My throat dry from uneasiness, I swallow silently, my face tensing up in contrast with Elena's unfeeling and calculated appearance. It's hard to deny how insanely perceptive she is, but that aspect of her is sometimes hard to remember with how gentle she acts towards some situations.
"I also suspected this during our spar earlier today. There were no such skills listed on your tree that had an effect of partial healing of wounds after obtaining them, or in a more interesting matter..." She presses the finger she used to tap the glass on the side of her head. "My mental stress. How curious."
I look down at my hands, unable to make eye contact with her simply due to how intimidating it was to do so. Just before I look down though, I saw her eyes glow once more, again, a sign of her using [Lie Detection]. There's really no way getting out of this one, huh?
Although she's my mentor and someone I can trust, I'm still not sure what the Goddess of Alleviation wants from me. Until I get an answer, I'm not sure if I want anyone I know caught up in this. I can't be the reason someone gets hurt just by wanting to help me. Not again.
"I..." My mouth shuts as I pause.
"I am." My voice quivers as I speak slowly, making sure I don't trip up on my words or say something wrong. "But, it's not something I can tell you. Not until I find out what this is first."
My heart beat echoes in my ears as I await her answer. It feels like minutes pass until I hear Elena's voice again, while in reality it was barely a second in between.
"Alright. I understand."
I blink and look up at her. Elena was fully turned towards me, her eyes shut and her regular demeanor returning. Just as soon as I was stressed, I was immediately put at peace once more.
"You do?"
"Why wouldn't I? I value honesty over openness after all." Elena walks towards the door, the sound of her heels clacking against the floor filling the room.
"Plus, we all have our own secrets. Don't we?" She turns her head again to look at me.
"Rest well. See you tomorrow." Just like that, she steps out.
Really? She's fine with it just like that? What did she mean by valuing honesty over openness? What does she think my secret is? Does she truly still trust me? She's not going to tell other people, is she?
I look up at the ceiling and let out a long sigh. I'll think about it later.
...
Turns out mom heard what happen because hen I got home, she was all over me. Of course, I didn't have any sort of injuries because I healed it all up, but she was still doing a deep search as if I got caught by security.
"Mom!" I grab her shoulders. "I'm fine! Really." My voice cracks with a light chuckle as she scowls at me.
"Yeah right! I heard from Kia that you were basically bleeding everywhere!"
"Listen, that would've been a problem if I was any other class, but I'm a support. You really don't have to worry at all." I let go of her shoulders after seeing her calm down a bit.
She sucks on her teeth. "Fine, fine. You should still try to stay safe though! I was worried sick, y'know?"
"Okay, I get it. I'll be more wary from now on, okay?" I exhale through my nose in the middle of my sentence.
"Thank you. Now, it's late so I'm going to bed, but I put what I cooked earlier in the fridge if you're hungry!" Mom turns away and waves me goodnight to which I follow up on. I let out a long sigh and open up the fridge.
After eating, I went straight to my room. Sure had a day today, even if I was passed out for around half of it. Still, I've made lots of progress! Got a few new skills under my belt, as well as a soul resonated with. I feel like I'm missing something though...
———————————
<{!}>
———————————
A golden window with the image of a treasure chest pops up in front of my face. Oh, right!
The panel thins out then splits into three, displaying an image of an item on each one.
On the left were a pair of golden-armored fingerless gloves with two halo rings on the wrist of each glove, the one closer to the hand being slightly smaller than its fellow halo. Along with that were what seemed to be a white strap of cloth connected to the wrist of each glove that spiraled up the forearm and formed into the end of an angel wing at the elbow.
On the bottom right of each image was a symbol made up of three consecutive dots. I tap on the one underneath the gloves, and another golden window appears below it.
———————————
Item Name: Valkyrie's Destruction
Item Rank: B
Item Type: Equipment, Set 1/3 <{...}>
Item Description: Gloves made to be worn by the heavens' strongest warriors. Strengthened by the halos of fallen angels, these gloves and arm wraps invigorate those who wear them.
Item Attributes:
- Increases the wearer's strength by 20%.
- Unique Passive-Controlled Wrath: Allows the rally of the skill, [Health Strike], to be distributed between attacks based on the wearer's choice.
———————————
This one looks super useful! I remember during the Fissure event, I had a problem saving up the rally for [Health Strike] since there were so many smaller Exiles in the way of the minotaur. The strength boost isn't half bad either, but the unique passive is definitely what sells this one for me. Still, it's best if I take a look at the other two choices before I make my decision.
That said, my eyes pan over to the item in the middle. The item seemed to be a belt of some kind that was mostly made up of brown, leather-like skin as well as white fur near the bottom. A golden string tied the two sides of the pelt together, making it wearable. Upon closer inspection, it almost looks like the pelt has sustained some pretty hefty damage, but has stayed intact regardless, almost like it's impenetrable.
I quickly tap on the same symbol I pressed to see the last item's description. Another panel opens.
———————————
Item Name: Valkyrie's Preservation
Item Rank: B
Item Type: Equipment, Set 1/3 <{...}>
Item Description: A fur pelt made from a creature extinct long ago. Worn as a reminder to preserve what is present, and to grant the wearer the power to do so.
Item Attributes:
- Increases the wearer's endurance and durability by 20%.
- Decreases pain received from injuries by 5%.
- Unique Passive-Protective Bulwark: Sustaining an injury will cause the wearer to become "Impervious" for 0.5 seconds afterward. Those with the "Impervious" effect will take no damage from injuries; however, the potential damage will still be calculated by skills that take note of it. Self-inflicted damage will not activate this unique passive and said effect will have a cooldown of 2 seconds.
———————————
Alright, a lot more to read compared to the first item, but these are pretty good too. Basically, I won't be able to take back to back damage every 2 seconds, and that damage I would've taken will still be counted for stuff like [Health Strike]. Now that I think about it, this could work with [Angel's Gambit] too! Instead of healing back half of the damage I took, I'll just get some free health based on the potential damage I would've received. Not to mention, I'll probably be able to get some more skills later down the road that will benefit from this.
Overall, a really solid pick. But let me look at the last one before anything...
On the last window were a pair of greaves that seemed to be made from the same golden material as the gloves. The armor was pointed at the toes and looked really slim to wear. The ankle part sort of thinned out too, making another wing shape similar to the gloves but still made of metal. I click on the information button again.
———————————
Item Name: Valkyrie's Creation
Item Rank: B
Item Type: Equipment, Set 1/3 <{...}>
Item Description: Armor forged from the condensed metal of a star. Given to Valkyries who have yet received their set of wings.
Item Attributes:
- Unique Passive-Winged Feet: Gain the skill, [Shinestrider], while wearing this equipment.
———————————
Okay... A lot less to read here compared to the other two. This one doesn't give any increase to stats and all it does is give a skill, which I'm not too familiar with. [Shinestrider]... It sounds a little familiar. I also haven't really had any sort of situation where I've needed mobility too, huh? Compared to needing to split up the power of my attacks and sustaining damage enough to build up said power, I'm not sure if mobility is at the top of my priority list.
I guess compared to the other two, this one doesn't really stand out to me other than it being really simple in description. That said, it's time to make my choice.