Deep underground, at the Shattered Tower in the Republic of Mercenaries a conversation began. A conversation between a god and a human. However, it wasn’t just any human, it was Amber. The human from Earth that was transported into Vir, the human that befriended the Primordial Spirit of Lighting shortly after coming to this world, and the human that was going to usher a new era.

  At least, that’s what the System thought.

  Amber, on the other hand, was simply, Amber. While others considered her special, she herself didn’t. Even if she had an ego, she didn’t see how she could be one of the most talented humans in history. Pushing her own limits, was, after all, not all that special in her eyes. Yet, throughout her journey others saw things in her that she didn’t quite see.

  From Ax’thra believing in her, and deciding to eventually let her know about Essence, to Val’leri investing in her. So much had happened since coming to this world, while the first months were uneventful; saving some adventurers, meeting Thieney, killing a demon and eventually climbing a Primordial Spirit tower. Things eventually got going fast.

  She had to put Oracle’s plan to summon a demon in the capital to a halt, before going to the Great Desert and stopping the deadly plague by killing the monster that originated it. To top it all off, the Arcane Council had chased her and almost killed her. But she had been saved by Sid’fril with the intent to use her as a hostage, whom eventually became a catalyst to teach her Essence by setting up her meeting with Asil, her elven friend and mentor.

  She experienced a war, and afterwards, she got entangled with the Obsidian Rose. A mercenary organization. Not only that, but she learned the secrets to traveling to the higher realm of Ill’hine, and also met Frei. A member of the Arcane Council who wanted to leave it, and who became an eventual companion.

  And the list of events went on, from stealing Arkara’s Staff from the Sacred Forest, which led to becoming an enemy of the elves, to obtaining a Special Class Advancement. Eventually, all these extraordinary events led her to descend the Shattered Tower, and go beyond what other adventurers had achieved.

  Those feats, those actions, weren’t anything too special in Amber’s eyes. At least, she didn’t openly recognize herself until recently with her Special Class Advancement. But even if her circumstances were special, and she was special, she didn’t quite understand the…

  Praise she was receiving from the Primordial Spirit before her.

  “You have obtained so much in such a short period of time. It hasn’t been long since you acquired your first Class, and yet here you are… standing before me as a legend of the Shattered Tower.”

  His voice echoed in the chamber as Amber was left to take a deep breath, which drew a chuckle from the spirit.

  “Come on, relax. It’s not like I can do anything to you.”

  “As the owner of the tower I’m sure there are a lot of things you can do to me,” she said, shaking her head. “Also you are still grinning.”

  “What can I say, I don’t get visitors,” the Primordial Spirit said smiling. “To top it all off you are a curious specimen if I say so myself.”

  Amber frowned, briefly wondering if the spirit was just going to keep on praising her, but it seemed that that was the end of it. Instead, he shook his head.

  “I’m sure that by now you’re worried about my intentions, and what my capabilities are in the state that I am in. But rest assured, I cannot do much to you.”

  Hearing that, Amber was left with a choice, she could remain uncooperative and refute his statement, or listen. Amber instead chose to listen. Nothing had happened yet, and while she could infer where the conversation was going to go already, she still chose to see what would happen.

  Not like I have any other option. Amber closed her eyes. There were no exits in the room.

  A sigh left her, “So what are the things you wanted to talk about?”

  Hearing that the spirit chuckled.

  “How bold, anyone that has spoken to me like that in the past has lost their head. But I’ll let it slide given my condition.” At that, he tilted his head. “I wonder though, what if I offered you the tool to return to Earth? That world you long for so much.”

  Amber blinked, and the spirit continued.

  “Surely, an otherworlder like you can’t fit in such a savage place as Vir. While I’m mostly sealed from the outside world, I still know how desperately you reached such a high level of strength. After all, every otherworlder that I know of has done the same. So what do you say?”

  He grinned and now, it was her turn to speak. The Primordial Spirit’s gaze bore into her, and all Amber could do was shake her head.

  “What, do you think I’m lying to you?”

  But Amber still took a moment after the spirit frowned to finally speak. “It’s not that, it’s the fact that I don’t want to return to that place.”

  Hearing that the spirit frowned.

  “Then why did you rush to level so fast?”

  “Because I enjoy it.” Amber smiled.

  The spirit tilted his head back, almost as if he was blinking.

