Chapter 7- Legacy
Shaking his head, Malice decided not to think too much about it for now. 'I need to understand everything first before I can do anything. It's pointless to panic now when I should focus on one step at a time.'
It wasn't within his nature to worry about the next day when the current day wasn't over yet. Both have their challenges and both require his focus so he made sure to take each one seriously. That was his way in life and the way he survived for so long.
He had seen people get crushed by the weight of worry from an uncertain tomorrow. Hell, that was the entire problem with those who lived with the slums, almost all of them had an uncertain future. Would they find food tomorrow? Would they get a good place to sleep and hide from the snow and the rain? Can they avoid the gangs that lurked in those dark streets?
All these questions plagued the minds of the weak, pathetic people who lived in the slums and it was one of the reasons why many of them didn't make it that long. Malice can't even count the number of times he passed beside the dead corpse of a human that has been rotting there for ages, not being moved by anyone.
While he himself didn't care much, he still could only wonder. Was their lives really that meaningless? To die in the corner of a street with no one to remember you and no one to even give you a proper burial? Did they deserve such a life to begin with? What makes luck such an essential form factor in determining the lives of all humans?
All these questions would pop up in his head when he sits alone, looking at the sky. But, naturally, the answers weren't there. It was always the important questions that had no answers.
'What am I even thinking about now?' Frowning, he looked at the status window again. "So, what's the next thing?"
Avatar didn't seem to be aware of what he was thinking of or she simply didn't care much as she continued.
[The last thing is 'Legacy' which is composed of three main parts: Body, Aura, and Weapon. A legacy is essentially the true way Soul Essence manifests in you. Using all kinds of abilities, Soul Essence can be very versatile. But, all the way down, at the very base, the abilities you can use belong to three different categories: The body, which includes any ability that involves physical power or anything related to the human body. The Aura, which includes any ability that makes use of the individual's aura, such as invoking certain feelings in people without saying or doing anything. And finally, there is the weapon, which is the ability that can boost your weapon's strength, or give it additional enchantments.]
"..." Listening to the voice explaining everything, Malice tried to memorize everything. There were a few words she said that he couldn't understand, but he was able to comprehend what each thing meant and what it did.
"But, what makes a trait, a trait, and a legacy, a legacy? I feel like both are almost the same, no?"
From what Avatar said, traits were the main abilities a Marked one has. But, legacies are also abilities that a Marked one could get. What was the actual difference between the two?
[A trait is the power you can manifest externally into the world. For example, your ability is to control elements, something that cannot happen within your body and instead will be used on its own as power itself. Legacies, on the other hand, do not manifest in the real world as much or as often as traits do. They are more of an internal change, such as boosting your strength, improving your aura, or sharpening your sword. They are effects that do not work unless they are linked to you.]
"... Oh! I see…" Rubbing his chin, it finally clicked in his head.
[Good.]
Taking a few moments, Malice made sure that he understood everything that he had been told. Although it was not as complicated as he expected, he knew that once he dived into the nitty-gritty of these things, he would realize that it was an entire world of its own.
Surprisingly, after all of that, he felt a little more confident in himself. If he figured out something like this, then surely, he could learn how to fight, and consequently get stronger and finally emerge from the dark abyss he had been living in his entire life.
The more he thought about it, the more the Shard Of Hatred started to seem like his savior rather than his killer. Though, he still knew that it wasn't going to be easy.
'I feel like I can actually do something. Well, I won't try to jinx myself. But, if I can somehow become stronger… Things might finally get better and life might smile for me once.' He thought to himself.
Feeling a surge of motivation rise in his heart, he opened his mouth to speak to Avatar.
But, the female voice was a step ahead of him and spoke first. [I think our talking session is over, Marked Malice.]
"Huh?"
[This White Chamber relies on Soul Essence to remain active. Since you haven't gained a Soul Core yet, it has been running a small amount of Essence stored within the Shard.]
"Wait, hold on a second. So, I can never come back here?" He asked.
[Of course, you can come back. But, since your Soul Core is still developing, you cannot maintain this chamber at your current level.] She explained.
"Then… When can I come back?" He asked with a wary look on his face.
[It depends on how fast your core finishes forming. But, it usually takes a day to two days at most. You will feel the difference once it forms. When that happens, simply think of the White Chamber and you shall be teleported here.]
"... Oh, ok…"
'I guess this room isn't for free, either.' He thought to himself.
"Mmm, before I leave, can I request something?" He asked.
[Surely, what do you need?]
"Mm… Can I have some fried chicken and… Oh, a cup of milk!" He said. Malice's mouth watered just realizing how delicious it can be. He wanted to finally try that food for the first time and this seemed like a perfect opportunity to ask.
[Unfortunately, I cannot fulfill such a thing, Marked Malice. Bringing something to the real world from here is still not possible at your current level.]
"Oh…." In an instant, all the excitement Malice had in his heart vanished. 'Well, I expected too much.' He thought to himself with a sigh.
[But, once you come back here. I shall give you what you asked for.] Avatar added.
"..." Nodding faintly, he said. "Well, see you later then."
[See you later, Marked Malice.]
With that, the moment the boy blinked once, the scenery shifted again in an instant and he found himself sitting in the same spot he left from. Sitting there, he took a moment to realize that he was really back in the real world. Then slowly looked around him.
"... I'm back…" He murmured to himself in a dazed tone.
Even though he could feel the world around him, he still could only think that he was dreaming. After all, what just happened was simply so unreal. Was it perhaps just a dream? An illusion?
Malice wanted to believe that it wasn't. So, to make sure of that, he looked at his hand. Luckily, the skull tattoo was still there, and so was the status window that showed up the next moment.
For some reason, he felt a sense of relief wash over his heart when he saw them. He didn't realize yet that he had already started liking what he got. This newfound opportunity to change his own life… He had finally gotten that chance.
But, whether he could really make use of that opportunity or not was still up to fate. This was the most important pivotal moment of his life. A moment that he might look back on in the future and be happy… Or look back at it and curse the living hell out of it.
'I wish I would never need to do that…' Thinking to himself, he slowly crawled back to the small cardboard box and hid himself.
Weirdly enough, even though it was snowing, he wasn't feeling that cold. The howling wind that usually terrifies him was now akin to a soft lullaby to his ears and the harsh, cold ground was somewhat a lot comfortable to sit on.
All of that was of course, not real. It was all within Malice's head. Perhaps because things were finally changing, he was already feeling that change. The effect of hope on people was truly a sight to behold.