The first screen was simple; it showcased the current core's rank and what was needed for him to rank up. Also, it indicated stores that could be unlocked while the second screen showcased some lucky draw like ones you would see in a game show; it presented items or others as per the description mentioned. Yet still, even the Lucky Draw needed more coins he had to farm.

"That damned Caretaker and his bloody games, clearly he wants me to work to the bone, and if I slip up, I'm dead," said Zef in an angry manner.

His face no longer sober; a glint of anger manifested within his golden eye. The tiny black specks on his pupils made him look even more frightening.

I'm no sheep to be fattened then slaughtered later.

He rubbed his chin slowly and thought about his options. The fact of the matter is he didn't have any choice but to accept the charade. All these screens could lead him to an early grave or prosper well. He just had to be careful and use his head.

That girl... I need to find out what she knows. I won't mention the dagger or its secrets, but I will tell her that I have the power to subdue souls here in the Shadowverse Realm, then drop the options of servitude and see what her conditions are if she accepts.

Zef thought long on the gist of the story. First, he had to convince the girl to assist him. He also thought of all the scenarios that would occur and decided to tell her that he appeared here by accident and wanted to know more about this place before heading back home. Keep his secrets to himself and the lies to a minimum, and the fewer holes for him to cover up.

He closed all the screens and tried to look stoic in front of the fire and took a deep breath, and concentrated on the image of the female elf just as the Caretaker instructed him in. A large puff of smoke suddenly appeared and condensed above the hot red flames, which quickly turned grey. Zef breathed out slowly, his eyes glowing in anticipation. The reflected flames danced within his pupils.

The apparition slowly morphed into a misty form and grew to the size of his arm. It seemed to be lying on a surface - although she was actually hovering above the flames. Her posture looked defeated, her back was towards him, and she seemed to be hugging her knees which touched her chest. Her face planted between them.

Zef pitied her but kept his face passive.

Although the girl was made out of the smoke, he could still see her small feminine figure. The outlines of her thin back had some muscle to them. Her spine was pressed against her back, indicating malnutrition which was weird as her satchel was full of food. His frown turned into a blush as his gaze moved downwards towards her bare backside. He scratched his cheek and looked back at her head, long delicate looking ears stuck out of the sides of her head like two torpedos, accompanied by short silky hair which just reached barely reached her neck.

Zef hoped that she hadn't lost her mind yet. "Hey, wake up," he said lightly. Seconds went by, and she was still silent. The long-eared girl just seemed to ignore him. Finally, he coughed and said more sternly, "Wake up!", he said more sternly. The girl moved a bit this time and moved her face from between her knees, looking at the darkness around her. Zef was able to catch her right eye, her long delicate eyelashes trying to blink off the confusion.

She kept this for a few seconds, and then it was as if a curtain just drew light into a dark room. Zef leaned his head to the side to get a better look and took in the sight of two eyes staring back at him. He sucked in a breath as they were still crimson but had life to them this time, yet they stared at him in confusion.

Zef stared back as if locked in time. The tiny elf made out of the smoke with blood-red eyes gazed at him. His eyes wandered down and caught himself as he could feel the outline of her chest and tried to look away.

Zef cursed as his face blushed rapidly. He was still a teen and lacked experience dealing with the opposite sex. His life since twelve was a life of fighting and surviving.

"Not so different from now", he sniffed bitterly as he looked at the girl with a dazed look. She was still absent-minded as her facial expressions did not change. Zef breathed deeply for several seconds and tried to focus just on her face blocking out the rest of her body.

He coughed again loudly and said, "You should cover yourself when lying like that in front of a man; otherwise, he might get the wrong impression." he pointed towards her body. That dazed look lingered a bit before she looked at his finger, then herself and finally, he could perceive recognition.

There's still hope.

Zef licked his lips as he took notice of her button nose which complemented her small yet full-looking lips. She had an oval face that was symmetrical and looked quite good against her lithe body. A tingle appeared in his core, and Zef felt desire for the first time in his new body, his heart beat a bit faster, and his body felt warmer than usual, so he clamped down on that feeling and shut his eyes, taking a deep breath

."V..vel' .vel'us' phu'"dos?", said a soft, startled voice. It was quite faint to hear, but his ears easily picked it up.

Goosebumps ran down his limbs and a deep dark carnal desire awakened in him.

Zef shut his eyes quickly before he did something stupid. He wasn't used to this sense of desire or want.

He promptly stopped all thoughts and held his breath for as long as he could, which was practically a full minute until that beastly feeling scattered. Then, finally, he sucked in a big lump of air. Oxygen entered his lungs and travelled into his bloodstream as his heart returned to its normal beat. He felt better now but could still feel that slight tingling in his core and limbs.

Did the Caretaker make a beast out of me?

Zef hoped the girl didn't see him react like a predator and slowly opened his eyes. Fortunately for him, she was sitting, but her back was towards him and her heels hiding her butt cheeks. She used her hands to cover her chest even though it's not like he had a clear view, but maybe she sensed his desire.

Was it a womanly instinct? Great... first thing she sees after dying and waking up in the midst of darkness is a skirt-wearing Herculean bare-chested acting like a dog in heat.

"Hello," Zef said in a gentle voice. There was no response, so he repeated his greeting. Finally, she looked behind her towards him. Her shoulders tensed at his words.

Zef repeated the action, followed by a slow wave, but she didn't respond.

Ok, next step, introduce yourself and ask her name

He asked her for her name. There was no reply. She still looked warily at him, especially at his antennas. Zef felt that she was intelligent and could communicate if she wanted, but her fear of him and her current situation did not assist in the ice-breaking process.

She needs to get comfortable with me. Tsk! What a troublesome task, but I need to be patient.

Zef thought and finally said," I have to leave, but will come soon. Earlier I saved you from the mist but this place is temporary and if you stay here for long, you will lose yourself and I can't help you. Think of this as only I can help you, but know that I also need your help".

He waited for a response and found none and then continued," Well until next time, then."

Then Zef disappeared.

"Nassaria...my name is Nassaria", said a voice in the Elven common language. Between her feet a hue of red suddenly pulsed from a blade with the same colour of her eyes,