This is not what I needed!
Zaen felt like he was going to lose his mind. He lost five spin points all for a freaking walking stick!
He read the note over and over, and slowly it dawned on him.
Fortune Wheel always grants the player what they need the most.
It said what they needed, not what they wanted. Since he was blind, he needed something to guide him. Hence, he got the stick.
Zaen sighed, which immediately made Aeron react.
"Brother, do you need something?" he asked in his squeaky voice.
Even though Zaen couldn't see his face, he knew exactly how Aeron would've looked at that moment. His blue eyes would be simmering from leftover tears, and his cheeks would be puffy from all the crying he did after seeing him after weeks.
"I'm alright," Zaen smiled, reaching out to pat Aeron's head as usual, only to miss.
Seeing how Zaen was having trouble, Aeron quickly grabbed his hand and placed it on his cheek.
"I'm right here! I knew you'd find me!"
Zaen couldn't help but chuckle at Aeron's sweet innocence. A literal ten-year-old was trying to cheer him up. It would be strange if that didn't work.
After chatting for a while, Aeron fell asleep on Zaen's lap. It wasn't a surprise considering the mental facility was about a two-hour ride from the main city.
It was done intentionally so that the patients were isolated. At least that was the excuse the officials offered the families.
Zaen used to believe the same that was till his encounter with the anomaly and Hunter Games. Now he knew all those patients were probably kept there so that the secret of the games wouldn't be leaked to the public.
It's not like anyone would believe such a thing.
Despite experiencing it firsthand, Zaen knew he too wouldn't accept that such a thing was real.
Since they were still quite far from home, Zaen opened his inventory and noticed the black stick icon next to that of the knives. Curious, he clicked on it, and another screen appeared before him.
—x—
[Item: Walking Stick]
[Designation: Slayer #122]
[Type: Weapon/utility]
[Rarity: Enhanced]
[Status: Unawakened]
—x—
[Description: An unordinary stick. It is a good stick. A durable stick. Did I mention it was a good stick? You'd better call it a good stick.]
Veins bulged on his forehead as he read the description. Good stick or not, what the hell was he supposed to do with it? Also, who the hell was writing such useless descriptions for a weapon?
It must be Beep-Boop…
He shook his head and continued onward.
—x—
[Damage: 210~273 HP/hit]
[Attack speed: User dependent]
[Durability: 15000/15000]
[Anomalies Gathered: 0/5]
Effects:
[Agility: +2.0]
[Presence: -0.45]
—x—
The more Zaen read, the more confused he became. One specific point had all of his attention.
Anomalies collected? You want me to collect anomalies?
Just the thought of fighting anomalies set a shiver down his spine. Although he didn't have problems facing the ghouls, it was his encounter with the Endless that had scarred him for good.
…I can't be weak. If I want my eyes back, then I'll have to face them sooner than later.
He continued on to see a new section that wasn't present for the throwing knives.
"Abilities?"
"Did you say something, Zaen?" Uncle Mack asked.
"Nothing," Zaen quickly replied, before returning to his thoughts.
Note to self. Just because you can't see anyone doesn't mean they aren't around.
—x—
Abilities:
— [Sight] (Passive effect): After equipping it, allows the player to
— [Adversary of the Unknown] (Passive effect): The walking stick gathers the essence of slain anomalous creatures. After absorbing enough essence, it evolves, unlocking new abilities/traits.
— Grants the user a passive skill . (Awaken the stick to unlock)
— Grants the user an active skill . (Evolve the stick to stage 1 to unlock)
— Grants the user a passive skill . (Evolve the stick to stage 2 to unlock)
— Grants the user an active skill . (Evolve the stick to stage 3 to unlock)
Players must fulfill the following conditions to equip the weapon:
• Must have lost their eyes at the hands of an anomaly. (Fulfilled)
• Must have successfully lived through the first Hunter Game. (Fulfilled)
The Player has fulfilled the stated conditions and can wield the Walking Stick.
—x—
A block of text appeared before Zaen, but all he could see was the [Sight] ability. His heartbeat skyrocketed after reading the ability description. While ten meters wasn't much, it was better than being blind!
Perhaps I was too quick to judge you, my dearest stick.
He wanted to equip it at once to see, but he held back. They were still in the car and Uncle Mack had been with him all along. If a stick suddenly appeared in his hand, then Zaen would have no way of explaining it to him.
It's better to do it when I'm alone. Yes, let's do that.
Unbeknownst to him, Uncle Mack had been watching him through the rearview mirror. He had seen all his expressions, from going quiet to smiling to even frowning.
Such a young boy has gone insane. Oh God, is this how you test the faith of your servants?
He let out a sigh and shook his head, already thinking of contacting the best experts to help Zaen recover. The boy had already lost his eyes, Mack wouldn't let him lose his mind too.
An hour and a half later, they arrived at their home. Aeron quickly walked out before helping Zaen climb out. While they were doing that, Uncle Mack charged towards the gates, as it seemed they had an unwelcomed guest.
"What are you doing here?" he yelled. "Who told you when we'll get here? Was it the institute? Wait until I sue the crap out of them. As for you, get lost—!"
"Uncle," Zaen interrupted him, placing his hand on Uncle Mack's shoulder. "It's fine."
"Zaen, you—"
"I know it's Hina, Uncle. Please take Aeron inside."
Uncle Mack didn't want to leave, but he didn't want to stress Zaen either, as the doctors had advised against it. That's why he wanted Hina to leave as well, but it seemed Zaen wasn't completely gone and could handle the matter himself.
"Fine…" Uncle Mack replied. "Come and talk inside."
Zaen nodded as Mack and Aeron left.
"How did you know it's me…?" Hina asked.
"You got an unusual perfume," Zaen replied and smiled, but it suddenly dropped as he realized something. "Um… can you help me get inside?"