I lean against a broken fencepost near the settlement's entrance, testing the weight of my Sturdy Longsword. The Undead Soldier stands silent, helm tilted slightly, as if waiting on my next command. I have one Spirit Key from Emberfang Grove. Two more remain to be found if I want to unlock that sealed shrine and claim whatever summoner's relic lies within. I'm Level 10 now, a decent milestone, and each fight has sharpened my edge. My summons grow stronger as I rise, and I've gained enough skill to wield blade and strategy with more confidence.
The clerk's mention of multiple shrines suggests I must explore other regions. Emberfang Grove gave me a taste of fire and ash. Perhaps the next shrine will test me with different elements. I return to the overmap signboard just outside the gate. Icons flicker faintly, representing places of interest. I notice two new icons now visible: one to the north, called the Mistgloom Marsh, and one far to the southeast, named the Crystalline Trench. Either of these might hold another piece of what I need.
Mistgloom Marsh. The name alone conjures images of poisonous wetlands, creatures lurking in muddy pools. Crystalline Trench sounds like sharp-edged caverns or mineral-lined depths, possibly crawling with strange constructs. Either path could yield a Spirit Key. There's no direct hint on which area holds the second key. I must take a guess and hope I'm right.
I pick Mistgloom Marsh. If I'm wrong, I'll still gain experience and loot. The overmap blurs and settles me at the marsh's edge. The ground squelches underfoot, thick with moss and black mud. A heavy scent of rot hangs in the stillness. My Undead Soldier raises its sword, scanning for threats.
A prompt flickers:
Encounter: Marsh Leeches (x3). Engage? Yes/No
I grunt, "Yes." The leeches writhe from shallow pools, each as long as my forearm. Turn order: one leech first, then me, Soldier, and the others. The first leech latches onto my shin, HP dropping from 160 to 140 as it drains blood. I slice it off, spraying foul fluid. The Soldier smashes another leech into paste. The third tries to loop around behind me, but I pivot and cut it in half. Quick, messy work.
Victory!
+60 EXP
Loot: Leech Slime (2), Marsh Detritus (1)
No fragments, of course. I press into the marsh, wading through knee-deep muck. Black trees jut upward like crooked spears. A pale glow in the distance hints at something unnatural. Another prompt:
Encounter: Swamp Wraith (x1), Bog Serpents (x2). Engage? Yes/No
I say "Yes," teeth grinding. The Wraith drifts forward, skeletal jaws clacking. The Serpents slither at its sides. The Wraith attacks first, unleashing a blast of pale light. HP: 140/160. I retaliate with a slash that passes through its misty body, doing half damage. The Soldier swings, connecting solidly, forcing the Wraith to shudder. The Serpents strike next, one biting me (HP:130) and the other nipping at the Soldier (80/90). I finish the Wraith with a second strike. It dissolves silently. The Soldier decapitates one Serpent, I kill the other. Another easy win.
Victory!
+80 EXP
Loot: Wraith Essence (1), Snake Fang (2)
I push deeper. The marsh grows darker. Soon I stumble upon a cluster of mossy stones arranged in a circle. A prompt:
Mini-Boss Encounter: Mossbound Guardian (1)
Yes/No?
This might lead me to a Spirit Key fragment. I say "Yes." The Mossbound Guardian rises from beneath the muck—an armoured figure coated in algae and fungus. Turn order: Guardian first, me second, Soldier third. It swings a spiked root-club, slamming my chest. HP: 100/160. I slash at its mossy hide. The Soldier strikes from the flank, shaving off chunks of fungal mass. The Guardian vomits a cloud of spores. I choke, HP: 80/160, Soldier: 60/90. I trade another blow, forcing it to stagger. The Soldier lands a decisive hit, cracking its fungal armor. The Guardian collapses, releasing a foul stench.
Victory!
+200 EXP
Loot: Marsh Key Fragment (1), Rotting Bark (1)
Perfect. So Mistgloom Marsh holds another key, just like Emberfang Grove. I need three fragments. My vision confirms the quest update: "Marsh Spirit Key: 1/3 Fragments." I must hunt more guardians. A pattern emerges—each region's key requires three fragments from different guardians. I scan the surroundings. Beyond the circle of stones, a narrow path leads deeper. I follow it, fending off a pair of Marsh Leeches on the way, then another group of Bog Serpents. Each fight chips away at my HP, so I down a weak healing vial.
