Upon confirming his return to the tower, Asher stepped back into the stark white room he had departed from. The pristine walls, the unblemished bed, and the immaculate toilet remained untouched, exactly as he had left them.
There was an inexplicable affinity that tethered him to this place; it was as though it had become his sanctuary, a second home where he, oddly enough, felt an inherent sense of belonging.
"Finally back! Now, what should my next move be before embarking on the sixth trial?"
Asher was keenly aware of his deficiencies, but above all, he recognized an urgent need for a shield. His guardian hinged on the reliable use of such equipment, yet at this juncture, his spike shield and the temporary anti-riot shield had both met their demise in the dungeon, succumbing to the elemental wolves' onslaught.
Confronted with the impending trials, a revelation dawned upon him — the importance of durability in a shield. It wasn't just about defense; a shield's resilience was critical. To constantly replace a shattered shield meant squandering not only his time and effort but also the points he had so diligently collected — each valuable even in the slightest amount. Thus, he could not afford to be caught in an endless cycle of repair and replacement.
With a clear objective in mind, Asher wasted no time. He promptly accessed the tower's store tab and initiated a meticulous search, filtering for a shield that boasted exceptional durability — a shield that wouldn't succumb to the rigorous tests ahead. His criteria were specific: he needed a shield that could weather any storm, one that wouldn't fracture or fail him when he needed it most.
Asher carefully browsed through his option but most of them did not meet his requirement, they did provided great stats and mods to them but none had the level of resilience and cost he was looking for -Until his eyes laid into the very thing he was looking for.
"This is it!"
The Shield had an organic and almost pulsating presence to it. It was not forged of iron or steel, nor crafted by the hands of a master smith. Instead, this was a living entity, a macabre armament formed from what appeared to be flesh. The shield's surface was a tapestry of raw muscle, fibers tightly woven in a pattern that seemed to swell with a rhythm mimicking that of a heartbeat. Veins, dark and thick with what one could only assume was blood, converging into a sigil that throbbed with a crimson hue at the shield's center.
The border was not of metal, but of what looked like hardened bone, jagged and irregular, giving the impression of a deliberate design. Here and there, what might have been tendons stretched and anchored the fleshy shield to this bony frame.
Despite its unsettling composition, the shield radiated an undeniable allure. It promised protection, the sort of defense that could only come from something forged by the underworld.
https://i.imgur.com/hSPnWlx.png [https://i.imgur.com/hSPnWlx.png]
"Perfect! This is exactly what I've been looking for, and the price is incredibly reasonable. It's only 300 points, and with the 700 points I currently have, that leaves me with a comfortable 400 points remaining for any additional expenses."
Your 'Animate Guardian' has equipped the 'Sanguine Shield'.
With the matter of the shield settled swiftly and without any complications, Asher turned his attention to the crystallized hearts he had acquired back on Earth. In his pocket lay three distinct stones: one from a zombified brute and the other two from the elemental howlers of flame and water, respectively. The first stone, a trophy from the brute, was a straightforward choice for him to utilize, having been won by his own efforts.
However, the remaining two posed a moral dilemma. They weren't truly his to use at his sole discretion. He had given his word to Liam and Carl that he would abstain from using them until they had collectively cleared the dungeon and had a chance to distribute the loot equitably. Honoring his promise, Asher decided to return the twin howler hearts to his pocket, keeping them secure and untouched.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
As for the brute's heart, he proceeded to trade it with the shop system, feeling a sense of contentment that he had managed to adhere to his principles, upholding the trust between his companions and himself.
Asher opened up to the shop system with the zombified brute's heart in his hand. He placed it in the slot and watched as it disappeared, turning into little bits of light.
A grin spread across Asher's face. He had hoped for an ability that would bolster his existing build in the battles to come, and the shop system had granted him just that. "Death's Caress." he whispered, testing the name on his lips, feeling a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
The skill's icon depicted a zombie, its form ravaged by time and decay, lying in rest in the arms of Death incarnate. Death, portrayed as a hooded figure shrouded in an eternal cloak of shadows, cradled the zombie with a sense of possession and eerie tenderness.
The zombie's limbs were lax, its battles and hunger for flesh momentarily stilled, as if even in the state of undeath, it sought refuge in the embrace of the ultimate reaper. Death's skeletal hand, a stark contrast to the rotting flesh it held, was positioned protectively over the creature, suggesting not an end, but rather a pause, a moment of respite before the zombie would rise again.
To Asher it looked like it was being given a second chance not to live, but to help Death out. The picture made it clear: Death's protection was not a gesture of mercy to prolong the zombie's place among the living .Instead, Death was using the zombie as a helper or an assistant to bring more souls to the underworld.
https://i.imgur.com/Jx4ybuU.png [https://i.imgur.com/Jx4ybuU.png]
"This works great with my Guardian; it'll help it stay quick on its feet and take less damage the more it fights." Normally, if you're in a fight for a long time, you'd start to slow down and take more hits, but with this skill, it's the opposite. Every time the Guardian loses a bit of health, it actually gets faster and tougher. And even though a summon doesn't get worn out like we do, it still gets all the benefits from this skill. I'll take it!"
Your 'Animate Guardian' has learned the passive skill 'Death's Caress'.
With the essentials now sorted, Asher found himself with spare moments before the onset of the next trial. Determined to enter the upcoming challenge fully prepared, he decided to allocate the remaining 400 points at his disposal.
The necessity of managing his belongings had become increasingly evident. Up until now, he had resorted to stuffing his finds into his pockets or, regrettably, abandoning them where they lay due to his lack of carrying capacity. What Asher needed most was a means to consolidate and transport his gear — an inventory space that could house all his loot.
So, he turned to the shop's search function and keyed in 'Inventory'. The system responded with a solitary option, yet it was precisely tailored to his needs. A sense of satisfaction washed over him as he confirmed the selection, spending his points wisely on this essential skill.
https://i.imgur.com/OD2UCfH.png [https://i.imgur.com/OD2UCfH.png]
After securing the Inventory skill for a mere 100 points, Asher glanced at his balance—300 points remained. It was a good chunk of resources, yet he felt a momentary twinge of indecision. Common items and skills were often underrated but could be remarkably useful, and his recent acquisition had been a testament to that.
With the next trial looming, Asher understood that he needed to make the most of every point. His gaze swept over the myriad of glowing options displayed by the shop interface, each promising to enhance his abilities or provide new ones.
What he required was something that could tip the scales in his favor, something that resonated with his strategy and complemented his newfound abilities. He considered his fighting style, his Guardian's capabilities, and the unknown challenges of the trial ahead.
Perhaps some form of utility skill that could offer more versatility? Maybe even an offensive asset that could synergize with his Guardian's power?
With 300 points still at his disposal, Asher's curiosity was piqued by the more specialized selections of the shop. He navigated through the virtual aisles with a practiced ease until he found himself hovering over the tab labeled 'Necromancer Only'. This section was specifically tailored to those who, like him, dabbled in the manipulation of life and death.
His eyes flickered with anticipation as the list of necromantic treasures populated his screen. Here lay the tools for mastering the shadows, the secrets to commanding the undead.
"I guess it's time to look for something related to my class."