The glowing fungi in the cavern provided just enough light to guide Ryan forward into another narrow passageway. The sharp chill of the air persisted, cutting through his cloak as he moved. The Shadow Veil Cloak adjusted to his movements, the faint ripple of shadows flickering in his wake.
The shard pulsed steadily in his hand, its warmth a stark contrast to the icy environment. Ryan couldn't help but glance at it every so often, feeling its presence more acutely now than ever before. It wasn't just guiding him—it was testing him.
The passage opened into a dense forest shrouded in an unnatural gloom. The air carried a sharp, sour smell, and the towering trees seemed alive with malice, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky. Mist clung to the forest floor, weaving between the roots like ghostly tendrils. The faint sound of rustling leaves and the occasional snap of a twig made Ryan pause, his senses on high alert.
[New Zone Discovered: The Dark Forest]
Ryan's breath hitched as a figure darted between the trees. He tightened his grip on the halberd, scanning the area carefully. "Not this again," he muttered.
Before he could take another step, a soft voice called out from the shadows. "You're either very brave or very foolish to wander here alone."
Ryan spun around, raising his halberd defensively. A faint ripple of movement among the trees caught his eye before a young woman stepped forward. She moved gracefully, her bow drawn but pointed at the ground. Her auburn hair gleamed faintly under the dim light filtering through the canopy, and her sharp gaze carried a mixture of curiosity and caution.
[NPC Discovered: Mia - Archer of Briarwood]
"Mia," Ryan said, reading the notification. "You don't exactly look like a local monster."
She lowered her bow slightly, eyeing him with suspicion. "And you don't look like you belong here either. What are you doing in the Dark Forest?"
Ryan hesitated before replying. "Trying to survive, mostly. You?"
"Surviving as well," she said. Her voice was calm but firm. "This forest isn't safe. There's a corrupted dryad deep within that curses everything it touches. If you value your life, you'll turn back."
A notification appeared:
[Quest Accepted: The Cursed Dryad]
Ryan smirked. "I don't think I have much of a choice. Looks like I'm helping you take this thing down."
Mia sighed, her grip tightening on her bow. "You don't look like much, but you've made it this far. Let's see if you can keep up."
The two made their way deeper into the forest, the oppressive atmosphere weighing heavier with each step. The shard's pulses quickened as they approached a clearing where the trees grew unnaturally twisted, their bark blackened as if burned. The air was thick with a foul smell, and in the center of the clearing stood the dryad.
Her form was once beautiful, evident in the remnants of her delicate features. Now, her skin was cracked and oozing dark sap, and her hair hung in tangled, withered vines that seemed to writhe with a life of their own. The dryad's eerie green eyes glowed with malice, locking onto Ryan and Mia as they entered the clearing. The air grew heavier, thick with a foul energy that pressed against Ryan's chest.
[New Foe Discovered: Corrupted Dryad]HP: 900/900
"Stay close," Mia said, notching an arrow. "She'll summon minions if we're not quick."
The dryad let out a piercing shriek, the sound reverberating through the forest. Dark vines erupted from the ground, writhing like snakes as they lashed out at the pair. Ryan dodged the first vine and activated [Arc Blade (Enhanced)], his halberd glowing as he cleaved through the writhing mass.
[Damage Dealt: 100 HP]
(Dryad HP: 800/900)
"Not bad," Mia said, loosing an arrow that struck the dryad's shoulder. The projectile burst into a small explosion of light, causing the dryad to recoil.
[Damage Dealt: 80 HP]
(Dryad HP: 720/900)
The dryad hissed, raising her arms as blackened vines erupted from the earth, spreading noxious spores into the air. A notification flashed: [Status Effect: Poisoned - Movement Speed Reduced by 20%]. Shadowy figures emerged alongside the vines, their glowing eyes locked onto Ryan with predatory intent.
[Minions Summoned: Shadow Sprites - HP: 200/200 each]
"I'll handle the minions!" Mia shouted, firing rapidly at the sprites. Her arrows struck true, each one bursting with light and scattering the shadows. Ryan focused on the dryad, activating [Shadowstep] to close the distance. He struck with [Precision Slash], his blade carving deep into her corrupted form.
[Damage Dealt: 90 HP]
(Dryad HP: 630/900)
The dryad retaliated, lashing out with her vines. One struck Ryan's side, sending him tumbling. Pain flared as his HP dropped.
[Damage Taken: 30 HP]
(Player HP: 70/100)
Ryan gritted his teeth, rolling to his feet. The shard's glow steadied him as he activated [Courage Strike (Enhanced)], the halberd glowing brightly as he slammed it into the ground. A shockwave rippled outward, severing the vines and staggering the dryad.
[Damage Dealt: 120 HP]
(Dryad HP: 510/900)
"Keep it up!" Mia called, her arrows taking down the last of the sprites. She turned her focus to the dryad, her movements precise as she unleashed a flurry of shots.
The dryad shrieked again, her form flickering as cracks spread across her body. Ryan knew the end was near. He activated [Resonant Blade], the halberd pulsing with radiant energy as he charged forward. With a powerful strike, he drove the blade into the dryad's core, shattering her form in a burst of light.
[Damage Dealt: 510 HP]
(Dryad HP: 0/900)
The clearing fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere lifting as the dark vines withered away. A notification appeared:
[Quest Complete: The Cursed Dryad]
[Rewards: +3 Skill Points, Radiant Arrowhead Unlocked]
Ryan opened his skill menu, the shard's glow steadying as he evaluated his options. He allocated the points carefully:
[Skill Upgrade: Precision Slash (Enhanced)] - Increases critical strike damage and adds a chance to stagger the target.
[New Skill Unlocked: Radiant Sweep] - A wide, powerful attack that emits a burst of light energy, dealing damage to all enemies in a radius.
As the skills locked into place, Ryan felt a surge of energy ripple through him, his halberd seeming to hum with newfound power. "This should make things a little easier," he muttered with a smirk.
Ryan leaned on his halberd, his breaths heavy and his mind racing. The dryad's power had been formidable, a harsh reminder of the dangers lurking in Eterna. Mia approached, her faint smile betraying a mix of relief and newfound respect. "You're better than I expected. Maybe you're not so foolish after all."
"Thanks," Ryan said, returning the smirk. His hands tightened on the halberd as the shard pulsed softly in his hand, its light faint but insistent. A low, distant rumble echoed through the forest, and Ryan's smirk faded. "Looks like this forest isn't done with us yet."
The shard's light guided them toward another path leading deeper into the darkness, where unseen threats undoubtedly waited.