and been turned into a puppet.

That was why it was far too dangerous to leave in human hands.

It might not be able to create a being as powerful as a lich, but it had more than enough power to throw the Middle World into chaos.

“I think so, too. Besides, it’s an artifact I can’t use.”

“But accepting it for free wouldn’t make for a fair trade. Though corrupted, it’s still a divine artifact. So I should give you something of comparable value.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No. A deal should be fair and square. Besides, you’ve given me an interesting project for the first time in ages.”

Systia’s eyes gleamed fiercely.

The look in her eyes was like that of a child on the verge of causing trouble, and Jade felt a moment of unease...