Chapter 17: [The Abyss]

"The source of the [Root of Man] originates from the [Abyss]." As the trainee [Faithful] received their equipment, Maria took the time to explain the background of the [Root of Man] to the curious players. Her voice was calm and rhythmic, five syllables per beat, creating a strangely soothing cadence. "When the First Flame was kindled, duality entered the world." "Cold and heat, light and dark, life and death, ascent and descent." "The [Abyss] is the descent." It represented the fall of the world since its very inception—something unclean, ominous, and corrosive. For humans, the [Abyss] was profoundly toxic. Those without strong willpower who chose to embrace it would be corrupted into terrifying monstrosities. The grotesque appearance of the [Root of Man] alone was evidence of the [Abyss]'s twisted aesthetic. Those whose minds and bodies were fully corrupted would become [Abyss Pactbearers], poisonous beings who constantly spread the [Abyss], infecting the innocent and turning them into similarly warped abominations. "Sister Maria, is there really no way to cure someone infected by the [Root of Man]?" asked Ralph—the bearded player—seriously after her explanation. In [Fractured], death was a severe punishment. It meant permanent character death. "There isn't." Maria’s expression was grave. She could guess what these veteran players were thinking. Dual-wielding benefits from both sides was a common tactic. The [Abyss], a power even the divine church couldn’t fully erase, would surely tempt some of them. And it was true. Before the mind and body were completely consumed, one could tap into the [Abyss] to gain power. But it was no different from drinking poison. Even a divine being like the [Wolf Knight], one of Lord Gwyn’s Four Knights who bore a Lord Soul, fell to the [Abyss] in the lore of the [Embers of Ash]. What chance did mortals have? "If any of you get corrupted by the [Root of Man], I’m afraid... I won’t hesitate to put you down," Maria said, leaving the implication clear. "But Sister Maria also said that early-stage [Root of Man] can be handled with fire, right? Even a normal person can handle it, let alone trained initiates like us," said Tyre loudly as he stepped forward in full gear. His voice shattered the grim silence. Others nodded in agreement. No one seemed to dwell on why Maria had given such a detailed warning—except Ralph and Phylin. From her serious tone, they sensed something deeper. The NPCs in [Fractured] had intelligence levels rivaling real humans. Maria was subtly warning them. "Come on, get your gear. Don’t waste time!" The [Faithful] were one of the divine church’s core classes. Not powerful in the [Apprentice] stage, but known for explosive growth later. The more devout their faith, the rarer and stronger their future professions. Their standard kit included a basic leather cuirass—light, not very defensive, but flexible. Weapon choices: a segmented steel flail inscribed with prayers (favored by priests) or a half-sword (loved by warriors). They were also issued three firebombs and a torch each. The [Root of Man] was highly resistant to blades but weak to fire and light, especially in its early stages. Even civilians could handle it with the right tools. And since the mission was to capture a live specimen, fire-based tools were a must. "Here, take this pendant," said Phoenix, handing Maria a silver necklace with a tiny golden sun emblem. The moment she touched it, she felt intense heat—so strong it made her already cool body slightly uncomfortable. "It’ll protect you from the [Abyss]." More like roast me alive first... Maria thought silently. She knew her Cainhurst bloodline clashed with the solar faith, but she accepted the pendant with a polite smile. "Give my regards to Archbishop Mark," she said quietly near Phoenix’s ear. Phoenix's pupils contracted slightly before he returned to normal. Archbishop Mark clearly wanted the live [Root of Man] specimen to expose the nobles’ dirty dealings. This city, though prosperous, was teetering on the brink of disaster. As one of the church’s leaders, Mark understood the [Abyss] far better than most. ... Though Flowford saw no snow in the 13th month, the cold wind from the sea was enough to drain warmth from the bones. After dark, Emerald Port became eerily deserted. Aside from shady dealings, almost no one was out. Even captains preferred bars and dancers over guarding their cargo. As for the warehouse guards—whether they were still human or not was debatable. Early-stage hosts of the [Root of Man] acted almost completely normal. In the darkness, a lantern flickered. Under the dim glow, Maria’s pale face looked almost haunting. Her silver fringe rustled in the wind as her crimson eyes scanned the area like a predator. Behind her marched the armored initiates. Only the sound of waves broke the silence. The oppressive darkness pressed down like a beast waiting to pounce.