Shortly after leaving Oliver’s home, Val felt his Arcane Medallion heating up.
He looked down and saw a message flashing across its surface.
[You’ve received a new message. If you wish to view it, please channel your soul power into your Arcane Medallion.]
He did as instructed, pouring a thread of soul power into the medallion. The message stored inside of it was instantly transmitted to him.
[Congratulations, young Destiny Walker. You have been awarded 6000 Arcane Points for your contribution to the Arcane Library.]
Val was over the moon after reading the message. The hefty sum of Arcane Points he’d just earned from a single submission was beyond his wildest expectations.
One of the most useful aspects of the Arcane Library was the ability to shop for information using Arcane Points. Sure, Val could acquire the information he needed from the Treasure Pavilion in the lower city, but that would involve a lot of manual work like searching for the person selling the information he needed. However, the Arcane Library offered an instant solution.
As he strolled down the street, Val decided to browse the Arcane Library. His medallion projected a screen featuring a list of options:
[Things to look out for in Shadow Valley – 100 Arcane Points]
[Shortcut to Shadow Valley – 200 Arcane Points]
[A comprehensive guide on the beasts and anomalies of the Wysmire Mountain Range and the Shadow Valley – 400 Arcane Points]
Each piece of information was rated and reviewed by the Library’s spirit, ensuring credibility.
The first piece was rated 3/5 stars. The Library’s spirit commented on it, saying, “There is a fair amount of exaggeration mixed in with the truth. The user will need to differentiate between the two.”
The second piece received a 5/5 stars rating, with the Library’s spirit saying, “This shortcut is truly exceptional, a definite time saver.”
The last piece also rated at 5/5 stars, came highly recommended by the Library’s spirit, especially for those planning to visit Shadow Valley, “An absolute must-have for adventurers planning a trip to the Shadow Valley. Detailed information on the beasts and anomalies of the valley is included. And it’s cost-effective.”
Val considered these reviews and ratings as he decided which pieces of information would be worth purchasing.
In the end, he purchased the second and third pieces of information, leading to an immediate reduction of 600 Arcane Points from his total.
Once again, the process he waa familiar with took place. Two beams of ethereal knowledge, emanating from his Arcane Medallion, pierced through his consciousness. His mind drank in this new information like a sponge under water, effortlessly assimilating everything.
Within moments, Val knew the precise location of the shortcut to Shadow Valley and possessed a comprehensive understanding of the unique creatures and anomalies that resided within its shadowy confines. He also got to know a lot about the Wysmire mountain range.
The knowledge about them was not only extensive but surprisingly precise.
Shadow Valley was nestled deep within the embrace of the Wysmire Mountain Range. A journey on foot would require an intermediate-level warrior to traverse for several days to reach it. If the shortcut was used, it would only take some hours.
But either way, the dangers of the Wysmire Mountain Range couldn’t be avoided!
The perils of the Wysmire Mountain Range bore a stark resemblance to those lurking within the Verdant Deepwood Forest.
The threats one might encounter there are as follows:
A) It was infested with elemental spirits, powerful beasts like griffins, and otherworldly races like harpies and if one was unlucky, they might even encounter a cyclops. These otherworldly races weren’t natives of Eldrich. They invaded the planet in time past when a dungeon break occurred.
B) The Wysmire Mountain Range was yet to be purged of devils. These fearsome creatures posed a considerable challenge, even for high-level bloodline users.
C) Paranormal activities also occur there. They were strange and unpredictable events that could prove highly dangerous to the unprepared. Among these, the most notable ones were the Will-O’-the-Wisps, Shadows of the Lost, and The Fog.
Moreover, exploration of the Shadow Valley was primarily recommended for level 5 bloodline users. Adventurers below that level were strongly cautioned to steer clear of the area, given its high concentration of powerful and unpredictable threats.
Val thought: The mortality rate of beginner-stage bloodline users in the mountain range is above 50%. And it is below 50% for intermediate-stage bloodline users. It is not to be treaded without proper preparation and an entire team.
‘But I am more powerful than a level 4 bloodline user and also have a bunch of powerful artifacts that can get me out of sticky situations. So I should be able to get by in the mountain range. If things were to take a turn for the worst, I can always utilize the power of the mystical shovel and make a swift exit.’
‘While transversing the mountain range isn’t a problem and well within my capabilities, the real problem is surviving the dangers of the Shadow Valley and hunting an Eldertail Snake for its scales.’
‘But my current abilities aren’t enough to accomplish such a feat.’
‘I need to improve.’
‘Eh? I am already here.’
Lost in thoughts, Val had arrived at the haunted house without knowing when.
Val’s and Eliana’s rented space was still known as an infamous haunted house to the locals. It’s because, after a discussion, they had kept the matter about it being forcefully exorcised a secret. It was done to avoid giving their homeowner a reason to increase their rent.
‘Let’s get inside.’
Val’s hand extended towards the doorknob when suddenly, the door opened from the inside, and Eliana was standing there.
She smiled as she noticed Val just standing outside.
“I thought someone I knew was outside, but I didn’t expect it to be you. Anyways, What are you waiting outside for? Come inside,” she said.
The smile she gave him was warm, but Val’s sixth sense tingled.
Immediately, he realized something was wrong!
“Huh?” Val’s eyebrows raised. “How did you know someone was at the door?”
A crack appeared in Eliana’s smile.
But in the blink of an eye, her smile returned to normal.
Although the changes happened too quickly, they failed to escape Val’s notice.
