CHAPTER 7: REWARDS AND PENALTIES

The «Aether Elk» stood in the clearing.

Its silver-blue fur glowing faintly in the dark forest.

Each slow step it took left behind glimmering traces of mana in the grass.

Its antlers pulsed softly like breathing constellations.

Nero crouched behind a fallen tree trunk.

He cautiously narrowed his eyes.

"There it is..."

His heart thumped quietly.

The thing looked majestic (almost too majestic to kill) but the loot data floating beside it was enough to make his gamer instincts scream do it.

He bit his lip.

"Should I just... hit it with a full-power [Fireball]? Or maybe test out that other idea?"

He stared at his «Elder Iron Staff».

His "other idea" wasn’t exactly safe.

If it failed, the explosion might wipe out him instead of the elk. And finding another «Aether Elk»? That would mean going deep into the forest where monsters over level 30 roamed.

His current level: 22.

"Yeah, no."

He sighed.

"Alright... if I’m going to do this, I’ll do it in one shot."

He took a deep breath and peeked over the log.

The «Aether Elk» was calmly chewing on grass.

Nero’s lips curled into a grin.

"That’s right. Stay still, Bambi."

He unhooked his staff and started whispering mana formulas under his breath. The moment his palm glowed, his mind flashed back to a few hours ago—Merlin sitting lazily on the counter, bra straps falling, a magic tome in one hand, and a fat mug of beer in the other.

She said—

"Aether Elk meat is the best thing in Camelot, but it’s impossible to find these days."

At the time, he’d thought of real-world elks.

And in real life, what’s the best way to kill one fast?

Lightning.

"So, how do you kill a magic one?"

Nero stroked his chin deviously.

"With magic lightning."

He looked down at himself... the robes to be specific.

The «Purple Lightning Cloak» wasn’t just for looks.

It enhanced air and fire conductivity, both essential for lightning formation.

"If I combine [Fire Attribute] and [Wind Attribute], I should technically be able to get [Lightning Attribute]. Well... one of a mid-tier level to be precise."

He nodded slowly.

"Normally impossible, but with..."

His skill icons sparked across his vision—

[Magic Touch] :: Greatly amplifies magic efficiency and elemental output.

[Fusion Ability] :: Allows combining of multiple elemental spells into compound forms.

"With these two... anything’s possible."

He switched staffs.

He’d be using the «Great Lightning Staff» after all.

The runes on the crooked brown staff shimmered as its violet mana stone rumbled.

"Alright. Let’s test the theory."

He pointed it toward the elk.

A small ball of fire flared in his right hand; a swirling orb of compressed wind in his left. The energy between them hissed as if the elements themselves protested.

"Fire for ignition... wind for acceleration..."

The air trembled. The surrounding trees bent as if a storm was building in his palms. The fireball flickered violently as the wind ball vibrated with unstable energy.

Then—

ZRRRRRMMMMM!

The two collided.

A burst of raw light illuminated the entire clearing, and a deep rumble shook the forest. The fusion spiraled into a fierce crackling sphere of blue-violet lightning.

"[Elemental Fusion: Arc Thunder Spear]!"

His cloak reacted instantly as its fabric transformed into pure energy... strong sheets of purple lightning flowing across his body like armor.

The Aether Elk’s head snapped up and its eyes glowed white as it sensed danger.

It took a cautious step back.

Too late.

Nero thrust the staff forward, and the lightning sphere compressed into a streaking spear of thunder that tore through the air with a sonic boom.

THOOM!

The impact ripped through the clearing like a storm cannon.

Light engulfed the Elk as the shockwave flattened grass and shook branches.

The ground cracked from the force.

When the blinding flash faded, the «Aether Elk» lay still.

Its huge body twitched slightly before dissolving into motes of blue light.

[You’ve defeated a level 15 «Aether Elk» WOO!]

‣ Loot acquired:

- «Aether Horn x1» (Rare)

- «Spirit Hide x1» (Rare)

- «Mana Crystal Shard x2» (Uncommon)

- «Aether Elk Meat x12» (Rare)

Level Up!

‣ Nero has reached Lv. 24!

‣ New Attribute Unlocked: [Lightning Attribute]

‣ New Skill Acquired: [Elken Might] :: Temporarily boosts strength and movement speed by 40% when HP drops below 30%.

Nero dropped to his knees, panting as his cloak flickered back to normal.

"Holy hell... that was awesome!"

He laughed as he stared at the loot.

"I can’t believe that actually worked!"

