I exhaled slowly, the tension easing from my shoulders as I processed it. It wasn't a tyrant, then—just a guide with teeth in the shadows.
"Fine," I said, nodding to the empty air. "I'll play along. But on my terms."
The interface pulsed in acknowledgment, a soft glow like approval. Curiosity stirred, and I voiced my next question, the words tumbling out as I paced the room, the pants whispering with each step.
"Why were my coins in the negative yesterday? I didn't ask for any of this debt."
[Emergency Protocol Activation: Blood Manipulation skill acquired via urgent loan. Cost: 500 Coins(Discounted) + Instant Healing, Cost: 70 coins. Current balance reflects repayment pending. Survival prioritized over balance.]
A loan. It made sense in the chaos of the forest chase—the light bullet searing my side, Elandor's blade descending. That power had saved me, turning blood into a weapon of defiance.
I rubbed my side absently, feeling only smooth skin now, the regeneration a quiet miracle.
The memory brought a faint thrill, the metallic rush of power still echoing in my veins.
"What can I even do with these coins once I'm out of the red?" I asked, leaning against the bedpost, the carved wood cool and intricate under my palm.
[Coins serve as currency for the System Shop. Purchase ranges from mundane essentials—potions, attire, provisions—to legendary artifacts and divine abilities. Progression unlocks rarer tiers.]
My interest piqued, the system's presence feeling less intrusive now, more like a secretive ally.
"Open the shop, then. Let's see what I'm working with."
The screen expanded with a ripple, sections unfolding like pages in an ancient tome. Two primary tabs glowed: Abilities and Artifacts. Below them, two others shimmered locked—[?????] and [??????]—their edges veiled in shadow, hinting at futures untold.
I reached out mentally, scrolling through the Abilities section first. Rows of icons and descriptions scrolled by:
[Dreamescape: Allows User to invade subconsciousness of others
Cost:5000 Coins]
[Ring of Record: Allows User to record anything within 5Meter radius from any pov.
Cost:8000 Coins
[Book of Despair: Can write down any magic circle host desires without needing to write/draw.
Cost:32000 Coins]
.
.
.
Each one tempted, promising edges in this dangerous world, but the prices stared back like barriers.
"These are too costly," I grumbled, frustration creeping in as I flicked through more—nothing under a 1000, and my debt loomed like an anchor. The room's serenity contrasted the digital frustration, the sea's rhythmic crash a soothing counterpoint.
A new prompt appeared, gentle and opportunistic.
[Beginner's Package Available: Unlock for new users?]
I hesitated, then selected yes. The screen bloomed with fanfare, confetti-like sparks of light dancing across it.
[Beginner's Package Unlocked!
Benefits:
- 95% Discount on your first three purchases (Abilities limited to Novice Tier, No Coin base cost).
- Free Primordial-Grade Artifact: Mistflare Domination.]
[Artifact Description: An elegant weapon forged in the heart of black stars. It shifts form at your will—blade, whip, shield, or subtle ring. Enhances Shadow-based abilities, drawing power from your essence for devastating strikes or subtle manipulations. Unbreakable, soul-bound upon claim.]
[Note: Mistflare Domination's power will be in Sync with Host]
Surprise washed over me, my breath catching. Primordial-grade? Free?
The description painted visions of fluid power, a tool that bent to my desires like I wished. I could almost feel its weight in my hand, cool metal warming to my skin, pulsing with latent energy.
"This... this changes things," I whispered, a grin tugging at my lips. The system's generosity felt like a turning point, the debt less burdensome now.
But one question burned brighter than the rest—the urges that had surged through me, wild and insistent, from the forest to the bath. They came in waves, demanding blood, touch, release, far more frequent than anything I'd known.
"What about these sudden urges? They've been hitting me too often since yesterday. Biting, the hunger—it's like something's awakening inside, but I don't know why. Explain it."
The screen dimmed slightly, words forming with deliberate care.
[Urges tied to your awakening. Details require contextual guidance. Proceed to Elysiana; she possesses the knowledge to elucidate fully. Her insight will align with your path.]
Elysiana. Of course—the enigmatic guardian with her blindfolded eyes and commanding grace.
Nyami had mentioned breakfast with her; perhaps that's where answers waited. I dismissed the screen with a thought, watching it dissolve into motes of light that faded into the air, leaving the room bathed once more in natural glow.
The system's hum lingered in my mind, a subtle vibration syncing with my pulse, but I felt empowered, not ensnared.
I straightened my shirt, the fabric settling like a confidant's whisper, and ran a hand through my hair, still soft from Nyami's trimming.
The mirror reflected a man ready—eyes sharp, posture assured.
The urges simmered, tamed for now, but the anticipation of Elysiana's words added a layer of intrigue, like the first note of a symphony.
Right then, a polite knock echoed through the room, crisp against the wood. Nyami's voice followed, muffled but warm, carrying through the door like a gentle summons.
"My Lord, breakfast is ready. Elysiana awaits you in the atrium."
The door to my room swung open with a soft creak, and Nyami's voice lingered in the air like a gentle echo as I stepped into the corridor.
The castle's halls unfolded before me, a labyrinth of polished marble floors that gleamed under the morning light filtering through arched windows.
Each step in my black pants and white shirt felt measured, the fabric shifting against my skin with a subtle whisper, reminding me of the care Nyami had taken in dressing me.
The air carried a faint chill from the stone walls, laced with the distant perfume of blooming flowers, drawing me toward the garden where breakfast awaited.
I followed the winding path downward, passing tapestries that depicted swirling mists and celestial figures locked in eternal dances.
My mind raced ahead, the system's revelations still buzzing in my thoughts like a low hum—the artifact waiting to be claimed.
But as I descended the final staircase, the scent grew stronger: fresh earth, dew-kissed petals, and something sweeter, like honeyed fruits ripening under the sun.
The atrium's doors parted at my approach, revealing the garden beyond—a verdant paradise nestled within the castle's embrace.
Sunlight poured over manicured hedges and winding gravel paths, casting golden flecks on the sea of flowers that bloomed in defiant colors: crimson roses unfurling, lavender spikes swaying in the breeze, and delicate white lilies nodding as if in quiet conversation.
A central table waited under a canopy of woven vines heavy with purple grapes, the wood polished to a warm sheen, adorned with silverware that caught the light like captured stars. And there, seated with regal poise, was Elysiana.
She turned her head slightly as I approached, her blindfolded eyes hidden behind that silken veil, yet I felt her gaze upon me—intense, knowing, wrapping around my form like invisible silk threads.
Her gown today was a cascade of deep black, embroidered with silver threads that mimicked the night's sky, hugging her curves before flowing into layers that pooled at her feet.
The red halo above her head pulsed faintly, a corona of warmth that made the air around her shimmer.
Her skin glowed with an ethereal pallor, and her full lips curved into a welcoming smile, painted a subtle rose that drew my eyes inexorably.