The thought of gaining an additional award seemed too good to pass. But Adrian knew better than to trust a mysterious entity he knew nothing about.
Besides, he had never received a gift in all the years he spent in Nexaria. Sure, he never played much role in the front lines, but it wasn't like he was a dead weight.
He did everything for his party, from gaining dungeon permits to planning a route, excavation and management. The way he saw it, he was doing more work than anyone else on the team, yet none of these so-called entities gave him anything!
The more Adrian thought about the situation, the more he realised why he was so weak. God knows how many 'gifts' his team received from the entities during their mission, and yet none of them bother telling him about it, not even Sophia.
The bubble of rage once again popped into his head, and he was about to make an emotional decision and reject the request. However, at the final moment, he gained some clarity and didn't make a hasty decision.
"I can't keep dwelling on my past," Adrian mumbled. "All that matters now is revenge. As long as I achieve that, it doesn't matter whose assistance I must get."
With that thought, Adrian selected yes on the screen, and a moment later, another prompt appeared before him, informing him about the 'gift' he received.
--
Title Acquired: Cloris's Blessing
Effect: Grants the User the ability to heal gradually when near plants. The natural energy emanating from plants and trees rejuvenates the User, accelerating the healing process and restoring vitality over time.
--
A smile broke across Adrian's face, realising the potential of his newly acquired title. While each dungeon was different, each had some floral life in them. It meant that being in a dungeon should heal him as long as he could find a plant or even grass there.
As he was pondering about the title, Adrian felt a stinging pain in his arm, reminding him of his injury. But instead of worrying about it, Adrian smiled. After all, he finally had a way to deal with the wound without worrying about exposing himself.
"I think some plants were near the entrance," Adrian mused. "I should deal with things here and head there to heal before the dungeon closes. But first... time for the main reward."
Adrian's eyes shone as he used [Analysis] on the Minotaur's corpse. After all, his intention after fighting the Minotaur wasn't a quest but the bull's organs.
'I don't know what kind of organs I'll be offered this time, but they are bound to be good! It's a dungeon boss, after all!'
Unfortunately for Adrian, he seemed to have forgotten about his bad luck, which was displayed in the list of organs he was offered for absorption.
---
Devourable Organs:
1. Bull's Balls: By absorbing the Minotaur's testicles, the User will gain heightened reproductive abilities, resulting in an increased chance of success in mating. It will also boost the User's Charisma (CHA).
- Grade: Rare
- Compatibility: Low (41~50% integration success rate)
- Remarks: The Users may experience unanticipated side effects, including heightened aggressiveness during mating season.
- Status: Available
2. Minon Ding-dong: Assimilating Minotaur's penis grants the User the ability to alter the appearance of their reproductive organ at will, assuming various shapes and sizes. It will also boost the User's Strength (STR), Stamina (STA) and Charisma (CHA).
- Grade: Rare
- Compatibility: Average (61~70% integration success rate)
- Remarks: Users are advised to exercise caution and maintain societal norms during public appearances. Unless they live in an exhibitionist society.
It is recommended to change the appearance of the said reproductive organ before engaging in intimate activities. As doing so during the act itself might cause discomfort for the partner.
- Status: Available
3. Vital Core: Absorbing the Minotaur's Heart gives the User unparalleled strength and resilience, enhancing physical abilities to powerful proportions.
- Grade: Epic
- Compatibility: High (71~80% integration success rate)
- Remarks: Users may experience occasional bursts of uncontrollable strength. It is recommended to avoid delicate tasks during these episodes.
- Status: Available
---
Adrian blinked in disbelief as he read through the system messages. He wondered if someone was messing with him or if it was for real. He offered a monster's private parts as a 'devourable' option. Adrian wanted to know who the fuck was in control of these random choices?
"Bull's Balls and Minon Ding-dong? Seriously?" he muttered, squinting at the screen. "Is this some kind of prank?"
[Solving the User's query: No, it is not a prank.]
[It has been observed that the User has been sexually inactive for over a year. Absorbing the Minoratur's private organs might solve the issues the User might or might not be suffering in 'that' department.]
"..."
[Is the User feeling discomfort due to the size difference? It is expected to feel such emotions-]
"I'm not absorbing any private parts!" Adrian exclaimed, dismissing the system's remarks. "Besides, I've been inactive due to being away from my partner! Who, for your knowledge, referred to my thing as the 'perfect' size!"
[I'm afraid it has a different meaning than what the User believes-]
"It is not up for discussion!" Adrian waved the prompt away before selecting to absorb the Vital core. But as he did, an unexpected prompt blocked his action.
--
[Warning!]
While the Minotaur's Heart boasts high compatibility with the User's physiology, their current vitality is insufficient to withstand the absorption process.
It is recommended to wait until reaching at least level 35 for a higher probability of successful integration.
--
"Wait, level 35, seriously?" Adrian stared at the system prompt, clearly frustrated. "I just took down that stubborn Minotaur, and now you're telling me I can't handle its heart?"
[The User can override this suggestion, but there is a 99.99% probability of fatal consequences.]
"So either obey or die trying? Geez, you should have informed me about it earlier!"
[Explaining the situation in simple details for the User to understand: The User trying to absorb Minotaur's heart is like trying to fit a truck engine into a bicycle. The results wouldn't be pretty.]
Just when Adrian thought he had killed the Minotaur for nothing, the system began its yapping again. Adrian was about to close the window when he caught a glimpse of the text and couldn't ignore it anymore.
[The Mother Who Loves Her Plants offers to store the Minotaur's Heart in prime condition for future absorption.]
[The process is expensive and requires [Karma]. The User lacks [Karma]. Unable to initiate the process]
[The Mother Who Loves Her Plants has kindly agreed to sponsor the storage process.]
[Would you like to proceed? Yes/No.]
Adrian thought about it for a while. He didn't want to be more indebted to a stranger more than he had to be. But then again, the heart was of epic grade and quite a find, and he had no idea when he would be able to get his hands on something like that again.
Passing the opportunity felt worse than being indebted to an entity, so Adrian agreed with the arrangement.
[The Minotaur's Heart will be stored safely for future use. The Mother asks if the User has any other requests for her?]
Adrian shook his head, but the curiosity got the best of him, and he asked something he knew he shouldn't have, "How about the Bull's Balls and Minon Ding-dong? Can you store those, too?"
[Mother Who Loves Her Plants has rejected your request to store Bull's Balls and Minon Ding-dong. She has deemed your request as 'perverted' and irrelevant to her interest.]
"A perv? But-"
[Mother Who Loves Her Plants wishes you to be at peace with your 'perfect-sized' organs. Connection with the entity has been terminated.]
"...I'm a perv?"
While Adrian was talking to himself, he noticed rapid footsteps coming his way. Without wasting time, he immediately camouflaged himself and hid behind the Minotaur's corpse, waiting for the new arrivals.
Adrian was expecting it to be the Nexarian army, but his eyes almost fell out of their sockets when he realised who it was.
'Sophia!?'