I advance across the rugged stone path, each step releasing small fragments that tumble into unseen depths below. The wind intensifies as I climb, pulling at my clothes and muffling distant sounds. The Eagle's defeat still lingers in my mind. That battle proved I can face stronger beasts with my improved summons and refined blade skills. My thoughts drift to the new fragment resting in my pouch. A Rare Artifact Fragment could eventually lead to something valuable, perhaps even a summon tier increase. For now, I must focus on pressing onward.
The route rises sharply. Ahead, the rocky trail narrows until I must brace myself against coarse outcroppings. I test my footing carefully, expecting ambushes. The absence of obvious foes is suspicious, but I welcome the short reprieve. If a shrine of wind-element magic exists ahead, it might be guarded by more lethal obstacles. I steady myself, open the overmap, and pinpoint a faint marker indicating a place of interest high above. It's faint and not clearly defined, but my instincts say that's my next objective.
A soft scraping sound draws my attention. I crouch low and quietly inch forward, peeking around a jagged boulder. Three creatures huddle in a small recess, their bodies lean and vaguely reptilian. These Wind Lizards, if I recall correctly, spit gusts that can knock a traveler off ledges. A prompt appears:
Encounter: Wind Lizards (x3). Engage? Yes/No
I nod silently. Three lizards shouldn't pose too much trouble, and clearing them might give me room to climb safely. This time I summon the Soldier alone. My Archer is excellent at range, but I want to conserve MP and rely on my melee strength and a single frontline summon.
Turn order: One Lizard first, me second, Soldier third, the others after. The first Lizard hisses and releases a burst of wind that strikes my chest. HP: 210/220. Minimal damage. I rush forward, sword angled low. Flame Slash sparks against its scaly hide. The Soldier follows, cleaving deeply. The creature shrieks and collapses. The remaining two Lizards rush in. One claws my arm, HP: 195/220. The other tries spitting a gust at the Soldier, pushing it back slightly but doing little harm.
I swing again, cutting into the second Lizard. The Soldier smashes its blade down, finishing it. The last Lizard attempts to scurry away, but I dart forward and end it swiftly.
Victory!
+80 EXP
Loot: Thin Scale (3), Wind-tinged Fang (1)
Not much, but I move on, stepping over their remains and continuing upward. The climb grows harsher, the wind shaking loose stones that rattle downhill. I consider using a stamina draught to keep myself fresh, but I decide to wait. Better to save it for when I truly need it.
A few minutes pass. The path opens onto a small plateau, sheltered by overhanging rock formations. I find a lone figure leaning against a broken pillar—an adventurer wrapped in tattered cloak, face half-hidden by a scarf. She notices me and raises a hand in greeting. I approach with caution, hand near my sword's hilt.
"Did you defeat that Eagle?" she asks. Her voice crackles slightly, dried by the wind. I nod, and her eyes widen. "I tried once with three companions. We failed." She holds no weapon now, just a staff with chipped runes. "If you are heading for the rumored shrine above, let me offer advice: watch for sudden downdrafts. The path turns treacherous, and creatures made of living wind wait in ambush."
I thank her, wondering why she remains here if she failed. Perhaps she watches travelers attempt what she could not, or waits for some miracle of strength. She does not ask for anything, and I sense no threat. I leave her behind, stepping onto a new, narrower route that snakes upward between towering spires. The wind roars through these passages, forcing me to crouch at times.
A prompt interrupts my thoughts:
Encounter: Wind Wisps (x2), Gale Sprite (x1). Engage? Yes/No
Wisps again, and a Sprite. The last time I faced Wisps, they resisted my blade but fell easily to arrows. I summon both Soldier and Archer now. Double summons cost more MP but I need efficiency. I confirm "Yes."
Turn order: Wisp, me, Soldier, second Wisp, Archer, Sprite last. The first Wisp hurls slicing force at me. HP: 190/220. I strike it, minimal damage. The Soldier also manages only shallow harm. The second Wisp attacks my Archer, reducing it slightly (Archer 70/80). The Archer retaliates with an arrow that cracks the Wisp's form. Perfect. The Sprite hovers behind, gathering energy.
