Origin Mark

[Congratulations! You have won an 'Avalon Token'.]

A small crystal coin appeared in his palm, full of runic patterns in them. There was a sword dug into stone in one side of the coin, which Rin considered to be the Excalibur. The other side had an eye with a green pupil on it. Rin looked at the white-haired lady again.

[It appears the system has heard your plea,] she said with an amused smile. [You can return to your world using that ticket at any time, but remember, it's a one-way ticket.]

[Avalon Token: Consumable item.

The owner can never lose this token.]

"These seemed exactly like those fraudulent items that would be useful in the most terrible situation," Rin muttered and put the ticket in the pocket of his trousers.

Still, it is better to have it. It might be more useful than the stupid notebook that he couldn't read.

Rin clapped his palm again, and spun the wheel, wishing to get something fun out of it.

The wheel spun for an extra-long time before slowing down to the sword insignia, but again it turned to the next option after that. It was a mark of some weird language—much like the cantic he saw in the memoir.

A translucent small-sized ball appeared in his palm, reflecting his face.

[Congratulations! You have won an Origin Mark, Seed of Protection.]

"Finally, something with immediate use," Rin muttered.

[Origin Mark: Seed of Protection (Upgradable)

Integrity: Virtue

Seed of Protection is of virtuous origin, whose abilities are based on protecting the user and others.

Merit/Demerit: Strengthens when used to protect/ Declines when used to harm.]

The Demerit seemed like a pain, but it was fascinating. It seemed like all origin marks would have benefits and drawbacks. Well, Rin just needed to be an extra bit more careful with this.

[You are one lucky man,] the woman said, and held out her arm. [Here are a few things that will help you in the game.]

As she finished saying that, a few things appeared out of nowhere in front of him. The first was a short sword. Then there was a shield and a tiny ring, but his interest held elsewhere—to the translucent sphere in his palm.

"So how do I use this crystal?" he asked, looking at the crystal stone in his hand, which was screaming to him: Eat me.

It was all easy on Avalon Online. With just one click you get to absorb it. However, it seemed to be different here.

Rin looked at the sphere carefully again. The system inspection said some interesting things. However, the most essential fact about this was that it's upgradable.

[You can choose to integrate the mark or possibly sell it at a hefty price. What would you choose?]

Rin considered, swallowing his breath. "How much of a hefty sum are we talking about?"

As the name suggested, the mark would bring power related to protection. Possibly some abilities, skills, and stats. Then again, it's only the seed of the origin mark—the lowest rank, so the possibility of augmentation might be lower.

Still, Origin Mark is the rarest thing in this universe, according to this lady.

'Why am I getting so excited just with a virtual stone?'

[A couple of millions of Avalon credits easily.]

That seemed like a lot of money. He didn't know the ratio of real-world money and Avalon credits for this game yet, but it should be a hefty sum even for him. Considering it was merely the beginning, the price might be even higher.

"I will take it," Rin said. Although the power of protection didn't go well with his favourite Rogue class, he'll take it for now. "Please tell me how to integrate it."

It's not like he was short on money. He would rather take something that he could enjoy having. Besides, as far as he knows, the new gameplay can make one feel like a real wizard.

He couldn't wait to try that.

[Excellent decision.] The lady approved. [Although you have no option to sell it to anyone at the current state of affairs. Anyway, to fuse the Origin Mark, all you have to do is pierce your mana inside the sphere and visualise absorbing it. Wait, you can't utilise mana so early.]

The cute frown appeared on her brows again. [There was another, but it's slow and will leave after effect for a few days.]

"What is it?" Rin asked, still could not understand why she talked in a roundabout way sometimes.

[You have to swallow it and let it be consumed by your mana slowly.]

'Perhaps, I was right all along,' he mused.

[But it will leave some deleterious effects. You might not be able to eat properly for a week or two.]

'Or perhaps I was just being too impatient.'

Rin knitted his brow. "How long will it take to fuse through this way?"

[A couple of days at the very least.]

Rin grunted. "Can't you do something about it?"

[I could?]

'Are you asking me now?' He did not know whether to laugh or cry. "If you can, why don't you?"

[I am asking for your permission,] she told him sternly.

