《Re:Summoned – The Chronomancer’s Journey》 [1] - The End of My World I kicked a loose pebble down the sidewalk, watching it skip over the wet pavement before disappearing into a storm drain. For some reason, the small splash made me feel better, like I¡¯d left a mark, no matter how small. The sky was the same dull gray it always was, but tonight it felt heavier, swollen with clouds that threatened to burst. My bag sagged on my shoulder, the strap digging into my collarbone. I didn¡¯t care. I didn¡¯t even notice the ache anymore. Behind me, the muffled chatter of students leaving cram school drifted into the air, voices rising and falling like white noise. None of them were talking to me, of course. I glanced over my shoulder, but no one so much as looked my way. They never did. School wasn¡¯t bad, I guess. Not the kind of ¡°bad¡± you see in dramas, anyway. No one bullied me. No one shoved me into lockers or wrote nasty messages on my desk. They just¡­ didn¡¯t notice me. I wasn¡¯t the kid people whispered about. I wasn¡¯t even the kid people asked to borrow notes from. I was the one who existed just outside their circles, on the edge of their worlds, close enough to see but too far to touch. Today had been no different. Ishida had called out to me earlier, grinning like we were friends. He wasn¡¯t a bad guy, just the type who needed someone to feel bigger than. ¡°Bombed another quiz?¡± he¡¯d said, clapping a hand on my shoulder like we were old pals.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. I¡¯d smiled and nodded. Arguing wouldn¡¯t change anything. It was after seven when I finally stepped out of the school gates. The rain had started as a light drizzle but quickly turned into a steady downpour. I didn¡¯t have an umbrella, so I walked with my head down, letting the rain soak through my shirt. The streets were almost empty, the faint glow of streetlights reflecting in the puddles below. Every few minutes, a car hissed past, its tires throwing up sprays of water. I liked the rain. It muffled everything¡ªthe sound of the world, the thoughts in my head. The crosswalk came into view, the signal blinking red. I stopped at the curb and stared at the light, watching the rain trickle down its metal pole. When it turned green, I stepped onto the road. The rain pounded harder now, drumming against the pavement. I barely noticed it anymore. My thoughts wandered as I crossed the street, focused on nothing and everything at once. Then came the sound. A low hum, rising fast. Tires screeching. A horn blaring through the downpour. My head jerked up, and my breath caught in my throat. Headlights. Close. Too close. I froze. The world seemed to slow, each second dragging like a heavy weight. I saw the car hurtling toward me, water spraying out in its wake. My legs screamed at me to move, but they wouldn¡¯t listen. In that moment, all I could think was: This is it. This is where it ends. And then it hit me. The impact wasn¡¯t sharp or sudden. It was distant, like it wasn¡¯t even happening to me. I felt my body lifted off the ground, weightless for a brief, terrifying moment, before everything went black. But the blackness wasn¡¯t empty. It shifted and pulsed, like the surface of a lake rippling under unseen pressure. I couldn¡¯t feel my body anymore, but I felt something else¡ªa presence. It was faint at first, like a whisper on the edge of hearing. Time bends. Reality twists. The voice wasn¡¯t a sound. It wasn¡¯t even in my ears. It was everywhere and nowhere, threading through the darkness like a thread through fabric. Why did you stop moving? Why didn¡¯t you run? It wasn¡¯t accusing me. It wasn¡¯t cruel. It just¡­ was. A simple question hanging in the void. I tried to answer, but I couldn¡¯t. My thoughts were thick and sluggish, slipping through my grasp like water. You don¡¯t belong here yet, it said, softer now. Wake up. The darkness began to peel away, like curtains drawn back to reveal a stage. I felt myself falling¡ªnot forward, but backward, into something cold and endless. And then, with a jolt, I opened my eyes. [2] - A New Beginning I gasped awake, lungs straining like I¡¯d just surfaced from deep water. The air felt colder than it should¡¯ve, sharp and biting against my skin. I blinked, my vision blurry. Above me stretched an endless sky¡ªnot gray with rain, but black and starless. No moon. Just¡­ nothing. The ground beneath me was strange. Not pavement, not dirt¡ªsomething rough and uneven, like shards of broken glass. I sat up slowly, wincing as sharp points dug into my palms. My head throbbed, each pulse sending a wave of nausea through me. ¡°What¡­?¡± My voice came out hoarse, barely audible. I looked around. The landscape was barren, stretching out in jagged planes that shimmered faintly in the dark. It wasn¡¯t earth. It wasn¡¯t anything I¡¯d ever seen. Where was I? A faint chime rang out, soft but clear, like a bell far off in the distance. I froze, every hair on my body standing on end. Then it appeared. [STATUS WINDOW LOADING¡­] The words floated in front of me, glowing faintly against the darkness. I blinked, but they didn¡¯t disappear. They hung in the air, flickering like an old CRT screen. ¡°What the hell?¡± I whispered, reaching out instinctively. My fingers passed through the letters, leaving ripples in the light. [NAME: HIRO TANAKA] [CLASS: CHRONOMANCER] [LEVEL: 1] [HEALTH: 100/100] [MANA: 50/50] [SKILLS AVAILABLE] A dull ache pounded in the back of my head. My name, my class¡­ It didn¡¯t make sense. This wasn¡¯t some kind of dream, was it? ¡°Chronomancer,¡± I muttered, staring at the word. I didn¡¯t even know what that meant. Before I could think too much, another line appeared:Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. [TUTORIAL: SURVIVAL.] The chime rang again, louder this time. I winced, glancing around as the hairs on my neck prickled. Somewhere in the distance, I heard a low growl. It started faint, like a distant rumble, but it grew louder with every passing second. My chest tightened as I scrambled to my feet, slipping on the uneven ground. That¡¯s when I saw it. Two glowing yellow eyes pierced the darkness, moving closer. Slowly at first, then faster. A creature emerged from the shadows, its body long and sinuous, covered in black fur that bristled like quills. Its mouth was filled with jagged teeth, and its claws clicked against the strange glassy ground. It wasn¡¯t big¡ªmaybe the size of a large dog¡ªbut that didn¡¯t make it any less terrifying. My legs locked, my breath caught in my throat. It growled again, its body low to the ground as it stalked toward me. ¡°Okay, okay, think,¡± I muttered to myself, backing away. My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst. ¡°What do I do? What the hell do I do?¡± The creature lunged. I threw myself to the side, hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through my shoulder, but I didn¡¯t stop. I scrambled backward as the thing whirled around, snarling. I felt something sharp dig into my palm¡ªa shard of the ground, jagged and glass-like. Without thinking, I grabbed it and held it out in front of me like a knife. The creature growled, circling me. I could see its muscles tensing, coiling like a spring. ¡°Stay back,¡± I said, my voice trembling. It didn¡¯t listen. When it lunged again, I swung the shard wildly. I felt it connect¡ªa sickening crunch as the edge sliced into the creature¡¯s side. It yelped, twisting away, but I wasn¡¯t fast enough. Its claws raked across my leg, and I screamed. Blood spilled onto the ground, dark and shimmering in the faint light. I clutched my leg, gritting my teeth as the creature crouched again, ready for another attack. Something shifted. I didn¡¯t know how to describe it, but it felt like the air itself bent around me, heavy and charged. The creature froze, its growl tapering off into a low whine. Then I saw it¡ªa faint glow pulsing in the corner of my vision. [SKILL UNLOCKED: REWIND] I didn¡¯t have time to question it. The moment I thought the word¡ªRewind¡ªthe world shattered. Everything blurred, colors and shapes twisting like water spiraling down a drain. My body moved without moving, like I was falling backward into myself. Then, suddenly, I was standing again. My leg wasn¡¯t bleeding anymore. The shard was still in my hand, and the creature was stalking toward me¡ªexactly where it had been moments before. ¡°What¡­ just happened?¡± My voice trembled, but I didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it. This time, I didn¡¯t hesitate. As the creature lunged, I sidestepped and drove the shard into its neck. It let out a strangled cry, collapsing to the ground. I stared at the body, my chest heaving. My hands shook, and I dropped the shard, wiping the blood off on my shirt. The chime rang again, breaking the silence. [EXP GAINED. LEVEL UP.] I didn¡¯t feel stronger. I didn¡¯t feel victorious. All I felt was the weight of the blood on my hands and the pounding question in my head: Where am I? [3] - A Cold Welcome The body of the creature lay still on the ground, its fur matted with blood. I didn¡¯t want to look at it anymore. My chest was still heaving, my hands slick with sweat¡ªor maybe it was blood. I wasn¡¯t sure. The world around me was quiet again, the only sound the faint hum of the wind across the strange glass-like ground. ¡°Okay,¡± I muttered, taking a shaky step back. ¡°Okay, what now?¡± My leg throbbed where the creature¡¯s claws had raked across it. The wound wasn¡¯t deep, but it hurt like hell. I tore a strip from the hem of my shirt, wincing as I wrapped it around the cut. The chime rang again, softer this time. A faint glow appeared in the corner of my vision: [QUEST: SURVIVE THE NIGHT.] ¡°Yeah, no kidding,¡± I muttered bitterly. I started walking, not knowing where I was going. The jagged, shimmering ground stretched out in every direction, broken only by strange, twisted formations rising like spires into the dark sky. The air was cold, biting at my skin with every step. My breath came out in faint puffs, visible against the eerie light that seemed to come from nowhere. I tried to focus on the glow of the Status Window, which hovered just out of reach. It felt like the only thing tethering me to reality. [NAME: HIRO TANAKA] [LEVEL: 2] [CLASS: CHRONOMANCER] [SKILLS: REWIND (LIMITED)] I frowned. ¡°What the hell am I supposed to do with that?¡± No answer came. I didn¡¯t see the second creature until it was almost on me. It came out of nowhere, a blur of motion that knocked me flat on my back. My head hit the ground hard, stars exploding behind my eyes. The thing stood over me, its teeth bared in a snarl. It was smaller than the first one but just as deadly. I scrambled backward, my hands slipping on the slick ground. ¡°Damn it¡ª!¡± Before I could move, there was a flash of steel.