"500 mora." I exhaled. "That's expensive, man... I don't even have one mora."
How can I apply when I don't even have one mora. This was the injustice of the world.
In the depths of my disappointment, I found myself sitting on the bank of a quiet river, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. I threw a stone into the water, making three to five bounces. At this moment, however, a screen suddenly appeared before me!
I kept looking at it. That screen, like the screen in a game. My eyes widened as the screen displayed a flashing message. This... This... system? Is this the system?
I grabbed the screen with a shudder as soon as I realized it was the system! Trying to understand what was going on with my muddled mind. Perhaps, my eyes were sparkling like a freak, but I didn't care.
The screen displayed 4 options: Stats; Quest; Inventory; Skill. With those four options, I immediately pressed the stats button. But, I immediately fell silent.
Sitting on the riverbank, I felt my body collapse limply, shoulders drooping with the weight of disappointment that enveloped my heart. Dammit...
"All my stats are pathetic." I exhaled. "But that's normal. I'm only level. 1 anyway."
Level. 1 (0/100)
Stats: (+0)
Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Endurance: 1
Intelligence: 1
Agility: 1
Luck: 1
I sighed once again. How am I going to raise my stats. Let's say Genshin Impact is an MMORPG game then I have to complete quests to raise my stats.
As soon as I realized that, I pressed the Quest button, but there was nothing there. There was no quest at all! What's wrong with this story?! I wonder who came up with this system! It's not fair!
If this keeps up, I can't make Raiden Shogun mine. Damn it!
In anger, I pressed the inventory button. However, it was empty. Indeed, it seemed like I was given nothing as a beginner. I had to start from scratch. Zero to hero is my way of the ninja!
I didn't need to press the skill button. Because there must be nothing there either. What a waste of time, you bastard!
At this moment, I suddenly felt cold. Maybe it was the wind hitting my face...
"Hey... hand over what you got!"
Huh?! I was frozen in place. I felt something next to my neck. A sword blade! My breath caught, and cold sweat poured down my temples as my body felt rigid, unable to move, transfixed in the fear that enveloped me like a bad wish coming true before me.
"I have nothing, sir." I forced a smile with twitching lips. "I swear I don't have anything. You can check for yourself."
"Check him!"
At this moment, I suddenly felt a piercing scent. My eyes crinkled, trying to contain my body's reaction to the unpleasant odor, while my breathing stopped for a moment. The smell was really bad! I bet he never takes a shower!
My body tensed up, as if trying to get away from the people who were trying to grope my clothes and pants pockets with disgusting gestures. That's right, it's really disgusting! However, what fools they are! I told you I didn't have anything!
But... the more I observe, I know these people! The people who are trying to grope through my clothes and pants pockets are Treasure Hoarders! No wonder their arrogance and moral decay stung my nose, creating an unforgettable sense of disgust.
"See? I don't even have a mora in my pants pocket. Trying to rob me is pointless." I smiled obnoxiously.
"Yes. You're poor. I'm sure even if we kidnap you there won't be anyone looking for you."
"Yes. And I can be useful to your boss," I said. Still wearing an exasperated smile. "More useful than all of you."
He didn't respond to me. Not provoked? That's great. Suddenly, he glanced at his two friends in turn. Nodded. "Take him."
***
I was taken away to the Treasure Hoarders headquarters... what's my fate? I don't know. Probably dead in a few minutes.
My steps immediately stopped when I reached their quiet hidden cave. Through the dense forest, I began to fidget every second, thinking about my uncertain fate. But I finally arrived at their heaven-like base. I mean, the mora.
"Boss..."
In the cave, my eyes widened at the sight of their boss standing before me, burly and wearing a terrifying black mask. My body stiffened, what kind of evil person is this?! His aura enveloped the hidden cave!
"Who did you bring?"
"He said he could be of use to you, boss!"
The person called boss glanced at me. He sharpened his gaze, like a knife pointed at my neck. As soon as I was stared at, they let me go. This could be a chance for me to run. But it would definitely end in death. This was the same as escaping from the tiger's mouth, into the crocodile's mouth.
"You, what can you do?"
I held up two fingers. "Two things."
The boss seemed interested. He no longer narrowed his eyes.
"...sacrifice," I replied, and coughed once. "Your ally."
His death stare was directed at me again. It was more threatening, even I felt my heart beating irregularly. As soon as my eyes met his cold and merciless gaze, I swallowed my saliva with a dry mouth.
"I'm good at stealing. You can test it, boss!" I said groggily.
"Tomorrow. You have to come with me." The boss immediately left me.
In this caressing moment, I felt relieved and thanked fate for giving me a second chance. Or should I call it a third? My breath rippled with relief, accompanied by a smile of relief etched on my lips, expressing my deepest gratitude. My body felt light, as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, leaving room for the happiness that flooded my heart. But, what does that mean...
"You're accepted man, you're now Treasure Hoarders. Congrats." Someone patted my shoulder.
I put on a smile. "Is that so?" Honestly, I'm kind of happy that I survived death. But damn... it really stinks in here.
"Can I walk around?" I asked, somewhat curious. "I want to get used to it."
"Sure. I'll accompany you." He smiled too. "What's your name?"
My eyebrows furrowed and my lips pursed slightly. What are you going to do when I tell you my name, are you going to kill me? My eyes rounded, searching for an answer to that sudden question.
I looked up at him. "Cavendish. Call me Cavendish."
He nodded innocently. Not realizing that he was tricked. "Alright Cavendish, where would you like to go around first?"
"Where everything is connected."
"You mean?" He tilted his head.
I looked into his glittering eyes. "Don't you know?"
"Of course I know!" He chuckled. "Follow me."
Lies. I exhaled. He must not know.
My gaze was glued to his back. It seemed like he was so easy to fool. In the silence that followed, I felt connected to a world that was so innocent in the pitch darkness. I could play with it for my own benefit. Muttering so, I walked beside him.
In the reflection of my eyes, a display screen was floating. I squinted. There was a "Daily Quest" attached with a description:
[ KILL OR BE KILLED ]
Completing this quest will reward you with a random crate. [ COMMON, UNCOMMON, RARE, EPIC, LEGENDARY, MYTHIC ]
Exp (+50)
***
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