Before me, an enigma was spread out in the form of a deck. Its cryptic secrets were cloaked in arcane symbols, their mysteries heightened by otherworldly hues. As the soft luminescence of bioluminescent fungi played upon the worn surface of the cards, I felt a cold, ancient energy pulsating within them.
Each card held a riddle within its confines, harboring revelations that could serve as a blessing or a bane. With every breath I took, every heartbeat that broke the cavern's hush, I could almost perceive the murmurs of bygone eras and the siren call of distant realities.
Parachent's disquieting warning hung in the air, casting a more ominous hue over the task of deciphering the deck. The challenge transcended the mere reading of cards; it was about surviving their arcane secrets. A single misstep, one misinterpreted revelation, could either set loose horrors too dreadful to grasp or cast me adrift in realms beyond human understanding. This was no game; it was a trial of courage, intellect, and tenacity.
Before I had the chance to draw, Parachent laid down three cards, all face down. As he placed each one, my gaze, enhanced by Madness Insight, witnessed the palpable distortion of space around him.
"I recommend holding off on revealing the first card you draw," he advised. "Instead, place three of them on the table. The first card you lay down symbolizes your being, your reality."
His counsel resonated with me. As I drew a card, an immediate pressure tugged at me, causing a chill to invade my body. The din of unintelligible voices engulfed me.
[ Warning: Frail Psyche is now active due to the effect of the Fractured Card ]
Despite the disconcerting sensations, I persevered. My hand trembled as I placed the card on the table.
"The second card embodies potential," Parachent elaborated. "It signifies the realm of possibilities, alternate realities, or future paths open to you."
Drawing the second card proved more taxing. An unknown source radiated an almost unbearable heat, but undaunted, I carried on.
"The third card denotes the unknown," he expanded. "It represents elements that lie beyond your awareness or control."
When I drew the third card, a torrent of whispers assailed me, threatening to fracture my mind.
[Warning: Sanity has been reduced by 1.]
[Warning: Sanity has been reduced by 1.]
Despite the relentless barrage of hallucinations, I mustered enough willpower to place the card on the table. However, the visions amplified, filling my consciousness with the horrifying specters from my past.
They pleaded with me to awaken, to recognize the illusory nature of my world, to confront the terrifying prospect that I had slipped into madness long before arriving in this realm.
The sinister whispers reverberated within me, casting doubts on my sanity and reality. "Is this reality, or have you finally lost your mind?" The malicious voice swirled around me, filling me with a paralyzing dread.
At the precipice of despair, a detached voice cut through the turmoil. "You appear to be teetering on the edge of mental equilibrium," Parachent observed, a trace of disinterested concern threading through his words.
He then revealed his first card. It bore an uncanny image: a peculiar prophet eerily floating above an abyss filled with fragmented realities. The surreal imagery felt like a mirror reflecting my mental state, suspended between reality and illusion, grappling with my sanity amidst uncertainty.
"The Prophet of the Fractured is the first card I have laid down, representing my current reality. In its upright position, the card traditionally symbolizes guidance and mentorship," Parachent explained, a mysterious smile gracing his face. "However, given its inverted position, the roles are reversed. I am not the seeker of guidance; instead, I am the provider."
The card immediately displayed its effect.
[ Message: Due to the effect of the Prophet of the Fractured, temporarily mach most of the attributes from the person who reveal the card for 48 hours]
[ Strength 5 → 35… Max potential reached, unable to distribute all the points.]
[Agility 6 → 40… Max potential reached, unable to distribute all the points.]
[Fortitude 9 → 60… Max potential reached, unable to distribute all the points.]
The burden weighing on me didn’t lift, but the increased stats provided a degree of relief.
“This is the second time I drew this card, and the first was during my previous assistance… You should feel an overwhelming surge of strength now that matches closely to me.”
I merely nodded, absorbing the newfound strength coursing through my veins. It was akin to a rejuvenating gust of wind after a grueling marathon.
Regrettably, my potential was limited, and my level was already maxed out. Therefore, an increase was only possible with a class rank up, which was currently unattainable.
Once the Prophet of the Fractured's effect dissipated, I'd revert to my previous, weaker self. To reclaim that strength and make it my own, deliberate training was necessary. If only I were not trapped in this dungeon, I could potentially accelerate my attribute enhancement.
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“Thank you, if it weren’t for you, I would have turn badly for me.”
“It was meant to be.”
I turned my attention to the first card I drew, the one that represented my present being. Before deciding to reveal it, I engaged my Cosmic Lore Skill.
