Chapter Sixty-Three: The Spark Knight

Blossom Wine Elder:
Profession: Pharmacist and Winemaker
Introduction: Once an outstanding pharmacist of the Tower of Medicine, the Blossom Wine Elder fell into despair after contracting the Blossom Sickness, abandoning himself to a life of excess and devoting his days to concocting various elixirs of pleasure. Ultimately, his addiction to fine wine led him to leave the Tower. He has since wandered these lands, brewing wine in a perpetual haze. From time to time, traveling merchants come to trade food for his liquor.
Status: Drunk
Level: 8
Attribute: Blossom
Strength: 14
Agility: 16
Inspiration: 30
Spirit: 18

Would an eighth-level character really be so afraid of a sixth-level one?

Chen Qi was momentarily stunned. In the game, NPCs shouldn’t be able to see player levels, but it seemed they could gauge a person’s strength through spiritual perception, aura, or clothing. His Nightwalker’s Garment concealed part of his presence, making it difficult to assess his true power.

Was this man simply too timid? Or was it the blade in his hand that was intimidating?

The Blossom Wine Elder cowered in the corner, trembling uncontrollably, fear gradually sobering his senses. When he caught sight of the herbalist’s emblem on Chen Qi’s chest, he began to calm down. Upon noticing the long blade in Chen Qi’s hand, the Blossom Wine Elder hastily explained that his earlier words were mere nonsense. His nose was especially keen, and he seemed to catch the scent of a Night Watchman or a Prisoner of Provisions from Chen Qi, which had prompted his dreamlike taunt.

Chen Qi plunged his blade into the earth, indicating that he had indeed once been a Night Watchman.

The Blossom Wine Elder shuddered—what a curious thing, a Night Watchman turned herbalist! Seeing that Chen Qi harbored no murderous intent, he timidly inquired as to his purpose here.

Please make your choice:

1. Say nothing.
2. Say you’ve come to deliver medicine.

Both tasks were herbalist missions; there was no need for concealment. Chen Qi chose the second option.

You hand over the heated potion from within your clothing.

Upon seeing the potion, the Blossom Wine Elder fell into contemplation.

“Is winter already upon us? Thank the Tower of Medicine for remembering me. I won’t let them down,” he said after a long pause, his voice quivering as he carefully accepted the elixir and apologized once more.

From his slightly petrified neck, the Blossom Wine Elder plucked a petal intimately linked to his life force—a token to prove you’d completed your task.

You have obtained a petal for quest completion.

The Morning Star hovered at the Blossom Wine Elder’s waist—a vibrant bottle of wine.

Was this wine truly so precious?

Exploration with the Morning Star was useful, but it did present a minor problem: whatever it found might already have an owner.

It seemed like a fine item. Could it be purchased? Chen Qi kept reading.

According to the text, traveling merchants could trade food for the old man’s wine, suggesting that money did not matter much to him.

Noticing Chen Qi’s gaze, the Blossom Wine Elder’s eyes began to glitter.

“Ah, Herbalist, I can see it in your eyes—that curiosity and probing! Clearly, you know quality when you see it, unlike those old crones of the Tower of Medicine who simply cannot appreciate the wonders of wine! But you—yes, you understand me! Those old biddies claim my meticulously crafted wine isn’t even half as good as a bottle of healing potion, that my skills are ruined! But I am not decadent; I am searching for a way for the soul to ascend through delight and ecstasy! The wine at my waist is my masterpiece—the true drink of joy! Even the legendary Gluttonous Blossom, famed for its love of delicacies, and the monstrous nobles of the Lightless Lands, would bow to the bouquet of flavors in this wine!”

The old man’s words poured out in a torrent; after so long without visitors, he could not help but enthusiastically introduce his craft.

It sounded excellent—if the Morning Star had pointed to it, this wine was surely superior to any cheap spirit. Chen Qi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Seeing the approval and curiosity in Chen Qi’s gaze, the Blossom Wine Elder made a proposal: if Chen Qi would help him with a small problem, he would be willing to trade.

Two days prior, a Corpse Burner had barged into his home—stealing wine, smashing the place, and finally transforming into a terrifying monster beneath his floor.

At the mention of the creature, the Blossom Wine Elder’s hand shook so violently he snatched up a bottle and downed it in one gulp. The fiery liquor emboldened him, and he began cursing the monster.

“Corpse Burners are all rude maniacs!” he slurred. “You, who recognize my treasure—if you can rid me of that damned monster, this precious wine is yours!”

Please make your choice: accept the quest or not.

A monster? What level?

At this point, the reward was tempting, but digesting the Blood-Edged Fruit and the Infernal Ember was equally important. His hands itched for battle. Besides, he needed to descend to the lowest level of the Blossom Wine Tavern to harvest the Dancing Blossom.

He accepted.

I’m interested in that wine—and the Dancing Blossom underground.

Without further delay, he opened the hatch to the lowest level and descended.

His Black Rain Boots pressed into damp earth, while blossoms gleamed upon the wet rock walls, casting a faint reddish glow. Nearby, he saw a wall of orange-red flowers.

Wait—the wall wasn’t right…

What’s wrong?

As Chen Qi pondered, a line of crimson text appeared:

From within the wall of blossoms, a spark flickered to life.

A terrifying monster had taken notice of you! Its body gradually tore itself free from the stone wall.

The Spark Knight, parasitized by the Grinning Blossom, challenges you! A twisted smile split its face. Flames of blossom erupted from its form; it awaited your draw!

I can check its stats!

