Chapter 9: Spirit Resonance
From across the fire, Kwan noticed Jiho and waved him over. Jiho hesitated for a moment, still trying to process the vision, but then made his way toward Kwan. The warrior greeted him with a grin and handed him a piece of meat, charred on the outside but tender and juicy within.
"Eat, you look like you've seen a ghost," Kwan jokes, his voice light and teasing.
Jiho took the meat and bit into it, the rich flavor grounding him back in the present. "Just… thinking," Jiho replied between bites, glancing around at the villagers. Despite the earlier intensity of the ritual, they now seemed relaxed, their focus entirely on the celebration. Those who had sustained minor injuries during the hunt were already up and moving, while the more severely wounded were being tended to by the elder in his hut.
As Jiho chewed thoughtfully, another villager from the hunting party joined them, a broad smile on his face. "Ah, Jiho! You're still standing after all that, eh?" The man's voice was hearty, his presence immediately easing some of the tension Jiho hadn't realized he was holding.
"Kwan here says you fought well, and I don't doubt it," the villager continued, clapping Jiho on the shoulder. "Name's Rakan, by the way. We'll make a hunter out of you yet!"
Jiho couldn't help but smile at Rakan's infectious energy. The man had a rugged look, with scars criss-crossing his arms and a wild gleam in his eyes, but there was a warmth to him that made Jiho feel strangely at ease. "Thanks, Rakan. I'm just trying to keep up."
Rakan laughed, a deep, booming sound. "Keep up? You did more than that, kid. That Grimclaw was no joke, and you stood your ground."
As the three of them settled into a casual conversation, the topic naturally drifted to the hunt. Rakan was animated, recounting the moment they had first spotted the Grimclaw and the tense minutes that followed. He spoke of the thrill of the chase, the fear that had gripped them all, and the sheer relief when the beast finally fell.
Jiho listened intently, grateful for the distraction. The ritual and the vision were still fresh in his mind, but the easy banter with Kwan and Rakan helped him push those thoughts aside, if only for a little while.
After a while, Kwan stood and motioned for Jiho to follow. "Come on, there's something you need to see."
Jiho, curiosity piqued, followed Kwan and Rakan as they led him through the village. They wound their way past huts and fire pits until they reached a dilapidated structure on the outskirts of the village. The hut was barely standing, its walls leaning precariously, and the roof was more holes than thatch.
"This'll be your place for now," Kwan said, a hint of apology in his voice. "It's not much, but it'll keep the rain off your head."
Jiho nodded, understanding the situation. "It's fine. I'll manage."
Rakan clapped him on the back again. "That's the spirit! We'll get it fixed up in no time, don't you worry."
Jiho stepped inside, the musty scent of the old hut filling his nose. It was small and bare, but it was a shelter, and that was enough. He turned to thank them, but Kwan and Rako were already walking away, their voices carrying through the night as they spoke of the feast to come.
Jiho sat down on the rough mat that served as a bed, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. As he lay back, his mind wandered to the vision he had seen, to the spirit that had reached out to him. The memory of the sharp pain in his eyes lingered, along with the notification from the Primordial System.
"Spirit Resonance…" he murmured, the words barely audible as sleep began to claim him.
Outside, the village celebrated, but Jiho's thoughts were far away, drifting on the edge of dreams where spirits and ancient rituals danced in the flickering firelight.
As Jiho drifted into a light sleep, the darkness behind his eyelids suddenly shimmered. He felt a strange pull, a gentle but insistent tugging at the edge of his consciousness. The air around him grew thick, heavy with a presence that was both familiar and foreign. His breath hitched as he felt a subtle vibration in the pit of his stomach, spreading outward to every limb.
[Spirit Resonance Activated.]
The system's voice echoed softly in his mind, and suddenly, the world around him shifted. The walls of the hut seemed to fade away, replaced by a vast expanse of shadowy figures and ethereal lights. Jiho was no longer lying on the mat but standing amidst a scene that defied reality.
