Upon his return to the mountain sanctuary, a tired sigh slipped from Adam's lips. The echo of his steps whispered against the bare stone as he collapsed next to the sacrificial altar.
His body groaned in protest, the exhaustion a pulsing undercurrent against his consciousness. It clawed at him, insistent, demanding him to surrender and rest. But he couldn't—not yet.
A multitude of thoughts churned within him. He needed to devise a strategy, an efficient way of isolating an ibex without stirring the rest of the herd into a frenzy. Surely there had to be a method—some covert, quiet means that wouldn't incite chaos.
His mind flashed to the [Cult Shop] feature, a thought that sparked hope. If there was any place to find something to help him, it was there.
With a flicker of mental command, the feature unfurled before him. His eyes darted, skimming the information for something—anything—that could provide him with the necessary leverage.
A soft, intrigued murmur slipped past his lips as he thumbed through the goods. "Hmm, Ethereal Lure Stones... interesting, but they only attract ethereal beings... not what I need," he muttered, a slight frown creasing his brow.
His gaze then skimmed over the next item, a sparkling net made of shimmering threads. "Stardust Capture Net... effective but far too noticeable," he mused aloud, the mental image of a brightly sparkling net amidst the serene mountain landscape causing him to grimace.
And so, he continued, talking through his thoughts. Every item sparked a new dialogue in his mind—a back and forth that helped him rationalize the worth of each product.
"Siren's Call Flute... controls animals, but only those that can hear it. The sound range won't be enough to selectively lure an ibex, and it could alert the whole herd... No, not that."
Each item presented a myriad of possibilities and shortcomings. Some were too loud, some too conspicuous, some not specialized enough. Adam knew that the wrong choice could result in a frenzy that he could ill afford.
Finally, his eyes landed on a recipe.
Blood-Ensnared Delicacy Recipe (Common)(Tier 1): This recipe is a powerful mix of culinary skill and mystic magic. It calls for the user's blood and the blood of the intended target, forging a bond that targets the prey's deepest cravings. The result is a dangerously irresistible treat, strong enough to catch Tier 1 beings and those below in its tempting grip.
Price: 83,000 dream coins. Warning: The cost is higher due to a mismatch with the user's Undying Soul Cult type.
"Blood-Ensnared Delicacy," Adam echoed in a whisper, the name hanging in the air as he considered its potential. His eyes lit up, a spark of hope flickering within them. "This... might be just what I need."
This was it—a bait, a specialized tool crafted for his exact situation. Its greatest strength lay in its subtlety, its precision—it was the perfect tool for a delicate mission like this.
However, it had its downsides. Although it didn't call for specific cult resources, it was expensive, and it threatened to drain a large portion of his remaining dream coins.
A frown tugged at his lips as he read the warning at the end of the description. A mismatch between the recipe and his Undying Soul Cult type was causing the increased cost. Most items in the [Cult Shop] had a similar warning and demanded even more resources to purchase.
But despite the high cost, the potential rewards were too tempting to ignore.
Gritting his teeth, he took the plunge, purchasing the recipe. In an instant, a piece of parchment materialized within his grasp, a detailed step-by-step guide on crafting the irresistible lure.
His eyes narrowed as they caught on a particular detail—he needed to spill his own blood. A grimace twisted his features. Self-infliction was an unpalatable prospect, but if it meant accomplishing his goal, he was willing to bear the pain.
Another requirement, however, made him pause—the blood of the target. Now, that posed a problem. He didn't have a vial of ibex blood readily available, and procuring one wasn't a straightforward task, given his recent encounters.
However, despite the looming obstacles, Adam's resolve remained steadfast. He would venture out again to lure an ibex and procure its blood.
"No matter what," Adam muttered, determination steeling his voice, "I'll make it work."
---
Summoning the shards of his dwindling energy, Adam found his way back to where he'd last seen the herd of ibex. The evening light cast long, spectral shadows of the creatures upon the cliff face, an ethereal sight, intimidating in its magnitude.
His approach was deliberate, almost a dance. With each step, he calculated the distance, the noise, the likelihood of attracting unwanted attention. He wasn't here for a massacre. One ibex was all he needed, just one.
Focusing his gaze, he singled out an ibex grazing carelessly on the lower edge of the cliff. 'It has to be quick, no room for mistakes.' The words resonated in his mind, forging a mantra of determination.
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Adam approached the unsuspecting ibex. He had a small glass vial clutched in his hand, its crystal-clear surface reflecting the dying embers of the day. It was a container for the precious commodity he needed - ibex blood.
He pointed and used his [Soul Severance II] on the creature. Suddenly, the creature stiffened, its body trapped in an invisible vice, its eyes wide with fright and confusion.
Next came the Immortal Dream Blade, his grip on the weapon more sure and comfortable. It gleamed in his hand, catching the fading light as he plunged it into the ibex. A small incision, just enough to draw blood without causing irreversible harm.
Blood began to seep from the wound, warm and rich, staining the fur around it. The metallic scent filled the air, intensifying his focus.
He carefully positioned the vial, collecting the scarlet fluid with a steady hand. The ibex, still under the effect of [Soul Severance II], could do nothing but look on in silent panic.
'Almost there, just a bit more...' Time became a relentless enemy, its invisible hands pushing against him.
