Chapter 12: The Forsaken Hollow
Wolfgang moved like a shadow through the forest, the crude map of the Forsaken Hollow tucked into his cloak. The Wildlands had grown quieter here, as if the very earth and air feared what lay ahead. Every step carried him deeper into uncharted territory.
The system chimed softly, breaking the oppressive silence.
[System Notification: Region Entered – The Forsaken Hollow]
• Danger Level: Unknown
• Environment: Corrupted Forest
• Entities Detected: ???
[New Quest: Explore the Forsaken Hollow]
• Objective: Locate the source of the Hollow's corruption.
• Reward: Rare Item (???).
• Penalty: Potential Death.
Wolfgang's eyes narrowed as he studied the forest before him. The trees were wrong—twisted, blackened things, their bark cracked like dry skin. Faint green mist hung in the air, glowing ominously between the gnarled branches.
"This place reeks of death," Wolfgang muttered, gripping Shadowfang.
The wind carried faint whispers—soft, unintelligible voices that crept into his ears like nails on glass. His instincts screamed danger, but Wolfgang pressed on. He had long since learned that power hid where the weak feared to tread.
Ambush in the Mist
The first attack came without warning. A blur darted from the mist, claws slicing through the air. Wolfgang twisted instinctively, the creature's strike narrowly missing his throat. He countered, slashing upward with Shadowfang, the blade biting deep into its chest.
The creature hissed as it recoiled. Now visible, Wolfgang saw it clearly—a twisted beast, its form a grotesque mix of man and wolf. Its skin was pale, its limbs too long, its eyes glowing an unnatural green.
[Enemy Identified: Hollow Wraithwolf]
Level: 17
Danger: High
Two more Wraithwolves emerged from the mist, circling Wolfgang with predatory hunger. Their growls vibrated through the clearing as they paced, their movements unnaturally smooth.
Wolfgang's eyes darted between them, his breathing measured.
"Good," he whispered, smirking faintly. "Come and try."
The Wraithwolves lunged as one. Wolfgang activated Shadow Step, vanishing into darkness as their claws tore through empty air. He reappeared behind the first wolf, driving Shadowfang into its spine with Soul Rend.
[Critical Hit!]
[Hollow Wraithwolf Defeated.]
The beast crumpled, its body dissolving into the mist. Wolfgang spun just in time to parry the second wolf's strike, its claws skidding off his dagger with a screech.
"Shadow Flare!"
Dark energy exploded outward, staggering the Wraithwolves. Wolfgang lunged forward, activating Executioner's Strike. His dagger crackled with power as he delivered a crushing blow to the second beast's throat. It collapsed, lifeless.
The final wolf hesitated, its glowing eyes flickering.
"You're smarter than you look," Wolfgang muttered. "But it won't save you."
The wolf turned to flee, but Wolfgang was faster. He activated Shadow Infusion, his dagger wreathed in dark energy as he hurled it. The blade pierced the wolf's skull mid-leap, pinning it to a nearby tree.
[Hollow Wraithwolf Defeated.]
[Experience Gained.]
Wolfgang retrieved Shadowfang, the mist swirling eerily as it swallowed the fallen creatures. The whispers grew louder now, almost taunting, as if the forest itself resented his intrusion.
The Heart of the Hollow
After hours of careful navigation, Wolfgang emerged into a clearing at the center of the Hollow. His steps slowed as he took in the sight before him.
A massive tree loomed at the center of the clearing, its trunk twisted and blackened, its roots spread like claws across the earth. At its base, a faint glow pulsed—an eerie crystal embedded in the roots, its light sickly green.
The system chimed sharply.
[System Notification: Source of Corruption Detected]
- Entity Identified: Corrupted Hollowheart Crystal
- Danger: Extreme
[New Objective: Destroy the Hollowheart Crystal]
• Reward: Rare Item – Hollowheart Shard.
• Penalty: Region Corruption Escalates.
Wolfgang's expression hardened. The crystal was the source of the corruption—the reason the beasts and forest had twisted into something unnatural. Destroying it wouldn't be easy.
The ground trembled suddenly. A deep, guttural growl echoed from beneath the earth as the roots of the tree began to move. From the base of the Hollowheart Crystal, something massive and ancient emerged.
A creature rose—a guardian, its body formed of corrupted roots and jagged bark, its face a twisted mimicry of a skull.
[Corrupted Hollowheart Guardian]
Level: 20
Danger: Lethal
Wolfgang took a slow breath, his grip tightening on Shadowfang. "Level 20, huh? Good. I was getting bored."
The Guardian roared, shaking the clearing as it charged, its massive limbs smashing through the earth. Wolfgang dodged left, activating Shadow Step to reappear behind it. He slashed at its back, but his blade skidded harmlessly across its bark-like skin.
Too tough, Wolfgang realized, narrowing his eyes. The crystal—it's connected to it.
The Guardian turned, roots lashing toward Wolfgang. He activated Scale Armor, hardened scales rippling across his body as he took the hit, rolling with the force of the blow. His Health dropped sharply, but he pushed himself upright.
[Health: 120/200]
Wolfgang's mind raced. Destroy the crystal. That's the key.
The Guardian lumbered toward him again, roots tearing through the earth like whips. Wolfgang sprinted toward the tree instead, dodging and weaving as roots slammed down around him.
"Shadow Flare!"
He released an explosion of dark energy, tearing through the roots and forcing the Guardian to stumble. Wolfgang closed the distance to the crystal, activating Shadow Infusion.
His dagger crackled as he slashed at the Hollowheart Crystal. A crack formed across its surface, and the forest screamed—a sound so unnatural it felt like claws raking across his mind.
The Guardian roared, its body beginning to unravel as the crystal pulsed erratically. Wolfgang gritted his teeth, raising Shadowfang for a final blow.
"Executioner's Strike!"
He brought the dagger down with all his strength, shattering the crystal into shards.
The Guardian let out one final, earth-shaking roar before its body collapsed into a heap of lifeless roots. The mist dissipated, and the whispers died, leaving the Hollow silent once more.
The system chimed.
[Quest Complete: Destroy the Hollowheart Crystal]
Reward Acquired: Hollowheart Shard
[New Item: Hollowheart Shard]
• Type: Rare Material
• Effect: Can be fused with weapons to grant Shadow Corruption abilities.
Wolfgang stood amidst the ruins of the corrupted tree, breathing hard. He held the Hollowheart Shard up to the faint light filtering through the canopy. Its surface glimmered darkly, alive with potential.
"A weapon upgrade," Wolfgang muttered, a sharp grin tugging at his lips. "The Wildlands are full of gifts."
He turned, leaving the Forsaken Hollow behind as its corruption faded. But deep within him, he knew this was only a taste of what lay ahead.
End of Chapter 12