Chapter 2: The First Mission
The air in the workshop felt heavier than usual as Adam reread the mission prompt on the glowing interface.
[New Mission: Create an artifact to aid in personal defense.]
[Reward: Enhanced Crafting Precision.]
Personal defense? Adam's brow furrowed as he looked around his cluttered workspace. He hadn't needed to defend himself from anything other than debt collectors and the occasional disgruntled client. Still, the system's ominous tone left a gnawing unease in his gut.
"Why defense? What's coming for me?" he murmured, running a hand through his messy hair.
The mission didn't offer any context. It was just a directive, plain and simple. His gaze shifted to the assortment of materials scattered across his workbench—scraps of metal, shards of glass, and old wooden trinkets. None of it seemed particularly useful for creating anything protective.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, think, Adam. What's the simplest way to make something defensive?"
The question lingered as his eyes landed on a dented bronze bracelet in the corner of the table. It was a discard from a previous repair job, too warped for its owner to bother reclaiming. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands.
"It's not much, but maybe this could work," he muttered, placing the bracelet on the table. The system's interface reacted instantly.
[Material Quality: Low]
[Crafting Potential: Defense-oriented artifact possible.]
A button labeled [Begin Crafting] appeared.
Taking a deep breath, Adam pressed it. The bracelet began to glow faintly, and his hands moved almost instinctively, guided by a force he didn't fully understand. He grabbed a piece of leather from a drawer and wrapped it around the metal, binding it tightly. The light intensified, and faint etchings appeared on the bracelet's surface—runes, symbols, and patterns that pulsed with a strange energy.
Moments later, the light dimmed, leaving the finished artifact in his hands.
[Artifact Created: Aegis Band]
Effect: Generates a temporary protective barrier when struck. Activation Phrase: Aegis ascendit!"
Adam stared at the bracelet, awe and apprehension warring within him. The idea of wearing something that could literally create a shield was equal parts thrilling and terrifying.
"Well, that's something," he muttered, slipping it onto his wrist. It felt snug, almost like it belonged there.
The system chimed again.
[Mission Completed: Create an artifact to aid in personal defense.]
[Reward Unlocked: Enhanced Crafting Precision.]
A wave of warmth washed over Adam, and he instinctively knew that something inside him had changed. He looked at the bracelet again, the lines and symbols now sharper, more defined. Whatever "Enhanced Crafting Precision" meant, it was clear that his work would become more refined from now on.
His phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. Adam reached for it, expecting another bill reminder, but froze when he saw the name on the screen.
"Ethan P."
Ethan Porter was an old high school friend, one Adam hadn't spoken to in years. Curious and slightly apprehensive, he answered the call.
"Hey, Ethan. Long time no—"
"Adam, thank God you picked up!" Ethan's voice was frantic, panic laced in every word. "Listen, I need your help. It's... it's about something you're good at—old stuff, antiques. Can I come over?"
Adam hesitated. Ethan wasn't exactly known for being reliable, but the desperation in his voice was hard to ignore. "Uh, sure. What's going on?"
"I'll explain when I get there. Just... don't let anyone else in. This is serious."
Before Adam could respond, the line went dead.
He set the phone down, unease creeping back into his chest. First, the system assigns him a defensive mission, and now Ethan's in trouble over something antique-related? The timing was too convenient to be a coincidence.
"Looks like tonight's going to be interesting," he muttered, glancing at the bracelet on his wrist.
An hour later, the jingle of the shop's front door startled Adam. Ethan stumbled in, his usually pristine appearance disheveled. His suit jacket was torn, his tie askew, and his face pale with sweat.
"Ethan, what the hell happened to you?" Adam asked, rushing to help him.
Ethan waved him off, slamming the door shut and locking it. "No time. I need you to look at this." He pulled a small, ornate dagger from his coat pocket, placing it on the workbench.
The blade was old, its hilt encrusted with faded gems and intricate carvings. A faint energy seemed to radiate from it, making the hair on Adam's arms stand on end.
"Where did you get this?" Adam asked, his voice low.
"Bought it at an estate sale last week. Thought it was just a collectible, but..." Ethan hesitated, his eyes darting around the room like he expected someone to burst in. "Weird things started happening. People following me, strange noises at night. And then today—"
He stopped, his hand trembling as he pointed to his torn jacket. "Some guy tried to take it from me. He... he wasn't normal, Adam. His eyes... they glowed."
Adam's mind raced as he turned his attention back to the dagger. Activating the system's appraisal feature, he focused on the blade, and the interface responded.
[Artifact: Dagger of the Wraith]
Effect: Allows the wielder to phase through solid objects for brief periods. Activation Phrase: Umbra transit!"
Adam's stomach churned. This was no ordinary dagger, and whoever had tried to take it from Ethan clearly knew its power.
"You've stumbled onto something big, Ethan," Adam said, his voice grave. "This isn't just a collectible. It's an artifact."
"Artifact?" Ethan echoed, his brow furrowing.
Before Adam could explain, the lights in the workshop flickered. A low growl echoed from outside, followed by the sound of claws scraping against glass.
Ethan's eyes widened in terror. "They found me!"
Adam's heart raced as he grabbed the dagger, his other hand tightening around the Aegis Band on his wrist. Whatever was out there, he wasn't going down without a fight.
"Stay behind me," Adam said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. "Let's see what this thing can do."
As the door rattled under the weight of something trying to break in, Adam whispered the activation phrase for his bracelet.
"Aegis ascendit."
A shimmering barrier materialized around him and Ethan just as the door burst open.
End of Chapter 2.