Rin stared at me for a second of surprise before she shook her head. “Otherwordler.” She took a pause. “There are plenty of us. But I’ve never heard of one that didn’t have their memories.” She stood up, her tail swished behind her as she made her way to the cupboards, opening a different door as she began to get some small stone cups. She seemed calm, but also, apprehensive. “I’ll warn you right now about the person you call The Scholar.”

“Warn me?” I frowned.

She nodded as she pulled a teapot from the upper cabinet. “Should she know you have memories of a different world.” She began to pour hot water into the cups. “She will undoubtedly do her best to kill you.”

I frowned hearing Rin, unsure if to believe what she had said wholeheartedly. But it didn’t hurt to keep it a secret from someone as dangerous as The Scholar. I still remembered the fear I felt from simply facing her, and it was⁠— terrifying. I shook my head remembering the shiver, it was worse than whatever The Collector had used, or rather⁠— worse than everything.

My train of thought was interrupted by the almost hollow sound of a tray being placed on the table. Rin placed a cup of steaming something in front of me and took one for herself.

“I’ll get straight to the point since you…” She sighed and took a sip. “Your position is bad, even if it’s a Bracelet of Compromise, The Collector can still command you. However, he is very…” She looked at her cup. “He doesn’t really order people around unless it's a necessity, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Or alternatively I can offer you a deal.”

“A deal?” I asked in confusion, not taking the cup on the table.

She nodded. “I will pay your debts to The Collector, and you will belong to me. How does that sound?” She smiled and her tail wagged.

I took a deep breath and simply shook my head. “I am not interested.” The Collector or Rin, I didn’t feel as if I could trust either, but at least I had a promise with The Collector, even if I was just told the fact that promises were not absolute.

“Your loss,” she took a sip. “Onto the next topic about mana stones. Do you even know what they are?”

I drew yet another breath. “No.”

She shook her head. “Well, I’ll tell you the simplified version, mana stones are like tanks of mana. Since mana cannot be raised naturally then the only option is to carry tanks around.”

I nodded, that made some degree of sense.

“The problem with them is that they must be in direct contact with your skin, at the same time they use mana to give you mana.” She took a sip. “Meaning with your measly nine mana you won’t get much out of any high tier mana stone since they are harder to stimulate. Though…” She took a deep breath. “I suppose a high tier mana stone is useful in emergencies, to use all your mana at once and the one present in the stone.”

I frowned, recalling I had collapsed. “Why would you use it all at once?”

“Legends speak of tier six skills that cost hundreds of mana. Those with branded names generally have a skill that has a similar drain.” Rin said without a change in tone, her eyes simply closed as she enjoyed whatever was in the cup. “Skills can be overcharged to be stronger, so using all your mana on a single one isn’t uncommon.”

“I see…” My disadvantages grew bigger and bigger it seems.

“To go back to the skin part, the options are to grab it or embed it into your body.” She took a sip. “The latter being extremely painful, but it's upside is that the crystals recharge on your mana.”

That sounded… odd. “So, do I need to stick it inside my body for it to be rechargeable?”

Rin shook her head with a sigh. “No, you can just use it as your pillow while you sleep or something. Direct contact is the only requirement. Anyway, I am just telling you this information so that you may not die. This town is quite unstable at the moment.”

I took a deep breath. “You mean the Blood Knights?”

“Yes, among other things.” She said without a change in tone. “Ignoring that for you either method works, the mana crystals you require are quite small. No point in sticking a big rock to a part of your body.”

I nodded in agreement. “So you will help me choose a crystal, correct?”

Rin finished drinking whatever she had been drinking. “Correct,” she agreed before taking a deep breath. “Will you drink that?” Her finger pointed at the cup.

“No.” Without any more words she grabbed it and drank the entire thing in what seemed a single gulp, letting out a breath of satisfaction as she stood up.

“Well that’s that, now we go pick your crystal.” With that said she walked past me and opened the door. “Let’s not make The Collector wait for longer.”

The Collector… I stood up feeling my heart skip a beat. I didn’t think he’d be annoyed but I certainly had gotten too carried away talking with Rin. She was originally only supposed to take me for ‘in-depth analysis,’ not invite me to drink something. I walked after her, though she just returned to the main room without any care in the world.

The Collector leaned against a wall with his eyes closed. He did that last time too. Rin ignored him and walked past him in the direction of one of the pedestals. Like many others it had a glittering gem atop of it, but this one was considerably smaller than the other ones; no bigger than my thumbnail shining in an aqua-ocean color.

“Your affinity is darkness so this might be an alright fit. It comes from a fish in the deep ocean where the light can’t reach.” She said with a bit of doubt.

“A fish?” I pondered raising my brow. “This stone came from a fish?”

“Ah, I forgot to mention it.” She smiled. “Every mana stone comes from a living being, even humans have one inside. Sometimes they are removed from children for high prices, permanently crippling the kids.”

I stared at the stone in silence, then at Rin whose face did not change upon saying that. Was this normal? I shook my head.

“So this stone helps me in some way?” I decided to ask to move the topic.

“Well just take a look.” She grabbed it and placed it in my hand.

