Florida Man in Magus World: Unleashing Liberty and Freedom

Felix endured the shadow's seductive advances and asked, "Can you tell me what you want? Are you trying to milk me like your master? I already donated my sperm, though."

The shadow continued licking him, her voice resonating directly in his mind.

[You can't resist.]

"…Huh?" Felix was puzzled.

[You've been abandoned, isolated from your friends. Captured.]

"Yeah, so? What's your point?"

[You're going to be turned into a plaything for these women. You can't help it, right?]

"…"

[There's no shame in following their instructions, right? They're forcing you. You're a victim.]

Felix frowned, sensing that the shadow was trying to coax him into accepting his situation. Realizing her intent, he inwardly laughed, mocking her. Shouldn't she wait for him to go through the five stages of grief first?

Felix scoffed at Zhu Xin Ci's shadow. He wasn't about to fall for such an obvious ploy. "I'm not buying that victim mindset, lady. I've got my pride as a Floridian. You can't brainwash me."

[But you're not home anymore.]

The shadow reached for his groin, preparing for the next step. She tried to convince him again.

[There's no harm in indulging in pleasure or going with the flow. You're not at fault.]

"Again with that victim mentality. I'm not—"

[Let us serve you. Be our king. We can take over this world. Power, authority, women, wealth, fame—anything you desire, we can grant you. Just accept us. Throw away your beliefs.]

Felix rolled his eyes, deeply sighed, and pushed the temptress away. Pulling his pants up, he stood.

"As tempting as it is, I hate that idea the most. Do you even know what I believe in?" Felix pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the shadow. Smirking, he added, "I know my sins. I won't give up my identity or accept that victim mindset."

*BANG*

He pulled the trigger, and Zhu Xin Ci's shadow disintegrated into dust. The other shadow entities vanished too, leaving behind a thousand shining stones.

The iconic gemstones caught Felix's eye. They were mana stones.

"Aren't these mana stones? Wait, is this a test of pride or greed? I don't get it."

Felix pursed his lips, wondering if he should take the stones into his inventory. Testing the waters, he kicked one near his foot. As soon as his shoe touched it, all the mana stones disappeared.

No orb was left behind, leaving Felix even more confused.

"What the hell is wrong with this test? Can't it be more straightforward?" Felix muttered, shaking his head. He glanced at his system inventory, checking the description of the water he had stolen.

But instead of getting this world's water, he found an orb.

…

Mark of Greed

You attempted to steal resources from this world, even though it was just plain water. Your greed knows no bounds. Despite not having entered the stage, you have already failed it.

This mark reflects your materialism.

…

"Well, shit," Felix muttered, scratching his head. The score was now tied at 2-2. To pass the exam, he needed to secure the remaining three white orbs. Otherwise, his score might be too low to compete.

As Felix studied the item's description, he noticed that not everything had disappeared with the Lamia shadows and mana stones. A woman in a ragged tunic approached, carrying three white orbs in her hand.

Emerging from the forest, she brushed aside her hair, revealing the pretty face of the deceased owner of the body she now inhabited. She called out to Felix.

"Felix Ariel."

"!!!"

Felix spun around and aimed his pistol at her face. Seeing her appearance, he was startled. She wasn't a shadow entity but looked like a real human.

Still cautious, Felix glanced at the system map, which showed a green dot. He lowered his gun and sighed in relief.

"Jesus Christ, you scared me. What do you want?"

The woman silently placed the white orbs down and muttered, "The fate crystal within you, could you share it with me?"

"…I beg your pardon?"

"Your fate crystal, I need it."

Felix deeply sighed, raising the pistol and pointing it at her again. "I missed the part where I'm supposed to give it to you."

The woman paused, then closed her eyes. A moment later, a pair of white flame wings emerged from her back. She introduced herself.

"The mother of your sponsor is my ancestor. I'm an Iridescence Phoenix, Katrina, your cousin."

"…"

Felix blinked, shaking his head slightly before looking at the self-proclaimed cousin. He was so taken aback that he couldn't even respond.

"I know it's sudden, but I urgently need your help. Give me a fate crystal of any grade, and I'll be in your debt," Katrina pleaded.

Felix's face twisted as he hesitated, reluctant to part with his fate crystal.

Sensing his reluctance, Katrina sighed deeply and took a step back. She explained, "Due to certain circumstances, my lifespan is nearing its end. In two years, I'll return to ash, and my soul will vanish with it. But if I can get my hands on any fate crystal, I can extend my life by a decade or two."

"Just a decade or two?" Felix replied, feeling conflicted. "Why didn't you hang out near a volcano or use the special smokes from Florida Man's shop?"

