He hadn't dreamed in so long that when it finally happened, he felt a strange sense of relief. In this dream, various voices could be heard, melodious and calm, and it was pleasant. The dream was his refuge, the only place where he could forget about his suffering. For the boy, the dream was something of a salvation — he loved it more than anything else because only there could he hide from the harsh reality.
The dream became more vivid and intense, but suddenly it was interrupted by an unpleasant sound, like a ringing in his ears, which pierced his consciousness. The boy slowly began to wake up, feeling the pain once again overwhelm his body. He tried to open his eyes, but everything seemed blurred and ghostly. After a moment, he made out a figure in front of him: it was a bearded, elderly man with coarse, graying hair. He was short and didn't look particularly menacing. Pain shot through the boy once more — he realized this was not a dream, and reality was waiting to inflict suffering upon him again. Reality that seemed to slowly be killing him.
The boy didn't feel fear or anger — his soul was too worn out to resist. He just wanted to rest for a little longer, to forget, even if just for a few short minutes. But soon his calm was disturbed again: the old man suddenly gave him a light slap on the cheek. The slap was weak but strangely magical, as if awakening some kind of strength in his exhausted body. The boy involuntarily shuddered and suddenly stood up as if his body no longer obeyed him, but some external force.
Looking around, he noticed he was surrounded by unfamiliar people. A few meters away, several people were discussing something, and next to him stood three others, tensely watching his condition. The clothes he was wearing were foreign, too large, and the whole scene resembled some absurd nightmare. The boy counted eight people, including himself. All of them were dressed in armor and looked like warriors, ready for any threat. His head rested on a tuft of moss, and he realized he was in a deep cave. It was dark and menacing, with massive stalactites and stalagmites, creating a sense of abandonment and dampness. The only source of light was a fire, its flames an unusual, ghostly shade.
The silence was quickly broken as the people near him began talking. He didn't understand their language, but from their facial expressions and gestures, he could tell the situation was tense. The boy felt growing unease but didn't dare interfere. He knew how dangerous people could be, especially in such conditions. One of the girls, arguing with the bearded old man, extended her hand to help him up. The boy coldly ignored her gesture, standing up on his own, though it took considerable effort. As soon as he rose, his legs betrayed him, nearly collapsing again, but the girl caught him, holding him upright. She smiled gently, and despite his exhaustion, the boy was struck by this unexpected gesture of kindness.
The pain in his body had subsided slightly, but it hadn't gone away. He felt that his wounds were still fresh, though the pain had become bearable. The old man carefully placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and led him toward the fire. The boy didn't resist — he understood he had no strength left to fight. Around the fire sat four others, who noticeably differed from those standing near him. Those seated appeared more fragile and had dark skin, while those standing were broad-shouldered and powerful with pale skin like ordinary humans. The boy was surprised by this contrast, as if before him were representatives of different species.
The old man gently laid him down by the fire, then joined the conversation, which continued as if the boy posed no threat to them. It seemed the two groups had united in the face of a common danger. The boy felt like a stranger among these people, and while they discussed something important, he tried to recall the events that had brought him here. Was it really a portal? Everything in his head was jumbled: sounds, images, pain. He closed his eyes, trying once more to listen to the world around him, as if seeking answers in the silence of the cave.
Race: Human
Essence Core: Seeker of the Edge (Beginner)
Soul Essence: [10/500]
Relics: Lich Crown, Forgotten Sword, Shield Medallion
Ethereal Shadows: None
Attributes: [Talentless], [Doomed to Die], [Cursed], [Sense of Aether]
Essence: Doomed Phantom
Essence Rank: Awakened
Essence Abilities: [Flickering Dash]
The boy remembered the word "medallion." He had heard it before and immediately strained his ears, trying to understand what this item represented.
[Shield Medallion]
[Rank: 2/7]
"A man consumed by the forest, turned into a monster, was defeated not by strength, but by his own terrifying appearance."
"The medallion grants its wearer minor resistance to weak mental attacks."
The boy smiled inwardly. A new relic was always a chance for survival. He listened intently to the medallion's enchantments.
[Enchantments: Favored by the Forest, Shield's Charm]
[Favored by the Forest]: In the forest, your resistance to mental attacks increases.
[Shield's Charm]: Your physical defense is enhanced when you are under mental attack.
His heart calmed slightly. The medallion's enchantments seemed truly useful. The boy began to think about how this might help him in the future.
But the calm didn't last long. The old man gently grabbed his arm, trying to bring him out of his thoughts and back to reality. He handed him a piece of meat on a bone with a serious expression. Without hesitation, the boy accepted the food and began to eat greedily. It was the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. After months of surviving on scraps, this felt almost divine. He didn't care what kind of meat it was — monster or animal — as long as it was rich and nourishing.
When he finished, he noticed everyone was looking at him. The girl standing next to him once again extended her hand. She smiled and seemed to be waiting for him to do something. The boy, a little embarrassed, cautiously touched her hand, and at that moment, a message flashed before his eyes.
You received the relic [Letter]
The girl smiled warmly, as if expecting him to read it. The boy opened the letter and froze in surprise.
[Letter]
[Missing]
And then the next message shocked him:
[The system automatically translates into a language understood by the person. Did you enjoy the meat? What should we call you?]
The boy looked at her, not knowing what to say.