Isaac nodded silently.
His gaze shifted around, and he quickly realized someone was missing.
"Where is the one who was with me during the trial?" he asked.
"Inside your item," the angel replied.
She tilted her head slightly toward the pendant hanging from his neck.
Isaac touched the Soulbind Pendant.
The interior of the pendant revealed itself to his senses, and he saw Celia there, wide-eyed and looking around in confusion.
’When did you get inside?’ Isaac asked through their link.
Celia blinked before recalling they could speak telepathically as long as she was inside the pendant.
’I was suddenly brought here after the evolutionary trial ended,’ she explained.
’It’s good you’re safe,’ Isaac said. ’Stay there for a while. I’ll call you out once we leave the trial.’
’Okay!’ Celia answered brightly, calming down.
Isaac let out a breath and turned his attention back to the angel.
"Are you ready to receive your rewards?" she asked.
"Before that, can you tell me why the puppets thanked me? And what was the point of this trial? Was there even a reason for it to be shaped the way it was?"
The angel’s expression did not change. "I am not allowed to answer those questions. However, since you will be receiving the Cradle as your reward, you will have the chance to meet the Spirit Warriors of those nannies. They can give you the answers themselves."
Isaac frowned slightly. "I can meet them?"
"Normally you cannot. But the item you possess," her eyes flicked toward the Soulbind Pendant again, "is special. The lingering soul of the nannies from the Cradle will appear inside it. If all goes well, they will evolve into Spirit Warriors, and you will be able to speak with them."
Isaac nodded.
’That’s... surprising.’
’I didn’t think the pendant would have that kind of use, but I suppose the system doesn’t hand out ordinary rewards.’
The angel inclined her head slightly. "I will give you your rewards now."
"Wait," Isaac said quickly. His tone carried a hint of urgency.
Seraphina, the angel, raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Has the evolutionary trial ended?"
"Yes and no," she answered. "The tests are over, but the trial itself does not end until you accept your rewards, and return to your location."
Isaac gave a small nod. "I see."
His face grew more serious.
"How many stats do I receive for clearing the Nightmare Hell difficulty?"
"Around five hundred in each category," Seraphina said without hesitation.
Isaac raised a brow.
That was far more than he had expected.
He immediately pulled up the special shop, and to his satisfaction, it opened without restriction.
Seraphina looked on with faint amusement, her lips curving into a small smile.
She could tell what he was doing.
She made no attempt to stop him.
Using the shop at this stage was only possible for the one who had cleared the trial.
Everyone else would already have been transported out.
In a way, it was another hidden reward meant for the victor.
Isaac glanced over his current stats:
Strength: 1000 [1330]
Agility: 1000 [1460]
Spirit Power: 1000 [1523]
Mana: 1000 [10,000]
Constitution: 1000 [1000]
He exhaled slowly.
"Alright."
He knew what he had to do, but that didn’t make the decision any easier.
He was a cheapskate by heart, after all.
Gritting his teeth, he began to make purchases.
[Elixir of Undying Breath] – recovers a target instantly from even the brink of death. Cost: 8,000 stat points.
[Celestial Maiden’s Embrace] – a charm that give high resistance against Social Skills used against the wearer. Cost: 4,000 stat points.
[Contract] – a scroll capable of binding agreements between two parties, enforceable by mana. Cost: 5,000 stat points.
[Bulwark Set] – assorted defensive gear infused with runes, shields, and reinforced armor. Cost: 800 stat points.
The items manifested in his hands, one after another, and he quickly stored them in his spatial ring.
When the glow of the purchases faded, he looked back at his status.
Strength: 500
Agility: 513
Spirit Power: 500
Mana: 500
Constitution: 500
His muscles felt lighter.
It had been a long time since he had felt this vulnerable, but he reminded himself that this was a safe space.
His stats (Strength, Agility, and Spirit Power) would reach the peak once he receives his evolutionary trial reward.
As for other stats, once outside, he could harvest his crops again, and in a single sweep, he would restore his mana and constitution to their peaks.
Still, it made sense to pick up more defensive items while he had the chance.
’I can recover Mana and Constitution stat thanks to my harvest.’
’So...’
Isaac lowered both mana and constitution further, and bought more defense items.
He could use these items as gift for people who would join under him as his Subjects.
Strength: 500
Agility: 500
Spirit Power: 500
Mana: 10
Constitution: 10
He left strength, agility, and spirit power untouched since those couldn’t be restored with his harvest method.
But another thought crossed his mind, one that made him pause.
’Emily is going to reach Apex-rank species soon. Then there’s Celia...’
’Once I share their stats, I will be able to return to peak stats instantly.’
’Should I buy more items? It’s not like I’ll get this kind of opportunity again.’
Isaac had made up his mind about Celia already.
He could see how much affection she held for him, and no man would be able to refuse a girl like her who loved him wholeheartedly.
’Refusing her would just make both of us miserable inside.’
But for now, he forced himself to focus.
’These items are useful. Especially the defensive ones. If I’m going to be a Lord, I need things that will protect my people as well.’
With that, he grits his teeth again and went on another shopping spree.
He bought over twenty more items.
He looked over all the items he had purchased.
[Barrier of Aegis] – a deployable shield that could protect an area the size of a village.
[Mantle of Ironwill] – a cloak that resists mind attacks and strengthens resolve.
[Guardian’s Armlet] – enhances durability and reduces incoming physical damage.
[Rune Wardstone] – creates a defensive perimeter once placed in the ground.
[Phoenix Feather Charm] – can regenerate a lost limb one time.
[Sealed Cry of Sanctuary] – a talisman that forces weaker enemies away.
[Brace of Stability] – prevents critical injuries from escalating for a limited time.
[Helm of Echoing Guard] – grants resistance against sound-based abilities.
[Armor of Emberhide] – reduces damage from fire-based attacks.
[Frostbound Greaves] – protects against ice and slow effects.
[Soulguard Sigil] – keeps a person’s soul from being tampered with after death.
[Twilight Buckler] – small shield capable of deflecting elemental projectiles.
[Stoneheart Ring] – grants resistance against earth-based spells.
[Tempest Veil] – reduces damage from wind-based attacks.
[Obsidian Chain] – can restrain a target physically and spiritually.
[Warding Sphere] – creates a temporary dome against curses and hexes.
[Silverleaf Charm] – a protective item against poisons.
[Drakehide Vest] – durable armor resistant against piercing weapons.
[Mirror of Silence] – reflects one social skill back at the caster.
[Bastion Core] – an anchor device that strengthens all defenses in a radius.
When it was over, his stats had plummeted.
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Spirit Power: 10
Mana: 10
Constitution: 10
If Alice had been present, she would have sighed heavily at his choices.
She often accused him of being stingy, but she knew the truth.
When Isaac finally started spending, he had no restraint.
He threw everything into it without hesitation. He was one person who should never be allowed to shop.
Of course, Isaac himself wasn’t fully aware of this habit.
To him, it was simply preparation.
He stored the last of the items in his ring and turned toward Seraphina once more.
"I’m ready to receive my rewards," he said.
The angel didn’t respond immediately.
She was staring at him with an indescribable expression.
Frowning, he checked her status silently.