The morning began to seep into the forest, but the thick fog covering the area made the atmosphere dark and eerie. Everyone sat around the remaining embers from the previous night, having a quick meal before they moved again. Kieran, as usual, was the first to stand, ready to walk.
"We have a long day ahead of us. We need to reach the Arken Ruins before sunset," he said in a stern tone.
"Arken?" Ethan wondered, looking at Kieran. He knew this place from the story. The ruins were the first real location where the hero and his team begin to uncover the Shadow King's mystery, but it also meant it was filled with dangers.
---
The Road to the Ruins
As the group moved through the forest, Ethan tried to stay calm. With every step, he felt like eyes were watching him, whether from the heroes or from the shadows hiding between the trees.
"Ethan, stay alert," Liana said sharply.
"I'm alert," he replied, trying to sound confident, but he knew he wasn't.
Halfway through, he felt something was off. The ground beneath his feet became more damp, and the air had a suffocating smell.
"Be careful," Kieran said, raising his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"What's wrong?" Helen asked, lifting her spear.
"This area is full of traps," Kieran replied, looking at Ethan. "If you know how to use your eyes well, help us spot them."
Ethan felt the weight of the task. He wasn't used to this kind of work, but he decided to give it a try.
---
Death Traps
The group moved slowly, their eyes scanning the ground and surroundings. Ethan focused all his attention, utilizing the points he had spent on precision. He began noticing small details: broken tree trunks, rocks scattered unnaturally, and even thin threads barely visible stretching between the trees.
"There's a trap here!" he said loudly, pointing toward a hidden rope stretched between two trees.
Kieran looked at him and nodded. "Good. Keep going."
As they advanced, the traps became more complex. Some were simple, like ropes or pits, but others were lethal: hidden arrows, fire traps, and even traps covered with shadow magic.
"This is harder than I expected," Ethan muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Be happy you're still alive," Alex said with a mocking smile. "But don't make a mistake. One wrong step, and it'll be the end of us all."
Ethan ignored his comment and kept focusing.
---
Danger Approaching
As they neared the Arken Ruins, the forest began to change. The trees grew denser, and the air turned colder. It felt as though they were crossing into another world.
"We're close," Liana said, her spells glowing faintly.
"And that means danger is near too," Kieran said, raising his sword, prepared for any attack.
Ethan knew this was true. The ruins weren't just full of traps, but they were also home to more aggressive shadow creatures.
Suddenly, they heard heavy footsteps approaching from afar.
"Get ready!" Kieran shouted, and everyone took their positions.
---
The First Attack
From between the trees emerged a massive creature. It was a shadow monster, but its size exceeded any they had seen before. Its body was covered in black armor, and its red eyes glowed with anger.
"It's the guardian of the ruins!" Liana screamed, beginning to cast a defensive spell around the group.
"This is going to be tough," Kieran said, then charged toward the monster with his glowing sword.
The battle began. Kieran and Helen were at the front, trying to block the creature's powerful attacks. Liana supported them with her spells, while Alex looked for an opportunity to strike from behind.
As for Ethan, he was at the back, trying to aim with his bow. The problem was, the monster was moving fast, making it difficult to hit.
"Focus, Ethan!" Helen screamed, barely blocking a blow that nearly pierced her armor.
"I'm trying!" he replied, his voice shaky.
In a moment, he fired an arrow that hit the monster in its leg. The strike wasn't powerful, but it slowed its movement.
> +30 points
The message appeared in front of him, increasing his focus. He knew these points would help him soon.
---
The System Intervenes
As the battle intensified, a new message appeared in front of Ethan's eyes:
> "Warning: The monster's level exceeds the team's level. Suggestion: Invest points immediately to improve survival chances."
Ethan quickly opened the system. He now had 30 points after hitting the monster.
"Alright, no time to hesitate," he muttered to himself.
He decided to allocate the points as follows:
10 points into Strength: To increase the power of his arrow strikes.
10 points into Endurance: To better withstand the strain of battle.
10 points into Speed: To improve his maneuverability.
As soon as he spent the points, he felt energy flowing through his body. It was as though his body had become both lighter and stronger at the same time.
"This is better," he said with confidence, then pulled out a new arrow.
---
The Decisive Strike
Thanks to the enhancements, Ethan was able to aim with greater precision. He noticed a small weak spot in the monster's armor: a gap between its neck and chest.
"There!" he shouted, firing the arrow with all his strength.
The arrow pierced the gap directly, causing the monster to let out a loud scream before it collapsed and vanished into the air.
> +20 points
The group stood in place, catching their breath. Kieran looked at Ethan and said, "I didn't expect that from you... Maybe you're not as weak as I thought."
"I'm not so sure about that yet," Ethan replied, feeling that things were getting more complicated.
---
The Growing Questions
As they prepared to enter the ruins, Ethan felt uneasy. "How did I suddenly gain that strength? And why do I feel like the system is pushing me to stay?"
A new system frame appeared before him:
> "The deeper you go into the main story events, the more points and abilities you will gain according to your role. Keep fighting, and you will become stronger."
Ethan read the words in silence, then closed t
he message. "But why? What does the system want from me?"
Despite the unanswered questions, he decided to keep moving forward. He had no other choice.