I nodded and didn't say anything else. The was gonna be an important conversation and it's best we talked about it after having their fill of the food. We have been starving the last few days. We deserved a break. Luckily, for some reason, animals seemed to avoid this area. I didn't know why, but I was able to come to this conclusion after observing their behavior. It made me suspicious, but it didn't matter! As long as I don't need to fight another bear, I'm fine with it.
We didn't speak much while eating. The atmosphere was somber, but honestly? I was enjoying the meat. I never tried bear meat, but it's not so bad. Maybe it's because I have been subjected to starve for so long that anything I could eat would end up tasting good. Anyways, I was very pleased with it. The meat was perfectly cooked, as well. Isabella knew her stuff.
Once we both finished our share of the meat, we silently relaxed for a few minutes. Enjoying the serene silence, occasionally broken by the crackling of the campfire. After some hesitation, I asked.
"So....what is your blessing abilities, exactly?"
Isabella raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised I asked about her abilities instead of her connection to the mysteries government she often mentioned.
"Why would I tell you? You don't seem to be willing to share yours with me."
I sighed. That was fair. Right now, we needed to build a temporary alliance. That meant spilling some secrets, unfortunately. Lingering for a moment, i continued.
"Well.....My blessing grants me a great affinity towards Madness and also probability. What you saw earlier when I was fighting the bear and snake was one of it's abilities. It allows me to reach a sort of flow state that enhances my physical attributes my 15 levels."
Isabella seemed intrigued. Since she didn't say anything else, I continued explaining the rest.
"The next one is passive. It makes me stronger the angry I become, while also being able to store my "fury" and being able to unleash the stored fury whenever I want. I haven't tried it yet, though. So, I don't know how it works exactly."
I paused and glanced at her.
"The third one also seems to be a passive, but I haven't tried it yet. The description said that I'll be able to see the probability of outcomes before they happen. Didn't specify how early I'll be able to witness it, though and the flow state also enhances this. I don't know how yet."
Isabella nodded, looking thoughtfull. She seemed very interested now, even a bit surprised. Well, it's to be expected, considering how battle-related and devasting my abilities seemed. That's without considering the possibility of these abilities evolving further by rising in mastery.
"Well, your turn."
Isabella sighed and reluctantly explained
"As I said earlier, my Blessing grants me a great affinity towards wind. The first one you already saw it and know how it works. The second one is pretty straightforward, it just allows me to manipulate the wind around me to a certain degree. For example compressing the air into a dense sphere before releasing it in a violent explosion. Stuff like that."
I was stunned. Sure, her blessing seemed very simple and straightforward, but at the same time was pretty versatile. Is this what it's having elemental powers? I couldn't help but feel envy. Sure beats growing stronger by becoming madder!
"Unfortunately, unlike you, I don't have a third ability for my blessing. So, yeah. That's all."
I blinked in surprise. No third ability?
"Huh? Why? Is it different for everyone?"
Isabella shrugged.
"How am I supposed to know? I'm not omniscient."
I sighed and decided to accept that as an answer.
"Well? What about your Curses?"
Isabella seemed surprised I even dared to ask. No, was that what she was shocked about?
"What do you mean "Curses"? A person can only have one curse. That's what I have been told."
Huh? This is just getting weirder! First I have three blessing abilities, that Isabella doesn't have and now I have two Curses that Isabella doesn't have either? Am I just unlucky?
"Well.....I have two."
Isabella was stumped for a moment, looking at me with a strange expression, almost like she thought I was joking. No, is she actually considering that? Then, I heard a defeated sigh, followed by her voice.
"What are they, then?"
I hesitated for a moment, before answering honestly.
"Well.....The first curse description said that everyone I cherish will abandon me in the future, regardless of what I do for them. The second curse puts my sanity at risk, saying that I'm always on the verge of Madness."
Isabella looked thoughtful, contemplating my words. She had a look of sympathy in her eyes for the first curse. Does she think I care? Honestly, I would rather be alone anyway! Who cares?!
"Those are.....severe Curses, Morgan. For me, my only curse is that I have to drink three times more water than an average human does on a daily basis. That's why I was so lucky to have been sent near a freshwater lake."
What? That's all? I was shocked, but now that I think about it, it made sense. Isabella always looked so much worse than him. Always dehydrated and she seemed to avoid doing things that could physically tire her out quickly as well. That could indeed be a fatal curse in battle, which could be exploited.
'Good.....im glad I'm having this conversation. I can already imagine a way of killing her already.'
"Okay, that's enough about our blessings and curses. Can you just give me a straight answer for the first three questions I asked?"
Isabella lingered for a few seconds, before answering honestly.
