As Adrian rummaged through the half-opened coffins, his fingers brushed against the cool, worn surfaces of the stone. Each coffin revealed its own unique contents, remnants of a bygone era. Amongst the skeletal remains and tattered burial shrouds, his eyes fell upon a collection of spherical, jagged rocks. Their faint golden glow caught his attention, and he recognized them as golden runes.
Carefully, he retrieved the golden runes, feeling their weight in his hand. Each rune held a specific power to grant between 200-10000 runes when broken.
Satisfied with his findings, Adrian stowed the golden runes safely in his inventory, their soft glow radiating a sense of latent power. He called forth Torrent, his trusted steed and mounted the horse again.
He rode east along the cliff's edges, and Adrian's eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any signs of familiar landmarks. The wind whipped through his hair, carrying with it a sense of anticipation. As he ventured further, a peculiar sight caught his attention.
Ahead, a visible air current rose from the ground, creating a swirling vortex of energy. Adrian reined in Torrent, the horse neighing softly in response to his command. He gazed upon the mysterious phenomenon before him.
Adrian approached the edge of the air current, a mix of awe and trepidation welling within him. Knowing he had to go down, he peered into the depths.
Adrian frowned as he realized the fall would be fatal. However, his knowledge of the world told him he would survive the jump, having recognized the air current as a spirit spring.
His resolve hardened, and he steeled himself for the leap of faith. Taking a deep breath, he stepped back, his eyes fixed on the center of the rising current. With all his courage, he propelled Torrent forward, the spirited steed hurtling into the unknown.
Fear coursed through his veins as Adrian descended swiftly, the ground below growing closer with every passing moment. Doubt clawed at his mind, threatening to overpower his determination. But just as despair seemed to take hold, a miraculous transformation occurred.
As he fell halfway through the descent, his body suddenly became weightless, defying the laws of gravity. A profound sense of relief washed over him as he and Torrent glided gracefully through the air, the invisible force of the spirit spring cradling them gently.
Their fall became a gentle gilde, and the horror of the freefall was replaced by a sense of wonder and awe. The rushing wind whispered secrets in Adrian's ears as if granting him a glimpse into the hidden knowledge of the world.
Finally, Adrian and Torrent touched down on the ground, the air current dissipating around them. They landed with a soft thud, their impact cushioned by the spirit spring's power. Adrian's heart raced with exhilaration, a mixture of relief and triumph coursing through his veins.
He dismounted from Torrent, his legs trembling slightly from the adrenaline that still coursed through his body. Taking deep breaths to calm himself, Adrian surveyed the area, muttering to himself, "That damned bug better be here..."
As Adrian caught his breath, his eyes scanned the area for any signs of his target. Just ahead, a fist-sized dung beetle caught his attention. The tiny creature rolled a massive tumbleweed before it, the white particles shimmering in the air as if touched by unseen magic. Relief washed over him as he realized he had found what he sought.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Approaching the dung beetle, Adrian carefully reached down and gently picked it up, separating it from the tumbleweed. The beetle scuttled away, seemingly unfazed by its sudden liberation. Adrian paid it no mind, focusing instead on the tumbleweed.
He placed the tumbleweed on the ground, its prickly exterior crackling with the anticipation of discovery. He used his leg to crack it open, revealing its hidden contents. Within the tumbleweed, nestled amidst the dried foliage, was a golden-colored gem. Its surface shimmered with an ethereal glow, depicting the image of a sword cloaked in a holy golden light.
A triumphant grin spread across Adrian's face as he recognized the gem's significance. It was an Ashes of War skill. Though Adrian couldn't learn to use the skill himself due to Knight Bernahl cutting their lessons short, he could still apply it to a weapon.
He carefully picked up the gem, marveling at its radiant beauty, and stowed it safely in his inventory. The golden jewel would be a valuable asset in defeating the Summonwater Village's mariner and any other undead creatures.
