The subtle melancholic hum from the absorbed Eldritch seedling faded into the background, becoming just another layer in Elias's increasingly complex sensory world. He could now almost feel the city's undercurrents of despair, frustration, and anger, like faint ripples on a dark pond. It was a disturbing new perspective, making the bustling streets of Barden Yana feel less like a safe haven and more like a vast, pulsating Eldritch farm.
His immediate objective hadn't changed: find resources. He needed money, a cell phone, and a change of clothes. He decided to head towards the market he'd spotted earlier. The concentration of people, while a potential magnet for stronger Eldritch, also meant more opportunities for a resourceful, if currently penniless, individual. He kept his head down, blending in, his eyes scanning for anything amiss, any tell-tale shimmer of pollution, any discarded item of value.
His gaze caught on a small, worn leather wallet lying innocently on the pavement near a busy bus stop. It looked like it had slipped from someone's pocket. A quick glance around confirmed no one else had noticed. This was exactly the kind of mundane opportunity a Level 1 survivor in a game world prayed for. He scooped it up, his fingers brushing against worn Naira notes. Not much, but enough for a cheap meal, maybe a burner phone.
A wave of relief washed over him, quickly followed by a pang of guilt. Stealing was not his style, but this wasn't his old life. This was survival. He was in the world of ECU, and the rules were different. He was Elias Thorne, reincarnated, and he had a terrifying, hungry mouth on his hand. The growl from his stomach provided a pragmatic counter to his conscience. He needed to eat. He needed to prepare. Stronger Eldritch wouldn't wait.