Chapter 29: Abyssal Treasures

After a swift bath, I changed my clothes and hurried out to the stables.

***

I arrived at the stables, revealing a group of frightened horses and a massive spider.

"Kieeekk~ Kieeeeeeeeekkk~" The spider screeched in excitement as it saw me and raced towards me, its long legs skittering against the ground.

I smiled and opened my arms to greet the friendly arachnid. It leaped into my arms with delight, wrapping its legs around me and covering me with love.

"Kieeeeeeeeeekk~" The spider squeaked happily.

"Yeah, I missed you too," I replied, patting her head.

"Kieeeeeeekk~ Kieeeeeeekk~"

The spider nuzzled further into my chest, almost as if it was trying to cuddle with me. I smiled warmly and wrapped my arms around her, feeling the warmth of her furry body against mine.

We stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company. The sound of the spider's contented squeaks filled the air, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me.

"I haven't given you a name yet, have I?" I said to the spider, looking down at her.

The spider looked up at me with her big, black eyes, waiting eagerly for a name.

"How about...Haruna?" I suggested.

"Kieeeeeeeekk~" The spider chirped in agreement.

"Haruna it is," I said, smiling down at her.

[Pet information has been updated.]

As I stroked her furry abdomen, I couldn't help but feel a deep connection with her.

"We have to go now, Haruna," I whispered to her. But she didn't move. Instead, she rubbed her head against my cheek and emitted a low purring sound.

I could feel my heart swell with affection for her. I had only known her for a few weeks, but it felt like we had been together for much longer.

"Okay, okay, I'll stay a bit longer," I said, laughing softly.

***

It was already mid-morning when we left the stables.

As I walked towards the mansion, I asked something that had been on my mind for a while.

"Slime. Can you hear me?"

["zzzzzz.....ye...s....zzzzz"]

I stopped in my tracks, surprised that it answered me.

"Can you restore the arm I lost?"

["zzzzzz...i...c...an........no...t......n...ow.....zzzzzz"]

I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean by that?"

["zzzzzz...ne...ed....mo...re....f..ood...zzzzz"]

I sighed, feeling a little frustrated. "More food? Is that all you ever think about?"

["zzzzz....ne...ed....ene...rgy....to...he...al....zzzzz"]

I knew I shouldn't be angry at the slime. After all, it was just a creature trying to survive.

I remembered what the monster from the dream said.

Caladbolg, huh...

If it really is on this planet, it's most likely in a dungeon.

Or, worst case scenario, it was already taken and stored in some organization's secret vault.

But I wasn't going to let that stop me. I'm going to find that dungeon and retrieve Caladbolg, no matter what. I won't be able to sleep in peace if the fantasy equivalent of a goddamn nuke is just floating around out there, waiting for someone to misuse it.

I turned to the slime. "Alright, I'll get you some food later."

[zzzzz..tha...nk.....yo...u....zzzzzz]

***

I arrived at the mansion and saw Eura, Aerith, and Ruvia, who were ready to depart.

"Hey, what took you so long?" Eura asked.

"I had to take care of something first," I replied. "Anyway, let's get going."

Eura attached the carriage's harness to Haruna. Eura climbed onto the driver's seat and took the reins while I, Ruvia and Aerith got inside the carriage.

During the entire trip, I slept to avoid the torturous effects of motion sickness. Ruvia and Aerith snuggled next to me for warmth as the carriage moved along the snowy road.

Ruvia, in particular, lay with his head on my lap, his soft breaths tickling my thigh. I couldn't help but stroke his hair, admiring the way it glimmered in the dim light of the carriage.

Suddenly, a loud thud rocked the carriage, causing me to jolt awake. Ruvia and Aerith woke up with a start as well, their eyes wide with alarm.

I peered out of the window of the carriage, my heart pounding in my chest. Through the falling snow, I saw a shadowy figure standing in the middle of the road, blocking our path.

I activated All Seeing Eye of Despair on the figure and saw the following information:

Blizzard Yeti

Hazard Grade - Dangerous (B+)

✧Abilities✧

Cryomancy

Reinforced Fur

Enhanced Strength

Enhanced Speed

✧Recommended Action✧

Detour

"Should we take a detour?" I asked Eura, the alertness evident in my voice.

Aerith shook her head, "Let me take care of this," her hand summoning her staff.

