Extract from the -{ Tome of Light }- the divine scripture of the Church of Light.
"Amidst the trials of mortal existence, heed the commandments of my divine law. Let the chains of obedience bind your hearts to my will, and know that through unwavering loyalty, you shall inherit the riches of celestial reward." (Chains of Obedience - 4:5)
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As Asher examined the shadow cloak and the beginner's set, a cloud of suspicion settled over him. The night spirit's voice cut through his thoughts, its tone dripping with mischief.
"Since you are on a lucky roll, why not try again? Who knows, you might win the grand prize—a rare artifact, hehe."
The creature's tiny hands rubbed together gleefully, its glowing eyes fixed on Asher with an intensity that bordered on predatory. Asher, however, found himself more perplexed than tempted. Why was this otherworldly merchant so confident in its ability to lure him back in? He had never considered himself prone to gambling addictions.
His gaze drifted to the pile of books the figure had arranged earlier, and suddenly, a particular title blazed in his mind like a neon sign. The pieces of the puzzle clicked into place, and Asher's lips curved into a polite smile.
"No, that'll be all. Farewell," he said, his voice calm and steady.
The spirit's reaction was immediate and comical. "Huh?" it sputtered, clearly thrown off balance by Asher's refusal. As Asher's hand moved to close the window, the creature jolted back to life, its voice tinged with desperation.
"No, no, wait, wait a moment, dear customer! Don't you want the grand prize?"
Asher's smile widened imperceptibly. 'Just as I thought,' he mused, now certain of the shady salesman's true intentions.
"No, thank you. This here is just enough for me," Asher replied, his tone pleasant but firm.
For a fleeting moment, doubt flickered across the spirit's luminous eyes, as if it suddenly questioned who had truly outmaneuvered whom in this strange transaction.
"Wait, just give me a sec," the figure pleaded, its tiny form a blur of motion as it frantically rifled through its pile of books. Finally, it pulled out 'How to Run a Successful Casino', its pages fluttering as the spirit thumbed through them with increasing desperation.
Asher's enhanced senses picked up the creature's frantic mumbling:
"...once the customer is interested in the game, make sure they play it at least once. For the first time, allow them to win a prize worth a good amount, and they would start to overestimate themselves. Lost in the rush of excitement from winning an unexpected prize, they would buy from you again. This time they will lose a few times in a row to the point they start doubting themselves. At that moment, the initial prize they won would give them consolation and faith. They would continue, hoping to win it big and cover their losses. What they don't know is that they would never again win a prize..."
As the spirit finished reading, it slumped in its oversized chair, clearly deflated by Asher's refusal to follow the script. A smirk played at the corners of Asher's mouth as he once again reached for the window's close button.
"Wait, wait, you—you scammer!" the spirit cried out, its voice a mix of indignation and disbelief.
Asher, however, remained unmoved. He had indulged the being's antics long enough, and there were far more pressing matters at hand. As the window began to close, the spirit's final words were cut off mid-sentence:
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"Return my stuff, you thei—"
'This should teach him to use good business practices,' Asher thought, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. He turned his attention to his newly acquired items, curiosity piqued by what he'd managed to obtain from this bizarre encounter.
First, he examined the minor healing potions, their function matching the description in the system catalog. Then, his gaze fell upon the shadow cloak and the small bag of goodies that comprised the beginner's kit.
The cloak's description materialized before him:
[ Name: Shadow Cloak (Uncommon)
Class: Cloak/Armor
Description: The Shadow Cloak is a garment woven from the very essence of darkness. This eerie cloak grants its wearer the ability to blend seamlessly into shadows, becoming nearly invisible to the naked eye. Crafted in the lower realms by master shadow weavers, it exudes a chilling aura and is adorned with intricate patterns that seem to shift and move in the dim light.
Abilities: Enhances stealth abilities, allowing the wearer to move undetected in dark environments.
Limitations: Effects wear off after one hour of continuous use. Effects are significantly reduced in well-lit areas.]
While it couldn't compare to his katana or the musical box, Asher recognized the cloak's potential usefulness. After months of relying on animal hides, the prospect of more human-like attire—especially with stealth capabilities—was enticing.
