Chapter 107: Basic Talisman Making

Chapter 107: Chapter 107: Basic Talisman Making

[Acquired: Skill Advancement Stone (E-level) x1]

[Acquired: Mist Beacon (Special) x1]

[Acquired: Blessing of Fertility (Resource Bag) x1]

The items appeared in her hand, feeling solid and real.

"The gift has been delivered! Congratulations, lucky survivor!"

The Little Light Ball’s glow intensified. "I hope these help you go further along The Misty Path! Well then, farewell, and may we meet again!"

With that, it began to disappear, but something was faster. A hand net shot out, instantly trapping it. Before it could even react, a powerful force yanked on the net, dragging it forcefully into the cabin.

What...??

The Little Light Ball slammed onto the floor. It flew back up and shook its head, finally getting a grasp of the situation.

’This human... actually used a hand net, like they were catching a fish, and dragged me in here!’

The Little Light Ball let out a shriek. "What are you doing?!"

’I can’t believe you! You looked so honest, but you’re actually this kind of person!’

That was what the Little Light Ball’s question sounded like to Seraphina Sinclair.

But...

Beside them, the Sunflower grew excited. ’So fragrant... so close...’

’The little one is secretly drooling again.’

So then... Seraphina’s gaze fell back upon the Little Light Ball. ’I wonder if this thing is edible?’

Seraphina didn’t answer its question, merely tightening her grip on the handle of the net.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between the Little Light Ball and the excitedly swaying Sunflower.

Her expression was calm and placid, yet it sent an inexplicable "chill" through the Little Light Ball.

"Wh-what exactly do you want?!"

The ball’s voice grew shrill as it tried to break free from the net. But after entering the mobile cabin, it seemed to have lost its magical power and could no longer phase through objects like before. Its only option was to try and convince Seraphina Sinclair to give up on her idea.

"I already gave you the gift! We’re even!"

’So fragrant... so fragrant...’

The Sunflower’s inner voice rang out again. It even stood up, its two eyes on its flower head fixed intently on the Little Light Ball.

As if she had finally made up her mind, Seraphina flicked her wrist. The net slammed down, pinning the struggling light ball firmly to the floor just as it tried to bounce away.

"Sorry,"

she said, though her voice held no apology, only a hint of curiosity.

"It seems to really want you. Besides, I’m a little curious myself."

"Curious about what?! Curious about what will happen if it eats me? You can’t do this! I am the Path’s Gift! A part of the rules!"

The ball struggled violently, its light flickering, revealing its extreme terror. "If it eats me, something terrible will happen! Really! You have to believe me!"

’Believe you?’

Empty words were no proof. Rather than take its word for it, Seraphina Sinclair preferred to trust the results of her Insight skill.

[The Gift Itself]

[Description: You might suddenly see it by your window one day after making a choice on the path. Have no doubt, it is the gift the system has prepared for you. After taking your own gift, don’t forget to take the Sunflower’s gift, too. The gift itself is also a gift.]

’Oh?’

’The Sunflower’s gift?’

’Then there’s no need to hesitate.’

Seraphina decided to ignore whatever the little thing was saying. This was all part of the programmed procedure. If she really let it go just because of the Little Light Ball’s pleading, wouldn’t that be a betrayal of her Sunflower?

’The Sunflower is so happy!’

’This little person finally brought the Little Light Ball over. I can finally eat it...’

’I don’t have to drool anymore!’

Seraphina had been worried about how to feed the Little Light Ball to it, but she’d barely moved closer when the Sunflower extended two of its leaves and wrapped them around the light ball on its own.

The moment it was embraced, the Little Light Ball suddenly went silent, as if the consciousness within it had already departed.

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, looking forward to seeing what changes would occur after the Sunflower finished its meal.

Seraphina released the net.

The Sunflower’s two leaves tightly hugged the Little Light Ball, which had stopped struggling and whose light was gradually dimming, like it was embracing a giant, fragrant piece of candy.

It didn’t chew—it had no mouth—but instead pushed the entire ball of light down into the Earth it was planted in.

Not a sound was made.

But the Sunflower had, indeed, swallowed the Little Light Ball.

’So yummy... love it... want more...’

Seraphina was speechless. The little guy was back to its usual three phrases.

’It’s always these three sentences after eating something good. Oh, Sunflower, Sunflower, you need to have more ambition! You can’t be led astray by a tasty little snack!’

After her silent chiding, Seraphina noticed no change in the Sunflower, so she simply used Insight on it again.

[Micro-light Sunflower (F+ Level)]

[Level: 2]

[Current Sunflower Growth Rate 380/1000]

[Hunger Level: 0/200 (Consumes one point of Hunger Level for every point of sunshine generated)]

[Description: A magical plant that has evolved once. It likes you, but don’t expect it to ever admit it.]

[The Sunflower just ate its gift and is now in a better mood. As for any other improvements? Human... you’re asking for too much! Does a human change after eating fried chicken? Does a cat change after eating a kitty treat? Does a dog change after eating poop? A human cannot make such demands of a Sunflower!]

Huh?

’So for the Sunflower, that Little Light Ball was just... a Sunflower snack?’

’Oh well, as long as the little one is happy.’

Though a little disappointed, this was how Seraphina had to console herself.

She took out the three items she had casually stuffed into her Silver Moon Earrings. The first one to use was, of course, the Skill Advancement Stone.

Seraphina read the description one more time, and after confirming the item worked as she understood it, she decisively used the Stone!

[Please select the target Skill!]

[Currently upgradable Skill: General Rune Making (F-level) (At its current grade, it can only create F-level and E-level rune paper. Furthermore, creating E-level rune paper consumes a large amount of stamina, thereby limiting the quantity!)]

Seraphina paused, rendered speechless.

’I made so many wild guesses, but the explanation was right here on this screen all along.’

’So it wasn’t a limit on my Intelligence, nor was it consuming some strange energy. It was just a limitation of the Skill’s grade.’

Being able to create E-level Talismans with an F-level Rune-making Skill was already a blessing from the heavens, yet Seraphina Sinclair had actually been thinking of mass-producing E-level Talismans with it.

’That was my mistake.’

Seraphina shook her head and decisively chose to upgrade the skill!

’How high will the grade go?’

She was filled with anticipation.

The Skill Advancement Stone dissolved into a soft halo of light at her fingertips, silently seeping into her palm.

A cool stream of energy traveled up her arm, finally gathering in her mind.

Vast amounts of knowledge, techniques, and even vague insights about rune making instantly became clear and profound, as if they had been sorted, expanded, and infused with a new Chapter by an invisible hand.

[Basic Talisman Making (E-level)]!ℯ