Noah sat cross-legged on the training mat, staring blankly at the screen in front of him. The Combat Skill Upgrade he'd earned was displayed in all its glowing glory, but it still felt surreal.
[Combat Skill Unlocked: Basic Weapon Mastery - Tier 1]
Improves proficiency with improvised and melee weapons.
Increases accuracy and reaction time in combat situations.
The numbers were nice, sure, but they didn't reflect how his arms were still sore from swinging that crowbar, or how his heart wouldn't stop racing when he thought about that Aberration lunging at him.
Across the room, Alice leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Her jacket had a fresh tear from the Aberration's claws, and a faint bruise was forming on her jaw. Despite her injuries, she looked calm, collected, and infuriatingly confident.
"You're brooding," she said.
Noah glanced up. "I'm not brooding. I'm processing."
"Same thing." She pushed off the wall and walked over, tossing him a bottle of water. "Drink. You're going to need your strength."
"For what? Another Aberration ambush?"
"Not quite," Alice said, her tone serious. "We're going back down to the lower levels."
Noah nearly choked on the water. "You're joking."
"I don't joke about Aberrations," she said. "The fact that one made it that far into our territory means something bigger is going on. We need to figure out what."
Noah set the water bottle down, his stomach twisting. "What if there are more of them down there? I barely survived that last one."
"That's why I'm coming with you," Alice said, smirking. "Besides, you're stronger now. The Grindstone upgrades you after every challenge. You've got potential—don't waste it by whining."
Noah scowled. "I'm not whining. I'm being realistic."
Alice shrugged. "Realism's overrated."
Before Noah could argue further, a notification popped up in his vision.
[Quest Alert: Investigate the Source of the Breach.]
Objective: Descend to the lower levels and locate the origin of the Aberration incursion.Reward: Intermediate Stamina Upgrade.Penalty for failure: Increased Aberration activity.
"Great," Noah muttered. "Now my Grindstone is bossing me around too."
Alice smirked. "See? Even your magical rock thinks you should stop complaining."
The descent into the lower levels was even more unsettling the second time around. The air was thick and damp, and the faint growling they'd heard earlier had been replaced by an eerie silence.
Alice led the way, her movements purposeful and silent. Noah followed close behind, gripping his newly acquired training baton. It wasn't much, but it was better than the crowbar.
The jagged hole from before loomed ahead, its edges crumbled and scorched. Alice knelt by the opening, inspecting the ground.
"Looks like it wasn't a natural break," she said. "Something clawed its way up."
Noah peered into the hole, his stomach flipping. The darkness below seemed alive, shifting and writhing as if it were watching them.
"Please tell me we're not going down there," he said.
Alice shot him a wry look. "What do you think?"
He groaned. "Why did I even ask?"
With a rope secured to a nearby pipe, Alice began the descent. Noah hesitated, staring at the void below. His Grindstone pulsed in his pocket, and another notification appeared.
[Fear Suppression Activated. Confidence Boost Applied.]
Noah blinked as a strange sense of calm washed over him. It wasn't that he wasn't afraid anymore—it was more like the fear had been pushed to the back of his mind, muffled and distant.
"Come on, rookie," Alice called from below. "Time to earn that Upgrade."
Gritting his teeth, Noah grabbed the rope and began climbing down.
The tunnel below was narrow and claustrophobic, the walls slick with moisture. Faint bioluminescent moss clung to the stone, casting a sickly green glow that barely illuminated their surroundings.
"Stay close," Alice said, her voice low. "And keep your eyes open."
Noah nodded, gripping his baton tightly. The air was heavy with an acrid, metallic smell that made his stomach churn.
They moved in silence, the faint sound of dripping water their only companion. As they ventured deeper, the moss gave way to strange, pulsing veins that snaked along the walls and floor.
"What is that?" Noah whispered, pointing to the veins.
"Aberration spoor," Alice said grimly. "It's a sign we're getting close to their nest."
"Nest?" Noah's voice cracked. "They have a nest?"
Alice didn't answer, her attention focused on the path ahead.
The tunnel opened into a larger cavern, and Noah felt his breath catch. The chamber was massive, its walls lined with the same pulsing veins. In the center of the room was a grotesque structure—part organic, part crystalline—glowing faintly with an unnatural light.
"Is that…?" Noah trailed off, unable to find the words.
"A Rift Node," Alice said, her jaw tightening. "It's a gateway. Aberrations use them to cross into our world."
Noah's stomach turned. "You mean there could be more of those things coming through?"
"Not if we destroy it," Alice said, her voice hard.
Before Noah could respond, a low growl echoed through the chamber. They both froze as three Aberrations emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes locking onto the intruders.
Alice drew her dagger. "Here we go."
[Combat Quest: Survive and Destroy the Rift Node.]
Objective: Defeat the Aberrations and neutralize the Rift Node.Reward: Intermediate Combat Skill Upgrade.
Noah's grip tightened on the baton. "Why do I feel like this is going to suck?"
"Because it is," Alice said, charging at the nearest Aberration.
The fight was chaos. Alice moved with practiced precision, her dagger flashing as she ducked and weaved around the creatures' attacks. Noah, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up.
One of the Aberrations lunged at him, its claws slicing through the air. He barely managed to dodge, swinging his baton in a wild arc. The weapon connected with the creature's arm, sending a jolt up his arm.
[Skill Activation: Basic Weapon Mastery.]
Noah felt a surge of clarity as his movements became sharper, more deliberate. He ducked under the creature's next swipe and slammed the baton into its side, earning a pained screech.
"Focus, rookie!" Alice called, driving her dagger into another Aberration's chest.
"I'm trying!" Noah shouted, dodging another attack.
As the last Aberration fell, panting and bruised, Noah turned to see Alice sprinting toward the Rift Node. She pulled a small device from her belt and slapped it onto the glowing structure.
"Cover me!" she shouted.
Noah barely had time to react as two more Aberrations emerged from the tunnel. His Grindstone pulsed, and another notification appeared.
[Overdrive Mode Unlocked: Temporary Boost to Strength and Stamina.]
A wave of energy surged through him, and Noah charged forward, swinging his baton with renewed vigor.
Alice finished setting the device and sprinted back toward him. "Time to go!"
They ran for the tunnel as the device began to hum. A blinding flash lit up the cavern, followed by a deafening explosion that shook the ground beneath them.
When they finally reached the surface, both of them collapsed against the wall, gasping for breath.
"Not bad, rookie," Alice said, grinning despite the dirt and blood on her face.
Noah groaned. "I hate this job."
Alice laughed. "You'll get used to it."
End of Chapter 11.