Next, Asher turned his attention to the small box. Remembering the spirit's ramblings about essential goods for camping in the wild, he tossed it lightly in his hand. To his surprise, the box began to glow brightly as it hit the ground, morphing and expanding into a sizable chest about three feet wide and two feet tall.
With a mix of curiosity and excitement, Asher opened the chest. The little horrors, Inky and Jormu, hopped onto his shoulders, their tiny forms quivering with anticipation as they peered inside.
The contents of the chest brought a wide grin to Asher's face. A folded sleeping bag, a large steel pot, and various packets of seasonings lay before him. After months of unseasoned meat roasted over open flames, the prospect of salt, pepper, and even sugar was almost overwhelming.
"Hehehe," Asher chuckled, his excitement palpable. The two horrors exchanged perplexed glances, clearly bemused by their master's joy over such seemingly mundane items.
As Asher took inventory, he found three bags of green tea, two of salt, one bar of soap, and single bags of pepper and sugar. The sleeping bag and large steel pot completed the set—truly the essentials for camping. A wave of gratitude washed over him, directed, ironically, at the mischievous spirit he had just outsmarted.
Moving the chest into the cabin, Asher quickly stripped down to his tattered undergarments. The prospect of a proper wash with actual soap was too tempting to resist. He made his way to the lake, the cool air raising goosebumps on his skin.
As he scrubbed away months of grime and sweat, Asher felt as though he were shedding an old skin. The sensation was so blissful that even Inky and Jormu, in their miniature forms, approached him for a wash. The simple act of bathing became a moment of bonding and renewal for the unlikely trio.
Fresh from his bath, Asher donned his threadbare clothes, forgoing his handmade leather armor in favor of the shadow cloak. As he caught his reflection in the lake's still surface, he was taken aback by the changes in his appearance. Gone was the lanky build and hints of childish softness in his face. In their place stood a man with defined features and a muscular physique honed by months of survival.
Pushing his overgrown hair back, Asher set his sights on the nearby city. It was time to investigate his human neighbors and gather more information about this strange new world.
With Inky and Jormu concealed beneath his cloak, Asher began his journey, anticipation and wariness battling within him.
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The transition from the quiet forest to the bustling town was jarring. Asher materialized from a shadow-covered alley, using Inky’s spatial dislocation ability, his enhanced senses immediately overwhelmed by the cacophony of human activity. The sight of people going about their daily lives stirred a complex mix of emotions within him—longing, nostalgia, and a hint of trepidation.
As he wandered the streets, Asher's eyes darted from one scene to another, drinking in the sights and sounds of civilization. Street vendors hawked their wares, the aroma of cooking food mingling with the earthy scent of leather and the metallic tang of newly forged weapons. The vibrant tapestry of human life unfolded before him, simultaneously familiar and alien after his months of isolation.
Larger, more imposing buildings housed expensive commodities like weapons and armor. Asher felt a pull towards these establishments but resisted, acutely aware of his status as a stranger in this town. He realized with a start that he didn't even know what currency they used, though he was grateful to find that he could understand the language—a boon he attributed either to his mysterious inheritance or the system's intervention.
As he pondered the best way to gather information about the clan he was meant to assist, a snippet of conversation caught his ear. Two men were discussing sightings of a semi-translucent dragon spirit near the central forest. Asher's heart rate spiked as he realized they might be referring to Jormu's ability. 'Hopefully, it doesn't blow up into something bigger,' he thought, quickening his pace.
Lost in his worries, Asher collided with a stranger who had appeared suddenly from around a corner. As he hurried to apologize, the man's response caught him off guard.
"Aayaa, the clan member does not need to apologize. It was just an accident."
Confused by the man's words, Asher hastily excused himself and continued on his way. As he walked, he began to notice a peculiar pattern in the clothing around him—black seemed to be conspicuously absent from the general populace's attire.
His curiosity piqued, Asher's gaze was drawn to a couple strolling down the street, pausing to purchase grilled meat from a vendor's cart. The man wore a black robe, standing out amidst the sea of colorful garments. On impulse, Asher activated his identification skill.
[ Zhang Tao: (unawakened) A child with average potential, born to the seventh branch of the soul custodian clan. Good fortune awaits him if he decides to work more on himself and fool around less.
Current status: trying to secure himself a mate ]
The words 'soul custodian clan' echoed in Asher's mind, another piece of the puzzle falling into place.