Chereads / Soulbound Odyssey: From Zero to Hero / Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Secrets in the Mist

Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Secrets in the Mist

The faint glow of the shard guided Ryan, Mia, and Lily further into the depths of the Shadowgrove. The oppressive darkness that had loomed over the forest now seemed to retreat, but the unease in the air lingered like a shadow of its own. The trio moved in cautious silence, their steps muffled by the soft, moss-covered ground.

Mia broke the quiet first. "We've handled the trial, taken down a guardian, and picked up a new cloak. What now?"

Ryan glanced at the shard in his hand. Its light pulsed steadily, but there was a faint flicker to it—a sign that it had more to show them. "We keep moving," he said. "Whatever this thing wants us to find, we're not there yet."

The forest opened into a wide clearing shrouded in thick mist. The air grew colder, and the faint sound of running water reached their ears. In the center of the clearing stood a massive stone obelisk, its surface covered in ancient runes that seemed to glow faintly through the fog.

[New Zone Discovered: The Mistbound Expanse]

Ryan approached cautiously, his halberd at the ready. "This feels too quiet," he muttered.

As if on cue, the runes on the obelisk flared brightly, and the mist thickened, swirling around them like a living entity. A low growl echoed from the fog, followed by the sound of footsteps—too many to count.

[Enemies Spawned: Mist Wraiths – HP: 150/150 each]

"Figures," Mia said, already notching an arrow. "They couldn't just let us have a moment."

The wraiths materialized from the mist, their semi-transparent forms flickering as they moved. Ryan swung his halberd in a wide arc, activating [Radiant Sweep]. The burst of light energy cut through the first wave, dispersing the closest wraiths.

[Damage Dealt: 150 HP to all enemies](Wraiths Defeated: 5/20)

Lily raised her hands, casting [Lightwave], which sent a pulse of energy rippling outward. The wraiths caught in its path flickered and dissolved, their forms scattering like ash in the wind.

[Damage Dealt: 100 HP to all enemies]

(Wraiths Defeated: 10/20)

"Keep at it!" Ryan called, dodging a swipe from one of the remaining wraiths. He countered with [Precision Slash], his halberd slicing cleanly through its form.

[Damage Dealt: 150 HP]

(Wraith Defeated)

Mia loosed a volley of arrows, each one glowing as it pierced through multiple enemies. "I've got this side covered," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos.

The mist began to swirl more violently, and a new notification appeared:

[Mini-Boss Encounter: Mistbound Phantom – HP: 800/800]

From the center of the clearing, a larger wraith emerged, its form more defined than the others. It wielded a spectral blade that shimmered with dark energy. The Phantom let out a piercing shriek, and the remaining wraiths seemed to grow stronger, their movements more aggressive.

"Focus on the big one!" Ryan shouted, charging toward the Phantom. He activated [Courage Strike (Enhanced)], his halberd glowing as it connected with the Phantom's blade. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed.

[Damage Dealt: 150 HP]

(Phantom HP: 650/800)

The Phantom retaliated, swinging its blade in a wide arc. Ryan barely dodged, but the edge of the attack grazed him, and a cold numbness spread through his arm.

[Damage Taken: 30 HP]

(Player HP: 70/100)

Ryan activated [Radiant Barrier], summoning a glowing protective shield that absorbed the incoming force of the Phantom's attacks. "That should hold for a bit," he said, gripping his halberd tighter as the shield shimmered around him.

Mia fired a glowing arrow at the Phantom, the projectile striking its core and causing it to stagger.

[Damage Dealt: 120 HP]

(Phantom HP: 530/800)

The Phantom shrieked again, summoning more wraiths to its aid. Ryan gritted his teeth, activating [Lightforged Strike]. The halberd gleamed brilliantly as he brought it down on the Phantom, the radiant energy slicing through its form.

[Damage Dealt: 200 HP]

(Phantom HP: 330/800)

"I'll handle the small ones!" Mia called, her arrows picking off the newly summoned wraiths with precision.

Lily stepped forward, her hands glowing brighter as she cast [Sanctuary], a spell that created a zone of healing light. The group's wounds began to mend, and the oppressive mist seemed to thin within the circle.

[Healing Received: +20 HP per second]

(Player HP: 90/100)

Ryan seized the opportunity, charging at the Phantom again. He activated [Resonant Blade], the shard pulsing in time with his movements. The halberd struck true, cutting through the Phantom's core and sending it reeling.

[Damage Dealt: 250 HP]

(Phantom HP: 80/800)

The Phantom let out one final, desperate shriek, its form flickering as it prepared a powerful attack. Ryan didn't hesitate, leaping forward and delivering a final blow with [Precision Slash], shattering the Phantom into fragments of light.

[Damage Dealt: 80 HP]

(Phantom HP: 0/800)

The mist began to dissipate, and the clearing fell silent. A notification appeared:

[Mini-Boss Defeated: Mistbound Phantom]

[Rewards: +3 Skill Points, Mistbreaker Pendant Unlocked]

Ryan opened his skill menu and allocated his points carefully:

[Skill Upgrade: Lightforged Strike (Enhanced)] – Increases damage and adds an area-of-effect burst.

[New Skill Unlocked: Mistbreaker Strike] – A targeted attack that disrupts shadow or mist-based enemies, dealing bonus damage.

Ryan opened his inventory, examining the Mistbreaker Pendant:

[Mistbreaker Pendant Stats and Abilities]

Passive Effect: Mist Resistance – Reduces visual impairments caused by fog or mist.

Active Skill: Purge Mist – Clears all mist within a 10-meter radius, revealing hidden enemies.

Ryan equipped the Mistbreaker Pendant, the subtle hum of its magic resonating with the shard in his hand. "This will definitely make things easier next time," he said, testing its weight around his neck.

"Looks like this will make dealing with fog easier," Ryan said, equipping the pendant.

Mia lowered her bow, her expression calm but focused. "Let's hope that's the last of them."

Lily adjusted the Purified Pendant around her neck, her gaze lingering on the obelisk. "There's something written here," she said, running her fingers over the runes. "It's a riddle."

Ryan stepped closer, his curiosity piqued. "What does it say?"

Lily frowned, deciphering the glowing symbols. "'The path forward lies in the light you carry. Reveal it, and the shadows will part.'"

The shard pulsed faintly in Ryan's hand, as if responding to the words. "Looks like it's up to us," he said.