With the coins from Maney gone, Marcus felt at ease.
But the feeling didn't last long as there was still the case of Aethera's Casket.
Looking out the window from his office, the warm weather made Marcus feel like he was in a dream, about to wake up from and face the chilling winter.
Marcus folded his arms over his chest, ignoring this sensation.
Finding that item shouldn't be so difficult.
He closed his eyes and activated his Rippling World.
By the time he opened his eyes, the world had transformed into a large body of water.
Aethera's Casket… its aura is unique. Moreover…
Marcus's thoughts went back to when he first laid eyes on it. The device had torn through his gauntlet and drawn blood from him.
And according to Maney, that was the catalyst that sealed his downfall in the previous life.
Would it be any different this time even if I find it before Maney gets his hands on it?
Marcus stared down left, focusing on an almost illusory connection that extended into the distance.
For a moment, a single crimson thread flashed into existence, extending from the same arm that was cut by the casket in the previous life and stretched into the distance.
It was as if death had not severed the connection between the two of them.
Upon seeing the crimson thread, Marcus knew that he could trace the casket.
But now, he was hesitant.
What if recklessly trying to take it now would just speed up his failure?
What if he finds it and is unable to take it due to his mediocre strength?
What if…?
What if…?
Many questions ran through Marcus's head.
As much as he refuses to admit it, as much as he doesn't pay attention to it, Marcus was affected by dying.
His mental fortitude was barely holding up.
One would face and experience death once in their life.
That alone is a trauma that carries on till eternity.
And yet, he has experienced it several times…
Suddenly, a thought crossed Marcus's mind.
He had recalled something that he had pushed to the side.
"Maney said that Aethera Casket was once Father's own… Why have I never heard of this before?"
If it was something that his father owned, Marcus felt like he would know it.
After all, he had gone through his father's properties and treasuries a lot when he was younger.
"Was he trying to play a sick trick on me?"
He frowned as his mind spiraled into another mind wandering.
"Either way, I still have to get my hands on it. I still have two Redos left. Though sacrificing one to find out the truth might not be a good choice at this point…"
This choice was a strong contender for Marcus.
But then, he sighed and shook his head.
"If I fail to find out anything useful, and I die again, it wouldn't be worth it."
Marcus deactivated his Rippling World and pulled up his status screen.
…
[Name: Marcus Sirdi.]
[Age: 24.]
[Level: 2 (Mage), (Sage).]
[Race: Human.]
[Mana: 3100.]
[Titles: Lord With A Will (Lv2)]
[Pathfinder: Will 50/50. Strength 100/100. Dexterity 120/120.]
[Achievement Points: 28435.]
[Arcane Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Advanced Technological Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Body Modification Knowledge Learned (Lv1). Futuristic Technological Knowledge Locked.]
[Redo: 2.]
[Days Left: 17 months (506 days)]
…
The first thing that he noticed was the bump up in his Mana reserves.
His brows rose slightly as he tried to recall how that had happened.
But nothing came to his head.
Perhaps it happened at the time of dying. He concluded.
Moving on to the next development, the balance in his stats.
Especially his will.
He paused as he soon realized that his body felt light.
Lighter than usual.
Also, he didn't need to actively restrain his strength anymore.
"Did this also happen at the time of death? Does dying help in balancing my stats?"
As soon as he muttered these words, he began doubting them.
But Marcus couldn't conclude this as this was the first of its kind.
Nonetheless, he was very pleased with this development.
Next, came his achievement points.
Marcus almost smiled when he saw how much he had accumulated so far.
When he recalled how he achieved this digit, it saddened him a bit, but at the same time, he was happy that he went through what he went through.
The points came from his desperate work during the pandemic that was caused by the Curse of Dalmon.
When he was searching for a cure.
Marcus had read through medical information he had stored in his interface, and from there, he got many clues as to how to tackle the problem.
From taking samples from sick patients, to learning how to control his Pulse of Seeing better and using it to amplify his sight to the point of being able to observe atoms.
Though it drained him greatly, it also pleased him immensely.
After that, all Marcus did was a process of elimination.
He researched every herb that he had in store and tested them against the virus from the curse.
With whatever little progress he achieved, he received achievement points from the system.
And this went on until he finally stumbled upon the combination of herbs that could counter the virus…
Marcus's eyes quickly fell upon the Body Modification Knowledge.
This was the main reason why he brought up his status screen.
"If I want to go after that Aethera Casket, I will need to increase my strength in some type of way. However, another cultivation technique is not the answer."
Focusing on this section of his status, the thought of upgrading Body Modification Knowledge crossed his mind.
But upon seeing the cost to upgrade to level 2, Marcus hesitated.
…
[Body Modification Knowledge (Lv1) 0/10000]
…
"If after getting an upgrade, if I don't get anything good… I'll." He paused.
Marcus wanted to say that he would curse the system to death.
But wasn't it already a part of him?
Swallowing his fears, Marcus quickly allocated 10000 achievement points in it lest he change his mind.
…
[Body Modification Knowledge (Lv2): Knowledge of the body, its mysteries, and its hidden potentials. To modify oneself is to cultivate beyond limits. One can forge flesh impervious to lightning and thunder, grasp strength enough to turn mountains and seas asunder. Those who walk this path are called Pathfinders–a path with no known end.
*. Mental Path (Lv2): Cultivate the mind through meditation techniques and awaken the Pulses buried since ancient times.
*. Physical Path (Lv2): Awaken the body and call upon the Pulses that once led humanity to conquer worlds.
*Battle Arts (Physical Path, Lv2)]
…
"Yes!" He exclaimed happily. Not because he was expecting this, but rather, he received something different after spending ten thousand achievement points.
Marcus quickly began exploring the added segment.
…
[Battle Arts (Physical Path, Lv2):
*. Body Arts.
*. Weaponry Arts.
*. Movement Arts.]
…
Marcus licked his lips as he delved deeper into the details of Battle Arts.