Chapter 15: A Glimpse of the Unknown
The campfire's warmth was a fleeting comfort, barely enough to stave off the bone-deep chill that permeated the Wailing Hollow. Liam sat among the small group of NPC travelers, listening intently as they spoke in low voices about the dangers of the land. Their words painted a grim picture—phantom beasts that stalked the shadows, ancient curses that bound the living, and a power deep within the hollow that corrupted everything it touched.
"Few who venture past this point ever return," the leader of the group, a man named Alden, warned. His weathered face was illuminated by the firelight, making the scars on his cheeks appear even deeper. "The further north you go, the more the hollow takes. The land itself seems alive, as if it's watching, waiting for you to falter."
Liam nodded, absorbing every detail. "Have any of you seen the Sanctum of Echoes?"
The mention of the name drew a sharp silence from the group. Alden's gaze darkened. "Aye, I've heard of it. A cursed place, or so the stories say. They call it a sanctum, but it's more of a tomb. Those who enter never leave. Why would you seek it?"
"I have a mission," Liam replied simply.
Alden sighed, shaking his head. "A fool's errand, then. But I've learned not to judge. If you're truly determined, take this."
The older man reached into his satchel and pulled out a small vial filled with shimmering, golden liquid.
[System Notification: You have received Blessed Elixir.]
• Effect: Temporarily boosts all stats by 15% for 10 minutes.
• Cooldown: 1 hour.
"This might buy you a moment's edge," Alden said, pressing the vial into Liam's hand. "But don't rely on it too much. Strength alone won't save you."
Liam thanked him, tucking the elixir safely into his inventory. The other travelers offered him spare rations and a few words of encouragement before retreating to their tents, leaving Liam alone by the fire.
As the flames flickered, he opened his game panel, reviewing his progress.
Player Stats:
• Level: 22
• Experience: 15% to Level 23
• Free Attribute Points: 10
• Skills:
• Shadowstrike (EX): Level 12
• Primordial Insight (EX): Level 10
• Blade Dance (A): Level 9
Inventory Updates:
• Blessed Elixir (1)
• Spectral Essence (x5)
• Midnight Shard (B-Rank)
Liam considered his next move carefully. The Sanctum of Echoes was still days away, and every step deeper into the hollow would bring new challenges. He had to be prepared.
The Phantom Ravine
Morning came slowly, the light filtering through the dense fog like liquid gold. After bidding farewell to the travelers, Liam set off once more. The path ahead grew narrower, the jagged cliffs on either side looming like the teeth of some great beast.
The whispers returned, faint at first but growing louder with each passing hour. It wasn't long before Liam found himself at the edge of a massive ravine, its depths obscured by swirling mist. A narrow stone bridge spanned the chasm, its surface cracked and uneven.
[System Notification: Warning! You are entering a high-risk zone: Phantom Ravine.]
Liam hesitated at the bridge's entrance, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But there was no other way forward. Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the bridge.
The air grew colder with each step, the whispers around him turning into guttural voices. Liam gripped his sword tightly, his eyes darting between the mist-covered edges of the ravine.
Halfway across, the bridge shuddered violently, nearly throwing him off balance. From the mist emerged a monstrous figure—a Phantom Ravager, its form a grotesque amalgamation of bone and shadow. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Liam, and with a deafening roar, it lunged forward.
Phantom Ravager
• Level: 25
• HP: 15,000
• Skills: Spectral Rend, Mist Shroud, Spirit Summon
Liam activated Primordial Insight, his perception sharpening as the creature's movements slowed in his vision. The Ravager's claws raked through the air, narrowly missing him as he rolled to the side.
"Let's see what you've got," Liam muttered, engaging Blade Dance.
His sword flashed in a flurry of strikes, each one landing cleanly on the Ravager's spectral body. But the creature's health bar barely budged. It countered with a swipe of its massive claws, sending Liam skidding backward.
The battle raged on, the narrow bridge leaving little room for maneuvering. The Ravager summoned smaller phantoms to aid it, forcing Liam to split his attention between them. Sweat dripped down his face as he fought to maintain control of the chaotic encounter.
"Time to turn this around," he said, pulling the Blessed Elixir from his inventory. He drank it in one swift motion, a surge of energy flooding through his body.
With his stats boosted, Liam went on the offensive. He activated Shadowstrike, delivering a devastating critical hit that tore through the Ravager's defenses. The creature let out an ear-splitting wail as its health bar plummeted.
The final blow came as Liam chained together Blade Dance and Shadowstrike, his sword slicing through the Ravager's core. The monstrous figure disintegrated, its form dissolving into the mist.
[Combat Summary:
• Boss Defeated: Phantom Ravager
• Experience Gained: 22,000
• Loot Acquired: Ravager's Core (Rare), Phantom Silk (x2), Gold Coins (x3)]
Liam collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. The battle had drained nearly all his resources, but the victory was worth it. He retrieved the Ravager's Core, a rare crafting material that would fetch a high price in the marketplace.
After a brief rest, he continued across the bridge, the far side of the ravine coming into view.
A Glimpse of the Sanctum
As Liam reached the end of the Phantom Ravine, the terrain began to change once more. The jagged rocks gave way to a vast expanse of blackened earth, the ground cracked and smoldering as if from some ancient fire.
In the distance, he saw it—a towering structure shrouded in shadow, its spires reaching toward the sky like claws. The Sanctum of Echoes.
[System Notification: You have discovered the Sanctum of Echoes.]
A chill ran down Liam's spine as he gazed at the ominous building. The whispers in his mind grew deafening, their words incomprehensible but filled with malice.
"This is it," he said to himself, gripping his sword tightly. "No turning back now."
The journey to the sanctum's gates would not be easy. The land between him and his destination was filled with enemies, each more dangerous than the last. But Liam's resolve was unshaken.
He had come too far to falter now.