11 The Core Values (a lot)
I sighed at my in-built stupidity and asked another question,
"System, tell me if there are any populated areas nearby."
<The nearest populated area is 'The Wolves' Den(D)'>
The wolves' den? Why would someone name a city or a town with that name? Could it be a bandits' hideout? Or could it possibly be a cool guild like the ones I had often heard of in novels??!
I went wild with my imagination as I walked through the forest. I didn't know where 'The Wolves' Den' was located, nor did I know where I was going, but I continued to move forward, away from the crater I believed I had created. And when I finally stepped out of the crater and into the marshy soil, I realised something.
"Wait. Where the heck is my equipment?!"
As I looked down on my hands and my feet, I realised everything was gone. I had nothing on. I was stark naked. With this, I shouted,
"Hey system, what the heck did you do to my equipment?!"
<Nothing.>
"Huh? What do you mean 'nothing'? Don't you usually give a detailed description of everything I ask?"
<The system is not liable to answering in a large or a short form. However, the system is responsible if you do not receive an answer.>
I sighed as I realised that the new upgraded system was just as disappointing as before.
"Huff... Just what did I expect anyway. It is the same old system that bullied me through words after all."
I walked further and further, until I saw the panthera lion lying dead next to the black panther I had seen before. I stopped as I understood why they had died.
"What are the odds? It was the tree that killed them?!"
Apparently, the half-cut tree had fallen on the lion while Poise somehow flung onto the panther as it was about to leap away.
Just then, an evil grin filled my face as I wondered," Ho ho, could I possibly obtain rare items from these creatures? I'd say the answer would most likely be yes."
<Useful items that can be obtained from the 'Panthera Lion': Stage 3 Core[Red], Lion's Fangs(B), Lion's Claws(C)>
<Useful items that can be obtained from the 'Black Panther': Stage 3 Core[Blue], Panther's Bones(E)>
I looked at the large dead animals and questioned, "Eh? But aren't their parts a bit too big? What would I do with their huge claws anyways?"
"But moving to the more important question, what are cores?"
<Cores can be classified into seven known stages. Stage 1, being the lowest, and stage 7 being the greatest. Cores can be used as a source of MP(Magic Power), or can be transplanted in the place of the heart to increase physical abilities. Most cores shine a bright white light. Coloured cores indicate a special ability. Almost all strong creatures contain cores.>
"So do I have a core?"
<No.>
"But why?"
<You're not strong.>
"Welp, ok."
After listening to the system's unnecessary taunt, I started tearing through the lion's flesh. Slowly, I built a cave through its body which led all the way to where I believed the lion's heart would be. And then, I saw it. The bright red heart.
I stared in awe as I saw the shining crystal-like heart the size of a volleyball in the lion's flesh."Whoa... awesome!"
A while later, I removed the black panther's core as well and put it right next to the lion's core on the ground, as I stared at the two cores intensely.
"Ah... my big round balls. First, it all started with BDSM, and now, I have 2 big balls."
I looked up in the sky while putting my hands on my waist, and sighed, "Ha... this world truly has quite wonderful items... and spectacular creatures..."
After a moment of silence, I tilted my view towards the ground once again and questioned, "But wait. How can I use these cores?"
<After placing a core near your chest, the core is automatically absorbed by the body and used for attaining higher HP(Health Power). To use a core for spells, having MP related skills are important.>
"Man... I guess I'll have to kill a few more creatures before I'll be able to use magic."
"But for now, I think I'll use the lion's core."
With this thought, I placed the red core near my chest. Within a short second, the core began entering my body.
It didn't pain at all, even though a whole giant orb was basically breaking the bones in my chest. And when it ended, I had a smaller red orb, right in the centre of my chest.
But then, as the orb formed, my whole body started glitching.
"Oh... not this again..."
<Species will now evolve further.>
<Lesser Lich will turn into Lich.>
--------------------------------------------------------------
Species: Lesser Lich
Title: [Slayer]
Level: 230
Rank: B
Status: Unknown
Soul Count: 17
Pet(s): [BDSM]
Skills: [Calculative thinking(1)] [Anger(2)] [Poisoner(1)] [Endurance(99)] [Tamer(1)]
Equipment:
Swords: -
Armour: -
Shield: -
Tools: [Stage 3 Core<Blue>]
