I told myself: Man, why didn't I go to Qohor?
And you – you damn system – told me to go to Qarth. And now I find magic books in this forgotten temple? Are you kidding me?!
Is magic always kept in temples? Can it even be learned?
I asked the system mockingly, "Are temples magical now?"
[Yes, but usually in the form of wall runes or books.
Some of it requires sacrifice to learn, some through study.]
I sighed heavily, pretending I understood—though I understood nothing.
"Great... So it's either I kill something or I study. Like choosing between a crime and an exam.
Why doesn't some mysterious wizard show up and teach me everything? Long beard, raspy voice, 'You are the chosen one,' holding a book glowing with doom and destruction. Isn't that how it's supposed to go?"
[There is no such thing, host.]
"What do you mean? One showed up days ago!"
[Yes. And now he's dead. He was a drunk loser, not the wise mage you're dreaming of.]
I returned to my body and slept. Night fell. I stepped out of the tent. The braided man—my right hand now—was waiting. We discussed the plan: how we'd assault the Temple of Karaja. Soon, the outlaws gathered around me. Perhaps they were expecting a speech.
I wiped my face, breathed deeply, then said:
"Look at me... I'm not a prophet. Not some divine leader. I'm just a man who fell from the top. And instead of dying... I opened my eyes and found myself among you."
Silence.
I continued, "We're going to burn the temple... no—rob it... no, we'll do both!"
Silence again. I waited for cheers, applause... or at least a pissed-off spit. Nothing. I regretted not letting that idiot who yelled "Let's burn Qohor!" write this speech.
Then someone from the back shouted, "So... we're robbing it? Or burning it?"
Another chimed in, "Why not rob everything then burn it?"
I sighed. "We'll burn them first... then burn them... and if we're still alive—we eat."
Some laughed. Others just nodded. Not sure if that was approval or despair.
One of them, skinny like he hadn't seen food in a century, asked, "And what if the temple has real gods?"
I smiled like a lunatic. "We'll kill them too... or negotiate. Depends on the mood."
Laughter. They didn't understand the plan—there barely was one—but they believed in something more important: the loud lie I shouted like truth.
I raised my hand. They began to prepare for battle. I yelled:
"Grab knives, clubs, bows, and even spoons if you have to. Anything that kills—or at least threatens! And don't forget the horse shit!"
They moved like sheep with no idea where they were going. Then I remembered—weren't there three barrels of oil?
I asked the system, "Where's the oil? We had three barrels, right?"
[Used for the campfires. One was stolen.]
"Great... thieves robbing thieves!"
I yelled, "Who stole the oil barrel?! Return it or I'll toss you down the new well!"
Silence... then one of them raised his hand timidly. "I... I sold it. We needed wine."
I snapped, "To who?! One of the horses you've been screwing?!"
The outlaws burst into laughter. The thief turned redder than a baboon's ass. "No, sir! I sold it to a man from a caravan that passed by."
I looked at the braided man. He nodded.
I exhaled. "Fine. But next time, at least get us wine that doesn't taste like donkey piss."
Then I turned to the braided man and asked, "Why didn't you tell me caravans pass through here?"
He said calmly, "I thought you knew. Didn't want to disrupt your grand plans to burn the world."
I shook my head. "My grand plans rely on oil barrels... sharp knives... and idiots who don't sell our supplies for booze."
He asked, "So... we change the plan?"
I said, "No."
---
We marched toward the Temple of Karaja like a school trip. Except no food. And everyone carried a murder tool that wouldn't even peel an apple.
I thought about what Karga would do if we lost... and shivered.
When I saw the temple, I signaled to the braided man. He began organizing the teams:
The dumb ones attack from the front.
The dumber ones flank from the sides.
The dumbest wait for someone to open the door.
I told him, "If we survive this, we're writing a book: How to Lose a Battle with Absolute Confidence."
He nodded. Didn't laugh. Probably lost his sense of humor.
I asked the system, "Is there anything useful in the temple? Magic? Treasure? Sign of life?"
[Chance of magical scrolls: 0%.
Chance of ambush: 89%.
Chance of your survival if you enter first: 0%.]
"Okay... send the dumb ones first."
The assault began.
They screamed like demons boiling in a cauldron, charging the gate like it held gold, women, or wine—or all three.
I heard screams, clashes, and someone yelling:
"Kill the bastards!" followed by a curse I won't repeat.
I asked the braided man, "Is that the sound of victory?"
He laughed. "No... that's the sound of chaos."
Then, through it all... the door opened.
One of the idiots shouted, "We opened it! No one's inside!"
I screamed, "Don't go in!"
But he did. And the rest followed.
So I went in too—because for some reason, I'm the leader.
The place was as quiet as a tomb. Statues stared, walls covered in runes. I noticed the glyphs... and began copying them with Library skill.
I asked, "Do you recognize these symbols?"
[Yes. Saved. To the left are spells. Blood magic or dark magic glyphs.]
I turned my head—five circles. The fifth was half-erased.
[Spells recorded.]
I asked, "Why was Karga guarding this place?"
[He may have intended to use this magic.]
"But it's incomplete!"
[Four dark magic circles. The fifth, in the center, complete. Ritual of sacrifice. The missing half... part of the ritual.]
I stared at it and thought... "How do I activate it?"
[Requires four sacrifices.]
I looked at Karga's dying men. Ordered them brought in.
Then told the outlaws to leave once the looting was done. I'd burn the place.
Placed four corpses in the circles. Stepped into the fifth.
Blood seeped through the runes, completing the missing part.
I stood and said:
"For anyone not interested in turning into ash or a three-headed rat... I suggest you leave now."
They fled.
I stood in the circle. Blood shimmered beneath me. The runes glowed brighter and brighter.
[Ritual begun. Do not move.]
"Great. I won't move... like I have a choice."
[Black Blood Ritual activated.]
Then... pain. No—not pain. Like someone reshaping my body with an axe from the inside.
Heat rose. Air thickened. Light vanished. Only me... the circles... and blood.
Then the voice:
"Who awakens the blood?"
I swallowed. "I'm... just a fool trying to look strong."
Silence...
Then a dry voice:
"Admitting foolishness... rare wisdom."
A cracked laugh, then:
"You gave blood... take the gift."
Power surged through me. I saw burning cities, dying men rising again, and myself... standing in the ruin, with purple eyes.
Then it ended.
I stood in the circle. Blood dried. The runes dimmed. Silence.
The system said:
[Congratulations. New skill unlocked: 'Curse of the Black Blood.']
I said, "Curse? Why not a blessing?"
[Same thing, host. The curse strengthens your body and extends your lifespan.]
I exited the temple. Ordered the corpses, treasures, and anything useful packed into the Black Box.
Then commanded:
"Burn it all."
The idiots obeyed... gleefully.