Dai Zen sought a secluded spot on the terrace, away from the gazes of the other survivors, and sat down with a sigh, leaning his back against the cold stone of the planter.
The howling wind whipped violently at the canopy of branches above him, and the noise of its blows was sometimes eclipsed by the explosions that swept through the city.
After a moment, he straightened up, running a hand through his hair, and reached for the backpack. He untied the top and rummaged through the contents until his fingers closed around a smooth sphere.
He pulled it out and turned it over, inspecting its deep, dark green surface. It was a
While he wasn't particularly pleased that it obtained such a low grade, in this new world, the power came in all forms, and even the
"Badly Evolved Boy." The Fairy whispered teasingly in his ear, calling him with that amusing label: "Did you know you can see the Status of the Soul Spheres?"
He turned to glare at her, his breath nearly sending the Fairy rolling out of place. Her ruby eyes glittered with cruel amusement. Perhaps she found it amusing how the survivors naturally distrusted him, mistaking him for those monsters.
'If only you knew...' He thought with a resigned sigh. Aloud, he asked: "How do I do that?"
The Fairy's expression was again cold and arrogant: "Simply concentrate your intention on the sphere and wish its status to appear, just as you would your own. The System will do the rest of the work."
Dai Zen nodded and concentrated on the Soul Sphere in his palm. A hologram panel etched in bluish light hovered over its surface, projecting a stream of information only he could perceive.
[Soul Sphere]
Grade: Common
[Description]: Soul Spheres are mystical drops manifested from defeated enemies. When an existence is killed, any
...
"What does 'any Existential Record that cannot be consumed' mean?" Dai Zen asked with sincere curiosity. He would use the energy that could strengthen him and not waste it if possible.
The Fairy landed on Dai Zen's head and sat down as she explained: "That, my disciple, refers to the residual energy left after defeating an enemy. When you kill an enemy, you absorb their soul, their
... The energy you cannot fully absorb is materialized in a Soul Sphere containing Items linked to their attributes, skills, or completely randomized. Similarly, Skill Runes are crystallizations of excess energy from defeated enemies. Do you understand now?"
Dai Zen nodded with understanding: "I see. So Soul Spheres and Skill Runes are manifestations of the residual energy of downed enemies. The more powerful the enemy is compared to me, the greater the amount of residual energy and the greater the probability of obtaining a Soul Sphere or Skill Rune, which are of higher quality. Is that correct?"
"Precisely." The Fairy puffed out her nonexistent breasts: "I see you have understood the lesson, disciple."
"Since when did I become your disciple...?"
"Do not question your good fortune, mortal, to have such an exalted teacher." The Fairy sniffed haughtily: "Not everyone is worthy or capable of being the privileged students of the Arcane Ascendant. But you have shown a glimmer of potential. Don't make me reconsider my generous decision to enlighten your unenlightened mind."
"In truth, I am a lowly seeker of knowledge, wholly unworthy of such an exalted master. I can only bow in thanks and hope my dim mortal mind may aspire to grasp the edge of your august and radiant wisdom, O Fairy Arcane Ascendant."
The Fairy snorted, seeing through Dai Zen's feigned obsequiousness: "If that was an attempt at wit, your mortal 'humor' leaves much to be desired. I'm half as eager to take my wisdom where it can be better appreciated." But there was a glint of amusement in the Fairy's eyes.
"It's too bad you're stuck with me." Dai Zen decided to tease this arrogant girl further.
However, his teasing was cut short when, after a snort of annoyance with hints of sadness, the Fairy dissolved into a cloud of bright light and retreated into the interior of his pendant.
With surprise and curiosity, Dai Zen found himself contemplating the pendant fastened around his neck, an old accessory that had accompanied him since his earliest memories. However, in a few breaths, the pendant had utterly transformed from a silent object to the vessel of a magical Fairy.
His mind was still spinning from all the chaos in the world as he faced a new reality and the origin of the Fairy in the pendant that he had always taken for granted.
The Fairy was still an enigma in many ways. Despite her lofty arrogance, she had graciously shared secrets of this apocalyptic conflict that illuminated his former ignorance. Though their time together had been little more than a blink of an eye, her cutting wisdom quickly became a boon he did not intend to do without.
"Thank you..."
He looked down at the now elegant pendant in his palm and uttered a few soft words of gratitude, not knowing if any trace of them could bring her out of the depths of the object but hoping that she knew she had his thanks.
Dai Zen returned his focus to the Soul Sphere. Hoping it was an Item that would grant him support and not junk, he closed his eyes, took a breath, and crushed the sphere between his fists.
After a bright flash, he felt the sphere's surface turn to dust between his fingers.
[You obtained
Item: Leather Boots
Grade: Common
[Stats]
Agility: 25
[Description]: A lightweight boot that automatically adjusts to the body.
...
Dai Zen's wide eyes sparkled with joy as he gazed at the black boot resting in his hand. Although it was no more than a Normal Grade Item, it showed how extraordinarily powerful they were compared to the equipment of this world—which offered no such attributes.
He didn't wait for a second before ditching his school shoe and equipping himself with the leather boot. He immediately felt the changes. His body became much lighter, and he thought he could perceive even the slightest movements, like ants scurrying across the terrace floor.
After a deep sigh, Dai Zen pulled his cell phone out of his backpack, fearing what he might see when he turned it on. And his suspicions were confirmed; there was no signal.
He tried to call Xue'er, the only important person he had in this world, but the device remained mute.
A shiver ran down his spine as he imagined her alone and frightened. Xue'er was the hope that kept him going when all seemed lost. Without her, he would be plunged back into darkness as he had been.
He swallowed hard, catching his breath and holding back tears.
A part of him wanted to go out and look for her. He wouldn't abandon Xue'er for anything in the world. But he knew that would be useless.
Soft footsteps approached behind him. Turning, Dai Zen found Hua Mei watching him with a relieved smile, her dark eyes roaming his face.
"There you were, Dai." She said, palms pressed to her broad boobs: "Our leader summons you. There will be a meeting to plan our next moves."