Key Rush (8)

[Welcome to the Respite Zone!]

As I opended my eyes to the voice announcing a "Respite Zone" I found myself not beside the blood river, or anywhere else remotely close to it, but rather inside a pure-black void. The same void I met the mysterious person who gave be the turquoise star.

Then, I felt a strange sensation in my body…

[Repairing damage done to body….]

[Alleviating exhuastion….]

[Alleviating mental strain….]

[Replenishing innate spirit….]

[Alleviating Hunger….]

[Alleviating Thirst….]

[You're back in Shape!]

My eyes widened, as i suddenly felt like I was good as new. All the emotions that was bubbling inside me from the fourth level was gone. Just like that. Not to mention, I didn't feel thirsty anymore, nor hungry. My innate spirit was fully back, filled to the brim inside me. All the exhuastion and injuries in my body was gone now too….

It's a miracle!

This Respite Zone was a Godsend!

Uncontrollably, tears began spilling out from my eyes. As I finally, for once, got a moment to rest. Falling to my knees, I just hugged myself and allowed my mind to wander elsewhere, finally relaxing. For once.

I had to admit, all this was starting to take a toll on me. Non-stop problems after problems, the only time I recalled relaxing was with Zeke, Isabella and Cassie during the campfire. But even then, I was on edge.

However, right now, I can finally relax. Without having to be on edge, without having to worry about something in the future or any injury I had experienced. Everything was back to normal—hell, I can even swallow with ease now!

Still, I couldn't believe that stunt with The Storm actually worked. Maybe i should start taking risks a bit more. They have been quite rewarding lately—if you exclude me trying to drink from the damn blood river, of course. That was a horrible mistake I would never forget.

Wiping my tears, I sat back on the ground, taking a much needed deep breath. I flexed my muscles, noticing that they were now brimming with a newly strengthened vigor, that made me confident in my chances of challenging whatever Eldrich horror resided within the Third level.

My mind was clear too. The Mulligan has somehow wiped off all negative emotions I was feeling, leaving me behind with a sense of deep serenity and peacefulness. Even the overwhelming need to cry I felt earlier has been cleansed, washed away like dirt. Almost like the very thought of experiencing any sort of negative emotion within the Respite Zone was prohibited.

I sighed blissfully, suddenly having a deep urge to just stay here forever. That will surely be a reward, alright. Perhaps much better than recieving a second shot at life….

Just as that thought entered my mind, the voice once again announced inside my head, crushing my hopes.

[10 minutes left of Respite remain.].

'How cruel. It's almost like the overseer was waiting for me to think of staying her forever, just to crush that hope.'

I was seriously starting to consider whether this mysterious voice was alive or not at that moment. Still, ten minutes? That was alot of time. By the time I leave the Respite Zone, the crimson moon should of risen….

I will need to prepare myself for it. The third level will likely have new monsters, because that just seems to be the kind of thing The Mulligan would do. This whole mission itself seems like one huge tria of some sort. A trial to be worthy of Movarathos? A trial of deciding who was stronger, smarter?

As I was musing these thoughts, I suddenly felt something in the darkness shift. A faint light appeared in the distance—yet despite that, my mind remained calm and rational, as I stood up and turned towards the light, walking over towards it without a care in the world. Perhaps being too peaceful isn't a good thing….

It wasn't an enemy. Rather, it was a lone candlelight on a table. Besides me, tables with a white cloth over it was lined up in rows. On these tables, there was items—swords, armor's, tools, shields and even some strange kinds of consumables. I was curious.

I waited, expecting the voice to announce something, but it didn't. I huffed in frustration, then decided to just explore this place for myself. What could these all mean? Can I just take them all?

'That would be very generous.'

I smiled deviously, walking up towards a specific sword that caught my attention—the onyx blade just had an aura that drew me in. Along with my hand that tried to pick the blade itself up. However, to my dismay, my hand just hit an invisible wall.

"Huh?"

Annoyed, I reached out again. But the same result. With a frustrated sigh, I was about to enhance my fist with my fury and destroy the invisible barrier, but a pop-up that appeared before me halted me from doing so.

[Would you like to purchase 'The Cleave' for 20 Abyssal Fragments?]

[Yes] [No]

My eyes widened in curiosity and interest.

'So, Abyssal Fragments aren't only used to evolve you're blessing, but also to buy stuff? Or is this just a special case?'

I mused, suddenly very intrigued by this concept. This meant I had to spend my Abyssal Fragments wisely—I had alot of it, I could, in theory, buy most of the stuff here and get all geared up for the third level, but that would come at the cost of me getting further away from being able to evolve my blessing.

I was stumped. Then, I sighed.

'I never learned how to manage money in my past life….'

Well, I was homeless. That was to be expected.

In the end, I decided not to spend recklessly and first browse most of the items on display. There was all kinds of things here, after all. I was very interested in them.

I began walking around, stopping by items that interested me. My eyes were mostly on the weapons, as I was suffering endlessly after the loss of [Fool's Rapier]. Losing that weapon has weakened me significantly, especially when I was starting to get a grip at handling a Rapier.

So, I focused on finding a Rapier for myself, while at the same time checking out stuff that might interest me.

After cycles of repeated checking, I realized a huge problem.

'I couldn't see their skills!'