  “What? Are you one of those thrill seeking adventurers?” he asked, genuinely confused. “An otherworlder who yearns for violence?”

  Amber shook her head, and the spirit quickly followed up.

  “Then? Tell me, what pushes you?”

  She smiled bringing out her true feelings. “In this world, Vir, I can push my limits endlessly, back on Earth I was limited by my biology, but not here. In Vir, I’m free.”

  In all honesty, she didn’t know how she felt about being so honest with the spirit. But at the same time, she figured the end result would be a positive one. Although he probably bears some resentment due to the fact that he was imprisoned.

  This conversation was not something she could just walk away from. The Primordial Spirit before her was the owner of this tower, and he could probably kick her in a blink. She still needed to?—

  Fuck.

  Amber almost facepalmed right then and there. She had forgotten why she had come to this tower in the first place. But now she remembered.

  I chose Ishtar’s Journal as a reward over a divine artifact… While I may obtain a divine artifact from using it, it’s not guaranteed…

  She needed a divine artifact to give to the elves along with Arkara’s Staff. After all, surely they were likely to forgive her if she made it up to them… Finally, she looked at the Primordial Spirit who seemed to be thinking.

  He needs something from this conversation… and I also need something as well. After all, she wasn’t going to give Cursewelder, or Demonic Sword Droz’gad or whatever else that was hers to fix her problems with the elves.

  Although I may need more than one divine artifact.

  They had killed an Archmage during the scuffle, and they were rare ?— not many mages had reached the level 400 barrier in terms of their spell work ?— so she also had to make up for his death, one artifact may not cut it.

  And it all happened due to Remmel’s selfishness, and her naivety in going along with everything. But that didn’t matter right now, all that mattered was getting what she wanted.

  If it was even possible.

  “There is something I want, but it’s not to return to Earth,” she finally said.

  At that the Primordial Spirit brightened up.

  “Do you perhaps wish to see the higher realm? I can feel your Essence. You want to visit I’llhine, don’t you?” he asked.

  “No.”

  Amber smiled as the spirit blinked.

  “I don’t want something like that right now, what I really want is rather simple actually.” She took a breath as the Primordial Spirit paid utmost attention. “A divine artifact.”

  He blinked. “That’s it?”

  “Well maybe two or three,” she added. “They can help me in the future.”

  At that, the Primordial Spirit burst out laughing. A full cackle. It was clear that she sounded ridiculous to him, but she was fully serious. Although, certainly, comparing returning to her world, or the other questions he had asked her, something like two or three divine artifacts was trivial.

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  Finally, Amber coughed, grabbing his attention again.

  “I know that you weren’t offering to me to return to my world for nothing, so…” Amber met his gaze, now becoming serious. “What do you want?”

  At that, the Primordial Spirit broke out into a grin.

  “Well, it’s not like I was hiding it, it’s obvious isn’t it?”

  Amber blinked, looking at the chains on the spirit, and finally pointed out the obvious. Or at least what was obvious to her.

  “I cannot free you, you know? I’m way too weak to break those chains set by Sid’fril,” she pointed out. “And I doubt he’d agree to free you either.”

  He chuckled. “Not that level of obvious, I know you cannot do anything for me. And a long term obligation of freeing me isn’t my style either. I don’t want to turn you into a servant after all.”

  Amber raised her brow. “Then, what is it that you want?”

  “Well it’s not that difficult really, or complicated even. But first, how about we go and see the divine artifacts you want?”

  Hearing him Amber did a double take, but a moment later, he moved. The chains snapped as he stood up almost all too casually, making Amber tense up in surprise. But she got a chuckle.

  “I’m merely imprisoned to my tower, not to this room specifically.”

  “Right… so, why pretend you are?”

  “It’s related to what I want.”

  Following his words, he clapped his hands and they were teleported to a grand room. Amber blinked, and saw glittering gold in her surroundings, she saw various pedestals in the distance. They were reminiscent of the other levels of the treasury. Except, this room was much larger, much grander.

  As far as her eyes could see she saw glittering artifacts, and gold. Unimaginable riches for the average person. Although, she didn’t really care about gold at this point. She had stuffed her pockets full in the previous floor of the treasury after all.

  “Well, what do you think? I think my collection is quite grand compared to a lot of other primordials.”

  “I don’t think I’ve even seen someone else’s collection,” Amber said, taking in the sight. “But it’s very impressive.”

