Extract from the -{ Tome of the ‘Forgotten One’ }- Divine scripture of the Church of the ‘Forgotten One’.

"When whispers of enlightenment echo hollow, seek refuge in the sanctuary of shadows, where the forgotten one reveals the truths obscured by the false light's beguiling veil." (The False Light 2:7)

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The Guide's pink-robed figure leaned closer to the camera, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Ahem, yeah, so the rest of the inheritance has also been put inside the tower and would only be available once you overcome the trials. Cruel, isn't he? Hehe."

A mischievous glint sparkled in the Guide's eyes as he continued, "Other than this, your 'sponsor' Mr. Dusk Herald has also sent the keys to the tower, which I'll attach with this message. Also, I'll be unlocking one of the functions of the immortal experiment. You can ask the 'Inquisitor' for more information."

Suddenly, a cacophony of high-pitched voices and cheerful music erupted from somewhere off-screen. The Guide's head whipped around, a look of panic flashing across his face. Was that... Barbie?

"Okay, I guess that's all," he blurted, words tumbling out in a rush. "I will contact you if I remember more of what I needed to tell you. Kinda forgot about the rest. Cya!"

The message abruptly cut off, leaving Asher staring at empty space, his jaw clenched in frustration. The Guide's capricious nature grated on his nerves, but he had no outlet for his irritation. With a deep breath, he accepted the gift that accompanied the message, trying to quell the surge of annoyance threatening to overwhelm him.

Asher's gaze drifted to the lakeside, where Inky and Jormu frolicked in the shimmering water. The juxtaposition of their carefree play against the weight of his newfound responsibilities only intensified the tumult of emotions swirling within him.

"So, I'm awakened now," he murmured, closing his eyes and reaching inward. He could sense the swirling mass of pneuma inside him, a tempest of untapped potential. Yet, control eluded him, like trying to grasp smoke with bare hands.

"Sigh... I need time," Asher muttered, the words barely audible over the gentle lapping of the lake's waves against the shore.

The morning's awakening had brought with it an influx of knowledge regarding pneuma manipulation, but it felt incomplete, fragmented. The Guide's message echoed in his mind - the rest of the inheritance lay waiting in the tower, locked behind trials he had yet to face.

"What a pain," Asher grumbled, frustration coloring his voice. The arbitrary nature of his situation chafed at him. Why parcel out the inheritance? Why not simply bestow it all at once? But even as the questions formed, he knew the futility of voicing them. The wheels were already in motion, and he was being led by forces beyond his control.

Shaking off his brooding thoughts, Asher turned his attention to the improvements he'd received. First, he examined his new titles:

[Title: Contractor of Lords

* When fighting with contracted beasts that have lord bloodlines, gain a 2% boost to all stats. This is applied to the contracted beasts as well.

* Gain a permanent 5% boost to all stats.]

[Title: Bloodline Inheritor

* 50% increased comprehension of the bloodline pneuma arts.

* 50% increased comprehension of the bloodline pneuma core manual.]

A mix of excitement and frustration washed over Asher as he read the descriptions. The titles were undoubtedly powerful, especially the Bloodline Inheritor. It was practically a cheat code, drastically reducing the time needed to master the arts and manuals related to his newfound bloodline. And yet, once again, everything of real value remained locked away in that damned tower.

"AH!" The internal scream of frustration went unheard, save for a flock of birds that took flight from a nearby tree, startled by the sudden tension in the air.

"Guess tower it is first," Asher muttered, his voice tight with resignation. A rough plan began to form in his mind: tackle the tower, uncover its secrets, then seek out the local humans to pinpoint the clan he was destined to revitalize.

As he mentally mapped out his next moves, a nagging feeling persisted. What was he forgetting? The answer hit him like a bolt of lightning. "Oh right, the key."

"Inquisitor," Asher called out, his voice cutting through the tranquil morning air.

[Greetings, how may I help you?] The text materialized before him, its silent appearance a stark contrast to the chirping birds and rustling leaves that surrounded him.

"Hello, you see I was sent a key along with a message. Can you tell me how I retrieve it?"

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[Yes, there are indeed some items in the system storage, among them is a key. Do you want me to retrieve it?]

"Yes, thank you."

A system prompt chimed in Asher's mind: [Key to the Tower of Fortuna's Folly has been received]

The air before Asher shimmered, coalescing into a solid form. An oval disk materialized, its surface adorned with intricate golden engravings that defied comprehension. As his fingers closed around the cool metal, a rush of information flooded his mind, imparting the knowledge of how to use this mystical key.

"So I have to just place it on the ground somewhere," Asher mused, turning the disk over in his hands, feeling its weight and studying its enigmatic patterns.

[There are additional items waiting in the system inventory. Do you want me to retrieve them as well?]

Inquisitor's message snapped Asher back to the present. He remembered the pending rewards from completing the tutorial and the 'survival of the fittest' quest. A surge of excitement coursed through him as he recalled his previous rewards - skill crystals. His imagination ran wild with possibilities of new abilities he might acquire.

"Yes, retrieve them," Asher commanded, his voice tight with anticipation.

[Rare Artifact creation crystal received]

[Elite Weapon creation crystal received]

Asher's excitement deflated like a punctured balloon. He had expected at least one skill creation crystal. Forcing optimism, he reasoned that perhaps the system knew better, providing what he truly needed rather than what he desired.

