As I retraced my steps back to where I had left, the talents, excitement, and anxiety flooded my heart. Earlier, the rusty, iron-colored talent sphere I had picked up had undergone a remarkable transformation, turning into a small, glittering marble measuring about half an inch in diameter. The way it had changed left me in awe of its incredible powers for a moment. I couldn't help but marvel at its mysterious abilities.
As I reoriented myself, I noticed an intriguing talent sphere in the distance. It had a purple body and a golden core, but unlike the others, it displayed no apparent imprint. Intrigued, I approached it and tentatively touched its top, which revealed its name - [mystic eyes]. Instantly curious, I carefully wrapped my hands around the sphere and watched as it began to shrink. Without hesitation, I stowed its marble form in my pocket, eager to continue my journey with this newfound talent sphere in my possession.
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As I walked with each step made, my mind raced to determine which two talents to choose. I felt surrounded by a wave of uncertainty, and the weight of my decision seemed almost unbearable. While I was sure about picking [factory] as my first option, I couldn't decide on the second. [Thunderflame] sounded intimidating, but I couldn't be sure based on its name alone. My thoughts then temporarily halted when I reached my destination, but they quickly resumed and turned toward the enigmatic talent I had found earlier. I wondered if it could be a better choice. But the thought that it might turn out to be a mistake Frustrated and agitated me, causing me to bite down on my inner cheek a bit too hard, filling my mouth with the metallic tang of blood. Feeling desperate, I sat down, took a deep breath, and began to reflect on my life, something my therapist taught me to do when I was struggling or when life just got complicated; it's safe to say this was one of those times. It wasn't too bad, but it still was rough. I lost my parents when I was 16 and, my brother was 8, and with no other living relatives, I was forced to get a job to support my brother. Although the inheritance covered most of the cost, that money wasn't infinite, and it would run out. Knowing that, I got a job at a fast food joint to save a little money so when the well drew dry, we wouldn't starve. Honestly, Getting through high school was easy, so stupidly, I drove head first into college, which was a flawed miscalculation as only 5 weeks in, I had a mental breakdown. I was forced to see a therapist to attend classes again. Only 5 months later, I was abducted into this weird place.
Even After all that deep reflection, I still struggled to decide in a chaotic sea of thoughts and fear. Finally, I stilled my trembling hands and held both [factory] and [mystic eyes] in my palms, still in their marble form, mentally choosing them as my talents. Nothing happened. I was expecting a light show or fireworks, but nothing. It was still the same black with twinkly stars of a myriad of different colors, and I wondered if I was doing this right. As if on cue, the talent spheres that had once filled the void disappeared quickly, leaving the already black void even darker. Suddenly, the void exploded into a dazzling array of lights, each shining brighter than the last. I was mesmerized as these lights eventually settled on a pure white glow that cast a soft, gentle light over everything.
Standing there in silence, unsure of what to do next, I heard a voice that seemed to come out of nowhere. It was smooth and velvety, and it shattered the stillness around me. "So, you've finally made your decision," I turned around, only to find Kuro standing behind me with a smile marking her alluring face, which caused a pleasant heat to spread through my body. With an amused look, she snapped her fingers and transported me back to the same spot where I had initially appeared. As I looked around, the sight of the chairs and table greeted me with familiarity. I felt bewildered and unsure of what that warmth was. When Suddenly, Kuro materialized out of nowhere, calmly took a seat, and motioned for me to do the same. As I stepped forward, I put my confusion in the back of my mind and took a seat.
I sat quietly on the wooden chair, waiting for Kuro to do something. She brought her palms together with a soft clap, and as if by magic, a teapot with intricate red roses appeared, floating elegantly above her head. "Would you be interested in some tea?" she asked politely. Graciously declining her offer, I inquired, "What happens now that I've selected my talents?" She took a deep breath, paused for a moment, probably to remember what to say, and then began to explain, "Upon your arrival in the new world, you will receive enough funds to cover 30 meals, a range of options for clothing, and the remarkable ability to comprehend, read, and communicate in the local language." As she raised her delicate porcelain cup to her lips, a few drops of the sweet liquid spilled over the rim and trickled down her lips. Again, That heat returned, but I felt it intensely in my core this time. Am I sick? However, something more important caught my mind and lifted me from my trance. Dawning on me like a church bell. "Thirty meals' worth of funds won't suffice, particularly when considering the need for shelter and other essentials such as female hygiene products." these thoughts made my fingers anxiously tap the table's surface that concealed its metallic core beneath a wooden facade. "At least I'll get free clothing, or else I'd be in a more difficult spot." My thoughts drifted to Kuro, whose tantalizing eyes were scrutinizing me. What was she calculating? "Perhaps my worth," I pondered aloud, causing her embarrassingly to play with her raven locks, 'cute' shaking that weird thought out of my head. I'm beginning to get worried that something is wrong, 'But that's not important right now. I can deal with these concerns later. For now, I need a strategy for this new world, which means gathering as much information as possible.'
