As I lay there, sprawled out on the cold, unforgiving dirt, every bone in my body screaming in protest, I couldn't help but groan internally.
'Why the hell did I jump instead of using the front door?'
The answer was obvious.
'Dramatic effect.'
'Style. '
'Presentation. '
'Making an exit like a shadowy mastermind leaping into the night?'
That's the kind of reputation I wanted.
But right now? Face full of dirt, limbs bent in ways they shouldn't be, lungs barely holding in a groan? Yeah… not exactly the most dignified look.
I let out a muffled sigh into the dirt, my voice coming out as a pathetic grumble. "Uhhh..."
A sharp jolt ran through my body as my regeneration kicked in, my bones snapping back into place with sickening cracks. It stung like hell, but hey, at least it was working.
Still, small victories.
I got what I came for.
"I did get a minion today, though... that's nice."
I muttered to myself, still lying motionless, waiting for my body to finish putting itself back together.
The wind blew, carrying the scent of damp earth and mockery.
This was definitely not my finest moment.
As I lay there, my body still aching and my regeneration sluggish due to my nearly depleted mana, a sudden, maniacal "HAAHAHAHA!" echoed from Cedric's room above.
I blinked.
'What the hell…?'
Still face-down in the dirt, I processed the sound.
Did I actually break him? I didn't even do anything that bad just a little intimidation, a few well-placed illusions, and some good old-fashioned manipulation.
Nothing too extreme.
Right?
'Don't tell me he's already lost it?'
A chill ran down my spine. If Cedric went completely off the deep end, that could be a problem.
A useful pawn is one thing, but a rabid dog? That's just a liability.
I tried to move, only for another sharp pain to remind me that I still wasn't fully healed.
My body was knitting itself back together at a crawl. Normally, my regeneration would have patched me up in seconds, but with my mana reserves running on fumes, it felt like I was watching paint dry In a Movie.
'Great.. Just great.'
I sighed, pushing myself up slowly.
My joints popped, my ribs ached, but after nearly ten minutes of lying there like roadkill freshly hit, I was finally able to stand.
Dusting myself off, I cast one last glance toward Cedric's window, where the sound of his laughter still lingered.
'Yep. He's definitely lost it.'
Shaking my head, I turned and started the long walk back to my dorm. I needed sleep.
A lot of it.
And maybe… just maybe… I needed to reconsider how I picked my allies.
As I lay sprawled out on my bed, exhaustion finally catching up to me, I pulled up my Status Window and stared at the screen hovering before my eyes.
[Status Window]
Name: Victor Von Hendrick
Title: ???
Race: Human (51%) | Demon (49%)
Class: Mage
Talent Grade: 9 High Star
Current Mage Level: 1 Medium Star Mage
Strength: 5
Stamina: 10 (2)
Durability: 20
Mana: 30 (2)
Intelligence: S+
Affinity: Light / Dark (Unstable)
Curses (3):
The Cycle of Equal Exchange The Curse of Arrogance (10%) The Curse of Corruption (2%)
Blessings (3):Blessing of Immortality's Essence (0.5%) Blessing of Demonic Knowledge Blessing of the Mirage of a Thousand (10%)
My eyes zeroed in on something strange.
"10%?? What does that mean?"
I muttered to myself, furrowing my brows.
In the game, blessings didn't level up, As They were fragments of a higher being's authority, static and unchanging.
You could learn to use them in different ways, but they never actually grew stronger.
But here, in reality? The percentage next to my blessings suggested otherwise.
'Could it be like an experience bar? Do blessings… evolve in this world?'
It didn't make sense, The game's mechanics never mentioned anything like this.
But then again, this wasn't just a game anymore.
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling as new possibilities raced through my mind.
What would happen when The Curse of Arrogance reached 100%?
And what exactly was The Cycle of Equal Exchange? I hadn't seen any changes related to it yet, but something told me it wasn't just sitting there for decoration.
I exhaled slowly.
There were too many unknowns.
"But What the hell even is The Curse of Arrogance? Does that mean I'm becoming more self-centered?"
I let out a mock villainous laugh. "Ahahaha! I am the Great Victor Von Hendrick! Bow before me, peasants!"
…Then I cringed so hard my soul nearly left my body.
"Yeah, no. That's disgusting."
I shook my head. But if the curse percentage grew, would I start actually thinking like that?
Would I become someone else?
I wasn't sure, and that was what worried me, as There No mention of It In the game.
I sighed, shifting my attention to something else—
[Blessing of the Mirage of a Thousand (10%)]
A thousand faces, a world of fear and illusions. The more fear you invoke, the stronger you become.
Phase 1: Illusion of Reality
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: ????
]
I frowned. Why are my abilities always so vague? Why couldn't I just get something straightforward like super strength or fire manipulation like every other overpowered protagonist?
Instead, I got this weird illusion-based ability that apparently thrived on fear.
I flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Just what the hell is going on with me?"
The Astraeus Blade one of the few things I could be sure still existed in this world.
Since the Astraeus Blade was a pay-to-win item, it was likely still in the same location as in the game.
Unlike rare drops or quest rewards that changed based on player choices, cash shop items always spawned in fixed locations.
The developers never expected players to stumble upon them naturally since, well who in their right mind wouldn't just buy it instead?
But this wasn't a game anymore.
No rich kid had swiped their credit card to claim it yet, which meant it was still there, waiting for me.
I needed it.
Desperately.
During my fight with Cedric, I realized just how weak I was in direct combat. My illusions and tricks worked, but the moment I ran out of mana or faced someone with the ability to see through them, I was screwed.
I needed more than just magic.
I needed weapons, I needed money, I needed power.
And the Astraeus Blade was perfect.
A weapon infused with a shard of the Order God.
A blade that was not just a tool but a living embodiment of cosmic balance.
It did not care for humans or demons.
It did not take sides in the endless war between light and dark.
It only sought to cut through the chaos that threatened the equilibrium of the world.
Be it the corruption of men, the rage of demons, or even the unpredictability of nature itself the Astraeus Blade would erase whatever disrupted the balance.
Its wielder did not become a hero.
Nor did they become a villain.
They became an arbiter of balance.
A force that ensured no side good or evil, light or dark ever tipped the scales too far.
If I got my hands on it…
I wouldn't have to rely on tricks alone.
I would have something absolute.
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