As Ace wandered through the desolation and death that had befallen the city, the harrowing sights he witnessed left an indelible mark on his young psyche. At just 14 years old, he found himself grappling with a profound shift in mentality. The ruins and corpses that surrounded him were stark reminders of the harsh realities of their world, where survival often came at a steep price.
Among the heart-wrenching scenes, Ace encountered instances that shook him to his core. He observed individuals who, driven by fear and desperation, had abandoned their own families in a bid to protect themselves. It was a stark betrayal of the bonds that should have held them together in such dire circumstances.
Ace also witnessed the dark cult's cruelty firsthand, as their ruthless actions left a trail of devastation in their wake. The callous abandonment of monster pets, once loyal companions, by those who sought to flee the dark cult's clutches further highlighted the depths of cruelty and despair that had gripped their world.
These experiences left an enduring imprint on Ace's character. They forged a steely resolve within him, a determination to rise above the brutality of their world and protect those he held dear. The innocence of youth had been replaced by a newfound wisdom, one born from the crucible of adversity. Ace's changed mentality was a testament to his resilience, a commitment to stand firm in the face of darkness and forge a path toward a brighter, more compassionate future, even in the midst of such overwhelming despair.
As Ace listened to Rebecca recount the full story, a sense of unease settled over him. There was something distinctly fishy about the situation, and it gnawed at his instincts. The central question that troubled him was how everyone had come to know about the existence and precise location of the legendary Seven-Color Rainbow Herb concealed within the underground vault of the city's leader's mansion.
It struck Ace as highly suspicious that such a rare and coveted herb, known to appear only once in a century, had seemingly become common knowledge. The revelation of its presence in the leader's vault suggested an intricate web of information that raised more questions than answers.
Ace's skepticism urged him to dig deeper, to unravel the mystery behind the widespread awareness of this herb. In a world where secrets were paramount and power struggles rampant, the apparent transparency surrounding the herb's location felt out of place. He sensed that there were hidden agendas and concealed motives at play, and he was determined to uncover the truth that lay beneath the surface.
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As he delved into this enigma, Ace recognized that their mission was not merely about protecting the herb but also about untangling a complex web of intrigue and deceit. The legend of the Seven-Color Rainbow Herb had drawn them into a deeper mystery, and Ace was resolute in his determination to navigate this labyrinth of secrets to safeguard not only the herb but also the truth that had been obscured by shadows.
Ace's keen instincts and growing sense of suspicion led him to a disconcerting conclusion: there might be a traitor among them. He found it highly unusual that Rebecca, a mere Magic User without any overt combat prowess, had managed to survive the relentless pursuit of both the dark cult and the beast tide. This raised profound questions about her true intentions and her survival in a world fraught with peril.
It became increasingly apparent to Ace that this potential traitor had a vested interest in ensuring the herb reached the city's leader. The motive behind such a scheme remained elusive, yet Ace's intuition told him that something nefarious lay beneath the surface.
As he pondered the implications, Ace couldn't help but wonder about the leader's role in this intricate web of deception. What was the leader's intent in acquiring the Seven-Color Rainbow Herb? How would its possession impact the leader's hold on power or their grander schemes?
The pieces of this puzzling conspiracy were falling into place, and Ace knew he needed to tread carefully. The herb, now a symbol of both hope and intrigue, held the key to unraveling the traitor's plans and exposing the truth. With every passing moment, the stakes grew higher, and Ace was determined to safeguard not only the herb but also the fragile trust that remained among those who sought to protect it from falling into the wrong hands.
Ace realized the urgency of the situation and the need for caution. His pursuit of the truth had exposed a treacherous undercurrent within their midst, and he understood that confronting the city's leader held the potential for grave danger.
Fueled by determination, Ace turned his attention to the copied herb, a symbol of hope and mystery. Knowing that he needed to prepare for the challenges ahead, he embarked on a rigorous cultivation process. With each passing day, he honed his skills and mastery over the copy/paste talent.
Ace's relentless efforts bore fruit, as he successfully reproduced the Seven-Color Rainbow Herb multiple times within a single day. In a remarkable feat, he managed to create ten identical copies of the revered herb. This achievement marked a significant turning point, granting him both the means to protect the herb's original form and the potential to wield its unique properties strategically.
With these replicated herbs in his possession, Ace had fortified his position and prepared himself for the enigmatic encounter with the city's leader.