Lord of the Mysteries: The Omnipresent Force

The blinding flash of blue light faded as Elliot stood in the center of the ruined hospital, still processing the strange events that had unfolded. He had expected pain, exhaustion, even death, but now, he found himself standing—alive, fully healed, with energy coursing through his body. His muscles no longer felt like they were on the brink of collapse. The disease that had been ravaging him was gone, and his stamina and energy were restored, all thanks to the mysterious rewards of the quest.

But there was something else—something puzzling.

He frowned, glancing at the notification that had appeared before him after he'd leveled up.

Skill Essence Reclamation.

What was that? He hadn't had time to ponder the meaning of this new skill until now, but the words echoed in his mind, curious and foreign.

Before he could think any further, a strange sensation in the air drew his attention. A pale green mist began to form around Kieran's dead body, swirling like smoke and seeping through the cracks in the floor, rising upward, attempting to break free. It was Kieran's boon power. The very same power that had infected him, the force granted by the Monarch of Decay, a malevolent Outer Deity. The energy rose toward the ceiling, struggling to escape into the sky, where it could return to its source.

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[System Notification: Boon Essence detected. Would you like to use Essence Reclamation?]

[ACCEPT] [DECLINE]

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Elliot froze. His heart skipped a beat. The system had never given him a prompt like this before. At first, Elliot hesitated. He didn't know what "Essence Reclamation" actually did. He had no clue if it would hurt him or if there was some other consequence to using it. But then he noticed the pale green boon smoke dissipating rapidly into the air, vanishing as it ascended toward the sky. Time was running out. He remembered his near-death experience moments ago—the feeling of powerlessness as the poison ravaged his body, the desperate struggle to survive.

He couldn't let this opportunity slip by. His hands clenched into fists, and he finally made a decision.

"I need every advantage I can get," he muttered, before accepting the prompt.

The moment he accepted, a small energy sphere materialized out of thin air, glowing softly as it absorbed all of the escaping pale green smoke. The smoke rampaged within the sphere, swirling and pulsing as if alive, but unable to escape. Elliot could sense the tremendous, malevolent force contained within the essence, and it sent a chill down his spine.

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[System Notification: Please designate an object to enhance.]

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His mind raced as he considered the options. There was only one thing he could experiment on in this moment: his now battered inner armor. The one that had protected him through this hellish ordeal. He quickly stripped off his ruined armor and designated it.

The sphere of energy trembled, swirling as it pulled the armor toward it. Then, with a flash of blue light, the two elements fused into one. The light was blinding, but it only lasted a moment. When the glow faded, the armor was no longer the same.

It had changed.

The armor was now intricately designed, with sleek, dark patterns running through it. The once dull material was now infused with a pale green hue, mixed with black veins of energy. The armor seemed to pulse with life, as though it was more than just a piece of clothing.

Elliot's breath caught in his throat. He had created something… something new. Something powerful.

He activated his [Observation] skill to see what had changed. The armor's description flashed in front of him.

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Sealed Artifact: Inner Armor of Decay

Grade: 3

Appearance: Pale green and black, the armor is crafted to envelop the wearer's body entirely, excluding the head. The design is complex, with delicate mystical symbols etched into the fabric, giving a dark aura of decay.

Function: Upon donning the armor, the user gains immunity from weak diseases and pathogens. Additionally, once per day, the user may activate the armor's healing ability by speaking the words "Wound Heal," instantly regenerating any wound.

Downside: The armor slowly corrupts the wearer, gradually aligning them with the Monarch of Decay, warping their mind and body. The more the armor is worn, the greater the corruption.

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Elliot stared in awe. He had made a sealed artifact. These were rare, invaluable items that even high sequence Beyonders—those who sought to transcend their mortal limits—coveted. To be able to create such an artifact was no small feat.

He frowned at the downside, however—the slow corruption. He couldn't afford to lose himself to such a force. But then, a thought crossed his mind. His [Mental Barrier] skill would prevent the corruption from taking hold. He had the means to protect himself from the worst effects.

With a quiet resolve, Elliot decided to keep the armor. It was too valuable to let go, and the benefits far outweighed the risks. He put it on, feeling the cool touch of the metal against his skin. The armor fit perfectly, almost as if it had been tailored for him.

The moment he wore it, he felt a surge of power. The armor hummed with energy, and Elliot tested its abilities. He drew a small wound on his arm with a nearby rock and then uttered the words, "Wound Heal."

The reaction was immediate. A soft green light enveloped the wound, and within seconds, the cut regenerated, leaving no trace of the injury. Elliot's eyes widened in disbelief. It worked. The armor had healed him in an instant.

Turning his attention to Kieran's corpse, Elliot decided to search it thoroughly. Among the ruined remains, he found the gun Kieran had used during the fight, a heavy weapon that still radiated an unsettling energy, and a strange mirror amulet. The amulet had intricate carvings on its frame, resembling small, distorted faces. There were also some melted coins mixed into the wreckage, but they were beyond salvaging.

Sighing at the loss of potential loot, Elliot focused on the gun and amulet. Using his [Observation] skill, he inspected each artifact carefully:

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Sealed Artifact: Pistol of Flames

Grade: 3

Appearance: A sleek, black handgun with glowing orange veins running along its barrel. Its grip is decorated with intricate flame motifs. The weapon emanates a faint warmth.

