Chapter 16: Sanctity of Death
Jae-sung emerged from the depths of unconsciousness, his head pounding as if a hammer were striking it. Slowly, he raised himself from the ground, his eyes struggling to adjust to the dim light of his surroundings. Memories of the substance he had consumed flooded his mind, its effects still echoing through his being. He recalled with a shudder the lectures he had attended, the warnings he had heard. But it was too late now, the die was cast.
Pixie dust, also known as "pixium," is a highly sought-after psychotropic substance that has gained popularity in recent years among certain fantasy-based subcultures. The chemical composition of pixium is highly complex, composed of various alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes that are derived from a variety of exotic plants found in the mystical realm and grinding up pixie wings.
The primary active ingredient of pixium is a compound known as "pixieal," which acts as a powerful serotonin and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. This results in a significant increase in the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to euphoria, heightened perceptions, and increased sociability.
In addition to pixieal, pixium contains a host of other psychoactive compounds that contribute to its unique effects. For example, it is rich in "fairyflavonoids," which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as "elfinol," a terpene that is known for its sedative and anxiolytic effects.
To quell the tumultuous upheaval in his mind and body wrought by the accursed hangover, he sought a remedy - honey harvested from the prodigious bees. The relentless pounding in his head gradually subsided, and he was left with a semblance of clarity.
Memories of the snow-capped wastes that he had traversed in ages past came unbidden to his mind, but he could not bear the thought of returning to that desolate realm of ice and solitude. No, he needed something different, something fresh to sate his restless soul. With faltering steps, he trudges along to a new dungeon, his head hung low and his spirit heavy.
"You have entered the Catacombs"
Upon entering the dreary dungeon, Jae-sung was greeted by a labyrinth of tombs and catacombs, each lined with the bony remains of the long-dead. The very air seemed to carry with it the weight of centuries, heavy with the musty scent of rotting flesh and the eerie echoes of forgotten prayers.
As he ventured deeper into the crypt, Jae-sung's steps were met with the crunching of brittle bones beneath his feet, that seemed to mock his every move. The walls of the tombs were adorned with intricate carvings and inscriptions, telling the tales of kings and queens long since forgotten.
He proceeds cautiously, when suddenly a horde of skeletons emerge from the shadows. The skeletons, long forgotten and abandoned. Each one was armed with rusted blades, their empty eye sockets seeming to stare into his very soul. Some held shields, now nothing more than rotted wood and molding metal, while others clutched at the hilts of swords, their bony fingers gripping tightly.
The armor they once wore now nothing more than tattered shreds, hanging off their bones like cobwebs. Their jaws hung open, as if caught mid-scream in eternal agony. It was a sight both grotesque and haunting, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
With a cold sweat beading on his brow, Jae-sung raised his hand and fired, piercing the skulls of three of the undead abominations. They fell to the ground with a clatter, their bony limbs still twitching in some grotesque parody of life.
But as they crumble to the ground, he realizes that some unseen force is animating them, bringing them back from the depths of death to continue their macabre dance.
With bony fist raised high and eyes aglow with malice, another horde of skeletons marched forth, their clattering bones heralding their approach. Ghouls, twisted and corrupted by dark magic, lumbered alongside them.
Jae-sung, fierce and unyielding, darted amongst the catacombs, his blade a blur as he sought out the one responsible for this unholy horde. With each swift strike, another undead monstrosity fell, its putrid remains scattered upon the ground. The thrill of battle coursing through his veins, Jae-sung pressed on, ever in pursuit of his true quarry - the twisted mage who dared to defile the sanctity of death itself.
Weekly Power Status
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