The plume of smoke grew closer with every agonizing step Kain took. The Ruined Wastes seemed endless, an unrelenting expanse of jagged rocks and lifeless terrain that stretched into the horizon. Each movement was a battle against his body's protests. Blood seeped steadily from his stump, and his legs threatened to buckle beneath him.
The cold voice of the system echoed in his mind, detached and unfeeling: [User health: 18%. Risk of fatal collapse imminent. Immediate shelter required.]
"I know!" Kain snapped, his voice hoarse and raw. He stumbled but caught himself, refusing to let weakness claim him. The faint column of smoke in the distance was his only lifeline. His breaths came in shallow gasps, the air heavy with the sharp tang of Etherium particles.
As the structure producing the smoke came into view, Kain paused. It wasn't what he had expected—a crude camp or a scavenger's fire. Instead, a massive, ancient tower rose before him, its surface carved with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with an unnatural light. The building seemed almost alive, humming with energy.
[Codex Tower Detected.]
[Designation: Minor Outpost. Function: System Stabilization.]
"What the hell is a Codex Tower?" Kain muttered.
The system answered immediately. [Codex Towers are nexus points for the World Rewrite System. Entering a tower will provide the user with opportunities for recovery, system upgrades, and resource acquisition.]
Kain's heart jumped at the words. If the tower could stabilize his condition or at least stop the bleeding, it was worth the risk. With a deep breath, he staggered toward the entrance, every step feeling like a monumental effort.
Crossing the threshold, Kain was struck by the sudden drop in temperature. The light outside dimmed as the interior of the tower came alive with the soft glow of Etherium veins running along the walls. The air felt dense, heavy with power, as though the tower was studying him.
[Welcome to Codex Tower: Minor Outpost.]
[Commencing Initial Synchronization…]
A faint hum filled the air as a glowing interface materialized before him. Unlike the usual text prompts, this display was vibrant and intricate, filled with swirling glyphs and diagrams.
[Synchronization Complete. Status: Stabilized.]
Warmth spread through Kain's body, soothing the relentless pain in his shoulder. He exhaled shakily as the bleeding slowed to a trickle, though the wound remained raw and exposed. Relief washed over him, but it was short-lived.
A deep growl echoed from deeper within the tower, low and menacing. Kain froze, his senses on high alert.
[Warning: Hostile Presence Detected in Tower.]
The system's words made his stomach tighten. From the shadows ahead, something moved—a hulking creature with glowing red eyes and jagged, armor-like plating fused to its body. Its elongated limbs twitched unnaturally as it stepped into the faint light.
[Tower Guardian Identified: Etherial Warden.]
[Threat Level: Medium.]
"Medium?" Kain whispered, his voice laced with disbelief. The creature looked like it could rip him apart without effort.
The Warden snarled, its crimson eyes locked on him. A faint prompt flickered in his vision: [Prepare for combat.] Kain barely had time to react as the creature lunged, its claws slicing through the air where he'd stood a second before.
The system's cold voice guided him. [Dodge left. Counterstrike: Upper diagonal.]
Kain moved instinctively, sidestepping the creature's attack and swinging his Shard Blade upward. The blade struck the Warden's chest, where a faintly glowing crack pulsed with light. Dark energy flared as the weapon connected, and the creature shrieked, staggering backward.
The Warden recovered quickly, its attacks becoming more frenzied. It slashed and lunged, forcing Kain to move faster than he thought possible. The system's prompts flashed rapidly in his vision, guiding every step, block, and strike.
[Critical Strike Opportunity Detected. Execute Now.]
Summoning the last of his strength, Kain drove the Shard Blade into the Warden's chest. The creature let out an ear-piercing screech as dark energy surged through its body. With a final, shuddering convulsion, it collapsed into a heap of ash and broken armor.
Panting, Kain dropped to one knee, the Shard Blade dissolving into smoke. His body trembled with exhaustion, and the Corruption Meter in the corner of his vision flashed: [21%.]
"What the hell is happening to me?" he muttered, staring at the remains of the Warden.
Pushing himself to his feet, Kain pressed on, deeper into the tower. The system guided him to the core chamber—a circular room with walls lined by glowing Etherium veins. At its center stood a pedestal, atop which floated a shimmering orb of blue light.
[Codex Core Detected.]
[Interfacing Recommended.]
Approaching cautiously, Kain reached out and placed his hand on the orb. Light flared, engulfing him in a torrent of energy. Images, maps, and fragments of information flooded his mind. He saw the endless expanse of the Ruined Wastes, the locations of other towers, and cryptic details about the system itself.
One phrase stood out amidst the chaos: [Etherial Regeneration Node Detected.]
Kain's breath caught. "Regeneration? Does that mean…"
[Correct. Accessing the node will allow the recovery of lost limbs. However, additional synchronization and significant power acquisition are required.]
His chest tightened with hope. For the first time since waking in this desolate wasteland, the possibility of regaining his arm felt real. But the system's words were clear—there were conditions, and the path forward wouldn't be easy.
As the orb dimmed, Kain stepped back, his mind racing. The Ruined Wastes stretched endlessly beyond this tower, filled with dangers he could barely comprehend. But now he had a purpose: to survive, grow stronger, and unlock the secrets of the system that had bound itself to him.
He clenched his remaining fist, determination burning in his chest.
This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.