'How interesting....'
I peered closely at the pop-up. I don't remember ever doing something to receieve this "Abyssal Fragment." Plus, I don't even know what that is! It says abyssal, so maybe it's bad? Most TV Shows and Novels paint the abyss as this evil place filled with corruption....
Or maybe it's actually a good thing.
I was very interesed in finding out what exactly these abyssal fragments do. That battle really has turned out to be more rewarding than I had anticipated!
'Let's see...'
I clicked the pop-up, but nothing happend. I tried again and again, but no change.
'Huh?'
I narrowed my eyes in annoyance, but that's when I came to a realization. I rolled my eyes at myself for being so stupid. This wasn't a pop-up.
It was a notification of the announcements I missed!
When I scrolled even higher, I saw the notification in where I got [Fool's Rapier] and the notifications of my kills. They were all stored here. I ended up accidently clicking and checking it, but since it appeared like a pop-up, I thought it was some annoying advertisement, however, it simply turned out to be a notification box.
Anyways, it was good and informed me of these "Abyssal Fragments." I will need to check them out. After all, the overseer has never given me anything without it's uses— besides the Achievements of course, I still haven't figured out what purpose they serve besides being awesome.
I closed the notification box and continued scrolling down the game-like interface. I stopped briefly to check something.
Blessing Potential: Celestial.
Blessing Mastery: Apprentice.
How disappointing. The mastery hasn't changed yet. Well, I didn't really care about that now, so I went back to scrolling and finally found something new underneath the Blessing Mastery.
Abyssal Fragments: [3/1000]
'What do they do?'
I thought to myself, thoughtfully rubbing my chin. I didn't find any descriptions of the overseer explaining how this worked, but I did find one thing. It was that I could summon these Fragments, into the real world.
[Would you like to summon an Abyssal Fragment?]
I pressed yes without any hesitation and opended my palm. A Tenebrous mist appeared, before disappearing. I felt something manifest at the top of my palm. It was heavier than the Rapier, but not too heavy that I couldn't carry it.
Taking a closer look, I saw a crystal. This crystal wasn't ordinary. It was about the size of my palm and was pure black. It was almost like I was staring at the abyss itself. Even my own reflection was swallowed up by it, the crystal didn't reflect any light at all. I couldn't help but compare this thing to a black-hole— eating up and swallowing light.
I examined it a little more. Tossing it around, even setting it on the ground. But I was worried about losing it. This thing was just a black spot in space, since the inside of the tent was dark, I could of easily lost it, if I wasn't touching it actively. Still, this thing was curious. Unfortunately though, I couldn't find out anything about its uses by just simply toying with it.
I sighed in disappointment, willing it to return back into me. Honestly, I don't even know how the overseer does it. Where does these things come from? Where do I summon them from? Where do they go when I dismiss them? So many questions. I have gotten used to the abnormal by now, but it's still so magical and fantastical.
I checked the screen again. Checking the Abyssal Fragments over and over again, trying to see if something changed. But there was nothing. I couldn't find anything that was altered. It was starting to frustrate me. Sometimes, the overseer is so annoying and frustrating! They just give us these things, without telling us how to use them.
I sighed in exasperation and exhuastion. The lack of sleep was now getting to me. My earlier restless attitude gone. The excitement wearing off.
'Maybe I'll figure it out tomorrow....'
I thought inwardly, getting ready to dismiss the screen, but that's when I saw something strange. A new line of words written beside my blessing.
I raised an eyebrow and read them.
Blessing: [Knight Of Madness]
[Would you like to Evolve it?]
My heart skipped a beat. Evolution? It wasn't there before. Without any hesitation, I clicked yes.
But to my disappointment, an error appeared.
[Evolution Failue. You require 997 more Abyssal Fragments.]
My eyes widened.
'So this is it's use!'
Once again, my excitement was back as I began thinking of the possibilities. So Abyssal Fragments are used to evolve you're blessing. But how do I get them? Hmm, I have three. I only knew them because of the saved notifications in the notification box and it was exactly three. Hold on a second...
I do recall the bear and snake I killed back then glowing brightly after I murdered them, but nothing really happend. At the time, I was too in the zone to focus, too startled and overwhelmed by the intensity of my first fight that I didn't realize it.
'Was that how you gain Abyssal Fragments?'
You have to kill. By killing, you gain Fragments to grow stronger using. The more you kill, the stronger you grow. So, that's how you really survive and win The Mulligan. Not by running and hiding like us, you need to fight and kill. How cruel. The person or people who created this afterlife battle royal definitely knew how to keep us fighting....
'Hmm, I wonder if it has other uses.'
I thought, looking over the screen. Since it let's me evolve my blessing, can I evolve other things using these Fragments as well? Let's see....
I checked my blessing abilities, but nothing was different. I assumed that they will be evolved along with the blessing itself. I also checked my curses, but there were no chances there either. Looking at the [Deserted Soul] I couldn't help but frown, but I got rid of any unpleasant thoughts and continued looking down.