With the gem secured, Adrian mounted Torrent again, his eyes fixed on the southward path. As he rode forward, the outline of an ancient, ruined church came into view. The once-majestic structure now lay in ruins, reduced to tattered walls and empty window frames, and time had worn away its former grandeur, leaving behind a haunting reminder of its former glory.
Adrian dismounted from Torrent, his footsteps echoing through the dilapidated church. The air was heavy with a solemn stillness, broken only by the soft rustling of wind through the crumbling walls. The church's interior was a shadowy expanse, with only hints of faded frescoes and remnants of pews to evoke its former purpose.
As Adrian stepped further into the ruins of the church, a profound sense of serenity washed over him. The dilapidated walls held remnants of faded frescoes, their colors muted by the passage of time. Rays of pale light filtered through the broken stained windows, casting ethereal hues upon the decaying interior.
In the center of the church, a site of grace beckoned Adrian's attention. Ahead, a pedestal stood adorned with vibrant yellow flowers, their delicate petals reaching toward the heavens. Atop the pedestal sat a shiny flask, its surface gleaming with a polished sheen.
Next to the flask, a perfectly spherical crystal rested, its exterior resembling transparent dried leaves, but its interior adorned with intricate, leafy patterns.
Adrian approached the pedestal, and with a gentle touch, he lifted the flask from its resting place, feeling the coolness of the metal against his skin. It was the Flask Wondrous Physic, a one-of-a-kind item capable of brewing concoctions with various effects.
Besides the flask, the crimson tear crystal captured Adrian's attention. Its vibrant hue contrasted with the translucent exterior, exuding an air of mystique. Adrian recognized it as a crucial component for concoction brewing within the Flask Wondrous Physic. The crystal's energy resonated with power as if infused with the essence of life itself.
Adrian carefully picked up the crimson tear crystal, its weight reassuring in his palm. He knew that collecting the remaining crystals scattered throughout the world would enhance his brewing capabilities, but this single crystal was a valuable treasure on its own.
With the flask and crystal safely secured in his inventory, Adrian cast a final glance at the statue of Queen Marika. The grand sculpture towered before him, its stoic visage etched with sorrow. Adrian's eyes were drawn to the shimmering water that gently dripped from the statue's eyes, pooling into an ornate golden cup.
Recognizing the contents of the golden cup as Sacred Tears, yet another valuable item that would increase the potency of his crimson and cerulean flasks, he approached. He delicately reached out and retrieved the cup, marveling at how the liquid within remained perfectly still as he lifted it. The surface of the tears shimmered with a divine radiance, emanating a sense of purity and healing.
Intrigued by the cup's properties, Adrian let his intrusive thoughts win. He turned the cup upside down with a focused expression, not knowing what to expect. However, to his surprise, the liquid defied gravity and remained firmly within the cup, defying the laws of physics as Adrian knew them. Chuckling to himself at the whimsical nature of this world, he marveled at the peculiarities that unfolded before him.
Satisfied with his findings, Adrian carefully stowed the Sacred Tears and the golden cup in his inventory, their presence a reassuring weight amidst his belongings.
With the acquisition of the golden runes, Sacred Blade Ashes of War, the Flask Wondrous Physic, the crimson tear crystal, and the Sacred Tears, Adrian knew he finally possessed the arsenal he needed to defeat the mariner and claim its death root.
The golden runes would give him the purchasing power he needed to increase his strength again, and Sacred Blade would allow him to inflict holy damage on the mariner and its undead minions, giving him a great advantage.
On the other hand, the Flask Wondrous Physic wasn't as important or vital in defeating the mariner, but it would still provide an added means of healing. Paired with the Sacred Tears and the Golden Seed, Adrian would go into battle fully assured that he would survive the confrontation at the very least.
With such thoughts in mind, Adrian headed to the site of grace at the center of the church, intent on summoning Melina and asking her how to use the tools he acquired.
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