RE: Reality Smuggler (R-18)

During sunset.

Back in the gunshop.

Using the remaining daylight, I was oiling my guns while checking my spoils.

 

 

Name: Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝

Powers: Dark Offering, Camouflage(Self), Storage, Teleport, Reality Travel, Evolution, Enhancement.

Basic Energy: 170.5

Evolution Energy A: 57.5

Enhancement Energy A: 35

 

 

Yep, I killed close to 300 mobs + a boss in this Gory Quest. I am wealthy again, although I know it is just an illusion. I will be poor again before I know it.

"Hm... I now have enough points to evolve, but I should do it when I return to my reality. It's too dangerous here." - I muttered and put it on the side.

"So, that leaves Enhancement, right? Now that I have some time to spare, I should check things."

With that decided, I started checking my available enhancements.

 

{Enhance existing Powers has been selected}

{Please select a Power to enhance.}

Powers:

1. Dark Offering
2. Camouflage(Self)
3. Storage
4. Teleport
5. Reality Travel
6. Evolution
7. Enhancement

 

I decided to check things in descending order.

"Dark Offering."

 

Dark Offering: By offering a relevant sacrifice, the Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝ can either charge or strengthen itself with usable energies or bequeath a reward to the owner.

{Please choose an enhancement option.}

Enhancement options:

1. Add Function.

 

"... Well, I expected as much. Add Function." - I said.

 

{Please choose a function to add.}

1. Dark Idol

 

Only a single option showed.

"Dark Idol? Sounds like religious stuff." - I frowned and opened it.

 

{Dark Idol. Allows the owner to build a Dark Idol in the Worship of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝. Creatures can worship I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝ and offer sacrifices, accumulating energy inside the Dark Idol that the Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝ can absorb. Price: 25 Enhancement Energy A}

 

"Dude... Are you telling me to become a religious nutjob or something?! FUCK YOU!" - I retorted and angrily returned to the power selection.

If I hate anything more than Spoiled Whiny Brats, Extreme Feminists, and Bullies, it is Religious Nutjobs. I just fucking hate them.

One time, I had a religious nutjob Mormon neighbor. The asshole kept bothering me for nine years.

NINE FUCKING YEARS!!!

I had to hear his missionary nonsense at least once a week, shoving his ideas down my throat. Telling him I am an atheist and don't believe in Satan didn't deter him but only made him bother me more!

Fucking hypocrites.

Shaking my head, I checked the second item on the list.

 

Camouflage(Self): The Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝ passively conceals its divine aura and can actively hide inside the body of the owner to prevent attracting covetous eyes.
Energy cost: None.

{Please choose an enhancement option.}

Enhancement options:

1. Add Function. (Locked)

 

This time, I could add a function, but it was locked.

"Why is it locked?" - I wondered and checked.

 

{Prerequisites: Power: Increase Compatibility 1.}

 

"Increase compatibility? There is a power like that?" - I wondered and decided to continue checking other things.

I then skipped Storage and Teleport, opening Reality Travel.

 

Reality Travel: The Divine Fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝ can place a reality anchor on another reality, allowing the owner to travel through the treacherous fabrics of unreality unimpeded.
Energy cost: Subjective
Cooldown: Subjective
The number of used reality anchors: 2
The number of available reality anchors: 0
Limits: Cannot travel with objects the owner cannot carry or items of immense power.
Notes: Each reality can have one anchor at most. The owner's last location counts as the anchor's location, and the owner will return to that location when traveling back. If the anchor's site is blocked, the owner will be moved to the nearest available location.
Warning: Travel with other living creatures the owner can carry is possible, but they won't be protected from the fabrics of unreality.

