They did a head count before leaving the grassland. Their number had rapidly decreased. Out of twenty seven people that had gone into the grassland, they were now a total of fourteen. They had lost thirteen mages just at the beginning of this quest.
The journey ahead of them involved crossing through plateaus before arriving at the city ruins. It was a long and tiring journey that before they knew it, it was already dark.
"We will camp here tonight and continue tomorrow."
Quickly, they began to set up tents at the foot of the final plateau before they crossed over the Arkan bridge to the city ruins. The Arkan city ruins was barely visible from their side and for once, they felt a bit relieved that they were finally going to get to their destination.
Opal tossed some meat wrapped in linen over to Vandel who was sitting beside her. "By the way, you did a good job today."
Vandel smiled. At that statement, he remembered he still had the Phantom scythe in his hands. How is he expected to carry this weapon around? He began to bite at the roasted meat nonetheless.
Just then,
*Ding
[Do you wish to retrieve your monster weapon?]
[Retrieve: yes/no]
'Oh, I see you can hear my thoughts as well. Yes can you please...'
[Yes]
The Phantom scythe dispersed into blue fog and disappeared without a trace.
~Your monster weapon has been successfully retrieved to your local store.
"Wow, you really are a versatile system..."
"What's that?" Opal asked. She definitely heard Vandel murmur something just now.
"Oh, the meat tastes really nice."
He was sure he'd be called a psycho if he suddenly tells them he got a system in his mind after spending two weeks in the orange zone, as they claimed because he can't remember sh*t.
He swallowed the last bit of the meat and wiped his hands at the sides of his pants when suddenly, he felt the emptiness of his pockets. The crystal!
He was sure he put it in his pockets. Where...where has it gone to?
Ah! He hit his head when he finally remembered. He had purchased the Phantom scythe with it.
Vandel thought to check out his new rewards on his so called secret quest. He had unlocked two new skills, yeah.
He checked out his status screen.
[User: Arian Brook]
'Am Vandel by the way...'
[Status: phantom shadow]
[Level: phantom level 2]
[Dominant skills: spectre (+2)]
[Cognitive skills: discern (+1)]
[Affinity skills: domain (+1)]
[Quests completed: 2/10]
[Crystals: used]
[Fighting exp: 150/200]
[Affinity: phantom scythe tier 2]
[Agility: 5 (+10)]
[Strength: 5 (+10)]
[HP: 10/10 Healthy]
~Do you wish to use additional stat points?
[Add: yes/no]
[Yes]
~Updating all stats...
One of the young mages suddenly started walking towards Liam. Anger visibily written all over his face. He appeared as if he was going on a fight and was desperately going to crush anyone that stands in his way.
He grabbed Liam who was busy with his food by the collar. "You promised us your protection! You said we'll be fine as long as we go with you on this quest! Madie is gone right now! Those freaking plants sucked her dry! I'd rather you kill me right now! Am not returning to the green zone without her!"
"Hey boy calm down," master Park intervened.
"Its all because of him that we agreed to come on a quest in the orange zone but he couldn't even protect Madie!"
"It was a really complicated situation Fred. Everyone was at their wits end back there. We could have all died if not for the mysterious saviour..."
Vandel's attention was quickly attracted. 'Mysterious savious huh?' Yeah that's what he gets for playing the flying scythe ninja.
"Am sorry..." Liam apologized.
Fred began to sob. He had still not recovered from the reality that he might not get to see Madie ever again. The guilt will keep on nudging his mind that Madie had died because he convinced her to join him on the quest.
"Its all my fault." He let go of Liam's collar.
"Its never your fault Freddie. You did your best. Madie gave in because she also wanted to come with you. Don't feel guilty. Let it go." Liam patted his shoulders. He dropped to the floor and sobbed.
Vandel felt for him. He wondered what it would feel like losing someone close to you while you just watch, unable to help. That will be really painful.
*Ding
~Stats updated.
[Dominant skills: spectre lv 2]
[Cognitive skills: discern lv 1]
[Affinity skills: domain lv 1]
[Agility: 15]
[Strength: 15]
"Cognitive skills? Like leveling up my brain? What's with the discern?" He clicked on the unlocked cognitive skill with just his thought and a white rectangular box appeared under it.
[Skill discern]
~A psychic skill that allows you to access other opponents status and detect hidden auras. It levels up with user. Can be used randomly.
'Mmm...not bad.'
He thought to try it out on Opal.
[Discern]
[Name: Opal Wright]
[Level 9+ advanced wind mage. Peak]
[Monster weapon: none]
[Magic shield: tier 1 armour]
[Mental energy/resistance: 6/20. Accessible]
'9+? Wow, she's more stronger than I thought. I can access her mind as well?'
He thought to check out the other skills as well following his excitement.
[Skill domain]
~A skill connected to user's phantom soul universe. The spherical area controlled by user increases user's skills by 10. User attacks in his true form within this domain. Can only be used once in a day.
Downside: takes up two HP per hour.
'True form? Wait, what? I still have a true form? What... Like a weird looking monster? Don't tell me it's what am thinking.' Vandel's heart raced at the thought. If this true form involves morphing into a monster, then he definitely won't try out this skill. He can't even imagine any wierd transformation at this point.
In his panic, he swiped through the screen and a new screen appeared. Above it was system status boldly written.
[System level: lv 2]
~Reach lv 10 to upgrade to a more advanced system.
~Complete ten quests to get a package.
~Collect ten advanced level crystals to purchase a tier 4 magic shield. Upgradable.
'Hehehe! This is much more interesting than I thought. I guess I'll have to work hard and make you proud, system..." Vandel grinned. One would think he had just lost his mind from the way he was smiling at himself.
*Ding
[Daily quest received]
[Master your domain]
'Am not going on your clumsy quests anymore! You nearly killed me!'
~Failure to complete daily quests brings a strict penalty. All stats will be halved. User will restart from level 1.
Daily quests contributes to the advancement of both user and system, therefore there are compulsory. There are punishments attached to the failure to complete daily quests.
'What the f*ck! I really am your f*cking player now. You make the rules and I obey!'
Vandel just realized the game has just begun. He has to either disobey the system and start all over or obey and level up to match his counterparts.
'Counterpart 1 - Orin. Just you wait and see... Moreover I also need to survive this expedition????'