The midday sun blazed through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on Alex's path as he ventured westward. Each step brought him closer to the rumored goblin settlement, his gaze scanning the woods for any sign of movement. Silveria, awakened for about fifteen minutes now, accompanied his trek with her ethereal presence.
"Sil," Alex began, a glint of curiosity in his voice,
"Even though my title doesn't suggest it, is there any way I could use magic?"
Instead of a direct answer, Silveria's amused reply held a playful challenge.
"Why the sudden urge for magic, Master? Is it the allure of fantastical tales you've devoured?"
Alex chuckled. "Perhaps," he admitted, "fantasy novels paint magic as an essential part of these worlds, and honestly, who wouldn't want to wield that kind of power?"
"Fufufu," Silveria's laughter echoed through the trees, "novels and reality diverge, wouldn't you agree? Not everyone possesses the aptitude for magic, you know. Are you, by any chance, envisioning yourself as some grand protagonist?"
Alex raised an eyebrow, a playful smile gracing his lips.
"Without a doubt," he declared, "the protagonist of my own life, at least."
Silence stretched between them before Silveria's laughter erupted once more.
"Fufufu! Well said, Master. As for your question," her voice turned serious,
"The answer, sadly, is no. Using magic in the conventional sense is impossible for you. Our bond, mine and Big Sister's, acts as a barrier to such energies."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Alex's face, but it was quickly replaced by a spark of intrigue. "So, there's no way..." he began, then paused, catching a hint of something more in Silveria's words.
"Your situation isn't entirely hopeless, Master," she stated cryptically. "Though I cannot delve into details now, the future may hold surprises."
Hope surged through Alex's veins. "Wonderful! Any hint, just a taste of what's to come?" he pleaded, his heart pounding with anticipation.
Silveria's voice softened. "Patience, Master. You are still young, your potential untapped. Some truths are best understood with time and growth."
Accepting her words, Alex pushed aside his disappointment. He knew strength awaited him, levels to climb, and the mysteries surrounding his magic would eventually unveil themselves.
Their conversation continued, light banter mixed with thoughtful discussions as they moved closer to the goblin settlement. Memories of Maria and others surfaced, but Alex swiftly banished them, focusing solely on the task at hand. The battle awaited, and he wouldn't let distractions cloud his purpose.
Disappointment flickered across Alex's face as he muttered,
"So, it's truly impossible, huh?" He had clung to the sliver of hope Silveria offered, but her cryptic response shattered it.
Suddenly, a spark of optimism reignited.
"Wait," Alex pleaded, "there has to be a way! Even a hint, anything!"
His heart pounded with the renewed possibility of wielding magic.
Silveria's voice grew firm. "Patience, Master. Your situation isn't hopeless. But understanding requires a higher level, one you'll reach in time." While Alex yearned for details, he sensed her unwavering loyalty and knew pushing wouldn't help.
Resigned, but not defeated, Alex focused on the present. He brushed aside lingering thoughts of Maria and others, determined not to let emotions cloud his judgment.
Half an hour later, they reached the designated location. Alex took cover behind a large tree, scouting the scene. A cave mouth loomed before him, guarded by two goblin sentries. One clutched a crude club, while the other sported a makeshift bow and quiver.
Confusion clouded Alex's mind. "Silveria, you mentioned twenty goblins, not two outside and some inside the cave."
"Indeed, Master," she chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down his spine. "Let the massacre commence!"
Alex chuckled back, "Sounds tempting, but using you would alert the others. Not exactly stealthy without a silencer for your... bullets."
A mischievous glint flashed in Silveria's eyes. "Who says I don't have one?"
Before Alex could react, she shimmered in his hand, bathed in ethereal light. When the glow subsided, his jaw dropped.
Silveria, still the iconic Desert Eagle, now sported a sleek, silver silencer – exactly like the ones in movies.
Stunned silence stretched for a moment. Alex rubbed his forehead, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "Seriously, Sil, next time warn me before shapeshifting! You nearly gave me a heart attack! So, tell me, how many forms can you take?"
Silveria pouted playfully. "Master, do you think I'm some kind of Transformer?"
A grin spread across Alex's face. This unexpected turn of events had injected a welcome jolt of excitement into their mission. With a newfound confidence, he prepared to face the goblins, Silveria's silent promise whispering in his ear.
