As the last class ended. I made my way home, tired and exhausted from all the lessons we had done today.
Each time I go home, I am alone. Not because I didn't have friends to go home with.
But mostly because my home was in the mountains. While my friends and classmates were near a village.
I wasn't sad or anything. I was glad to have them with me.
But on this particular day, I found something I had never seen before.
"A card"
A simple, normal-looking card, falling on the third floor of my school.
It didn't seem special or anything like that. But it felt magical, just the way it fell near me on the staircase.
The way it fell down like a feather instead of a metal object was eye-catching.
Gazing at it, I slowly moved towards it and caught it with my hands.
Gently pressing the surface of it, I felt a cold energy coursing through my body.
"An artifact!?"
Looking at it, I couldn't help but think of it as an artifact.
In this century, all kinds of supernatural events have been happening around the globe.
If this is one of those artifacts that made those events, then if I sold this.
How much would I get?
I haven't become the owner of it yet, so I can still sell it. But… What abilities does it have?
Most artifacts can give you a clue about what kind they are.
Some can control elements, some enhance your physical abilities, and some grant you powers like flight and teleportation.
I looked around, making sure I was alone. If others saw me having this, they wouldn't hesitate to knock me out cold to get this.
Without caring about anything, I put it inside my bag and made my way home.
~~~
As soon as I pay my fare, I move up towards the mountain where my home is.
Along the way I made sure no one was following me or saw me grinning.
"I just need to get this home and sell it online."
Before I knew it, my home was already in sight. The small house on top of the mountain.
The flowers planted at the front, a small water creek flowing down the mountain made by the spring water inside my home, and the one tree growing beside it.
I smiled at it, even after seeing it every day I made sure to do this. It was the only thing that I could show how I cared for my mother's work.
As the door neared me, I bent down. Grabbing the key from one of the potted flowers.
As I felt the key in my fingers, I poked my finger on one of the spikes from the flower stem.
Leading to a bleeding finger.
Ignoring the pain, I pulled out the key, opened the door of my house, and entered.
"Finally… home." I let out a sigh of relief.
Placing my bag on one corner, I went inside my room and changed into much more comfortable clothes.
I grabbed some snacks and finally sat down near my laptop and opened the internet.
"Now to sell you for some profits," I said, placing the card on my forehead, feeling the cold energy.
"Since you have a cold energy, then you might have a water or ice type ability."
Not bad. An element type ability is one of the most sought-after powers in the world.
As the world changed in the last century, most countries barely have drinking water.
Countries that used to be filled with life and greenery are now deserted.
Countries that used to be so weak have now risen in terms of power.
If I can find a buyer from one of those countries. Then I can probably sell this at a much higher price.
Browsing through the internet. I only found the same thing every single day.
Awaken fighting each other for power and reputation. People are dying to monsters outside their territory.
Young people going outside the walls thinking they can become the next topic of power.
Same story, different endings.
•°•°•°•
Even after an hour of scrolling, I haven't found anyone to sell this to. Even making a post didn't catch anyone's attention.
The people who commented on the post, only made fun of me saying;
"Who would fall for that?
Loser.
Broke ass.
Don't think of making profits without giving anything in return.
A frontal scammer?
A newbie?
If you cherish your life, take this post down and think of your actions."
Asshole. I know what I'm doing… Well not entirely. I still don't know what type of ability this card gives.
Now that I'm talking about it, where did I put it again?
Crawling towards my bag, I felt a stinging pain in my finger. Looking down it was bleeding again. My fault for not taking care of it.
Ignoring it again, I pulled my bag to my thighs and opened the zipper.
Taking it out inside, a drop of my blood spilled on it, creating a blue light inside my room.
As my vision returns.
The card changed entirely.
Now with a design of a whale in front. With the sea below and a blue shimmering sky and roots like design entirely.
Its weight also increased significantly. Turning around the card. Words were written on it.
[Owner: Lean
Level: 1. (0/100%)
Combat power: 32
-
Strength: 4
Stamina: 12
Agility: 6
Vitality: 10
-
Skills: none
-
Trait: none
-
Blessing: Tarot card-blue.]
"...."
"Shit! I became an owner…" I was frustrated looking at it. The wealth that I could have had is now gone.
I walked around the room, trying to calm myself down.
Maybe I can still sell it?
No! I can't. The moment it took me as the owner. I cannot give it to anyone anymore.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!!!" How did I mess this out so much? I could have been rich. Now it's gone completely.
•°•°•°•
12:46 AM.
It was already midnight when my composure returned. In the last five hours, I've been crying my eyes out over my mistake.
Finally, having the strength to make a move, I grabbed the card to my face and examined it more.
Maybe the abilities of it were not bad?
But knowing the moment I become supernatural or awaken.
I need to leave the territory and kill monsters for a living from now on.
Staring at the details on the card, one thing grabbed my attention: "Blessing: Tarot card-blue."
I got a blessing? The only way for one to get one is to worship a God and hope to receive one.
In this age, there are countless ways to obtain power. But… I never heard of someone obtaining one from a card.
Is that why those people called me a scammer? Now that I think about it, the most common way for people to have power is to be born with it.
Others received it from higher beings. Some artifacts. So becoming one with an artifact is not bad.
···
Pressing the blessing details on the card. All the details before disappeared, and a new one replaced them.
[Blessing: Tarot card-blue.
-
Effects:
-
-Increased combat power by leveling up.
-???. Not available.
-The physical body is compatible with all possible skills and traits.
-???. Not available.
-Healing properties increased by 300% while sleeping.
-Full recovery from all types of physical damage, toxic and negative effects, every 'Fifth' level up.
-Store.]
"Store? If it exists, then there's something to buy" without wasting any time. I press the last option on it, and the card changes again.