Chapter Nineteen: Totem Enhancement

The consecutive system notifications pulled Ash back from the brink of death, and he was deeply relieved. The “Bloodvine Bracelet,” which had prematurely reached maturity, had once again played a pivotal role. Though he had no idea what further challenges awaited, the periodic state of terror that should have been an obstacle had now lost its effect. This meant the journey back would undoubtedly be much simpler.

Ash regained his senses in a fleeting moment and opened his eyes, immediately beholding the true form of Red Riding Hood—Red Riding Hood herself!

Yes, Red Riding Hood’s appearance was simply a red hooded cloak. Even though some invisible force propped up its shape, Ash saw nothing else; not even a phantom soul existed.

Ignoring the fear effect as well, Wine Deepens and Little Bob stepped forward, dumbfounded, and asked, “How are we supposed to deliver the cake?”

Perhaps the word “cake” triggered the game mechanism, for the red hooded cloak suddenly lost its support, dropped onto the table, and became a wearable special item.

...

[Red Riding Hood]

Type: Special Item

Function: Transformation

Description: In the nightmare of the Big Bad Wolf, Red Riding Hood became eternally “Red Riding Hood.” Wearing it allows you to temporarily transform into Red Riding Hood. However, Red Riding Hood possesses her own will and does not wish her grandmother to see her current state. Thus, once donned, you must deliver the cake to Grandma’s home walking backwards the entire way.

[Note: After using this item, you will be unable to perform any vigorous actions, including running or attacking.]

[Note: This item cannot be taken out of the assessment space.]

...

Seeing the item’s information, Ash and Wine Deepens exchanged glances, recalling the words of the gray-skinned werewolf—

“I can’t possibly make you walk back backwards, can I?”

Perhaps trapped in the nightmare for too long, the creature hadn’t gone mad but instead developed a twisted sense of humor. After putting it on, one not only lost the ability to fight but had to walk backwards the entire way home. Ash couldn’t help but wonder what the purpose of such a requirement was.

With hardly any dispute, Wine Deepens draped herself in Red Riding Hood. Her appearance did not change much, but the red hood blended visually with her wine-red cloak, creating a more dazzling blood-red hue. Wine Deepens now looked like a thorny rose—danger lurking beneath beauty.

“Does it look good?” Wine Deepens suddenly asked Ash, receiving the expected reply. Her eyes curved into a smile as she picked up the basket containing the cake and experimented with the feeling of walking backwards.

“My speed can only be maintained like this. Is that alright?”

The aftermath of the recent battle lingered, prompting Wine Deepens to unconsciously seek Ash’s opinion.

“Let’s go out and see what’s happening. If it gets tough, we’ll use matches,” Ash declared, waving his hand grandly. Then, together with Little Bob, he escorted Wine Deepens, now transformed into Red Riding Hood.

At this stage, the nightmare challenge posed no difficulty at all. Though bloodvines continued to sprout ahead and behind, trying to snatch the defenseless Wine Deepens, Ash and Little Bob, immune to the fear state, were unfazed. Compared to the deadly pressure at the start, the journey now felt as light and pleasant as a countryside outing.

Such ease resulted not only from the latter half of the nightmare challenge being tailored for the Giant Tree Research Institute, but also from the fact that, if the nightmare challenge was a test of average difficulty worth one hundred points, Ash and his companions had already completed a portion worth two hundred points. The remaining half might be a hundred and one points for the Institute, but for Ash and his friends, it was barely ten.

Thus, their progress was relaxed and cheerful.

As the destination neared, Little Bob finally emerged from his gloom, a rare smile appearing on his face. “My father was right. Compared to that nightmare, this challenge really is like a fairy tale!”

“Can I know more details?” Ash casually brushed aside a bloodvine, asking without turning his head. He had to admit, the average difficulty of this nightmare challenge far outstripped the corpse nest assault, so he was curious about what Little Bob and his team had endured.

“The rules of that nightmare challenge were that everyone played fairy tale characters and slaughtered each other. We didn’t even have the right to refrain from fighting, for none of us—not even the Gardener—could control our actions.” Little Bob quietly recounted his experience, finally able to face the nightmare.

“Our exploration team couldn’t compare to the powerful families of the Giant Tree Research Institute, so we could only recruit those we knew. Among us were brothers, couples, fathers and sons, lovers, friends, comrades... But in that nightmare, we all became enemies. Even suicide was impossible, and everyone had to mercilessly kill their loved ones, one after another. It was truly a nightmare.”