  “Why, thank you, then I suppose I should be honored to be the first to show you my collection. Considering you might become a god one day.”

  “Right.”

  “Anyway, before you go around picking your artifacts, what do you want them for?”

  “It’s… to give them to the Sacred Forest so they can forgive me for stealing a divine artifact from them and killing an Archmage.”

  “You killed an Archmage?” The Primordial Spirit sounded surprised.

  “It’s complicated.” Amber sighed. “I think maybe two would help.”

  “I see, alright, then go ahead and pick three artifacts. Two for the elves and one for yourself, we’ll discuss my request afterward.”

  Amber nodded at that, although now she was wary of the spirit. She hadn’t expected for him to take her to the treasury before even saying what he wanted. All while saying it was obvious. If she couldn’t free him, then what was an obvious request to make of her? He didn’t want her to be a servant either, allegedly, so what could it be? There was also the fact that he pretended he couldn’t move.

  This is too straightforward, she thought. She supposed that he wouldn’t let her leave the tower with the artifacts, and she may even die in the process, so… Nothing from my expectations has changed at least.

  She stepped forward as the green Primordial Spirit waited behind. It was time to pick two artifacts that would ?— in the future ?— mend her relationship with the elves.

  And the first one she wanted was quite obvious.

  Her eyes darted around at the numerous pedestals, she saw various objects from jewelry to weapons, to even… something that looked… questionable. It was an object she didn’t dare describe, and the fact that it was a divine artifact that was almost sacrilegious to her. But shortly after that, she found what she was looking for.

  She used the 3rd Rank of Quick Step and arrived at the right pedestal. There, she saw a golden pendant. It was none other than the Pendant of Arkara.

  [??? ?— All-powerful Pendant of Arkara ?— ???

  This pendant was created by ??? the Primordial Spirit using the rarest materials to be found on Vir to repay a favor to ??? the Primordial Spirit for ?????? This necklace bears the enhancements of:

  Ability: Blood Binding Contract: Give the Pendant of Arkara your blood in order to be bound to it, making you its owner and preventing anyone else from wielding it for as long as you live.

  Ability: Arkara’s Power Contract: Sacrifice a year of your lifespan for a boost of 300% in all your attributes.

  Ability: Arkara’s Life Contract: Sacrifice a level to gain one year of lifespan.

  Ability: Arkara’s Talent: You may use any skill that you know of, whether it be magical or physical for an appropriate cost of Primordial Energy. It can be a skill you do not possess, however the skill must not exceed your level.

  Ability: Arkara’s Embrace: While supplying a small amount of Primordial Energy to this pendant your attributes will increase by 20%.

  Ability: Arkara’s Blessing: At the cost of a great amount of Primordial Energy you may receive a Greater Blessing that will cure all ailments.

  Ability: Arkara’s Might: At the cost of a great amount of Primordial Energy you may multiply your stats by 1000% for a day. Once the day passes your stats will be halved for a week.]

  It was the ancient artifact that would solve her lifespan troubles ?— given she didn’t have much left after sacrificing it for Essence during the hydra fight ?— and unfortunately, she couldn’t use it. After all, if it became bound to her, then there was no way to give it to the elves.

  With some hesitation, she grabbed the piece of jewelry.

  “With this, hopefully they’re more forgiving,” Amber whispered looking at it on her fingers.

  “A fine choice,” the spirit said from behind, making her tense.

  He had escaped Amber’s senses, but nevertheless, she simply nodded, not letting any reaction show.

  “Yeah, now I just have to find something else that they might like. Do you own anything of Arkara aside from this?”

  “No, that’s the only item. After all, I wasn’t the one who created them.” Amber wanted to sigh hearing that, but the spirit continued. “However, I think I have a good suggestion for you.”

  She raised her brow, glancing back at the spirit. “Really?”

  “Of course.” He nodded almost too enthusiastically. “Here it is, you don’t have to find it.”

  Following his words, he moved his hand and a pair of glasses appeared on his hands. They had rounded lenses, almost nerdy but cute, their frames were golden and the glass itself shimmered with iridescent colors if one paid enough attention.

  Amber blinked, as she used Appraisal on them.

  [??? ?— Glasses of Magical Enlightenment ?— ???

