Akara stood up and poured me another glass of the same drink.
"Come, don't be shy. If you like it, drink more. This old woman doesn't have much else good to offer you."
I acknowledged her and didn't stand on ceremony; the taste of this drink was truly excellent.
"Right, Lady Akara, I heard from others that this is the only Magic Item Shop selling Magic Items. I wonder what kind of things can be bought here?"
"Haha, young man, are you in such a hurry to go training?" Akara said with a smile, squinting her eyes.
"This old woman mainly sells small amounts of healing potions and mana potions, as well as some antidote potions, thawing potions, and the like," she paused, then continued,
"However, young man, if your level isn't high, it's best not to rush into buying them. Go train in the Blood Wasteland first. The monsters there generally don't have high capabilities. If you're careful, you won't need to use these auxiliary items. Furthermore, I suggest you use these auxiliary items as little as possible; that way, you can better hone your own abilities."
Seeing how hard Akara was trying to persuade me, if I hadn't played Diablo before and hadn't learned from Lars that there was indeed only one Magic Item Shop here, I would have truly suspected Akara was a spy from another Magic Item Shop, trying to convince me not to buy things here.
"Of course, we also have two very important items here, which even class holders can use." Akara changed the subject and slowly stood up, walked to a shelf, and took out two books from it, one blue and one red.
"I believe you've heard of these two things as well." She placed the two books into my hands. Although I had roughly guessed what they were, I couldn't help but examine the two books in my hands carefully.
Tome of Identify: 3/20
Book of Fixed Point Spatial Magic Gate (hereafter referred to as the Portal): 3/20
"The Identify Scrolls inside the Tome of Identify are used to identify the attributes of blue or higher equipment you obtain. The Portal Scroll is even more important. When you are surrounded by monsters or get lost, it is a life-saving item. However, be aware that using the Portal requires a 30-second cast time, and you cannot be interrupted during the preparation time."
Akara told me these most crucial key points one by one, scaring me into a cold sweat. Influenced by the game I played before, I thought I knew everything. Fortunately, Akara explained it; otherwise, I wouldn't have known how I died.
"This Fixed Point Spatial Magic Gate is also the only spatial magic our ancestors left us. The few old men in the Mage Guild are also relying on this sole magic to continue their exploration..." Akara sighed, continuing,
...
...
While quietly listening to Akara's guidance, I silently committed this knowledge to heart. Akara was truly a wise and learned leader. The experience she imparted was far beyond what that half-baked Paladin Lars could compare to. Many details, including magic combination, skill cast time, cooldown time, how to escape from invincible enemies using the safest method, how to buy time to use the Portal, the general terrain in the Wilderness, how to identify direction in the Wilderness, how to find a suitable place to pitch a tent in the Wilderness, how to distinguish monster capabilities, and so on, were all explained in detail. I listened enthralled, wishing I could engrave all of this into my mind.
Akara talked for several hours before finally stopping. She picked up her cup and gently took a sip of Spirit Cleansing Water.
"Ah, the water's gone cold. I didn't realize I'd been talking for so long. Spirit Cleansing Water isn't good when it's cold. Young man, wait a moment, I'll go heat it up." As if only just realizing how much time had passed, Akara gave an apologetic smile.
"I'm really sorry for making you listen to this old woman's rambling all this time. It must have been very boring."
"Not at all, I truly benefited greatly," I quickly stood up and expressed. I was truly impressed by Akara's magnanimity. She clearly saw me on the street and, realizing I was a class holder, specifically called me over to impart some experience, yet she showed no hint of taking credit. It was as if she was afraid of being repaid, turning her teaching into mere rambling in her words.
Perhaps it was precisely because of her meticulous and tireless guidance that most class holders achieved a higher survival rate in their early stages. No wonder almost all class holders respected her so much. This was simply the legendary ultimate enhanced version of a human mentor!
I bowed steadily at a 90-degree angle towards Akara: "Thank you truly for your guidance. If I can survive on the battlefield in the future, I believe it will surely be thanks to you."
"Alright, alright," Akara waved her hand kindly at me.
"I can't handle such a grand gesture. I just saw that you seemed quite idle on the street, and this old woman happened to feel very lonely, so I insisted on pulling you over to ramble. We just mutually benefited; you don't need to make this old woman sound so great. This old woman's old bones can't handle such praise."
As she spoke, I poured Akara another cup of hot Spirit Cleansing Water. It was strange; this Spirit Cleansing Water seemed to only have that refreshing coolness when drunk hot. When it cooled, the taste became bland. This world truly had all sorts of wonders.
