Nathan found himself standing in the dappled shade of a tall palm tree, the land around him bursting with life. Lush greenery spread out in every direction, the foliage thick and vibrant, fed by the clear, shimmering pond at the oasis's heart. The air was filled with the sounds of nature—small creatures rustling through the under brush, birds chirping from the branches above, and the occasional splash as animals drank from the water's edge.
The scent of damp earth and fragrant flowers mixed with the subtle tang of the desert beyond, creating a heady atmosphere that was both calming and surreal.
He scanned his surroundings, the oasis a stark contrast to the barren wasteland he had trekked through. The greenery was a riot of colours, with exotic plants and bushes growing thick and wild, their leaves glistening with dew. In the distance, the sandy dunes of the desert loomed, a reminder of the harsh world outside this hidden paradise.
Nathan ducked back into the palm's shadow, crouching low as he pressed his hand against the tree's rough bark. His fingers traced the ridges, feeling the solidity beneath them. Breaking off a small piece of the wood, he placed it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.
"It feels like a tree, tastes like a tree, and its shadow blocks the sun," he muttered to himself. "If this is an illusion, it's so powerful that it doesn't matter. Might as well treat it as real, a parting gift from the sphinx, perhaps, to bring me here."
Drawing his spear, Nathan carefully cut one of the fruits from the palm tree—a deep red orb shaped like an egg. It looked suspiciously out of place, but with his Purge skill, he could afford to take risks. He bit into the fruit, and the sweet, tangy juice exploded in his mouth, almost melting on his tongue. He couldn't help but let out a small moan of satisfaction as he finished the fruit, its taste lingering in his mind.
Yet, despite the apparent safety of the oasis, Nathan remained cautious. He stayed low, moving stealthily through the under-brush, taking his time to circle the entire oasis. The journey took hours, the sun shifting in the sky, but he knew better than to let his guard down. Even if this oasis was real, predators might still lurk here.
He thanked his good fortune for the dungeon rewards that had kept his thirst at bay; without them, the relentless desert sun would have been far more punishing.
His robe shielded him from the sun's harsh rays, its magic keeping him cool and comfortable. As he moved, his thoughts wandered back to the sphinx's words, the implications slowly sinking in.
The only reason I dared to impersonate a priest and kill someone in the assassin's trial was that I was certain gods couldn't reach into trials, he mused, his mind replaying the events that led him here. And I specifically concluded that Agnostos wasn't a god because he materialized on the first floor. But if the sphinx is right, then gods might actually be able to do those things. I need to be more careful when dealing with powerful beings, even indirectly.
A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. Agnostos was a mystery, his strength hard to gauge. The next time he encountered him, Nathan would have more questions to ask of him.
As Nathan neared the end of his inspection, something caught his eye—a shadow falling in the wrong direction. Without hesitation, he lunged with his spear, the weapon slicing through the illusion and revealing a lizard, its scales flickering as it died.
Unseen Lizard – None [2] – Dead
The creature was no larger than his hand, its body still shimmering with faint colours before settling into a dull, yellowish-brown. Nathan smirked, unimpressed. "Truly one of the terrors haunting the land," he muttered dryly.
A few more of the camouflaged beasts met a swift end as he continued his sweep. Satisfied that the oasis was relatively safe, Nathan finally approached the pond. Kneeling by the water, he dipped his head beneath the surface, feeling the cool liquid wash away the dust and grime of his journey. He drank deeply, the water revitalizing him, easing the tension in his muscles and the anxiety in his mind.
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The last few days had been brutal, more so than when he first entered the tower. The desert was a barren place with little to offer, and now that he had acquired a soulbound item and a new skill, there seemed to be even less reason to stay. But this oasis was different—a sanctuary amidst the desolation. He decided to rest here for a while, enjoying the bountiful nature.
Over the next few days, Nathan grew to appreciate the comfort of his enchanted robe. Despite its current low level, it provided a level of comfort that made life in the desert bearable. He lived off the land, eating the fruits he had harvested and hunting small animals. He even attempted to fish in the pond, using his spear to try and catch some of the elusive creatures. However, the fish were tricky, able to create illusions that made them nearly impossible to spot underwater. After several frustrating hours, he gave up.