Still a little concerned, I gather as much information as possible. "So, Kuro, can you give me some insight into the world I'm about to enter?" at my question, her expression reflected a sense of relief for my well-being. 'But why?' she seemed genuinely concerned for my well-being. At this thought, my heart started to race with a new type of anxiety, one I did not know. After contemplating her part and still maintaining her smooth, honey-like voice, she responded, "The closest comparison I could find in your world would be xianxia novels; they bear a surprisingly close resemblance to the rules of this universe."
As soon as she uttered those words, a wave of panic engulfed me. I felt utterly overwhelmed, as if all the anxiety in the world had descended upon me at once. While I hadn't personally delved into those novels, I had a classmate who was an avid enthusiast and had shared detailed accounts of their plots with me. From what I remember, I was fucked. I'd be constantly bombarded with young masters and jade beauties who were all in their own rights. Alongside their ultra-powerful ancestors, and that's if I'm lucky. There's a good chance I straight-up died to somebody wanting a fantastic new plaything or in up in a harem to some old guy.
The weight of these thoughts crushed me with a wave of anxiety that was suffocating, making it hard to breathe, think, or calm down. At that moment, Kuro, who seemed to have sensed my distress, spoke calmly and reassuringly. She told me that although the universe I was about to enter might resemble the world of a xianxia novel, it was not an exact replica. Despite her kind words, my heart continued to beat like a war gong, and the anxiety still gripped me tightly like a vice. Grappling with my tumultuous emotions, an inexplicable lump formed in my throat, constricting my breathing, and a tightness gripped my chest like a vice. The tears that had previously flowed down my face had now all but dried up, leaving a salty residue on my skin. However, more threatened to undo this, but right as the first tear nearly broke through, I felt a warm hand gripping my shoulder in a comforting embrace that left me wanting more. Feeling Relieved that I didn't have to wipe away any more crystal tears, I tried to speak. However, the overwhelming feelings that lingered within me, like a tempestuous storm, threatened to unleash its fury at that moment, stifling my voice. Despite feeling a surge of intense emotions that threatened to overwhelm me, I knew I had to keep them in check for the time being. The urge to cry was almost unbearable, but I couldn't afford to give in to it yet.
I forced myself to take a deep breath and steady my nerves. It was time to prioritize gathering information and dealing with the situation. The task ahead required a clear head and a strategic approach, and I couldn't afford to let my emotions get in the way. I had to be patient and persistent, even though every fiber of my being was screaming out to be heard, seen, and felt.
As I spoke to Kuro, my emotions ran high, and it was only worse because of that feeling that arose around her, that warmth mixed with the despair, turning that pleasant sensation putrid. I felt like vomiting it, my disgust felt like a turbulent river struggling to contain its fierce currents behind a flimsy dam. But I forced that rickly dam to hold because I was too curious to learn about the new world I would enter. Strangely, I was also filled with anger, and fear and uncertainty loomed large, casting a shadow of doubt on the future. Beneath it all, a deep understanding of despair threatened to consume me like a voracious beast waiting to pounce on its unsuspecting prey.
Despite my turmoil, I hoped Kuro could provide clarity and guidance amidst the chaos. I asked her to help me understand everything there is to know about the new world.
As the woman spoke, my curiosity intensified with each passing moment. She painted a picture of a universe that seemed straight from a xianxia novel. A universe brimming with endless opportunities, where adventure, magic, and supernatural powers beyond human imagination were commonplace.
Despite my eagerness to know more, she could not reveal all the details about this universe. She could only share some broad facts; the rest was up to me to discover. When asked why she couldn't disclose more information, she responded with a hint of amusement. She explained that she was not an all-knowing deity and only knew what she had been told. However, she did reveal that the universe had a fate/destiny element to it, and only a select few were chosen as characters in this grand story. The majority of the population was entirely devoid of heavenly interference.
As I sat there, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that crept into my mind. The thought of being controlled by some unseen force, moving through life like a puppet on strings, sent chills down my spine. I couldn't help but wonder if I would have any say in my own destiny.
Turning to Kuro, a glimmer of hope flickered inside me as I asked, "Do you think I will be affected by fate?" Her deep maroon eyes showed a hint of conflict as she paused to consider my question.
Finally, with her velvety voice, she spoke, "I don't think so. Maybe you could be, but I think not." Her words did little to ease my fears, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The spark of hope inside me smoldered but didn't quite go out. I still held onto the possibility that I could be in control of my fate, and that thought brought a sense of warmth to my chest that I had felt little since my absconding.
Although I gained little in the way of info, I gained a lot in the way of fear and despair. Wanting to leave, "Kuro, thank you for the help, but I think I'm ready to go." Kuro again looked worried about what I could not tell but the fact that she cared at all gave me butterflies in my stomach. She quickly stood from her seat.
