The weight of Jihoon's words hung heavy in the air. Jinwoo, Hyeri, and Donghyuk stood in the dimly lit office, the tension almost palpable. Each of them could feel the gravity of the situation. War with the Watcher—an unimaginable force that governed the balance of the Ascendant world—seemed impossible, but there was no turning back now.
Donghyuk was the first to break the silence, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. "War, huh? Sounds exciting. But if we're going up against some cosmic overlord, we're gonna need more than just good looks and a few tricks. What's the plan, Jihoon?"
Jihoon didn't respond immediately. Instead, he walked over to a large, ornate bookshelf on the side of his office and pulled out an ancient tome. It was thick and covered in strange symbols that glowed faintly under the room's light. He placed it on the desk with a heavy thud, flipping it open to a specific page.
"This," Jihoon said, pointing to a detailed map in the tome, "is the path we'll need to take. If you're serious about standing against the Watcher, you'll need to gather more power—and not just the kind you've been acquiring in dungeons."
Hyeri stepped closer, her eyes scanning the map. It was unlike any dungeon layout she had ever seen. The map showed multiple regions connected by glowing lines, each area marked with ancient sigils.
"What is this place?" Hyeri asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.
Jihoon's gaze sharpened. "These are the Sanctuaries of the Ancients. They're hidden locations scattered across the Ascendant world, each one housing a piece of what we call 'Primal Energy.' It's the original source of power that Ascendants used before the current system was established by the Watcher. If you can gather enough Primal Energy, you'll have the strength to defy even the cosmic beings that govern our world."
Donghyuk grinned, his excitement barely contained. "So, ancient hidden power-ups? I'm in."
Jinwoo, however, was more cautious. "If these Sanctuaries exist, why hasn't anyone else gone after the Primal Energy? Surely other powerful beings would've tried to get their hands on it."
"They have," Jihoon replied, his voice somber. "But the Sanctuaries are not easy to find, and even harder to conquer. Each one is protected by powerful guardians—beings who've existed since the dawn of Ascendants. Many have tried and failed. The few who succeeded... well, they became legends."
Hyeri's eyes widened. "You mean the first Ascendants?"
Jihoon nodded. "Yes. They were the only ones who managed to tap into the full potential of Primal Energy, which is why they were able to defeat beings like Ashura in the past. But once the Watcher established the new order, access to Primal Energy was restricted. The path to the Sanctuaries was hidden, and their existence was nearly erased from history."
Jinwoo stepped forward, his gaze locked on Jihoon. "And you know how to find them?"
Jihoon gave a faint smile. "I've spent years researching them, collecting fragments of lost knowledge. I've pieced together enough to get you started, but finding all the Sanctuaries won't be easy. Some are hidden deep within dangerous territories, and others... well, let's just say the guardians won't give up their power without a fight."
Donghyuk punched his palm, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Fighting's what we do best. If these guardians think they can stop us, they've got another thing coming."
Hyeri, though nervous, nodded in agreement. "If we're going to stand a chance against the Watcher, we don't have a choice. We'll need every advantage we can get."
Jinwoo remained quiet for a moment, processing everything. The idea of Primal Energy intrigued him. If it was the key to surpassing even the Watcher, then it was worth pursuing. But he knew this journey wouldn't be like the usual dungeon raids. This was something far more dangerous.
"What's the first step?" Jinwoo finally asked.
Jihoon flipped the pages of the tome, revealing a specific region on the map. "The first Sanctuary is located in the Lost Forest, deep within the Forbidden Territories. It's known as the Sanctuary of Light. Legend has it that the guardian there was once a healer of immense power, capable of bending light to her will. She won't be an easy opponent."
Donghyuk whistled. "A healer, huh? Well, if she's all about light, maybe Hyeri can take her on."
Hyeri shot him a look. "I'm not exactly a master of light magic, Donghyuk."
"You'll learn," Donghyuk teased, his grin widening.
Jinwoo ignored their banter, focusing on Jihoon. "How long will it take to get there?"
"Several days, at least," Jihoon replied. "But the journey will be dangerous. The Forbidden Territories are filled with monsters and rogue Ascendants who live outside the Watcher's system. They won't take kindly to intruders."
"Sounds like fun," Donghyuk said with a smirk.
Jinwoo's gaze hardened. "We'll leave at dawn."
Later that night…
Jinwoo stood on the balcony of the guild's headquarters, staring out at the city below. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale light over the rooftops. Despite the cool night air, Jinwoo's mind was restless.
The Watcher. The Sanctuaries. Primal Energy.
It was all so much to take in. But deep down, Jinwoo knew this was the path he had to walk. If they didn't act, if they didn't gather the strength to fight back, the Watcher would come for them—and there would be no mercy.
"Can't sleep?"
Jinwoo turned to see Hyeri stepping out onto the balcony, her long hair swaying gently in the breeze. She looked tired but determined.
"I've been thinking about what Jihoon said," she continued, leaning against the railing beside him. "About Primal Energy. Do you really think it's our only option?"
Jinwoo stared up at the stars, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. But I do know that we can't stay where we are. The Watcher isn't going to give us the luxury of staying in the shadows forever."
Hyeri sighed softly. "It feels like we're being pulled into something way bigger than ourselves. Ascendants, Primal Energy, the Watcher... it's all so overwhelming."
Jinwoo glanced at her, his voice soft. "You don't have to come if you don't want to. This fight—it's not going to be easy. I won't blame you if—"
"Stop right there," Hyeri interrupted, turning to face him with a determined look. "I'm not leaving. We've fought together for too long for me to back out now. Whatever comes, I'm with you."
Jinwoo felt a warmth in his chest at her words, but he kept his emotions in check. "Thanks, Hyeri."
She smiled, then glanced at the city below. "You think Donghyuk's ready for this?"
Jinwoo smirked. "Donghyuk's always ready. He lives for this kind of chaos."
They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their upcoming journey hanging between them. But for the first time in a while, Jinwoo felt a glimmer of hope. They weren't just running—they were going on the offensive. And if they could unlock the power of the Ancients, they might just stand a chance.
"We'll get through this," Hyeri said quietly, almost to herself.
Jinwoo nodded. "Yeah. We will."
The Next Morning…
At dawn, the group gathered at the gates of the guild, ready for their journey. Jinwoo, Hyeri, and Donghyuk were dressed in their adventuring gear, weapons strapped to their backs, and their resolve stronger than ever. Jihoon stood by, watching them with an unreadable expression.
"Remember," Jihoon said, handing Jinwoo a small, glowing stone, "this will guide you to the entrance of the first Sanctuary. But once you're inside, you're on your own."
Jinwoo pocketed the stone, nodding. "We'll handle it."
Donghyuk grinned, shouldering his gear. "Time to kick some ancient guardian butt."
Hyeri smiled softly, though there was a nervous edge to it. "Let's just hope we don't get kicked first."
With a final glance at Jihoon, the group turned and headed toward the horizon, leaving the safety of the guild behind. Ahead of them lay the Forbidden Territories, the Sanctuaries of the Ancients, and the battle against the Watcher.
And with each step they took, Jinwoo could feel the weight of destiny pressing down on them.
End of Chapter 8