The ground still bore the scars of the recent battle. Smoke rose in the distance, and blood dried on shattered weapons.
Rio sat under a scorched tree, his face pale with exhaustion, while Jin stared at the horizon, his brow furrowed.
The System Appears Again:
"Rio, there's no time to rest. You have seven hours before Valas fully regenerates. This is your only chance to prepare."
Rio, sarcastically:
"Seven hours? Why not give me seven years instead?"
The System, coldly:
"If you were stronger, you wouldn't need time at all."
Jin, overhearing the unseen conversation:
"You're still talking to that system? When will you stop relying on it?"
Rio:
"When it stops being useful. By the way, thanks for letting me carry the bulk of the fight."
Jin:
"I just wanted to see your limits. And it looks like I found them."
Rio and Jin began walking toward a nearby camp where survivors from the neighboring village had gathered. Cries of fear and despair filled the air.
Rio, addressing one of the survivors:
"What do you know about Valas? Was he always this powerful?"
An elderly man, trembling, stepped forward slowly:
"Valas… wasn't always like this. He was a leader once, but he changed after discovering something deep within Shadow Mountain. Since then, he became a monster."
Jin, sharply:
"Shadow Mountain? Is it nearby?"
The man pointed fearfully toward the north.
"It's there… but no one comes back alive from that place."
Rio turns to Jin:
"Shadow Mountain. Looks like we've found our next destination."
Jin, with a faint smile:
"I thought you were tired."
Rio:
"I'm tired of talking. Let's finish this quickly."
The scene shifted to a treacherous, dark path. The trees seemed to whisper, and strange sounds echoed in the air.
The System Speaks:
"Rio, be cautious. This area is saturated with ancient energy. It's not just negative—it's something far older."
Rio, sarcastically:
"Thanks for the helpful warning. As if I hadn't noticed."
Jin:
"If you're going to keep talking to yourself, at least tell me what it's saying."
Rio:
"The system says the place is creepy. But I'm guessing you already figured that out."
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed around them. A strange creature, a mix of a wolf and ancient armor, emerged from the shadows.
Jin, drawing his sword:
"Finally, something I can cut."
Rio, with a weary smile:
"Just don't burn the whole forest down."
• Jin: He charged at the creature with swift, precise movements, his sword glowing with blue energy.
• The Creature: Its attacks were wild but powerful, each strike shaking the ground around it.
• Rio: He stayed in the background, observing and waiting for the right moment.
The System Appears Again:
"Rio, this creature isn't ordinary. It carries energy from the shadows we've discussed. You need to analyze its weaknesses."
Rio, grumbling:
"Why am I always the one stuck doing the analysis?"
The Joint Strategy:
Rio cast a spell, channeling his essence energy to bind the creature, while Jin delivered the finishing blow, slicing it in half.
Jin, turning to Rio:
"You know, we're becoming a pretty good team."
Rio, with a smirk:
"Don't make it a habit."
Before them stood Shadow Mountain, towering and shrouded in a strange black aura. Ominous sounds echoed in the air, as if the mountain were alive.
The System Displays a New Message:
"Welcome to Shadow Mountain. Prepare to face what lies beyond your limits."
Rio, staring at the mountain:
"Now, this sounds like real fun."
Rio and Jin stood before the entrance of a dark cave within the mountain, the sense of danger growing with every step they took.
The air was thick with a sense of mystery and danger. Each step they took deeper into the cave felt like it was pulling them further into the unknown.
Jin, running his hand along the walls covered in strange carvings:
"These symbols… they're not just decoration. They're warnings."
Rio, leaning on his sword, watching the shifting shadows on the walls:
"Warnings or invitations? It feels like this place wants us to keep going."
The System suddenly displays a message to Rio:
"Alert: Ambient energy levels have exceeded natural limits. Probability of survival without a strategic plan is less than 40%."
Rio, sarcastically:
"Such reassuring words. I feel so much better now."
Jin, watching Rio with a serious expression:
"Rio, you need to take this seriously. This place isn't like anywhere else."
Rio:
"I'm always serious. Just… in my own way."
As they ventured further, the cave began to tremble. Creatures resembling living shadows emerged from the walls, their eyes glowing a menacing red.
Jin, drawing his sword swiftly:
"Finally, something I can cut."
Rio, his sword glowing with essence energy:
"Be careful. These aren't ordinary creatures. They seem… connected to the mountain itself."
• Rio and Jin fight side by side, but the shadows keep appearing from every direction.
• Rio, after unleashing a wave of essence energy to destroy a group of shadows:
"This isn't ending! We need to find the source."
• Jin, blocking another attack:
"The source must be deeper in the cave. Are you ready to risk it?"
The System Intervenes:
"Suggestion: Use essence energy to seal the side passages. This will reduce the flow of shadows."
Rio, following the system's advice:
"If this makes things easier, let's do it."
Rio unleashed a powerful energy wave, sealing several side passages and cutting off the incoming shadows.
Jin, with a faint smile:
"Sometimes, that system is actually useful."
Rio, sarcastically:
"Sometimes."
After the battle, they entered a massive chamber. At its center was a black pillar of light stretching from the ground to the ceiling. The carvings on the walls grew more intricate, as if telling a story.
Jin, looking at the pillar:
"This is the source. But how do we destroy it?"
The System displays a new message:
"Warning: The pillar is tied to an ancient ritual. Destroying it without breaking the connection will cause the cave to collapse entirely."
Rio, studying the carvings:
"Looks like we need to understand the ritual first."
Rio and Jin began deciphering the carvings, which told the story of an ancient king who sought to harness the power of shadows to rule the world. But his power spiraled out of control, and he was sealed within the mountain along with his dark energy.
Jin, with a grave expression:
"If we break the ritual incorrectly, we might release this king."
Rio, calmly smiling:
"Or we could destroy him completely. It's a gamble, but we don't have another choice."
Before they could act, a massive figure emerged from the shadows—a towering knight made entirely of dark energy.
The Guardian:
"Who dares to enter this place?"
Jin, pointing his sword at the guardian:
"We're here to put an end to this madness."
Rio, with a calm but determined expression:
"And maybe have some fun along the way."
• The Guardian's attacks were devastating, each strike shaking the ground beneath them.
• Rio and Jin's teamwork was crucial as Rio used his skills to bind and distract the guardian, while Jin delivered the decisive blows.
• The System provides constant advice:
"Rio, the guardian's weak point is its core. Focus your energy there."
Rio, shouting to Jin:
"The core! Aim for its chest!"
Jin, with a massive leap:
"My way!"
Jin struck directly at the guardian's core, causing it to shatter into fragments of shadow that dissipated into the air.
As the guardian dissolved, the black pillar began to crack, sending violent tremors through the cave.
The System displays a new message:
"The ritual is collapsing. You must leave immediately!"
Jin, running toward the exit:
"Rio, move!"
Rio, staring at the crumbling pillar:
"This isn't over yet. The mountain still hides more secrets."