As I retraced my steps back to where I had left the talents, my heart was pounding with excitement and trepidation. The rusted iron-colored talent sphere I had grabbed earlier had suddenly condensed into a small, shining marble of about 13 mm (1⁄2 in) in diameter, leaving me in awe of its strange abilities. I couldn't help but marvel at the mysterious powers that lay dormant within it. As I continued to explore, my attention was drawn to an odd-looking talent sphere in the distance with a purple body and a golden core but no visible imprint. Intrigued, I approached it and touched its top, revealing its name - [mystic eyes]. I was immediately curious and carefully placed its marble form in my pocket before continuing my journey.
As I walked, my mind began to race, trying to decide which two talents to select. I felt surrounded by a wave of uncertainty, and the weight of my decision seemed almost unbearable. I was certain about choosing [factory] as my first option, but I couldn't decide on a second. [Thunder flame] sounded intimidating, but I couldn't be sure based on its name alone. My thoughts then temporarily stopped when I reached my destination before quickly starting back up and turning to the enigmatic talent I had found earlier, and I wondered if it could be my best option. But what if it turned out to be a mistake? Frustrated and agitated, I bit down on my inner cheek, tasting the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.
After deep reflection, I struggle to decide in a chaotic sea of thought. Finally, with trembling hands, I held both [factory] and [mystic eyes] in my palms, their size no bigger than a marble. Feeling their weightlessness, I wondered how to choose them as my talents. As if on cue, the talent spheres that had once filled the void disappeared rapidly, leaving the already dark 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.
I stood there in silence, unsure of what to do next when 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," the voice said. I turned around, only to find Kuro standing behind me with a smile marking her cute face, which surprised me. With a simple snap of her fingers, she transported me back to the exact 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 to do next. Suddenly, Kuro materialized out of nowhere, calmly took a seat, and motioned for me to do the same.
As I sat on the wooden chair, Kuro 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, 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. As if lifted from a trance, It dawned on me. "Thirty meals' worth of funds won't suffice, particularly when considering the need for water and other essentials such as female hygiene products." My fingers anxiously tapped the table's surface that concealed its metallic core beneath a wooden exterior. "At least I'll get free clothing, or else I'd be in a more difficult spot." My thoughts drifted to Kuro, whose calculating eyes were scrutinizing me. What was she calculating? "Perhaps my worth," I pondered, shaking my head. "But that's not important. I need a strategy for this new world, which means gathering as much information as possible."
I began to gather as much information as possible. "So, Kuro, can you give me some insight into the world I'm about to enter?" Once filled with calculation, her expression now seemed to reflect a sense of relief. "But why?" she seemed genuinely concerned for my well-being. After a moment of contemplation, maintaining her smooth, honey-like voice, Kuro 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.
These thoughts crushed me with a wave of anxiety that was suffocating, making it hard to breathe. 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. Grappled 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 dried up, leaving a salty residue on my skin, however more threatened to undo this. Relieved that I didn't have to wipe away any more crystal tears. However, the overwhelming feelings still lingered within me, like a tempestuous storm brewing inside, threatening to unleash its fury at any moment. 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. My situation was complex and required my full attention, and I couldn't let my emotions cloud my judgment. I felt frustration, sadness, and anger, all swirling like a storm inside me. It was challenging to focus on anything else, but I knew I had to push those emotions aside and keep moving forward.
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.
As I spoke to Kuro, my emotions ran high, and I felt like a turbulent river struggling to contain its fierce currents behind a flimsy dam. I was curious to learn about the new world I was about to enter, but I was also filled with anger, fueled by a sense of injustice. Fear and uncertainty loomed large, casting a shadow of doubt on the future, and beneath it all, a deep understanding of despair threatened to consume me like a voracious beast waiting to pounce on its 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. However, she emphasized that this world differed from any other, as it was filled with unique characteristics that set it apart. This universe was brimming with endless opportunities, where adventure, magic, and supernatural powers beyond human imagination were commonplace. It was a place where fate and destiny played a significant role, almost like a storybook come to life.
Despite my eagerness to know more, the woman could not reveal all the details about this universe. She could only share some broad facts; the rest was up to me to discover. She responded with a hint of amusement when asked why she couldn't disclose more information. 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.
