Esopp spun around, finding himself completely alone in a large, ornate cellar. There was nothing else here… What did that boy do this time? Esopp asked himself. By instinct, Esopp pulled all his items out of his dimensional pouch…

“Welcome, challenger,” a voice said and Esopp’s head snapped in the direction of the intruder. It was a hooded apparition in a black, wispy apparel that didn’t belong to this world. This had to be another monster like the Deadly Encounter.

Esopp readied himself for a fight. The apparition didn’t make a move though.

“Don’t be afraid, challenger. Inside this chamber nothing can harm you.”

“What are you?” Esopp asked while his mind went into overdrive. He didn’t know what to expect but no matter what, he knew one thing; a single mistake in a rift could be fatal. The apparition’s guarantee meant nothing and could be a trap.

“Suspicion is healthy and advised, young challenger. It is how the likes of you survive this unforgiving reality after all.” The apparition replied, also picking up on Esopp’s attitude. “But this place is different. It is the Chamber of Rewards and only a challenger and their plus one can enter here.”

A challenger and their plus one?

“Why do you keep calling me a challenger? Is this because of the Hated Foe stuff?”

The apparition twitched negligibly as it raised its head.

“Haven’t one of you beat the rift in a challenge mode at the challenger difficulty?”

Esopp didn’t answer. Instead he considered everything he knew about the challenge mode. Freeman had a program that sent ascenders into a rift in a challenge mode. Most of them had never walked out. A few returned empty-handed, broken by the difficulty of the rift. Only two people came out with rewards -- keys. Keys. Was this how this door meant to be opened? Obviously, Keynes having his cheat-of-a-Talent circumvented the correct way and they ended up here. Esopp wondered where Keynes was.

“I see,” the apparition said, no longer waiting for Esopp’s answer. “Neither of you completed a rift in a challenge mode at the challenger difficulty. You have acquired the key in another way. While it is dishonourable, it isn’t forbidden. It only begs a question, why would another challenger part way with their hard earned reward? But I’m merely a guide here, not a judge and such disputes aren’t for me to have. Step forward, ascender, you are about to get powerful.”

Esopp didn’t move from the spot. He didn’t trust the apparition. It clearly despised the fact that Esopp was here without winning the challenge. How did the boy manage to open a room like this? Shouldn’t the rifts have some security measures? What if other people in the world had a similar Talent? It would make the whole idea of completing the challenge obsolete.

Obviously, Esopp didn’t inquire about it, feeling that such a question could bring the apparition to the unwanted conclusion and there was no telling what would happen then. And if there were riches awaiting, Esopp didn’t want to squander the chance. He waited.

His patience was quickly rewarded as the apparition raised its arms and eight white pedestals appeared in a half circle behind the apparition. Above each piedestal hovered an item.

The thing didn’t lie. There was an unexplained feeling of power coming off the items.

“You may choose one item. I’ll advise you as it is my role as a guide but the final choice is yours.”

Esopp shuddered as if his body sank in cold waters. The odd sensation vanished as abruptly as it came.

“What kind of ascender kills fellow ascenders for their essence? Don’t answer,” the apparition said. “Your mere presence here is an insult to this place.”

Esopp had a sharp reply at the tip of his tongue but pressed his lips together, remaining calm. Whatever that thing thought of him was of no consequence as long as it kept its promise and let him go with an item he picked.

And yet, it still bothered him to be called out. The pre-outbreak world was a place without rifts and their abundant essence. The only source of essence had been other ascenders and the Earl family had always followed the strict rules and had taken essence from criminals sentenced to death. Esopp didn’t tell any of this to the apparition. He wasn’t going to explain himself to anyone. He swallowed his indignation, set his jaws and locked eyes on the hooded figure.

“At least you have a spine,” it said. This made Esopp wonder. What did the creature know about the rifts and the System? He debated with himself if he should ask it but then the apparition moved on to another topic, distracting Esopp.

“Freezing Touch Talent, though with a weak Minor Upgrade. An expected consequence of using a non-rift essence and having the Spirit core at the lowest possible stage.” While disdain vanished from the apparition’s voice, it remained cold and flat. “Each of these items would make a huge difference in your case.”

One of the items floated away from the pedestal at a brief gesture from the apparition.

