It has been over a year now that I've been exploring the caverns in search of my way back to the surface. For more than a year, I have been trapped in a situation that has presented me with endless challenges and trials.
In the beginning, I ventured through the tunnels with a mix of excitement and curiosity, hoping to find a quick way out. But as days turned into weeks and then into months, the excitement faded away, replaced by frustration and despair.
To keep my spirits up, I established a routine where each morning I would guard the shop before gathering the giant bones in the afternoon, and then finish the evening by exploring the Void Dungeon.
Finally, after months of exploration and fights against monsters, I discovered a crack in the walls of this labyrinth of rock. A thin fissure that acted as a hidden passage leading to a corridor.
.....
The shop has changed greatly in the past year, the number of customers has greatly increased. Loëalun now comes almost every day accompanied by young elves to refine their alchemy skills. They remind me of little children despite each of them being over a century old, I thought, chuckling to myself.
Gor'Lhemakgney and his followers are still as fanatical about me as ever. According to the latest news, his cult has grown to tens of thousands of people. I really don't know how he managed it, but it seems that he now owns the capital of the Shusharia Coast. He comes to me and asks for advice quite frequently, although not as much as before.
Mordakus is the one who has changed the most. He has become even darker and more threatening than before. During each of his visits, I have to ask Zéro to reassure the other customers. He has completed his quest for revenge and has taken the position of the Dead Emperor. Every day, he sends servants to buy whatever he needs, creating a striking contrast with the other customers.
Apart from the change in my regular customers, I have acquired the Familiar Department: This department would cater to magical creatures and offer supplies and services for owning and caring for familiars. The available creatures are the ones I have killed and acquired in the past, which currently provides a few quality choices.
To access it, simply take the door on the second floor next to the alchemy workshop. The interior of the room is spacious, with a white floor covered in a thick and plush carpet, silent under my feet. The walls and ceiling are transparent, allowing a view of the surrounding cosmos.
In the center of the room, there is a massive raised circular stage covered in sumptuous purple velvet. On this stage, there are a series of polished black marble pedestals arranged in an orderly manner, each holding spheres that imprison miniature worlds, each containing a different species of creature.
The spheres themselves are of captivating beauty. Each one is made of crystalline glass so clear that it appears invisible and comes in different sizes, ranging from the size of a melon to that of a carriage. Each sphere is a carefully recreated ecosystem, tailored to the needs and habits of each creature. The spheres are suspended, floating in the air, allowing every creature to be observed from all angles.
On the pedestals beneath the spheres, interactive interfaces are arranged. They provide detailed information about each displayed creature. Visitors can learn more about their origins, lifestyle, dietary habits, and unique characteristics. Similar to an alchemy workshop, these interfaces also enable the purchase of the creature featured in the sphere.
I am delighted with this new department, as it has allowed me to offer new purchasing options to our new customers. But the best-selling items are from the artifacts department. I have even purchased a few myself, despite their astronomical prices. The unique aspect of this department is that every month, a few random items are summoned by the System and displayed in the main hall of the shop. Their prices and descriptions are, of course, displayed next to each one. And as I contemplate this, I decide to make myself a cup of tea and check my status window before embarking on another exploration.
Name: Heolstor Xel'Mourndor
Level: 47
Profession: Void Merchant (Ordinary)
Talent: Void acquisition
STATS: ● Strength: 30+20
● Agility: 50+15
● Intelligence: 20+15
● Mana: 25+15
● Dexterity: 50+3
● Luck: 20
● Constitution: 20+21
STATS TO DISTRIBUTE: 2
Skills:
● Previous skills ●
● Natural Mapping ● Resounding Mark ●
Void acquisitions:
Acquired(13for/13agi/5int/5mana/3dex/9con)
● Sola(5for/10int/10mana/10con) ●
● Arco (2agi) ● Vazuz (2for/2con) ●
Natural Mapping (Cost: 5 mana):
You briefly become one with nature and gain knowledge of the surrounding territory within a five-kilometer radius. You instantly acquire information about the type of terrain, nearby bodies of water, as well as the surrounding plants, minerals, animals, and buildings.
Resounding Mark (Cost: 10 mana):
Enchants a projectile with a lightning aura. If you hit the target, it suffers the normal effects of the attack and becomes marked by the symbol of a lightning bolt. The mark lasts for twenty-four hours and can be activated at any time. When the mark is activated, the sky darkens, and lightning unleashes upon the target. The magnitude and power of the lightning vary depending on the intelligence and affinity to this element.
Astral Cape:
The Astral Cape is a powerful artifact that grants its wearer the ability to protect themselves from attacks. When an opponent tries to strike the wearer of the cape, it creates a temporal distortion, sending the attack to the far reaches of the cosmos.
Murderous Lightning Bracer:
This specialized bracer is equipped with a perfectly sharpened dagger, designed for swift and silent execution. It provides a comfortable grip and extreme maneuverability, allowing the assassin to act with lightning-fast speed, leaving their victims defenseless.
Artificer's Seal:
This enchanted seal is engraved with ancient symbols related to the magic of cannons. When activated, it unleashes mystical energy in the form of several small cannons. Each cannon is powered by the magic of the seal and can be used to cast devastating shots on enemies. The Artificer's Seal can be remotely controlled to launch precise and powerful magical attacks.