My turn again: I shift focus and try attacking the Sprite. My Flame Slash shaves off a chunk of its essence. The Soldier hacks at the first Wisp again, weakening it further. The Archer finishes it with another arrow. The second Wisp tries to flank me, but I sidestep, though I lose a bit more HP (170/220). The Archer lines up a shot, striking the second Wisp cleanly. It disintegrates. The Sprite lashes out in rage, striking both me and the Soldier. HP: me 150/220, Soldier 50/90. I press the attack, swinging hard. The Soldier follows, cracking the Sprite's defenses. The Archer fires a final arrow, dispelling its form.
Victory!
+100 EXP
Loot: Wisp Essence (2), Strange Draft (1), Sprite Shard (1)
A Sprite Shard—perhaps similar to other elemental components I've collected. I suspect these items might combine into something potent. My bag grows heavier with fragments and shards of various types. Soon I might have enough to assemble a new artifact or upgrade a summon.
The path now twists along the side of a steep cliff. Wind howls, scattering gravel. I brace myself against the slope, pressing my shoulder into rough stone, each step a careful gamble. When I finally reach a stable section, I spot a narrow crevice with faint glow inside. Investigating it might yield treasure—or danger. I approach the opening, sword ready.
Inside, I find a small alcove lined with rock strata that shimmer faintly under the strange light. I must recall the ban on describing certain forbidden materials, but let's say these stones glint with pale luminescence, no forbidden terms required. On a ledge rests a weathered chest. A prompt:
Examine Chest? Yes/No
I say "Yes." The chest creaks as I open it. Inside, I find a healing vial of slightly better quality and a scroll wrapped in old cloth. The scroll's runes pulse softly:
Skill Scroll: Summon Undead Crossbowman (R-Tier). Requires 2 Summon Slots.
A new R-Tier summon. The Spearwoman is powerful, but a Crossbowman might provide better ranged support than the Archer. I carefully store the scroll, smiling at my fortune. Soon I can experiment with different summon combinations: a sturdy Soldier plus a Crossbowman for enhanced firepower, or maybe replace both units with one powerful R-Tier summon if I need concentrated strength.
I leave the alcove, continuing upward. The wind changes tone, becoming more erratic. I see fragments of old structures ahead—a broken archway, toppled columns, scattered debris. This could be the outskirts of the wind shrine I seek. Another prompt appears:
Mini-Boss Encounter: Windbound Colossus (1)
Yes/No?
A Colossus suggests a tough foe. My resources remain decent: two healing vials left, a stamina draught if needed. My summons are ready. I select "Yes," eager to test my new strength.
The Colossus lumbers into view, a tall figure fashioned from stone and hardened wind energy. Each step grinds stone against stone. Turn order: Colossus first, me second, Soldier third, Archer last. The Colossus raises a massive arm and swings down. I barely block, HP: 170/220. I attack, Flame Slash scoring a molten line across its torso. The Soldier follows, chipping away at its stony hide. The Archer's arrow bounces harmlessly off at first. The Colossus bellows, releasing a shockwave of wind that batters us all: HP me 140/220, Soldier 30/90, Archer 50/80.
I drink a healing vial, back to 200 HP. I direct the Soldier to aim at joints, hoping to find weaknesses. The Archer tries a well-placed shot at the Colossus's neck area. This time the arrow lodges in a crack. The Colossus falters. I seize the moment and attack fiercely. Flame Slash again, sparks flying as stone chips scatter. The Soldier hacks at the weakened spot, causing a deep fracture. The Archer fires once more, arrow sinking into the fissure.
The Colossus roars, swinging blindly. It hits me again, HP: 170/220. I grimace and strike with all my might, shattering more of its torso. The Soldier's follow-up swing splits the fracture wide. The Colossus crumbles, collapsing into rubble and fading energy.
Victory!
+250 EXP
Loot: Wind Key Fragment (1), Stone Husk (1)
A Wind Key Fragment. That suggests I need multiple fragments to unlock something within these heights. Maybe three fragments like before. I collect it and press on. The ruined archway leads to a new incline. Beyond it, I glimpse something more structured—pillars arranged in a pattern, runes carved into old stone. The shrine must be close.
I pause to reorganize my inventory and consider my summons. Should I try out the Crossbowman scroll now or wait until I face a greater threat? The Archer served me well, but the Crossbowman's higher tier might give me an edge. Still, swapping mid-quest costs MP. I decide to wait, preserving resources until I see what guards the shrine itself.
With fragments and shards rattling in my pouch, new skills at my fingertips, and a path forging upward, I walk on. The wind howls louder, as if warning me away, but I will not turn back. The shrine awaits, and with it, more strength and secrets to claim.