Though Esopp was too far away to access the system screen of the item, he knew it was a skill shard. He’d gladly accept another skill. His fight with the Deadly Encounter highlighted severe issues with Esopp’s skillset. Too bad he couldn’t use his wealth to buy skills and items. He funnelled the majority of his wealth toward building Emerald City.

“[Ice Mastery],” the apparition said. “A class skill that passively improves everything ice-related. Be it a Talent or a skill. Given that your Talent has an ice affinity, the skill will substantially improve the effects of it.”

Esopp almost accepted the skill right there. But he stopped himself from opening his mouth. He lived for almost eight decades and had learned that silence brought more success than any word.

The apparition didn’t comment on the silence and instead moved on to another item. It was a twenty-centimetre long bladeless hilt.

“Winter’s Punishment. An exotic item with several powerful modifiers. Its users can create the blade out of ice and shape at will. Even making it animate. These two items are best suited for you, ascender.”

“Which one is better?” Esopp finally broke the silence.

“It depends on the situation but I’d say that both are equally good for you. However, the latter requires [Create Ice] to function correctly.”

“What about the other items?”

“They are less compatible with your skill set but you’re free to check them out and choose whatever suits you.”

Esopp did as the apparition recommended and realised his mistake. Every item in the chamber was incredibly useful and powerful. Checking on other items didn’t make his choice any easier. Actually, the opposite. Esopp found himself paralysed. He didn’t know what to do.

Focus. It isn’t like this is the end of the world. Kid may be able to open another hidden chamber in the future and we’re leaving shortly to start opening Level 4 rifts. I’ll have more items than my Spirit can handle.

The apparition patiently waited until Esopp decided. While [Ice Mastery] felt like an absolute must, he had to bolster his offensive capabilities and Winter Punishment was ideal for this. Yes, it required another spell to work, one Esopp didn’t have but [Create Ice] wasn’t on the expensive side so he’d be able to afford it.

On the other hand… [Ice Mastery]. I don’t remember a single skill like this listed on Artefact Exchange.

No. Esopp shook his head. I stand by my original choice.

“Winter’s Punishment.”

***

Keynes’s hackles raised as realised the otherworldly presence in the chamber. He took all his items out of the dimensional pouch and unfurled his spiritual aura, at the same time being ready to attack with [Chaos Aura] at the moment’s notice.

“Welcome, challenger.”

Feeling absence of Alice, made Keynes uncomfortable in the presence of the unknown danger. The apparition sensed his unease and said, “do not fear, challenger. You’re safe here.”

Keynes instantly disliked the apparition for its condescending tone, but at the same time realising he didn’t feel threatened by it. This slowly put him at ease but never enough to fully relax.

“You’re part of the rift,” Keynes said, fishing for information.

The apparition didn’t deny or confirm it so Keynes decided to ask more questions.

“Are you present in every iteration of the hidden room?”

“I am a guide. I help challengers pick the most suited rewards but you aren’t required to listen to my advice. Now. Let’s move on to the rewards, shall we?”

Keynes concurred and eight pedestals rose from the ground. Eight items floated above each pedestal.

An odd sensation fleeted through Keynes’s body but his Purifying Body buff didn’t flag anything so Keynes didn’t react. The same couldn’t be told about the apparition.

“The Second Degree Perfect State ascender.” Heard from the lips of someone else, Keynes had to admit that it was an awfully mouthful title. “Frankly, Seconds are the most powerful ascenders at Level 3 so you’re the most frequent…” it trailed off then raised its hooded head. “Lockpicking Talent. How’s this possible?”

The questions alerted Keynes but the apparition didn’t do anything.

“What do you mean?”

“This Talent category was removed from the System by outside influence.”

“Maybe this outside influence reinstated it.”

“It was not, it--” the apparition shuddered. “How did you open the hidden door?”

Keynes had a bad feeling about this. He tried to think of a lie but if this thing was the part of the rift or the System, it’d know. But why should I say anything at all?

“You were going to advise me on the rewards,” Keynes reminded the apparition but the thing was not going to let go that easily.

“I was and your misdirection answers my question just fine. You have used your Talent to open the hidden door. Is that correct?”

Keynes didn’t reply.

“Your silence makes it obvious, perfect ascender, you’re a cheater. This room was born to reward those who can beat rifts in the challenge mode, not for the likes of you.”

“If that’s the case, why didn’t the System prevent me from opening the door?”