Then he froze, staring at the twelve chunks of meat lying neatly wrapped in energy light.

"Wait... how the hell am I supposed to carry all this?"

He looked at his knapsack.

It was already stuffed with tusks, crystals, herbs and many other junk.

He groaned. "Of course. Of course."

He stuffed the rare materials and crystals into his pack, then gathered the elk meat, tied it up with vines, and started dragging it along the forest path like a stubborn mule.

Every few meters he tripped or cursed.

"Ugh... why does it weigh like regret!? I swear I’m selling half of this if Merlin doesn’t appreciate it..."

By the time he reached the village, his arms ached and his back felt like a snapped wand.

–

–

–

Outside the cottage, Merlin stood waiting with a small pout and arms folded under her breasts.

She wore nothing but her black bra, panties, and held a big bottle of beer.

"You’re late..." (눈_눈)

She sounded flat and disappointed.

Nero threw the meat down dramatically.

"I GOT THE AETHER ELK MEAT!"

Merlin blinked owlishly. "You what?"

"I told you I’d get it!" he said proudly.

"I told you it was dumb!"

"Yeah, well, I’m stubborn!"

She sighed and rubbed her temple.

"You’re an idiot."

Still, she crouched down, poked the glowing meat, and her eyes widened ever so slightly.

"It’s... really it."

Nero smirked. "Told you."

Merlin stood, still pretending to be unimpressed.

"Whatever. Bring it in before it spoils."

–

–

–

Later, the smell of sizzling meat filled the cottage.

Merlin sat cross-legged at the table as she bit into the steak slowly and her eyes fluttered for half a second before she forced a scowl back on.

"This... doesn’t taste bad."

Nero’s eye twitched.

"Doesn’t taste bad? I’m sure it’s the best thing your alcoholic ass has ever tasted!"

"It’s fine, I guess..." she said, chewing. (;一_一)

"Just admit it!"

"Fine. It’s decent."

Nero slammed the table. "You’re such a phony!"

Merlin chuckled softly as she stood up.

"We’re out of grains. I should visit Barnell later."

"I can do—"

Before he could finish, she leaned down and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Thanks for the meal, Nero. ❤️"

He froze completely with eyes wide like flashlights.

By the time he realized what happened, she was already long gone.

‣ Affection +23%

‣ Hidden Event Unlocked: "Night at the Tower."

"...Wait, what?"

He sat there, dumbfounded, staring at the door she’d walked through.

Minutes later, a faint ding sounded.

‣ Would you like to Save and Exit?

[YES] [NO]

He blinked, then nodded slowly.

The world faded to white.

He found himself standing in a blank VR loading space.

[You have unsold loot. Would you like to sell the excess materials for real-world currency?]

[You currently have 10 gold]

[Conversion Rate: 1 gold = $500]

"Wait, wait, wait. WHAT—!?"

Nero couldn’t believe his eyes.

[This feature allows players to sell in-game assets for real currency. Would you like to proceed?]

"Uh—HELL YES."

The data bar filled up.

The System processed the exchange.

[Transaction Complete. Loot sold.]

[10 Gold converted to $5,000!]

[New Balance: $11,000.53]

Nero blinked again, stunned.

"So... I just got paid... for killing a glowing deer?"

There was no response from the System.

He shook his head as he laughed at himself.

"Hah, that’s so dumb. Of course it’s a lie."

Nick finally pulled off the VR headset and let out a long, shaky sigh.

His breathing was heavy.

His hair was plastered to his forehead.

When he touched the upper half of his face, his fingers came away slick with sweat.

"Jeez..."

He frowned at the air conditioner in the corner.

It was definitely on.

He blinked down at his soaked shirt to see dark patches spreading under his pits, clinging to his body.

He instantly felt disgust.

"Ugh... gross..."

He shook his head and forced out a weak laugh.

"Nero would never sweat like this..."

Stepping out of the pod, Nick looked around the room.

Nothing had changed.

Same posters, same bed, same dull blue glow from his computer monitor.

"Is it weird that I was kinda hoping a thick wad of cash would just fall into my hands outta nowhere?"

He had half a smile on his face.

The thought made him chuckle softly before he dragged his tired body to the bathroom.

Some time later, he stepped out of his room with damp hair and a cleaner face.

After a few steps, he spotted Jefferson standing near the end of the corridor.

Jeff’s expression immediately froze him in place.

It wasn’t the usual calm, friendly look he always wore when Nick’s mom was around.

No, this was different—tight jaw, furrowed brow, and eyes sharp enough to cut glass.

