Aeron woke up with a sharp, jarring pain radiating through his body. He clenched his teeth to stifle a groan, his hands instinctively gripping the edge of the wooden slab beneath him. The soreness hadn't eased in the slightest.
"Ah, this... this will take months," he muttered, sitting up slowly.
Just as the aches threatened to overwhelm him, his stomach growled loudly. Hunger crashed into him like waves, but he bit the inside of his cheek and ignored it. Hunger was nothing new—he'd endured it countless times before.
Instead of focusing on his physical state, Aeron exhaled deeply and summoned the book. It appeared before him in its usual unsettling manner, pages turning with a sound like faint whispers.
---
"Congratulations on surviving your first trial, Aeron," the book began, its tone calm but edged with an eerie undercurrent.
"Let's skip the formalities," Aeron said dryly, rubbing his temples. "What do I get?"
"Impatient, are we? Very well. You have earned three original rewards, one tailored to your current state, and another chosen to reflect your personality."
Aeron narrowed his eyes. "Original rewards? What does that mean?"
The book paused as though savoring his curiosity.
"Original rewards are fundamental abilities or gifts tied to the essence of this existence. They are unique to you but come with a cost. Mastery will require suffering, and failure to master them may result in death."
The words sent a chill down Aeron's spine, but he kept his expression neutral.
"Go on," he said, leaning back against the wall.
---
"Your personality reward is... poison."
Aeron raised an eyebrow. "Poison?"
"Correct. Your nature—calculating, relentless, and willing to adapt—makes this a fitting choice. With it, your body will develop immunity to toxins over time, but more importantly, you will learn to craft and manipulate poison as both a weapon and a shield. However, mastery requires exposure. You must experience the effects firsthand to understand its intricacies."
The book's voice took on a darker tone.
"Survive the poison you create, and it will become your ally. Succumb, and you will perish. Such is the nature of this gift."
Aeron's lips curled into a grim smile. "Sounds like a gamble."
"Life itself is a gamble, Aeron. Shall I continue?"
---
"Your current state reward is designed to aid your recovery and ensure your survival in the immediate future. You will receive a daily restoration—a limited gift that cures all injuries and restores you to peak physical condition."
Aeron blinked in surprise. "Wait, so no matter how badly I'm hurt, I'll be fine the next day?"
"To an extent, yes. However, the restoration does not apply retroactively to injuries sustained before receiving the reward. Nor does it grant immunity to death. Use it wisely."
The thought of his body resetting every day was both comforting and unnerving.
---
The book's pages turned rapidly, settling on a dark, worn page as the voice grew more solemn.
"The three original rewards are unique gifts that will define your journey. But be warned—understanding them will demand unimaginable pain and sacrifice."
Aeron's fists clenched, his instincts telling him this was where the real challenge began.
"Your first original reward: Immortality, Phase One. This is the foundation of eternal life, granting you an extended lifespan and resistance to aging. However, to unlock its full potential, you must endure the agony of death multiple times, allowing your soul to adapt and evolve."
Aeron's breath hitched. "Endure death? You're kidding."
"Do I sound like I'm joking?"
He swallowed hard, his pulse quickening.
"Your second original reward: Death Law. A fragment of the universal truth governing the end of all things. To wield it, you must face your own mortality repeatedly and embrace the despair of those you take from this world. Only then will you understand its power."
The words hung heavy in the air, each syllable weighing down on Aeron's chest.
"Your third original reward: Vitality. The essence of life itself. This gift will allow you to manipulate your own life force, but it comes at a price. Overexertion will drain you, and failure to manage it will result in irreversible damage. To master vitality, you must walk the fine line between life and death."
Aeron let out a shaky breath, his mind spinning. "You're asking me to gamble my life over and over again."
"Indeed," the book said with a hint of amusement.
--
"Why do I feel like you enjoy watching me suffer?" Aeron snapped, glaring at the book.
"Because suffering is the crucible of greatness," it replied smoothly. "Besides, you wouldn't be here if you weren't willing to pay the price for what you desire."
Aeron crossed his arms. "Funny. You seem very invested in me, but I don't even know what you gain from all this."
"Ah, Aeron, your distrust is endearing. Let's just say your success benefits us both. Now, shall we move forward?"
--
Aeron exhaled sharply, his hunger finally breaking through his focus. He waved the book away for now, deciding to deal with the information later. Rising to his feet, he winced as his body protested every movement.
Stumbling to the corner of the room, he found a small stash of coins and resolved to find food. But as he stepped out into the chaotic streets, his mind lingered on the book's words.
Suffering, death, and sacrifice—those were the prices he had to pay.
And deep down, despite the fear clawing at him, Aeron couldn't deny the flicker of anticipation igniting within him.