Chapter 3 - The Bone Pit
The Bone Pit was where Iron Lotus threw failed spirit beasts, broken weapons, and disciples who died without anyone important enough to claim the bodies.
Going there willingly was stupid.
I had eighteen minutes left.
So naturally I went.
The red line ended at a rusted gate below the sect's western wall. The smell hit first—wet stone, old blood, burned herbs.
Then something moved below.
I climbed down.
Bones covered the floor.
At the center lay a black-scaled serpent with a spear through its body.
Still alive.
Barely.
The system flashed.
[RARE FATE EVENT]
[Black Vein Serpent is destined to die in 11 minutes.]
[Possible defiance: save it.]
[Reward: Unknown]
[Risk: Extreme]
"You want me to save that?"
The serpent opened one golden eye.
It was longer than a carriage.
I had no medicine.
No beast-taming skill.
No common sense left.
I approached anyway.
The spear carried an Iron Lotus seal. Pulling it free would tear the wound open.
Leaving it would kill the beast.
I activated Defiant Breath.
Pain ripped through my chest.
I grabbed the spear.
The serpent struck.
Its fangs stopped one inch from my throat.
We stared at each other.
"If you bite me," I whispered, "we both have a bad night."
Its eye narrowed.
I pulled.
The spear came free.
Black blood covered my hands.
The serpent collapsed.
The system chimed.
[FATE DEFIED]
[Reward: 25 Defiance Points]
[Black Vein Serpent has offered a Blood Contract.]
Before I could accept, footsteps sounded above the pit.
Elder Veyr's voice drifted down.
May you like
"Make sure the boy's body is still here by morning."