 

{Please choose an enhancement option.}

Enhancement options:

1. Decrease Cost 1
2. Decrease Cooldown 1
3. Add Reality Anchor 1
4. Add Function. (Locked)

 

{Decrease Cost 1. Increases the efficiency of Reality Traveling, reducing its Energy Cost by 10%. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A.}

{Decrease Cooldown 1. Stabilizes unreality paths, reducing the time it takes to travel again by 10%. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A.}

{Add Reality Anchor 1. Adds a new reality anchor, enabling a new reality connection. Price: 10,000 Enhancement Energy A.}

{Prerequisites: Power: Increase Compatibility 1.}

 

Well, Decreasing cost and cooldown are straightforward. But...

"Man! Adding a reality anchor is helluva expensive! I need 100,000 mob crystals for that!" - I said with a cringe.

For the time being, I can forget about traveling to other realities.

Also...

"That Increase Compatibility thing popped up again! What the heck is it?" - I wondered.

However, I soon discarded the thought. I will check it a bit later.

For now...

 

Evolution: Imbues the owner with usable energies, strengthening or evolving the body.

{Please choose an enhancement option.}

Enhancement options:

1. Add Function

 

{Please choose a function to add.}

1. Devolve
2. Synthesize

 

{Devolve. The owner can devolve his genetic chain, allowing the picking of another evolution. Price: 1,000 Enhancement Energy A}

{Synthesize. The owner can synthesize multiple genetic chains, creating a different evolution path. Price: 1,000 Enhancement Energy A}

 

"... Wow, okay, I am poor." - I say dejectedly and close it.

And now, for the final power...

 

Enhancement: Enhances The Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝'s existing Powers or unlocks new Powers through Special energies.

{Please choose an enhancement option.}

Enhancement options:

 

"... That's it? Nothing? Really? No reduction in price or something like that? No unlocking new powers? Just nothing?! Why was it listed then!!!" - I widened my eyes in shock and retorted.¹No cycle of ultimate cheese. Sorry.

It felt like I just got blue-balled.

Alas, the stupid amulet didn't answer.

"Ugh... Fuck it. Let's see those powers I can unlock." - I said and selected Unlock new Powers.

 

{Unlock new Powers has been selected.}

{Please select a power to unlock.}

1. Increase Compatibility 1
2. (Locked)
3. (Locked)
4. (Locked)
5. ...
6. ...
7. ...

...

 

"... Wow, seriously? You are forcing me to pick it, aren't you?" - I said with squinted eyes.

Of course, the amulet didn't say anything.

"Fine... I'll check it." - I conceded.

 

{Increase Compatibility 1. Increases the compatibility between The Divine fragment of I̵͔̍̀͐c̷̢̝̖̺̤͌͝'̶̳̞͇̎̎̌́t̶̼̍ḧ̸̳́̕̚o̴̯͉̚͝͠ẗ̸̛̩́͛̈́ḷ̶̀̓'̷̢̄͜ï̴̡̘̟͋̄̕t̴̳̼̮̘́ṙ̵͈̣̦̾o̸̱͎͕̾̔̈́̎̕d̸̘̙̫͂͝ and the owner. It is a prerequisite for unlocking many functions and powers. Price: 100 Enhancement Energy A.}

 

When I first read it, I didn't think too deeply, but the more I read it, the more I felt something was wrong.

Somehow, it felt like it was saying, "Hey, let's make your body more compatible with me so I can take over it later. I will give you some cookies if you do."

Great Grandpa Ryan's will also flashed in front of my eyes.

 

[Just a fair warning, this is a fragment of a dark god. If you misuse it, there might be consequences I cannot predict. Getting killed would be the least of your concerns at that point.]

 

Then again, I might be overthinking it.

"... Screw it. I'll think about it later. For now, not touching that." - I shook my head.

"Anyways... What should I upgrade?" - I wondered.

I have 35 points. It is enough to upgrade some things, but not by much.

"Hm... I should probably upgrade the Reality Travel Cooldown." - I decided.

Twenty-four hours is ALOT of time. Reducing the cooldown will make it more convenient for me to use.

