Chapter 102: The Tasty Little Light Ball

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: The Tasty Little Light Ball

Seraphina Sinclair took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.

She aimed the Purifying Flame Rune in her hand at the motionless Memory Eater outside the window, then gently tore it.

The rune activated instantly, but without the expected deafening boom or fiery explosion.

A soft, strange, moon-white flame appeared without a sound. As if shaped by an invisible hand, it lunged precisely toward the Memory Eater.

The flame was completely without heat, even causing the surrounding air to ripple with a hint of coolness.

"TSS—"

The moment the Purifying Flame touched the Memory Eater’s ashen form, an abrupt transformation began!

There was no smell of scorching flesh, nor any sign of intense burning.

The monster was like a pat of butter on a hot pan; the parts that touched the Purifying Flame began to "melt" away without a sound. It began to shriek and roar, struggling to put out the fire on its body.

A thick, ink-black smoke billowed from the monster’s melting flesh. The moment the smoke appeared, it was enveloped and purified by the moon-white flames, vanishing without a trace.

The Memory Eater trembled violently, its screech filled with pain and terror. It tried to shake off the flames, but the Purifying Flame clung to it like a disease festering in its bones, steadily and relentlessly burning away its very essence.

Seraphina Sinclair held her breath, her eyes fixed on the scene outside the window.

The Purifying Flame Rune was far more effective than she had expected.

The flame seemed to specifically target the energy core of this type of Malevolence. In just a dozen seconds, the E-level monster that had given so many survivors a headache had completely vanished in the silent purification, leaving not even a speck of ash behind.

An Immunity Crystal quietly appeared in front of Seraphina Sinclair.

Seraphina Sinclair bent down and picked it up. After a moment’s hesitation, she used it.

’An Immunity Crystal from this path only provides immunity to the path’s current negative effects.’

’It might expire if I save it, so I might as well use it now.’

’Now that I’ve used the Immunity Crystal, I don’t need to wear the Protective Clothing. It’d be a shame if something happened and the suit got damaged.’

However...

Seraphina Sinclair suddenly froze and snapped her head up.

’What’s that?’

A nearly transparent Little Light Ball had appeared where the monster had vanished.

Seraphina Sinclair rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t mistaken.

’I’ve confirmed it.’

’I must have found the thing Sunflower was talking about.’

Seraphina Sinclair quickly put away the Protective Clothing and moved closer to the window.

’It won’t rain for a while, so I can safely open the window.’

Before she could say anything, the other party suddenly spoke up and greeted her, "Hello there, survivor, you’re the first one to find me."

Seraphina Sinclair froze for a second, surprised that the ball of light would speak of its own accord.

She cautiously kept her distance, replying through the window, "Hello. What are you?"

’That might have been a rude way to ask, but the ball of light said nothing.’

It bobbed lightly a couple of times, its voice carrying a strange, ethereal quality. "I am the Path’s Gift, a reward from The Misty Path for pioneers. You’re really something for finding me!"

’No kidding.’

’This thing was hidden pretty well.’

’For one, the monster by the window was completely obscuring it. For another, it was so small and low to the ground that unless you were standing right at the window looking closely, you’d never have noticed it.’

"Path’s Gift?"

Seraphina Sinclair repeated the name, and understanding dawned on her. ’So this must be the "goodie" that convinced Sunflower to choose this path.’

"Yes, yes!" The ball of light sounded ecstatic. "It usually takes a long, long time for anyone to find me. You’re the first survivor I’ve ever met!"

Seraphina Sinclair glanced at Sunflower, whose leaves were faintly glowing with excitement. ’I guess the credit for this isn’t all mine,’ she thought.

She asked, "Then, what is the gift?"

"You can choose one of the three options I provide as your reward!" The ball of light floated closer, nearly pressing against the window. Countless tiny specks of light seemed to be swirling inside it. "However, before that..."

"My dear survivor, you’ll need to give me some sunshine."

’What?’

’So it’s not free?’

Seraphina Sinclair’s mind felt a bit sluggish. She didn’t quite understand what the Little Light Ball meant.

’Doesn’t "gift" mean it’s free? Why does it have a price tag now that it’s my turn?’

Sensing her confusion, the ball of light explained, "You’re the very first survivor to find me, so of course I’m not going to fob you off with ordinary junk! But by that same token, you naturally have to offer something to prove you have the strength to receive this gift."

’But I’ve already used today’s sunshine to move.’

Seraphina Sinclair was tempted, but also felt a little helpless. She frowned and asked, "How long will you be here?"

"I’ll be here as long as you don’t move."

The ball of light bobbed again and offered, "An ordinary survivor can choose one of the three options I provide as a reward!"

It floated closer, almost perching on the windowsill. Countless tiny specks of light swirled within it. "Watch carefully now, here are the three options."

The ball’s light flared, splitting into three different colored beams that projected three clear, glowing screens in front of Seraphina Sinclair:

[Option 1: Skill Advancement Stone]

Description: Instantly raises one F-level Skill to E-level. Only effective on upgradeable Skills!

The image showed a slowly rotating projection of a small Crystal Stone inscribed with flowing silver runes.

[Option 2: Mist Beacon]

Description: Upon use, during your next move, you may choose your direction of travel (East/South/West/North) and significantly increase the probability of arriving in a special area!

The image showed the projection of an ancient bronze compass, its needle trembling slightly.

[Option 3: Blessing of Fertility]

Description: Instantly receive a random amount of basic resources (wood, stone, Earth, Metal Fragments, purified water, common food), with a guaranteed minimum of 100 units and a possible maximum of 500.

The projection showed a mountain of resource crates, all exuding a tempting sheen.

’This is all good stuff.’

Seraphina Sinclair wasn’t dazzled by the options. She asked, "How much sunshine do I have to give?"

The Little Light Ball bounced twice more. "If you only choose one, you just need to pay 100 sunshine! Two would be 200! And so on and so forth!"

’So that means if I pay three hundred sunshine, I can get all three rewards?!’

Before Seraphina Sinclair could say anything, the Little Light Ball added, "This is also a unique gift, just for you, the first survivor to discover me!"

’Now *that* is a gift!’

Seraphina’s head was spinning. Just as she was calculating how to use tomorrow’s sunshine, she heard Sunflower’s thoughts: ’Smells so good... why doesn’t the little human just grab it? I wanna eat it... I really wanna eat it...’

The Little Light Ball could apparently hear Sunflower’s thoughts too. It glanced in Sunflower’s direction, then cautiously took a step back.