First Plunder

[A quest has been issued.]

[Quest: First Plunder]

[Description: Plunder the unknown core. It might contain the ability to escape the ice that threatens you.]

[Reward: 5 Skill Points]

[Time Limit: 01:56:59]

'Neat. Also, can you automate this scanning? Like, whenever I'm in contact with or near something, can you scan it automatically and give me these quests? Isn't that standard for systems?'

[As per the information in the database, there's only one system in the celestial expanse.]

'...'

[The system can scan automatically, but this will require 1 skill point per day.]

Nothing was free and out of ass, huh? He liked that.

'Yeah, do it.'

[Affirmative.]

Kai could still move his eyelashes, so he closed his eyes and focused. The song outside was a bit annoying, but with his past life experiences in meditation, he quickly regained his calm.

Miros were indeed peculiar creatures. Most of the time, they had their faces and arms dipped in lava, either eating or drinking magma—not through their mouths, but through their hands. They were too lazy to bother opening their mouths.

Instead, they had magical tattoos on their palms that acted as their primary means of feeding. These totems could teleport the food directly into their stomachs.

'This is where that Devouring Mark Movement comes in. I can move the tattoo anywhere on my body. Truly freaky.'

Kai felt creeped out with just the thought of devouring the thing touching his arm but he had no choice… he took a few deep breaths and used the skill.

[Devouring Mark Movement]

[-2 Mana.]

He felt a connection with the totem, it felt like a starved child sulking in a corner. It moved lethargically but on reaching its destination, it became excited and started devouring.

Contrary to his expectations, as his sharp imaginary teeth dug into the frozen flesh, it immediately melted, sending a rich and savory taste like the finest roasted meat. The taste was so good it made him crave more with every bite.

[Congratulations!]

[You have completed the quest 'First Plunder'.]

[+5 Skill Points]

[+20 HP]

[+10 Mana]

[Core(s) Plundered: Ashborn]

[Unlock Requirements: 4 Skill Points]

'Ash…?' His hopes went up. 'Show me its information.'

[Analyzing power signatures on the core...]

[Searching database for a match...]

[Match found.]

[Rank: Red Star]

[Skill(s): Ash Devil]

'Can I configure how you show me the notifications? As in directly show me the information about the new core I devour.'

[Affirmative.]

'Good, now back to this core… hmm…'

Kai first asked about its details, hoping the system would give it, and sure it did.

[Skill Name: Ash Devil]

[Description: The body temporarily disintegrates into ash, allowing movement through the air or terrain while evading all physical damage. In this form, physical attacks cannot be used.]

Kai couldn't believe his luck and immediately said, 'Yeah, unlock it.'

[Unlocking the red star core 'Ashborn'.]

[-4 Skill Points]

['Ashborn' Unlocked.]

[Congratulations, you've obtained the skill 'Ash Devil'!]

Kai didn't notice much change in his body, but since the system had mentioned his soul earlier, he shrugged it off—well, he would have if he could actually move.

'Okay, how much mana will it consume?'

[Fifteen.]

'I don't have much mana. So I only have one try to escape from the ice and then from this place.'

He should have been in the ice cave, but instead, he found himself in a room, which meant someone had likely taken him as a trophy. It was best to leave the place as soon as possible.

'Alright then.'

He used his new skill for the first time.

[Ash Devil]

[-15 Mana]

[Time Remaining: 00:14:58]

Kai didn't feel the funny or weird sensations he expected, instead he felt a sense of weightlessness, just like when one is floating in a comfortable, warm water.

[Congratulations!]

[You have completed the quest 'Escape From the Ice'.]

[+3 Skill Points]

The constriction around him was no more, and his point of view changed. The whole room seemed to become much bigger in his view.

'Okay, now.' The ash monster wiggled. 'How the hell should I move?'

[Imagine yourself swimming ahead.]

'Let's try it.'

Kai imagined the whole room filled with water and started kicking his imaginary limbs to propel himself ahead—it worked.

The ash devil slithered forward, its form wiggling in an unsettling manner. It paused and turned to look at the ice, where a grotesque skeleton was trapped. 

The skeleton's jaw was half-broken and gaping, as if it had been screaming when it was frozen. Kai quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to look at the disturbing sight, ignoring how he was the one who just devoured this thing.

The ash devil glanced up at the wooden roof, then scanned the countless drawers around the room, noticing some strange, moving insignia on them.

'I'm guessing that's a lock… or more like a defense mechanism.'

[Affirmative.]

'It's better to avoid it then. I wish I could devour them, though; that would be a great boost to my skill points.'

As he continued to move forward, something on the right caught his attention—a mouse, staring at him with confusion.

'What…? Oh, it's also frozen. And there are more animals behind it. System, can I eat them in this state?'

[Yes.]

A faint red light pulsed through the ash devil, reflecting Kai's excitement. He moved ahead eagerly, ready to claim his next delicious meal—no, his next set of skill points.