Chapter 49: In due time

"Are you joking?" Max asked.

Ryuk sighed. "I know it sounds like that but I really need your help to save my daughter."

"I don't know what's going through your mind, but I should inform you that I have no idea how to heal soul-based wounds. The best I can do is flesh wounds." Max felt the need to explain even though he could just as well leave Ryuk to his own devices.

Ryuk remarked. "I don't need you to heal her."

"…Then why are you asking me to help her?"

"There is a place… Just know that there is a place where she can be healed." Ryuk had a thought but decided to bury it for now. Too much information could end up harming him.

Max frowned. "Then take her there."

"That's the problem… I can't and please don't ask me why… it's complicated."

Massaging his temple, Max remarked. "I will entertain you for a few more minutes so how about you tell me what you want from me."

Ryuk felt hopeful as he replied. "I need you to get stronger for now. Once you get to the peak of Daoist rank, then we can talk further."

"…I never said that I'd help for free. I'm not some kind of idiot that'd go out of his way for no reason."

Ryuk nodded in agreement. "Even I would be worried if you accepted my request without an incentive… Humans aren't that selfless."

Max caught the last part of his sentence but he remained calm. "So what do I get if I help you save your daughter?"

"I will transfer my Sage techniques to you," Ryuk said in a heartbeat.

Max's eyes went wide in surprise as he stared at him. "Are you serious?"

Ryuk nodded. "Mn."

Max felt excited at the thought of gaining new law techniques for free.

As a Sage, techniques born of enlightenment were seen as the heritage of that person. Something priceless that could not be bought for any price.

For one of them to be willing to impart their techniques to another, the recipient must either be family or at least a disciple of considerable rank.

Even Regard still felt skeptical about transferring his techniques to Max and instead decided to wait till he got stronger before attempting to do so.

Of course, the transfer of techniques was only a good thing when the recipient already had his foundation in the enlightenment of the three great laws.

Thus, it would be a great addition.

If the recipient was without a foundation, such an act would end up stunting their growth, as their advancement would then lay on the shoulders of the one that transferred their techniques to them.

After all, someone that can't even understand the basics, would end up ruining himself if he dared to touch on the advanced topics.

Obviously for Max, this was not an issue as his foundation was quite solid.

Thus, getting a freebie of techniques in a time where Sages were hard to find tickled his fancy.

Suddenly, he had a thought that caused his excitement to die down considerably. "Are you going to transfer the techniques now?"

Though he could tell that Ryuk was indeed not a trickster from his observations, he wasn't exactly as trusting anymore after the scam a certain omnipotent being pulled on his head.

Ryuk shook his head. "No, but I'm sure you would want a show of goodwill so lend me your staff."

Max felt skeptical but still sent it over. As he was already bonded to the staff, he could call it back at the first sign of danger.

But he was well aware of just how troublesome Sages can be with law techniques.

Thus, it was normal to be careful.

Ryuk caught the staff and looked it over before nodding approvingly. "It is indeed a good replica."

Max put up a brow. "Replica?"

"Mn, the real Staff of Order is… held by someone powerful in a place far from here and also closer to us than we think," Ryuk said as he recalled a few memories.

Memories of a land filled with green. The beauty of nature glowed so brightly, filled with flora and fauna that would leave one breathless.

Max noticed Ryuk's nostalgic expression and called out to him. "Hey."

The latter was jolted from his thoughts. "I do apologize, I just recalled something…"

Max noted the nostalgia on Ryuk's being replaced by a solemn expression. "Is it about your wife?"

Ryuk wanted to deny it but ended up nodding in agreement. "Yes."

Max asked. "Was she also a Sage?"

"Mn, she was. Even stronger than me."

"Then how did she die?"

Ryuk bit his lower lip. "… Forget about that. Let's focus on your staff."

Max could tell that Ryuk was not willing to say more and thus he chose not to press on, after all, it was mere curiosity that caused him to ask.

"What can you tell me about the Staff of Order?"

"You will know, in due time, for now…" Ryuk trailed off as he closed his eyes and chanted something inaudible.

Max watched with bated breath as Ordena particles slowly grafted themselves to the staff, causing it to glow green for a moment before it settled down.

"There you go, even though it's only a replica, it can still do quite a lot. Unfortunately, the main and most powerful ability of the real Staff of Order is inaccessible by it." Ryuk explained before tossing it back to Max.

It floated across before landing in Max's outstretched hand. Closing his eyes, he felt for changes in the staff.

With a thought, he immediately realized a convenient addition to the staff's capabilities.

With a satisfactory nod, he opened his eyes. "It allows me to replenish my stamina when it drops to a certain level."

Ryuk nodded. "Mn, as a Sage, you are surprisingly low on stamina, it would help in what you are lacking." He was tempted to inform Max that it wasn't only his stamina that would help him recover, but he chose not to.

"You'd discover the rest in due time."