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. A sword cut through the air, slicing cleanly through the creature¡¯s neck. It let out a gurgling cry before collapsing in a heap beside me. I stared up at my savior, blinking through the haze of adrenaline. She was tall, lean, and dressed in a tattered coat that looked like it had seen better days. Her dark hair was tied back in a messy braid, and her sharp green eyes narrowed as they locked onto me. ¡°Get up,¡± she said curtly, sliding her sword back into its sheath. I scrambled to my feet, my heart still pounding. ¡°Th-thank you. I¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t thank me,¡± she cut in, brushing past me. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I was here, but I don¡¯t babysit strays. If you want to live, start paying attention.¡± I blinked, taken aback. ¡°Wait, I¡ªwhat¡¯s going on? Where am I?¡± She stopped, turning to give me a long, scrutinizing look. Her expression was unreadable, but I could see the way her hand hovered near the hilt of her sword. ¡°You¡¯re new,¡± she said flatly. I nodded, swallowing hard. ¡°I¡­ I think so. I just woke up here, and I don¡¯t know¡ª¡± ¡°Save it,¡± she interrupted. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your backstory. If you want to live, keep up. Otherwise, you¡¯re on your own.¡± I didn¡¯t have much of a choice but to follow her. She moved quickly, her footsteps silent against the strange ground. I struggled to keep up, the makeshift bandage on my leg slowing me down. ¡°Hey, wait,¡± I said, limping after her. ¡°Can you at least tell me what¡¯s going on? Where is this place? What are those things?¡± She sighed, not bothering to look back at me. ¡°You¡¯re in Aetherion. Those things? Call them what you want¡ªbeasts, monsters, whatever. They¡¯re everywhere. And unless you get stronger, they¡¯ll kill you.¡± ¡°Aetherion?¡± I repeated, the word unfamiliar on my tongue. ¡°What is this, some kind of game?¡± Her lips twitched, like she was suppressing a laugh. ¡°Yeah, something like that. Except there¡¯s no respawn. You die here, you die for good.¡± Her words sent a chill down my spine. I thought of the glowing Status Window, the strange chime, and the pulsing ache in my chest. None of it felt real. ¡°Why are you helping me, then?¡± I asked. She stopped abruptly, turning to face me. Her green eyes were cold, calculating. ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m helping myself. You¡¯re bait. Now keep moving.¡± It wasn¡¯t long before we ran into another pack of beasts. This time, there were three of them¡ªbigger and faster than the ones I¡¯d seen before. Kiera didn¡¯t hesitate. She drew her sword and charged, moving with a precision that took my breath away. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there!¡± she snapped, her voice cutting through the chaos. I gritted my teeth, clutching the shard of glass in my hand. My heart pounded as I stepped forward, my legs shaking beneath me. The first beast lunged at me, its jaws snapping inches from my face. I swung wildly, managing to graze its side. It recoiled, snarling, but I didn¡¯t stop. Something shifted in the corner of my vision: [REWIND AVAILABLE.] I hesitated, my grip tightening on the shard. My breathing was ragged, my mind racing. ¡°Focus!¡± Kiera shouted, slicing through another beast with a single swing. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to move. The battle was a blur of blood and snarls, my body acting on instinct more than anything else. When it was over, I was on my knees, gasping for breath. Kiera wiped the blood off her blade, glancing down at me with a faint smirk. ¡°Not bad for a first-timer,¡± she said. ¡°But if you freeze up like that again, you won¡¯t survive long.¡± I nodded weakly, my hands trembling. ¡°Get used to it.¡± [4] - The Burden of Weakness I followed Kiera through the endless wilderness, my legs aching and my stomach growling. She moved like she was born here¡ªsilent, confident, and fast. Meanwhile, I tripped over every jagged shard on the ground, my makeshift bandage coming loose as I limped along. ¡°Can we¡­ slow down?¡± I panted, clutching my side. Kiera didn¡¯t stop. ¡°If you want to slow down, do it. I¡¯m not dragging your corpse with me.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Friendly.¡± ¡°What was that?¡± she asked, finally glancing back at me. Her sharp green eyes locked onto mine, and I swallowed hard. ¡°Nothing,¡± I said quickly. She rolled her eyes. ¡°Look, newbie. The only reason you¡¯re still alive is because I decided not to let you die. So don¡¯t push your luck.¡± I bit back a retort and kept walking. The ground felt like it was tilting under me, each step heavier than the last. We came across a small stream, its water sparkling faintly in the dim light. ¡°Drink,¡± Kiera said curtly, kneeling by the edge. She dipped her hands into the water and brought it to her mouth without hesitation. I hesitated. The water looked clean, but this world didn¡¯t exactly scream ¡°trustworthy.¡± ¡°Do you want to die of thirst?¡± she snapped, noticing my hesitation. ¡°I just¡­ What if it¡¯s poisoned or something?¡± She snorted. ¡°If it is, we¡¯ll know soon enough. Better to risk it than waste energy wondering.¡± Reluctantly, I knelt beside her and cupped my hands in the water. It was cold¡ªcolder than I expected¡ªand tasted oddly metallic. Kiera leaned back, wiping her mouth with her sleeve. ¡°Here¡¯s a tip: you¡¯re not going to survive long if you overthink everything. Trust your instincts, and don¡¯t hesitate.¡± ¡°Right. Instincts,¡± I muttered, glancing down at my trembling hands. I wasn¡¯t sure I had any instincts worth trusting. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! We didn¡¯t make it far before the next attack. The creature was massive, easily twice the size of the ones I¡¯d seen before. Its body was covered in thick, chitinous armor that gleamed in the dim light, and its four glowing eyes fixed on us with unrelenting focus. ¡°Stay back,¡± Kiera ordered, drawing her sword. I froze, clutching my shard of glass. My heart pounded in my chest as the creature let out a low, rumbling growl. It charged without warning, its massive claws tearing through the ground as it barreled toward us. Kiera dodged to the side, her sword flashing as she struck at its legs. The blade glanced off its armor, barely leaving a scratch. ¡°Damn it,¡± she muttered, circling the beast. ¡°Its weak point¡¯s not exposed. We¡¯ll have to¡ª¡± She didn¡¯t finish. The creature lunged again, faster than I thought possible, and slammed into her with enough force to knock her off her feet. ¡°Kiera!¡± I shouted, but I couldn¡¯t move. My legs were rooted to the ground, my body frozen with fear. The beast turned its attention to me, its glowing eyes narrowing. The creature charged, and I panicked. I stumbled backward, raising my shard of glass as if it could do anything against that thing. The impact was blinding. Its claws raked across my chest, and pain exploded through me. I hit the ground hard, blood pooling beneath me. I was dying. I could feel it. No. The thought surged through me like a jolt of electricity. The faint glow appeared in the corner of my vision: [REWIND ACTIVATED.] The world blurred and twisted, pulling me backward through time. My body moved without moving, my mind folding in on itself. When the distortion stopped, I was standing again. The beast was back where it had been moments before, its glowing eyes fixed on Kiera. I staggered, clutching my chest. The pain was gone, but my hands still trembled. ¡°What just¡ª?¡± Kiera began, glancing at me sharply. ¡°No time!¡± I shouted. This time, I didn¡¯t hesitate. I rushed forward, ignoring the fear screaming in the back of my mind. The beast lunged at Kiera, but I threw myself at its exposed flank, driving the shard into the soft joint between its armor. The creature howled, twisting in pain, and Kiera took advantage of the opening. Her blade struck true, slicing cleanly through its neck. The beast collapsed, its body twitching before going still. For a long moment, neither of us moved. The only sound was my ragged breathing, the adrenaline fading as my legs gave out beneath me. Kiera turned to me, her expression unreadable. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± My voice faltered. How could I explain something I didn¡¯t understand myself? ¡°I saw you die,¡± she said flatly. ¡°And now you¡¯re standing there like nothing happened.¡± I opened my mouth, then closed it again. She stepped closer, her green eyes narrowing. ¡°What did you do?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I just¡­ It¡¯s like time rewound. I don¡¯t know how I did it, or why.¡± Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she sighed, sliding her sword back into its sheath. ¡°Whatever it is, it saved my life. But don¡¯t think I trust you.¡± I nodded weakly, my hands still trembling. ¡°Get up,¡± she said, her tone sharp again. ¡°If you can cheat death, you might actually be useful.¡± I struggled to my feet, my legs shaking beneath me. Kiera turned away, already moving. For now, she wasn¡¯t asking questions. But I could feel the weight of her suspicion, heavy and unrelenting. And honestly? I couldn¡¯t blame her. [5] - The Forest of Flux The trees shouldn¡¯t have been moving. But they were. I watched, frozen, as the gnarled branches twisted and curled like fingers clawing at the sky. The bark shimmered faintly, like the surface of water catching the light, and the leaves pulsed with a strange, rhythmic glow. ¡°This place¡­ isn¡¯t right,¡± I muttered. My voice sounded small, swallowed by the vastness of the forest. Kiera didn¡¯t stop walking. She moved ahead of me with quick, confident steps, her sword drawn and held low at her side. ¡°It¡¯s Aetherion,¡± she said over her shoulder. ¡°Nothing here is ¡®right.¡¯¡± The ground beneath my feet was slick and uneven, shifting slightly with each step. It felt alive, like it might move out from under me if I let my guard down. ¡°You said the forest reacts to people,¡± I said, keeping my voice low. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Kiera didn¡¯t answer immediately. She crouched, examining the faint tracks left in the soft dirt¡ªtoo small for the creatures we¡¯d fought before but still unnatural. Finally, she stood, glancing at me with a faint smirk. ¡°Exactly what it sounds like. The more we¡¯re here, the more it notices us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not reassuring.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to be.¡± The air around us grew colder as we moved deeper into the forest. The light flickered constantly, shifting from bright to dim as though the sun itself couldn¡¯t decide what time it was. I felt disoriented, my head spinning with each step. There was no wind, no sound except for the crunch of our footsteps, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that we were being watched. The trees weren¡¯t just moving¡ªthey were growing. I watched in stunned silence as a sapling at the edge of my vision sprouted from the ground, its branches stretching skyward. Within seconds, it withered, its bark cracking and falling away, leaving behind only a pile of ash.