[Error: Unable to determine the artifact information due to unbounded possibility.]
The failure surprised me. By "unbounded possibility," did it imply the card before me held boundless power? No, that seemed implausible. If a single card held such immense power, Parachent wouldn't have casually exposed it.
The alternative explanation was that its nature would only be known once revealed.
Taking a deep breath, I flipped the card.
My eyes were drawn to the newly revealed card on the table. The card displayed an image of a lone figure, resolute amidst a whirlwind of chaotic realities. The faceless figure, standing with a steadfast posture and an unwavering gaze, seemed to mirror my own struggle in this unnerving predicament.
My gaze shifted to Parachent for guidance, unsure of the card's implications.
"Bearer of Maddening Fortitude," he announced, a trace of recognition flashing in his eyes. His gaze remained unreadable, but a faint note of admiration seemed to seep into his tone. "A rather apt card for your situation. It symbolizes resilience, the capacity to withstand chaos. A call to endure trials and tribulations, no matter how formidable."
[Effect: Bearer of Maddening Fortitude activated]
[Message: Sanity will be always 10, unable to increase or decrease for the next 72 hours instead any loss of sanity will be converted into equivalent stamina drain and immune to outside mental attack.]
Almost instantly, the tormenting onslaught in my mind receded to a tolerable murmur, supplanted by a rush of physical exhaustion. I bit back a groan, but the trade-off was more than worth it. I could bear bodily fatigue far better than the fracturing of my mind. A wave of relief washed over me, resulting in a faint smile that tugged at the corners of my mouth.
Parachent studied my reaction, the corner of his mouth curling upwards in response. "The Bearer of Maddening Fortitude is aptly drawn, given your current predicament. You're standing strong in the face of mental warfare, much like the figure on the card."
With the experience from the first card, I steeled myself for the revelation of the second card, the one signifying potential. My hand hovered over the card, pausing for a heartbeat before flipping it over.
With a deep breath, I reached out to flip the second card. Immediately, I noticed it was upside down. A shadowy figure was depicted, reaching towards a tiny prism that glowed against a backdrop of unrelenting darkness. Despite their daunting surroundings, the figure's curiosity was palpable.
Upon seeing the card, Parachent released a thoughtful hum, his gaze focused on the image. "This, my friend, is the Prism Seeker, though it seems to be reversed," he remarked, his voice echoing throughout the cavernous room. He studied the inverted figure and the small yet striking prism, a hint of perplexity touching his features.
"Typically, this card denotes a voyage of discovery into the unknown. However, in its current orientation, it signifies a certain hesitancy, perhaps even fear of stepping into uncharted territory," Parachent interpreted, his voice steady despite the complexity of the situation. "It seems to suggest a resistance towards change or exploration. A reluctance to embrace the uncertainty that surrounds you."
Hearing his words, a sense of anticipation mingled with unease washed over me. Yet, a small spark of determination ignited within my chest.
[Effect: Inverted Prism Seeker Activated]
[Message: Revealed an inherit weakness. Unwilling spirit - All stats are temporarily reduced by 20%. Probability of encountering unknown obstacles and challenges increased by 50% during this period.]
As the effects of the card took hold, my surroundings began to blur, and my movements slowed. Grunting, I tried to adjust to the sudden shift, the dulled environment mirroring my internal state of turmoil.
In the silence, Parachent continued to observe me, his eyes reflecting a curious mix of concern and interest. "The Prism Seeker isn't a card to treat lightly," he finally said, his voice firm yet carrying a note of warning. "I believe until you change your outlook the effect will stay. It will be quite a trial for you. But remember, these trials also bring opportunities for growth and self-discovery. You'll be facing obstacles, but overcoming them is part of the journey."
His words, though not wholly comforting, stoked the small fire of resolve within me. This was more than a game – it was a test of my resilience and adaptability. Fear couldn't be an option for me. Gathering my thoughts and steadying my resolve, I prepared myself for the unveiling of the third card – the embodiment of the unknown.
As I navigated through the repercussions of my own cards, Parachent emanated an aura of serene familiarity. His fingers moved to flip his second card. It bore a breathtaking design: two ethereal silhouettes, intertwined, against a canvas of multi-hued, alien terrain.
"Ah, The Mirror-Touched Lovers," he intoned gently, a cryptic smile pulling at the corners of his lips. "A complex card in the Grand Spheres. It represents a deep connection, unity in the face of uncertainty."
