Chapter 63: Cursed Treasure [50 PS Bonus Chapter (2)]

Leon returned to his room and laid on the bed, lazily rolling a treasure cube in his hand.

He was thinking about what Reymond had said, and how reality was indeed becoming like a game. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

However, he knew that it wasn’t as simple as a game. Here, death was real, and the mutated beasts and zombies didn’t disintegrate after death.

Instead, every change in the world was caused by mana, and that mana was brought by the existence called Star Stream.

’Thyra claims it’s fair and rewards effort, but isn’t it simply making us play its game and rewarding those who do well?’

That thought made him feel sick, but there was nothing he could do about it. Not even an existence like Thyra knew the true nature of the Star Stream.

’Being a weak-ass Level 25 human, I must be very insignificant.’

Grunting, he covered his eyes with the back of his hand. Although he was starting to resent the Star Stream, he was still helpless and would need to depend on it.

At the same time, he had no grand dream of becoming the strongest and punishing the Star Stream or something.

’Who knows if I can even reach Tier One?’

The thought made him feel dejected, and he thought about Clara again. Perhaps she was already dead, and he didn’t have to stress himself about surviving anymore.

’Hm, if she’s dead, then I should hurry to the afterlife and accompany her...’

His brows furrowed, and he felt like he could almost hear her voice calling out to him.

"Leon?" Thyra’s voice snapped him awake, and he instinctively looked at the red cube in his hand.

’When did it turn red?’

Thyra had a frown on her face as she observed the red cube too.

"So it’s a cursed treasure, huh..." She whispered, her eyes turning dark.

"Cursed treasure?" Leon asked, confused. "Are you allowed to explain?"

She nodded. "Cursed treasures are the kind of items that give an insane boost, but also gives a damning flaw or curse to the user. You can consider them forbidden pills."

"Forbidden pills?" He blinked, surprised. "Where did you hear that from?"

It sounded way too familiar.

Thyra’s frown changed into a smile, and she waved his phone at him playfully. "I read a bit of those cultivation novels you downloaded on your device. I have to admit, the human mind is truly wonderful. For your kind to imagine something so similar to the current reality, it’s strange. Apocalypse, summoning, cultivation, aliens, other races... I’m not sure, but I think someone among you earthlings is a Higher Entity."

Leon snatched his phone from her and rolled his eyes. "Higher Entity? Nope, we humans are simply creative."

His attention returned to the red cube, and he asked cautiously.

"Is it safe to crush it? I mean... something ominous wouldn’t suddenly pop out, right?"

Thyra’s eyes narrowed, and she said, "Hand it over, I’ll check for you."

This made Leon even more worried. "Are you sure it wouldn’t harm you?"

"Hah? Do you think an unranked cursed treasure can pose a threat to me?" She scoffed, opening her palm to him.

Reluctantly, Leon placed the cube in her hand, and she crushed it.

Instantly, an ominous red aura spilled out, and a simple necklace with a rat skull as the pendant appeared in her hand.

Thyra read the description, and... blinked. Once, twice, and thrice. She blinked like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Leon sat up, shifting uncomfortably.

"What’s it?"

The demon’s gaze shifted from the description to him, then back to the description. "I can’t tell you for now, but I’ll only give it to you when you need it. Can you trust me on this?"

Leon’s eyes narrowed. Her reactions were strange, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was lying. Although he considered her as a good friend, he didn’t fully trust her.

Giving up an item that could be important like that could be a great mistake.

Seeing that he was hesitant, Thyra smiled. "You don’t trust me, right? But rest assured, I’m only doing this for your own good. If you are still feeling hesitant, then we can swear a Star Oath."

"A Star Oath?" Leon’s voice turned low, realizing this might be more serious than he thought. "What does it do?"

"Well, I’m simply going to swear on the Star Stream, and if I don’t keep to my words, I’ll be facing the punishment," She explained.

Leon thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, do it."

If she was indeed doing it for his own good, then there would be no harm in swearing, right?

Thyra was a little surprised that he still didn’t trust her, but she felt satisfied. If he had simply believed her because she said she was going to swear, then he wasn’t going to survive for long.

After all, the world was turning dark, and gruesome betrayals were always around the corner.

Taking a breath, she smiled and said confidently, "I, Demon General Thyra of the Demonic Army, swear by the authority of the Star Stream to return this unranked treasure to human Leonel Wayne at the right time he needs to use it."

Leon watched silently, waiting for the distant rumbling of thunder or a great marvelous sign. However, there was none. At least, not immediately.

Just as he was about to ask if she was joking with him, Thyra stiffened. Her eyes turned blank, and phantom chain marks appeared all over her, sinking into her body and binding her soul.

She shook faintly, and stumbled forward.

Leon immediately rushed to catch her, holding her in his arms. Her face was contorted in agony, but it soon relaxed.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concern in his voice.

Thyra’s eyes fluttered open, and seeing his face so close, she smiled charmingly.

"Being held intimately by you, wouldn’t that be enough reason for me to be alright?"

Leon’s expression darkened, and he immediately dropped her to the ground. "Shameless woman."

Thyra halted mid-fall, rising back to her feet graciously with a giggle.

"It has been a while I teased you, hasn’t it?"

Leon’s expression darkened further.