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Did you see that?¡± I asked, my voice tight. Kiera stopped, glancing back at me. ¡°See what?¡± ¡°The tree¡ªit just¡­ grew and died. Right in front of me.¡± She shrugged, turning back toward the path. ¡°It happens. Get used to it.¡± Her casual tone made me bristle, but I didn¡¯t argue. The longer we were here, the more certain I became that this place wasn¡¯t just dangerous¡ªit was wrong. ¡°Close,¡± Kiera said as we approached a clearing. ¡°And don¡¯t touch anything you don¡¯t have to.¡± I nodded, gripping the shard of glass tighter in my hand. It wasn¡¯t much of a weapon, but it was all I had. The clearing was bathed in an eerie light, its center dominated by a massive, gnarled tree. Its roots spread out like veins across the ground, and its bark was covered in strange carvings¡ªsymbols that seemed to shift and shimmer when I looked at them. ¡°What is this place?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Old magic,¡± Kiera said simply. ¡°You¡¯ll find a lot of it in Aetherion. No one knows where it came from¡ªor why it¡¯s here.¡± I stepped closer to the tree, drawn to the glow of the symbols. The air around it felt thick, heavy, like something was pressing down on my chest. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Kiera¡¯s voice was sharp, cutting through my trance. I stopped, turning to find her watching me with a cold, unreadable expression. ¡°It¡¯s not your business,¡± she said. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving.¡± I hesitated, glancing back at the tree. The carvings seemed to pulse faintly, as though they were alive. Something about them felt¡­ familiar. ¡°Hey.¡± Kiera¡¯s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was already several paces ahead, waiting at the edge of the clearing. ¡°Right,¡± I said, shaking my head and hurrying to catch up. As we left the clearing behind, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that we¡¯d left something important behind¡ªsomething I was supposed to understand. The whispers started not long after that. Faint at first, barely more than the rustling of leaves, but growing louder with each step. They didn¡¯t form words, but I could feel their meaning pressing against the edges of my mind, like an itch I couldn¡¯t scratch. Kiera didn¡¯t seem to notice. She kept her eyes on the path ahead, her sword glinting faintly in the shifting light. But I noticed. And the more I heard, the harder it was to ignore. ¡°Do you hear that?¡± I asked finally. ¡°Hear what?¡± ¡°The¡­ the whispers. They¡¯re everywhere.¡± She glanced at me, her brow furrowed. ¡°No. And if you keep talking, you¡¯ll attract something that *does* hear you.¡± I fell silent, but the voice didn¡¯t stop. If anything, they grew louder, the sound twisting and overlapping until I couldn¡¯t tell where it was coming from. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus on the path ahead. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the forest wasn¡¯t just watching us. It was waiting. [6] - A Moment of Respite The forest felt like it was closing in on us. Every time I glanced over my shoulder, the path we¡¯d taken seemed narrower, the trees crowding closer together. I could feel the whispers in the back of my mind, scratching like nails on a chalkboard, but I kept my mouth shut. Kiera had made it clear that talking wouldn¡¯t help. After what felt like hours, we stumbled upon a river¡ªa small, winding stream cutting through the twisted landscape. The water sparkled faintly in the dim light, reflecting the warped shapes of the trees above. Kiera stopped, lowering her sword as she surveyed the area. ¡°We¡¯ll rest here,¡± she said, her voice clipped. I didn¡¯t argue. My legs ached, my head throbbed, and my stomach felt like it was tying itself in knots. I sank to the ground by the edge of the river, letting out a shaky breath. The water looked¡­ clean. Almost too clean. It rippled unnaturally, the surface smooth even as it flowed over jagged rocks. I hesitated before cupping my hands and dipping them into the stream. The water was icy cold, stinging my skin, but it felt refreshing as I lifted it to my lips. ¡°Careful,¡± Kiera said, glancing at me as she knelt a few feet away. ¡°Not everything here is what it seems.¡± I froze, mid-sip. ¡°You could¡¯ve mentioned that before I started drinking.¡± She shrugged. ¡°If it was poisonous, you¡¯d know by now.¡± ¡°Great,¡± I muttered, setting the water down. Kiera pulled a whetstone from her pack, running it slowly along the edge of her blade. The rhythmic scraping sound filled the silence, oddly soothing.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I watched her for a moment, trying to read her expression. Her movements were precise, practiced, and her green eyes stayed fixed on the sword as though it was the only thing that mattered. ¡°You¡¯ve done this a lot, haven¡¯t you?¡± I asked. She didn¡¯t look up. ¡°What gave it away?¡± ¡°The way you fight,¡± I said. ¡°The way you carry yourself. You don¡¯t just survive here¡ªyou know how to survive here.¡± Finally, she paused, glancing up at me with a faint smirk. ¡°And what about you? What¡¯s your big survival strategy? Aside from tripping over your own feet.¡± I flushed, looking away. ¡°I¡¯m working on it.¡± ¡°Good answer.¡± She went back to sharpening her blade, the smirk fading into something more serious. ¡°If you want to survive in Aetherion, you have to be ready to make hard choices. This place doesn¡¯t give second chances.¡± I hesitated, my fingers brushing the edge of the shard still tucked into my belt. ¡°But¡­ you do. You saved me back there. Twice.¡± Her movements slowed, just for a moment. ¡°Don¡¯t read too much into it. You¡¯re useful. That¡¯s all.¡± I frowned. ¡°Useful how? You barely know me.¡± She sighed, setting the whetstone down and leaning back on her hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t always work alone, you know.¡± That caught me off guard. ¡°What happened?¡± She didn¡¯t answer right away. Her gaze drifted to the water, her expression unreadable. ¡°I trusted the wrong people,¡± she said finally. ¡°Thought we¡¯d have a better chance if we stuck together. Turns out, I was wrong.¡± ¡°What did they do?¡± I asked, my voice quiet. ¡°They left me behind. When things got bad, they decided I wasn¡¯t worth the risk. They took the supplies and ran.¡± Her voice was steady, but I could hear the anger buried underneath. I didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°You¡¯ve got that look,¡± she said, glancing at me with a faint smile. ¡°What look?¡± ¡°The one that says, ¡®People are terrible, but I can still save them.¡¯¡± I shrugged. ¡°Is that a bad thing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a dangerous thing.¡± She stood, sliding her sword back into its sheath. ¡°Come on. We¡¯ve rested long enough.¡± I pushed myself to my feet, wincing as the ache in my legs flared up again. ¡°Do you ever slow down?¡± I asked, following her back toward the path. ¡°Not if I can help it,¡± she said without looking back. The forest seemed even darker now, the whispers growing fainter but more deliberate, like they were waiting for something. As I adjusted my grip on the shard, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Kiera was right. In Aetherion, hesitation was just another way to die. [7] - Aetherion鈥檚 Dangerous Beauty The forest had changed again. At first, I thought it was just my imagination¡ªthe way the shadows stretched farther, the branches curling into tighter spirals. But as we kept walking, it became impossible to ignore. The trees no longer just shifted or grew. They were¡­ watching. I caught glimpses of movement out of the corner of my eye¡ªbranches twisting toward me as if reaching, leaves rustling without wind. The light dimmed, and for the first time since we¡¯d entered this place, the whispers went completely silent. It wasn¡¯t comforting. ¡°Stop dragging your feet,¡± Kiera said sharply, breaking the uneasy quiet. She glanced back at me, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. ¡°I¡¯m not dragging my feet,¡± I said, though my voice sounded small even to me. ¡°I¡¯m just trying not to trip over the moving trees.¡± She sighed, turning to face me fully. ¡°You¡¯re letting the forest get in your head. That¡¯s exactly what it wants.¡± I frowned. ¡°What it wants? You¡¯re making it sound like the forest is alive.¡± ¡°Maybe it is,¡± she said simply, turning back to the path. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not reassuring.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to be.¡± The ground beneath my feet crunched, but it wasn¡¯t the same slick, glassy surface as before. The terrain had shifted to something softer¡ªdirt, but speckled with glimmering crystals. ¡°Don¡¯t touch those,¡± Kiera said without looking back. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to,¡± I said, even though I¡¯d already been eyeing one of the glowing shards embedded in the ground.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Good. Because the last idiot who tried to pocket one of those didn¡¯t get very far.¡± Her words made me shudder. I shoved my hands into my pockets, focusing on keeping up with her pace. ¡°What¡¯s up with this place, anyway?¡± I asked. ¡°The trees, the crystals, the whispers¡ªwhat¡¯s causing all this?¡± ¡°Does it matter?¡± she said. ¡°What you need to worry about is staying alive. Not everything here has an explanation.¡± I wanted to press her, but the look on her face stopped me. We came across a split in the path¡ªa narrow, winding trail on one side and a wider, overgrown route on the other. ¡°Which way?¡± I asked. Kiera hesitated, scanning the two paths. Her hand drifted to the hilt of her sword again, her grip tightening. ¡°The narrow one,¡± she said finally. ¡°Why not the other one?¡± She glanced at me, her expression hard. ¡°Because it¡¯s too easy. And nothing in Aetherion is ever that easy.¡± I swallowed hard, nodding as I followed her onto the narrow trail. The trees closed in tighter here, their branches forming a canopy so dense that only faint slivers of light broke through. The air felt heavier, and I found myself struggling to breathe. ¡°Why do you know so much about this place?¡± I asked, trying to distract myself from the weight pressing down on my chest. She didn¡¯t answer right away. ¡°When you¡¯ve been here long enough, you start to pick up on the rules,¡± she said finally. ¡°Even if they don¡¯t make sense.¡± The trail opened up into a small clearing, but this time, it wasn¡¯t empty. A massive stone arch stood in the center, its surface covered in the same glowing runes I¡¯d seen earlier. The air around it crackled faintly, and the ground beneath it shimmered like heat rising from asphalt. ¡°What is that?