Eugene sat on the worn wooden stool, staring at the gleaming void ruby in Bahumbus' thick fingers. He swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment settling on him.
"This won't... scramble my brains, will it?" Eugene asked, eyeing the black crystal like it might bite him.
Bahumbus snorted. "Not unless you've got really weak brains, kid." He gestured for Eugene to tilt his head. "Now sit still and don't squirm. It'll hurt, but only for a second."
Eugene gritted his teeth as Bahumbus expertly guided the tiny ruby into his ear canal. A sharp, sudden pressure built behind his eyes, followed by an electric jolt that sent his vision swimming. His whole body tensed as a wave of static crawled down his spine. Then—
The world reset.
Lines, glowing and faint, began to draw themselves across his field of vision, like someone was tracing paths of starlight in the air. Numbers, symbols, and letters appeared at the edges of his sight, floating faintly like HUD elements in a video game.
At the top of his vision, a sleek and elegant display formed in pale silver text:
----------------------------------------
[VOID INTERFACE INITIALIZED]
Welcome, User.
----------------------------------------
Eugene blinked. "Whoa." His voice echoed in his head like he was speaking inside an empty cavern. He tried to focus on the text, and it expanded, filling his vision effortlessly.
----------------------------------------
[STATUS]
* Name: Eugene
* Health: 98% (Minor Fatigue)
* Energy Levels: Moderate
* Injuries: None detected
* Condition: Stable
----------------------------------------
"Holy shit," Eugene whispered, staring in fascination at the interface’s clean, minimal design. It floated at the periphery of his vision, unobtrusive yet effortlessly informative. He tilted his head experimentally, and the text adjusted, staying perfectly aligned with his sight.
"See?" Bahumbus said smugly, arms crossed. "Told you it wouldn't be so bad. Now try thinking about your inventory."
Eugene furrowed his brow and thought about the few items he was carrying. Instantly, a new tab opened up in his mind:
----------------------------------------
[INVENTORY]
1. Lantern of Cozimia (Active)
* Status: Secure
* Enchantment: Intact
* Security Level: High
2. Agility Boots (Equipped)
* Speed Increase: +20%
* Jump Height: +15%
3. Black Cloth Robe (Equipped)
* Durability: 100%
* Protection: Medium
4. 3 Gold Coins
* Approx. Value: 300 Silver
5. Rations (2 Days Worth)
* Status: Fresh
6. Gnarled Hook Staff
* Freshly carved
* Coin of Infinite Finding
* From Krungus, might have hidden properties.
----------------------------------------
Eugene laughed, despite himself. "This... this is nuts. It's like having an RPG character screen in my head!"
Qlaark, perched beside him, leaned in curiously. "What's it say about me?"
Eugene focused on Qlaark, and to his surprise, another interface appeared, offering vague but insightful details about his companion:
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[ANALYSIS: Qlaark]
* Species: Toucanfolk
* Condition: Slightly Anxious
* Equipment Detected: Shielded Robe, Bracelets of Health
* Threat Level: Minimal
* Estimated Weight: [ERROR: INSUFFICIENT DATA]
----------------------------------------
Eugene snorted. “Slightly anxious? Yeah, that checks out.”
Qlaark fluffed his feathers indignantly. “I am very composed, thank you.”
Bahumbus chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. “It’ll get more accurate the more you use it. Keep focusing on different things, you’ll learn to filter out what’s important and what isn’t.”
Eugene rubbed his temple, watching the interface subtly shift with his thoughts. “Okay, but... what if I want it to go away? I don’t want to see my health bar every time I blink.”
“Easy,” Bahumbus said, tapping his own temple. “Just think it away.”
Eugene did, and the entire display shrank down to a faint glowing icon in the corner of his vision. “Nice.”
He experimentally brought it back, swiping through the information available with just a thought. The interface even provided suggested uses for objects based on historical data and magical readings.
----------------------------------------
[Identifying...]
[Item: Lantern of Cozimia]
[Status:] Active
[Estimated Value:] Priceless
[Suggestion:] Best to keep it away from thieves. And rivers.
[Additional Notes:]
* Contained Entity: Cozimia, Hospitality Jennie.
* Primary Function: Serves as a sanctuary, customizable to owner's needs.
* Secondary Effects: Provides comfort, strategic advantages in travel and rest.
* Durability: Exceptional, but loss prevention highly advised.
* Potential Risks: Unknown long-term effects of sustained exposure.
----------------------------------------
Eugene groaned. “Oh great, it’s sarcastic too.”
Bahumbus grinned. “I may have tweaked that part myself.”
Testing further, Eugene focused on an old wrench lying on the workbench. His interface highlighted it with a shimmering outline and provided data:
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[Identifying...]