I couldn't evolve or upgrade my physical attributes level using Abyssal Fragments either. I also checked my achievements, but nothing new. Nothing changed. Even Blessing Mastery couldn't be upragded using these Fragments, or could equipment.
In the end, it's only use seemed to be related entirely to being able to evolve blessings. Which wasn't a bad thing, but also pretty disappointing. I was expecting it to be some sort of currency I could use to upgrade stuff, but that seemed to be wishful thinking.
Despite my thoughts, I did come to the realization that these Abyssal Fragments were a little odd. Why were they called "Abyssal Fragments"? And how do they swallow up light like that? Where do they come from? Are they Fragments from an actual abyss? So many questions, but no answers.
Even though I found these questions intriguing and very curious to ponder, i didn't. Mainly because I was utterly exhausted and needed some sleep before tomorrow. Im also starting to suspect that if I continue this, Zeke might end up waking up because of me. It would be awkward having to explain what I have been doing awake, he might even start getting suspicious of me.
'Now that I think about it....'
I glanced towards the sleeping Zeke. The mask remained on his face, as always. Even though he moves around so much in his sleep, the mask never left his face. But right now, I could reach out and remove the mask. To see what's hidden inside.
I was very tempted. I could hear the devil whispering in my ear to do it. So, my arm slowly....
I grabbed my own wrist and took a breath.
"What am I doing...."
I mumbled to myself and laid back down, getting into a comfortable position. Whatever Zeke was hiding was none of my concern. After all, he had healed me. Somehow even returning my lost arm back to me. It just struck me how much I owed him. Yet I'm trying to repay him by taking off the one thing he doesn't want to take off?
'I need to be more considerate of others...'
I couldn't help but smile to myself as I thought that. When did i start caring about how others felt? I don't remember when it all started, but right now, it just felt like second-nature to me, which is a strange feeling, but I kind of liked it.
With these thoughts, I slowly drifted to sleep....
________________________________________
The sun had risen above the horizon, the pure azure skies filling the air, birds began singing from inside the Lush forest, trying to lure prey to them. At a campsite by a lake, was three people. Two girls and a masked boy.
"You wake him up, Cas."
Isabella said, her arms folded. Making Cassie wince, her eyes flickering with panic.
"No, why me? You do it!"
Isabella shook her head firmly.
"No, I won't! He drools everytime I try to wake him up. Zeke, you do it!"
Zeke turned around and glanced at them from over his shoulder.
"WHAT?!"
He was quite far away, busy relieving himself to some bushes. The two girls sighed in response.
After finishing up his business, he pulled up his pants and walked over to them. Cassie took the initiative to ask.
"Go wake up Morgan. We are going hunting today."
Zeke scratched the back of his head and nodded. Walking over, he knelt down and crawled inside the tent, finding me peacefully asleep.
I didn't even notice, nor did I have time to react. As I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my head, jolting me awake. Without hesitation, I summoned [Fool's Rapier] and swung it at the perpetrator that happend to be Zeke himself.
However, he easily dodged and moved out of them, but surprised by my aggressive reaction.
Rubbing my head, I glared at him, trying to fix my mess of a bedhead.
"What the hell did you hit me in the head with, you dumbass?!"
It was still hurting. It felt like I just got hit in the head with a pipe. This dude shows no mercy.
Zeke, meanwhile, just laughed. Pulling a small rock, making my eyes widen.
"Are you trying to kill me?!"
He laughed even more.
"Relaxx....something like that isn't gonna kill you. The girls just told me to wake you up and I did just that."
I sighed. Why didn't they wake me up? It's more gentle and soothing, it even makes me drool. Especially when it's isa— No! What am I thinking about? Nothing!
Calming myself down, I asked evenly.
"Why are we up so early? Got plans for today?"
Zeke threw the rock outside the tent carelessly and nodded.
"Yeah, Cas said we are going hunting. So, let's get ready."
I was surprised by the sudden hunting trip, but nodded my head and crawled out of the tent with him. Isabella and Cassie was a distance away, seemingly choosing what weapon they will be taking with. Cassie chose a simple sword, while Isabella chose a spear.
That made me raise an eyebrow.
"Isabella...."
I called out to her. She turned to face me, surprised, but then was replaced by irritation.
"Took you long enough to wake up! We are—"
I interrupted, my tone cold.
"What happend to my loyal Retainer?"
Isabella froze. She was confused at first, but then realized what I was talking about. Scratching the back of her head awkwardly she looked down.
"Oh, uh....I don't know? The tiger took it away from me. So...."
My expression fell, a deep sense of sadness filling my heart, as I fell to my knees.
"NOOOO!! My loyal Retainer...."
________________________________________
A few hours later, i was standing by a small grave, my expression filled with a profound sense of sadness, as the others got ready for hunting.
I glanced at the words carved into the boulder acting as the headstone of the grave. It read;
"Here lies Morgan's most loyal Servant
"Day 1 — Day 3
"A loyal companion first, a powerful weapon last."