For a split second, Keynes believed the apparition would kick him out of the hidden room but when it did not, he began realising that it didn’t have such authority. It was here to guide and help but nothing else. Its anger could be the outcome of its powerlessness. It bolstered Keynes’s attitude and put him on a more confrontational path.

“Your affinity … is Error. This has to be how you circumvented the door’s security.”

Keynes had given his Talent’s affinity little thought since the ceremony. It didn’t seem to have any effect on its functionality, unless it had but Keynes hadn’t looked hard enough. Were the outbreaks the consequence of Error affinity? Would have Keynes been able to open a rift in the first place if not for this affinity? An avalanche of questions rapidly grew. How big of an impact did this affinity have on his Talent? And did it mean that Keynes could push it in a different, more esoteric, direction like other people’s minds?

“I can almost hear your thoughts, perfect state ascender. You might be the luckiest ascender in this universe if you can comprehend the extent of the boon you’re holding in your hands. And to think that the Luck category was also removed from the System only for a person like you to come into existence. I am beginning to wonder if you’ll match the ones before you. I guess I will know either way. With your Talent, you’ll cheat your way into other hidden chambers soon enough.”

So it wasn’t forbidden. That was a good sign. Keynes didn’t pay attention to the talk about the other things as he was quite overwhelmed with everything that was going on. He’d review this conversation after he got out of the rift.

“Now. Let’s get you a fitting item… Is that [Chaos Aura]? That skill cannot drop from any rift below Level 45.” The apparition’s voice grew distant and confused. “How have you obtained such a powerful skill?”

Keynes didn’t see a need to lie and actually thought telling the truth might profit him here. The amount of the information spilled by the apparition was staggering.

“From a Tier 2 hidden room in a Level 3 rift.”

The silence that descended on them was deafening. The apparition shuddered again then whispered, “This had to be the work of Error affinity. Irresponsible! To put this much power in one place. Reckless. It seems the System doesn’t learn from its mistakes.”

Keynes blinked. He didn’t expect the outburst. Especially from a being that seemed to be part of the System. Maybe I should be careful after all. I don’t like how critical the apparition is about the System. I’d have to press Alice about it.

Without a further word, the apparition gestured and two items floated closer to Keynes.

“[Shadowfall]. An active skill that hides an ascender in a shadow. Given that you seem to lean toward rogue archetype, it would be a good choice.”

“It would,” Keynes agreed. “What about the other one?”

“[Mind Mastery]. It complements the [Telekinesis] skill you have, making everything about it stronger.”

That was exactly what Keynes needed. Both skills were incredibly useful for him but what about the other items? There were another two skills out there. Keynes asked about them.

Without a word of complaint, the apparition brought the two skill shards forward. The first one was [Enhance Plant]. It was an active skill that enhanced any plant in many different ways, which depended on the mastery of the skill and the targeted plant. Despite very little combat application, Keynes had to admit that the skill looked promising and someone like Wagner or Pucci would love to put their hands on it. He’d have to tell them about it. Being able to enhance a plant in a real time sounded too damn good, almost like Bonolo’s Talent. Unfortunately, Keynes treated gardening as a hobby he was going to have in the future. When carrying a garden around would be possible. Being stuck in one place wasn’t for him.

The last skill was a bit of a wild horse. [Mind Illusion] sent a target into a trance. Illusion inside the mind was the work of a caster. At first, Keynes dismissed the applicability of this skill in the fight against the monsters but quickly his mind spun with possibilities. And there were many but one reason stood out from others.

Vivena.

She was going to go after him. If the vision required Keynes to cause yet another outbreak and he’d comply, she would hunt him down. And there was a chance that she’d not hold back and try to put him down for real. Even disregarding his feelings, Keynes didn’t want to kill her. On top of that, the vision had asked him to save her in the Capital. Keynes couldn’t tell if the vision needed her alive in the end when they were going to face the peril that would come to their world, but with her insane Talent it would be strange to not have her there.

All of this aside, [Mind Illusion] like [Telekinesis] had Will and Mind affinities and both should be enhanced by [Mind Master] when Keynes got his hand on it, which should be sooner or later.

“I’ll take [Mind Illusion].”

“Are you sure about that, Perfect State ascender? You haven’t checked the other four rewards.”

“I will be back for the rest soon.”