Din⁠— [Mana Stone of the Deep Sea ⁠— Hunted down by a fisherman a Deep Spida perished to bring this polished stone to life. Refined by a creature of the dark region of the sea this mana stone presents unusual traits. ⁠— 25/25 Mana, +20% Mana efficiency when casting Water and Darkness based skills.]

I read through the description, it looked rather good, but I had no point of comparison. The mana capacity was almost three times higher than mine, though I did not understand what the activation requirement to use the mana inside the stone was⁠— if what Rin had spoken was true anyway.

“So, does it seem good to you? Unfortunately most other stones have at least six times the capacity.” She asked with a bit of a distant look.

“I…” I truly had no point of reference. But… Perhaps⁠— He promised to help me get stronger. “Can I consult it with The Collector?”

“Sure. “ She nodded and stood there.

With the stone in hand I approached The Collector at a normal pace, and as expected he opened his eyes when I was close to him. He stared at my hand and nodded.

“Not a bad choice.” He⁠— He didn’t even see it? He put his hand inside his coat pocket and pulled out a big silver coin that he flicked with his thumb. The coin flew like a shooting star drawing a long arch across the room, Rin simply raised her hand and caught it. “That should be more than enough for the stone. Take the extra as payment for information.”

“Sure.” She smiled amiably from across the room and made a direct line towards the counter.

“Information?” I muttered to myself in confusion.

“The fact that you’re from another world among other pieces of advice,” The Collector said as he stood straight. “I suggest putting the stone inside your bandage and tightening it, also remove the tablets.”

I stared wide-eyed as he turned around and began walking. At that moment I heard a small laugh from behind, which I identified as Rin’s. So she knew⁠— I can feel The Collector’s gaze⁠— she had said that… So everything that I had said was heard by him? I looked at his walking figure before shaking my head and following after him. I felt slight anxiousness but took solace in the fact that his demeanor hadn’t changed.

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We reached the elevator once again.

“Stone in bandages or somewhere where you can keep it in constant contact,” he repeated emotionlessly.

“Right…” I bit my lip feeling slightly flustered before looking at my right arm. The pain was long gone, so it probably was not⁠— broken anymore? Was it even broken to begin with? It had healed slightly too quickly⁠— I undid the bandage with lacking dexterity using my left hand.

The elevator door silently opened as I prodded deeper and finally reached two wooden tablets that I promptly removed after stepping inside the elevator. I held them between my hand as I readjusted the bandage and put the stone in the inner part of my bicep⁠— tricep? And promptly wrapped the bandage securely.

It was cold against my skin but nothing more than a minor nuisance. The Collector met my eyes and nodded before extending his hand towards me. It was so big. I flinched but I just felt a tug on my left hand. He had removed the wooden tablets, though he just put them inside his coat after doing so.

As I waited, my uneasiness grew slightly.

“Does it bother you that I didn’t tell you?”

“I don’t care.” He shook his head. “Though your situation is now worse.”

“Worse?” I frowned.

He reached and pressed the lowest button of the elevator. “The Major takes very seriously his use of names, given your situation I don’t think you want to be noticed.”

Names?

“Girl-collector-one,” he said nonchalantly. “That is your name.”

I had told Rin my name. The door opened.

He stepped outside and without looking at me, spoke once again in the same monotone manner. “Now it is time for me to train you before the day ends.”

“Train?”

He didn’t reply and began walking once again. This⁠— His behaviour of walking and doing things was starting to bother me, but⁠— I looked at his figure. Nothing would come out of saying it or voicing it out. I simply chased after him.

We left the building.

“The deal Rin offered…” I brought it up. “Is it even possible considering the promise?”

“No. The promise must be voided first,” he said. “The bracelet Rin showed you is a voided bracelet.”

Voided? I furrowed my brows. That was voided? But⁠— Promises aren’t absolute. I didn’t know who to trust, was it in the best interest of The Collector to keep me around? Was it better for Rin to take me in as her slave? I was… interesting. Or so it seemed by people’s reactions, but what was so interesting? I didn’t understand it.

I didn’t understand why either of them would consider keeping me alive aside from⁠— I paused having a realization stopping in my steps. I looked at The Collector’s back. The Scholar. Both of them had some type of relationship with her, and so did I. And yet it seemed like the biggest reason I was still here⁠—

So the only reason to keep me around was because of her words?

My frown deepened, feeling sudden annoyance, slight anger and hopelessness. I looked at my hands, I could move perfectly now, but… I was too weak. I looked at the fading figure of The Collector who didn’t seem to care if I chased after him or not.

I grit my teeth. I had to get stronger. I was offered a way to do just that; even if promises weren’t absolute, even if it was a trap or something with ulterior motives⁠… I was going to take my chances. I chased after The Collector once again. This time without being forced to do so, I had to chase after him⁠— I had to get stronger.

Even if it wasn’t something meant to ultimately help me. I was going to try my hardest.

◇ ◇ ◇

Burning pain flared across my hand.

“Not fast enough,” he said nonchalantly as always.

“How is this not fast enough?” I grit my teeth in pain.