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°A dungeon entrance,¡± Kiera said, her tone unreadable. The word sent a chill down my spine. I¡¯d played enough games to know what a dungeon meant¡ªtraps, monsters, and danger. ¡°Is it safe?¡± I asked. She shot me a look. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Fair point.¡± She stepped forward, running her fingers lightly along the edge of the arch. The runes flared brighter at her touch, and the faint crackling sound grew louder. ¡°It¡¯s low-level,¡± she said, more to herself than to me. ¡°We can handle it.¡± ¡°We?¡± I said, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes flicked to me, and for a moment, I thought she was going to tell me to stay behind. But then she nodded, motioning for me to follow. ¡°Stick close,¡± she said. ¡°And don¡¯t screw up.¡± I hesitated, staring at the glowing arch. The runes seemed to pulse in time with my heartbeat, and the air around it felt thick and charged. Something about it felt wrong¡ªlike stepping through that arch would change something I couldn¡¯t take back. But Kiera was already moving, disappearing into the shimmering light. I took a deep breath and followed. [8] - The Dungeon The air changed the moment I stepped through the arch. It felt heavier, colder, pressing against my skin like an invisible weight. The dim light from outside was gone, replaced by a pale, flickering glow that seemed to come from the walls themselves. The dungeon wasn¡¯t what I expected. I¡¯d imagined dark stone corridors dripping with water, maybe some skeletal remains for good measure. Instead, the walls were smooth and metallic, etched with the same glowing runes I¡¯d seen on the arch outside. The floor was black and polished, like glass, and my footsteps echoed faintly as I followed Kiera. ¡°What is this place?¡± I asked, my voice low. ¡°Keep your voice down,¡± she said sharply, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. ¡°We¡¯re not alone.¡± That sent a shiver down my spine. I glanced over my shoulder, half-expecting to see something lurking in the shadows, but the corridor behind us was empty. For now. Kiera moved ahead, her steps silent despite the echoing floor. I tried to follow her example, but every step I took seemed too loud, too clumsy. The runes on the walls pulsed faintly as we passed, casting strange shadows that danced along the corridor. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that they were watching us. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± I whispered, quickening my pace to keep up with her. ¡°Survive,¡± she said without looking back. ¡°And don¡¯t trigger any traps.¡± ¡°Traps?¡± I repeated, my stomach sinking. As if on cue, Kiera stopped abruptly, holding up a hand. I froze, watching as she knelt to examine the floor ahead. ¡°There,¡± she muttered, pointing to a faint groove in the glass-like surface. ¡°Pressure plate. Step on it, and we¡¯ll find out the hard way what it does.¡± I squinted, barely able to make out the groove she was pointing at. ¡°How can you even see that?¡± ¡°Experience,¡± she said simply. We moved carefully, Kiera leading the way as she navigated the corridor. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure it would set off one of the traps on its own.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. ¡°Don¡¯t rush,¡± Kiera said over her shoulder, her voice calm but firm. ¡°The dungeon wants you to panic. That¡¯s how it gets you.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I muttered, swallowing hard. ¡°No panicking.¡± We reached the end of the corridor without incident, stepping into a wide, open chamber. The walls here were lined with statues¡ªtall, humanoid figures carved from the same black material as the floor. Their faces were blank, featureless, but their heads turned slightly as we entered, their glowing eyes locking onto us. ¡°What the hell are those?¡± I asked, my voice shaking. ¡°Sentinels,¡± Kiera said grimly, drawing her sword. ¡°Don¡¯t let them touch you.¡± Before I could ask what she meant, the statues began to move. The sentinels stepped down from their pedestals with slow, deliberate movements, their glowing eyes fixed on us. There were five of them, each one towering over me by at least a foot. Kiera didn¡¯t wait for them to attack. She lunged at the closest one, her sword slicing through the air with precision. The blade struck the sentinel¡¯s arm, and for a moment, it seemed like she¡¯d won¡ªuntil the arm reattached itself, the black material flowing like liquid. ¡°Great,¡± I muttered, gripping my shard of glass tightly. ¡°They can regenerate.¡± ¡°Hit them faster than they can heal,¡± Kiera said, her voice tense. ¡°And don¡¯t stop moving.¡± Easier said than done. One of the sentinels turned toward me, its glowing eyes narrowing as it raised a massive arm. I ducked just in time, the arm slamming into the ground where I¡¯d been standing. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing across the floor, and I stumbled, barely keeping my balance. ¡°Focus!¡± Kiera shouted, driving her blade into another sentinel¡¯s chest. I gritted my teeth, lunging at the sentinel closest to me. My shard glanced off its arm, leaving a faint scratch that immediately disappeared as the black material flowed back into place. The sentinel swung at me again, and I threw myself to the side, hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through my shoulder, but I forced myself to my feet, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The air around me seemed to warp, and I felt the faint tug of something pulling at the edges of my mind. [REWIND AVAILABLE.] The words appeared in the corner of my vision, pulsing faintly. I hesitated, my grip tightening on the shard in my hand. The sentinel lunged again, and I froze. Pain exploded through my chest as its arm slammed into me, sending me crashing to the ground. The world blurred, and I felt the sharp edges of the black floor digging into my back. I was dying. No. The thought surged through me, and the glow in my vision intensified. The air rippled, colors and shapes twisting as I felt myself pulled backward. When the world snapped back into focus, I was standing again. The sentinels were still moving toward us, and the pain in my chest was gone. Kiera glanced at me, her brow furrowed. ¡°What just happened?¡± ¡°Not now!¡± I shouted, rushing toward the nearest sentinel. This time, I didn¡¯t hesitate. The shard in my hand struck true, carving deep into the sentinel¡¯s arm. The black material began to flow back into place, but I was faster, slamming the shard into its chest. Kiera caught on quickly, her blade flashing as she tore through the remaining sentinels. Together, we managed to bring them down one by one, the glowing light in their eyes fading as they collapsed. When the last one fell, the chamber went silent. Kiera turned to me, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You¡¯re going to explain that later.¡± I nodded, my legs shaking beneath me. ¡°Yeah. Sure. Later.¡± [9] - The Unseen Cost The chamber beyond the sentinels was eerily quiet. Kiera moved cautiously, her sword still drawn as we approached the far end of the room. A large door loomed before us, carved from the same black, glass-like material as the floor. It was covered in glowing runes, their light flickering like fireflies. ¡°Looks like the end of the line,¡± Kiera muttered, lowering her sword. I nodded, my chest still heaving from the fight. My entire body felt like it had been put through a meat grinder, but I forced myself to stay upright. ¡°Think there¡¯s treasure in there?¡± I asked, trying to lighten the mood. Kiera shot me a look. ¡°Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s worth the trouble.¡± The door opened with a low rumble, revealing a small, circular chamber bathed in soft light. At its center stood a pedestal, and on top of it sat a glowing orb, faint tendrils of light curling around its surface like smoke. Kiera approached it cautiously, her eyes scanning the room for traps. When nothing happened, she gestured for me to follow. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re clear,¡± she said, though her tone was wary. I stepped closer, my gaze fixed on the orb. It was mesmerizing, the light inside it swirling like a miniature galaxy. As I drew near, the air around me grew warmer, and I felt a strange pull in my chest¡ªlike the orb was calling to me. ¡°Hiro,¡± Kiera said sharply, breaking my trance. ¡°Don¡¯t touch it.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. I hesitated, but the pull was too strong. Before I could stop myself, my hand reached out and brushed the surface of the orb. The moment I made contact, the room shifted. A blinding light filled my vision, and I stumbled back, clutching my head as a sharp, burning sensation tore through my skull. Images flashed through my mind¡ªfragments of places I didn¡¯t recognize, faces I¡¯d never seen. A voice, faint and distorted, echoed in my ears: ¡°You do not belong here.¡± When the light faded, I was on my knees, gasping for breath. The orb was still on the pedestal, but its glow had dimmed, the tendrils of light now sluggish and faint. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Kiera demanded, her voice tense. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± I said weakly, my hands trembling. The air around us felt heavier, and the runes on the walls pulsed faintly, their light flickering erratically. Something was wrong. Kiera grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. ¡°We¡¯re leaving. Now.¡± I nodded, stumbling after her as we made our way back through the dungeon. The sentinels were still where we¡¯d left them, their lifeless bodies sprawled across the floor, but the atmosphere had changed. The walls seemed darker, the runes dimmer. I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the dungeon itself was¡­ watching us. When we finally stepped back through the archway, the cool air of the forest hit me like a splash of water. I leaned against a tree, trying to catch my breath, but the feeling of unease lingered. ¡°What did you see in there?¡± Kiera asked, her tone sharper than usual. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°It was like¡­ flashes of something. Places, people. And that voice¡­¡± ¡°What voice?¡± ¡°It said I didn¡¯t belong here.¡± Kiera¡¯s expression darkened, and for a moment, she said nothing. Finally, she sheathed her sword, turning away from me. ¡°That thing you touched¡ªit wasn¡¯t meant for you,¡± she said. ¡°But it reacted to you anyway. That¡¯s not a good sign.¡± ¡°What does that mean?¡± I asked, my voice shaking. ¡°It means this place is paying attention to you,¡± she said grimly. ¡°And if you¡¯re not careful, it¡¯ll tear you apart.¡±