[Item: Rusted Wrench]
[Durability:] 22%
[Estimated Value:] 2 Copper
[Condition:] Poor
[Potential Uses:]
* Bludgeoning
* Minor Repairs (Unreliable)
* Intimidation (Situational)
[Additional Notes:]
* Rust Coverage: Extensive, structural integrity compromised.
* Grip: Worn and slippery, may be difficult to hold securely.
* Effectiveness: Subpar for mechanical use; slightly better for crude self-defense.
* Recommendation: Dispose or use as a last resort.
----------------------------------------
“This is... amazing.” Eugene looked at Bahumbus with newfound respect. “You made this?”
The artificer puffed out his chest. “Damn right I did. Used to be handy when we had more offworlders running around needing to keep track of things. Just don’t go showing it off, or people will start thinking you’re some kind of oracle.”
Eugene shook his head, overwhelmed by the possibilities. "Okay, last question. Can it—like—track my spells? Or... abilities?"
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Bahumbus nodded. "Oh, it’ll show you everything you’ve learned so far, and it’ll even suggest improvements as you grow stronger."
Eugene opened the next tab:
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[SPELLS & ABILITIES]
* Hospitable Rebuke (Cantrip)
* Effect: Defensive magic surge causing violent displacement
* Range: 10 feet
* Energy Cost: Low
* Cooldown: None
* Damage Type: Force
----------------------------------------
Qlaark blinked. “So... does it tell you how to cast?”
Bahumbus waved a hand. “It’s not that hand-holdy. You still gotta do the work yourself, but it’ll help you keep track of what’s possible and how much power you’re working with.”
Eugene sat back, mind reeling. “I think... I might actually get used to this.”
Bahumbus patted him on the back. “You’ll do more than that, kid. You’ll thrive.”
Eugene, still processing the sheer enormity of what had just been added to his life, leaned back and let out a deep breath. The faint glow of the interface icon in his vision reminded him that his life in the City of Cities had taken another turn for the weird—and it wasn’t slowing down any time soon.
----------------------------------------
Eugene strolled through the crowded streets of the City of Cities, his eyes wide with wonder as the glowing interface of his Void Ruby flickered and adjusted with every thought. He couldn’t help himself—every person, every object he saw was now a mystery waiting to be solved. And thanks to Bahumbus’ genius, he had the perfect tool to solve it.
His gaze locked onto a towering, armored figure passing by, and his mind immediately called up the interface. A soft, transparent display appeared in the corner of his vision:
----------------------------------------
[Identifying...]
[Subject: Minotaur]
[Height:] 7’3”
[Weight:] Approx. 540 lbs
[Condition:] Healthy
[Threat Level:] Moderate
[Estimated Profession:] Mercenary/Bodyguard
[Additional Notes:]
* Musculature: Exceptional, likely capable of significant physical feats.
* Demeanor: Calm but alert, scans surroundings frequently.
* Armor Status: Light, designed for mobility rather than full protection.
* Weapons Detected: Large battle-axe, secondary short blade.
* Potential Weakness: Possible reliance on brute force over strategy.
* General Advice: Avoid direct confrontation; negotiation may be viable.
----------------------------------------
"Neat," Eugene muttered, stepping aside to let the hulking figure pass.
Next, he turned his attention to a group of people haggling at a fruit stall. With a thought, the interface shimmered and identified them:
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[Identifying...]
[Subjects: Half-Elf, Ratfolk, Dwarf]
[Condition:]
* Half-Elf: Mildly Malnourished
* Ratfolk: Tipsy
* Dwarf: Perfectly Fine
[Local Reputation: Average]
[Additional Notes:]
* Half-Elf: Slightly underfed, potential signs of travel fatigue. May be susceptible to bribery with food.
* Ratfolk: Mildly intoxicated, erratic movement detected. Likely to engage in unnecessary conversation.
* Dwarf: Stable and steady, probable leader of the group. Appears to be carrying the majority of their funds.
* General Threat Level: Low – No visible weapons drawn.
----------------------------------------
Eugene smirked. “I could get way too used to this.”
He moved toward the market stalls, his curiosity piqued. At a fruit vendor's cart, he inspected a deep purple fruit that looked suspiciously like an overgrown grape. He focused, and the interface gave him the rundown:
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[Identifying...]
[Item: Starburst Berry]
[Ripeness: Overripe]
[Flavor Profile: Sweet, Tart]
[Side Effects:]
* Mild Euphoria
* Temporary Purple Tongue
[Market Value: 3 Copper Each]
[Origin: High Gardens District]
[Additional Notes:]
* Consumption Warning: Best enjoyed fresh; overripe berries may cause slight dizziness.
* Nutritional Value: Moderate, with minor restorative properties.
* Common Uses: Desserts, Potions, Practical Jokes.
----------------------------------------
"Interesting," Eugene said, picking one up and inspecting it closely. He popped it into his mouth and chewed, grinning as the taste of intense sweetness flooded his tongue. A glance at his reflection in a nearby window confirmed the side effect—his tongue was indeed a vivid shade of purple.