“If I can disarm you before you even have your weapon, then it is not fast enough.” He said, looking at me. “Try again.”

I took a deep breath; how long had we been doing this? For how long has he been smacking needles out of my hand before I can form them? I clenched my fist feeling the darkness inside⁠— Smack⁠— pain ensued making me grunt. The smacks weren’t particularly fast but they were painful and rough. Rough enough to make my fist pulse in pain.

“Tier one comprehension won’t cut it, understand the shadows better.” He had a soft frown but that was it.

“Easier said than done,” I scoffed before refocusing. Tier one comprehension? Then he wanted me to advance to the second tier?

The shadows existed within my hand upon closing it⁠— I just had to close it faster, during the emotion try to make the needle. I closed my fist⁠— burning pain made me lose my concentration.

“Again…”

I took a few deep breaths before closing my fist as quick as I could, I held onto the feeling of weaving the darkness together as if I was creating something great⁠— he smacked again.

He shook his head in disapproval. “You must do it before I can even notice you’re doing it.”

I frowned. Before he could notice it? I did a half fist waiting for him to smack my hand once again with the force of a brute, but nothing happened. He was letting me experiment? No that didn’t matter, perhaps he only acted if he noticed something. I hadn’t done anything yet.

I closed my eyes trying to concentrate on the darkness, to the shadows together⁠— I grunted from the sudden pain on my hand.

“Leah,” he spoke. “How are you trying to make your Darkness Needle?”

I bit my lip to stop myself from saying something inappropriate. “I… weave the darkness together, I imagine it to create it…”

He frowned. “Where there is darkness, there is darkness affinity. The darkness is already weaved and put together, you just have to take it out.”

“Take it out?”

“The needle already exists in the shadows.” He elaborated.

It sounded cryptic. Too cryptic to the point I couldn’t help but stop everything I was doing to think. The needle already exists in the shadows. It’s already put together⁠— weaved… He was saying that this process I was doing was completely unnecessary. I just had to pull it from my shadow; somehow.

I slightly closed my hand⁠ feeling imagining the shadow there, then I imagined the needle coming out of the shadow I felt the feeling of my shadow coming alive⁠—

“You’ve improved.”

I gnashed my teeth from pain.

“Is that so?” The Collector nodded without a change making me angry. All he would do was smack and say yes or no⁠— I shook my head. This was training.

I just had to try harder. At that moment I felt connected with my shadow, I just had to do it faster. The needle already existed, I just had to pull it out. I just had to do better.

With a newly formed mentality I slightly closed my hand; the feeling of imagining the shadow wasn’t right⁠— the shadow was already there⁠— the needle didn’t need to be imagined⁠— it was already there. I frowned and grasped onto the residual feeling of my hand, but not rubbing or weaving, just the mana. I just had to bring it out.

I pushed⁠—

“Aagh!” I felt pain like no other flare from my hand.

Di⁠— [Advancement: You’ve understood past the basics of Darkness (Tier 1) ⁠— Darkness Needle (Tier 1) has advanced to (Tier 2) ⁠— Darkness (Tier 2)]

“I did it…” I muttered as if I had forgotten about the pain.

“Good job,” The Collector emotionlessly praised. “Even if disarmed, you at least brought out your weapon.” His gloved hand pointed at the stone tile on the ground, a thin black line present.

I frowned looking at the needle. I almost had it, I just had to do it faster, more swiftly. “I can do better…”

He shook his head and pointed at my hand. “You need urgent care.”

I looked at it and it was⁠— purple, it was bruised with black and purple as if it had entered a state of necrosis. As soon as I saw it I felt pulses of pain travel through my entire arm⁠— his smacks had done that?!

“Still, I will admit that you acclimated to the mana stone considerably faster than I expected.” He nodded in satisfaction. “I will give you a healing potion.” He began to walk.

“Acclimated?” I asked in confusion before deciding to check something. I had used so many Darkness Needles. “Status.”

Name: Leah | Branded name: Unavailable

Level: 32 | Race: D̶̻̫͗̒ȇ̸̟͖̔̇s̸͈͆̅̓c̶͇͆̎͠ͅe̴͎̍ǹ̵̢͗ḑ̵̜͆e̴̗̰͑̈́̓d̸͕̻̮̒̆̑ Dungeon Core

Passive skill: Calculated Danger Perception | Blessing: Night’s Embrace

Attribute Average: 93 | Max attribute average: 232

Mana: 5/34 | STR: 101 | DEX: 121 | END: 101 | AGI: 101 | CHA: 84 | SUB: 151

Affinities: Darkness (Tier 2) Skills: Darkness Sight (Passive), Darkness Needle (II)

I paused looking at my mana. Wasn’t it supposed to be stimulated or something? I couldn’t recall ever touching the stone⁠— why did it add to my total mana pool? I wanted to say something but⁠—

I looked at The Collector who was already circling around the arch, walking in the direction of his office, leaving me in the courtyard. My hand throbbed, making me recall the Health Potion, The Collector had mentioned. I began moving towards his office with a small frown.

It was probably better to not mention that I wasn’t consciously using the mana stone.