12: Preparation before the Dark
Morning came as Defolta woke up from her good long sleep. Rubbing her eyes, her vision cleared for her to check her Mana and as expected, it was recovered fully as evident by the 170 / 170 value that was displayed.
"Had a good night sleep?" Nekowa greeted her with a smile and handed her two slices of bread and a glass of water, "Here, breakfast, courtesy from the camp's food stash."
"Thanks." Defolta nodded in appreciation and received the food for her to consume, "And I slept like a freaking baby, yes."
"Good. It appears that you are in excellent shape." Nekowa said and pounce right at the bed beside her, "I believe it's my turn now for my beauty sleep. Heavens know I deserved it, right after guarding your sleeping form in case someone encountered this now dead camp by chance. The supplies I gathered are right at the desk. Wake me up in two hours."
"Alright, sweet dreams." Defolta smiled and patted the cat, causing the cat to purr in ecstasy as she eventually succumbed to sweet slumber.
***
Two hours passed and Nekowa also recovered from yesterday's ordeal. Now the two of them were checking the supplies that Nekowa gathered from around the camp.
"Let's see here." Defolta said while eyeing each item squarely, "We got some matchsticks and a torch for our light source as no doubt, the dungeon most likely is going to be dark, some daggers, ready to eat food and water, and three pairs of vials, blue and red. What are the effects of these vials?"
"The red vial restores Health while the blue recovers Mana." Nekowa answered, "And don't worry, I also tested them, so it's safe and authentic."
"So, a Health and Mana potion, then." Defolta eyed the vials. A curious notion popped on her head, and she could not help but ask, "Wait, so that means you have Mana as well?"
"Of course, silly." Nekowa replied like it was a natural thing, "In my world, every unnatural feat is operated by the use of Mana in our bodies. Not to brag or anything, but I possessed quite the hefty Mana pool. Although my magic only served to evade and spy on enemies. But what is stranger though is the Dementia condition that you are susceptible to since such concept never existed in my world. Once a Magical Girl is out of Mana, then they just can't use their magic, simple as that."
"I guess such notion is unique specifically in this world and the System simply applied the concept to me." Defolta frowned, "Of course, there is also the grim possibility that only I and I alone suffer this troublesome condition, which if such was the case, then solidifies the System's status of being truly an ass."
"Let's sincerely hope not." Nekowa grimaced at the Magical Girl's dark thought, "In any event, time is not on our side and let us make haste in saving the prisoners."
"Alright, let me store the items inside."
One feature that the pair discovered during their first three days of their journey was the System's ability to allow Defolta to deposit her items inside a Dimensional pocket. Such feature is known by a lot of names like Item Box, Bag of Holding, or in this case, the System merely dub it the more common name of Inventory. The number of items stored inside was determined by its quantity as opposed to the weight system that many modern games employed. Sixty items may be stored inside the Inventory regardless of type and weight. Defolta surmised that the item limit may be increased in the future like any other games. But if multiple items of the exact same nature are stored, then the said items may be stacked for up to 99 times. Although, there are limits as to what items that can be stored and it was up to the System to determine if such an item is eligible for storage.
There are currently 15 daggers, 20 clubs, 5 short swords, 2 bows, and 20 arrows stored inside Defolta's Inventory acquired from the Goblins and Bandits that she slain so far. In addition, she also stripped Matilda of her clothing, earning her black feathered theme robes that increased Int by 10 and Mind by 5.
Her current set of clothing, the Defolta Magical Girl attire, provided some decent protection at the cost of no Attribute Bonus, the truest sense of a character's starting outfit. But upon seeing the Int and Mind Bonus of Matilda's robes, she opted to change into the robes, equipping it in a blink of an eye. While the robe size was bigger originally, the System made the necessary adjustments and fitted the outfit perfectly to accommodate Defolta.
"I feel kind of weird for wearing the dead bitch's outfit." Defolta said while eyeing her new fit with slight repulsion, "Still, the benefits outweigh whatever disgust I feel about the matter."
"You look good though, honestly." Nekowa said with approval, "As per the words of wisdom from my dear friend Magical Girl: Symphonia, 'You go slay, girl!!'"
"Ahaha, Thanks, I guess." Defolta blushed with embarrassment at the compliment she received, "But in case you forget, I'm still a guy, remember?"
"You go slay, boy, then." Nekowa retorted but quickly was turned off by the phrase, "Nah, that does not sound right. You go slay, guy? Nope, still wrong. Symphonia would most definitely not approve."
"Homicidal garments aside, it's time for the moment of truth." Defolta changed the subject and turned her utmost attention to the trapdoor.
"Yes, onwards inside the lion's den." Nekowa's expression became serious and both of them proceeded towards the dungeon entrance.
When Defolta held the trapdoor, Nekowa looked at her for any sign of reluctance or fear.
"I'm fine, I… we can do this." Defolta assured the cat, "My Mana is still full, and I'm not afraid like last time."
When they finally opened the door, what greeted them was a staircase that led down below the darkness.
Defolta lit up the torch as the pair now walked inside with their wits about. Whatever horrors that awaited them, they needed to be prepared and be on constant high alert should they wish to not suffer their demise.
In the middle of their trek, Defolta heard the familiar ping of the System Notification and the message that she witnessed instantly threw her bearings off unlike ever before.
System Notification…
Skill Unlocked…
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SUICIDE.