* A mysterious and ominous fate is at play.*
"The tome of time is forgotten and being fed to butterflies."
As Saad was going to swipe to inventory, the taunting lines written above [familiarity] made him purse his lips. The words reminded him of the SS rank quest, curse of fate. He needed to resolve that too. But first he needed to sort out his inventory. He needed to sell his slingshot, since while he knew that he still would be able to use it, there was no need to waste his time on a weapon that was his main class. He wanted to increase his proficiency with whip. Other than that, it was time to say good bye to serpent scale shield as well. That's when he noticed something unusual in his inventory, which wasn't there before.
There was an addition of item in his inventory which he hadn't expected at all. These items were what he had chosen inside the hidden treasure chamber in the salt mines! The skill book for whip of binding, incomplete crimson sovereign and whips of offering. The surprise was pleasant.
'Ah- I wish I had chosen something else.'
He was happy with the whips of offering since, not only it was dual wielding but they came with a wide variety of set effects. But the skill book of whip of binding was useless for now and crimson sovereign was just useless.
'Who Are You Calling Useless?'
Saad was taken aback when the vile of murky liquid in his inventory came out on its own and the liquid got out, swishing in air and bubbling up. It was ominous, creepy and disgusting in all the possible ways.
Saad stepped back with eyes widening. The thing was speaking! No, why was it out when he hadn't even thought of bringing it out?
'I Am The Crimson Sovereign! I Need No One's Permission, Mortal!'
Saad stared at the liquid, which had a surprisingly heavy and pressuring voice. But why was the attitude was so haughty? It was just a shield and second, it felt really weird how it was just answering to it in his thoughts. It was weird. And he didn't like it. Same thing like that rotten NPC from nexus of ascendance.
Saad was irritated. As much he knew, this shield was useless but maybe he could auction him off and at least get money.
"Get back inside." He glared at the blob of red liquid and the blob just swirled and then he heard the answer in his head.
'You Think You Can Get Rid Of Me. But it's Impossible. Just Be Grateful That I Have Decided To Grace You With My Presence So Serve Me Well!'
Saad would have tried to grab onto the thing if it didn't look so weird. Besides, how could he grab the liquid and put it in?
"I have other more important things to do so get inside, you are useless as a shield anyway!" He grumbled at the shield which did everything other than protect him, back in the salt mines.
'Hah-! It Was A Trial For You! Why Would I Get In Between There! It Wasn't A Matter Of Life And Death.'
Saad frowned. 'Not a matter of life and death?' He was dying there! It gave him nightmares to just think of that weird and creepy feeling when his consciousness would fade! It was traumatizing!
"That's not for you to decide! Get back in there! I'm going to sell you!"
'Something Tells Me That You Have Made Many Wrong Decisions Because You Are Impulsive.' Crimson sovereign uttered as it circled around Saad and Saad frowned. What did that mean now? So he decided to check the details of the item once again and at the end was written a small line.
*This item is bound to the user and non-tradable.
Saad stared. This has to be a joke, right? He looked so disappointed on having to deal with a haughty and useless shield that the murky liquid got offended a little.
'You Are An Ungrateful Human! Do You Even Know How Powerful The Great Me Is? Even Though I Am Not In My Full Power, I Can Even Save You From Certain Death! Someone Like You Should Be Bowing Down To Me!'
"You should have helped me in the salt mines then! I would have known that you are useful! This is why I even chose you there!" Saad pointed his finger at the blob who seemed to be simmering with anger and the blob shot back.
'How Absurd! It Was A Test For You! I Have My Principles!'
Saad felt exhausted as he sat down on the bed and stared at crimson sovereign. The ego shield was in the air and Saad made a face. He opened up the details of the shield once again since he had forgotten most of it. All that was in his mind, was just how useless the shield had been inside the mines and also, it didn't speak like this! Or more like speak at all, before.
[Incomplete Crimson Sovereign]
Description: The Crimson Sovereign is not your typical shield; it's an ego shield. ???
Durability: 100/100
Rank: Rare (Growth)
Type: Shield
Effects:
Damage Negation: The Crimson Sovereign shield can nullify and counter damage from up to three points of impact. Adaptive Absorption: The time taken for the Crimson Sovereign to fully absorb damage depends on its intensity, ranging from 1 second for minor damage to 5 seconds for heavy damage. Counteractive Release: The counterattack unleashed by the Crimson Sovereign deals damage equal to 50% of the absorbed damage. Resilience Enhancement: Each absorbed damage point increases the shield's resilience by 10%, up to a maximum of 50%.
*The shield's other effects are locked due to incomplete status.
*This item is bound to the user and non-tradable.
Unlocking requirement: Essence of higher demon
As expected, the shield wasn't bad at all. And if some day, he is able to get the essence of a demon, then the shield would just upgrade and become even more powerful. Besides, his vitality was still lacking and he needed protection. Perhaps he should just see the situation for now? Maybe it won't be that useless?
"Next time- when I am in a battle, you better protect me." Saad still didn't trust the creepy blob but he didn't want to pass up on it either.
'If You Want Me To Do That, You Better Get Stronger And Offer Me The Soul Of Demons. It's In Your Benefit Too, Mortal~'
"We will see when I get there." He huffed. At least the shield had somewhat agreed to help him, "But if you don't protect me well and I kept on getting dragged back, how will I be strong enough to get that essence?"
The liquid swirled, as if pondering and then finally, it spoke, 'Well, I Will Do What I Can~' the voice was somewhat indifferent to his predicament. And as if on cue a message window opened.
[Your familiarity with 'crimson sovereign' has increased a little.]
Ah- so that was how it was. He needed to get on better terms with the shield now. It annoyed him a little but it was what it was. He had no other choice. As the liquid blob stayed in the air, Saad equipped the whips of offering and soon a black and another silver whip now were on his sides. He had actually gotten so used to them so this was great.
It was still somewhat surprising that he had gotten these items. Next Saad opened up his quest list and at the top of it, with a time limit remaining of a week and three days was his first ever quest in CWS.
[Quest: A Mother's Worry]
Lavinia has been genuinely worried about your health and your future as an adventurer. It would put her mind at ease if you are properly ready for the challenges that lie ahead in the vast world.
Increase your level: 10/10
Acquire class: Complete
Acquire 1 defense skill: complete
Win against a warrior 1 level above yours: Incomplete
Difficulty: B
Time limit: 10 days
Reward:
Reputation +30
A Hidden Piece of Emberflame's History
Spheres: +3
Title: A Good Son
He was worried that losing his defense skills now would have affected the quest, but it seemed like everything was dainty. He would just have to win in a dual. Wouldn't that be easy with just a level difference?
He decided to first go and work in the store and get his spheres and then he would go to the stich Witch's domain for hunt. Since he had to collect a lot of materials and it might take a long time to gather them. Rosarie's quest was extremely important compared to other quests he had. With that in mind he looked at Crimson sovereign who was silently floating in air, near him and got up from the bed. It was time to start doing his quests.