As the notification for the newly completed Oracle flashed before me, an intense anticipation surged within.
This Oracle had been a grueling task; surely, the rewards would be worth the trouble.
No way they’d throw a few measly coins my way after all this, right?
"Rubin, here’s another cloud candy. Hold onto it and wait here for just a moment, okay?"
I pulled the last piece of candy from my pocket and handed it to Rubin.
“I’ll be back in no time after checking something. Once this is done, we’ll head out of the temple, enjoy the flowers, and buy plenty of cloud candy to share.”
Rubin accepted the candy without a word, his cheeks puffing up adorably as he smiled.
After patting his head once, I stepped into the corridor and opened the Oracle screen.
Sub-Oracle (3) – Find and purify the final Mana Core hidden within the ancient ruins of the "Temple of the Crimson Moon," located at the central lake of Blonka Forest! (1/1) (Complete)
The Complete button now appeared, thanks to my recent purification of the Mana Core.
And below that:
[You have completed the Fifth Main Oracle! Would you like to claim your rewards?]
– Yes
– No
The system prompt flashed, the choices blinking invitingly.
I didn’t hesitate and tapped Yes.
[Oracle Completion Rewards]
– Karma +200 points
– Two Advanced Healing Potions
– A Useful Random Box
– Shard of a Lost Memory
– “White Moon” Shop Access Pass (3 uses)
A Shard of a Lost Memory? A Useful Random Box? Shop Access Passes?
I frowned. Judging by the names alone, it was hard to tell what they did.
Honestly, I’d been hoping for some flashy weapon or gear, so this list was a disappointment. Among them, the “Useful Random Box” bothered me the most.
Random boxes—those gambling-style items that handed out loot or gold at random. In my experience, the chance of pulling something genuinely valuable from such boxes was slim to none.
Clicking my tongue, I pulled out one of the Advanced Healing Potions and drank it.
“Ah... That’s better.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
The unbearable pain wracking my body finally eased.
For now, I decided to keep the remaining potion in hand instead of stashing it in my inventory. I turned back toward the chapel where Rubin was waiting.
“Rubin, if you’re hurt anywhere—”
I trailed off mid-sentence.
Rubin wasn’t moving. He lay collapsed, utterly still, like a doll whose strings had been cut.
The potion bottle slipped from my hand, rolling across the floor with a hollow, echoing sound.
----------------------------------------
The party members, who had split up to search the upper floors, began regrouping.
While returning Argellio’s shield, Nikellus heard from him that there wasn’t much to report from other areas. Traps, yes, but no noteworthy items.
In stark contrast to the others’ empty-handed return, Nikellus had brought back an impressive golden statue.
Luciana had expected him to be more elated, but he only pointed at the exit with a subdued expression.
“Let’s head out now.”
“Your Grace, are you injured? You seem... troubled,” Luciana remarked cautiously, noting his gloomy demeanor.
Nikellus shook his head.
“No, just tired. It’s been a long day.”
Finally, he revealed what he’d been cradling in his arms—something wrapped in his white coat.
The group fell silent as he slowly unwrapped the fabric.
Luciana gasped softly. “Oh no…”
Beneath the folds lay the guide of the temple—the vibrant red creature who had chattered endlessly before. Now, it was utterly lifeless, as if it had fallen into a peaceful slumber after fulfilling its long-held duty.
Argellio hesitated before asking, “Isn’t this creature the temple’s guiding spirit?”
“When I purified the golden statue, Rubin helped me. It seems the strain was too much for him,” Nikellus explained, forcing a bitter smile.
The group grew solemn as Nikellus continued, “I’ll bury him nearby. You all go ahead. I’ll catch up later—it’s not like I can’t handle myself out here.”
Luciana hesitated but eventually nodded.
She knew Nikellus’s soft spot for animals. As a child, he had mourned his pet cat’s death by locking himself in his room for days. Though he hadn’t known Rubin long, he had clearly grown attached.
“We’ll go ahead, then. Please... take care of him properly. And don’t take too long to rejoin us.”
“Understood.”
Luciana turned to leave but paused, a thought nagging at her.
Why not cremate him at the cathedral? Nikellus always said animals deserve funerals as dignified as humans’...
She considered asking but decided against it. His emotions were likely too raw.
----------------------------------------
Stepping outside the ruins, Nikellus found the setting sun casting its warm hues over the Temple of the Crimson Moon.
He wandered the area, searching for a suitable spot, until he stopped beneath a large tree providing both light and shade.
“This looks good, don’t you think, Rubin?” he murmured.
A faint glow emitted from the bracelet on his wrist, and suddenly, a white creature materialized.
“Yeah, I think it’s perfect,” Rubin replied cheerfully.
The guide’s spirit hadn’t perished—it had transferred to a new, upgraded body.
----------------------------------------
[Earlier...]
Rubin had absorbed the Mana Core during the purification process, overloading his ancient body and shutting down entirely.
Desperate, Nikellus had tried everything—healing potions, magical scrolls, even the Shard of a Lost Memory. Nothing worked.
Just as despair began to creep in, his gaze fell upon the “Useful Random Box.”
“Could this really be... useful?”
Taking a gamble, he opened it.
[Random Box Opened!]
– Acquired: Modern Polydroid Frame (Mammalian Type, Memory Card Not Included)
– Accessories: Polydroid Storage Bracelet, User Manual, Spare Tail Fur
It worked. Rubin was back, now housed in a sleek, white frame.
----------------------------------------
Back in the present, Rubin flitted around, examining his new form.
“Do you like it?” Nikellus asked with a grin.
“Like it? I love it! It’s lighter, quieter, and—check this out—detachable tails for easy cleaning!”
Nikellus chuckled, watching Rubin’s excitement. “Good. Then let’s get moving. We’ve got one more stop before heading to the cathedral.”
“Where to?”
“To the Earl of Filma’s manor.”
Rubin tilted his head. “Why? Are you friends with him?”
“Not exactly.” Nikellus smirked. “Last time, I only destroyed half his mansion. This time, I’m finishing the job.”