Chapter 17: Consequences Unseen
The ground trembled long after the titan had disappeared into the horizon. Reiji stood in silence, staring at the path of destruction it had left in its wake. Broken trees, deep craters, and shattered rocks marked the land, a testament to the raw power of the beast he had just sent south.
Aeris floated beside him, her arms crossed, her golden eyes fixed on him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Do you feel it now, Reiji? The weight of your decision? That wasn't just some random creature. Titans like that shift the world in ways you can't even begin to comprehend."
Lyra, however, seemed less concerned. She twirled a strand of her fiery hair and smirked. "Oh, relax, Aeris. It's not like he sent it to destroy a peaceful village. The Crimson Blades are a bunch of thugs anyway. If anything, Reiji's doing everyone a favor."
Reiji sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It doesn't feel like a favor. I didn't choose the Crimson Blades at random. They've been expanding aggressively, taking out smaller factions. But now... I don't know if I've made things better or worse."
"Better or worse?" Aeris said sharply, her tail flicking in irritation. "You've essentially handed a ticking time bomb to the world and hoped it lands where it's supposed to. Faithweaver or not, you're playing a dangerous game."
Reiji clenched his fists, turning to face her. "And what would you have me do, Aeris? Sit back and do nothing? This world is built on choices. If I hesitate, I'll get swept away."
Aeris softened slightly, her tone less harsh. "I'm not saying you shouldn't act. But you need to think beyond the immediate impact. Every choice you make ripples outward, touching parts of the world you can't even see."
Lyra laughed, her voice light and teasing. "Oh, stop being so dramatic, Aeris. The kid's learning. You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, right? Besides, watching the chaos unfold is half the fun."
Before Aeris could retort, a system notification popped up in front of Reiji.
[World Announcement]
The Titan of Stone has awakened and marches south. Beware the consequences of its wrath.
The message was brief, but the impact was immediate. Reiji knew players and NPCs alike would see it, and the ripples of his actions would soon spread across the game.
Aeris stared at the notification, her expression unreadable. "And there it is. Your decision is now a part of the world's history. I hope you're ready to deal with the fallout."
Reiji closed the notification and exhaled slowly. "What's done is done. I'll deal with it when the time comes. For now, we need to keep moving."
As they continued their journey, the landscape began to change. The lush forest gave way to rocky terrain, the air growing colder with each step. Reiji's dire wolf padded silently beside him, its keen eyes scanning the surroundings for danger.
Aeris floated closer, her voice low. "This area isn't safe. Monsters here are far stronger than what you've faced before."
"How strong are we talking?" Reiji asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Before Aeris could answer, a guttural roar echoed through the air. A shadow moved between the rocks ahead, and moments later, a massive creature emerged.
[Ironfang Bear – Level 30]
An apex predator of the rocky plains, known for its unyielding strength and near-impenetrable hide.
The bear was easily twice Reiji's size, its fur a mix of black and silver. Its eyes glowed faintly, and its claws left deep gouges in the ground as it lumbered toward them.
Reiji's heart raced as he analyzed the situation. "Level 30... That's pushing it. Can we take it down?"
Aeris tilted her head, her expression calm. "It's strong, but not impossible. Your dire wolf can handle some of the fight, but you'll need to be smart about how you approach this."
Lyra grinned, her wings flickering with light. "Or you could just throw some Faith Points at it and see what happens. Maybe turn it into an ally—or an even bigger threat."
Reiji shook his head. "No. I need to handle this without relying on Faith Points every time things get tough."
Drawing his sword, he turned to his dire wolf. "We take it together. Flank it and aim for its legs. If we can slow it down, we stand a chance."
The wolf growled in response, its muscles tensing as it prepared to charge.
The Ironfang Bear roared again, its massive frame barreling toward them. Reiji dove to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe from its claws. The force of the attack shattered the rocks where he had just been standing.
"Watch its movements!" Aeris called out. "It's slow but powerful. Don't let it pin you down!"
Reiji nodded, his eyes focused. The dire wolf darted in from the side, its fangs sinking into the bear's hind leg. The creature roared in pain, swinging its massive paw to swat the wolf away.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Reiji moved in, his sword glowing faintly as he activated a skill. The blade slashed across the bear's side, sparks flying as it struck the tough hide.
The bear turned its attention to Reiji, its glowing eyes filled with fury. It charged at him, its massive body moving with surprising speed.
Reiji gritted his teeth, bracing himself. At the last second, he rolled to the side, slashing at the bear's exposed flank as it passed.
The dire wolf was back on its feet, lunging at the bear's throat. Together, they worked in tandem, wearing the creature down with precise strikes.
After what felt like an eternity, the Ironfang Bear let out one final roar before collapsing to the ground.
[Ironfang Bear defeated. Experience gained: 0.]
Reiji stared at the notification, his chest heaving. The reminder of his lack of a leveling system was a bitter pill to swallow, but he pushed the thought aside.
Aeris floated down to his level, her expression unreadable. "You handled that well. But remember, not every fight will go in your favor. You need to be prepared for the unexpected."
Reiji nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "I know. But I'll figure it out. One step at a time."
As they moved on, the weight of the world—and the choices he had made—continued to press down on him. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: his actions would shape the future of Eternal Realms in ways he couldn't yet imagine.