"I can't.....exactly tell you the name of the government. Even I don't know, but my father is part of them. You see, The Mulligan appeared over a century ago and every hour, a sole victor emerges after winning The Mulligan. Most of these people work for this special government, while others commit crimes."
Isabella sighed, looking down at her lap.
"The government exists to keep order between these people. They are called Unbound humans and yes— before you ask, once you win The Mulligan, you can take the powers with you back to the real world. Many misuse it, that's why a government must exist. They have also been researching on these Unbound humans and gathering information about The Mulligan to not help others survive, but also deepen our understanding of how it works and why it exists."
Once again, I was shocked by this information and a little excited. Taking powers back into the real world? That sounded amazing! Too amazing, even! Looks like The Mulligan hides more secret then I gave it credit for. After explaining this, I have also come to understand what this special government is and it makes sense why they exist. They must also be comprised of "Unboud Humans" I'm guessing....oh, this is amazing!
"Naturally, it isn't only humans that end up winning The Mulligan. Sometimes, wild animals and even plants end up winning somehow. They also bring back unnatural powers with them to the real world, making them a huge danger to ordinary humans. They are classified as "Unboud Creatures" and most of them are very hostile. Like that bear you fought."
Plants winning The Mulligan? That sounds so ridiculous....
Isabella looked up from her lap at me and continued.
"Unfortunately, this special government hasn't been able to really find out why The Mulligan exists, who created it and where it came from yet. The entire realm where the battleroyal happens is filled with mysteries, that nobody bothers paying attention to, considering we are here to fight for our lives instead of uncovering hidden truths."
I nodded in understanding. I wouldn't bother uncovering some truths, either. Not when I'm fighting for my life here. Fighting that bear has given me a small understanding of how Unbound Creatures were. They were powerful, while not as cunning as a human, but powerful. However, they also have Curses themselves which can be exploited. The same way I managed to kill the bear since it's curse somehow stopped it from killing me directly.
I glanced at Isabella and asked with genuine curiosity.
"If I may ask, how did you die?"
Isabella coughed, surprised. But there was a faint blush colouring her cheeks, she seemed embarrassed.
"W–well.....I might have killed myself just for a chance to participate in The Mulligan and experience having supernatural powers. Is that so bad?"
I blinked, surprised and amused. Such a simple and reckless decision.
"That's stupid."
Isabella narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
"And? What about you? How did you die?"
I smiled.
"Oh, me? I was strangled to death by a cop while trying to take a nap."
Isabella widened her eyes, but then shook her head.
"Whatever! Why does how we died matter, anyway? We have more important stuff to focus on. Like, you know, what we are gonna do tomorrow?"
My expression turned back to being serious, as I nodded my head. Yes, we indeed needed a plan for tomorrow. What will we do? We could slaughtering each other, of course. But I have silently agreed to an alliance between us. For now. So, killing her at the moment isn't an option. Hunt more animals? That's dangerous....
"Well, I just want to learn how to use my abilities, that's what I will focus on for now. Have you mastered your innate spirit? If so, how did you do it?"
Isabella didn't seem surprised by my decision and answered casually.
"It was pretty easy. All I did was meditate and learned to control the flow of it. Ah, right. You don't even know how important the innate spirit is yet, do you? They are the fuel of being able to use your blessing abilities."
I raised an eyebrow, interested.
"It would be unfair if one was able to just spam their abilities, you know. The stronger and more destructive the ability, the more innate spirit it will take to use. Once you run out of the innate spirit, you'll have to wait until it naturally replenishs. Additionally, you can increase the pace of it's replenishment by eating, drinking and resting more."
That made sense. I have always suspected that to be the case. Since The Mulligan is designed like a game, there has to be rules to it too. An energy system to control the spamming of power is the most effective.
I lingered for a few minutes and awkwardly scratched the back of my head.
"Uh....thanks for educating me, Isabella."
She giggled in amusement, reveling at my awkwardness.
"Your welcome!"
After some thought, I asked.
"What are your plans for the near future here, then? My goal is to master being able to fully grasp control of my innate spirit. How about you?"
Isabella placed a finger on her chin, in deep thought. But the, she shrugged.
"Eh, I don't know. I'll just be your teacher and help you through it, I guess. I'll be needing you in full power soon. Who knows what we will encounter in the next coming days?"
I sighed and nodded my head.
"You're right."
Then, I watched as Isabella unceremoniously laid down on a makeshift mattress of sticks and leaves, preparing to sleep.
"Goodnight!"
I smiled and followed suit, putting out the fire and relaxing against the Ancient fallen tree trunk, closing my eyes as sleep caught up to me.
"Goodnight."