I drop onto the floor, leaning against the wall as I try to catch my breath. My hands hurt—bruised and bleeding—and my whole body feels sore.
Sweat runs down my face, mixing with the taste of blood on my lips. My chest rises and falls fast, the rush of the fight fading, leaving only exhaustion behind.
I close my eyes for a moment, trying to calm down, but my head keeps pounding. It's over—for now—but I don't know if I won or just barely made it through.
Whatever. At least I survived. At last.
I just killed a Nightmare Spawn. I thought they were the lowest-ranked monsters—just little pests.
I was wrong. They're not mere pests but true nightmares, ones I can hardly handle.
My hand instinctively reaches for the necklace—majestic and something I've always adored.
Actually, it's not really a necklace. It's an [Artifact].
How the hell does a commoner even get an [Artifact]? you ask?
I don't know myself. You should ask my ex if you're that curious.
I click on the surface of the necklace, waiting for something…
Suddenly, a black-and-gold window pops up, almost like one of those Systems in fantasy novels.
[???]
Abilities:
• Unlocked: [Twist of Perception]
• Locked: [???], [???]
I stare at the window. I know I've already seen this many times, but every time I do, I find it fascinating.
The skill of the [Artifact], [Twist of Perception], does exactly what it sounds like.
It alters my appearance to anything I desire. I've already tested it.
It's so interesting. For example, my original appearance: black hair and eyes. But after using the ability, I changed my hair to white—which, weirdly enough, suits me more. As for my eyes, I made them golden.
(Picture)
I look divine.
Ahem.
Anyway, at this point, I know I'm in the DreamSpire.
According to the weird whispers that keep telling me that.
DreamSpire is a whole different dimension from the real world—you could call it another realm.
Anyone can enter as long as they're awakened.
At least, that's what common folk like us know.
It's a high-risk, high-reward kind of place, where you're bombarded with malevolent monsters you have to fight.
Either you die, or you survive.
If you survive, though, the rewards are worth it. Not only does it make you stronger, but it also helps you grow in many other ways, like social status.
Sigh.
I don't know if I want to go back. I mean, I have no one who actually cares about me back home. But I don't want to be powerless either.
Ahh, come on, Veylen. Stop overthinking and survive.
I should get moving before some other fucker tries to jump me.
I push myself up and start walking through the forest, trying to find a way out.
I need to escape this damn forest and find the core of this region so I can go back home. Of course, devour those rewards as well.
I stop instinctively as I hear footsteps.
I try to hide. Anywhere.
Before I can even move, a voice shouts… at someone?
"You bastard! I told you to work on your footwork! You could've been dead meat if I didn't save your ass!" A feminine voice cuts through the air, furious.
A figure comes toward me. The first thing that catches my eyes is her white, silky hair. Her eyes, which I can't fully see, are a piercing shade of azure blue.
(Picture)
She turns her gaze to me, and I immediately recognize the emotions in her eyes—confusion and disgust.
"Leon, look at this noble fucker," she says mockingly.
The fuck did I do?
"Oi, which noble house are you from?" Her commanding voice and aura make my knees buckle.
"N-noble house? I'm a c-commoner, though," I say, my voice shaky.
"Don't lie to me. No commoner looks like that."
Oh. I forgot I had [Twist of Perception] active. My appearance must look way too refined.
"No, I swear, I'm no noble. I'm just a commoner who recently awakened his [Spell]," I say, trying to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Lady Selis, maybe you should relax a bit. Perhaps he isn't a noble but was lucky enough to be a merchant's son or something," Leon says, trying to calm the muscle momm—I mean, the angry lady—down.
"Hmm, maybe you're right. Hey, what's your name, brat?"
I'm not telling her my real name. Hell no.
"It's Dohwa, my lady," I say in a respectful tone, not wanting to come off as arrogant.
"That's quite a weird name you've got. How old are you?"
"I'm 19," I say matter-of-factly.
"That's pretty late to awaken a [Spell], but who am I to judge, I guess," she says before adding, "I'm Selis Veilis. I'm monitoring this little brat. If you didn't know already, he's Leon."
Leon gives me a nod.
I'm curious about her age, but there's no way in hell I'm asking.
"Oh, that's a beautiful name, my lady. You see, I'm not quite skilled in combat. Would you mind if I joined you?" I ask, knowing full well that teaming up with her would be beneficial.
"If you're expecting me to babysit you, then forget it. I'm only monitoring him for…" she pauses before continuing, "but I guess he does need a little help. Since you're a merchant's son, you should at least know basic combat, right?" she questions.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know where this misunderstanding came from. I'm just a commoner. I don't know much about combat—that's why I asked for your guidance and help," I tell her.
She sighs.
"Seriously… You know what? Just come with us," she says, her tone carrying a hint of pity.
Is she pitying me? Meh, as long as it benefits me, who cares?
As they start walking out of the forest, I quickly follow.
Selis Veilis, huh? What an interesting woman you are.
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Thank you for reading!