On the other hand, she was also brimming with anticipation, an urgency to explore the depths of otherworldly secrets. That part of her yearned to uncover the intricacies of the universe, discover the truths of the world, perform unthinkable feats, to bend the world by her will.
It was this side of her that resonated so deeply with her younger brother. The only part of her that brought a semblance of joy, peace and hope. Without it, negativity, despair and fury would consume her.
She audibly sighed; she had inadvertently dampened her excitement.
She decided to halt her musings and focus on the interface. First, she checked her [ Progress ].
[ Progress ]
Spirit shards: 35380
[ Stage 1 ]
Zombies killed: 873
' An insane number, but because a normal human would find it difficult to solo a lesser zombie I'd say it's only fair.'
Seeing as she had a surplus amount for spending, Alex swiftly tapped on the translucent yet solid projection of the word, [ shop ] above the 3D map.
[ Shop ]
[ Information ]
[ Supplies ]
[ Potions ]
Alex might have considered stocking up on potions if not for their ominous usage conditions and an undefined power source. Supplies, however, were worthless to the current Alex.
She rubbed the convenient little cube-shaped symbol on her right shoulder in satisfaction, then tapped [ Information ].
The current screen greyed and faded into the background before a new one occupied its previous position.
[ Information ]
[ Map ] - map upgrade provides you with more detailed information -200 shards throughout the stages.
[ First stage ] - this includes all the hidden achievements you can accumulate in this stage. 100 shards.
[ Second stage ] - this includes all the details of this stage and all the hidden achievements you can accumulate in this stage. 400 shards.
[ Third stage ] - this includes all the details of this stage and all the hidden achievements you can accumulate in this stage. 400 shards.
[ Fourth stage ] - this includes all the details of this stage and all the hidden achievements you can accumulate in this stage. 400 shards.
[ Fifth stage ] - this includes all the details of this stage and all the hidden achievements you can accumulate in this stage. 400 shards.
[ After the stages ] - 4000 shards.
[ Soul ] - 10000 shards.
Alex already knew what she wanted to buy - the two most expensive information offers - as the concept of definite information on the soul intrigued her, and the other one would help her plan her actions during the stages accordingly.
After a moment of brief contemplation on which to explore first, Alex ultimately chose the less expensive [ After the stages ] information.
A white translucent screen abruptly materialized.
[ Would you like to purchase the •After the stages • package? ]
[ Spirit shards after buying: 31830 ]
•YES• •NO•
As soon as she confirmed her request, another screen appeared. The words disappeared as she read them.
Note: The following information was prepared by the deity, Stemma. She compiled all the information in the shop.
| After The Stages |
After all eighty challengers have either failed or completed the fifth stage, a ranking will be done. A ranking based on accumulated spirit shards will determine the forty challengers who will either live and earn qualifications to proceed or die like the other failures.
The total amount of spirit shards earned is what will determine the ranking, spending spirit shards does not affect the results.
Based on a qualified challenger's position on the ranking they will receive benefits.
The qualification gained allows one to enter Stemma's world and embark on a journey to true strength. They will gain access to a magic-filled world and forge their path. Stemma will not control any of their actions, nor will she engage them in any mandatory or optional tasks.
The qualified challenger may initiate contact with the deity, Stemma, however, this will be through their means, and no special access will be granted to challengers different to the world's natives.
As stated previously, benefits will be provided. The first benefit will be to choose a type of soul-bound item, perk or other boon attuned to the challenger's nature, or best fit to bring out the challenger's potential. The quality will be based on the challenger's rank.
The second benefit will be 'natural talent' in their new world. According to a challenger's placement, they will be granted a certain degree of talent in the young body they will inhabit in Stemma's world. All bodies will be at the age of six.
The challenger in first place will receive an additional benefit. That is, they will be granted a maximum of three things of their desires from Stemma equivalent to their personally gained achievements in the stages. These three requests may be in the form of questions, additionally chosen benefits or special features, or anything of their reasonable choosing.
Finally, all qualified challengers will be able to take each other's soul-bound gifts. These soul-bound gifts are unique, crafted by Stemma herself, no native will be able to receive, extract or utilise these gifts at any point in time. However, other qualified challengers will be able to sense the soul-bound gifts and use them only after they have killed the gift's owner. This information is limited to only those who buy this information pack, while others will have to discover it themselves.
•The remaining information is locked until you reach an acceptable stage within Stemma's world.•
As the text vaporized, jumping out from the translucent screen in light, minuscule particles, Alex's remained visibly enlarged by what she had read.
' Th-this… I've finally found a way, a way to find my brother.' She clenched her fists on her knees then gritted her teeth as her expression shifted into one of both desperation and determination. ' I have to get first place… By a long shot.'
When she turned her gaze upward, she was surprised to see that a much larger screen had appeared. It displayed all that she had read and at the end, it had a short notice.
[ Once this screen closes, the challenger will no longer have access to it and will not be able to buy it from the shop again. ]
[ Would you like to close this window? ]
•YES• •NO•
Alex unhurriedly engraved all the information into a deep crevice of her mind. Despite her eidetic memory, she was not willing to take chances with this.
She had more to look into after this.