I stand still, staring at the golden screen in front of me. What did it mean by first seed? This thing was a seed?
My previous thoughts fade as I read the last line. Reward? I got a reward?
I quickly navigate to the rewards menu, searching for whatever I've been gifted.
Only one item appears, a compass.
Are you kidding me? I killed this creature for a measly compass?
I let out a sigh of disappointment, clicking on the compass and reading it's description.
Tira's compass
tens of thousands of years ago, in an ancient civilization lived two people. Tira, and her husband Sargon. They were a happy couple and loved each other very much.
Everything was going well, until one day, Sargon disappeared. At first, Tira wasn't too concerned. It was normal for people to be gone for hours, maybe even days at a time.
But days quickly turned into weeks, then weeks into months.
Tira was heartbroken. She sold everything she had-her clothes, her house, her jewelry-everything.
She used the money to hire a team of scientists, chemists, and engineers. Together, they managed to use a sample from Sargon's clothing to produce a compass that always pointed towards him.
Tira was overjoyed, and quickly set off to find her Beloved.
She walked for miles, through farmland, forests, and grasslands, until the compass began spinning in circles. She had reached the spot-but her husband was nowhere to be found. She thought she'd been scammed and had lost all her money-until she decided to dig down. She dug with her nails for hours until she found it. A coffin.
To her horror, she had found her husband. He was dead, buried six feet under.
Effects: Has been modified to point toward any human in a 250 foot distance
tap here to redeem
I let the words sink in. It seems like the compass is a tragic relic, one that involves both love and loss.
The story once again forces me to remember my own wife. I don't know how long it's been now. Probably a few weeks, maybe a month. What is the time difference like between inside this simulation and the real world?
By now, she's probably thinking that something's wrong. Right? Or has Commodus been updating my family on what I've been doing?
Nah, that doesn't sound like him.
I ball my fists in frustration. I need to hurry this up. I need to do something!
I need to win this goddamn tournament no matter what. I have to. I need to survive, not just for me, but for the both of us.
I tap the redeem button and watch as the golden screen disappears. For a brief moment, nothing happens. I stand idly, the world around me remaining weirdly still as I hold my breath, waiting. After a few seconds, something strange begins to unfold.
Golden sparks begin to materialize in the air before me. They flicker like tiny fireflies, each shimmering and dancing as they produce a circular shape. It's as if the compass itself is being crafted right in front of me, like some sort of ancient magic is weaving it into existence. Though, I know it's not magic, it's just the system.
The sparks twist and turn, pulsing with energy as it draws a faint outline of the item. Suddenly, the sparks stop leaving only the small shape of the object.
Then it all collapses into a burst of light.
I step back, blinking in disbelief as I attempt to make sense of what just happened. My breathing quickens as I watch the final product drop onto the hot sand below, landing with a small crunch.
There it is. Tira's compass.
I frantically bend down, not even bothering to brush the sand off my hands as I snatch the compass up, holding it carefully. It feels surprisingly smooth in my hands, its metal surface cool to the touch despite the islands tropical heat.
At first, it kind of looks like a normal compass. A simple, well crafted navigational instrument, with a nice steel casing and a polished red needle that spins lazily within.
The needle spins in slow, erratic circles, but doesn't point toward any fixed direction. It's clear that no one is around, at least within the compass's range. I pause, looking back at the compass.
250 feet.
That's how far it can point to the nearest person. I frown, remembering its description. 250 feet is not a large distance. It's radius is super small. In an open area like this desolate beach, it's pretty much useless.
But the more I think about it, using it in someplace like a forest would be pretty advantageous. It's more crowded with many little hiding spots. It's a lot harder to find someone in a forest, than a desolate grassland or beach.
I grip it tighter, the weight of its purpose settling in. With this, I can locate anyone nearby-even those lying in wait, hidden just beyond sight, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I don't have to use it like Tira did in the story, I could use it to avoid enemies and avoid ambushes!
This compass is a lot more useful than I originally thought. I can use it to ensure that no one creeps up on me. In a forest or mountain, this compass is more than just a trinket. It's a lifeline, a tool for survival.
I quickly stuff the compass into my pocket, and walk towards the 'planted seed.' I quickly pull my arrows out of the creatures body, examining them. Their metal arrow heads were covered in the disgusting creatures gooey black blood. Looking at it, I couldn't help but wonder whether shooting someone with it would infect them with the virus. I mean, it'd make sense. Unlike when zombie blood sprays on me, this blood would actually enter into a human's body and their bloodstream.
Glancing around, my eyes land on a nearby bird. I sigh deeply. "I suppose I'll have to actually test my theory..."