Cursed Realm's Legacy
Chapter 41: Cursed Realm's Legacy
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The Calm After the Trial
Kai stood before the now silent pedestal, the echoes of the cursed guardian's defeat fading into the distance. The weight of the curse in the chamber had lessened significantly, no longer pressing down on him like before. The artifact in his hand pulsed faintly, its glow dimming as if it had accepted him as its new master.
"This power… it's mine now," he muttered, glancing at the jagged, obsidian-like object. Its surface shifted, almost like it was alive, but Kai sensed it would no longer resist him.
"Master, you handled that well," Virelith said, her crimson eyes glinting with approval. She stepped forward, her powerful figure exuding confidence. "If you ever want to burn something to ash again, just say the word." She smirked, her sharp teeth giving her a dangerous charm.
Kiyomi, in her small loli form, crossed her arms, her cheeks puffed in mock irritation. "Tch, I wanted to zap him first, but you just had to go all 'roaring dragon' on him." She turned away, lightning crackling faintly at her fingertips. "Next time, I'll finish them before you can."
Kai chuckled, tucking the artifact into his pouch. "You'll both have plenty of chances. This realm is far from finished." His gaze shifted toward the cavern's exit, where faint streaks of cursed light illuminated the path forward.
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Gathering the Treasures of the Cursed Realm
Kai knew that leaving without taking everything of value would be a mistake. The cursed materials found here would be highly sought after by beast masters who trained cursed beasts or dealt in forbidden enhancements. His eyes scanned the cavern, noting the clusters of glowing herbs and crystalline shards embedded in the walls.
"Time to clean up," he declared, stepping toward a cluster of Cursed Shadowmoss, a rare herb known for its potent effects on cursed-type beasts. Selene, ever the diligent companion, spun a web around the herbs, gently uprooting them with surgical precision.
"Master, these herbs retain potent curse energy. Handle them with care," Selene warned, her many eyes locked on her work.
"Noted," Kai replied as he stored the herbs in a specialized containment pouch. His system provided him with the knowledge of how to handle each material safely. The Cursed Beast Cores he had harvested earlier sat in the same pouch, their faint glow still pulsing rhythmically.
Nearby, Virelith used her claws to carve chunks of Cursed Obsidian Ore from the cavern wall. Each swing of her claw was precise, her dragon strength making it look effortless. "This ore is good for forging weapons," she noted, flicking a shard toward Kai. "You could make something useful with it."
"I'll keep it for now. A good craftsman will pay a fortune for this," Kai said, catching the shard with ease.
Meanwhile, Kiyomi zipped around, darting between different herbs and plants with childish glee. Her loli form moved with incredible agility, collecting Cursed Thundergrass, which was known to enhance lightning-based attacks. Sparks flew from her fingertips as she plucked the herbs with expert ease.
"Look, Master! I got more than Selene!" Kiyomi grinned, holding up a bundle of herbs like a trophy.
Selene's eyes narrowed. "Quantity doesn't always equal quality, little cub."
Kiyomi puffed out her cheeks. "Hmph, I'll zap you next time!"
Kai sighed, a smile tugging at his lips. His beasts' antics were always entertaining, but his attention soon shifted back to his system as a notification appeared.
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[System Notification]
— You have gathered the following materials: —
Cursed Shadowmoss (x5) — Rare herb useful for cursed beasts and curse-based potions.
Cursed Obsidian Ore (x4) — A rare forging material that can enhance weapons with curse energy.
Cursed Thundergrass (x6) — A unique herb that enhances lightning-type abilities.
Cursed Beast Core (x2) — Can be used to enhance cursed beasts or serve as a powerful energy source.
Would you like to appraise the materials for potential uses?
"Yes."
The system quickly analyzed each item, revealing their potential. The Cursed Beast Core was of particular interest. It could be consumed by one of his beasts to enhance their strength or traded for rare items outside the realm.
"Interesting," Kai mused, rubbing his chin. "If one of my beasts consumes the core, their curse resistance or power might increase."
"Give it to me," Kiyomi piped up, eyes locked on the cores with greed. "I'll be twice as fast and twice as shocky!"
Yami's voice echoed in his mind. "Foolish. Do not consume random cores just because they look 'tasty.' Let Master decide who receives it."
Virelith let out a short laugh, flames curling from her nostrils. "She's not wrong. Master, if you plan to use it, think it through."
"I'll hold onto them for now," Kai decided, storing the cores away. "There's no rush."
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The Exit and a Final Choice
After gathering everything of value, Kai turned to the chamber's final exit. Unlike the entrance, this one shimmered with an ominous glow, faint symbols carved into the stone around it. He could feel it calling him, urging him forward.
"The next trial might be tougher," Yami said, her form shifting into her human appearance, her sharp eyes on the glowing exit. Her long purple hair flowed behind her, and she placed a hand on her hip. "We should be prepared."
"Do we have to wait for another creepy voice?" Kiyomi grumbled, sparks jumping from her hair.
"We're ready," Kai said confidently, stepping forward. "No matter what's ahead, we'll crush it."
As they approached the glowing exit, a familiar system prompt appeared before him.
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[System Notification]
— The Curse of Sacrifice has been conquered. —
— A choice lies ahead. —
Choose one reward:
1. Curse Breaker Seal — Allows you to remove curses from low-rank materials, beasts, or equipment.
2. Mark of the Cursed King — Imbues you with a passive boost to all curse-related resistances and abilities.
3. Cursed Relic Chest — A random relic from the cursed vault. Contains an unknown but powerful item.
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Kai's eyes scanned the choices, considering each one carefully.
Selene's voice echoed in his mind. "The Curse Breaker Seal could be useful for removing curses from our materials, Master."
Virelith leaned against a wall, arms crossed. "Hmph. Boring. Take the Mark of the Cursed King. Power is always the better choice."
Yami nodded. "Agreed. A passive boost to curse resistance affects us all, Master. Our enemies will struggle to affect us with curses if you choose that one."
Kiyomi twirled around, her eyes sparkling. "Ooooh, a mystery chest! C'mon, Master, you know you wanna see what's inside!"
Three options. Each had its merits.
Kai's gaze lingered on the choices. The Curse Breaker Seal was practical. It would let him cleanse cursed materials, making them more valuable for trade. But it had limitations.
The Mark of the Cursed King was the safest choice. Curses were a constant threat, and passive resistance would be helpful in the long run.
Finally, there was The Cursed Relic Chest. It was unpredictable, but the reward could be something far beyond what he expected.
"I choose—" Kai's voice echoed as he pressed his finger on the system screen.
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End of Chapter 41