The Ascendance Deceiver

Life Orb

"One thousand credits!?" Neo blurted out, his voice filled with disbelief and a hint of uncertainty, unable to fully trust what he had just heard.

"Yes, indeed," Solarael replied with a smile, a tinge of amusement lacing his words. "By selling your one-time question back to the shop, you can receive a generous sum of one thousand credits. I assumed that Player Alayn had informed you about this option and the potential value it holds. Did he not mention the amount you could obtain by selling it?"

Neo didn't answer Solarael and remained silent, as his mind consumed by a single question that echoed loudly within him: "What the hell did Brother Alayn do with those thousand credits he obtained?"

Neo refrained from voicing his thoughts and chose not to ask Solarael about Alayn's use of the thousand credits. He realized that obtaining an answer from Solarael would require spending some of his own credits, and Alayn was someone he could approach directly without such expenditure. In Neo's mind, the question held more value when directed towards Alayn himself. He wanted to know if Alayn would trust him and tell him as much as he trusted Alayn. Maybe Alayn didn't sold his question. After all Alayn had indeed asked Solarael about who run this game and stuff.

"Let's proceed with the transaction," Neo said, reaching into his pocket and retrieving his ability card. Having witnessed Alayn demonstrate the use of the ability card to track credit balances to the other six passengers, including himself, Neo had grasped the importance of the card in managing their credits at the Cosmo shop. Acting on instinct, he recognized that the ability card played a vital role in conducting transactions within the shop's realm.

With a satisfied nod, Solarael snapped his fingers, signaling the completion of the transaction.

Neo's eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement as he questioned, "That's it? If a simple snap is all it takes, why did I even bother taking out the card?" His voice carried a hint of frustration, akin to a young child grumbling about having to turn off the lights in their room.

With a faint chuckle, Solarael responded, "The card serves as a symbol, a conduit to facilitate the transaction. While the snap may seem simple, it is the fusion of cosmic energy and the power imbued within the ability card that enables the transaction to take place. And to do that, the ability card of the player should be at the line of my sight. Think of it as a ceremonial gesture, a way to align the cosmic forces and bring about the desired outcome."

Neo, still slightly puzzled, couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the explanation. "I suppose it adds a bit of flair to the process," he remarked, realizing the significance of the ritualistic aspect. "Thank you for enlightening me." Neo said with a smile, Though the only thing he understood from Solarael was that, Solarael had to see the card to do the transactions.

Solarael nodded, his golden eyes shimmering with warmth. "You're welcome, young player. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

Neo nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "I would also like to buy a life orb."

Solarael's eyebrows raised in surprise as he responded, "A life orb? He even told you about that?" There was a hint of curiosity in his voice, as if he were intrigued by Alayn's actions.

Neo's smile widened as he replied, "Yes, he did. Alayn mentioned it as something I should buy."

Solarael's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and admiration. "Ah, It's true. The life orb is a wise choice, indeed. It grants you an additional chance at survival within the challenges of Kodoku."

Satisfied with the response Solarael gave, Neo asked "So, How much does it cost."

"Two thousand credits."

"..."

"Huh.. Did I heard it wrong ? T-two thousand ?"

"Seems like you heard it right." Solarael said with a smile.

"T-two thousand !? Two thousand ?? I only have exactly two thousand in my account and that's only because I sold my question. What the hell does that orb do to justify such a hefty price?." Neo wasn't able to hide his shocked and disbelief expression. His eyes wide open and eyebrows raised high.

Solarael leaned back against the counter, his gaze fixed on Neo. "The life orb is a precious artifact within Kodoku. It grants you an additional chance at life when faced with a fatal event. It has the power to revive you and restore your vitality, allowing you to continue the game."

Neo's agitation softened, replaced by a mixture of awe and contemplation. The significance of the life orb's ability began to sink in, realizing its potential impact on his survival in the treacherous game.

"So that's the reason Alayn urged me to acquire the life orb," Neo realized, his voice filled with a mix of awe and comprehension. "By possessing this orb, I will gain the ability to resurrect myself in the event of a life-threatening situation. It's a safeguard against fatal occurrences, ensuring that I have another chance to continue my journey."

"So, will you be purchasing the life orb?" Solarael inquired, his tone betraying a slight impatience, as if he wished to expedite the transaction and move on.

"Ah, yes. I'll purchase the orb," Neo confirmed, presenting his ability card once again.

Solarael nodded in acknowledgment and proceeded to snap his fingers, unlike last time, with his snap he conjuring a palm-sized orb infused with shades of green and golden white. It materialized out of thin air, resting upon the counter before Neo's eyes.

"Please keep in mind that this life orb can be used to revive either yourself or another player who needs revival. You can also give the ownership of this orb to someone else if you want and no one could get it by killing you cause it will just revive you the moment you die if the orb is in your  possession. Furthermore, I must inform you that the next time you wish to purchase a life orb, its price will be 20,000 credits, and with each subsequent purchase, the price will progressively increase," Solarael explained, delicately cradling the green orb in his hand.

"Price increase? Well, I suppose it's only natural. This so-called game is more than just a game; it's a twisted reality we're trapped in," Neo remarked, a tinge of disappointment lacing his smile. "In such a grim world, the cost of spare lives is bound to be substantial."

"Indeed, this twisted reality we find ourselves in operates by its own rules," Solarael replied, his eyes reflecting a hint of understanding. "The value of life and the price of survival can often be steep. But remember, Neo, every decision you make here holds significance. Choose wisely and embrace the challenges that lie ahead."

"Thank you for your advice," Neo expressed gratitude as he accepted the life orb from Solarael's outstretched hand.

Examining the palm-sized orb, Neo's expression turned slightly awkward. "Haha, I don't think this will fit well in my pocket," he remarked, punctuating his words with a self-conscious laugh.

Solarael almost twitched the corner of his mouth.

"Right. I forgot to mention the usage of subspace," Solarael admitted with a hint of awkwardness, acknowledging his oversight. It seemed he was well aware of his occasional forgetfulness.

"Bro aren't you supposed to be an angel." Neo lampooned silently.

With the mention of subspace, Solarael raised his right hand and snapped for the third time. But this time it was not for a transaction. As Solarael snapped his fingers, a surge of understanding coursed through Neo's mind. It was as if the knowledge of subspace was injected directly into his brain, granting him instant comprehension of its nature and usage. He understood the concept and how he could use it.

With the newfound knowledge, Neo released his grip from the life orb, and just like that, the orb vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind. Following suit, Neo did the same with his ability card, making it disappear into his subspace.

Neo understood that this was how Alayn was able to take out his ability card out of thin air like he did after he left the shop. He understood that this should be something Solarael teach after the first transaction with the shop and the player.

"Thank you. I'll head out now," Neo said with a happy smile, grateful for the new knowledge and abilities he had acquired from Solarael. He felt a sense of excitement knowing that he was now part of a larger plan orchestrated by Alayn.

"It was a pleasure doing business with  you." Solarael said with the usual smile.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Neo left the shop, ready to face the challenges that awaited him in the game.