Mars stood in the cool night air, the distant sounds of Greythorn Village fading as his focus sharpened. The map Drecker had given him was tucked securely into his inventory, its markings etched into his mind. The old ruin was deeper in the forest, past treacherous terrain and potential dangers, but Mars wasn't deterred. He adjusted the grip on his worn common sword, the same blade he had been using since his first battles. His new title as Baron of Morrath Kingdom weighed on him, but it wasn't recognition that fueled him—it was the need to keep pushing forward.
Back at Drecker's house, the elder had provided more than just directions. "The ruins are steeped in corruption," Drecker had warned, his voice grave. "The necromancer you defeated may have been a puppet. Whatever's in those ruins is older and far more dangerous." Mars had nodded, his determination unwavering. "I'll deal with it," he'd said simply.
Now, standing at the edge of the village, Mars opened his inventory to ensure he was ready. The glow of the Shadowfang Amulet around his neck felt like a subtle pulse, a quiet reassurance. His updated stats blinked before him:
[Player Name: Mars]
Title: Baron of Morrath Kingdom
Level: 9
Strength: 22
Agility: 20
Vitality: 15
Equipment:
Weapon: Common Stone Sword (Worn)
Accessory: Shadowfang Amulet
With a deep breath, he headed into the forest. The path ahead was shrouded in shadows, the trees swaying in an unseen wind. This is only the beginning, Mars thought, his steps steady.
The forest grew denser as Mars moved deeper, the moonlight barely penetrating the thick canopy above. Every crack of a twig and rustle of leaves made him pause, his senses on high alert. He knew the dangers of this area from his past life—beasts prowled these woods, and traps from the ruin's defenses were still active. What he didn't know was that he was being followed.
A shadow flitted between the trees behind him, moving cautiously but lacking the practiced stealth of a rogue. She kept a safe distance, careful not to make too much noise, but the occasional misstep on brittle leaves sent small snaps into the silence. Her breaths were quiet but quick, her heart pounding as she watched Mars navigate the path. What is he doing out here alone? she thought, gripping the edges of her cloak. Does he really think he can take on the ruins by himself?
Unaware of his silent observer, Mars pushed forward. As he approached the marked location on the map, a faint, sickly green glow began to light the trees. The air grew heavier, and the stench of decay filled his lungs. He crouched low, his hand brushing the hilt of his worn sword as he scanned the clearing ahead. There, half-buried in the earth, was the entrance to the ruins—an ancient stone archway carved with runes that pulsed faintly in the darkness.
[System Notification: You are entering a Corrupted Zone.]
[All enemies will receive a 10% damage boost. Proceed with caution.]
Mars exhaled, his breath steady as he stepped closer. Before he could cross the threshold, a guttural growl froze him in place. From the shadows, a pack of corrupted wolves emerged, their glowing eyes locked on him. Their fur was matted with an unnatural black ichor, and their claws gleamed in the faint light.
[Encounter Triggered: Corrupted Wolf Pack (6).]
Mars didn't hesitate. He shifted his stance, gripping his common stone sword tightly as the first wolf lunged. He sidestepped, bringing his blade down in a swift Slash that severed the creature's neck.
[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 40/50.]
The others circled him, their growls growing louder as they coordinated their attack.
The young woman, still hidden in the shadows, gasped softly as she watched Mars move with precision. Every step was calculated, every strike deliberate. He's not like the others, she thought, her grip tightening on her cloak. She had followed him, curious about the rumored "Baron of Greythorn," but what she saw now was something far more dangerous than she expected.
The fight was relentless, Mars relying on his agility and positioning to stay ahead of the wolves. He ducked under a claw swipe, countering with a precise Thrust that pierced another wolf's chest.
[Skill Used: Thrust. -7 Stamina. Current Stamina: 33/50.]
The system chimed faintly in his mind as each wolf fell.
[EXP Gained: 500. Corruption Resistance Increased: +2%.]
When the last wolf collapsed, Mars wiped the ichor from his worn sword, his breathing heavy but controlled. He turned his gaze back to the archway, the faint glow of the runes beckoning him forward. "Let's see what you're hiding," he muttered, stepping into the ruins.
Behind him, the young woman hesitated. I should go back... she thought. But something about Mars made her stay. Quietly, she followed him into the ruins, her steps light, but not light enough.
The Heart of the Ruins
The interior of the ruins was suffocatingly dark, the air thick with the stench of rot and old magic. Mars lit a torch from his inventory, its flickering flame casting eerie shadows along the cracked stone walls. Runes lined the corridor, their green glow illuminating ancient carvings of battles and rituals.
Mars moved cautiously, his steps echoing faintly in the silence. He remembered this place well—it wasn't just a dungeon; it was a test of endurance and strategy. The traps here were designed to punish recklessness, and the enemies were relentless.
As he approached the first chamber, the system chimed.
[Trap Detected: Rune-Engraved Pressure Plates.]