Despite his initial hopes of finding other people in the desert, the days passed with no sign of life beyond the oasis. Nathan began to suspect that the oasis was protected, hidden from the outside world. It must be impossible to spot from the desert, he concluded, but he knew he couldn't stay here forever. He needed to find a way out of the desert and continue his journey to face the floor's guardian.
Reluctantly, Nathan prepared to leave. He filled his water skins and gathered as many of the oasis's fruits as he could carry. With one last look at the serene pond and the sheltering palm trees, he set out once more into the desert, a pang of sadness in his chest.
"Into the breach once more," he whispered to himself, the thrill of adventure tempered by the knowledge of the challenges that lay ahead.
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After a few hours of walking, Nathan's gaze was drawn to a distant cloud of dust moving rapidly across the desert. He squinted, making out the shapes of vehicles gliding over the dunes. Unconsciously he stomped down, crushing a sleek scorpion under his boot, grimacing as he cleared its corpse off his sole.
As the cloud of dust drew nearer, he could see that it was a caravan, composed of magi-tech sleds—sleek, sand-colored machines designed to navigate the harsh terrain.
Once he was sure they had spotted him, Nathan stopped, waiting for the caravan to approach. In the desert, there was little profit in banditry; too few people braved the harsh conditions - and those that did were either desperate and poor or protected enough to give any group of bandits problems. He guessed that this was either a merchant caravan or part of a nomadic tribe, both of which could be useful to him.
As the vehicles drew closer, the sound of their engines humming loudly, Nathan counted at least ten guards among them. His instincts were confirmed—a merchant caravan.
I hope they have a space ring, he thought, a rare flicker of anticipation in his mind.
The lead vehicle, piloted by a dwarf, halted in front of Nathan, sending a spray of sand into the air. The dwarf, with a shrewd expression, called out, "You real, or just another illusion?"
Nathan chuckled, finding a bit of humour in the situation. "I'm as real as they come. What about you, good merchant?"
The dwarf grinned, his eyes sharp. "That's why we carry dispels, ain't it?" He deftly tossed a sparkling crystal to Nathan, who caught it mid-air.
The dispel crystal was a tool unique to this desert, used to confirm the reality of what one was seeing. It was a simple gemstone enchanted with a weak dispel illusion spell. No illusion could mimic the sensation of holding it, making it a reliable safeguard against the many tricks the desert could play.
Nathan tossed the crystal up and down in his hand, pondering the situation. "You buying monster parts? I’ve been hunting here for a while. Got some herbs and items too, though nothing too special."
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After a brief negotiation, which left Nathan feeling as though he had been thoroughly exploited—a common outcome when dealing with merchants—he watched the caravan disappear over the horizon. He looked down at the simple, black metal ring now adorning his left hand.
Rare Item: Dimensional Ring
A ring produced by a master smith and an enchanter working in accord. By using environmental energy, a passage to a stable sub-dimension is opened, allowing for the storage of items. The sub-dimension is fluctuating in size; objects that are too close to the edges may be lost in the void.
The ring was exactly what Nathan had been seeking, though it had cost him dearly. Every monster part he had collected, both in the dungeon and the desert, had been traded away, along with one of his two remaining potions of healing—a loss that stung deeply. Healing potions weren't priceless, but they were rare enough this far down in the tower that he knew it might be a long time before he could replace them.
Still, the ring was a valuable acquisition. It would allow him to carry far more than before, though he knew better than to trust such a low-rank item with his most precious possessions. Those, he would keep on his person for now.
For now, the ring included only a single item, a magi-tech compass calibrated to guide him out of the desert through the fastest route. The dwarf had no doubt fleeced him – the item had no use once he left the desert, but Nathan was willing to overpay for the convenience.
He took one last look at the dunes stretching out before him, then began walking again, determined to leave this desert behind him soon.