Chapter 7: unknown shop
The cold sensation of Aetherius surged over Sam as he logged back in as Ego, God of the Void. He flexed his fingers as he scanned his interface.
Status Screen: Ego, God of the Void
Level: 4
Health: 300/300
Mana (DP): 70/70
Strength: 14
Speed: 16
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 19
Skills:
Void Embrace (Telekinesis - Intermediate): Allows the manipulation of objects and creatures within a 20-meter radius. Can lift up to 100kg. Cooldown: 5 seconds. Mana Cost: 10 DP.
Abyssal Rend (Void Strike): temporarily Creates a.rift in reality causing eldritch energies to seek through Dp cost: 20 DP.
Rift : Creates a small tear in space to shift quickly between short distances (10 meters or to any of your followers.), used for evasion or repositioning. Cooldown: 15 seconds. Dp cost: 15 DP.
He smirked. With these abilities, he was gaining confidence. But he knew well that at Level 4, he was still low on the ladder of gods.
Ego moved through the mist-filled Wastelands, scanning the area for any potential threats. Void Spawns, barely more than shadowy creatures with jagged, insectoid legs, skittered around the rocks and ruins of the ancient world. With a flick of his wrist, he activated Void Embrace, hoisting one of the creatures into the air and smashing it down with a telekinetic burst.
+30 XP.
A slow grind, but every point counted. Ego marched forward, scattering Void Spawns as he went, testing the power of Abyssal Rend. Every swing hummed with dark energy as he dispatched each creature. He was closing in on his level-up, but it would take a while at this pace.
As he advanced, something unusual caught his attention. In the distance, the mist swirled around a faintly glowing, warped archway embedded into the rocky ground. The energy around it felt different, almost forbidden.
Without hesitation, Ego stepped through.
System Notification: You have discovered the Nexus Gateway.
A rush of exhilaration filled him. The Nexus was the mythical hub for all gods, an elite gathering point he'd only heard whispers of in the game forums. Ego stepped forward, entering a vast space unlike anything he had seen before. Islands drifted across the void, connected by shimmering bridges, and gods of various domains wandered, trading rare items, bartering favors, and engaging in duels.
System Notification: Achievement Unlocked: First to Discover the Nexus Gateway!
Reward: +2000 XP, Unique Title: Void Explorer.
The boost propelled Ego's experience bar up, bringing him just shy of Level 5. His new title flashed on his status screen, granting him a bit of bragging rights in this new space.
As he wandered through the market, he noticed a small, shadowy alleyway tucked between two towering structures. It looked abandoned, out of sync with the bustling activity. Ego's curiosity piqued, and he slipped down the narrow path, leaving the noise behind.
The alley opened into a dimly lit shop filled with ancient relics on dusty shelves. Behind the counter, a figure cloaked in shadows stood still, waiting.
"A visitor." The figure's voice was gravelly. "Not many find this place. What are you looking for?"
Ego's eyes scanned the shelves until one object in particular drew his attention—a small, glowing orb with a pulsing aura that matched his Void energy.
"That orb," Ego said, stepping closer.
"Ah," the shopkeeper rasped, "the Void Orb. A powerful relic for one aligned with the Void. It enhances telekinetic abilities and sharpens void control. But it's not cheap."
Sam checked his Ether balance. He had managed to save up around 500, which had taken him hours of grinding to collect. He'd spent time and resources getting to this point, but the promise of boosted abilities was tempting.
"What's the cost?"
"All your Ether," the shopkeeper said, the gleam in his eye unreadable. "But in return, you gain ownership of this shop. I am an ancient god, weary of the world. The shop will become yours, and with it, you will gain access to resources and items few gods ever see."
Sam weighed his options. Gaining ownership of a shop in the Nexus could be invaluable for trade, influence, and establishing a stronghold among other gods. And the Void Orb would only increase his powers.
"Deal," he said, confirming the transaction.
System Notification: 500 Ether spent. You are now the owner of the Hidden Nexus Shop.
*Item Acquired: Void Orb (Unique).
The NPC shopkeeper faded into the shadows, leaving the shop officially in Ego's possession. Holding the Void Orb, Ego felt its energy coursing through him, deepening his connection to the Void.
Item: Void Orb (Unique)
Effect: Grants permanent enhancement to Void abilities and a 20% boost to Void Embrace effectiveness. One-time use.
Ego absorbed the orb, feeling its power integrate with his own. His Void Embrace expanded, granting him increased precision and range.
System Notification: Void Embrace has evolved to Advanced level.
Void Embrace ( Advanced): Allows manipulation of objects and creatures within a 50-meter radius. Can lift up to 500kg. Cooldown: 3 seconds.
Satisfied with his new abilities and the shop, Ego stepped out of the shadowy alleyway, glancing back one last time at his newly acquired stronghold. The Nexus awaited him—full of gods and new challenges. And now, with a shop of his own and a powerful relic in hand, Ego knew he was one step closer to climbing the ranks of Aetherius.