Chen Lun was shocked!
A B-level Mysterious Object!
Even though it had the word "damaged," it wasn't comparable to ordinary low-end items! In his previous life, he only had one B-level Mysterious Object, which he obtained as a reward after spending several months diligently digging into a series of hidden quests.
At that time, major guilds backed by consortia even offered exorbitant prices to buy various Mysterious Objects, but there were few willing to sell, as Mysterious Objects were too precious, especially the ceiling-level B-level Mysterious Objects of that version.
And now, he started the game with one.
But Chen Lun, looking at the dirty, cramped cell before him, couldn't help but remain silent, wondering whether this was luck or misfortune.
He didn't think too much because what was urgent was to find a way to escape from here.
He took off the necklace and observed it carefully in his hand. The casually twisted hemp rope was unremarkable, probably found at random. The focus was on the seashell the size of a fingertip threaded on it, the shell surface bearing intricate spiral patterns.
[B-level Mysterious Object (Damaged) Mermaid's Song]
Item description: A seashell infused with Deep Sea magic power. Putting it to your ear, you might faintly hear the tranquil waves and the enchanting singing, possessing strong hypnosis abilities. Unfortunately, it suffered irreversible damage and retained only a fraction of its power...
It seemed to be left behind by a beautiful Sea Demon, retrieved by a boy from the deep sea and then strung into a necklace with poor craftsmanship. That night, the boy met the Sea Demon in his dreams, and he grew up...
Item effect: Upon targeting, a judgment will be made, and those with Willpower below 25 points will be affected by hypnosis. Wearing it increases Charm +2.
Item cost: Each use decreases Sanity -1.
After reading the description, Chen Lun silently put the necklace back around his neck.
He was powerless to comment on his original self's dark history.
The youthful yearning is always poetic. How could he scorn someone else? Besides, it was just the influence of the Mysterious Object that caused a spring dream.
This boy, who grew up in a small seaside fishing village, was also miserable. Probably, it was because he found this Mysterious Object that he ended up as an orphan... After all, ordinary people who are in long-term contact with Mysterious Objects are highly susceptible to corruption, and even if they do not turn into monsters, they could lose their sanity and die in madness.
His family members, perhaps, died that way.
And the lucky survivor who became an orphan was then targeted by the church and eventually became a sacrifice to the Mysterious Object. He hadn't even been fed before he was accidentally killed for resisting the guard...
Tragic, truly tragic!
Chen Lun shook his head inwardly.
This was the tone and theme in the Era of Mystery world, dark and oppressive, suffocating.
Luckily, the ability of this B-level Mysterious Object was still quite good. Although it didn't possess visibly great destructive power, in certain aspects, it held more value than those Mysterious Objects used in combat.
Because the effect of hypnosis was not simply to put someone to sleep as the literal sense suggests, but it leaned more towards affecting the mystical powers of one's mind.
In other words, it could manipulate hearts!
For Chen Lun, who was well-versed in the plot and future direction, this was a Great Weapon for levering opportunities!
But first, he needed to survive.
After understanding his situation, Chen Lun had a vague plan in mind.
Clang!
At that moment, a loud noise. The iron door of the cell was violently pushed open.
The crowd screamed in fright. Chen Lun looked up and saw two guards standing at the door.
"Shut up!"
The mustachioed guards fiercely ordered. The frightened young men and women immediately fell silent, only their unstoppable trembling revealing their panic.
"Sister Floey, trouble you."
The other guard took off his hat, slightly bowed with the grace of a noble, but paired with his bald head and fierce smile, it looked both absurd and terrifying.
As he stepped back, a petite, delicate figure stepped forward and walked into the cell.
Chen Lun gradually widened his eyes.
The nun appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, draped in a dark red habit with a wide headscarf hanging down like a bridal veil, concealing her hair. Her entire figure was hidden under the red robe, leaving only her pale, delicate face exposed.
Unfortunately, the beautiful and sanctimonious face had no expression, like a soulless marionette.
"Come and receive the Holy Communion..."
A ethereal voice emanated from the nun.
It was then that Chen Lun regained his senses and noticed that she was holding a plate in her hand, filled with many biscuits and apples.
Seeing the nun's harmless appearance and under the impatient urging of the guards, the crowd finally mustered the courage to move forward and take the food.
The long imprisonment had left them famished, and they gradually loosened up, picking up the biscuits and apples to eat voraciously.
Chen Lun took a biscuit and an apple and silently walked back to the corner. Although he was also very hungry, he did not eat immediately but glanced sideways at the young nun.
Floey...
This petite girl would become one of the future bosses of the Red Apple Church, known as the Deathly Silent Nun, a super villain from the "Moon Faction" Sequence, a ruthless character who could decimate a city on her own...
But currently, she was still just a mortal.
Even so, her presence here meant that the chances of the "Sun-avoiding Potted Plant" also being here were greatly increased.
The slight luck in Chen Lun's heart was shattered, and the sense of crisis in his mind surged.
"What to do? The beheading meal has already been delivered, next will be the sacrifice..."
Chen Lun secretly panicked.
Suddenly, he recalled the description of Floey in the post about the Red Apple Church, along with her complete background and life story.
Chen Lun's mind raced, piecing together the previous vague plan until it slowly became clear.
Suddenly, his restless heart calmed down, and after taking a deep breath, he touched the necklace on his chest and decided to wait for an opportunity.
Perhaps because the beheading meal was somewhat boring, two guards glanced at the nun's silhouette and, licking their lips, left first.
Nun Floey still stood quietly in place, like a serene saintess statue. In the filthy, dim prison surroundings, she seemed to emit a holy light.
The sounds of chewing and munching were incessant around her, but they didn't affect her in the slightest.
She just silently fixed her gaze ahead, her eyes seemingly piercing through the hungry crowd, through the cold prison walls, looking at the night and gazing at the moonlight.
"Wuu wuu..."
Suddenly, the prison echoed with the soft sobs, which, though not loud, were quite piercing.
Of course, this successfully caught Floey's attention.
She gently shifted her eyes, bringing her gaze back and turning it towards the corner, looking at the dark-haired young man leaning against the wall.
The man was of a similar age to her, and though emaciated, he was also handsome; however, due to malnutrition and fatigue from injuries, his complexion was sickly pale.
At this moment, his apple and biscuit lay untouched as he sat with his head lowered, shoulders trembling, and cried silently.
Floey suddenly furrowed her brows, a slight fluctuation appeared in her eyes.
For she faintly heard the young man calling out two words, two words that touched her icy heart.
"Little sister..."
Chen Lun raised his arm to wipe away his tears, his voice slightly louder.
"Little sister, where are you? I miss you so much..."
Floey's breathing became a bit hurried, and she pursed her lips, seemingly hesitant.
But in the end, she couldn't resist and took steps toward Chen Lun.
What she didn't notice, however, was the smile that appeared at the corner of the young man's mouth.