The streets of Dawnstead buzzed with activity as the dust of battle began to settle. Adventurers tended to their wounds, shared tales of valor, and celebrated their hard-fought victory against the Nightmare Titan. Ryan stood near the edge of the town square, watching as the guild's mages worked to reinforce the magical barriers surrounding the Core of Shadows. The artifact, though contained, still pulsed faintly, its energy an ever-present reminder of the threat they faced.
"You've made quite an impression," Arya said, walking up beside him. Her voice carried its usual edge, but there was a trace of warmth in her tone.
Ryan turned to her, still holding the sword that had delivered the final blow. "It didn't feel like I had a choice. If we hadn't stopped that thing..."
Arya nodded. "True, but not everyone steps up when they're called. You did."
Grent joined them, carrying a mug of ale and grinning from ear to ear. "And did it with style! That Final Strike of yours was something else. Where'd you pull that from, kid?"
Ryan shrugged, his HUD replaying the moment in his mind. "It just... happened. My HUD flashed, and suddenly I had the skill. I don't even know how it works."
Arya exchanged a glance with Grent. "That's not normal. Skills don't just appear out of nowhere."
Grent's grin faded slightly. "She's right. Usually, you've got to earn them through training or leveling. This... might be tied to why you're here."
Ryan frowned. "You mean how I got pulled into this world?"
Arya nodded. "Exactly. Whatever brought you here might've messed with the system. It could be why you're progressing differently."
Before Ryan could reply, the guildmaster's voice rang out, summoning them to the guildhall. "Arya, Grent, Ryan—report to the council chamber!"
The guildhall was quieter than usual, its main chamber emptied in the wake of the battle. The trio followed the guildmaster into a smaller room lined with shelves of ancient tomes and glowing artifacts. A circular table stood at its center, where several high-ranking guild members waited.
"Good, you're here," said a robed woman with piercing blue eyes. "We need to discuss the Core of Shadows."
The guildmaster gestured for them to sit. "Thanks to your efforts, the Titan was stopped, and the Core is secure—for now. But our mages have uncovered something troubling."
The robed woman waved her hand, and an image appeared above the table: a map of the surrounding regions, marked with glowing points. "The Core isn't unique. There are others—scattered across the land. And each one is a beacon, drawing these creatures toward populated areas."
Grent leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Let me guess. You want us to find them?"
The guildmaster nodded. "Exactly. If we can secure or destroy the Cores before they're activated, we can prevent further incursions."
Arya studied the map. "This isn't going to be easy. Those locations... some of them are deep in enemy territory."
The robed woman nodded. "Which is why we're assigning our best teams to this task. You'll have support, but your group will take the lead on the Core located in the Shattered Peaks."
Ryan's eyes widened. He had heard of the Shattered Peaks from conversations around the guild—a treacherous mountain range filled with deadly monsters and harsh terrain.
"What do we know about this Core?" Ryan asked.
"Very little," the guildmaster admitted. "But the energy signatures suggest it's more volatile than the one we just contained. Expect heavy resistance."
Grent grinned. "Sounds like fun."
Arya rolled her eyes but smirked. "We'll need time to prepare. Supplies, better gear..."
"Granted," the guildmaster said. "You leave at dawn in two days. Make sure you're ready."
The group left the guildhall with a renewed sense of purpose but also a heavy weight on their shoulders. The streets were quieter now, the celebrations giving way to an uneasy calm.
As they walked, Arya turned to Ryan. "You should train. That Final Strike might've been enough for the Titan, but the enemies in the Peaks won't go down so easily."
Ryan nodded. "I was thinking the same thing. I need to be faster, stronger... better."
Grent clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit! We'll spar tomorrow morning. Nothing like a good fight to sharpen your skills."
Arya smirked. "Just try not to break him, Grent. We need him alive."
Ryan chuckled, though his mind was already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. The Shattered Peaks, the volatile Core, the growing threats—it was all happening so fast. But for the first time, he felt ready to face it.
"Two days," he said to himself. "I'll be ready."