"Then I am giving you my permission," he said, unable to comprehend what was so serious about it.

[Fine. Swallow it, I will try to integrate it quickly into your spirit. Beware power comes with pain.]

Rin nodded and did as he was told. He put the sphere into his mouth and gulped down, but another accident hit him before they could start the integration.

Rin broke into a loud fit of coughs, choking on the sphere. The sphere was quite the size to gulp down after all, and with all the excitement, something disastrous was not unfounded.

His fits of cough did not stop. Worse, his head and face burned in fiery agony shortly after. He could not ask for help either, still trying to do his best to overcome the little ordeal. Perhaps not a small ordeal, considering people can die by choking.

'How the hell did they manage to reproduce the agony of choking?'

[Focus. Focus on the strands of mana. It will be much easier if you do.] A stern voice said to him, and Rin felt two soft, warm palms touching his cheeks. Then warm energy spread throughout his body from his cheek to the jaw—the energy helped the sphere on its way to his stomach, and then the warm fuzzy feeling spread throughout his body.

Rin opened his eyes and blinked. The beautiful white-haired lady was before his eyes, eyes closed, frowning cutely. She was uncomfortably close, but his attention soon transferred elsewhere. The warm feeling expanded further, bringing a little energy into his body. Both the energy played along in harmony, giving him the feeling of when he lost his virginity.

The different strands of energy played along in harmony, and Rin lost himself in euphoria, forgetting about the pain—the white-haired lady told him about.

But he did not need a reminder of it again, as soon the pain consumed him.

'What kind of shitty game is this?' If he really wanted pain, he would've gone to a dentist.

Thankfully, it wasn't all unbearable. With the help of foreign strands of energy, his energy attacked the sphere as cracks started to appear on it all around. From the crack came icy, freezing breaths.

It surged into his body like a bolt of lightning, freezing wherever it went. It was so cold that he almost felt like burning. This kind of pain was something he never felt and was about to give in when he heard the stern voice again.

[Focus.]

Rin gritted his teeth, and focused on those few strands of his mana, swirling around the cracked sphere. Spreading and swirling. It was almost impossible for him, but he held onto it barely.

The process only went for a few seconds, but Rin felt like an eternity in it. The warm palms that were touching his cheek left as he sat lifelessly in the seat. Rin had been a mess many times, but not like this. Ever.

[Integrating with origin mark . . . Intre. . .] Transparent notifications came one after another, delivering the same messages. Until finally the one came that he was waiting for.

[Congratulations! You have successfully integrated with Origin mark, Seed of Protection.]

[Congratulations! You have awakened dormant attribute Spirit.]

[Spirit: 12; Mana: 120]

Rin sighed in relief and decided against sitting straight. He peeked at the white-haired lady again. She appeared the same as before, seated gracefully in her seat, though she appeared far bleaker than before.

[Check your body and try to find any unique marks.]

Rin did not have to check, as there was still a stabbing pain in his chest. He uncovered his t-shirt to see a couple of centimetres long shield tattoo-like mark on the centre of his chest.

[Congratulations, you've awakened Mana Cloak]

[Mana Cloak:

Rank: Copper (0%)

Cooldown: None. Mana Cost: Moderate.

Effect: - Conjures a cloak of mana around the body, which gives physical protection as well as reduces or reinforces the weight of the wearer's body at the cost of mana.]

[Thankfully, your spirit awakened along with it, or all this pain would be for nothing,] the lady said. [You can check the status page out later to know more functions. As for using the mark you have to do is infuse mana into the mark. Now, take these things I gave you earlier. Our time here is almost finished.

She gestured at the sword, shield, and ring on the floor.

Rin nodded, though he wanted to ask a few more questions. He put the ring on his ring finger on the left arm, and the shield on the same arm, while the sword on the other. There were no belts or sheaths to store the sword.

[Off you go, Mortal,] she said finally. [May the odds be in your favour.]

"Hold on," he said. "You still have not given me your name."

But the lights did not stop, and prepared for his teleportation.

[Name, huh?] Rin still could hear her voice, even though he could see nothing in the light. [I don't remember, but I have a title. Dawn—you can call me that.]

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