The winds atop the mountain plateau were relentless, biting at Jace's exposed skin and tugging at his gear. Each step down the icy slope was a calculated risk, the uneven terrain offering little stability. But the System's guidance was precise, marking safe footholds and alerting him to loose rocks or hidden patches of ice.
"Descent progress: 30%. Time remaining to Verdant Scar Valley: 5 hours and 20 minutes."
"Five hours," Jace muttered under his breath, his voice almost lost to the howling wind. "Let's hope nothing decides to delay me."
Despite the frost energy still coursing through him, his body ached with the weight of recent battles. Every muscle protested as he pushed forward, but the clarity the Cryostone Nexus had granted him kept his mind sharp. He couldn't afford to stop now.
Halfway down the slope, the terrain began to change. The ice and snow gave way to rocky outcroppings and patches of hardy vegetation clinging to life in the harsh conditions. The air was still cold, but the oppressive chill of the frost domain was fading, replaced by the crisp, clean scent of alpine wilderness.
Jace paused to survey his surroundings. A narrow pathway wound its way down the mountain, bordered by steep drops on one side and jagged rock formations on the other. It was treacherous, but manageable.
"Warning: Unstable mana signature detected. Source: Proximity to Rift Zone."
The System's alert made him stop in his tracks. A faint, shimmering distortion hung in the air ahead, almost invisible against the rocky backdrop. Jace narrowed his eyes, focusing on the anomaly.
"Rift Zone identified. Classification: Minor Disturbance. Probability of hostile entities: Moderate."
"Of course," Jace muttered. "Because it's never easy."
Drawing his Blade Panther claws, Jace approached the distortion cautiously. The air around it felt heavier, charged with an energy that prickled at his skin. The Rift Zone wasn't large, but its presence was enough to unsettle the natural balance of the area.
As he stepped closer, the distortion began to ripple, its edges expanding like the surface of disturbed water. A low, guttural sound emanated from within, followed by the appearance of a creature that made Jace's blood run cold.
It was a Rift Stalker—a lanky, shadowy beast with elongated limbs and glowing red eyes. Its movements were erratic, as though the unstable mana had affected its form. But its predatory intent was clear as it turned its gaze toward Jace, emitting a low growl.
The Rift Stalker lunged with terrifying speed, closing the distance between them in a blur. Jace barely had time to react, raising his claws to block the strike. The impact sent him skidding backward, his boots scraping against the rocky ground.
Recovering quickly, Jace countered with a slash of his own. The Blade Panther claws connected with the creature's torso, tearing through its shadowy form. The Rift Stalker let out a shrill screech, its body rippling as though struggling to maintain cohesion.
"Entity: Rift Stalker. Threat level: High. Note: Weakness to concentrated mana attacks."
Jace didn't hesitate. Channeling the frost energy within him, he infused his claws with a concentrated burst of mana. The cold radiated outward, forming a thin layer of ice over the blades. When the Rift Stalker charged again, Jace met it head-on, slashing through its form with a precision strike.
The creature's body convulsed, its shadowy essence dissipating into the air like smoke. Jace exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the chill air. The Rift Zone remained active, its distortion still rippling, but no other entities emerged.
"Rift Zone neutralized. Area stabilizing. Mana disruption: Minimal."
The shimmering distortion began to fade, the air around it returning to normal. Jace lowered his claws, his muscles still tense from the encounter. The System's prompt reassured him that the danger had passed, but he couldn't shake the unease that lingered.
With the path clear, Jace resumed his descent. The mountain's slope grew less steep as he approached the base, the rugged terrain giving way to a dense forest of towering pines and frost-touched foliage. The Verdant Scar Valley lay ahead, its entrance marked by a narrow gorge carved through the mountains.
The valley was a stark contrast to the frost-covered peaks above. The air was warmer here, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and moss. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Yet there was an undercurrent of tension in the atmosphere, a reminder that this was still untamed wilderness.
Jace paused at the edge of the gorge, taking a moment to assess his surroundings. The forest stretched out before him, its depths shrouded in mystery. The System displayed a map of the area, marking key points of interest and potential hazards.
"Objective: Traverse Verdant Scar Valley. Warning: High probability of ambush predators and unstable mana zones."
"Great," Jace said with a faint smirk. "Guess we're not done yet."
He adjusted his gear, tightened the straps of his pack, and stepped into the valley. The shadows of the forest closed around him, and the journey continued.