Katrina smiled bitterly. "I used to have access to those, but the universe is a harsh place. Tell me, do you know a Demon God by the name of 'Mao Miaomiao'?"

"Never heard of him, and I don't wanna know."

"I see. You're lucky you were born a male phoenix." Katrina's smile was tinged with bitterness as she glanced at her limbs, which were beginning to crack. Turning back to Felix, she pleaded, "I don't have much time. Please help me."

"…"

Felix crossed his arms, unwilling to give anything to this stranger. However, seeing her pitiful state, he decided to help in a different way. He tossed five cartons of special smokes and a box of cigars at her feet.

"These are special smokes from the store. Do you know how to use them?"

Katrina's eyes lit up with joy, but her smile faded slightly, saddened that Felix hadn't given her a fate crystal.

"No fate crystal?" Katrina asked again, her voice tinged with hope.

Felix's patience was wearing thin. "What's the deal with the fate crystal? Those smokes will extend your life, and that should be enough. Why do you need it?"

Katrina bit her lower lip but remained silent. Lowering her head, she picked up the items and bowed, her voice cracking as she struggled not to cry. "You're right. This should be enough. I was being greedy."

"…"

Her sad voice made Felix feel guilty. Frustrated, he scratched his head and glanced at the system inventory, staring at the fate crystal's item description.

…

Earth Fate Crystal

Description:

Fate crystals contain a mysterious energy that grants great luck to their owners. Rumor has it that possessing a fate crystal guarantees life success.

The Earth Fate Crystal is an incomplete artifact with three utilities: boosting one's luck, granting a random minor fortuitous encounter, or destroying an earth-grade ability of a fellow fate crystal owner.

Effect 1: *Push the crystal into your chest to get the following effects:*

- Grants one random earth-grade unique talent or pinnacle skill.

- Grants a small chance of unlocking a system.

Effect 2: *Absorb the crystal's energy by using any breathing method to get the following effects:*

- Permanently boosts your luck by one level

- Grants one life-changing opportunity to owner.

Effect 3: *Crush the crystal to get the following effects:*

- Removes one ability, skill, or system from every earth fate crystal user other than you within a 100-mile range. Does not affect fate crystal bearers of a higher grade.

…

Rereading the item's description, Felix finally remembered that it could grant a life-changing opportunity to the user or owner once. He wondered if this was what Katrina needed.

Then, Felix glanced at the Mark of Greed. He smacked his lips, refusing to acknowledge his shortcomings. Frustrated and angry, he ejected the fate crystal from his inventory and shoved it toward her.

"Fine. Take it! It's an Earth Fate Crystal, though. I can't give you mine, okay?"

Seeing the Earth Fate Crystal, Katrina's eyes welled with tears of gratitude. She retrieved it and pressed the crystal against her chest. Suddenly, she began to vomit blood.

"Hey!" Felix was startled by her reaction. He rushed to help her, but Katrina only smiled brightly.

"Thank you. With this, the Great Mother can find me even if my lifespan runs out. This is what I needed."

"You… Dammit. Can you at least explain what you're doing properly?" Felix grabbed a potion and poured it over her chest. The liquid seeped into her wound, but it didn't heal her. Instead, her body began to slowly crumble apart.

"I'm sorry I can't explain it to you. But just so you know, you've passed this test with a flying color."

"Huh?" Felix was confused.

Katrina laughed bitterly and winked at him, offering a cryptic promise. "We'll see each other again soon. Goodbye, for now."

With that, Katrina's body disintegrated into dust, leaving nothing behind. The three white orbs she had been carrying also vanished along with her.

Felix stared at the pile of ash that Katrina had left behind, feeling nothing but irritation and frustration.

Was it a scam?

Was it a prank?

Was there something he didn't know?

What were his ancestors thinking?

What had just happened?

These were the questions Felix wanted to scream at both his ancestor and Katrina for putting him through this. With no one around to give him answers, he turned to Jessica.

"Jessica…"

As always, Jessica remained expressionless and responded with a question.

<Do you want to learn more about fate crystals first or your 'Phoenix' family?>

"Both."

<Understood. It will be long and convoluted. Are you ready for a serious headache?>

"No. Make it short."

<Fine.>

Jessica began summarizing information about phoenixes and displayed an image of his family tree—a massive PNG file that could cover an acre of land.

As Felix concentrated on the image, he failed to notice that the mark of greed on his hand was changing color.

…

Mark of Charity

You are indeed greedy. But when necessary, you are as generous as a saint. Giving away an invaluable object such as a fate crystal is not something an ordinary system user would do.

This mark is proof of your redemption and generosity.