  These glasses were created by ??? the Primordial Spirit using ?????? While wearing these glasses you gain a 20% boost to your mana capacity. These glasses bear the enhancements of:

  Ability: Inspiration: For as long as the Glasses of Knowledge are supplied with mana they will give endless inspiration with magic.

  Ability: Magic Insight: While these glasses mana is easier to see and perceive, this effect applies to runes.

  Ability: Magic Analyst: Seeing a spell used enough times gives you a rough understanding of it.

  Ability: Height of Sorcery: Once every ten years allows the user to increase their magic by one Tier for a minute.]

  Amber blinked, it almost sounded lame but it was an assistance divine artifact, except for the last ability. Height of Sorcery. On paper, it sounded weird, in fact Amber had almost recoiled and scoffed at the idea of it being ten years for a single minute. But, before that she had to ask something.

  “Does Height of Sorcery mean that if someone uses Tier 5 magic, it will become Tier 6…?” she asked.

  Tier 5 magic was equivalent to level 500 magic, she had learned that back in the Sacred Forest. Meaning that the ability allowed any magic user to increase their power by two whole advancements in a blink.

  “That is indeed correct, a fine choice isn’t it?” the Primordial Spirit confirmed.

  “It is…” Amber reluctantly grabbed the offered glasses.

  With these, she was quite certain that the elves would be pleased considering how much they loved magic. While they also liked smithing, magic was just as important to them after all. And the divine artifact she had stolen was magic related.

  So needless to say, she now had acquired the divine artifacts she had come to this place initially for. Now all that was left was…

  “Shall we pick out what you want?”

  Her artifact.

  Amber nodded. Although, she felt… weird. She felt weird that the Primordial Spirit before her, the Primordial Spirit that had been imprisoned in his own tower by one of her friends, was being so… nice. It was just hard to believe. So now, more than ever she was on guard, but she tried to not let it show it.

  The spirit gave her a knowing glance, and finally, with a snap of his fingers, he showed her a vial.

  “I took the liberty to investigate what you’ve been doing in my tower. As a Cursebearer, surely an otherworldly curse interests you?”

  Amber blinked as she stared at the vial full of murky liquid, but before she could fully appraise it the Primordial Spirit continued.

  “Or a sword to add to your collection?”

  A large sabre appeared, it was the same height as her and flaming in white flames. It was golden and ornate with the patterns of clouds. But once more, the Primordial Spirit continued.

  “A fine armor to protect you from anything?”

  He said, pulling out a pitch-black armor that sparkled with the stars of the universe. The materials it was made out of clearly, not belonging to this world. But it was dismissed as soon as it came, and replaced by a large egg.

  “Or maybe even the child of the hydra you killed?”

  Amber blinked, seeing the artifacts that were beginning to pile on the floor, all while the Primordial Spirit continued making his offers. The amount of choices were overwhelming, but rather than be blinded by greed, Amber felt unsettled.

  And finally, the spirit finished as he proffered his hand.

  “How about it? Once we’re done here we can get to my request.”

  He smiled, his voice soft and ethereal different from before, and Amber stared at his outstretched hand and calmed. Maybe he’s just enthusiastic after all. She reached forward and?—

  All her instincts blared as she stopped a mere moment before making contact. The 2nd Rank of Sharp Instincts had forcefully triggered ?— telling her how dangerous this situation truly was. Curse of Foresight had made her pause ?— the curse residing in her demonic sword that allowed her to see milliseconds into the future. And finally, her enhanced senses that she had acquired after her Special Class advancement had also screamed at her.

  It all culminated into: do not shake his hand at any cost.

  The reason was simple.

  Amber stared at the hand with shaking eyes before she felt indignation.

  “You just tried to make me enter an Essence contract forcefully,” she said glaring at the Primordial Spirit.

  His smile went from innocent to sinister.

  “My, you’re the first human to not fall for that. I even used my Essence for it…”

  Amber shivered hearing his words, and finally she gritted her teeth and spoke up.

  “If you want to get something from me then use your words, not deceit. And if you want to force me, then I’d like to see how the three primordials backing me react,” she spoke resolutely. “So, what is this thing you desperately want from me?”

  At that, the Primordial Spirit simply smiled and leaned for her ear as he whispered.

  “What I want is for you to….”

  And Amber’s eyes grew wide at what she heard.

  NOTE: Also let me know if i missed an important detail in world building.