novelraw Chapter 68: Umbra Netherfruit Tree — Imperial-Tier
Chapter 68: Umbra Netherfruit Tree — Imperial-Tier
Each fruit was a deep violet sphere, about the size of a fist. Within their translucent surface, swirling darkness moved slowly, like a miniature abyss trapped inside glass. Even stranger, the light around each fruit seemed thinner, as if reality itself was being consumed.
[Ding! Treasure Detected.]
Ash exhaled softly as he checked the tree’s information.
[Name: Umbra Netherfruit Tree]
[Grade: Imperial-tier]
[Attribute: Dark Element]
[Fruit Name: Netherheart Fruit]
—> Effects After Consumption:
__Awakens Dark Element Affinity
__Enhances stealth, curse resistance, and shadow manipulation
__Grants temporary night vision and fear aura
__30% chance to awaken Dark-type Physique
[Warning:
Weak-willed individuals may experience hallucinations or be overwhelmed by killing intent.]
Ash stared at the notification for several seconds before raising an eyebrow. ’Imperial-tier?’
It was actually something that was on par with Leon’s bloodline rank. He wasn’t sure, but he guessed that its rank must have been something beyond 9th Rank at the very least.
Such an extremely rare natural treasure, this was basically a heaven-nurtured existence.
Old Ni approached slowly but did not cross too deeply into the area.
"It’s influencing my thoughts..." He muttered softly. "It feels like something is whispering to draw closer."
Ash didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked forward calmly, and the whispers intensified.
They became clearer.
"Kill..."
"Take..."
"Devour..."
The words were fragmented, overlapping, and chaotic. It wasn’t truly a speech but more like intent. The intent was embedded within the dark elemental essence itself.
When Ash stood directly before the tree, he raised his hand slowly.
There were eleven fruits hanging in front. He reached out and plucked one.
The moment his fingers wrapped around the fruit, it felt cold—not physically, but spiritually. As if something inside it was observing him back.
The fruit detached effortlessly.
[Ding! You have obtained the Netherheart Fruit — Imperial Rank.]
Ash raised an eyebrow slightly.
He turned the fruit in his hand. Within it, the swirling darkness seemed to react to his gaze, spiraling faster.
Old Ni frowned. "Tribe Lord... you’re not thinking of—"
Ash didn’t let him finish as he smiled faintly. "I’m curious."
Then he lifted the fruit and bit into it. The skin shattered like a thin crystal. Instead of juice, a surge of cold darkness poured into his mouth like liquid shadow.
For a split second, everything went black as his vision disappeared completely.
He stood in a void. It was endless, boundless, and silent.
Then, images began to flash as mountains of corpses beneath a bloodless sky.
Shadows were devouring cities, screams were echoing in emptiness, and an overwhelming killing intent surged toward him like a tidal wave.
This was the trial. The reason why weak-willed individuals would fail.
The Umbra Netherfruit did not simply grant power as it tested the mind. Darkness is not inherently evil. But it amplifies the deepest impulses within the heart.
If one harbors hatred, it becomes slaughter. If one harbors ambition, it becomes tyranny...
For weak minds, these amplified emotions shatter sanity as hallucinations caused by suppressed thoughts being violently brought to the surface.
Killing intent overwhelms those who lack control over their desires.
The void around Ash roared as countless shadowed figures emerged, rushing toward him.
"Submit!"
"Embrace us!"
"Rule through fear!"
Their voices overlapped in deafening chaos.
Ash stood still as his expression did not change. He did not deny the darkness, nor did he resist it violently.
Instead, he extended his will outward.
"I do not fear you," he said calmly.
The shadow figures paused.
"You are a mere tool. So, I’ll use you instead."
The void trembled at Ash’s words.
His aura erupted overwhelmingly.
The shadows attempting to invade his mind shattered like mist under pressure, and the hallucinations cracked apart.
The killing intent recoiled because Ash’s will was stronger.
He had faced betrayal even in his previous life. He had executed a traitor mercilessly. He had experienced harsh things, and he believed his will wasn’t so weak that he would be consumed just from eating the Netherheart Fruit.
The void collapsed inward, condensing into a single point of violet light that shot directly into his chest.
Back in reality, Ash’s body trembled once.
Black mist burst outward around him, swirling violently before being sucked back into his pores.
His pupils shifted because, for a moment, they turned deep violet, almost pitch-black at the center.
The surrounding dark zone dimmed slightly, as if a portion of its essence had been claimed.
Old Ni stepped back instinctively as the pressure emanating from Ash felt different.
Then the system chimed in his mind.
[Ding! Dark Element Affinity Awakened.]
[Ding! Stealth Enhancement + Curse Resistance.]
[Ding! Night Vision Acquired.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Fear Aura (Passive Skill).]
[Ding! Dark-Type Physique Awakening Check...]
[Ding! Failed (30% chance not triggered)]
Ash exhaled slowly. When he opened his eyes again, the world looked different, as he could see clearly into the deepest corners of the cavern where light could not reach.
He could sense faint malicious intent lingering in the environment. Even the subtle shadow cast beneath Old Ni’s feet appeared sharper.
Old Ni stared at him for a moment before finally asking, "...Are you alright?"
Ash rolled his shoulders once. "I’m perfectly fine."
He looked back at the tree as ten fruits remained. The whispers were quieter now, as if he had subdued them.
Ash’s lips curved slightly. "Imperial-tier, huh..."
He turned toward the deeper parts of the cave—where the other elemental zones waited silently.
"Let’s see what the rest of this place is hiding."
He then walked toward another area while looking at the system notifications.
’Oh? These Stealth Enhancement, Curse Resistance, and Night Vision are going to be helpful.’ Ash smiled in satisfaction, especially when he looked at the passive skill that he just obtained.
But then he frowned when he looked at the last notification and cursed in his heart. ’What the fuck? Shouldn’t I have a lot of luck like those main characters in the novels?’
He was kind of worried now that he even failed something with a 30% chance when there were times that those main characters would bag them even at 1%.