 

{Decrease Cooldown 1. Stabilizes unreality paths, reducing the time it takes to travel again by 10%. Price: 10 Enhancement Energy A.}

{Are you sure you want to enhance Decrease Cooldown 1?}

 

"Yes." - I say without hesitation.

 

{Enhancement Complete.}

{Enhancement Energy A: 35-> 25}

 

Out of curiosity, I checked the current cooldown time.

14 hours 47 minutes.

The current cooldown didn't change. I entered this reality at 10 in the morning, so I stayed here for close to ten hours.

"Fair. Let's see how much is the second upgrade..." - I say.

 

{Decrease Cooldown 2. Stabilizes unreality paths, reducing the time it takes to travel again by 20%. Price: 25 Enhancement Energy A.}

 

"Oh! Nice. Just enough." - I decided to enhance it.

{Are you sure you want to Enhance Decrease Cooldown 2?}

 

"...Yes." -  I hesitated for a few moments but decided to enhance it.

 

{Enhancement Complete.}

{Enhancement Energy A: 25-> 0}

 

"Hah... I am broke again." - I almost let out a tear.

All the enhancement energy I had spent a few hours painstakingly gathering went to the drain.

But soon, I got over it and started wondering.

"Hm... I wonder how much to upgrade a third time." - I asked myself and checked again.

 

{Decrease Cooldown 3. Stabilizes unreality paths, reducing the time it takes to travel again by 30%. Price: 75 Enhancement Energy A.}

 

"Okay... Fair enough." - I nodded and closed it.

By this time, the sunset was over, and darkness descended, forcing me to put aside the guns I oiled.

I entered the bedroom on the second floor and wiped the dust off the window.

I could see a carpet of stars illuminating the earth.

In this world, where civilization is practically extinct, the stars' brilliance shine unimpeded.

Looking through the window, I was left mesmerized.

"Beautiful." - I muttered.

As a metropolitan, this scene was priceless. I now know why some people travel to nowhere only to see this.

I stared at the sky for an indeterminate amount of time.

Until...

Badump*

Badump*

Badump*

It came without warning.

My heart started thumping hard, and my body started to shake. Cold sweat perspired from my whole body.

I even hallucinate eyes in the dark and sharp jaws biting at me.

I felt it.

My body, my innermost survival instincts, the instincts that most modern humans have abandoned but I developed, was screaming at me.

[HIDE!!!]

Trusting my instincts, I immediately floored myself, sticking to the wall.

Tap*

A soft tapping sound sounded in my ear.

Moments later, I saw two shadows blocking the starlight shining through the window.

BADUMP*

BADUMP*

BADUMP*

My heart beat harder. My eyes widened in terror as I started shaking.

[CALM DOWN!!!]

[DON'T MAKE A SOUND!!!]

I forcefully calmed myself and softened my breathing, and my heart rate slowed to a crawl.

[Close your eyes, and pretend to be dead.]

[Avoid stimulating them]

[Or we die for real]

I did as instructed and played dead, but I didn't sleep.

If I slept, I might make a sound and attract them.

My ears heard from time to time the sounds of fighting and howling, but I didn't care.

I only cared about surviving this night.

 

 

 

I didn't know for how long I stayed like this, but before I knew it, it was already dawn.

The first morning light caressed my eyelids with its soft and caring touch.

[It is safe now]

[We are safe]

[You can stop playing dead now]

I opened my eyes, and my heartbeat and breathing returned to normal.

"Finally..." - I muttered and slowly got up.

The uncomfortable floor did a number on me. My body ached, especially my right side.

"Ugh..." - I groaned as I stretched.

"Worst. Fucking. Night. Ever." - I said grumpily, not getting a wink of sleep all night.

Still, my condition is better than expected, even fully operational. Either because I have a Peak Body or my body got some(Uncomfortable) rest.

After getting up and doing much-needed stretching, I asked myself.

"What were those things? Why was I scared of them so much that I almost pissed myself? Why do I feel that the bullshit boss and cowardly boss are cute compared to them?"

