Dark shard

Elias sat with his back against the wall, exhaustion seeping into his bones. His chest still ached,a dull reminder of the warden's devastating blow.

It just shows how weak he still was.

He sighed deeply and opened his interface to check his health point.

He felt depleted.

He frowned at the red light that was there.

[Health: 7/20]

[Critical Condition. Immediate Recovery Recommended.]

His fingers brushed against the empty vial in his pouch.....the minor healing potion Lyra had given him earlier was long gone.

A pang of guilt settled in his chest. He had barely survived the battle, and it wasn't just his skill that saved him...it was the others.

It was the group's collective effort that had saved him. Without their synchronized attack on the warden,he wouldn't be alive.

That was why he gave the two cards he had obtained from the dungeon to Markus.

He had handed them over to Markus for fair distribution.

Markus stood at the center of the place, his sword drawn and his gaze sweeping the room.

His battle-worn armor bore the marks of their desperate encounter with the Warden.

"We rest now," he said gruffly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "No one ventures out until we're recovered.

That was too close."

"Before we do anything else, let's deal with the loot." He reached into his bag and pulled out the glowing cards that Elias had given to him.

"We've got two items: the Stony Armor and a Blade card." Let's distribute them."

Lyra leaned against the wall, her arms crossed.

She eyed the cards with a mix of curiosity and disinterest. "Stony Armor sounds... impractical.

Heavy, maybe? Not my style."

"It's not about style; it's about survival," Markus countered.

He looked around at the group, his gaze settling on Elias.

"You took the hardest hit out of all of us.

That armor might keep you alive next time."

Elias hesitated, his mind racing.

The thought of wearing the Stony Armor didn't sit well with him.

It sounded cumbersome, and his fighting style relied on mobility, not brute force.

"I appreciate it, but I am better off without it," he admitted reluctantly.

Markus nodded, seemingly unsurprised. "Fair enough. Anyone else want it?"

One of the scouts raised his hand.

"I'll take it.

Could use something to keep me from getting crushed like poor Thom."

His voice was bitter, he must have conjured the memory of the scout who had been crushed by the Warden, who seems the only one not likely to survive among them

Markus tossed the Stony Armor card to the scout without ceremony. "It's yours, then."

He held up the Blade card next. "Now, this one... it's a minor card, but it's got a decent boost to critical strike chance.

Lyra? Seems like your kind of thing."

Lyra waved him off. "I'm fine with my current setup. Let Elias have it.

He needs all the help he can get."

Elias blinked, caught off guard by the offer.

He reached out and took the card, the etched image of a gleaming blade catching the dim light of the room. "Thanks," he said, though his voice lacked enthusiasm.

He didn't really need the blade since he already got a short one.

As the group settled into a tense silence, Markus distributed what remained of their loot and kept nothing to himself, not even the glowing gem...

He handed out minor healing potions, a handful of dried rations, and a single bottle of enchanted water.

"Elias, take one of the potions," Markus said, handing it to him.

"We can't have you dropping dead on us."

Elias nodded, uncorking the vial and downing its contents in one gulp.

Ding!

[Healing Potion Consumed.]

[Health Restored: 15/20.]

The warmth of the potion spread through his body, dulling the worst of his pain.

It wasn't a full recovery, but it would have to do.

The group slept in shifts, though the word "sleep" was generous.

The forest oppressive atmosphere made true rest impossible.

Every creak of the walls, every faint whisper in the shadows set their nerves on edge.

Elias sat against the wall during his shift, his fingers idly tracing the edges of the Blade card in his hand.

He needed something better than this if he hoped to have any chance of surviving at all.

His thoughts drifted to Elara, the merchant who has introduced herself yesterday when he got in

If anyone could have something better, it would be her.

He needed to find a way to convince her to trade his blade card for something better or something that won't seem like a waste to him.

The next morning

Everybody looked better than yesterday though they all looked gloomy, the group gathered around themselves definitely preparing for the next task the Gods will throw at them.

Lyra was awake as usual sharpening her blade but her staff was nowhere to be found. She probably only summons it when she needs it.

Elias made his way to her and popped down beside her not uttering a word.

You are definitely not here to look at my face ,are you?? She inquired.

I was wondering if Elara might trade this Blade card for something better," he said, holding it up.

Lyra glanced at the card briefly before returning to her blade. "No idea. But you won't know unless you ask. Come on, let's see what she's got."

Lyra led him back toward the merchant's stall, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridors.

Elara greeted them with her usual mix of cheer and opportunism. "Ah, my favorite adventurers! You are here for trinkets and treasures, I see."

She seems invisible to all the weird energy in the air in this forest.

Elias approached her, holding out the Blade card. "I want to trade this," he said. "Do you have anything... stronger?"

Elara's eyes sparkled as she examined the card.

"A decent piece, but I think I have something more your style."

She rummaged through her wares before producing a card with a dark, jagged design.

The image depicted a wicked-looking sword wreathed in shadow.

[Dark Shard: Uncommon Weapon Card.]

[Effects: Increases attack power by 15%. Absorbs a portion of damage dealt to the user.]

Elias's breath caught. It was perfect. "What do you want for it?"

Elara's grin widened. "The Blade card, of course, and... well, anything else you're willing to part with."

Elias grimaced. He had nothing left to offer.

Before he could speak, Lyra reached into her pouch and produced a glowing gem, handing it over without hesitation.

"That should cover it," Lyra said, her tone dismissive.

Elara's grin widened. "A pleasure doing business with you."

Elias handed over the Blade card, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. The Dark Shard was undoubtedly powerful, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Lyra had sacrificed something valuable on his behalf.

---

Elias approached the pedestal where cards were redeemed, the Dark Shard trembling slightly in his hands. As he placed it on the platform, a burst of light engulfed the card.

Ding!

[Token Card Redeemed.]

[Reward Unlocked: Dark Shard Sword.]

The light condensed into a physical object…..a sleek, menacing blade that pulsed with dark energy. Its edge shimmered faintly, exuding a predatory aura.

"Not bad," Lyra remarked, inspecting the sword. "Better than what you had, anyway."

As Elias gripped the hilt, a surge of energy coursed through him. The sword felt perfectly balanced, an extension of his will. The system chimed again.

[Ding!]

[User: Elias]

[Weapon: Dark Shard Equipped]