"No, that's mine," Eura replied, her own hand reaching for the hilt of her sword, unsheathing it from its scabbard.

Aerith and Eura stared daggers at each other, a strange rivalry that had been brewing ever since Aerith was corrupted.

I cleared my throat and spoke up, "Focus on the task at hand. We have to make it to the next town before nightfall."

"Fine." Eura huffed.

The two women stepped out of the carriage and faced the Blizzard Yeti, their weapons at the ready. The creature let out a deafening roar and charged at them.

"Dark Fire Tower," Aerith was the first to make a move, casting a powerful spell that sent a pillar of fire at the beast. The Yeti roared in pain but quickly recovered and charged at Aerith.

Eura stepped in front of her, her sword clashing against the Yeti's claws. The two engaged in a fierce battle, each one trying to gain the upper hand.

The Yeti breathed out a violent wind and hail, sending her flying across the road.

She groaned in pain but quickly got back up and charged at the Yeti with renewed determination.

The beast was beginning to show signs of fatigue, and Eura saw her chance.

She launched herself at the Yeti, her sword glowing with a dark aura.

With one swift strike, she plunged the sword into the beast's chest, sending it toppling to the ground.

Panting heavily, Eura stood over the fallen creature, her sword still embedded in its chest.

She watched as the beast slowly stopped moving, its life force draining away.

Aerith and Ruvia approached cautiously, their weapons still at the ready.

"Well done," Aerith said, approaching Eura with a smile. "You're stronger than I initially thought,"

Eura grinned, relieved that the battle was finally over. "Thanks," she said, wiping sweat off her forehead. "I didn't think I'd make it for a moment there."

Ruvia walked over to Eura, "Stay still, Ms. Eura. I'm casting my healing spell."

Eura nodded gratefully as Ruvia's hands glowed with a soft blue light. She felt the warmth of the spell spread through her body, soothing her aches and pains.

Ruvia finished her spell and stepped back, smiling. "There, that should do it. You'll be feeling better in no time."

Eura stood up, feeling refreshed and invigorated. She pulled her sword out of the creature's chest and wiped it clean on the ground.

"We should keep moving," she said, looking around. "Who knows what other dangers are lurking in these areas."

The three of them returned to the carriage and continued the journey immediately.

I went back to sleep as soon as we resumed our journey.

***

I sat in the middle of the highway. The empty city streets were quiet except for the occasional sound of whistling wind.

I looked around me, my eyes scanning the desolate landscape.

"Hey, squid monster! Where are you?!" I shouted at the sky.

There was no answer.

She probably isn't here.

I'll look around for now, I guess?

I stood up, stretching my stiff muscles, and made my way down the road. The buildings on either side of the street were in good condition, but there was no one inside, their lights glowing permanently.

If I remember correctly, she called this place "the mind's realm," a world created by my subconscious...

How interesting...

I entered the library, and as I walked down the aisles, the books on the shelves seemed to glow with an otherworldly light. The silence was eerie, but I was determined to find some answers about this mysterious place.

I grabbed one of the books and saw the text on its cover.

"Diary of the Man Who Destroyed the World"

[Would you like to read this book? (Y/N)]

Eh... the system is also aware that I'm here, even though it's only my consciousness in this place?

Wait... does that mean I can use All Seeing Eye of Despair?

All Seeing Eye of Despair Analysis Results

[Diary of the Man Who Destroyed the World]

Description: The diary of the heavenly exalted swordsman and blacksmith, Asura. It chronicles his descent into madness and his actions that ultimately led to the destruction of the world.

Item Type: Skill Book

Grade: Divine (Cursed)

[Aether Core Engine Construction Manual]

Description: A manual that details the construction of an Aether Core Engine, a powerful device capable of harnessing the power of mana into kinetic energy. However, it warns that improper construction can lead to catastrophic results.

Item Type: Blueprint Book

Grade: Legendary

[The Necronomicon]

Description: An ancient tome bound in human flesh and inked in blood. It contains forbidden knowledge and spells beyond human comprehension, said to be written by the Mad Arab, Abdul Alhazred.

Item Type: Spell Book

Grade: Eldritch (Cursed)

These books, aren't all of these treasures?

Indeed, these books are all treasures in their own right. I'm somewhat interested in Asura's diary, but... these items probably have a trap condition hidden inside.

But I'm curious... fuck. I want to read it!

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I know the dangers of these cursed artifacts, but the temptation is too much to resist.