As we left the dungeon behind, I couldn¡¯t help but glance back at the archway. The runes were still glowing faintly, but their light seemed¡­ different now. Dimmer. [10] - A Surprise Notification The moment we stepped out of the dungeon, the air felt different. The heavy, suffocating stillness of the dungeon was gone, replaced by the crisp chill of the wilderness. My lungs drank it in greedily, but my relief was short-lived. A faint *chime* echoed in my ears, followed by a flash of light in the corner of my vision. [CONGRATULATIONS!] The word floated in front of me, glowing faintly against the dim backdrop of the forest. ¡°What the¡ª¡± I started, but Kiera¡¯s sharp intake of breath cut me off. She was staring straight ahead, her jaw tight. I followed her gaze, and sure enough, a similar glowing notification hung in the air before her. [You have completed a **Special Limited Event: Forgotten Vault of the Sentinels.**] [Rewards: +3 Bonus Level Ups, +5 Stat Points, +Unique Loot Drop.] ¡°What does that mean?¡± I asked, my voice uncertain. ¡°It means we got lucky,¡± Kiera muttered, though her tone was far from relaxed. I focused on the notification, and the system responded immediately, expanding into a detailed list: [LEVEL UP!] [Name: Hiro Tanaka] [Current Level: 5 (+3 Levels)] [Stat Points Available: +5] [Unique Loot: Acquired.] As if on cue, another chime sounded, and a faint glow appeared in my peripheral vision. When I turned to look, I saw an object shimmering on the ground near my feet¡ªa small, intricate hourglass with silver casing and sand that shifted colors as it flowed. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°What the hell is this?¡± I muttered, picking it up carefully. The system responded again: [**Temporal Sandglass** ¨C A rare artifact imbued with chronomancy. Grants a brief reset of stamina when activated. Cooldown: 1 hour.] I turned the sandglass over in my hands, the colored sand inside swirling hypnotically. ¡°Well?¡± Kiera¡¯s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. ¡°What¡¯d you get?¡± I hesitated. Something about the sandglass felt¡­ personal, like it wasn¡¯t meant to be shared. ¡°Just a trinket,¡± I said, slipping it into my bag. Kiera raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t press. ¡°What¡¯s with this *special event* thing?¡± I asked, breaking the silence. ¡°Why was this dungeon different?¡± ¡°It¡¯s rare,¡± Kiera said. ¡°Most dungeons are straightforward¡ªgo in, fight monsters, take loot. But sometimes, the system throws something else at you. Something with better rewards¡­ and worse consequences.¡± ¡°Worse consequences?¡± I echoed, my stomach sinking. Kiera shrugged. ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s a tougher boss, sometimes the environment changes. Sometimes, it¡¯s nothing. But you can bet the system is watching.¡± ¡°Watching?¡± She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. ¡°The system doesn¡¯t just track your progress. It reacts to it. You¡¯ve noticed, haven¡¯t you? Things¡­ shifting.¡± I thought back to the dungeon, to the traps that seemed to reset and the strange feeling that the world itself was adapting to me. ¡°Yeah,¡± I admitted. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed.¡± Kiera nodded grimly. ¡°That¡¯s Aetherion. The system isn¡¯t just a set of rules. It¡¯s part of the world. And if you¡¯re not careful, it¡¯ll chew you up and spit you out.¡± I frowned, staring at the glowing notification still hovering in front of me. It felt too deliberate, too calculated. ¡°Who built it?¡± I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop myself. ¡°The system, I mean. Who designed it?¡± Kiera snorted. ¡°That¡¯s the big question, isn¡¯t it? Some people think it¡¯s the Entity. Others say it¡¯s older than Aetherion itself. Me? I don¡¯t care. All that matters is surviving it.¡± Her words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, I didn¡¯t know what to say. The system chimed again, quieter this time, as if reminding me it was still there. [Stat Allocation Required: Assign 5 Points.] [11] - Stats and Their Impact The notification still hovered in front of me, patient but insistent: [Stat Allocation Required: Assign 5 Points.] I exhaled slowly, swiping at the air to bring up the full stat screen. A new panel appeared, glowing faintly in the dim light of the forest. - **Strength:** Physical power. Enhances melee attacks and carrying capacity. - **Agility:** Increases reflexes, movement speed, and precision. - **Endurance:** Boosts stamina, resistance, and overall durability. - **Intelligence:** Expands mana pool and mental processing for complex skills. - **Perception:** Heightens sensory awareness and reaction times. The numbers weren¡¯t impressive. Everything hovered at ¡°10¡± except for Perception, which lagged behind at ¡°8.¡± A line of text at the bottom read: [Available Points: 5.] I hovered my finger over the stats, unsure where to begin. The forest was silent except for the faint rustle of leaves, but I could feel Kiera¡¯s gaze on me. ¡°What¡¯s taking so long?¡± she asked, her voice sharp but not unkind. ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure out what to do with these points,¡± I said, glancing at her. Her expression didn¡¯t soften. If anything, it grew sharper. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Just pick what you need to survive.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to figure out,¡± I shot back. ¡°What does it even feel like to¡­ I don¡¯t know, change your stats? Does it hurt?¡± ¡°No,¡± she said, though her tone carried a weight that made me hesitate. I expected her to leave it at that, but after a moment, she sighed and leaned back against a nearby tree. Her eyes weren¡¯t on me anymore¡ªthey were fixed on something distant, something I couldn¡¯t see. ¡°When I first started,¡± she said, her voice quieter now, ¡°I felt like I was cheating. You put points into Strength, and suddenly you can hit twice as hard. It doesn¡¯t feel real. Your body adjusts so fast, it¡¯s like you¡¯re borrowing someone else¡¯s abilities. And when you need to use them, they¡¯re just¡­ there.¡± Her hand drifted to the hilt of her sword, fingers brushing the worn leather grip. ¡°It¡¯s useful, but it messes with you. Makes you feel¡­ less like yourself.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Her words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken, and for the first time, I thought I saw something crack in Kiera¡¯s stoic exterior. ¡°What about now?¡± I asked. ¡°Do you still feel that way?¡± Kiera¡¯s lips twitched, almost a smirk. ¡°Not anymore. Out here, it¡¯s cheat or perish. I stopped caring about what¡¯s real a long time ago.¡± Her words settled in my chest like a stone, but I nodded anyway. ¡°So what¡¯s your build?¡± I asked, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°Balanced,¡± she said simply. ¡°Strength, Agility, Endurance. Enough to fight and survive.¡± ¡°Not Intelligence?¡± She snorted, the faintest hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. ¡°What do I need that for? Throwing fireballs? No thanks.¡± I turned back to my own stats, my finger hovering over Intelligence. It was tempting to dump all five points into it. Chronomancy sounded like a class that relied on brains over brawn, and I needed every edge I could get. But Kiera¡¯s words lingered in my mind: *Balanced. Enough to fight and survive.* With a deep breath, I divided the points: - **+2 Intelligence** - **+2 Perception** - **+1 Endurance** The moment I confirmed the allocation, a wave of heat rushed through me. It wasn¡¯t painful, but it was¡­ strange. My senses sharpened, the world snapping into focus like someone had adjusted the lens on a camera. The colors of the forest seemed richer, more vibrant. The rustling leaves sounded closer, more distinct, and I could feel the faint vibration of the earth beneath my foot. ¡°Well?¡± Kiera asked, her tone casual, but her eyes sharp as they studied me. I nodded slowly, flexing my fingers. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ sharper. Like I¡¯m more aware of everything around me.¡± ¡°Perception,¡± she said with a knowing nod. ¡°Good choice. Most people overlook it, but it¡¯ll save your life when you least expect it.¡± ¡°And Intelligence?¡± I asked, glancing at her. ¡°Depends on how you use it,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re the magic type, right? Put it to good use, and it¡¯ll keep you alive. Screw it up, and it won¡¯t mean a damn thing.¡± Her words were blunt, but there was no malice in them. Just cold, practical truth. I closed the screen, but the feeling of the system lingered in the back of my mind. The stats weren¡¯t just numbers¡ªthey were a part of me now, woven into my body and mind in a way I couldn¡¯t fully understand. ¡°What do you think it all means?¡± I asked quietly. Kiera frowned. ¡°What does what mean?¡± ¡°This system,¡± I said, gesturing vaguely at the air. ¡°The stats, the levels, the events¡ªit¡¯s like someone¡¯s testing us. For what?¡± Her expression darkened, and for a moment, she didn¡¯t answer. ¡°Does it matter?¡± she said finally. ¡°Questions like that don¡¯t keep you alive. Focus on what you can control.¡± I wanted to press her, but a faint rustling in the distance caught my attention. I turned toward the sound, my newly heightened senses picking up the subtle sway of branches, the faint crunch of leaves underfoot. It was probably just an animal, but for a moment, I felt something else¡ªa weight in the air, like an unseen presence watching me. I shivered, brushing it off. Kiera pushed off the tree and adjusted her gear. ¡°We¡¯ve wasted enough time. If we move now, we¡¯ll reach town before dark.¡± ¡°Town?¡± I repeated, my steps faltering. She gave me a sharp look. ¡°Yeah. You didn¡¯t think Aetherion was just dungeons and forests, did you?¡± I blinked, stunned. The idea of a town¡ªa place with people, shops, and civilization¡ªfelt so out of place here. [12] - The Revelation of the Town The first thing I noticed was the walls. They loomed ahead of us, towering over the landscape like a fortress out of some fantasy epic. Massive stone blocks, each etched with glowing runes, formed an impenetrable barrier that seemed more alive than inert. The runes pulsed faintly, their light ebbing and flowing like a heartbeat. ¡°Is that¡­ the town?¡± I asked, my voice caught somewhere between awe and disbelief. Kiera didn¡¯t break stride. ¡°What did you expect? A campfire and some tents?¡± ¡°Kind of,¡± I admitted, picking up my pace to keep up with her. She snorted, though it wasn¡¯t clear if she found me amusing or pitiful. As we approached the gate, the scale of the place became even more overwhelming. The gate itself was a massive slab of dark metal, reinforced with glowing rivets and guarded by two figures clad in sleek, black armor. The guards were motionless at first, but as we neared, they stirred, their helmets tilting toward us. One raised a hand, and a faint hum filled the air as a glowing crystal embedded in their gauntlet lit up. ¡°Summoned?¡± the guard asked, their voice distorted by some kind of device. ¡°Yes,¡± Kiera replied curtly, stepping forward. ¡°We¡¯re here to trade.