Nick hesitated, then awkwardly raised a hand like a student about to ask a question.

"I... uh... I was thinking of going to the store to grab some groceries. You, uh, want any—"

"No."

The word came out like a gunshot.

Nick blinked, a little off-guarded.

He gave a small nod and looked away.

"Uhm, alright..."

He walked off, pretending it didn’t sting.

–

–

–

Half an hour later, Nick stood in line at the local grocery store with a cart full of food. He’d gone a bit overboard, maybe out of stress more than hunger. A grumpy old man beside him eyed the heap of bags and boxes.

"Uhm, I’m not gonna eat all this..."

Nick quickly said with an awkward smile.

The man gave him a look of pure disbelief, grunted, and shuffled off.

"Sure you’re not, fatty..."

Nick sighed and his smile died instantly.

He stared down at the groceries and forced an exhale.

『Just ignore it.』

Then, as he went to pay, something on the screen made him pause.

"Huh?"

His bank balance... it wasn’t right.

He blinked twice.

It showed $11,000 more than he should’ve had.

"Wait, what?"

He blinked owlishly.

"Did Mom send me this by mistake?"

He scratched his head and frowned.

The system must’ve glitched or something.

Either way, he quietly pushed the cart out of the store.

But he didn’t get far.

A group of guys in matching blue and white varsity jackets blocked his path.

Nick’s heart dropped.

He recognized them immediately.

The school football team.

And standing right in front, with a smug grin and messy blond hair, was Jace Walker.

The team’s captain... and Susan’s boyfriend.

Nick froze.

"Uhm... I—I don’t want any trouble, guys..."

Jace smirked as he grabbed a milk carton from Nick’s cart and shook it lazily.

"Trouble? Relax, man. Just curious... you planning to eat all this crap yourself?"

Nick opened his mouth but didn’t get a chance to reply.

Jace popped the cap and poured the milk straight over his head.

The cold splash ran down his neck and shirt.

The others burst into laughter.

Nick clenched his fists as he trembled.

"Tch... asshole..."

He muttered under his breath.

The laughter stopped.

Jace’s smirk vanished in an instant.

He grabbed Nick by the collar and yanked him up off the ground.

"What was that?"

He went from calm bully to mad man in seconds.

"You fat little shit—talking back now?!"

Nick struggled to breathe, but Jace didn’t stop.

His face rumpled in anger.

"Fat son of a bitch, I heard you’ve been hanging around my girl. Yeah, Susan. Remember? My guy saw her coming over to your place. That true, huh?"

Nick’s lips trembled.

He could barely get the words out.

"N-, No... she didn’t... I swear..."

That only made Jace’s blood boil.

"So now you’re lying too?"

The punch came out of nowhere.

A hard blow to the stomach.

Nick gasped and folded over in pain, but the moment he hit the ground, the others joined in.

Kicks, punches, laughter. All of it.

"Stop—!"

He tried to cry out, but they kept hitting him.

A hit to the head. Another to the ribs.

Even a rusty crowbar crashed against him.

Then everything went blurry.

When the laughter finally stopped, Nick wasn’t moving.

His body lay still on the cold pavement as blood pooled beneath his arm.

One of the jocks took a step back as his face paled.

"Oh no... he’s dead. He’s fucking dead."

"What do we do?!"

"We’re gonna go to jail, man!"

All eyes turned to Jace.

Jace stood there, chest heaving, face twitching.

He slicked his hair back with a shaking hand and looked like he was about to lose it.

"Uhh... uhm..."

He looked around with panic.

Then, suddenly, he snapped his fingers.

"Quick—get him into the car. Now!"

"What?"

"Do it! Hurry!"

They hesitated for only a moment before panic took over.

Two of them grabbed Nick’s limp body, others looked around for witnesses, and soon they shoved him into the back of Jace’s black SUV.

They sped down the road.

No one said a word until they reached the forest outskirts.

There, they anxiously carried Nick’s bloodied body to the edge of a cliff.

Jace looked down and his throat tightened.

He hesitated—but not for long.

"Throw him."

The body tumbled into the darkness below.

For a long moment, no one spoke.

The forest was silent except for the sound of crickets and the faint rustle of the wind.

Jace finally exhaled and turned to his trembling teammates.

"O-, Okay. That’s... that’s the best we could’ve done. We just... we just go home, wash up, and act like this never happened. Got it?!"

No one argued. They all nodded.

Then they left.

And down below, at the bottom of that cliff, Nick’s broken body lay among the rocks.

Dead.