My Skill Bar is Full of Monster Skills

Chapter 502 - 270: Bad Luck and Good Fortune (Part 2)

In the hierarchy among male clan members, he ranks quite high, second only to a few male Drow who are favored by the matriarch.

In less than two minutes, Raine was escorted inside. After several left turns along the corridor, he arrived at a large stone stalagmite building.

"Master Zaryan was just at the Forging Workshop; he should be here shortly, please wait." The guards said politely.

"Hmm."

Soon, a middle-aged Drow Elf, significantly more robust than the average Drow, walked in and upon seeing Raine’s transformation into Lunen, seemed visibly surprised.

"Lunen, my old friend, I can’t believe it’s really you! When I first heard it from the messenger, I thought they made a mistake."

The man warmly approached Raine, leading him into the room to sit down, specifically opening a bottle containing a liquid with a dark purple hue and pouring two glasses.

"This is Cold Honey Dark Wine, give it a try!" As he spoke, Zaryan took a sip himself.

Raine also tasted it with a smile, noting its slightly sweet flavor, likely mixed with some rare honey, and an obvious herbal aroma, giving it an overall pleasant feeling.

Clearly, this wine is quite expensive, even among Drow Elves.

"Recently, I heard you seemed to be in trouble?" At this point, Zaryan seemed to remember something, glanced at Raine, and asked.

Upon hearing this, Raine appropriately showed a somewhat difficult-to-speak expression.

During the four-day journey earlier, he exchanged information with Meredith’s father, Lunen, about Zaryan’s personality, potential situations they might encounter, and specific interactions Lunen had with Zaryan in the past.

The situation at hand was slightly worse than anticipated, but contingency plans had already been finalized en route.

Not entirely unexpected.

Raine appeared calm, without attempting to conceal anything, and recounted the facts: "Because of my daughter Meredith... Just a few days ago, she rescued me..."

As Raine narrated, he carefully watched Zaryan’s subtle expressions.

When Zaryan heard words like "rescue" and "escaped," his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his pupils slightly contracted.

Once Raine finished, Zaryan proactively spoke: "Old friend, I’m afraid I can’t shelter you here!"

Upon hearing this, Raine raised an eyebrow.

Zaryan’s response was somewhat unexpected, different from the plans he and Lunen had discussed earlier.

Normally, although the Breagan Family and Hernet Family are allied families, a fugitive from one side should also be a wanted criminal to the other.

But Lunen, as a master forger, holds significant strategic value, and the Hernet Family could easily hide him and use him quietly.

This is the typical nature of most Drow Elves, able to cooperate under certain external pressures in the short term but always competitive in the long term.

Seeming to understand Raine’s inquisitive look, Zaryan pondered for a moment before speaking: "Old friend, do you know who I’m currently crafting equipment for?"

"Isn’t it prepared for your own family?"

"No! Quite the opposite! It’s for the Bane Family," Zaryan said in a heavy tone.

"What!" Raine couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.

This shock wasn’t feigned.

During the journey, through days of close communication with Lunen, Raine became very clear that the Drow Elves of the Underdark are divided into two major factions. The foremost are the Hernet Family and the number one-ranked Bane Family among the Drow Elves.

But what did he just hear?

The opponent is crafting equipment for their mortal enemy?

"It’s the decree of the goddess."

"You might not have heard, but soon you’ll know. The Urein Empire, ranking first among surface humans, is currently invading the Underdark on a large scale, and the Bane Family is the first to bear the brunt."

"Both sides are now fiercely battling, but the first strong nation of humans is quite powerful, and the Bane Family is being steadily defeated."

"I see." Raine nodded, his eyes flickering.

He immediately understood the cause and effect.

No wonder such a situation occurred.

So it turns out there’s a great enemy invasion, prompting the typically internal-conflict-loving Drow Elves to abandon their prejudices under their goddess Rose’s decree, and start to unite.

"Therefore, at other times, your matters would be easy to handle, but at this particular moment, harboring you would directly violate the goddess’s will."

"I understand! Zaryan, my old friend, I’ll leave now." Raine made a ’troubled-looking’ expression.

"No need to rush; I’ll send you off after dinner!" Zaryan patted Raine on the shoulder.

Before Raine could say anything, suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside.

Soon, a messenger appeared at the door: "Excuse me, Master Zaryan, the guard captain just notified that you must attend a meeting on the third floor of the main building."

"Oh? Okay! I’ll go right away." Zaryan showed an apologetic look to Raine: "Old friend, please wait for me for a moment, I’ll handle this first."

"Alright." Originally intending to bid farewell, Raine immediately changed his mind, nodding.

After Zaryan left the room, shortly afterward, Raine also stood up, paying attention to the outside sounds while inspecting the room.

Soon, Raine’s gaze fell upon the desk full of forging blueprints.