¡± The guard¡¯s gaze shifted to me, and for a moment, I felt like I was being weighed and measured. Finally, they nodded, stepping aside to let us pass. ¡°Don¡¯t cause trouble,¡± the second guard said, their tone flat. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± Kiera muttered, brushing past them. The noise hit me first. It was a chaotic symphony of clinking metal, shouted bargains, and the occasional burst of laughter. The streets were packed with people¡ªif they could even be called that. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it There were humans, sure, but there were also figures clad in glowing robes, their faces obscured by shimmering hoods; hulking brutes with skin like stone; and even a few that looked like they¡¯d stepped straight out of a sci-fi movie. ¡°Are they¡­?¡± I started, but Kiera cut me off. ¡°Summoned. Like us. Aetherion doesn¡¯t pull from just one world¡ªit pulls from all of them.¡± Her words sent a chill through me. I¡¯d thought Aetherion was strange enough on its own, but the idea that it was a crossroads for countless realities made my head spin. ¡°Keep up,¡± Kiera said, glancing over her shoulder. I hurried after her, nearly tripping over a cart piled high with glowing crystals. The merchant behind it barely spared me a glance, his attention focused on an argument with a customer over pricing. The market stretched as far as I could see, a labyrinth of stalls and shops crammed together with little regard for order. Merchants shouted over each other, their voices blending into a cacophony that made it impossible to focus on any one thing. ¡°Potions! Freshly brewed!¡± ¡°Artifacts from the deepest dungeons!¡± ¡°Armor reinforced with celestial steel!¡± I couldn¡¯t decide where to look first. My eyes darted from one stall to the next, taking in the dizzying array of goods: - A blacksmith hammering away at a sword that glowed with every strike. - A food stall selling skewers of roasted meat that smelled incredible, even though I couldn¡¯t recognize the animal. - A potion shop with bubbling cauldrons, its shelves lined with bottles of every color imaginable. Kiera kept walking, unbothered by the chaos. I hurried to catch up, my curiosity tugging me in a dozen directions at once. ¡°This place is insane,¡± I said, glancing around. ¡°How does anyone even navigate it?¡± ¡°You get used to it,¡± she said. ¡°But don¡¯t get too comfortable. The town¡¯s safer than the wilderness, but that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s safe.¡± Her words made me pause. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She nodded toward a group of adventurers gathered near a fountain. They were heavily armed, their armor polished to a gleam and each one wearing a matching crimson insignia on their chest plates. ¡°Factions,¡± Kiera said. ¡°Groups like that run this place. Some are fine. Some¡­ aren¡¯t. Stay out of their way.¡± I swallowed hard, making a mental note to avoid eye contact. We passed a large noticeboard near the center of the market, its surface covered with papers and glowing runes. Adventurers crowded around it, scanning its contents and arguing over quest assignments. One posting caught my eye. It wasn¡¯t the largest or the most ornate, but something about it drew me in. The text shimmered, shifting between languages until it settled on one I could read: *¡°Seeking those who have seen the light. Information exchange offered.¡±* I stepped closer, but Kiera grabbed my arm, pulling me away. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± she said sharply. ¡°You¡¯re not ready for that kind of trouble.¡± I hesitated, glancing back at the notice. The words still shimmered faintly, as if calling to me. ¡°Come on,¡± Kiera said, her tone suspicious this time. ¡°I¡¯ve got more important things to deal with.¡± [13] - Split Up Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!
  • Dungeon Fragments (x4)
  • Mana Crystal (x1)
  • Silver Trinket (x2)
[14] - Selling Loot and Market Exploration The market was alive in ways I didn¡¯t think a place could be. Voices rose and fell like waves crashing into each other¡ªmerchants shouting prices, adventurers haggling, and the metallic clang of smiths forging weapons. The air smelled like roasted meat, sharp spices, and something faintly acrid that made my nose itch. Everywhere I turned, there was something to see: glowing potions stacked like trophies, weapons that gleamed with unnatural light, and tools that seemed pulled straight from science fiction. For a moment, I just stood there, feeling like a tiny boat tossed in the storm. I hadn¡¯t even taken two steps when a skewer of roasted meat caught my eye. My stomach clenched painfully, reminding me I hadn¡¯t eaten anything substantial since before the dungeon. The merchant behind the stall was a stocky man with arms as thick as tree trunks. He grunted when I approached, jabbing a meaty finger at a glowing crystal on the counter. The display lit up, showing a list of items: - **Grilled Aether Boar Skewer ¨C 10 Silver** - **Spiced Root Soup ¨C 8 Silver** - **Mystery Ration Bundle ¨C 5 Silver** ¡°I¡¯ll take the skewer,¡± I said, fumbling for my coins. He handed me the food without a word, his attention already shifting to a pair of adventurers arguing nearby. The first bite was heaven. The meat was smoky and tender, the spices unfamiliar but rich and satisfying. I ate quickly, the noise and chaos of the market fading into the background as I focused on the simple act of eating. By the time I finished, my head felt clearer, my steps more confident My next priority was selling the loot from the dungeon. Pulling up my inventory, I reviewed the items I¡¯d collected: - **Dungeon Fragments (x4)** - **Mana Crystal (x1)** - **Silver Trinkets (x2)** The fragments seemed common enough, but the mana crystal and silver trinkets might fetch a decent price. I approached a nearby stall piled high with baubles and trinkets. The merchant, a wiry woman with sharp eyes, greeted me with a tight-lipped smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°First time selling?¡± she asked, her voice smooth as silk. ¡°Is it that obvious?¡± I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. ¡°Very.¡± She leaned forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over me. ¡°Show me what you¡¯ve got.¡± I hesitated, Kiera¡¯s warning playing in my mind: *Don¡¯t trust anyone too easily.* Still, I opened my inventory and selected the items for sale. The merchant¡¯s eyes flickered over the list, her fingers drumming on the counter. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Hmm¡­ the mana crystal¡¯s worth something, but dungeon fragments aren¡¯t exactly flying off the shelves. I¡¯ll give you fifty silver for the lot.¡± ¡°Fifty?¡± I frowned. ¡°That seems low.¡± She smirked, shrugging. ¡°You¡¯re new here. Take it or leave it.¡± Before I could respond, a faint *ping* echoed in my head, followed by a notification: [Merchant Offer: Adjusted Value Based on Reputation (-10%).] *Reputation?* The word lingered in my mind as I stared at the glowing message. I hadn¡¯t seen anything about reputation before, but the idea made sense. The system wasn¡¯t just about stats or skills¡ªit was tracking how others saw me. ¡°How do I improve my reputation?¡± I asked, my frustration barely contained. The merchant¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°You take quests. Help people. Build a name for yourself. Or you don¡¯t. It¡¯s all the same to me.¡± Her tone was casual, but there was a gleam in her eyes that made me uneasy. ¡°Fine,¡± I muttered, accepting the deal. She handed me a pouch of silver, and I walked away, feeling a knot of irritation in my chest. The rest of the market was a maze of noise and color. Stalls lined the streets, each one offering something different: - Weapons that shimmered with faint magical auras. - Potions glowing in every imaginable color. - Strange gadgets that looked out of place, like relics from a futuristic world. I stopped at a small, dimly lit shop tucked into the corner of the square. Its sign read: **¡°The Shifting Hour: Artifacts and Relics.¡±** Inside, the air was cool and still, a welcome reprieve from the chaos outside. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with oddities¡ªglowing crystals, ancient coins, and strange devices I couldn¡¯t begin to understand. ¡°Looking for something specific?¡± the shopkeeper asked, emerging from the back. He was an older man, thin and sharp-eyed, with an air of quiet authority. ¡°I¡¯m looking for something¡­ for Chronomancers,¡± I said cautiously. His gaze sharpened, but he didn¡¯t comment. ¡°Rare class,¡± he said. ¡°Not many come through here. But I might have something.¡± He led me to a small shelf at the back of the shop, where three items were displayed: 1. **Sandglass Blade:** A short sword with a translucent blade that shimmered like flowing water. - *Effect: Slows time briefly around the user during combat.* - *Cost: 80 silver.* 2. **Temporal Band:** A silver ring engraved with faintly glowing runes. - *Effect: Boosts mana regeneration for Chronomancy spells.* - *Cost: 60 silver.* 3. **Chrono-Dagger:** A sleek dagger with a black handle and a faintly glowing edge. - *Effect: Allows a brief blink forward in time to avoid immediate threats.* - *Cost: 100 silver.* The dagger caught my eye immediately. It was sleek and elegant, with a practical edge that felt like it was made for someone who needed to stay one step ahead. ¡°How much for the dagger?¡± I asked. ¡°A hundred silver,¡± the shopkeeper said. I sighed, counting the coins in my pouch. Sixty-five. Not even close. ¡°Can you hold it for me?¡± I asked. The shopkeeper¡¯s lips twitched in a faint smile. ¡°This isn¡¯t a charity. First come, first served.¡± I left the shop, my mind racing. If I couldn¡¯t buy the dagger now, I¡¯d have to find another way to make up the difference. My thoughts drifted back to the noticeboard I¡¯d passed earlier. Quests might be my best chance to earn more silver¡ªand fast. I retraced my steps to the center of the square, scanning the glowing notices. Most were straightforward: - **¡°Monster Nest Extermination: 20 Silver Reward.¡±** - **¡°Escort Mission to the Northern Outpost: Negotiable Pay.¡±** - **¡°Herbal Collection for Potions: Beginner Level.¡±** But one notice stood out. The text shimmered faintly, shifting between languages before settling into one I could read: *¡°Seeking those who have seen the light. Inquire at The Shifting Hour.¡±* My heart skipped a beat. The name matched the shop I¡¯d just left. For a moment, I stood frozen, the noise of the market fading into the background. The message wasn¡¯t addressed to me specifically, but it felt personal¡ªtoo personal to ignore. I turned back toward the shop, I needed to know more. [15] - Marked by the System The shop felt different the second time I stepped inside. It wasn¡¯t the air, which was still cool and heavy with the faint metallic tang of ancient artifacts. It wasn¡¯t the shelves, which still bowed under the weight of strange objects I couldn¡¯t name. It was the feeling that something¡ªor someone¡ªwas waiting for me. The shopkeeper glanced up from his workbench as I entered, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Back already?