Before him, translucent forms—spirits—floated and danced, their movements synchronized with the rhythm of an ancient, unseen drum. Each spirit was different; some appeared as warriors clad in ancient armor, others as animals—wolves, eagles, and even great serpents—gliding through the air as though swimming in a sea of starlight. The spirits wove in and out of the flames that roared to life around Jiho, their forms flickering like the fire itself.
Jiho's heart raced as he watched, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of it all. He could feel the pulse of energy that flowed through the spirits, an energy that resonated deep within his own being. The spirits' presence was almost palpable, as though they were brushing against his skin, whispering secrets that he could almost—but not quite—understand.
Then, one of the spirits—a tall figure with a face obscured by a glowing helm—paused in its dance. Slowly, it turned toward Jiho, its eyes gleaming with a light that pierced through the veil of the spirit world. Jiho felt his breath catch in his throat as the spirit extended a hand toward him. The moment their gazes locked, Jiho's vision blurred, and a sharp, searing pain shot through his eyes.
He gasped, doubling over as he clutched at his head. The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced—intense and burning, as if a thousand needles were being driven into his skull. His vision went white, and for a moment, he feared he would lose consciousness.
But just as quickly as it had come, the pain subsided, leaving behind a throbbing ache. Jiho slowly opened his eyes, blinking rapidly as his surroundings came back into focus. He was back in the dilapidated hut, the spirit world faded away, but the memory of the vision lingered, vivid and haunting.
Another notification appeared before him:
[Skill Acquired: Spirit Resonance - Level 1
Description: A skill that allows the user to sense and attune to the spiritual energies present during rituals and in the wilds. As the skill levels up, the user will gain deeper insights into the mysteries of the spiritual world.]
Jiho let out a shaky breath, staring at the notification as it hovered in the air. Spirit Resonance… He wasn't entirely sure what it meant, but he had a feeling it would be crucial in understanding the strange rituals and the mysterious forces at work in this world.
His thoughts were still swirling when he suddenly remembered something. In games or systems like this, there was always a way to check one's status—levels, skills, stats. If this was truly a system, then there should be a status window he could access.
"Status," Jiho said, feeling a flicker of anticipation.
Instantly, a translucent panel appeared before him, displaying a wealth of information:
____________
Name: Jiho
Level: 2
Title: [None]
Health: 92/100
Stamina: 85/100
Mana: 50/50
Skills:
Primordial Surge - Level 1: Temporary boost of physical and mental capabilities in response to life-threatening situations. Duration: 3 minutes, cooldown: 24 hours.
Crafting Skill - Basic Trap - Level 1: Ability to craft simple traps using available materials.
Hunting Skill - Basic - Level 1: Fundamental knowledge of hunting techniques and tracking.
Survival Skill - Advanced - Level 2: Enhanced survival instincts, allowing for better resource management and adaptability in harsh environments.
Crafting Skill - Dismantling - Level 1: Ability to efficiently dismantle and salvage materials from hunted creatures or found objects.
Primordial Insight - Level 1: Allows users to gain a brief understanding of unknown entities or environments. Limited to three uses per day.
Basic Language Comprehension - Level 1: Enables rudimentary understanding and communication in the local language.
Spirit Resonance - Level 1: A skill that allows the user to sense and attune to the spiritual energies present during rituals and in the wilds. As the skill levels up, the user will gain deeper insights into the mysteries of the spiritual world.
_________________
As Jiho scanned the list of skills, he noticed something unusual. At the bottom of the status panel was a small icon, shaped like a gift box, with a red dot on it—a notification that something new was waiting for him. His curiosity was piqued, but for now, he chose to let it be. The events of the day had already given him more than enough to think about.
With a deep breath, Jiho closed the status window, feeling the weight of his new abilities and responsibilities settle on his shoulders. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with dangers both seen and unseen, but he was determined to face whatever came his way.