Alex's eyes sparkled with childish excitement.
"Really? You can transform into anything? Like a sniper rifle or a shotgun? That would be amazing!"
Silveria's voice held a hint of amusement. "Master, I'm flattered by your imagination, but sadly, my transformations have limitations. This silencer is the extent of it. So, let's not get carried away, shall we?"
Disappointment flickered across Alex's face, but a mischievous glint replaced it.
"Alright, then let's unleash some frustration on these goblins!" He aimed Silveria at the unsuspecting right goblin.
Pui!
Without hesitation, another shot rang out, silencing the left goblin who hadn't noticed the danger.
Both goblins crumpled to the ground, eyes wide with disbelief. Their demise was swift and merciless.
Taking a deep breath, Alex activated his Divine Sense skill. A three-dimensional map materialized in his mind, revealing the cavern layout. Numerous red dots pulsed, representing enemies. But there were no green allies – only eighteen crimson threats. Three lurked near the entrance, while the rest congregated deeper within. He strategized, planning to eliminate the nearby trio before tackling the larger group.
Switching off his skill, Alex plunged into the cave's oppressive darkness. Panic clawed at him. He'd forgotten to account for the lack of visibility.
"Now what?" he muttered, feeling lost and vulnerable.
"Looks like it's my turn to step in," Silveria announced, her voice calm yet firm.
"Wait!" Alex pleaded, bracing himself. "Don't do it – not without warning!"
But his words were drowned out by a searing pain that ripped through his skull. He collapsed, clutching Silveria, the world spinning wildly. The agony resembled his previous ordeal during skill acquisition, yet it felt infinitely worse.
Suddenly, a message shimmered before his blurry vision:
[New Skill Acquired: Night Vision Level 1.]
Despite the lingering dizziness, a wave of gratitude washed over him.
"Thank you, Silveria," he rasped, voice strained.
"That skill is invaluable. But please, warn me next time before activating anything so… unpleasant."
Silveria's voice softened. "Forgive me, Master. I assumed you'd grown accustomed to the pain after your last skill. I was wrong. Please accept my sincerest apologies."
Touched by her remorse, Alex decided to drop the issue.
"It's alright," he said, forcing a smile.
"No one enjoys pain, but I appreciate the invaluable gift. Now, let's explore this cave with newfound clarity."
''Master don't fall for me because I'm generous, okay?''
Silveria's bashful act drew a smirk from Alex. He knew better than to fall for her playful jabs. Her final boast, however, earned a genuine chuckle.
"Alright, alright, Silveria. You win with your Lady charm. Let's move on before I truly succumb."
Her playful chuckle echoed in response. Ignoring her teasing, Alex focused on his new skill.
[Night Vision: A Glimpse in the Dark]
He scanned the description:
[Night Vision (Level 1): See clearly in darkness.
**Level 1:** 5-meter visibility radius.
**MP consumption:** 20 MP/minute.]
"Not bad," he muttered, impressed by its low mana cost. Activating the skill, the cave's oppressive darkness receded, replaced by a faint bluish glow that illuminated his surroundings. While blurry at the edges, it was a vast improvement. He imagined the clarity at higher levels.
With newfound vision, Alex stalked towards the three goblins chatting around a makeshift table. They remained vigilant, weapons within reach, oblivious to his approach. A predatory grin stretched across his face. "Let's rock," he whispered, channeling his inner coolness.
Silveria raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry. He ignored her, targeting the central goblin with Silveria.
Pui!
The goblin slumped onto the table, a crimson blossom blooming on its forehead. The remaining goblins spun around, eyes wide with shock. Before they could react, two more silenced shots rang out, each finding its mark. The table groaned under the sudden impact as the bodies crumpled, silencing the cave once more.
A tense silence settled. The noise might have alerted others. Hurriedly, Alex began disassembling the fallen goblins. His hand brushed against a pouch containing several silver coins – at least thirty. His breath hitched, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
"I have a bad feeling," he muttered, his voice tight.
"I feel it too, Master," Silveria confirmed, her voice unusually serious. "But turning back now is not an option. We must press on."
Taking a deep breath, Alex conceded.
"You're right. Let's go, even though I have a sinking feeling I won't like what awaits us."
With heavy steps and a gnawing unease, he ventured deeper into the cave, towards the unknown and the remaining goblins.