The vibrant tableau captivated me, the radiant colors a compelling contrast against the somber cavern around us. The outstretched hands of the mirrored figures seemed to resonate with our current predicament — an uncanny meeting in the midst of fractured realities.
Parachent's voice reverberated in the silence, stirring me from my thoughts. "Our meeting here wasn't an accident. The mirrored lovers suggest intertwined destinies, a shared journey amidst the shattered realms."
His enigmatic words echoed in the hushed stillness, harmonizing with the card's prismatic glow and casting a kaleidoscope of colors in the cavern's gloom.
Sensing my unspoken question, Parachent's voice softened, "This card implies a unity of purpose, a shared path. No matter how uncertain the road ahead might seem, you're not walking this path alone."
In the absence of any warning from the system, I could only assume what kind of effects this card might exert.
Now, two of Parachent's cards lay revealed, their meanings hanging heavy in the air, their true impact known only to time. The third card remained face-down, an enigma waiting to unfold. Yet, under the watchful gaze of the Mirror-Touched Lovers, the path ahead felt a degree less ominous, a glimmer of shared destiny lighting the way.
I reached out, my hand trembling slightly above my third and final card, the unknown. A resonating beat of anticipation pulsed within my chest, each throb echoing in the silent cavern around me.
This was the moment, the pivotal instant that would expose hidden realities and summon unpredictable influences beyond our understanding. Parachent's fingers delicately persuaded the card to leave its position, its face revealed to the meager glow of the cavern.
The card was the "Master of Reality Sunder."
Parachent's expression reflected the monumental importance of this card: it signified disruption and transformation, a radical alteration in life or outlook. A shiver descended my spine, a cold ripple of apprehension. But before I could even start to ponder the consequences, the world around me began to distort.
An unseen storm of energy surrounded me, my senses overwhelmed by its potency. The cavern, Parachent, and the cards on the table swirled into a disorienting whirl. A feeling of disorientation gripped me, as if an unseen force had snatched me from my spot.
My frantic effort to hold onto something tangible was met with the void of open air. My environment twisted into a complex tapestry of forms and colors. Then, a formidable light consumed me entirely, and I was hurled into a realm of sightlessness.
In that final moment of disarray, a shroud of silence descended upon me, and a chilling realization set in — I was no longer in the cavern with Parachent. The swirling colors of chaos morphed into a static view of unfamiliarity. The intensity of the bright light began to dim, replaced by a dreary grayness that seeped into every corner of my vision.
As my senses adapted to the sudden change, the sharp smell of damp earth and rotting foliage filled my nostrils, replacing the musty odor of the cavern. A frigid gust of wind swept over me, making me shudder involuntarily. The clamor of distant, echoing screams pierced through the eerie silence, punctuated by the harsh caw of an unseen raven.
Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the subdued light, revealing a stark, grim landscape. The world around me was no longer the dark cavern setting; instead, it was an image straight out of a bleak, medieval fantasy. Twisted, gnarled trees stood like skeletal sentinels under a sky filled with roiling storm clouds. Dilapidated stone buildings were scattered throughout, bearing silent testament to a past that no longer was. A village of sorts, but one that seemed to be caught in a perpetual state of despair and desolation.
As I surveyed the desolate surroundings, a sudden clangor arose, breaking the eerie quiet. Distant but discernible, the tolling of a bell echoed throughout the spectral village. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as an inexplicable sense of foreboding washed over me.
As I observed the barren expanse, a discordant noise shattered the unsettling silence. Far yet audible, the bell's toll reverberated through the ghostly hamlet, prickling the hairs at my nape with a sudden rush of apprehension.
Shadowy forms poured from the decrepit homes, their eyes darting skittishly. They gathered at the village heart, circling a tarnished bell still gently swinging from the recent toll.
A weather-beaten man stepped forward into the ring, his gruff voice bearing a heavy burden of sorrow. "The bell rings once more," he declared, holding aloft a bloody, torn piece of cloth. "We've lost another to the curse."
A gasp rippled through the crowd. Faces sank into despair, twisted with terror. The air crackled with raw fear and the town square became a stage set for a recurring horror.
"Our choice must be made before nightfall," the man continued. "Who among us carries the curse?"
His statement lingered, a thunderhead ready to burst. Village folk, their eyes wide and suspecting, turned to one another. I stepped back, trying to escape the pointed looks and muttered conjectures.
Just as the bell's knell faded into the chilling breeze, a young girl, armored like a knight, stepped into the circle. I recognized her, although younger. She was character from Dreamer’s Legacy.
“Elara…”