Laughing to himself, he wandered over to a weapon stall where swords, daggers, and axes were laid out in neat rows. He picked up a dagger with intricate carvings, letting the interface do its thing.
----------------------------------------
[Identifying...]
[Item: Ironfang Dagger]
[Durability: 87%]
[Enchantment: Minor Poison Infusion]
[Market Value: 8 Gold]
[Potential Uses:]
* Self-Defense
* Assassination
* Bread Cutting (Not Recommended)
[Additional Notes:]
* Poison potency: Mild, effective for small targets.
* Blade sharpness: Average.
* Grip: Worn but functional.
* Suggested Maintenance: Regular sharpening recommended to prevent further degradation.
----------------------------------------
Eugene grinned. “It even has jokes. Bahumbus, you genius.”
He flipped the dagger experimentally in his hand, considering how cool it looked, but then placed it back down with a shake of his head. “Let’s not go full murderhobo just yet.”
He continued his leisurely stroll, occasionally focusing on various artifacts—paintings, statuettes, and some ornate rugs that caught his eye. Each new detail, each analysis filled him with giddy excitement. It was like having access to the ultimate Wikipedia of this insane world.
For the first time in a long time, Eugene wasn’t worried about his situation.
And then—
"HAVING FUN, EUGENE FROM CINCINNATI?"
The voice cut through Eugene’s reverie like a dagger to the gut, and he jumped so violently he nearly tripped over his own magically-enhanced boots. He spun around to see none other than Krungus, looming over him with his signature blend of disapproval and disdain.
"Dammit, Krungus!" Eugene sputtered, clutching his chest. "You scared the crap out of me!"
Krungus smirked. "Distracted, were you? Must be that shiny new implant you're showing off." He leaned forward, peering over his comically large red glasses. "What’s it telling you about me, huh? What deep, arcane secrets does your little toy reveal?"
Eugene, without thinking, focused on Krungus. The interface sprang into action:
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[Identifying...]
[Subject: Krungus – Human (Ancient)]
[Age: 9,227 Years]
[Health Status: Remarkably Good (For Someone This Old)]
[Threat Level: Cataclysmic – Do Not Engage Lightly]
[Known Titles:]
* Co-Archwizard of the Number
* Keeper of Secrets
* Architect of The City
* The Begrudging Teacher
* That Guy Who Smells Like Rootbeer
[Attributes:]
* Magical Proficiency: Beyond Standard Metrics – Specialized in Telemancy, Material Manipulation, and Ancient Arcana
* Physical Condition: Surprisingly Spry
* Mental State: Highly Intelligent, Chronically Grumpy, Potentially Paranoid
* Estimated Weight: Unknown (He Won’t Tell, Likely Embarrassed)
[Additional Notes:]
* Possesses deep knowledge of pre-collapse civilizations and forgotten magics. Likely knows more than he lets on.
* Signature Scent: Rootbeer (Lingering 9,000-Year-Old Fashion Statement)
* Current Equipment: Enchanted Staff, Numerous Unknown Artifacts, Unreasonably Large Hat
* Loyalty Assessment: Unknown – Likely Motivated by Personal Ambition and Past Regrets
[Current Mood:]
* Annoyed but Functional
----------------------------------------
Eugene choked back a laugh. “It says you’re ancient, terrifying, and apparently smell like root beer.”
Krungus scowled. “I’ll tell you again, root beer cologne was the height of fashion 9,000 years ago.” He folded his arms. “You didn’t ask Bahumbus about helping us, did you?”
Eugene scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Oh... about the paladins... yeah, I, uh, forgot."
Krungus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course you did. You're too busy scanning fruit and looking up people's weight, aren't you?" He sighed, shaking his head. "I leave you for a few days, and you get completely sidetracked by flashing lights and fancy words in your head.”
"Hey, it’s really cool, alright?" Eugene defended.
Krungus muttered something under his breath that sounded like "short attention span" and waved a dismissive hand. "Well, doesn’t matter now. I'm back anyway, so we’ll deal with it together."
Eugene blinked. “Wait—you’re back? I thought you were gonna be gone for a while.”
Krungus shrugged. “Ancient wizardry is faster than you'd think when you know where to look. And I always know where to look.” He jabbed a finger at Eugene. “Now stop gawking and let’s get back to Bahumbus. I’ve got a feeling I’ll regret it if I leave you to your own devices any longer.”
Eugene sighed, realizing his free-roaming days might be over sooner than he’d hoped. “Alright, alright. Let’s head back.”
Krungus nodded, his robes billowing slightly as he turned to walk. “And don’t scan me again,” he grumbled. “Some things should remain mysterious.”
Eugene smirked and followed, Qlaark flapping behind them, chattering about all the things he saw Eugene scan. “I told you those rugs were a rip-off!”