Unfortunately, there was no one to answer these questions. I could only conjecture.

"The Bullshit Boss and Cowardly Boss probably evolved out of the mindless mobs, like how ants are segregated into workers and soldiers. Then, what are those things? The equivalent of a Royal Guard? Does that make them twice-evolved? Or maybe there were packs of once-evolved night-hunting bosses that would swarm and kill me? Maybe both?"

All three options didn't bode well.

Not only is this world a bio-hazard, but it is also dangerous as heck at night.

"Ugh, screw it. I'll think about it later. I'm groggy, hungry, my mouth tastes like crap, and I need to take one."

And with that, I went about my daily maintenance.

...

 

Sometime later...

After putting the sealed bucket of poop and urine in my Storage, I started eating some power snacks and water.

As for why I put my human waste inside the Storage? To leave no traces of me.

After last night, I was almost left traumatized. And so, anything that could give me away, such as my feces or waste products, was disposed of in my Storage.

Of course, I am not keeping it inside forever. I will dump it somewhere far away from my hideout later. Let those fuckers sniff all they want.

I then looked at the time while eating...

2 hours 47 minutes.

That is the amount of time I have left before escaping this hellhole.

However, I had other plans for today.

"You made me experience that nightmare so I can just get home?! Fuck that! I'm hunting till sundown!" - I said with gritted teeth.

If I go back now, that nightmare experience would be for nothing.

Like Great-Grandpa always said, if you deserve compensation, then wring 'em dry.

And boy, I will get it, even if I have to bash their skulls in.

Oh, wait, I already did that a few hundred times.

Welp, happy huntin'!

...

Around 12 hours later.

Sunset.

In the gunshop basement.

Today, I killed numerous mobs and killed another bullshit boss. This time, I ambushed the fucker by teleporting onto a roof and shooting it with an armor penetrator 308 shot. That took the fucker down, but I was surprised it only entered one side of its thick skull and didn't exit. I swear to god, the inside of its brain was like mashed potatoes. Blegh.

Didn't meet another Cowardly Boss, though. I am glad about it.

I prefer dealing with the bullshit boss now that I have a proper sniper rifle than a sneaky bastard that can claw me from the side.

Also, a thing to note, the mobs seemed to have "Refreshed.". Perhaps coming from outside town during the night or popping out of the ground or fuck knows what.

They honestly feel like radishes to me at this point. Or pumpkin-heads.

Anyways... My harvest today wasn't small. Especially since my mind was more focused on hunting and I started from an earlier hour.

 

Basic Energy: 170.5 -> 812

Evolution Energy A: 57.5 -> 186.5

Enhancement Energy A: 0 -> 129

 

Behold! The grand harvest of a day!

"Hah... I Killed over a thousand monsters a day. It would make Great Grandad proud." - I nodded, satisfied.

"Welp, I should get out of here before night falls." - I muttered and activated Reality Travel.

 

Then, the familiar dark 3d map was projected in my head, with the two stars connected.

 

Anchored Realities:

1. Home. Travel time: Travel time: 15 seconds. Energy cost: 3 Basic Energy. Cooldown: 19 hours 12 minutes.
2. Other World. Travel time: None(Currently inside). Energy cost: None(Currently inside). Cooldown: None(Currently inside).

 

"Home, here I come!" - I said and was about to travel back.

Of course, Murphy's law reared its ugly head again.

 

{Caution!}

{The owner is now a carrier of 871 deadly infections foreign to the reality: Home.}

{If the owner travels now, the owner will cause an extinction event in the local human population.}

{Are you sure you want to travel now?}

 

"..." - I remained silent, my mouth gaping wide.

It took me two minutes to finally recover my marbles.

"871?! Are you fucking with me?! It more than doubled?! And I am a frigin carrier?! Doesn't that mean that I am a god-damn bio-hazard?!"