I remember Zikey saying before leaving:
"You'd better get a room at the hotel. It's safer this way. Even if something happens, you'll come back here safe and sound."
Then I just waved my hand. What for? I can handle it. But still, his advice stuck in my head, and I paid for the room, not even thinking that I would need it so soon.
...
The world was torn apart by a white-blue light. The moment Barnadat raised his face to the sky, I didn't even have time to understand what he was doing. The lightning split the fog and struck me directly.
The next moment, I inhaled sharply. I opened my eyes, sat up in bed, and for a moment, I couldn't figure out where I was. It wasn't the forest roots, the fog, or the monster's electric eyes that I saw.
Instead, I was sitting on a hard bed in a narrow hotel room. The light from a small window filtered through the translucent curtains, and the air smelled of wood and something spicy.
I lowered my head and noticed that my hands were trembling. For a second, I thought my skin might still be burned, but it was fine. However, I still had a taste of death in my mouth, and the feeling of being torn apart by lightning refused to leave.
—Damn it... Who knew it would be so strong...
The system didn't provide any advance warning. There was no indication. I didn't even have time to use a potion.
I had just managed to catch my breath and get used to the idea of being back in the hotel when a new system window appeared before my eyes.
[ Attention! ]
You have received a debuff: [The Weight of Metal].
I froze and stared at the lines:
Type: Weakening (curse, temporary debuff)
Effects:
Movement is slowed by 15% for 20 minutes (the debuff is reactivated every 3 hours).
Periodically, a heavy "rumbling" is heard in the ears, reducing the accuracy of attacks by 5%.
If the effect is prolonged (>24 hours without removal), there is a risk of fatigue accumulation: -2% to total stamina.
Feature:
The debuff cannot be removed by simple means such as potions.
To fully eliminate it, you must:
Defeat Barnadat.
Or be cleansed by a high-ranking priest in a temple (an expensive ritual).
I blinked, then chuckled in disbelief.
—Well, that's great! Not only was my character killed, but I'm also limping like a cripple.
At the same moment, I felt as if an invisible but real weight had been placed on my body. It was as if metal weights had been tied to my feet. Even getting out of bed was slightly more difficult than before.
As if in mockery, a low, rumbling sound echoed in my head. It wasn't the sound of the room or the noise of the street, but something foreign and pressing from within.
The sound vibrated in my temples, disrupting my concentration. I winced and covered my ears with my hands, but it didn't change anything.
—Seriously? And this soundtrack as a gift...
The system was clearly mocking me. Every three hours, I'll feel this slowdown. In battle, it's a death sentence.
If you wait even a second, the enemy will already stick a blade in your throat, and now your accuracy is reduced. I opened the menu, trying to see if there was anything I could do to weaken the effect. Potions? Nothing. Amulets? Nope.
And the system directly emphasized: "not possible to remove with simple means."
— Well, of course, either kill this iron freak or pay a lot of money to the priests! Great choice.
Now every exit to the location will be a problem. I can't just level up, farm mobs, and save money. I'll either have to risk my life and go after Barnadat's head, or pay a hefty sum for purification.
And I just spent almost everything on a dagger and boots. I sat back down on the edge of the bed, my fists clenched.
—Okay... I deserve it! I went where I shouldn't have.
I sighed and stared at my hand, where a dark mark appeared in a pattern similar to Captain Jack Sparrow's curse.
—But this is not the end. Barnadat... one day, I will return for you.
Despite my anger and exhaustion, a strange excitement filled my chest. I angrily clicked on the exit button.
The system flashed before my eyes, and the screen went dark. The game world disappeared, leaving me alone in the silence of my room. There was a lump in my throat, and my heart was pounding as if I had just barely escaped that damn lizard.
—Damn...
Her fingers nervously dialed a familiar number. The beeps lasted an excruciatingly long time, but finally a calm voice was heard:
— Hey hey?
— Katzu! You won't believe what just happened!
— Did you catch some bug again?
He chuckled lazily, clearly not expecting anything serious. But I cut him off abruptly.
— Not a bug! I fell for a unique monster! There, in the Misty Garden... His name was Barnadat. A metal lizard! He was... he was made of some kind of shining metal, his eyes were like lightning, and his veins glowed! Do you understand? I didn't even have time to react, he just... crushed me!
There was silence on the other end of the line. Then a strangled voice said.
—Are you serious? With such a small level, a unique one appeared next to you?...
— Yes, seriously. And by the way, he left a debuff on me. "The Weight of Metal." Every three hours now I will slow down and hear some kind of rumble. You can't just take it off! Either defeat him, or pay the priest fabulous money.
Katzu whistled.
—Ha-ah, that's some luck. I told you, unique monsters are no joke. They're wild, unpredictable, and almost always too strong for your level. You're lucky to have escaped without losing even more experience.
—Lucky?... I almost turned gray from its roar! Lucky... Yeah, very 'lucky.'
In response, he laughed softly, but without anger:
— Okay, okay, don't get angry. It's really cool. Such meetings are rare, many players dream of the chances that have befallen you.
—A dream, you say… It looks more like a nightmare to me so far.
— The creators of this game are the real crazies, seriously, why do something so invincible? It feels like their main goal is to break the player and make him cry from impotence.
At the other end of the line, Katzu chuckled softly.
—Don't you get it yet? This game is built on the premise that you have to get stronger. Every encounter is a challenge. Every enemy, even if it seems impossible, is a step up. It's not enough to have just a sword or armor; you have to find stronger and stronger weapons, combine your skills, and push yourself to the limit.
—You know, your "steps" are a lot like getting hit in the head with a crowbar.
—Now, listen carefully, Barnadat is not just a unique monster. Many consider him to be something more. Among dwarves and blacksmiths, there are legends that he is almost a deity. His body is made of metal, but a metal that no one can recognize, not even the most skilled craftsmen. And those blue veins... they are said to represent the very breath of the forge.
— A 'Deity'?
—Yes! In the dwarven myths, he is the patron of those who strive for strength and craftsmanship. If he leaves a mark on a player, it means that he recognizes their potential, a sign of their chosenness. But don't get too excited. The mark is both an honor and a curse.
—So... I'm now on his list of favorites?
—Sort of, but remember, sister, if he finds you again and kills you, the debuff will intensify. And it won't be an easy walk with a minus fifteen speed, but a real hassle! Playing will become difficult! You might even regret that you ever came across it.
I exhaled noisily, and my chest ached unpleasantly.
—Great! So I have a choice: either get stronger or hope he forgets about me.
—Ha! Barnadat doesn't forget! He always keeps an eye on those he's marked. So you better get ready. You'll have to face him again, the only question is when.
I closed my eyes and rested my head on the pillow. My brother's words sounded like a death sentence, but deep down, I felt a strange mix of fear and curiosity.