Adam worked swiftly to collect the vital fluid, the slick warmth of the ibex's blood painting his hands a vivid scarlet. Its iron-like scent wafted up to his nostrils, a harsh reminder of the task at hand.
No second was squandered as he secured the blood in the vial, closing it and taking out another vial. Every move was efficient, imbued with a sense of urgency. The ire of the ibex herd was a risk he couldn't afford.
Despite the seeming tranquillity of the scene, Adam felt the unsettling shift in the atmosphere. The silent herd of ibex was becoming restless, their attention drawn towards him.
'They're noticing... I need to move... now.' Quickly, he secured the vial, now filled with a decent amount of blood.
It was enough. It had to be. He could not afford to linger any longer. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing the urgency of his situation.
With a final glance at the immobilized ibex, Adam turned on his heels and fled. There was no chaos this time, no stampede of hooves against the rocky terrain.
Adam had achieved his objective. The crucial ingredient was in his hands. A grim smile tugged at his lips as he cast one last look at the ibex, their silhouettes growing fainter in the descending darkness.
---
Weary but resolute, Adam made his trek back to the sanctuary, the pounding in his chest a symphony of triumph and trepidation. The silhouette of the sacrificial altar loomed in the fading light.
He slumped down in front of the altar, its familiar stone surface a welcome sight. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the task at hand. Crafting the Blood-Ensnared Delicacy would not be a walk in the park. But he was ready to pay the price, ready to endure the pain that lay ahead.
He summoned the [Cult Shop] feature, scouring through the array of items to find the necessary crafting tools. A simple set of crafting tools came into view, costing him only a handful of dream coins.
He managed to purchase his vials in the [Cult shop], it was definitely more cost effective to purchase it elsewhere but Adam didn’t really have much of a choice.
With a mental command, the tools appeared before him, their pristine surfaces gleaming under the lantern's glow.
"Alright, let's get to work," he murmured, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet sanctuary. He summoned the recipe from his [inventory], its parchment unfurling before him. The meticulous steps required for the crafting process stared back at him, each line of instruction a challenge to be conquered.
With a steady hand, he took the vial of ibex blood, its crimson content still warm. Then, his gaze fell upon his own hand. He gripped the Immortal Dream Blade, the blade catching the light.
He drew the blade across his palm, wincing as pain shot through his hand. His own blood began to seep out, warm and thick, pooling in his hand.
With a deep breath, he let his blood drop into the mixing bowl, joining the ibex's blood. He followed the recipe's instructions to the letter, his brows furrowing in concentration. Each ingredient was added with precision, each step executed with painstaking care.
But the first attempt ended in failure. A misplaced drop, a flawed motion, the delicacy crumbled under his trembling hands. He stared at the failed product, frustration gnawing at him. But he wouldn't give up. 'One more try... I can do this.'
He drew his knife across his palm once more, the sharp edge of the blade biting into his skin. The fresh stream of blood that welled up was once again guided into the mixing bowl, mingling with the ibex blood he had collected earlier.
He followed the recipe again, his movements more determined than before. He carefully mixed the ingredients, taking special care to avoid the mistakes that had led to his previous failure.
Yet, the second attempt met the same fate as the first. Despite his best efforts, the delicacy once again fell apart in his hands, the ingredients separating and crumbling into an inedible mess.
Frustration bubbled up within him, gnawing at the edges of his resolve. But Adam didn't yield. 'Come on, Adam, you can do this,' he silently encouraged himself, shaking off the creeping tendrils of disappointment.
Taking a deep breath, he made a third attempt. Drawing blood was becoming increasingly painful, but he steeled himself against the discomfort. The sensation served as a stark reminder of the stakes at hand.
His hands, steadier now, worked with renewed determination, carefully following each step on the parchment.
The third attempt proved the charm. The Blood-Ensnared Delicacy took shape under his careful ministrations, slowly transforming into an enticing morsel that held a dangerous promise. It was a bewitching concoction, a blend of his blood, the ibex's blood, and a myriad of other ingredients, all woven together.
Adam sat back, a triumphant grin spreading across his weary face. He looked at the bait before him - an edible masterpiece of alluring danger. He could barely believe he had succeeded in crafting it.
'Now I know why there are dedicated crafters,' he mused, studying the bait with satisfaction.
The world of crafting was laborious and demanding, requiring a degree of focus and precision he hadn't expected. The potential of crafting was huge, the multitude of recipes available in the [Cult Shop] would need a devoted class to fully exploit them.
Shaking his head, he chastised himself for getting ahead, “One thing at a time.”
His gaze fell back onto the Blood-Ensnared Delicacy, its allure almost hypnotizing.
It was a small pastry-like item, about the size of a fist, and it gleamed under the soft light. Its exterior was a rich, glossy crimson - a nod to the blood used in its creation. It was intricately patterned with arcane symbols that shone with a faint, ethereal glow, adding a layer of mystique and allure to it.
The pastry gave off a tantalizing aroma, rich and mouth-watering, hinting at the taste that awaited the one who dared to consume it. Despite its somewhat daunting appearance, it was undeniably attractive, pulsing with a mesmerizing allure that was hard to resist.
He had the bait, the next step was to test it out. His heart thumped in his chest with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
Only time would tell if his efforts had truly paid off.