Chen Qi clicked on “Monster.”

Corpse of the Spark Knight, parasitized by the Grinning Blossom
Level: 10 (physical functions severely damaged)
Profession: Corpse Burner
Attribute: Blossom Blade
Status: Parasitized and deceased
Health: 35/60
Strength: 31
Agility: 25
Inspiration: 30
Spirit: 8/30
Introduction: In life, he was an outstanding Corpse Burner, famed for bringing peace to the dead. He became obsessed with the ecstasy of battle and was known as the Spark Knight. Near death, he arrived at the Blossom Wine Tavern—no one knows if he sought a final cup of wine or wished to be parasitized by the Grinning Blossom, so that he might continue to savor battle in death.

A level ten monster!

A wave of oppressive force struck. Chen Qi gritted his teeth; he’d defeated the Shadow of the Flesh before, but only by targeting its heartstone. This monster, from the description, would be no easy foe. The one advantage: its health and spirit were not full, likely due to being a corpse.

Before the intimidating enemy, Chen Qi could feel the Blood-Edged Fruit stirring within him.

Please make your choice:

1. Fight.
2. Flee.

Fight.

The enemy’s health and spirit were not full; this battle was worth attempting.

Under the Grinning Blossom’s control, the Spark Knight grinned, hand resting on his long-blade’s hilt, awaiting Chen Qi’s attack.

At the moment of digestion’s climax, the Blood-Edged Fruit surged with restlessness.

Chen Qi took a deep breath. In a flash, the Shadow Soul appeared before him, and he took its drawn blade.

As the blade was drawn, the Spark Knight charged.

Blades flashed in the darkness! With exquisite swordsmanship, Chen Qi exchanged blows with his foe multiple times.

“Not enough!” the Spark Knight taunted. Retreating, he suddenly burst forward in a flash of fire, unleashing a vicious vertical slash.

Chen Qi parried the strike with his blade.

Had he blocked it?

But the next line startled him—

“Funeral Flame!”

The Spark Knight’s smile grew ghastly; searing flames erupted along his iron blade. Fire traced the patterns of Chen Qi’s blade, leaping to his face.

You are burned by searing flames! Lose 5 health—current health: 27/32—and you are now burned!

A line of orange-red fire flashed.

Please treat your burns promptly, or you will continue to lose health.

He was burned. The ability was flame-based—the Nightwalker’s Garment, reliant on darkness, would not work.

Unless… he created darkness.

Chen Qi quickly opened the skills panel.

Domain of Black Fire!

Black patterns erupted from the Debt Collector’s blade!

He retreated; in an instant, icy black fire engulfed the battlefield.

The frigid flames covered him, inflicting 1 point of laceration damage, but the cold instantly snuffed out the fire burning him.

Burn status removed.

Excellent!

Within the Domain of Black Fire, he had a considerable advantage. After fighting the Shadow of the Flesh, Chen Qi understood that Black Fire, as an indiscriminate attack, was most useful for disrupting an opponent’s combat abilities. With the resistance granted by the Blade of Fire and the guidance of the Morning Star, he would have the upper hand.

The black flames roared, swiftly swallowing both their vision.

In the darkness, he could hear the Spark Knight’s erratic footsteps.

With the Morning Star’s guidance, he would not lose track of his target.

According to the game’s lore, the Spark Knight was parasitized by the Grinning Blossom—so rather than attacking the heart or brain, perhaps targeting the flower itself was best.

Morning Star, lock onto the Grinning Blossom.

The Morning Star flew from his palm, alighting on the enemy’s shoulder.

Within his vision, the Spark Knight had not left the domain, but was attacking, drawn by sound.

“It is time for the dead to return to dust.”

He swung his blade, sending a ferocious slash toward the place indicated by the Morning Star!

He severed petals from the Grinning Blossom on the shoulder—

No, it wasn’t dead yet! Chen Qi’s heart jumped.

The closer to death, the more terrifying its struggle.

The Spark Knight let out a chilling, maniacal laugh—his entire body began to writhe.

“Hahahahaha!” In the final instant, the Spark Knight’s blade blazed with searing fire, overwhelming the black flames and preventing the killing blow to the Grinning Blossom.

“Self-immolation!”

The orange-red blossoms on his body ignited; even his lifeless heart radiated furnace-like heat.

Waves of searing flame surged from his blade, gradually overpowering Chen Qi’s black fire domain.

You are burned by the flames! Lose 8 health and are now burned!

Gritting his teeth, muscles taut, Chen Qi pressed his attack, driving his blade downward.

A test of strength now…

He held no clear advantage in sheer power.

From the text, the two combatants were locked in stalemate.

It was time to use the Shadow Fox or Shadow Soul to break the deadlock.

But before Chen Qi could act, new text appeared:

You bite your lip; blood blooms at the corner of your mouth.

In an instant, blood-red lines flowed along your right arm, tracing the crimson blade-stone, forming a complex, complete pattern.

You sense your body has fully digested the Blood-Edged Fruit.

You are on the verge of a special state!

A fiercer fire flashed in your eyes. Enduring the burns, you gripped the blade with both hands and brought it crashing down.

Slash! An overwhelming impulse surged through you, muscles bulging.

The black flame cleaved through the knight’s shoulder, severing both the Grinning Blossom and the Spark Knight’s arm in one stroke.

Putrid green blood spattered.

You have slain the Grinning Blossom; the Spark Knight staggered, then collapsed into the earth.

Clutching your blade, feeling its searing heat, you know you have fully digested the Blood-Edged Fruit.