The air within the Verdant Scar Valley was thick with the scents of earth and foliage, a stark departure from the icy crispness of the mountains. Jace moved cautiously, his senses attuned to every sound and shift in the underbrush. The System's warnings about ambush predators echoed in his mind, and he kept his claws within easy reach.
The forest was alive with subtle movement. Branches rustled above him, the sound too deliberate to be the wind. Small creatures darted between the trees, their forms fleeting shadows in the corner of his vision. Jace kept his steps light, avoiding dry leaves and twigs that might betray his position.
"Scanning environment… Hostile entities detected. Classification: Predators of unknown origin. Estimated count: 3."
Jace halted, his gaze sweeping the forest ahead. The System marked the predators' positions, faint outlines flickering in his peripheral vision. They were moving in formation, closing in on him from multiple angles.
A low growl emerged from the shadows, followed by the appearance of a sleek, feline-like creature. Its fur was mottled green and brown, blending perfectly with the forest floor. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto Jace, and it bared sharp fangs in a silent warning.
The other two predators emerged moments later, circling him with predatory intent. Their movements were synchronized, their muscles coiled like springs ready to strike.
Jace crouched slightly, his claws sliding into his hands with a faint metallic hiss. The frost energy within him responded to his tension, spreading a chill across his skin. He let the energy flow into his weapons, the claws glowing faintly with icy blue light.
The first predator lunged, its speed a blur as it aimed for Jace's throat. He sidestepped the attack, his claws slicing through the air in a sharp arc. The creature yelped as the frost-coated blades cut into its flank, leaving a trail of ice across its fur.
The second predator attacked from the opposite side, its claws raking through empty space as Jace twisted out of reach. He retaliated with a downward slash, catching the creature's shoulder and driving it back.
The third was more cautious, circling just out of range. Its eyes flicked between Jace and its injured packmates, calculating its next move.
Jace didn't wait for it to decide. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, his claws striking in a fluid motion. The predator reacted too slowly, its defenses faltering as Jace's frost-enhanced strikes overwhelmed it.
The remaining two predators hesitated, their confidence waning. One let out a sharp cry, and the pair retreated into the forest, their forms vanishing among the trees.
Jace exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cool air. The encounter had been brief, but the tension lingered. He wiped the frost residue from his claws and continued through the valley, his senses still on high alert.
The forest began to change as he delved deeper. The trees grew taller and denser, their gnarled roots twisting across the forest floor like ancient veins. The air grew cooler again, and the faint hum of mana became more pronounced.
"Unstable mana zone detected. Disturbance level: Moderate. Cause: Unknown artifact."
The System highlighted a glowing object ahead, partially buried beneath a tangle of roots. Jace approached cautiously, the artifact's faint energy tugging at the frost core within him.
It was a small orb, no larger than his fist, its surface etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with light. The mana surrounding it was chaotic, shifting between hot and cold in erratic waves.
"Artifact identified: Runic Catalyst. Function: Mana amplification and disruption. Warning: Prolonged exposure may destabilize localized energy fields."
Jace crouched beside the artifact, studying its intricate design. The energy it emitted was unlike anything he had encountered before, a volatile mix that seemed both powerful and dangerous.
He reached out cautiously, his fingers brushing the orb's surface. A surge of energy shot through him, sharp and jarring, as though the artifact were resisting his touch. He pulled back instinctively, his frost energy flaring in response.
The artifact's light intensified, its runes glowing brighter as the chaotic mana began to spiral outward.
"Warning: Mana destabilization imminent. Immediate action required."
Jace gritted his teeth, his mind racing. Leaving the artifact unchecked could create a rift similar to the one he had encountered earlier, but trying to contain it would be risky. He had no guarantee his frost core could withstand such unstable energy.
Summoning his resolve, Jace channeled his frost energy toward the artifact. The chill spread through the air, slowing the chaotic spirals and dampening the mana's intensity. The artifact resisted, its runes flaring angrily, but Jace pushed harder, forcing his energy to envelop it completely.
The struggle was brief but intense. With one final surge of frost energy, the artifact's glow dimmed, its chaotic mana settling into a steady pulse.
"Artifact stabilized. Runic Catalyst neutralized. Residual mana levels decreasing."
Jace let out a shaky breath, his hands trembling as he released his hold on the artifact. The forest around him seemed to relax, the oppressive tension lifting as the mana disturbance faded.
He carefully placed the artifact in his pack, knowing it might hold value later. The System remained silent for a moment, as if processing the event. Then, its calm voice returned.
"Objective updated: Deliver Runic Catalyst to Nexus Research Base. Reward: Tier-2 Energy Core."
Jace rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping the forest ahead.