Chapter 18: The wise choice is the best choice

Avin and Na'avi were filled with unease as a loud bang echoed from the entrance of the tomb chamber. Their anxiety deepened with each subsequent scream that pierced the air. "Liang Tian, this is bad news," Na'avi said nervously.

"I hope Hien Ruan is safe," Avin muttered as they entered the chamber.

As they stepped inside, the Locator Talisman that Hien Ruan had given them earlier burst into flames, disintegrating into ashes. A shiver ran down both Avin and Na'avi's spines as the screams grew louder, echoing through the vast hall of the tomb chamber.

"I see someone there!" Na'avi shouted, spotting a figure lying on the ground.

"It's Hien Ruan!" Avin growled, rushing to his side.

"Please hold him carefully..."

Na'avi supported Hien Ruan while Avin retrieved some Vitality Vials from his sub-space ring.

"Is that Holy Water?" Na'avi was surprised as Avin handed her the Vitality Vials.

"It seems Eastern people have knowledge of making holy items too," she thought to herself.

Avin poured the contents of the Vitality Vials into Hien Ruan's mouth, and instantly his wounds began to heal.

[Hien Ruan]

[HP 10/40]

[HP 15/40]

Avin recognized that his health potion alone wouldn't suffice. However, he recalled collecting some medicinal herbs, some of which could restore a substantial amount of HP.

"Vermillion Willow Leaves!" He retrieved some pieces of [Vermillion Willow Leaves] and crushed them into a paste, creating a reddish liquid substance resembling an unprocessed wet pill. He extracted its juice and administered it into Hien Ruan's mouth.

[Hien Ruan]

[HP 15/40]

[HP 27'40]

[HP 31/40]

[HP 38/40]

Hien Ruan's health points began to gradually increase as the medicinal herb took effect in his system. His wounds healed at a faster rate, and soon enough, he regained consciousness.

[Congratulations Host! You've completed sub-mission #2: Collect the any hidden treasures (limitless) and rescue one aspiring cultivator.]

[You have received 3 free gatcha-spins and additional 300 exp.]

As Avin tended to Hien Ruan, completing his sub-mission, the system's notifications popped up in the corner of his vision. However, his focus remained steadfast on Hien Ruan's well-being.

As Na'avi sought answers, Hien Ruan struggled to speak, his words coming out in halting breaths.

"Do not go there... It's... Dangerous..." he managed to utter.

Avin, sensing the urgency, pressed for confirmation, "Just nod... Is it really dangerous out there?"

With a solemn nod, Hien Ruan affirmed the imminent threat.

Realizing their predicament, they knew there was only one course of action: to confront the danger head-on. However, escaping the tomb chamber seemed futile, as the stone door sealed automatically from the inside.

"So, what kind of creature is causing all this havoc?" Na'avi inquired.

"It's a man-eating spirit demon," Hien Ruan replied.

"Man-eating spirit demon?" Avin and Na'avi repeated, their expressions reflecting disbelief and concern.

[Man-eating spirit demon]

[Level 12]

[HP 80/80]

[Undead Class Creature]

[Description: The Man-eating spirit demon, a fearsome and grotesque entity, stands imposingly amidst the tomb chamber, its sinister presence casting an ominous shadow across the stone floor. With an amalgamation of bestial and humanoid features, this demonic creature embodies the essence of terror and malevolence.]

"I think that man-eating spirit demon is a tomb spirit guardian who protected this place, and whoever was buried here must have held a high status. Typically, having a man-eating spirit demon guard a tomb chamber is a privilege reserved for prestigious clans," Hien Ruan speculated.

"If that's the case, then does that mean someone was actually buried here in this illusionary realm?" Na'avi queried.

"I don't know, but we need to find a way out of here, or we might not make it out alive," Hien Ruan urged with concern.

Avin grappled with the implications of what he had just heard. Regardless of the reason behind it, there was one undeniable fact: they needed to escape.

[System Notice! A speeding object is detected]

[10 meters]

[6 meters]

[4 meters]

"Guys! We need to move! It's coming!" Avin exclaimed urgently.

Immediately, they sprinted away from the approaching man-eating spirit demon. Avin swiftly accessed the system's interface, navigating to the Heavenly Divine Shops. Utilizing the advanced search option, he sought concealment items to evade the creature's sight. The system presented an offer from the [Demonic Merchants]—a [Chrysotile Cloak] for 15 attribute points. Without hesitation, Avin made the purchase, and the cloak materialized in his hands.

"Guys, come here!" Avin beckoned Na'avi and Hien Ruan, swiftly draping the cloak over them. The transparent fabric, when used as a cover, granted them invisibility, allowing effective camouflage against their imminent foe.

[Chrysotile cloak]

[Concealment: When worn, the Chrysotile Cloak renders the wearer completely invisible to both visual and magical detection, providing absolute concealment from enemies and observers.]

[Scent Disguise: Additionally, the cloak possesses the ability to mask the wearer's scent, making them undetectable by scent-tracking creatures or individuals for a short duration after activation. This effect allows for stealthy movement and evasion even in close proximity to adversaries.]

"Not bad," Avin mused, impressed by the timely usefulness of the recently acquired item.

Na'avi and Hien, however, found themselves taken aback, grappling with the looming chaos and their prospects of survival. Na'avi couldn't shake the realization that Avin was no ordinary individual. She recalled his earlier use of a holy item to aid Hien Ruan, and now she recognized the cloak materializing in his hands—a notorious cursed-class item from the Western Continent, known as the Shroud of the Fire Demon Lizard. Despite its cursed nature, it was employed by subjugation crusaders of the Holy Empire for infiltration purposes in barbaric nations like the Martial Continent.

Meanwhile, Hien Ruan pondered over Avin's sudden change in behavior. He had previously perceived Avin as a bully who had mocked him. Now, he reconsidered, recognizing that it might have been a misunderstanding on his part. Grateful for Avin's assistance, he acknowledged that without it, he might have perished in this terrifying place.

[System Notice! A creature spotted!]

[System Notice! Creature <Deathly Aura> has now faded]

[System Notice! Creature went back to its original form]

[System Notice! No possible threats are found.]