Fate items, these were things passed down among the dark factions. It was said that fate items were usually extremely rare, yet often possessed miraculous uses.
Legends told that in the dark underground dwelled countless dark creatures and ancient tombs, a paradise for ghosts, skeletons, and corpses. Evil necromancers sang their soul-summoning incantations in low tones, while plagues and diseases filled the air. No one except necromancers could approach this place.
This Scroll of Summoning could summon various undead creatures dwelling deep underground, creatures that had not seen sunlight for ages.
Some fate items were ritual tools used by necromancers to honor the dead, while others were dark artifacts imbued with curses. Even necromancers themselves could not control these objects at will.
Just like their name suggested, fate was something unfathomable to anyone.
Nie Yan glanced at the description of the Cursed Skeleton.
After understanding the introduction of the Cursed Skeleton, he learned that crushing it would grant the player three fate dice. If the total of the dice exceeded three points, an additional reward would be obtained. If the total was three or less, a curse would be incurred. The smaller the number on the dice, the harsher the punishment; the larger the number, the more substantial the reward.
Rewards or curses—danger and opportunity coexisted.
If not used, the item would disappear in five minutes.
After reading the Cursed Skeleton’s attributes, Nie Yan’s heart involuntarily quickened. This item was indeed difficult to control. Rolling the three fate dice, under the control of the main brain, was impossible to manipulate. In other words, it was purely based on luck. There was a 50% chance of receiving a reward and a 50% chance of receiving a curse.
Nie Yan sat quietly, eating bread to restore his health, but his mind remained restless.
It was all down to luck. Nie Yan couldn’t be sure whether his luck was good or bad. Looking at the skull in his hand, two flickering green flames danced in its eye sockets, as if watching him in some peculiar way.
It seemed to be saying, if given a chance, would he dare to challenge his fate?
The future was full of the unknown.
Nie Yan held the skull, hesitating. If he continued to delay his decision, this fate item would vanish.
Nie Yan kept questioning himself. At a moment like this, anyone would find it difficult to make a quick decision.
Time passed second by second. Suddenly, Nie Yan recalled a story: an old man arrived in a town carrying a sealed box. He told the townspeople that for one silver coin, they could open the box and all the contents inside would belong to them. No one was willing to spend a silver coin to open it. Later, the old man left, and the townspeople often lay awake at night, regretting not spending that single coin to see what was inside the box.
The principle was simple. If Nie Yan didn’t try using this Cursed Skeleton and let it disappear, there might come a day when he would regret not seeing what it could bring.
What harm could come from giving it a try? Nie Yan’s heart gradually steeled itself. His right hand clenched tighter, and the Cursed Skeleton slowly developed cracks. With a final determined squeeze, the cursed skull shattered into pieces.
Within a twenty-yard radius, time abruptly froze, and everything came to a halt.
Above Nie Yan appeared a massive bone-shaped fate die. The six-sided die floated midair, each side inscribed with ancient necromancer script displaying vivid crimson numbers: one, two, three, four, five, and six.
Awaiting Nie Yan was the judgment of fate!
Nie Yan took a deep breath, slowly extending his right hand to touch the floating die. Suddenly, the die began to spin rapidly.
Countless numbers flickered, dazzling to the eyes.
“Stop!” Nie Yan shouted. The rapidly spinning die halted, revealing the number three directly in front of him—a vivid, blood-red digit.
Damn it, what rotten luck.
A malicious curse enveloped Nie Yan’s entire body as an evil force gradually drained his strength away.
Plague Weakness Curse: Permanent curse, Strength -10.
The terrifying curse sent chills down Nie Yan’s spine. A permanent reduction of ten strength points was unbearable even for top-tier experts.
It was well known that each attribute point was a treasure for players; permanently increasing attribute points was extremely difficult.
The crimson number on the die, like a demon licking its red lips, stood out vividly, mocking Nie Yan.
With the number three on the die, Nie Yan was punished with a permanent loss of ten strength points. It was hard to imagine what even more severe curses might await if the number were two or one.
Nie Yan dared not imagine what awaited him next. Would he become a useless player and have no choice but to delete his character and start anew?
Fate was as unknown as the unknown itself.
Precisely because of its uncertainty, it inspired fear.
But Nie Yan had no way back. The die floated silently; if he didn’t activate it, it would automatically impose a curse after time ran out.
Regret? Nie Yan seemed to have no time for it now. He extended his right hand, activating the die. Fate spun wildly. Whether the next moment would bring dazzling rewards or dark curses, Nie Yan couldn’t escape the judgment of fate.
If it was another curse, no, it couldn’t be.
“Stop!” Nie Yan’s voice was no longer as decisive as the first time he used the die, but he still called for it to stop.
The pale die gripped Nie Yan’s heart like a rope. The sound of the die stopping caused his heart to momentarily cease beating.
It was a five. A brilliant white light descended upon Nie Yan’s head. His heart suddenly relaxed. It wasn’t a curse!
As long as it wasn’t a curse, he was satisfied!
Nie Yan calmed down, glanced at the system prompt, and quickly opened his skill menu. A new skill had appeared in his skill list.
Ritual of the Dead: Skill from the Necrotic Sanctum, Skill Level 1. Sacrifice 30% of current HP to command an undead creature. 20% chance of the undead creature becoming your ally for 3 hours. Maximum number of undead creatures that can be controlled: 5. Skill cooldown time: 30 seconds.
Apparently, the sacrifice had paid off. After seeing the skill “Ritual of the Dead,” Nie Yan’s heart involuntarily tightened. This was actually a temple skill—an incredible find! The Necrotic Sanctum skill was on the same tier as the Elemental Temple skill, both being advanced magic. The lost ten points of strength could eventually be compensated for; with the Courage Scroll, after leveling up about twenty-five levels, the effect of the permanent attribute reduction caused by the weakness curse could basically be negated. However, this legendary skill was a treasure worth more than gold. With this skill, he could now frequently venture into the undead’s territory to level up!
One roll remained. Nie Yan looked at the floating die in the air, his expression complex. This thing could either elevate someone to the heights of success or plunge them into endless ruin.
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