Little Bob’s story furrowed Ash’s brow. Such an ordeal truly deserved the name “nightmare.”

Fortunately, his own strength was far inferior to the Gardener’s—indeed, even less than Little Bob’s. Otherwise, they might have been wiped out here.

This only deepened Ash’s curiosity: how did that nightmare end?

“The Gardener!” Little Bob did not shy away from the name. “At the start, he too could not control his actions. But when he realized his next target was me, he began fiercely resisting the nightmare. It was my father and I who rescued him from unconsciousness.”

“Resisted?” This time, Wine Deepens was puzzled. Walking backwards, she asked, “Weren’t you all controlled? How could you resist?”

“I learned later it was the bloodvine controlling our bodies. The Gardener’s action was to utterly destroy the nightmare’s foundation. He knew his own bloodline was deadly to the bloodvine, so he dropped all defenses, allowing the bloodvine to enter his body.” Little Bob paused, adjusting his emotions, then continued, “Right before me, the Gardener seemed to become a black hole, devouring endless bloodvine and hastening the nightmare’s end.”

His account made Ash and Wine Deepens recall their encounter with the Gardener’s symbiote. When the Gardener launched his heavy punch, his right arm was covered entirely by bloodvine. Now they understood—the bloodvine fused into his body had come from that moment!

“At the time, I remember the masked man was shocked and told the Gardener he should have appeared sooner,” Little Bob reflected. “I was badly wounded and didn’t pay attention then, but after reading my father’s notes and seeing the Nightmare Pumpkin Car again, I understood. The Gardener’s bloodline could assist those fairy tale characters entering the inner city. If he had appeared earlier, their actions might not have failed, which is why the masked man said what he did.”

“Indeed.”

Ash nodded gently. The further he went, the more he felt the Gardener’s powerful presence. The Gardener’s existence was also tied to Little Bob’s hidden quest. It seemed the path ahead would inevitably lead them to clash!

In conversation, the trio arrived smoothly at their destination. Before Ash could knock, the gray-skinned werewolf, disguised as Grandma, leapt out with a sullen face. His eerie green wolf eyes swept over them as he bitterly announced the challenge’s end.

“Consider yourselves lucky—you barely escaped with your lives. Next time, there won’t be such fortune!”

[Notice: You have successfully completed the nightmare challenge. You may receive certain bonuses during game settlement.]

[Notice: You can choose two out of the following three options as your nightmare challenge rewards.]

...

“1. Character level upgraded to eight + 3,200 Foundation credits (basic option).”

“2. [Tenacious · Bloodvine Product] (mature) + [Tenacious · Bloodvine Core] (mature) (normal option).”

“3. [Totemic Inscription · Wolf Claw] (enhanced effect): Free equipment upgrade for your [Dire Wolf Gauntlets], ignoring enhancement limits, doubling base damage (rare option).”

...

“I used to rather like you, kid, but now you’re getting on my nerves. Hurry up and choose, then get lost!”

The gray-skinned werewolf’s irritable tone made Ash chuckle. Upon seeing the reward options, he immediately made his choice, disregarding credits and contribution points in favor of the bloodvine accessories, which would help most with the current assessment, and the rare totem enhancement.

This rare reward seemed tailor-made for him. The formerly drab Dire Wolf Gauntlets now sported a vivid crimson motif on the back of the hand, looking quite striking. The base damage value instantly rose to eighteen, rivaling the enhanced, charged telescopic baton, and the gauntlets’ lifespan was greatly extended.

Meanwhile, Wine Deepens and Little Bob received their own rewards. Their combat performance was slightly less impressive than Ash’s, so their rewards were reduced.

Wine Deepens, limited to one choice, also passed on credits and contribution points, opting instead for equipment enhancement to boost her survival. Her cloak-leather armor gained the “Red Riding Hood” skill, allowing her to activate a defense level plus one “Red Riding Hood,” capable of blocking up to three attacks in short succession—significantly increasing her survivability.

As for Little Bob, a game character, he received a bottle of [Basic Perception Potion], temporarily enhancing his senses. He did not conceal his gain, and also revealed a secret he had long kept from Ash and Wine Deepens.

“I’m sorry—there’s something I’ve been hiding from you all along…”