The morning wasn't grey but covered with soothing lavender and brilliant amber. The sun rose as usual, but the day was something special. The curtains added an orange glow to the morning light coming through the windows. Just like every morning in the city, today was also a perfect sunrise. The light was closely followed by a chorus of birds breaking the drone of the city traffic. There were birds in wastelands, but there were never this happy. It was everything Arnold had ever missed while living in the wastelands. Nicole was next to him, cutting fruits that constituted most of his diet at the moment. 

"I wonder why you're so bad with a knife when you have such excellent swordsmanship..." Arnold sniggered while chomping down an apple slice. 

He was still feeling weak and hence was on the bed, but he was recovering faster than he thought. Arnold was well acquainted with near-death experiences, but this time, even felt he got way too close to it than he would ever want to go. Technically, he had already died as his heart ceased to function. Doctors, including Alice, were still wondering how the hell did he manage to survive multiple organ failure. It wasn't unusual to have organ failure, but his case was special as all of his organs, except the brain, had failed simultaneously.

Nina threw a piece of apple at Arnold. Consider it a little payback for his snide remark. 

"You're one to talk 'Mr I can take care of myself'." She smiled and placed the knife down, "Looks like all the talk about 'Medical Miracle' has gotten to your head."

It felt good to see her smiling and laughing. He had unintentionally caused her a lot of pain. But now that was all history. As for being the 'Medical Miracle', it was something the medical experts were calling him, but Arnold knew it was no miracle. His survival was more like a debt. A debt he needed to pay within 14 days.

'I hope Talos is taking care of everything while I'm recovering...' He thought.

The memories from last night were still clear in his mind. Especially, what the system informed him. 

___

Reconfiguration completed!

You can now freely use your mythical affinity. 

[Caution!]

Emergency quest has been triggered!

EMERGENCY QUEST: Deal with the Devil

• [ INTRODUCTION ]: The system signed a deal with the devil to keep you from dying. Although you managed to survive, there is a cost to pay. Only cosmic creatures are allowed to wield mythical affinities and even then, only a few can use them without causing self-harm. You, however, tried to learn something that was beyond your limits and hence you were on the verge of dying. The reconfigurations that were done to your body are what keeps you alive, but it's only temporary. Complete your ascension quest and live but if you're not able to do so... You'll die. 

[ TASK ]: complete the Ascension quest and evolve into a ascended being within 14 days, or else the reconfigurations applied to your body would be reversed and you will inevitably die. 

[ PROGRESS ] : 0/1 Ascension Quest completed

[ REWARDS FOR COMPLETION ] :

• Live your life. 

___

Deal with the devil. 

It was pretty simple actually. His survival was the deal and the system was the devil. Arnold knew this time the system meant business. No more fooling around. 

He also knew no one else was to be blamed for it and he was here because of his own greed. He should've known better but the lust for power got the best of him.

The emergency quest was a bit difficult to complete even with a forge, but now that it was gone It was impossible to do it without rebuilding the forge. Even then, it would take at least two to three weeks to rebuild the forge, forget about making a Relic.

Luckily, Arnold had already figured a solution to this problem: Make the forge inside his domain.

By doing so he would be able to save the time in rebuilding the forge as well as it would be more secure in the void. He wouldn't allow anyone to destroy the forge again. It was too troublesome for him to build a new one himself, considering his health, thus he had sent Talos inside the void that morning. 

Talos was already at work. He was rebuilding the forge inside the domain with the rest of the summons. While Arnold tried to recover as soon as he could. 

'According to Talos, the construction would be complete in five days.' Arnold was lost in his thoughts, everything else was sidelined, 'That means I have five days to heal and gain what I want from the material box... No rest for a dying man. *sigh*'

"You listening, Arnold? Arnold! ARNOLD!" Nina yelled at him, "Look, I know you don't like fruits but that's what you're supposed to be eating for now."

Nina then handed him the plate which Arnold absentmindedly accepted. His eyes were fixed on her. As if he was gazing into her soul or something. 

"Are you high or something?" Nina chuckled but when Arnold didn't reply she got worried, "Arnold... Are you okay? You're scaring me now..."

"Who are you? Do I know you..." Arnold mumbled, his eyes blank. 

"Stop screwing around, will ya?" She said an placed her hand on his shoulder but he backed away. Looking scared, "No... No. No. No!"

Nina looked like she was on the verge of tears. It was a nightmare. Her love had lost his memories! But before she could call anyone in, Arnold gave her a quick peck on the lips. 

"Gotcha bitch." He said and smiled. 

Nina couldn't believe it! He just messed with her and now he was smiling? The tears held at bay were now freefalling from her eyes.

She. Was. Pissed. 

"You. Fcking. Bastard. You. Dare. To. Pull. A. Stunt. Like. That. On. Me!" She started yelling, hitting him as each word escaped her mouth. 

"Ow ow ow! Calm down tigress! I'm a patient, remember?"

"Patient? My ass!" 

And the beat down mercilessly continued.