Eventually, I find a broken tree leaning over a stagnant pond. Another prompt:
Mini-Boss Encounter: Mossbound Guardian (Variant) (1)
Yes/No?
Yes. The variant lunges with uncanny speed. Its blows hit hard—HP down to 50/160 after a brutal exchange. I scramble to drink my last healing vial (now 110 HP), while the Soldier keeps it busy. I spot a weak point beneath layers of moss and hack at it. The Soldier strikes low, toppling the creature. It leaves behind the second Marsh Key Fragment. Another step forward.
2/3 Fragments now. One more remains. The marsh stretches on, and I'm forced to wander through thick sludge, fighting through more Serpents and Wraiths. Each victory adds a trickle of experience. I reach Level 11 after a tough battle with a pack of Bog Serpents. HP and MP rise again. Good, I need every advantage.
The final guardian's lair reveals itself as a sunken ruin half-buried in muck. Moss drapes over cracked stone pillars. A prompt:
Mini-Boss Encounter: Mossbound Guardian (Elder) (1)
Yes/No?
Elder. This might be tougher than the first two. I check my status: HP at full from the level-up, Soldier fresh and ready. I have no healing vials left, but I'm stronger than before. I select "Yes."
The Elder Guardian stands taller, hunched under a crown of mushrooms glowing with pale spores. Turn order: it moves first. It waves a twisted staff of roots, sending a wave of green rot at me and the Soldier. HP: me 140/170 now, Soldier 70/90. I strike hard, trying to break through its defenses. Minor damage. The Soldier slams its sword in, cutting off a fungal growth. The Elder Guardian roars, striking me with a heavy blow, down to 100/170. It then coughs a stream of spore-laden mist, poisoning me. My HP ticks down slowly, now 90, 80, draining each turn.
I must finish it fast. I unleash a flurry of strikes, carving through rotten flesh. The Soldier hammers at its side. The Elder tries to summon leech-like minions, but they appear sluggish. I cut them down in a single swipe while the Soldier exploits the opening. The Elder staggers, tries one last swing, but I parry and drive my blade into its core. It collapses into a heap of mold.
Victory!
+300 EXP
Loot: Marsh Key Fragment (1), Fungal Core (1)
The three fragments merge:
Marsh Spirit Key formed.
Two keys now—Emberfang and Marsh. One remains. I recall the map. The last shrine likely lies in the Crystalline Trench. The pattern suggests one shrine per element or environment. Emberfang was fire and ash, Mistgloom was rot and damp. The Trench might involve crystal and earth, or perhaps ice. Either way, I must prepare.
I open the overmap and return to the settlement. Stepping through the gate, I notice the place feels smaller now. I'm a known entity, a capable fighter collecting spirit keys for a relic no one else dared to claim. I wonder if Liss or another adventurer might join me again, but I see no sign of her. Maybe next time. For now, I sell off junk: Slime, Bark, Fang. I buy two more weak healing vials and a cheap stamina draught to keep my strength up. The blacksmith gives my sword another round of hammering, improving its edge slightly, at the cost of more scrap metal and a handful of coins.
Weapon Upgraded: Sturdy Longsword -> Fine Longsword (Common)
Small damage increase, better durability.
I equip my improved sword and consider my next steps. The Emberfang and Marsh keys rest in my inventory. One final key awaits. The sealed shrine will open once I have all three. Then I can face whatever lurks inside, claim the summoner's relic, and raise my power further. Maybe I can summon multiple units at once—imagine commanding the Undead Soldier and Archer together, flanking enemies with precise tactics. Or perhaps a new summon scroll will drop, granting me something more advanced.
I approach the overmap again, ready to set off for the Crystalline Trench. The settlement behind me has done its part, offering quests, basic upgrades, and supplies. Ahead lies another harsh test. I steel myself. My level, my blade, my summon—they must be enough. If not, I'll keep grinding through foes until I'm strong enough to take what I need.
I confirm travel to the Crystalline Trench. The world blurs once more, placing me on the edge of a deep ravine lined with sparkling minerals. I hear distant scraping noises, creatures stirring in the depths. I grip the Fine Longsword, nod to the Undead Soldier, and step into the Trench, determined to claim the final key.