"Right, Lady Akara, I'll return these to you," I said, handing over the two books I was holding.
"What? Return what?" Akara blinked her faded eyes at me, feigning surprise, which made me feel a hint of a conspiracy.
"Don't you know this old woman has a rule?"
What rule? I was startled. Why didn't the game have a sign listing it? Blizzard was too inconsiderate.
"My goods, once sold, are never returned."
"But... but I haven't bought them yet," I stammered.
"I don't care about that. Are you, a young man, going to ruin this old woman's signboard at my age?" Akara said angrily, tapping her cane forcefully on the ground.
"Uh... I'll take them then," I conceded. As expected of someone in the nun profession, that eloquence, that acting skill, tsk tsk. What else could I say? I'll repay this respectable elder later.
"Right, Lady Akara, could you tell me some detailed information about the Continent? Well, my master and I used to live in a remote Small Village, and my master left early when I became a class holder, so..."
Meeting Akara's penetrating gaze, which seemed to see through people's hearts, I murmured. It was a strange feeling; even though those eyes were blind, they possessed a sense of awe, as if they could see through all lies. Was this the power of the Great Eye?
I didn't know if Akara had detected my lie. It was highly possible. But even so, I had to continue this lie. My identity as a Transmigrator was my biggest secret; I absolutely could not tell anyone. This one thing, absolutely not.
So, even though Akara might have already detected it, I continued weaving my rambling lies. I couldn't help it. For deceiving this elder who had just imparted valuable experience to me, I could only sincerely apologize in my heart, hoping she could understand my difficulties.
Akara listened quietly to my flawed explanation. After I finished, she spoke in a gentle voice, full of understanding,
"Is that so? Is that how it is? Then that truly was an irresponsible teacher."
Seeing Akara's nonchalant manner, I felt even more ashamed, feeling no different from those heartless swindlers who deceive elderly people out of their life savings.
Akara didn't seem to notice my regretful mood at the moment. As if led into another time and space by my question, she pulled back the canvas door of the tent and stood quietly outside, her blind eyes emitting a faint aura of awe that I could feel even from behind her.
"Where should I begin? To explain it clearly, I might have to trace back a very, very long time ago. I wonder if you, young man, have the patience to listen to this old woman's rambling?"
I quickly nodded. Although Akara had her back to me, I believed she could definitely feel my movement.
"About tens of thousands of years ago, during the so-called End Day War, do you know about it?"
I nodded again. How could Big-mouthed Doug miss this war that left behind countless myths? I had already heard him repeat it n times on the road.
"The so-called End Day War refers to the time tens of thousands of years ago when Heaven, which had always ruled over all things, split into two factions. Due to differing ideologies, these two factions fought fiercely. The losing side abandoned their glory as Divine Servants and fell to Hell, discarding their noble Angel identities and calling themselves Demons. They recruited soldiers and horses in Hell and launched a fierce attack on Heaven, intending to avenge their past grievances. This clash between Heaven and Hell, Angels and Demons, was called the End Day War.
After the End Day War, God, the ruler of the entire world, seemed to have grown tired of this battle. Because both the Angels, who called themselves gods, and the Demons, who called themselves devils, were his children, he didn't know which side to help. Finally, God gently drew a line with his hand, separating Heaven and Hell. The End Day War thus ended.
And at this time, the space separated by God gave birth to a new world, which is the Dark Continent."
Akara sighed and continued,
"God has lost interest in Angels and Demons. They only scheme and vie for power in front of him."
Hearing this, I immediately gasped. Only now did I realize that the things Akara was telling me were definitely not the widely circulated version on the Dark Continent. One must know that on the Dark Continent, Angels, or gods, held a lofty status in people's hearts. In the past, they were the ones who planned the sealing of the Three Prime Evils, which plunged the Continent into chaos. And now, they are the ones guiding countless class holders to resist the forces of Hell. If Akara's words just now were to spread, even if she was the leader of the Rogue Encampment, she would probably be questioned by everyone.
I knew things wouldn't be that simple; there must be many inside secrets. I believed Akara's words were correct. After all, I had no good feelings towards those self-proclaimed righteous so-called Angels or gods. Don't forget my identity as a Transmigrator. If Akara had talked about Grand Unity Golden Immortals or Primeval Heavenly Lords of Being, I might have had some doubts. As for those so-called Gods and Demons, I couldn't even be bothered to doubt them. My first thought was that these guys who call themselves Gods and Demons are simply the biggest cancer in this world.
(end of chapter)