LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 3: A Glimpse of Power
Morrath stepped out of the crumbling castle into a world that reeked of despair. The jagged peaks of the Forsaken Spires towered around him like skeletal fingers clawing at the storm-filled sky. Thick clouds churned ominously, casting an oppressive shadow over the land.
The wind carried a hollow, mournful howl, as if the earth itself lamented its existence. Every breath of the chilled air felt heavy, pressing against Morrath's chest like a warning he couldn't ignore.
[Environment analysis complete. Zone: Forsaken Spires. Threat level: Moderate.]
The notification hovered in his vision, but it did little to ease his unease. "Moderate, huh?" he muttered, gripping his rusted sword tightly. "Somehow, I don't feel reassured."
The path ahead was barely visible, overgrown with gnarled roots and jagged rocks. Despite the system's warning, Frank forced himself forward, each step echoing with the sound of his armored boots crunching against the ground. The castle's looming shadow faded behind him as the path narrowed, leading him deeper into the unknown.
As he walked, a new notification appeared.
[Objective: Reach the Outer Edge of the Forsaken Spires.]
It was a clear directive, but the tension in his chest didn't ease. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. His gaze darted around, scanning the twisted trees and jagged rocks for any sign of movement. It wasn't long before his instincts proved correct.
The low growl reached his ears first, followed by the rustling of leaves. From the shadows of a nearby thicket, three creatures emerged, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. They were quadrupeds, their bodies covered in matted fur, with elongated jaws full of razor-sharp teeth. Each creature bore patches of exposed muscle, their sinewy forms rippling with unnatural strength.
[Enemy class: Shadow Hounds. Quantity: 3. Threat level: Moderate.]
Frank's grip on his sword tightened. "Three of them," he muttered. "Great. Just what I needed."
The hounds circled him, their growls growing louder. One lunged without warning, its jaws snapping inches from his face. Frank swung his sword instinctively, the blade connecting with the creature's side. It yelped, recoiling, but the attack had been shallow. The rusted weapon wasn't enough to put them down.
[Weapon damage insufficient. Suggest use of Shadow Veil.]
"No kidding," Frank growled, focusing his thoughts. The shadows around him stirred, responding to his call. Dark tendrils coiled around his sword, the blade pulsing with eerie energy. The weight in his hands shifted, feeling more natural, almost like an extension of himself.
The hounds hesitated, their instincts recognizing the shift in power. Frank didn't wait for them to regroup. He stepped forward, slashing at the nearest one. The shadow-infused blade tore through its body, leaving a dark mist in its wake as the creature dissolved into ash.
The remaining two hounds snarled, one darting toward his exposed side. Frank pivoted, bringing the blade up just in time to intercept. The impact jarred his arm, but the shadow energy coursing through the weapon amplified his strength. With a roar, he drove the blade down, cutting the second hound in half.
The last hound froze, its glowing eyes darting between Frank and its fallen packmates. For a moment, it seemed to consider retreating, but Frank didn't give it the chance. He lunged, the blade slicing through the air with precision. The final hound let out a strangled yelp before it, too, dissolved into ash.
[Threat eliminated. Progress: 25%.]
Frank exhaled heavily, lowering his sword. His body ached, but the exhilaration of victory coursed through him. He stared at the notification, the steady climb of his progress giving him a small sense of accomplishment.
"One step at a time," he muttered, wiping his brow with the back of his gauntlet. The shadows around his sword faded, leaving the weapon rusted and dull once more. He glanced at it, frowning. "Definitely need to find something better."
The path ahead stretched into the distance, disappearing into a dense forest shrouded in mist. Frank knew there would be more dangers waiting for him, but he also knew he couldn't afford to hesitate. If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to keep moving.
The forest was eerily quiet, the only sound coming from his footsteps. The mist clung to him, obscuring his vision and making it harder to judge his surroundings. Every shadow seemed to shift and writhe, and Frank's nerves were on edge.
He stopped abruptly, sensing movement to his left. A faint glimmer caught his eye, and he turned to see a small, glowing crystal embedded in a tree. The light was faint but mesmerizing, drawing him closer.
[Resource node detected: Lesser Shadow Crystal.]
"A resource node?" Frank muttered, stepping closer. The crystal pulsed softly, its dark light almost hypnotic. He reached out, his armored fingers brushing against its surface. The moment he touched it, the crystal dissolved into motes of shadow that flowed into his hand. A notification appeared.
[Shadow Crystal acquired. Resource can be used to enhance weapons or abilities.]
Frank's lips curved into a small smile. "Finally, something useful." He glanced at his sword, considering his options. The system's interface appeared before him, offering a simple choice.
[Enhance weapon with Shadow Crystal? Yes/No.]
Without hesitation, he selected "Yes." The crystal's energy flowed into the blade, and the rusted metal began to change. The cracks and wear disappeared, replaced by a sleek, dark sheen. The blade now pulsed faintly with shadow energy, radiating a sense of power.
[Weapon enhanced. Shadow Blade unlocked. Damage output increased.]
Another notification blinked into view.
[Spells unlocked: Prestidigitation, Disguise Self.]
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Magic too? Now we're talking," he muttered. He swung the blade experimentally, the weapon cutting through the air with a satisfying hiss. Confidence replaced the anxiety that had lingered earlier. "This world's starting to play fair."
The road ahead no longer felt as daunting. With his upgraded weapon and newfound spells, Frank pressed forward. The mist began to thin, and the forest opened up to reveal a sprawling valley below. In the distance, he could make out the faint glow of lights—a settlement.
[Objective updated: Investigate the settlement.]
Frank's heart quickened. If there were people there, they might have answers. They might also have more threats. Either way, he didn't have a choice. He adjusted his grip on the Shadow Blade and started down the path toward the valley. The soft glow of the settlement drew closer with each step.
Then, the ground beneath him trembled. A deep, guttural roar echoed from the valley ahead, shaking the trees and scattering flocks of dark-winged birds. The glow of the settlement dimmed as an ominous shadow rose over it, blocking out the faint light.
Frank froze as a massive, serpentine figure emerged, its glowing crimson eyes locking onto something near the edge of the settlement. His eyes widened as he spotted a young woman cornered against a jagged rock, her back pressed to the stone as the creature loomed over her. The terror in her eyes was palpable, her hands clutching a broken staff.
The system chimed urgently.
[Warning: High-level entity detected. Threat level: Severe.]
[Entity identified: Abyss Wyrm. Class: Elite. Recommendation: Evade or prepare for combat.]
Frank's knuckles tightened around the hilt of his blade. His breath hitched, but he forced himself to steady. The woman let out a desperate cry as the creature's massive jaws snapped just inches from her face.
"Evade or fight?" he muttered under his breath, a wry smile forming. "Guess I'm adding rescue to the list."
The Abyss Wyrm let out another roar, its massive body coiling as it prepared to strike. Frank stepped forward, the Shadow Blade pulsing with energy in his hand. Whatever this was, there was no turning back now.