1.3.51: It Begins (I)

The moment she got home, she took out the ring and examined it. Why did she feel so drawn to it and felt like she needed to purchase it? Slowly, she slipped it on her finger and the black, heart-shaped gemstone shone with a faint glimmer. 

Ding! You've unlocked a special item!  She was whisked to the dimensional space and saw the little fairy fluttering around, waiting for her.

"Taotao, what does the notification mean?" 

The little fairy flew and examined the ring and nodded. "You unlocked the world's special item. There's usually one in each world and really difficult to find.  More difficult for a rookie too."

"What's it's purpose and why wasn't I told?" Maybe it held rare capabilities and could've been very beneficial had she been told beforehand. 

"No silly!" Xiao Taotao giggled. "The special item is very random. It may help you in this world or your next world. It may not even help you at all. It senses the situation and usually does something to help you. I didn't tell you yet because it's useless to you right now. Nor did I expect you'd find it anyways." 

"So I just found myself a pretty piece of jewelry." Xiao Yunhua sighed. Another bust it looked like. The system really didn't give out anything for free. Or anything useful for free. 

"Nah. When the time comes, it'll be helpful, just believe in it. For now, just don't lose it." Xiao Yunhua nodded and looked at the ring that was on her finger. "For any special item, you'll feel an odd urge to acquire it. You'll be drawn to it too. Just like the ring."

"Anything else you are keeping from me that may be slightly useful?" Xiao Yunhua crossed her arms and glared at the little fairy. 

She smiled sheepishly and shook her head, "Not that I can think of. Goodbye for now!" She shooed her off and Xiao Yunhua found herself in the penthouse again.

"Are you alright?" Xiao Yunhua was startled and turned around, seeing Zhou Ming's towering figure. She nodded and he muttered something about bodyguards to be with her. She shook her head and he stopped, looking at her. "Do you not want to live anymore? This is only for your protection."

"It was just a one time deal. Besides, I can protect myself without the interference of anyone else." She didn't want anyone to keep an eye on her in case her plan got foiled or she seemed shady communicating with the system or going inside the dimensional space. 

He didn't want to force her so he agreed and the matter was forgotten soon after. The penthouse was returned to normal and so was their lives for the next week or so. 

Xiao Yunhua had decided to visit Ni Ming as she hadn't seen her in a while. Seeing how the weather was perfect for a stroll, she didn't take a taxi and decided to walk there. The distance wasn't too long and she was going to go through a park anyways. Her clothes were plain and her hair was tied in a ponytail. For the first time in a while, she chose not to wear any makeup and be barefaced, revealing her goddess-like appearance in all its glory. Her claddagh ring was on her, as always, never leaving her finger since she put it on. Her phone was in her back pocket and buzzed, reminding her that it was nearly dead. 

Damn it. I'm completely vulnerable now... Her eyes brightened with an idea. 'Taotao, can I trigger the emotion right now?'

<<You mean... that? Yes but why?>>

'Just do it. I'll sit here and enjoy the green scenery.' 

The little fairy was confused but did as her host asked. Malicious emotions filled the heart of Ling Xiu again, filling her with an already-existing urge to kill. She was alone, so she didn't wait to contact her sources to tell her the location of the girl. Since she had been keeping an eye on her to strike, it turned out to be that the girl was very unguarded and it wasn't going to be a chance she was going to miss. 

Merely fifteen minutes later, Xiao Yunhua heard subtle footsteps approaching her. If it hadn't been for her enhanced senses, she would've never known. She smiled briefly and pretended to be daydreaming. Instead of the same pain she expected on her head, she felt a cloth covering her mouth. She tried weakly tried resisting but a few minutes later, she was knocked out.