What the hell? Was this damn shop a huge scam? If I can't even see the skills and effects of the items, what's the point in even buying them?

This is ridiculous!

But still….

I needed a weapon.

Biting my lower lip, I started considering this carefully. This whole gimmick could be a scam to rob me of some Abyssal Fragments, that much was very certain. But at the same time, was I willing to let the chance of having a possible weapon and armor go?

No way!

I can't fight naked like I did with the Bloodroot Stranglers again! It's just too inconvenient and I almost died several times because of my lack of armor and weapon. So, it's very much needed.

I won't be risking it with consumables, though. There is a chance they can be poisonous and I end up just buying something useless—trying to get a refund from a con artist was a Fool's errand, as well. So, going for consumables isn't something I'm gonna do.

However, for weapons and armor, even if the skills turn out to be disastrous, the weapon and armor itself will still serve some use, compared to consumables.

Time was ticking and I needed to make a decision.

That's when my eyes caught something. A black cloak laid flawlessly on the table. For some reason, it's simplistic design drew me in. Amongst every single armor or clothing piece here, this one was the least impressive. That would also mean that it's the most cheap, right?

Curiosity piqued, I stepped towards the cloak in question, then tapped the invisible box surrounding it, causing the pop-up to appear.

[Would you like to purchase 'Duskweave Mantle' for 100 Abyssal Fragments?]

[Yes] [No]

My eyes shot open at the absurd price.

"Are you kidding me? This Is the least impressive thing here, yet it's the most expensive!"

I blurted out in shock and disbelief. Clicking my tongue in annoyance at the very thought of buying this shameless thing. Even if the name sounded cool, the price tag didn't!

So, I turned on my heels and walked away from it. Towards the same onyx sword I saw before. It was the cheapest and most similar sword to a Rapier, so I decided to go for it for the time being. With the no ability to check the skills of what I'm buying, there is no point in thinking about it too hard.

With my hand pressing against the invisible barrier, the pop-up appeared.

[Would you like to purchase 'The Cleave' for 20 Abyssal Fragments?]

[Yes] [No]

After a bit of hesitation, I clicked 'yes' when I did, I felt like some part of me was suddenly absorbed, released from by body by an invisible force.

[Purchase successful!]

[You have received a new equipment!]

Without wasting a second, I quickly called upon my Screen, scrolled down to the equipments tab and began reading it's contente with an excited and hopeful smile on my face.

Equipment: [The Cleave]

The Cleave: [Purchased from a Respite Zone]

Skills: [Rising Fall] [insidious toxin]

I hummed at those names. Only two skills, which was the same with the [Fool's Rapier]. I hope they are decent, atleast!

Rising Fall: [You can manipulate the height of this blade at will, by applying innate spirit]

Insidious toxin: [You can coat the blade with a poison, which the sword will absorb into it's blade. You can inject this posion with a stab. Requires innate spirit to inject it.]

My eyes widened.

"These are not so bad!"

Especially the poison one. Considering that the entire blood river was one huge toxin by itself, I can just have the sword absorb it, then kill whatever comes my way by stabbing them with it! Being able to manipulate the height of the blade is also very useful and flexible.

If this is worth only 20 Abyssal Fragments, just how amazing were the more expensive ones?

I couldn't help but wonder, my opinion of this mysterious shop taking a one-eighty degree turn.

'The mantle…'

Suddenly, my thoughts wandered to that mysterious mantle once again. The most expensive thing on here. Is it worth spending a 100 Abyssal Fragments for it? I couldn't help but wonder.

But if something with only 20 Abyssal Fragments worth was this good, how amazing could something worth a 100 Abyssal Fragments be?

I bit my lip, conflicted. I wanted to save my Abyssal Fragments, but I also wanted to buy the mantle, to see what it could offer. My curiosity knew no limits, after all. My own indecisiveness was starting to frustrate me.

At that moment, I heard the familier voice sound inside my head.

[1 minute of Respite remains.]

Dammit! That voice was doing this on purpose, I knew it! It was rushing me to make a decision now….

'Ah, fuck it!'

My legs were moving on its own towards the cloak, dashing towards it as fast as I could. Then, without even bothering to read if I wanted to purchase it, I clicked yes.

[Purchase successful!]

[You have received a new equipment!]

I winced at the sensation of the Abyssal Fragments being pulled from me. This time it was a large amount, i felt like some of my own strength has been lost—even though, in truth, Abyssal Fragments did nothing to contribute to strength. It was more of a psychological feeling.

Forming an excited grin, I quickly summoned the screen and was about to check my new equipment. Until….

The world around me began to collapse.

[Respite over!]

[Choose setting]

In front of me, two choices appeared. It was the blood river and the trees, but the right side had the crimson moon, the other side was sunny. Without any hesitation, I clicked the sunny side.

[You have chosen to start the next level at Daybreak!]

[Time will begin reversing in accordance to you're decision shortly….]

I waited with bated breath, suddenly forgetting my urge to check the equipment I bought.

Shortly after, I felt a blinding light enter my eyes, making me squeeze them shut, a gasp escaping my lips. Then, as I opended my eyes, I found myself inside….

"A desert?"

Blood River:—

Current Location: Level 3.

Location Monster: [Sun-Cursed Worms]

Distance to next Level: 15km.

Time until Nightfall: 30:00 minutes.