¡± I hesitated at the threshold, my hand resting on the doorframe. ¡°I saw a notice,¡± I said finally. ¡°Something about¡­ those who have seen the light?¡± The shopkeeper¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but I caught the faintest flicker of interest in his gaze. ¡°Ah,¡± he said, setting down the strange metal contraption he¡¯d been working on. ¡°I wondered who might show up for that.¡± He motioned for me to follow, leading me past the cluttered shelves and into a small, dimly lit back room. The walls were lined with more artifacts, some glowing faintly, others ominously dark. In the center of the room sat a circular table made of black stone, its surface etched with runes that pulsed faintly as we approached. The shopkeeper gestured to a chair. ¡°Sit.¡± I hesitated, my pulse quickening. The last time I¡¯d felt this kind of unease was in the dungeon, right before the sentinels came to life. ¡°Relax,¡± the shopkeeper said, his voice almost amused. ¡°This isn¡¯t a trap. Yet.¡± His attempt at humor didn¡¯t help, but I sat anyway, my hand resting on the edge of the table in case I needed to bolt. The shopkeeper sat across from me, his hands steepled. ¡°You said you saw the light. What did you mean by that?¡± I blinked, caught off guard by the question. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°I saw the notice on the board, and it felt like¡ª¡± ¡°Like it was meant for you,¡± he finished. I nodded, the knot in my chest tightening. The shopkeeper leaned back, his sharp gaze never leaving mine. ¡°And what makes you think that?¡± I hesitated, debating whether to tell him about the system anomalies, the way the world seemed to ripple around me whenever I used my powers. But something about the weight of his stare made me cautious. ¡°It¡¯s just a feeling,¡± I said finally. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Hmph,¡± the shopkeeper grunted, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Feelings won¡¯t get you far in Aetherion.¡± He stood, pacing around the room as he spoke. ¡°Those who see the light¡­ they¡¯re not like the others. They¡¯re marked. The system watches them more closely, reacts to them differently.¡± ¡°Why?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°That¡¯s the question, isn¡¯t it?¡± He stopped, turning to face me. ¡°Some say it¡¯s a gift. Others call it a curse. Either way, it¡¯s dangerous.¡± The room felt colder, the faint hum of the runes on the table growing louder. ¡°And you think I¡¯m one of them?¡± I asked, my throat dry. The shopkeeper studied me for a long moment before speaking. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are yet. But the fact that you¡¯re here means you¡¯re worth watching.¡± He reached into his coat and pulled out a small, glowing crystal, placing it on the table between us. The light inside it swirled like liquid fire. ¡°This is a beacon,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯ll let you find others like you¡ªor let them find you. Use it wisely.¡± I stared at the crystal, the weight of his words pressing down on me. ¡°What happens if I use it?¡± I asked. ¡°That depends,¡± the shopkeeper said, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Sometimes, it¡¯s better not to know.¡± I left the shop with the crystal tucked safely into my pouch. The idea that there were others like me¡ªpeople the system treated differently¡ªwas equal parts terrifying and intriguing. If I wasn¡¯t alone, then maybe someone out there had answers. But the shopkeeper¡¯s warning lingered, casting a shadow over my thoughts. What kind of people would I find if I used the beacon? And what would they want from me? The marketplace felt different now, its chaos muted by the weight of what I¡¯d learned. I wandered aimlessly, the crystal¡¯s faint warmth pressing against my side as I debated my next move. A system notification blinked into view, startling me: [Optional Quest: Activate the Beacon.] [Reward: ???] [Warning: Quest Progress May Trigger Unforeseen Consequences.] I stared at the notification, my hand brushing the edge of the pouch. The choice felt heavier than any I¡¯d made before, like the entire world was holding its breath, waiting for my decision. ¡°Hey, you!¡± The shout snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see a group of adventurers heading my way, their armor battered but well-maintained. The leader, a tall woman with a spear strapped to her back, pointed directly at me. ¡°You¡¯re new here, right?¡± she said, her tone somewhere between friendly and threatening. ¡°Uh, yeah,¡± I said cautiously. She stopped in front of me, crossing her arms. ¡°Good. You¡¯ll want to stick with people who know the ropes. Come on, we¡¯ve got a job lined up.¡± I blinked, caught off guard by her bluntness. ¡°I¡¯m not looking for a group,¡± I said, taking a step back. Her expression hardened. ¡°That wasn¡¯t a request.¡± Before I could respond, the system chimed again: [New Quest: Join the Party for an Escort Mission.] [Reward: 25 Silver and Party Reputation Increase.] I clenched my fists, my mind racing. The quest was tempting¡ªI needed the money, and the reputation boost could open doors. But something about the woman¡¯s tone set off alarm bells in my head. *Don¡¯t trust anyone too easily.* Kiera¡¯s voice echoed in my mind, and I took another step back. ¡°I¡¯ll pass,¡± I said firmly. The woman frowned, but after a tense moment, she shrugged. ¡°Suit yourself. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± As the group disappeared into the crowd, I exhaled slowly, the tension in my chest easing. The marketplace was still buzzing, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I was being watched. My hand brushed against the crystal in my pouch, and I made my decision. I needed answers. [Quest Accepted: Activate the Beacon.] The crystal flared to life in my hand, its light cutting through the shadows like a beacon. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. And then, somewhere in the distance, a second light answered. [16] - Light A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. [17] - Threads of Conspiracy The temple felt heavier as we prepared to leave, like the air itself had been holding its breath since the anomaly was defeated. The faint glow of the runes on the walls dimmed as we stepped away from the central chamber, casting the space into deeper shadows. Lena carried the shard carefully, its soft, rhythmic pulse lighting the edges of her fingers. She seemed almost mesmerized by it, her sharp green eyes reflecting its glow. ¡°Keep staring at it, and it might start talking back,¡± Derrick muttered, his tone dripping with irritation. Lena smirked. ¡°You¡¯re welcome to carry it if you¡¯re so concerned.¡± ¡°No thanks,¡± he said, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. ¡°I don¡¯t need another cursed object weighing me down.¡± I followed them in silence, my gaze shifting between the shard and the runes etched into the temple walls. Something about the shard tugged at the edges of my senses, a faint but unmistakable pull. When I stepped closer to Lena, the shard¡¯s light flared slightly, like it was responding to me. A system notification blinked into my vision: [System Alert: Temporal Artifact Detected. Access Restricted¡ªInsufficient Clearance.] ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡± I murmured, more to myself than anyone else. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Lena asked, glancing over her shoulder. ¡°Nothing,¡± I said quickly, brushing the notification away. She raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t press further, though her gaze lingered on me a little longer than I liked. The three of us made our way down the cracked stone steps leading out of the temple. The forest beyond was still and quiet, the thick canopy above blocking most of the light. ¡°So,¡± Derrick said, breaking the silence, ¡°are we just going to ignore the fact that thing almost killed us?¡± If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°It didn¡¯t *almost* kill us,¡± Lena said, her tone breezy. ¡°We handled it.¡± ¡°Barely,¡± Derrick shot back. ¡°And now we¡¯re carrying around the reason it showed up in the first place. Smart.¡± ¡°The shard didn¡¯t summon the anomaly,¡± Lena said, rolling her eyes. ¡°The system did. That¡¯s what it does¡ªit reacts. And clearly, it thought we were worth testing.¡± ¡°Testing?¡± Derrick barked out a laugh. ¡°You really think this is all some kind of cosmic exam?¡± Lena¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Why not? Maybe we passed.¡± Their bickering filled the silence as we navigated the uneven forest trail. I stayed quiet, my thoughts circling back to the shard and the strange pull I felt whenever it was near. The system had responded to me directly. *Temporal Artifact Detected.* Why? I thought about the fight with the anomaly, the way my chronomancy had seemed to disrupt its movements, making it flicker and stutter. Was that connected to the shard? Or to me? ¡°What do you think, Hiro?¡± Lena¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°About the shard,¡± she said, slowing her pace so she was walking beside me. ¡°You used your abilities during the fight. Did it feel¡­ different?¡± I hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe.¡± Her eyes narrowed slightly, like she was trying to read something in my expression. ¡°Interesting.¡± Derrick snorted from ahead. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time, Lena. The kid doesn¡¯t know anything.¡± ¡°Maybe not yet,¡± she said, her voice light but pointed. The tension in the group was palpable as we continued toward the town. Derrick¡¯s frustration was clear in the sharpness of his steps, while Lena seemed almost too relaxed, like she thrived on the conflict. And me? I was somewhere in between¡ªcaught in their crossfire, trying to make sense of it all. We were halfway back when the first sign of trouble appeared. Derrick stopped abruptly, holding up a hand to signal silence. His head tilted slightly, his eyes scanning the dense trees around us. ¡°What is it?¡± Lena asked, her voice low. ¡°Footsteps,¡± Derrick said. ¡°More than one. Closing in.¡± I strained my ears, and after a moment, I heard it too¡ªthe faint crunch of leaves, the quiet shift of weight against the forest floor. Lena stepped closer to me, her free hand crackling faintly with energy. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got company.¡± ¡°Stay behind me,¡± Derrick said, drawing his massive sword with a quiet scrape of steel. We waited, the tension coiling tighter with each passing second. And then, they emerged. A group of five figures stepped out of the shadows, their dark armor etched with glowing runes. Each of them carried weapons¡ªswords, daggers, a crossbow¡ªall angled toward us. The one at the front, a tall woman with short, ash-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward. ¡°Marked and reckless,¡± she said, her voice calm but cutting. ¡°You¡¯ve made quite the mess.