Ekant hesitated for just a second.
His eyes flicked to the White Bear Key lying quietly on the ground.
Then he remembered—
' I hope It won't curse me because I'm its owner, I mean sole owner, right?'
With that reassurance, he picked up the White Bear Key with one hand.
Nothing happened.
There was not any type of ominous glow.
Obviously, there was not divine punishment because he had not committed any crime so far...
"…Its good to know," he muttered. "I am still breathing."
With his other hand, he picked up the monster core that had dropped first.
A translucent screen immediately appeared.
〈Blood Rose Monster Core〉
Classification: Flower Core
Description:
A monster core obtained by killing Blood Rose monsters.
Filled with condensed essence.
---
"At least this works the same way as other games," Ekant said, feeling oddly relieved.
He was right here as other games dropped items, equipment and weapons etc, which atleast matched here.
"I should keep this. It will probably sell for money."
Without overthinking it, he lightly tossed the monster core upward and angled his Spatial Ring beneath it.
The moment the core passed near the ring—
Whoosh....
It vanished instantly.
"…That's very convenient," he nodded approvingly.
Then his gaze shifted to the single drop of crimson liquid resting delicately on a petal.
It looked exactly like blood.
Which immediately made him uncomfortable.
"…I really do not want to touch that," Ekant admitted.
Unfortunately, logic prevailed over discomfort.
"But future value matters."
Carefully— very carefully— he picked up the drop, holding it as if it might bite him.
A new screen appeared.
〈Crimson Lotus Blood〉
Bloodline: Royal
Classification: Blood
Requirement: !?!?!?
Description:
Blood of the Crimson Lotus.
Can cure blood-related illnesses up to Royal grade.
Used in medical treatments and wound recovery.
Contains a high concentration of essence.
---
"…."
Ekant went completely silent.
This did not feel like looting a beginner monster.
This felt like robbing a high level prayer who died accidentally.
"…If I do not store this properly, it'll be wasted," he murmured.
Before he could act—
〈White Bear Key is reacting to Crimson Lotus Blood〉
"Huh?"
The White Bear Key in his other hand began to tremble.
At first, it trembled slightly.
Then immediately it trembled violently.
It felt like—
Anger.
As if its prey was right in front of it…
And it was being denied the right to devour it.
Ekant's eyelid twitched.
"…That's not ominous at all."
The reaction intensified the longer he held the blood.
Realizing what was happening, Ekant immediately closed the distance between the two.
The moment the Crimson Lotus Blood entered the key's reach—
The White Bear Key flared.
A silent pull erupted.
In just a few seconds, the crimson liquid lost its glow.
Its essence was ripped out completely.
The blood evaporated into nothingness.
Gone.
'Huh, White Bear Key wanted to absorb blood rose's essence!?'
〈Congratulations! You have discovered White Bear Key's ability: Essence Absorption〉
〈Quality of White Bear Key has increased by 1〉
A new panel replaced the old one.
〈White Bear Key〉
Rank: ?????
Classification: Key
Quality: 1 / ?
Owner: NoName
Description:
A key of unknown origin.
First discovered in the First Era – The Great Era of Beginning.
Can only be wielded by its sole owner, Player NoName.
If others attempt to touch it, they shall be cursed with death.
---
"…."
Ekant froze.
Cold sweat formed on his back.
"If I had tried to give this to another player," he said slowly, "or even an NPC…"
"They would've died instantly."
Indeed if a player or a NPC had touched it even slightly, they would have been reduced to ashes. That realization hit hard.
"…That would've made me a criminal on day one."
He exhaled deeply.
"Thankfully I tested it here," he sighed in relief.
"Otherwise, this thing would've given me a massive headache in the future."
Nearby, the last remaining petal shimmered briefly.
It turned into ash-like light—
And vanished.
No system message appeared.
"So… ordinary leaf?" Ekant muttered.
He was wrong.
But he didn't know that yet.
Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the remaining loot from the 110 Blood Roses.
He walked toward the center of the devastated area.
The ground there felt slightly warm.
As always, he picked up the largest drop first.
〈Massive Blood Rose Monster Core〉
Classification: Massive Core
Description:
A massive monster core obtained by killing 100 monsters of the same species in one attack.
Contains an enormous amount of essence.
---
"…That explains it."
Ekant carefully stored the massive core inside his Spatial Ring, almost respectfully this time.
Then he picked up the next item.
〈Blood Rose Petal〉
Classification: Material
Description:
A rare alchemical material used in potions and rituals.
---
"This one's normal," Ekant nodded.
"Well… relatively normal."
"I won't complain. I've already gotten enough resources at the beginning."
He paused.
"…Still, not having a weapon is painful as hell."
What Ekant didn't know—
This petal alone was extremely valuable in the medical field.
It could only be obtained by killing over 100 Blood Roses in a single strike.
And Blood Roses weren't easy to find.
They weakened surrounding environments over time and attracted cursed beings.
Which was why most players avoided them.
Ekant stored the petal.
Now—
Only one item remained.
He stepped forward and picked it up.
〈Blood Rose Egg〉
Classification: Incubator Egg
Description:
An egg of the Blood Rose.
The first stage of becoming a Blood Rose.
This egg can only drop when at least 100 Blood Rose monsters are killed by a superior curse user.
The dead monsters transform into an egg to serve the curse user.
---
"…"
Ekant stared at what he was holding.
It was—
A branch.
A literal branch.
"…How," he said in a tired, bitter voice,
"is a branch an egg?"
He sighed deeply.
Regret flashed across his face for exactly half a second.
Then logic won.
"Well, a drop is a drop."
Without hesitation, he threw it into his Spatial Ring.
Looting high-level monsters was already impossibly rare.
Complaining was pointless.
As he straightened up, a thought finally crossed his mind.
"…Wait."
His brows knitted together.
"The system never mentioned the Blood Roses' level or realm."
The forest remained silent.
As if it was deliberately avoiding answering him.