Caden's heart pounded as he left the forest's edge, venturing deeper into the ancient woods that loomed before him. The forest had always been dark, the trees dense and overgrown, their branches like skeletal fingers clutching the sky. But now, there was something heavier about it, as if an invisible weight was pressing down on him, urging him to turn back.
And yet, the strange crystal in his hand continued to hum, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. It seemed to call him forward, a faint magnetic pull guiding his steps.
He'd taken only a few strides into the shadows when the system message appeared.
[Quest Objective: Locate the First Fragment of Vigor.]
[Warning: Hostile Creatures Detected.]
Caden's grip tightened around the shard. Hostile creatures? He cast a wary glance around, but the forest remained still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. He wasn't sure if he was ready for a fight, but the thought of retreat didn't sit well with him. He had come too far to back down now.
Steeling himself, he continued onward, pushing past tangled underbrush. The air grew colder with each step, and the whisper of leaves took on a sinister quality. It felt as if the forest itself were alive, watching him with a predatory hunger.
After a while, he found himself in a small clearing, where the ruins of some long-forgotten structure lay crumbling beneath a thick layer of moss and vines. And there, in the center, was a pedestal—small, weathered, but unmistakable.
A faint green glow emanated from a shard resting atop the pedestal. Caden's eyes widened. This was it. The fragment the system had promised.
As he took a step forward, a low growl rumbled from the shadows at the clearing's edge. Caden froze, heart pounding. The growl grew louder, and then a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared, followed by a large, shadowy form slinking out from between the trees. It was a wolf—larger than any he'd seen, its fur matted with dried blood, its fangs glinting in the faint light.
The system's text flickered urgently.
[Enemy Detected: Corrupted Shade Wolf. Threat Level: Moderate.]
[Recommendation: Engage with caution. Suggested Ability: Temporal Blink.]
Caden's pulse quickened. This wasn't an ordinary wolf—it had been touched by something dark, corrupted by the Shattering. He barely knew how to use his new abilities, but now, he had no choice.
The wolf snarled, muscles tensing as it prepared to leap.
"Alright, let's do this," Caden muttered, focusing his mind on the system's suggestion.
The wolf pounced, claws outstretched. Caden reacted instinctively, channeling his will into the shard. In an instant, his vision blurred, and he felt himself shift—one heartbeat he was in the wolf's path, and the next he was behind it, standing just a few feet from where he'd been moments ago.
The wolf's claws slashed through empty air, and it landed with a frustrated snarl, whirling around to face him again. Caden took a deep breath, his heart racing. Temporal Blink had worked, but he felt a surge of fatigue ripple through him. He couldn't rely on it too often.
The system chimed again, its words encouraging him onward.
[Focus on the enemy's weak points. Use the environment to your advantage.]
Caden took in his surroundings. The wolf was fast, but he might be able to use the trees and rocks scattered throughout the clearing to dodge its attacks. He backed away, moving toward a low boulder as the wolf advanced, its eyes burning with hatred.
It lunged again, and this time, Caden sidestepped, grabbing a broken branch from the ground. Swinging with all his strength, he struck the wolf's side, and it yelped, momentarily thrown off balance. But the creature was relentless—it recovered almost instantly, snarling as it circled him, jaws snapping.
With every step, Caden felt the strain of combat pressing on him, but he refused to falter. He struck out again, feeling the system's guidance helping him anticipate the creature's movements. After several exchanges, he managed to drive the shard into its side, feeling the dark energy dissipate in a sickly wisp.
The wolf let out a final, shuddering breath before dissolving into a dark mist that dispersed into the forest air.
[Enemy Defeated. Vital Essence Acquired.]
A faint green light floated toward him, sinking into his chest and spreading warmth through his limbs. He felt his fatigue fading, replaced by a newfound energy that pulsed with each beat of his heart.
He turned back to the pedestal, where the fragment continued to glow softly, as if waiting for him.
[Quest Objective Complete: Retrieve the Fragment of Vigor.]
Caden approached, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached out to grasp the shard. The moment his hand closed around it, a surge of power coursed through him, nearly knocking him off his feet. His vision blurred, and for a brief moment, he felt as if he were floating outside his own body.
The system's voice echoed in his mind, resonant and clear.
[System Fragment Acquired: Vigor. User Strength Enhanced.]
The power settled within him, a steady hum beneath his skin. He felt stronger, sharper—like a part of himself he hadn't known was missing had just clicked into place.
Another message appeared, a faint pulse of green light hovering in the air before him.
[New Quest Unlocked: Seek the Next Fragment.]
[Note: With each fragment, your power—and the dangers—will grow.]
Caden took a deep breath, feeling the weight of those words settle on his shoulders. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing: this fragment was only the beginning.