Soon, the Fruit had consumed its entire flesh and now had started to feed on the bones.

While it was doing that, I looked around the room.

Many weapons, swords, spears, bows, but they were all surrounded by a black aura. It was a sign that they were cursed.

Primarily among them, one of the rings piqued my interest. I could not use appraisal on living beings outside the dungeon, but I certainly could use it on non-living things, like this ring over here.

“Appraisal”

[A Cursed Ring]

Created by a mad dwarf, it bears malice towards the living, wore by the ancient elf king, If a person with the blessing of the gods wears it, they would be able to bear the curse and use the power of the ring, but if any other being wears it, they will get consumed by the curse.

Once a person wears the ring, the ring will not come off until the wearer dies and will never leave the wearer’s side.

That’s seems really interesting. Should I try it? But what about the curse? Who really cares about the curse, when the ring looks so cool?

I wore it

.

.

Nothing happened.

Wasn’t I supposed to get consumed by some curse?

The Fruit now had finished consuming the bones.

After feeding itself, it again shrank itself and went inside my forehead.

.

.

Again, nothing happened

My body was still the same, the mana pool was still the same, nothing had changed

Why did nothing happen? Was the amount of the flesh not enough? Or is it merely using my spiritual sea as a resting place while not even providing me with anything?

It would have been easier if appraisal worked on the Fruit but, the Fruit was considered as a living being by the system.

It was time to leave the room. I did not take the weapons as I had no use for them, and also, I had given my spatial ring to crimson, so there was also no way to carry it.

I still wondered who the one that made this room was? And why was there a coffin of such a person in this place?

I left the room, got out of the hole, and repaired it.

I left the palace, and went to the city, the city was filled with high elves, it wasn’t really that hard for me a kill a random high elf and take him to some back ally.

I took out the Fruit, but this time it did not feed upon it

But why, though? How is this corpse different than the previous? Both are dead, maybe it was the amount of power they had when they were alive.

I could not figure it out, so I left it for now.

I returned to my room and started to think about what I wanted to ask for.

The day had arrived,

The king sat on his throne; I was in front of him standing.

“Now, ask, what is it that you want? I even gave you a day to think about it?”

“Yes, I thought about it, and I finally found out what I desired”

“So, what is it?”

“It’s not much, but it’s something only you can give.”

“Just say it already.”

“Nothing much, I need the jewel that is engraved in your crown.”

“You need the jewel?”

“Yes”

“Do you realize what you are asking for?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You are going to take the jewel rather than my life or the kingdom.”

“Of course, one of the most precious and powerful divine gemstones gifted by the gods and yet they used it to make a crown, I am sure I would use it to make more important things.”

“This gem was gifted to us high elves by the gods, many generations ago, only the king gets to wear this gem, and is also considered to be the pride of the elves, do you know what it means if you ask for it? You are declaring war with the entire kingdom of elves.”

“Of course, I know about that.”

“Even if I give it to you, you think the elders would just let you walk out of here with the gem.”

“My, but did not you promise me you would give me anything I want? Well, you could change your mind if you wish to, Afterall it’s just a word you gave me, you can tell me it was all just a lie, just to buy a bit more time, you can tell me the king of the prideful high elves is a liar, you have lied before haven’t you? So, it should be fine to lie just once more and prove to me you have never kept your promises.”

“Enough, your taunting is not going to change anything, you have no idea how far I have gone to fulfill those silly promises, I am going to keep my promise and give the gemstone to you.”

“I appreciate it.”

“But, I won’t guaranty it will remain in your hands, I won't try to take it from you as long as you are inside this kingdom, but remember, the moment you step a foot outside, you will be facing the entire elvish kingdom and me in front of them leading them. Are you still confident you would be able to escape?”

“Of course,”

“I can feel you are strong, but I am stronger, you should know that”

“Of course,”

The king stood up from his throne, slowly came towards me, took out the crown he was wearing, and gave it to me.

For a king of a prideful race like high elves to give me his throne just to keep his word, I was moved by that.

I did not pretend like I understood what he must have felt, with no more words spoken, I simply turned back and left