"So that's poisonous, that's poisonous too, that contains neurotoxin, that contains venom, and that collapses your lungs."
I paused, rehearsing the notes in my mind again.
This place is cursed! It has to be!
There must be at least one edible plant here!
I tapped my finger against the black ornate desk a few times, then switched to rubbing my temple.
There has to be something, has to be.
If there wasn't anything here, people wouldn't have lived here before.
My brows knitted as multiple ideas were thought of and crushed.
If there is no food, there has to be something else.
Perhaps wood? No, it doesn't seem like anything special, except the color.
Perhaps minerals?
My dull eyes snapped open, and an idea was born.
It was time to search!
***
Two hours later I stood in front of a tree.
I hadn't found a single stone, a single mine, a single gem. Worth mentioning.
Which meant this was my only option.
If I couldn't get food here without planting my own, which would take years upon years to make enough for the whole citadel.
I needed something else, so I would trade it for food, or money, and then trade it for more food.
Simple.
And now that the tree's picture formed in great detail, I noticed something strange.
Nothing dangerous, just strange.
It's as if the tree was burned, yet unburnt.
My brows knitted, and I jumped to grab hold of a branch.
Then I pulled, breaking it off. Or I at least tried to, but I failed miserably.
Instead of breaking, the branch leaned downwards.
And then shot straight up, sending me into the air like a ragdoll.
I let out a shout of surprise, but I quickly warped back onto the same branch, sitting down on it crossed-legged.
That was quite interesting.
So my first guess was right all along. These trees are special.
Absurdly durable, comparable to steel perhaps. Not to mention it was still wood, used for everything across the dream realm.
That meant I had just stumbled upon a giant opportunity.
Of course, first I needed to experiment with how the trees behaved once cut and chopped.
But for now, knowing the citadel had something special was enough.
Now it was time to clean once again.
Then I would go on to clear out more of the creatures in the citadel.
I'd really like to just send most of them away, however. I had forgotten something very important, something crucial to my strengh.
That being said, my memories can grow in ranks.
Sure, I need four or so hundred more kills, but it was better to upgrade them as soon as possible.
The blood red dagger and the attire being first of course.
Perhaps the bow was worth focusing on, but I'd rather gamble on a possibility.
The last hope for my body, the dagger, and its ability to rejuvenate and steal away lifespans.
I paused for a second, the thought that I probably already had gained a few decades on top of my life was unnerving.
Then quickly brushed it off.
Awakened lived long lives anyway, Transcendents especially, which was of course what I planned to reach.
I shook my head, back to the point.
Since the dagger focused on minimal healing, and lifespans as a whole.
There was a possibility that it would gain an enchantment or evolve one to a greater healing capability once it reached Transcendent.
Which of course, perhaps could heal my body.
Having my arm back would be nice
***
The larger-than-usual broom snapped in two, as I barely managed to react to an incoming swipe.
My eyes still wide from shock, I backpedaled.
I barely dodged another few swipes, before my full attire and dagger manifested.
The world expanded, and I was now able to see more than just the three soul cores.
Unsurprisingly, the creature was the incarnation of the word "horror".
It lacked any and all skin, its muscles and organs only held together by bones wrapping around its form.
Instead of fingers, long nail-like daggers extended, each the size of a forearm.
An Awakened Demon, nothing too fearsome.
It was surprising I hadn't sensed it here though, perhaps an assassin type?
I made sure to keep refreshing the world around me, as my form blurred between the slashes and stabs of the creature.
It was truly a strange one, and one of it's strength should have already realized this wouldn't work.
My gaze narrowed on the soul cores, all of this was strange.
I warped right in front of the creature, stabbing it right through the head.
[You have slain and Awakened Demon: Stealth's minion.]
I raised a brow, a curious name. Perhaps there was a Tyrant I had yet to encounter?
Not like it mattered, for now, I wouldn't even try to fight it, I had cleaning to finish off.
And this blood and corpse had to be taken out, it ruined the whole point of cleaning.
***
I sat in the same cafe or restaurant as before, Rain sitting in front of me, her face hidden behind her long dark hair.
She seemed, annoyed, perhaps sad?
I was still learning how to discern different emotions, a difficult thing to be sure.
The image refreshed, and I let out a sigh.
I put down my fork, wiping my mouth with a blueish napkin.
Then I put my hand below my chin, my unseeing eyes drilling straight into Rain's hidden ones.
"What's wrong?"
I finally asked, and she hadn't spoken other than suggesting we eat together once again.
There was a long almost tense pause, before her fingers curled into fists, the knuckles whitening more and more with each second.
Her jaw flexed, undoubtedly her teeth biting into her own tongue, perhaps the lip.
Then everything vanished, the fingers uncurled, jaw relaxed.
And she finally lifted her head, pushing the hair out of her eyes.
I wish she hadn't.
For lack of a better word, Rain looked depressed.
And as the words left her lips, my own slightly humorous mood vanished.
"He found it."
Simple three words, ones that could mean practically anything.
But I knew exactly what they meant.
Sunless, the treacherous bastard had finally found a second nightmare seed.
And of course, it was time for me to move.
I almost shot out of the dining sofa, but I managed to restrain my eagerness, barely.
It would be improper of me to leave a lady to eat alone after all.
I mulled over any words that I could say, but in the end, I decided silence is the best for now.
I merely grabbed my fork once more, slowly stabbing and putting the food into my mouth.
Ah, how annoying it was to eat with a single arm. Never could get used to it.
"Will you go?"
The question was so fast and out of nowhere that even I was caught off guard, nearly choking on the recently swallowed food.
I waited a second, making sure the food reached my stomach before speaking. I mulled over what I could say.
But in the end decided that a simple nod would be enough.
Thanks for reading and support!