Function: The gun holds infinite bullets. Every fifth bullet detonates on impact, releasing a fiery explosion.

Downside: Prolonged use comes at a price. If the gun is held for more than five minutes continuously, it begins to heat up, burning the user's hands severely.

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Sealed Artifact: Saved Reflection

Grade: 3

Appearance: A small, ornate mirror amulet encased in a silver frame etched with distorted, anguished faces. The surface of the mirror is unnervingly clear, reflecting the user's image with unsettling clarity.

Function: The amulet allows the user to create a single substitute capable of taking damage in their place. This substitute refreshes every day.

Downside: With repeated use, the reflection within the amulet begins to manifest. Eventually, it becomes a living entity intent on killing the user.

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Feeling a mix of awe and unease, Elliot tucked both artifacts into his inventory. Despite their power, the risks attached to these items were formidable, and he'd need to use them wisely.

Turning back to the wreckage, Elliot resumed his search for his daggers—his most trusted weapons. It took some time, but after digging through the rubble of the second floor, he found them—damaged but still usable. The blades had been scorched by the explosion, and one had a small crack along its edge.

"I'll have to get these fixed at the Black Iron Smithy," he muttered, pocketing the daggers. "Can't afford to go on any more missions with weapons like this."

Elliot checked his Status, feeling the strain of the battle and the toll it had taken on him. His health was in better condition, but mentally, he was exhausted. The adrenaline from the fight had worn off, and now his body was reminding him of the ordeal.

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STATUS

Name: Elliot Graham

Level: 4 (+2)

Sequence: 9 (Arcanist)

Health: 100/100

Stamina: 110/110 (+10 from quest)

Energy: 30/50 (+30 from quest)

Attributes:

 Strength: 8 (+2 from level up)

 Agility: 10 (+2 from level up)

 Endurance: 9 (+2 from level up)

 Intelligence: 16 (+2 from level up)

 Perception: 18 (+2 from level up)

 Luck: 11

Skills:

 [Mental Barrier]: Creates an unyielding barrier around the user's consciousness, protecting them from corruption, mental intrusion, or manipulation. The user's mind is safe from the influence of powerful beings and the dangers of forbidden knowledge. Passive (Growth).

 [Translate]: Effortlessly interpret, speak, and write in any known language without requiring learning or practice. Passive.

 [Observation]: Allows the user to assess objects, people, and situations with heightened awareness and accuracy. It grants the ability to identify hidden properties, weaknesses, and intricate details that are normally unseen by the naked eye. Active.

 [Arcane Sight]: The user gains the ability to see the flow of Energy around them, similar to Spirit Vision. They can perceive not only the presence of magic but also trace Energy pathways, detect magical disturbances, and spot hidden magical constructs or entities. This ability allows the user to navigate areas filled with concealed magic or traps. Active.

  [Static Charge]: The user gains a limited connection to lightning energy. They can summon small electrical charges from the atmosphere, using them for tasks like igniting objects or delivering a small shocking jolt. The jolt causes discomfort, disorientation, or brief paralysis and can enhance physical strikes with a "shocking" effect to momentarily stun enemies. Active.

  [Arcane Resonance]: The user can attune to the Energy surrounding magical items or areas, resonating with their arcane essence. This grants the ability to identify properties, uncover hidden effects, or unravel enchantments. Energy can also be siphoned from objects to replenish reserves, though this risks damaging the item. Active.

 [Energy Overload]: The user can channel an intense burst of Energy to drastically enhance their skills or physical abilities. Overuse may lead to exhaustion or injury due to strain. Timing and control are essential to mitigate risks. Active.

 [Essence Reclamation]: The user can use the latent power of a Beyonder and imbue it into an object, granting it unique properties tied to the original power. This process requires focus and drains Energy. Overuse can damage the user's reserves and the object's integrity. Active.

Inventory:

 5 pounds

 Potion-making equipment:

 Small cauldron

 Stirring rod

 Mortar and pestle

 Vial set

 Flask of purified water

 Pistol of Flames

 Saved Reflection

 Dual Dagger Set

Quests:

 None

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Elliot sighed, seeing his health fully restored. It was a relief, but it wasn't enough. He was mentally drained from the encounter, and it was clear he needed rest. The fight had taken everything from him, and he knew it would be some time before he could push himself to the same limits again.

He started walking back toward the boarding house, eager to get some sleep and recover from the harrowing ordeal.

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Hours later, at the hospital's ruin, a mysterious figure appeared. He surveyed the wreckage, his sharp eyes scanning the remnants of the battle. The faintest trace of power lingered in the air. As he investigated further, he found Kieran's body—scorched, burned, and unmistakably dead.

A wave of fury surged through him. He clenched his fist, and the ground beneath him trembled. With a blast of power, the rubble around him began to melt, the air filling with the scent of acid.

He looked at Kieran's body, noticing the electric burns. His lips curled into a frown.

"Who did this?" he growled, his voice dripping with malice. "I will find them. And when I do, they will regret ever crossing me."

The figure vanished into the shadows, his vow to seek vengeance echoing through the desolate hospital.