With the fervor of a seasoned gambler about to roll the dice, Asher crushed both crystals simultaneously. The air around him crackled with energy, reality itself seeming to bend as the crystals' power was released.

[You have obtained the weapon "Crimson Lotus"]

A long object materialized before Asher's eyes, gradually taking shape and color. Recognition dawned on him as the form became clear - a katana of breathtaking beauty. The black silk wrapping, adorned with a crimson lotus motif, felt smooth beneath his fingers as he reverently unwrapped the blade.

The striking red color of the blade caught his eye first, followed by the intricately engraved floral pattern along its length. Any lingering disappointment over not receiving a skill crystal evaporated as Asher held the magnificent weapon.

"Not bad at all," he murmured, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

[You have obtained the artifact "Infinite's Echoes"]

Once again, motes of light coalesced in the air before Asher. After witnessing the splendor of the elite-grade Crimson Lotus, his expectations for this rare-grade artifact were sky-high. However, reality had other plans.

A square box materialized in front of him, its appearance jarringly familiar - a music box, reminiscent of those long extinct on Earth. Asher blinked, certain he must be seeing things. It was only when the box, bearing the grandiose name "Infinite's Echoes," flew towards him on wings that weren't even physically attached to its body that he was forced to confront the bizarre reality of his situation.

"Guess all my luck has been used up... a music box, seriously?" Asher's voice dripped with disbelief and a touch of bitterness.

He gazed skyward, a hollow smile playing on his lips as he cradled the music box in his hand. Memories of the trials and tribulations he'd endured over the past few months flashed through his mind, each hardship thrown into sharp relief by the seeming triviality of this "reward."

"A sick joke indeed," he muttered. "What am I supposed to use this for? Put my opponents to sleep? Play music as I jump into a fray of enemies?"

In that moment, Asher yearned to confront whoever was behind this cosmic prank, to demand answers for the cruel whimsy that seemed to govern his fate.

Sighing deeply, he pushed aside his frustration and used his identification skill on both items, starting with the katana:

[ Name: Crimson Lotus (Elite)

Class: Weapon

Description: The Crimson Lotus is an elite-grade katana, forged in the ancient fires of a long-forgotten volcano. It is said to have been crafted by a legendary swordsmith who imbued it with the essence of a rare crimson lotus flower, known for its unparalleled beauty and lethal toxicity. The blade is a striking deep red, with intricate floral patterns etched along its length, and its hilt is wrapped in black silk with a crimson lotus emblem.

Abilities:

* Flame Strike: Upon activation, the blade ignites with intense flames, increasing its cutting power and causing additional fire damage to the target.

Limitations:

* Energy Drain: The Flame Strike ability consumes the wielder's aura rapidly, requiring careful management during extended combat.

Conditions: None ]

A slow smile spread across Asher's face as he read the description. The Crimson Lotus was truly a step above the crude bone and wood weapons he'd been using. The Flame Strike ability, in particular, held tantalizing potential.

Turning his attention to the music box, Asher used his identification skill once more, his expectations tempered by skepticism:

[ Name: Infinite's Echoes (Rare)

Class: Artifact

Description: Infinite's Echoes is a rare and mystical music box of unparalleled craftsmanship, believed to have been created by an ancient master who sought to blend the art of music and magic. Its design is a harmonious fusion of a traditional music box with small, detached wings that allow it to levitate gracefully. The music it plays resonates deeply with the listener's soul, reflecting their innermost emotions.

Abilities:

* Mood Music: Plays music that mirrors the user's current emotion.

* Durability: Resistant to damage sources below epic grade, making it extremely durable.

* Owner Tracking: Can always find its way back to the bound owner.

* Levitation: Can float and move in the air, following the owner.

* Enhanced Spatial Awareness: When using the included earbuds, a 10-foot radius sphere of heightened spatial awareness is created around the user.

* Perception Boost: While using the earbuds, the user's perception (mind) stat is increased by 1.5x (50%).

Limitations:

* No Control Over Music: The user cannot control or change the music being played.

* Temporary Hearing Loss: Use of the earbuds can result in temporary loss of hearing after the duration of usage. The length of hearing loss depends on the usage time.

Conditions: None ]

Asher's eyebrows rose higher with each line he read. The artifact's capabilities were far more extensive and useful than he had initially assumed. A mix of emotions played across his face - surprise, intrigue, and a grudging appreciation.

"A reward is a reward, I guess," he muttered, his earlier disdain softening in light of the artifact's impressive abilities. The perception boost and enhanced spatial awareness, in particular, caught his attention. Perhaps this seemingly whimsical item held more potential than he'd first thought.

A wry chuckle escaped Asher's lips as he considered the artifact's abilities. "Guess someone took my joke of jumping into enemies while listening to music too literally."

As the morning sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the cabin's weathered porch, Asher found himself at a crossroads. The weight of his new possessions - the key to the mysterious tower, the deadly elegance of the Crimson Lotus, and the enigmatic potential of Infinite's Echoes - settled upon him.

The tranquil lake before him belied the tumultuous path he knew he must tread. With a deep breath, Asher steeled himself for the journey ahead, the first step ‘Tower of Fortuna's Folly’.