The glow of the Midnight Core Shard flickered faintly in the dim light of Jisoo's apartment. He sat cross-legged on the floor, the shard resting in his palm. Its faint warmth was soothing, but there was something else—an intangible pull, as though it wanted him to delve deeper.
"What exactly is this thing?" Jisoo muttered.
Kalix hovered nearby, his wings twitching with curiosity. "That, master, is no ordinary trinket. It's a shard of something old and powerful. But cracking it open? That's a gamble."
"Why?"
Kalix smirked. "Because whatever's inside might not like being disturbed."
Hana leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. "We've come this far. If the System gave it to you, it must be important."
Jisoo hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Let's see what it has to say."
Taking a deep breath, he focused on the shard, pouring his mana into it. The shard pulsed in response, its light growing brighter until it consumed the room.
Jisoo's surroundings dissolved, replaced by a desolate battlefield bathed in twilight. The air was heavy with the stench of blood and ash, and the distant roar of battle echoed through the sky.
In the center of the battlefield stood two figures locked in combat. One was a towering knight clad in radiant armor, wielding a blazing sword that lit up the darkness. The other was a shadowy figure cloaked in black flames, its form constantly shifting, as though it couldn't fully exist in the mortal world.
"You cannot win, Abyssal One," the knight declared, his voice echoing with unshakable resolve.
"Victory?" the shadowy figure replied, its voice cold and mocking. "This isn't about winning. This is about the truth your kind refuses to see."
The knight lunged, his blade slicing through the air. The Abyssal One countered with a wave of dark energy, the impact shaking the ground beneath them.
The vision blurred, the scene shifting to the aftermath of the battle. The knight stood victorious, his armor battered but gleaming. The Abyssal One lay crumpled at his feet, its form flickering weakly.
"You may silence me," the Abyssal One rasped, its voice fading. "But the truth cannot be buried forever."
The vision ended abruptly, and Jisoo found himself back in his apartment, his heart pounding.
"That... was intense," Jisoo said, rubbing his temples.
Kalix frowned, an unusually serious expression on his face. "That wasn't just any battle, master. That was the day the Abyss lost its war with the Light. The day the world turned its back on us."
Hana pushed off the wall, her gaze sharp. "What does it mean for us?"
Jisoo stared at the shard, its glow now faint and flickering. "I don't know. But the Abyssal One mentioned the truth... something the world refuses to see."
Kalix nodded slowly. "The Abyss was never about destruction, no matter what the history books say. It was about balance. Maybe this shard is a piece of that lost balance."
"Then we need to figure out what it's for," Hana said.
"Easier said than done," Jisoo muttered. "But if this shard is connected to my class, it might be the key to unlocking something bigger."
The next morning, Jisoo and Hana ventured to the adventurer district to gather information. The streets were as busy as ever, adventurers boasting of their exploits while merchants hawked their wares.
But there was an underlying tension in the air, a sense of unease that hadn't been there before.
"Something's off," Hana said, her eyes scanning the crowd.
They stopped at a small information kiosk where a bored-looking clerk handed them a report. Jisoo skimmed the parchment, his stomach sinking as he read the headline:
"Crimson Spire Dungeon Breach: High Casualties Reported."
"They're not kidding about high-tier dungeons," Jisoo said grimly. "It looks like the Spire's already claimed a dozen adventurers."
"That's not all," Hana said, pointing to another section of the report. "Jeong's group was spotted near the breach. It's only a matter of time before they come after us again."
Jisoo clenched his fists. "Then we need to get stronger. We need to figure out what this shard is and how to use it."
Kalix grinned. "Good thinking, master. If you're going to deal with Jeong and whatever's waiting in the Spire, you'll need every advantage you can get."
As they prepared to leave, a familiar voice called out.
"Well, if it isn't the rookies who survived the Shadowed Labyrinth."
Jisoo turned to see Minho, the guild insider, leaning casually against a lamppost. His sharp eyes sparkled with amusement as he approached.
"Minho," Hana said, her tone wary. "What do you want?"
"I heard about your little adventure," Minho said, his smile faint. "Word travels fast in this city. And I thought you might be interested in some... advice."
Jisoo crossed his arms. "What kind of advice?"
Minho's expression turned serious. "The guilds are paying close attention to the Spire, but they're also watching anyone who gets too close to the truth about the Abyss. If you're carrying something connected to that, you'd better tread carefully."
"Why are you telling us this?" Hana asked.
Minho shrugged. "Call it professional curiosity. You two are making waves, and I'd hate to see you drown before you figure out what you're capable of."
Jisoo studied him, unsure whether to trust him. "Thanks for the warning. We'll keep it in mind."
Minho smirked. "You do that. And if you ever need a hand navigating the guilds, you know where to find me."
As he walked away, Jisoo exchanged a glance with Hana.
"He knows more than he's letting on," Hana said.
"Probably," Jisoo agreed. "But for now, we've got enough to deal with."
Back at the apartment, Jisoo placed the shard on the table, its faint glow casting shifting shadows on the walls.
"This is more than just a reward," he said. "It's a piece of something bigger."
Hana nodded. "Then we need to figure out what it unlocks. But we'll need resources, connections, and strength to do that."
Kalix perched on the windowsill, grinning. "Sounds like a lot of dungeons, master. Better get ready."
Jisoo tightened his grip on the Warden's Eclipse Staff, determination hardening in his chest. "The guilds, Jeong, whatever the Abyss left behind—we'll face it all. And we'll come out stronger."
Hana smiled faintly. "Then let's get to work."
As the sun set over the city, Jisoo felt the pull of the journey ahead. The shard was only the beginning, a key to unlocking the truth about his class and the world's hidden past.