‘There’s something wrong with her. Besides, my sixth sense which remained quiet until she appeared, is intensifying. She is a danger to me,’ Val thought.
“Gut feeling,” Eliana replied calmly, acting as if she hadn’t lost her composure just then. “Anyways, why are you not coming inside? I got a big surprise waiting for you!”
Val scoffed internally, not letting his true emotions be known.
Gut feeling?
That sounded too ridiculous to be true.
It would have made more sense if she had said she had become a seer overnight and gained the ability to look into the future!
And why was she so dead set on inviting him inside the house? Was there a trap laid inside?
He stared at Eliana with a sharp gaze.
But she looked no different than the woman he remembered.
Besides, the gaze she was looking at him was full of infatuation.
This love… it couldn’t be faked.
But love… Val didn’t believe in it.
Even if it was real, it was just a tool he will use to his advantage.
”Let’s see her true face.’
Val inspected her on the spot using his special trait.
As a result, nothing happened. 𝑜𝑽𝑳xt.𝕔𝑜𝐌
No window popped up showing her statistics.
Only a cold and monotone voice rang in his mind.
[Detection failed.]
This, in itself, was an answer to his question.
There were only two reasons why ‘Detect’ wouldn’t work.
The first was that the target was at a higher level than him, and the second was that they had an item that could block the effects of such skill.
‘The Eliana I know is weak and poor. She can’t meet both of these conditions even if she sold herself into slavery or became a prostitute.’
‘This means… she is not Eliana.’
Val confirmed that although the woman in front of him looked like his woman, it wasn’t her.
But then who was she?
‘She might be a devil in disguise.’
‘But I can’t confirm whether it’s a Shadow Imposter or a Mimic Marauder.’
Why Val thought it could only be them was obvious.
Shadow Imposters were devils born out of envy. They were unique as they don’t use physical means to hunt humans, unlike other devils. They latch onto individuals with the sole intent of possessing their bodies and assuming control. Once a Shadow Imposter had claimed a host, it became nearly impossible to distinguish them from the original person, except through specific detection methods. They would try to live the life of the individual they’ve possessed. However, if they were caught, they would not hesitate to kill the person who’ve sniffed them out.
Mimic Marauders, on the other hand, were particularly feared devils known for their ability to shape-shift. These beings could mimic the physical appearance of any individual they had previously absorbed. Their transformation was not merely physical; they could replicate voices, mannerisms, and even memories. This made them incredibly difficult to detect and made them a significant threat. Their preferred method of operation was to replace individuals, living their lives while plotting sinister activities in secret, such as killing the families of the individuals they’ve possessed in their sleep and eating them too!
‘Acting like the person they became to fool the people around them… only these two devils are known for playing such stupid tricks. So I am certain she is either one of them. But I hope she isn’t a mimic marauder.’
After all, if she was a Mimic Marauder, it would mean he had lost Eliana for real, but if she was a Shadow Imposter, there was still a chance to save her!
Seeing Val just standing there, unresponsive, Eliana extended a hand to bring him inside. However, Val’s hand flew up, rudely slapping her extended hand away.
She flinched back, then looked back at him with hurt in her eyes, as she asked in a pitiful and pained voice, “What’s wrong, Val? Why did you do that?”
Despite the display of vulnerability, Val didn’t let his guard down.
‘It’s time to put on a play,’ he thought. ‘Once I know her real identity, I’ll make my move for real.’
Val stared back at her coldly, saying with a cold voice, “The Eliana I know is always dressed as a nun, but today you’re dressed so immodestly. Were you seducing a man behind my back?!”
Eliana was too shocked by his accusation.
“N-no…I wasn’t.”
In her shock, she was only able to let out a few words in protest, her voice weak and barely audible.
Hearing her reply, Val became suspicious that she wasn’t a mimic marauder. Because if she was, she would have given a different reply. After all, ever since they started living together, Eliana has always dressed casually around him. Whenever he was around, she would wear pretty clothes, doing her best to appear pleasant and lovely to him.
The only one not privy to this information would be a shadow imposter!
But Val knew he still needed to confirm his suspicion before taking decisive actions. After all, anyway could give a wrong answer when they were panicking.
Acting like he haven’t heard her weak reply, he raised his voice to an almost hysterical pitch, as he added, “No, my Eliana would never betray me!”
Then, almost as if he was having a mental breakdown, he looked at her with crazed eyes and his hands suddenly reached for her neck. She didn’t expect him to suddenly attack her, so she wasn’t able to respond to the threat in time. His hand found its way to her neck, and his fingers pressed down on her skin as he began choking her,
“You must be an imposter! Are you really Eliana?” Val screamed. His voice was harsh and aggressive, the soft and calm tone he usually used with Eliana nowhere to be found.
Eliana grabbed his hand but found the hold to be too strong and vicious. It felt impossible to break free from.
Despite the pressure on her neck, she managed to crack a smile, tears streaming down her face as she looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of terror and love. “Silly,” she choked out, “Who else can I be if not me? You’re being paranoid.”
This made her look like a victim of Stockholm syndrome. As though she was so deeply in love with her captor that she would forgive him for anything, even his worst abuses.
If this was truly the depth of Eliana’s love, then the woman before him had to be a Mimic Marauder.
But that would be the worst possible outcome.
That would mean Eliana was dead and all the time and effort Val had put into seducing and manipulating her into becoming his had gone to waste.
‘She had shown signs of being both a Shadow Imposter and a Mimic Marauder. What is she really?’