I reached for the Necronomicon, my fingers brushing against the slimy, flesh-bound cover.

As soon as I open the book, a foul odor fills my nostrils, making me gag. The pages are musty and yellowed, the dark ink seeming to pulse with a life of its own. Without thinking, I begin to read the words on the page, my eyes tracing the strange symbols and incantations.

As I continue to read, a feeling of unease settles in my stomach. The symbols start to twist and turn as if they are alive and trying to escape from the page. Suddenly, the words start to blur together, and I can feel a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

I try to tear my eyes away from the book, but something keeps me transfixed. I feel a strange energy coursing through my veins, and I know that I have made a grave mistake.

Suddenly, the symbols on the page start to glow with an unholy light, and a loud crackling sound fills the air.

I try to shut the book, but it refuses to close. The symbols keep glowing brighter and brighter until they're almost blinding. I feel a force pulling me closer to the book, and I can't resist.

[You have learned the Taboo Art: Dark Hole]

[Taboo Art: Dark Hole]

[Creates a small hole in the real world that is connected to the abyss. All skills that use DP resources will cost half of their usual amount while the user is standing within the hole. Increases all stats and recovers DP while in the vicinity of the dark hole. However, prolonged exposure can permanently corrupt the user's soul. Last 300 seconds.]

Shit... I really went and did it. Fuck.

I've already done it anyway. Two more books lay open before me, their pages beckoning me with promises of even more power. I know that I should stop now, that I should close these books and never look back. But the thought of all that power, all that knowledge, is too much to resist.

With trembling hands, I reached out for the next book, the Diary of Asura.

As my fingers brush against the leather cover, I feel a jolt of energy surge through my body. The pages of the diary flicker to life, displaying vivid images of a demonic realm that I had never known existed.

The diary's author was wielding a crimson blade with a shape resembling a katana, except the handle was made of human bone, the arm and hand in particular. There was even an engagement ring on its bony fingers. In front of the author was a massive chasm. The aftermath of slashing his sword.

I knew that I shouldn't keep reading, but the pull was too strong. The temptation of power was too much for me to resist.

[You have learned the Supreme Swordsmanship: Nameless Blade]

[Resource: Sword Energy has been unlocked.]

[Supreme Swordsmanship: Nameless Blade]

[Cover your hand with sword energy and strike your enemy with your open fist.

Uses 3 SE.]

I couldn't believe what had just happened. I had gained a new power just by reading the diary. My heart raced with excitement as I thought about the endless possibilities this new ability could bring.

I opened the next book, the Aether Core Engine Construction Manual.

The Aether Core Engine Construction Manual was filled with intricate diagrams and formulas detailing how to construct a device that could harness the power of the mana. It primarily used the Aether Core inside monsters. The author had spent years researching and experimenting with mana, and the pages were filled with his notes and observations.

Strangely, just by skimming through the manual, I felt a strange energy coursing through my veins. My mind was buzzing with ideas of how I could construct the Aether Core Engine and harness the power of the mana for my own purposes. The complex blueprint was stuck in my mind like a photographic memory forever carved deep within my psyche.

As I tried to read other books, my hand was repelled by an unknown force. It was akin to that time I was repelled at the lake dungeon.

I exited the library and walked around...

Fuck... how do I leave again?

I wandered for god knows how long, walking aimlessly in this dark world.

***

I woke up from a shaky slumber, my mind still buzzing with the ideas that the Aether Core Engine Construction Manual had implanted in my mind. I opened my eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of my dream.

Eura and Aerith were sleeping beside me, tightly cuddling with me, while Ruvia was on top of me, sleeping peacefully.

I can't move. I'm immobilized from all directions.

As I looked at their sleeping faces, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt. I was using their affection toward me.

I knew that I wasn't capable of loving them back in the way they wanted me to. But still, I let them stay with me, hoping that maybe someday I could reciprocate their feelings.

Someday, huh... I hope that day ever comes.

I carefully untangled myself from their grasp, trying not to wake them up. I got up from the makeshift bed and walked outside the carriage, looking at the sky. The sun was starting to rise, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink.

As I stood there, taking in the beauty of the sunrise, I heard footsteps and turned to see Eura walking towards me. She looked beautiful, her hair tousled from sleep, and her eyes still heavy with drowsiness.

"Good morning, master," she said, smiling at me.

"Good morning," I replied, returning her smile.