The northern woods stretched endlessly before Eren, a shadowy labyrinth of gnarled trees and eerie silence. The council's mission had been simple in words but daunting in execution: investigate the disturbances and return with information. Yet Eren knew it wasn't just a reconnaissance mission—it was a test, a way for the council to measure his loyalty and strength.
As he stepped deeper into the forest, the sunlight waned, blocked by the dense canopy above. Every step felt like entering another world, one where nature thrived in chaos. The air grew colder, and an unnatural chill ran down his spine.
He tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade, his senses on high alert. Tebu, his system, remained silent, its usual hum of presence subdued.
"Stay vigilant, Eren," he reminded himself.
---
Hours passed as Eren traversed the twisting paths of the woods. The deeper he went, the more the environment changed. The trees appeared scarred, their bark blackened as if burned. Strange symbols were etched into the ground, glowing faintly with a malevolent red light.
The first sign of trouble came in the form of a guttural growl.
Eren froze, his hand moving instinctively to his sword. His eyes scanned the shadows, searching for the source of the sound. Then it emerged—a creature unlike anything he'd seen before.
It was massive, standing on four legs with a hunched back. Its body was covered in matted fur, and its eyes glowed an unnatural green. Razor-sharp claws scraped against the earth as it stalked toward him, its growl growing louder.
"System," Eren muttered under his breath. "Analyze the target."
A faint hum echoed in his mind as Tebu activated, its voice calm and detached.
[Creature Identified: Corrupted Warg]
[Level: 12]
[Threat Level: Medium]
Eren's lips tightened. He wasn't fully confident in his ability to handle such a creature, but retreat wasn't an option.
The Warg lunged without warning, its claws swiping toward Eren with deadly speed. He barely managed to dodge, the creature's claws raking the air where his head had been moments before.
Drawing his sword, Eren countered with a swift strike aimed at the Warg's flank. The blade connected, but instead of the creature faltering, it roared in fury.
"Its hide is too thick," Eren realized, his mind racing.
---
The battle stretched on, Eren dodging and striking with precision. Each swing of his blade drained his stamina, but the Warg showed no signs of slowing.
Then, Tebu's voice echoed in his mind.
[Skill Suggestion: Shadow Bind – Immobilize the target for 10 seconds.]
[Required: 20 Energy Points.]
Eren didn't hesitate. "Activate Shadow Bind!"
Dark tendrils erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Warg's legs and pulling it to the earth. The creature howled in rage, thrashing against the bindings.
Eren seized the opportunity, driving his sword into the Warg's exposed neck. The creature let out one final, pained roar before collapsing.
[Corrupted Warg Defeated.]
[Experience Gained: 350.]
Eren leaned against a tree, his chest heaving. The battle had been taxing, but he couldn't afford to rest for long. The northern woods were no place for complacency.
---
As night fell, the woods became even more oppressive. The glowing symbols grew brighter, casting an eerie red light over the forest floor. The sounds of distant howls and whispers filled the air, keeping Eren on edge.
He found a small clearing and decided to set up camp. Using supplies from his pack, he built a small fire and sat down to eat. The warmth of the flames was a small comfort, but his mind remained restless.
"System," he said softly. "What's the source of these disturbances?"
Tebu's response was cryptic. [Unknown energy signatures detected. Further investigation required.]
Eren frowned. "You're usually more helpful than this."
[Warning: Anomaly detected.]
Before Eren could ask what it meant, the ground beneath him began to tremble. The fire flickered, its flames sputtering out as a deafening roar echoed through the forest.
Eren sprang to his feet, his sword at the ready. From the darkness emerged a creature far larger and more grotesque than the Warg. Its body was a twisted amalgamation of muscle and shadow, its eyes glowing with malevolence.
[Creature Identified: Greater Corruption Beast]
[Level: 20]
[Threat Level: High]
Eren's blood ran cold. This was no ordinary foe.
---
The beast charged with terrifying speed, and Eren barely managed to dodge its initial attack. The impact of its massive claws against the earth sent shockwaves through the ground, nearly knocking him off balance.
"Tebu, I need options!"
[Suggestion: Use summoned creature. Optimal match: Shadow Serpent.]
"Do it!"
A portal of dark energy appeared beside Eren, and from it emerged a serpentine creature, its sleek body shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The Shadow Serpent let out a hiss, its fangs bared as it lunged at the Corruption Beast.
The two creatures clashed in a brutal exchange of blows, the serpent's agility pitted against the beast's raw power. Eren used the distraction to strike at the beast's flanks, but its tough hide absorbed most of the damage.
"System, is there a weak point?"
[Analyzing… Weakness detected: Heart core located beneath the chest plating.]
Eren's eyes narrowed. Getting close enough to strike the core would be dangerous, but it was his only chance.
"Shadow Serpent, pin it down!"
The serpent obeyed, coiling around the beast and sinking its fangs into its neck. The Corruption Beast roared in pain, its movements momentarily slowed.
Eren seized the opportunity, sprinting toward the creature and leaping onto its back. He drove his sword into the weak spot with all his strength, twisting the blade as the beast let out a final, earth-shaking roar.
The creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into black mist.
[Greater Corruption Beast Defeated.]
[Experience Gained: 1,200.]
Eren fell to his knees, exhaustion washing over him.
---
As dawn broke, Eren emerged from the forest, his clothes torn and his body battered. The mission had been far more perilous than he'd anticipated, but he had survived—and he had the information the council sought.
The glowing symbols, the corrupted creatures—they were all connected to something far more sinister than he'd realized.
Eren tightened his grip on his sword. The path ahead would only grow darker, but he was determined to face it.
He wasn't just fighting for survival anymore—he was fighting to uncover the truth.