¡± ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± Derrick demanded, his blade steady in his grip. ¡°We¡¯re the Hunters of the Veil,¡± the woman said. ¡°And you¡¯re carrying something I want.¡± [18] - Pursuit The forest pressed in around us, the weight of its silence as suffocating as the battle we¡¯d just escaped. I stumbled against a tree, my legs weak, my breaths shallow. The cool bark bit into my shoulder, grounding me even as my head swam. [System Alert: Recovery Mode Engaged. Chronomancy Strain Detected. Stamina and Focus Reduced by 25%.] The words hovered faintly in the corner of my vision, a quiet reminder of just how much the fight had cost me. I clenched my teeth and pushed the notification aside, refusing to dwell on it. There wasn¡¯t time. Derrick paced nearby, his heavy boots crunching against the forest floor. He hadn¡¯t even sheathed his sword, the massive weapon resting across his shoulders as he turned sharp, frustrated circles. ¡°This is why I told you not to keep the damn shard,¡± he growled, his voice cutting through the stillness. ¡°It¡¯s not worth it, Lena. We¡¯re dragging trouble behind us like a damn banner.¡± Lena sat on a flat stone near the edge of the clearing, her back straight despite the exhaustion etched across her face. The shard rested in her hands, its light dim and flickering. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for your approval, Derrick,¡± she said, her tone sharp but tired. ¡°The shard¡¯s ours. And it¡¯s the only thing standing between us and ignorance.¡± ¡°Ignorance might¡¯ve been safer,¡± Derrick snapped, stopping to glare at her. ¡°We¡¯ve got the Hunters on us now. What¡¯s your plan for that, genius? Wait for them to catch up and hope they change their minds?¡± Lena didn¡¯t answer immediately. Her gaze was fixed on the shard, the faint light playing across her face. ¡°What¡¯s your suggestion, then?¡± she said finally, looking up at him. ¡°Toss the shard into a river and call it a day? Hope it doesn¡¯t end up in the wrong hands?¡± ¡°That might be smarter than letting it light us up like a target,¡± Derrick shot back. ¡°Enough,¡± I said, surprising even myself with the firmness in my voice. Both of them turned to look at me, Derrick¡¯s frown deepening, Lena raising an eyebrow.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°We can¡¯t just keep arguing,¡± I said, forcing myself to straighten up. My legs wobbled slightly, but I managed to stay upright. ¡°The shard isn¡¯t going away. We need to figure out what it¡¯s for¡ªwhat it¡¯s doing.¡± Lena tilted her head, a faint glimmer of approval in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m glad at least one of us is thinking clearly,¡± she said, her tone softer now. Derrick grumbled something under his breath but didn¡¯t argue further. ¡°There¡¯s a place we can go,¡± Lena said, holding up the shard. Its light flared faintly, as though reacting to her words. ¡°A ruin. It¡¯s not far from here, maybe a day¡¯s travel. If the shard¡¯s going to reveal anything, it¡¯ll happen there.¡± Derrick groaned. ¡°A ruin. Of course. Why not throw a volcano into the mix while we¡¯re at it?¡± I ignored his sarcasm, focusing on Lena. ¡°What makes you so sure about this place?¡± She hesitated, just for a moment, before answering. ¡°Because I¡¯ve been there before.¡± Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. ¡°It was years ago,¡± Lena continued, her voice quieter now. ¡°Back when I was just another scavenger, picking through ruins for artifacts to sell. I didn¡¯t know about the marked or the system¡¯s anomalies back then. I thought it was just another job.¡± She paused, her fingers tightening around the shard. ¡°But the ruin was¡­ different. The system didn¡¯t act the way it was supposed to. There were glitches¡ªanomalies that made no sense. The energy there felt alive, like the system itself was trying to push me out.¡± Derrick folded his arms, his scowl deepening. ¡°And let me guess. That brilliant discovery almost got you killed?¡± Lena¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smirk. ¡°Of course it did. But it also taught me something. The system isn¡¯t perfect. It has cracks, just like everything else. And those cracks are where we find the truth.¡± Her words sent a chill through me. The idea of a flawed system¡ªan entity that controlled this world but wasn¡¯t infallible¡ªwas both fascinating and terrifying. ¡°You really think the shard is connected to this place?¡± I asked. ¡°I don¡¯t think,¡± Lena said firmly. ¡°I know. The shard reacts to system energy, and the ruin is alive with it. If we want answers, that¡¯s where we¡¯ll find them.¡± ¡°And if we don¡¯t?¡± Derrick asked. Lena shrugged, the flicker of her smirk returning. ¡°Then at least we¡¯ll know we tried. But if you¡¯d rather wait for the Hunters to catch up¡­¡± Derrick sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. ¡°Fine. We¡¯ll go. But if this blows up in our faces, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be worth it,¡± Lena said, her voice quieter but certain. I glanced at the shard again, its faint pulsing drawing my gaze like a flame. The system¡¯s notifications from earlier flashed through my mind: [System Alert: Temporal Affinity Detected. Artifact Synchronization: 12% Complete.] The word ¡°synchronization¡± sent a shiver down my spine. Whatever this shard was, it wasn¡¯t just a tool. It was tied to me somehow. As the group settled into uneasy silence, I caught a faint flicker of light in the distance. My breath hitched as I turned toward it, spotting several glowing orbs hovering near the direction of the town gates. ¡°They¡¯re still following us,¡± I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Derrick turned sharply, his expression darkening. ¡°Hunters?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Lena said, though her tone lacked its usual confidence. The light flickered again, growing brighter before disappearing into the shadows. A system notification appeared, sharp and direct: [Warning: Faction Pursuit Detected. Proximity Alert: 0.5 Miles. Suggested Action: Evade or Neutralize.] Derrick let out a long sigh, his hand tightening around his sword hilt. ¡°Great. Looks like we won¡¯t be getting much sleep tonight.¡± Lena smirked faintly, though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Good thing I¡¯m used to working under pressure.¡± [19] - Journey to the Ruin ¡°This way,¡± Lena said, her voice cutting through the silence. She held the shard close, its faint light casting shifting patterns on the ground as she led the way. Derrick followed a few paces behind her, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His scowl hadn¡¯t softened since we¡¯d left the clearing, and I doubted it would anytime soon. I trailed behind them, my legs still aching from the fight with the Hunters. The Chrono-Dagger felt heavier at my side, a quiet reminder of how much I¡¯d relied on it¡ªand how much it had taken out of me. The path was uneven, tangled with roots and vines that seemed to grow thicker the further we went. ¡°Are we getting close?¡± Derrick asked, his tone laced with irritation. ¡°Not yet,¡± Lena said without turning around. ¡°The ruin¡¯s at the heart of this forest. We¡¯ll know we¡¯re close when things start to get¡­ strange.¡± Derrick let out a low grunt. ¡°Strange. Fantastic. Because nothing about this place has been strange so far.¡± I barely had time to roll my eyes at Derrick¡¯s sarcasm before the forest around us shifted. At first, it was subtle¡ªa flicker at the edges of my vision, like the trees themselves were swaying in a wind I couldn¡¯t feel. Then it happened again, stronger this time. The ground beneath my feet seemed to ripple, the dirt and leaves warping like water. ¡°Wait,¡± I said, stopping in my tracks. ¡°What now?¡± Derrick asked, glancing over his shoulder. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± I said, my voice quieter now. ¡°Didn¡¯t we just pass that tree?¡± Derrick frowned and turned to look. The tree in question had a distinctive shape¡ªa massive oak with a knot near its base that looked like a closed eye. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡± he started, but then his eyes widened. ¡°Oh, come on. We¡¯ve been here before?¡± Lena slowed, turning to face us with a look of annoyance. ¡°It¡¯s a spatial anomaly,¡± she said simply. ¡°A what?¡± Derrick barked. ¡°A loop,¡± Lena said, holding up the shard. ¡°The system¡¯s instability creates distortions in space. It¡¯s pulling us in circles.¡± Derrick groaned. ¡°And how do we get out of it, oh wise one?¡± Lena ignored him, her focus shifting to the shard. The faint light in her hand seemed to pulse more erratically now, its rhythm faster than before. ¡°We¡¯ll use this,¡± she said, her tone sharper. ¡°You¡¯re just going to wave it around and hope for the best?¡± Derrick asked, his frustration boiling over. ¡°If you have a better idea, I¡¯m all ears,¡± Lena snapped back. I stepped between them, holding up a hand. ¡°Enough. Lena, if you think the shard can disrupt this, then do it.¡± Lena¡¯s gaze flicked to me, her irritation softening slightly. She nodded and held the shard up higher. The light flared, brighter and harsher than before, casting long shadows across the forest floor. I squinted against the glare as the shard pulsed in her hand. [System Notification: Spatial Anomaly Detected. Loop Disruption in Progress.] The system¡¯s voice was faint but clear, its tone cold and mechanical. I tensed as the forest around us seemed to ripple again, the distortion growing stronger. The shard¡¯s light pulsed faster, each flicker accompanied by a low hum that vibrated in my chest. The air grew thick, almost suffocating, as if the forest itself was resisting Lena¡¯s efforts. ¡°Come on,¡± she muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration. A final pulse of light burst from the shard, illuminating the forest in blinding white. I blinked rapidly, my vision swimming as the light faded. When the world came back into focus, the distortion was gone. The knot-marked tree was nowhere in sight, and the ground beneath us felt solid again. [System Notification: Loop Disruption Complete. Path Restored.] Lena exhaled heavily, her shoulders sagging as she lowered the shard. ¡°There,¡± she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion. ¡°Happy now?¡± ¡°Thrilled,¡± Derrick muttered, though he didn¡¯t look particularly angry anymore. I glanced at the shard in Lena¡¯s hand, its light dim but steady again. ¡°How did you know it would work?¡± I asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± she admitted, offering me a small, tired smirk. ¡°But the shard¡¯s tied to the system. If anything could disrupt the loop, it was this.¡±