9. Curse

"Do these function as loot when we defeat a monster in a game?"

With excitement, Ryfin exclaimed while examining the staff. Fashioned from wood, its top carried a dazzling blue crystal that glowed radiantly.

"You are correct; these items are indeed drops; however, you are mistaken as this is not a game whatsoever."

Orion responded by grasping the sword. In this dangerous environment, he was desperately in need of a weapon.

Famir meticulously studied the books, and after reading the information in them, he got so thrilled that he began shaking uncontrollably.

"Hey, these are skill books, and after checking with my system, I found out that we can only acquire skills by either creating them or using these books. However, the system also explained that when we use the book, the skill we receive will be random and will be based on our talent."

He eagerly described the skill system to them.

"Each of you should take one."

Famir gave one to Orion and one to Ryfin.

Once Ryfin grasped the book, a notification popped up in his vision.

[Do you want to use a skill book?]

Ryfin nodded with excitement, for as a shut-in gamer, nothing could thrill him more than acquiring a new skill himself.

However, not everyone shared his elation. Orion's expression darkened as he eyed the notification that appeared before him.

[Host can't use a skill book or skills in particular. For more information, check your status.]

He hadn't had the time to check his status earlier because of the battle but now,

'Status.'

[Name - Orion Darkwood

Rank -

Talent - Copy Curse

Curse - Null Body

Strength -

Stamina -

Agility -

Perception -

Constitution -

Mana - Nil (Due to the host's curse—Null Body, host isn't able to feel any form of mana. Please check your curse for more information.)

Skills - Nil (Due to the host's curse—Null Body, host isn't able to feel any form of mana. Therefore, the host is unable to use any skills. Please check your curse for more information.)]

'What the hell is this curse? And why are all my stats empty?'

Orion focused on the curse, and a new window appeared in front of him.

[Curse – Null Body - A body devoid of any mana, a body that can't feel any form of mana.]

'That's it? Nothing else? And why do I have a freaking curse on myself? This system is the worst.'

Cursing the system, he turned to Famir and Ryfin.

"Guys, do you also have a curse?"

Famir sighed in relief as Orion asked the question.

"Thank god, it isn't me alone who has the curse. At first when I checked my status and saw the curse, I thought I was unlucky but hearing you talk about it seems everyone has this."

He turned to Ryfin as he said this, confirming whether he had it or not.

"Don't look at me. I also have a curse."

Ryfin gave him a wry smile.

Famir nodded and pondered for a moment.

"It seems we have been given a talent and a curse both with the system. Also I noticed my stats are blank and I only have three skill slots. What about you guys?"

He said this as he looked at them.

Ryfin nodded to Famir as he confirmed hiis thoughts.

"Me too and about the stats, I asked the system it said we can only have stats when we reached the Bronze rank."

He further explained the situation with their stats.

As for Orion, he vehemently cursed his predicament. His curse had robbed him of any available skill slots and, worse still, left him without a shred of mana. He pondered how he could grow stronger while shackled by this overwhelming curse.

However, as he recalled his talent, he cursed that as well, wondering if some higher power toyed with his fate.

'What the hell is a copy curse talent? What am I going to do with another person's curse?'

But he still checked it.

[Talent – Copy Curse - Host can copy any curse in the world.

Requirement – Physical touch with the person whose curse host wants to copy.]

'Damn, it would look so much better if the curse word got replaced by talent.'

He couldn't help but think as he looked at his talent.

"Orion?"

Famir asked Orion as he seemed to be busy in his own thoughts.

"Ah, yes me too. I also have three skill slots."

Orion lied as he didn't want them to know about his peculiarity.

'But atleast my stats are normal.'

Sighing he looked at the other two.

"I will keep the sword."

"I will take this staff then."

Ryfin took the staff.

Famir nodded to them.

"Take it, my talent doesn't need any weapons to work with."

He addressed them, his focus shifting to the final item—a spherical ball.

Grasping the orb, a notification promptly materialized before his eyes.

[Do you want to upgrade your rank to Bronze?]

Famir trembled, his eyes fixated on the notification. He could scarcely believe that this unassuming spherical object held the key to their advancement.

Turning to the other two with barely contained excitement, he exclaimed.

"Guys, I think I found how to upgrade our rank to the Bronze rank."

Ryfin and Orion both became excited hearing the Famir's words.

"How? How?"

Ryfin asked eagerly.

Orion's gaze turned to Famir, his eyes alight with anticipation.

As Ryfin had mentioned earlier, their stats would only unlock upon reaching the Bronze rank, and it seemed Famir had uncovered the means to advance to that coveted tier.

Seeing the shared excitement mirrored in the others' expressions, Famir revealed the discovery.

"This spherical object in my hand, when I touched it earlier I got the notification to upgrade but I haven't done it. So, I was asking if I could upgrade first."

"Yeah go for it. After all, you did the most work in defeating the monster."

Orion concurred with Famir upgrading himself first. As much as he desired to enhance his own abilities, he could not deny that without Famir's talent, overcoming the giant would prove exceedingly difficult.

"But not here. Let's find a safe place first," Orion cautioned, unwilling to take further risks after their devastating loss.

Ryfin nodded in agreement, raising no objections to Famir upgrading before them.

Famir nodded to both of them.

"Alright. Let's look for a place as we continue our exploration of this island."

He agreed to go to a safe place as he didn't want to repeat the same mistake as he did earlier. Thinking about this, he turned to see that the lower half of Myla's body was still laying on the ground.

"But before that we will bury Myla properly."

Famir approached them, addressing them as he walked toward her.