Arzael's eyes opened slowly. His body felt heavy, as though he had been lying in place for hours, but his mind was strangely refreshed, alert in a way that made him almost suspicious. He drew a slow breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs.
Before he could push himself upright, a dark crimson glow shimmered into existence directly in front of him. The light twisted and condensed, forming a translucent panel suspended in midair. It hung there silently, pulsing faintly, waiting.
[New menus unlocked: Infernal Exchange & System Inventory]
The glowing words lingered for a moment, as if giving him time to read them twice, before shifting. A new interface unfolded with a smooth ripple of light. Arzael narrowed his eyes.
"Tch… and what's this now?" he muttered under his breath, the tone caught somewhere between annoyance and wary curiosity.
[Infernal Exchange]
A market where Soul Shards collected from defeated creatures can be traded for powerful items and skills.
Starting Soul Shards: 900
Available Item:
Ethereal Boots (Rarity: B) — Price: 500 Soul Shards
A pair of lightweight boots that greatly enhance movement speed and grant the [active skill: Shadow Step]: a short-range, silent teleport with a 30-second cooldown.
Available Skill:
— locked —
Use your Soul Shards wisely; the Infernal Exchange will reveal greater treasures as you grow stronger.
[Inventory]
A personal storage for items, equipment, and consumables obtained through the System.
Slots: 20 (Currently Empty)
All acquired or purchased items would be placed here automatically. From within this space, they could be equipped, used, or stored in safety.
Arzael exhaled slowly through his nose. "Oh… so that's how it works," he said, tilting his head in a half-shrug, his voice colored with equal parts sarcasm and mild disinterest. "Why not give me this from the start, you cursed system?"
He pushed himself upright from the floor, moving with deliberate slowness. His gaze drifted toward the bed across the room.
Seraphina was still asleep, lying on her side, her breathing deep and even. Her white hair spilled over the pillow in loose strands, and her expression was soft, almost serene.
Arzael stood and crossed the short space between them with careful steps, avoiding the loose plank in the floor that always creaked.
"Well then… this means I can finally store my weapon, right?" he murmured to himself.
He reached toward the small wooden table beside him and picked up the Crimson Edge, the dark red blade he had carried for what felt like forever. With a mere thought, the inventory screen reappeared.
His mind's focus pulled the weapon into one of the empty slots, and a faint glow of dull light wrapped around the sword before it vanished from the physical world.
"Ah…" His lips curled into a thin smile. "Finally, I don't have to lug this thing around everywhere."
His gaze shifted back to the Infernal Exchange. "Hm… so it's a market? And the currency… is souls, huh?" His tone dropped lower, an edge flickering in his eyes, something sharp and dangerous.
Without hesitation, his hand moved quickly. He purchased the Ethereal Boots.
The moment he selected Equip, a subtle change spread through him. There was no visible footwear on his feet, but his body felt suddenly lighter, each movement smoother, his steps falling without a whisper.
"Oh… they activate instantly and stay invisible?" He smirked. "Good. That means no one will know I'm wearing something overpowered."
He took a few test steps. One… two… three… and his grin widened. "Heh… this is fun."
Behind him, a faint sound broke the quiet. "Mmm…" Seraphina stirred, stretching languidly beneath the blanket. Her eyes half-opened, catching sight of him.
"Oh, you're awake already? Ready for magic practice?" she asked, her voice still soft from sleep.
Arzael turned, angling his body slightly to hide the still-hovering interface. "Yeah. Let's head outside."
They left the inn in Eterna's central district together. The capital's morning air was crisp but gentle, carrying with it the scent of fresh bread from the small bakeries lining the streets. Merchants were beginning to set up their stalls, their voices low, exchanging greetings with passing neighbors.
The city's western gate loomed ahead, an imposing arch flanked by two guards in polished silver armor.
Once they passed through, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. The cobblestone road ended abruptly, giving way to firm-packed earth bordered by rolling fields of green.
The wind moved unhindered here, brushing past them in cool, steady gusts and carrying the layered chorus of crickets and distant meadowlarks.
"Is it far?" Seraphina asked, adjusting the hood of her cloak, tucking away the strands of long white hair.
"If we walk at a relaxed pace, maybe an hour," Arzael replied. "But we're not here for a picnic."
The path narrowed to barely the width of two people walking side by side. On the left, tall grass swayed in long, graceful arcs, hiding patches of wildflowers in purple, yellow, and white.
Several times, Seraphina slowed, her attention drawn to a large, vivid-blue butterfly landing on one of the blossoms. "Do you never stop to appreciate the view?" she asked, her eyes following the insect's delicate flutter.
Arzael glanced her way briefly. "If I stop, it's usually to look for threats. Not butterflies."
Half an hour later, they reached a small wooden bridge. Below, a shallow river wound its way across the land, its clear water mirroring the pale blue of the sky.
Seraphina knelt briefly, dipping her fingers into the flow. "It's so cold…"
"Fresh water," Arzael noted, already continuing forward. "But we don't have time."
Beyond the bridge, the landscape shifted again. The grass grew shorter, the earth firmer underfoot. Trees thinned out until the horizon opened entirely, the wind sweeping across in unbroken waves.
There was a faint tang of minerals in the air, carried from the distant stone outcroppings.
They climbed a low rise, and as they reached the crest, the world unfolded before them, an expanse of gently rolling plains in green and brown, the horizon stretching in an unbroken line beneath the sky.
Seraphina drew in a deep breath. "This place… it's perfect. No one will hear us."
Arzael nodded, his eyes scanning the ground for cracks, boulders, or anything that could serve as cover.
"All right," he said, starting down the slope. "You wanted training? Here, nothing will interrupt us."