"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"Huh?"
I stop shouting when I notice that I am seated on the floor and screaming in panic. I look around and realize I've been sent somewhere else. The large three in front of me is gone.
I scratch my chin and smile awkwardly. If someone sees me like this, they'll probably burst out laughing. Even though no one saw it, I'm embarrassed.
I found myself back at the place where I first met Jack in my dream. I saw the throne where he was sitting, but I didn't see Jack. That's a nice thing. As I move about, I exhale a sigh of relief. Why is there only a throne in here?
Well, dreams are unusual, so I don't mind.
I walk to the throne, which requires four steps of stair climbing to reach. The throne has a big bird with spread wings that appears to be protecting a throne. I see the throne is entirely constructed of stone. I ran my hands to the throne's arm as I noticed the palmette of the throne has an eye carve in it.
"Wow, this one seems to be real."
I grinned and made my decision. Since this is my dream, I will rule over it.
"Ehem, Ehem"
My thought makes me feel embarrassed in some way.
"Well, it's not like anyone will see me since this is a dream."
I take my place on the throne. That's when I noticed something moving on my back. I turn around to see what it is, and the one eye on the throne's palmette stares at me directly. It looks at me as if it's gazing into my soul. The cold of the night embraces me as I am unable to speak. I felt as it If I was petrified.
I want to leave the throne, but my body won't let me. I have the impression that something is immobilizing me. But then something else happened that shocked me much more. The eyes that are peering through me appear to be smiling.
I was crying in my head, desperate to wake up from this nightmare. Then I noticed the card was floating in front of me, flashing brightly crimson.
"Huh?"
When I examine it closely, I see that it is identical to the card I received from the old lady. I thought I'd lost it. Why is it floating enchantedly in my dream?
"My Lord… "
"HUH!?"
"It talks?"
"What are you"
"I am your Loyal Servant... My Lord's Loyal Servant."
"Huh? Me? Okay, okay?! You're my servant, so don't h-hurt me."
"Yes, My Lord"
I stutter as I try to get off to this throne, and I feel like I've regained my strength because I can move freely now. I agreed to the thing that's talking to me because I'm frightened it'll become angry. Even though this is a dream, I don't want to be scared by a frightening object in my dreams.
"How come you're my servant?"
"My Lord, you are destined to be my owner."
"Owner?"
"Yes, My Lord. You can take control of me after the contract between us is formed and the contract's terms are met."
"What contract and terms are you referring to?"
"When I chose you and once you formed the blood bond, the contract was already fulfilled. But you can't still take control of me because..."
"Wait... What do you mean, we've performed our contract?"
I still can't believe it. Why am I in my dreams disputing with the card? Aside than that, this felt quite real. Just to be safe, I'll injure my hand. I cast my attention around the throne, trying to find a pointed section of it.
"My Lord, yes. When you put your blood on me, our contract is formed."
"OWWWWW!"
I stare at the card with wide eyes. I cut my palm on the throne's pointed corner. When I felt the pain, my mind went blank as I noticed an open wound with blood on my palm.
"This.…This isn't a dream?"
"Yes, My Lord. This is not."
"Huh? So, where are we? "
"My lord, I have no idea where we are because you are the one who sent me here."
"I sent you here?"
"Yes, My Lord"
"How did I send you here when I don't even know where I am, and I was just sleeping a few minutes ago?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure."
"What are you, and why am I here?"
"I am an artifact. I am known as knave the
"As to why are you here, I can't tell you that, My Lord."
"Artifact? What is an artifact?"
"Artifacts are items with many abilities that are one-of-a-kind. Using an artifact depletes the wielder's energy, and if it's a high-tier item, it depletes life force as well. There are drawbacks to using an artifact, so use it with caution, My lord."
"Depletes life force. So, which tier are you?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you. For you to know, you must take ownership of me."
"I'm so confused. why can't you just tell me?"
"The more you learn, the more harmful it becomes for you. You may become a mindless being, losing your humanity in the process."
"Why would I take you if you were dangerous?"
"My Lord, I can be of assistance to you. I can assist you in finding your friend"
My eyes immediately widened as I heard that from the artifact. If this is correct, I should be able to find Amelie. If this isn't a dream, then what I'm experiencing right now is really extraordinary. Even if I am completely confused right now, there is nothing to lose by giving it a shot.
"You can help me find Amelie? How?"
"Despite the fact that artifacts are magical, they are not omnipotent. My Lord, you'll know when you take me."
"OK, OK. Let's get started. What should I do?"
"Simply grip me and imagine you're consuming me."
"All right."
I walked over to the throne and took the card floating beside the eye. Apart from observing the entire time, the eyes did nothing. Despite the fact that this is a very uncommon event, I maintain my calm so that I can think properly.
I closed my eyes and imagined absorbing the card as I grabbed it. Deep within me, I felt a searing sensation. When I feel the ache inside me, I instantly open my eyes.
"Huh? Arghhhhh!!! What's going on?"
My card is no longer in my grasp. As I felt the scorching in my heart, I knelt on the floor and grabbed my chest. The pain became more intense, and I began to sweat excessively.
"Arggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh"
I groan in anguish as I lay down on the floor till, I feel comfortable, and the pain begins to fade. When I look around, I see that the throne is glowing and that the eye is gazing at me. The eye seems to be protecting me, and I felt a sense of tranquility and safety as a result of it.
"Huff… Huff..."
I stand up and use my hands to wipe the sweat from my brow, and then I spot a peculiar tattoo on my palm. When I looked at it, I saw an eye with a symbol in the center that appears like a combination of the letter's "A" and "V". I rub my hands together, caressing the tattoo on my palm, and something flashes across my head. As a result of the shock, I remove my hand and stop touching it.
"Huh"
When I've recovered from my astonishment, I massage my hands in the tattoo, but this time I'm prepared. The information runs through my head like water through a river.
---> Artifact:
[4] Cursed Card]
The one-of-a-kind artifact that will be combined with its owner as a single entity. It is similar to having another person inside the body who will support its Master. Will evolve by feeding on the other artifacts. The owner will evolve as the artifact grow. As this item picks its own owner, no one knows how strong it can go.
--->Skill:
[E] Card Summoning]
A skill that allows the user to summon up to fifty-four cards with a three-hour cooldown after all the cards used up and wield them as a weapon. Be wary of those cards since they may be used as a bomb, cut sharper than a knife, and are thrown as rapidly as a pistol.
[E]Matter Manipulation]
A skill that allows the user to exchange with a card. Breaking down into cards and appearing in the space at near instantaneous speed before reassembling himself at the designated point with the card. Transform into a card.
"Huh? Skills? Does this mean that I can use it?"
Should I give it a go here? But before I could do anything, I was engulfed by dark fogs that swirled around my body like a breeze. The next thing I knew, I was being transported back to my bed.
"Ouch, Huh?"
"Did I just wake up? or was I sent back to my room?"
Is it all a dream? Oh, right I have a tattoo. When I check my hand for my tattoo to see if it's a dream, my mouth opens as wide as my eyes do, and my brows and forehead are drawn up as far as humanly possible.
"WHAT THE HELL!"
My shouts echoed throughout the room.