[This is a twisted, otherworldly realm.]
[Vampires, werewolves, technology, magic potions, ghosts, cyborgs, divination, puppets—every terrifying element you can imagine exists here.]
[When you step outside, you must carry a light.]
[Do not wander too far.]
[Venture beyond ten meters from the door, and the darkness will devour you.]
[Whether your patient is human, ghost, or stitched-together abomination, remain calm.]
[If you panic, it will turn hostile.]
At a rickety desk, Lynn dipped his quill into ink by lamplight, scribbling these rules into his journal—lessons learned over two years in this world.
"Lynn! Time to hang the lamp and open shop!"
A voice rasped like grinding bones echoed through the room. Lynn sighed. It belonged to his "teacher," the owner of Bloodsaw Apothecary—the man who’d saved his life two years ago and now ruled over this otherworldly pharmacy.
"Coming!" Lynn shouted.
Just then, a cold, synthetic tone chimed in his mind:
[Ding! Your teacher, Bloodsaw the Madman, has assigned a task: Open the shop and hang the Soul Lantern. Reward: 10 Skeleton Coins, 5 Basic EXP, 100ml Pure Human Blood.]
Lynn froze.
Was that… a system?
After two years in this nightmare, do I finally have a cheat code?
He stifled his curiosity. Disobeying his teacher meant death.
Lynn hurried from the dim attic. Below, his teacher dragged a bisected creature’s corpse toward the operating room, leaving a crimson trail across moldy floorboards. The screech of a bone saw soon filled the air.
"After opening," the gravelly voice called, "feed yesterday’s expired potions to the Little Darling in the backyard. Be quick."
[Ding! New task: Dispose of expired potions by feeding the [Little Darling]. Reward: 10 Skeleton Coins, -10 Favorability with Little Darling, +1 Housekeeping Proficiency.]
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Lynn’s eyes narrowed.
So it’s real. This system quantifies every twisted chore here.
Ignoring the wet crunch of flesh behind him, Lynn grabbed an oil lamp from the front room. He wound its rusted crank, watching as viscous red droplets fell onto the wick.
Hiss.
A scarlet flame flickered to life. If he listened closely, faint screams seemed to emanate from the lamp itself.
Lynn steadied his breath and opened the door.
Outside, an impenetrable darkness loomed, pierced only by faint mist and distant, mocking laughter. He hung the lamp on a post, illuminating a crumbling sign:
BLOODSAW APOTHECARY
[Ding! Rewards claimed: 10 Skeleton Coins, 5 Basic EXP, 100ml Pure Human Blood.]
As Lynn turned to leave, a creaky voice slithered from the shadows:
"Good morning, lad… Got any useless trash for an old woman? I’ll pay handsomely. Hehehe…"
A hunched figure emerged, dragging a cart fused to her skeletal hand. Her "lantern" pulsed with stretched human skin.
[Ding! Optional task from [Human-Skin Scavenger]: Provide [Useless Trash]. Reward: +10 Scavenger Favorability, 20 Skeleton Coins, Scavenger’s Payment x1.]
"One moment," Lynn replied evenly.
He retrieved two reeking sacks from the shop—their contents squirmed and groaned. The scavenger’s grin widened as he loaded them onto her cart.
"Thank you, kind soul."
Her bony fingers plunged into her eye sockets, emerging with two steaming eyeballs.
"Your payment, dear boy."
[Ding! Rewards claimed: +10 Scavenger Favorability, 20 Skeleton Coins!]
[Accept the eyeballs? Rejecting will lower favorability by 50.]
Lynn pocketed the organs without flinching. "I’ll take them."
The scavenger’s hollow gaze followed him as she vanished into the dark.
[Ding! Acquired [Tailor’s Eyeball x1], [Butcher’s Eyeball x1]. Scavenger Favorability +20.]
Lynn exhaled. Across the street, the "Tailor" stitched human hides, while the "Butcher" sold meat of dubious origin. This scavenger now carried their eyes.
Another rule of this world: Never cross the things that walk in darkness.
Back inside, Lynn gathered vials of blackened sludge—expired potions—and headed to the backyard. The bone saw’s scream still echoed from the operating room.
Better not disturb him. The next patient on that table could be me.
The cellar door creaked open, releasing a stench of rot and blood.
Hssss…
Whatever "Little Darling" lurked below, only his teacher knew its true form. Lynn dumped the potions into the void.
[Ding! Rewards claimed: 10 Skeleton Coins, -10 Little Darling Favorability, +1 Housekeeping Proficiency.]
A bestial roar shook the cellar. Lynn slammed the door shut.
Surviving here meant obeying without question. The last apprentice who hesitated now fed the "Darling."
Back in the shop, Lynn whispered, "System?"
A translucent panel materialized before him.