Mars smirked, stepping carefully around the faintly glowing tiles. He'd been caught by this trap in his previous life, but now he knew better. The moment he cleared the trap, the walls shuddered, and skeletal guardians began to emerge from the cracks.
[Encounter Triggered: Skeletal Guardians (5).]
Mars adjusted his grip on his common stone sword, his body already moving before his mind fully processed the threat. He darted forward, his blade cutting through the first skeleton with a sharp Slash.
[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 28/50.]
Another swung a rusted axe toward him, but Mars ducked low, retaliating with a powerful Thrust that shattered its ribcage.
[Skill Used: Thrust. -7 Stamina. Current Stamina: 21/50.]
The fight dragged on, each swing of his sword draining his stamina as the skeletons pressed their attack. He used the narrow chamber to his advantage, funneling the enemies into single-file lines where they couldn't overwhelm him. Finally, the last skeleton fell, its bones collapsing into dust.
Before Mars could catch his breath, a scream echoed through the ruins.
His head snapped toward the sound. It wasn't an NPC event—this was real. Someone else was here.
Mars bolted toward the source, rounding a corner to see a young woman trapped between a skeletal warrior and a collapsed archway. She clutched a small dagger, her hands shaking as the skeleton raised its rusted sword.
"Help!" she cried, her wide eyes locking onto him.
Mars cursed under his breath. He had no idea who she was, why she was here, or why she had followed him. But that didn't matter right now. He lunged forward, sword raised.
[Skill Used: Slash. -5 Stamina. Current Stamina: 16/50.]
The skeleton's head snapped back as Mars's sword cleaved through its skull, sending it crashing into the stone floor. The girl flinched, eyes darting between Mars and the fallen skeleton.
[EXP Gained: 2,000. Title Progress: Savior of Greythorn Village 95%.]
Mars exhaled sharply, turning to her. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded.
She hesitated, her breath unsteady. "I… I followed you," she admitted. "I had to see if the rumors were true."
Mars frowned, his grip tightening on his sword. "And now you almost got yourself killed," he said flatly.
She swallowed hard, nodding. "I know… but I can help you."
Mars studied her for a moment before sighing. "We'll talk about this later," he said. "For now, stay close and don't touch anything."
She nodded quickly, stepping in line behind him. As they made their way deeper into the ruins, Mars knew one thing for certain—this mission had just gotten a lot more complicated.
Mars leaned against the wall, catching his breath as he scanned the chamber. At its center stood a pedestal, a faint glow emanating from the object atop it. He approached cautiously, his torchlight illuminating the jagged carvings etched into the pedestal's surface. Resting atop it was a crystal pulsing with dark energy, its glow casting eerie shadows across the chamber.
[Item Acquired: Corrupted Crystal Shard. Quest Objective Updated: Deliver to Elder Drecker.]
Mars slipped the crystal into his inventory, his hand brushing against the Shadowfang Amulet around his neck. His gaze lingered on the pedestal for a moment longer, the weight of the dungeon's challenges pressing against him. This was a victory, but it didn't feel complete. Turning toward the exit, he steeled himself for the trek back to the village, his thoughts racing with plans for what lay ahead.
The young woman followed a few steps behind, her breathing steadying as they navigated the ruins' winding corridors. She hadn't spoken much since Mars saved her from the skeleton, but her gaze darted around the ancient walls, occasionally settling on him. "You're... different from what I expected," she said finally, her voice tentative.
Mars glanced over his shoulder, his crimson eyes flickering in the dim torchlight. "Different how?" he asked evenly.
She hesitated, gripping her cloak. "The rumors say you're a rising power. A player unlike any other. But... you didn't hesitate to help me."
Mars snorted, his expression unreadable. "I didn't do it for you," he replied. "Leaving you here would've been a liability. You shouldn't have followed me."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "I know," she admitted. "But I can't sit back while everything changes around me. If you're going to take on the Dominion, I want to see it—and understand it."
Mars sighed, his grip tightening on his sword. "This isn't a game for bystanders," he said firmly. "If you're coming with me, pull your weight. No more hiding in the shadows."
The woman straightened, her determination clear. "I can do that," she said. "I'll prove it."
Mars turned away, focusing on the path ahead. "We'll see," he muttered, his tone low.
As they reached the ruins' exit, the fresh night air hit them like a wave, carrying the faint sounds of the village in the distance. Mars stared out at the forest, already calculating his next steps. He didn't have time for complications, but he wouldn't underestimate the unexpected.
[Quest Updated: Return to Elder Drecker for Rewards.]
[Savior of Greythorn Village Title Progress: 95%.]
Mars adjusted the torchlight, glancing at the woman beside him. The crystal shard pulsed faintly in his inventory, a reminder of the power he was uncovering. The challenges ahead would be harder, but this was just the beginning. No one will forget the name Mars, he thought, stepping forward with quiet determination.