Chapter 32: The Gathering Storm
Reiji, Aeris, and Lyra arrived at the outskirts of the nearest player-controlled town, the towering walls and bustling gates a stark contrast to the desolate fortress they'd just left. The sight of players trading, crafting, and engaging in lively discussions felt almost surreal after the grim battles they'd endured.
The town of Ironhold served as a hub for mid-tier players, its stone-paved streets lined with blacksmiths, potion shops, and guild outposts. Reiji couldn't help but feel a pang of envy watching players walk by, their brightly colored armor and high-level equipment gleaming in the sunlight. Unlike him, they could grow stronger through traditional means.
As they approached the gate, a group of players spotted them. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Is that the guy from the world announcement?"
"Yeah, the Fateweaver. He's supposed to be crazy strong."
"But look at him—his gear's so plain."
Reiji sighed, tugging at his basic cloak. "Well, it didn't take long for the rumors to spread."
Aeris smirked, floating beside him in her palm-sized form. "You should be grateful, Reiji. Fame suits you."
Lyra crossed her arms, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Let them talk. The moment they see what you're capable of, their opinions won't matter."
The three pressed through the gates, ignoring the curious stares. Reiji headed straight for the town's central plaza, where a massive fountain depicted a warrior slaying a dragon. He sat on the fountain's edge, letting the cool mist of the water soothe his nerves.
"We need a plan," he said, looking at his companions. "The corruption we stopped at the fortress wasn't the source—it's spreading from somewhere deeper. If we wait too long, it'll grow out of control."
Aeris hovered above his shoulder, her arms crossed. "Agreed, but you're running on fumes. You barely have any Faith Points left, and charging headfirst into the unknown will get us killed."
Lyra nodded. "We need resources, information, and allies. This fight isn't something we can handle alone."
Reiji considered their words. "You're right. We should gather supplies and see if we can uncover anything about the corruption's origins. There has to be someone in this town who knows more."
Before he could continue, a system notification popped up in front of him:
[World Quest Unlocked: Echoes of Corruption]
Description: The corruption that threatens the Eternal Realms runs deeper than anyone realizes. Seek out its origin and put an end to its spread before it consumes the world.
Rewards: +500 Faith Points, exclusive item, global recognition
Reiji stared at the notification, his heart pounding. "A world quest? That's... rare."
Lyra frowned. "Rare doesn't even begin to describe it. World quests are supposed to be endgame content. Why is it activating now?"
Aeris narrowed her eyes. "Because it's tied to you. The system must recognize your involvement with the corruption—and your Fateweaver talent makes you integral to the quest."
Reiji groaned. "Great. More pressure."
"Pressure or not, this is our path," Lyra said firmly. "If we don't act, the corruption will spread, and the entire game world will suffer."
Reiji nodded, determination hardening his expression. "Then we accept the quest. But first, let's gear up and gather intel. We need to be prepared for whatever's coming."
The trio spent the next few hours navigating the town. Reiji visited blacksmiths, potion vendors, and information brokers, using what little gold he had to purchase basic supplies. Meanwhile, Aeris and Lyra scouted the area, listening in on conversations and gathering rumors.
By the time they regrouped at the fountain, Reiji's inventory was stocked with health potions, energy restoratives, and a few enchanted items. He'd even managed to upgrade his cloak to one with minor resistance to dark magic.
Aeris landed on his shoulder, her expression unusually serious. "We heard something interesting. There's a group of players heading to the southern ruins—apparently, they've been dealing with corruption too."
Lyra nodded. "They might have information we can use, or at the very least, they could serve as temporary allies."
Reiji frowned. "Working with other players... That could be risky. If they figure out I'm the Fateweaver, it'll put a target on my back."
"True," Aeris said. "But we don't have many options. Besides, you're good at keeping secrets. Just don't trust them too much."
Reiji sighed. "Fine. Let's find this group and see what they know."
As the sun began to set, casting the town in warm hues of orange and gold, Reiji and his companions set out for the southern ruins. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was just the beginning of their battle against the corruption.
End of Chapter 32