Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Campfire Under the Stars
As the last wyvern fell, its massive body lying lifeless on the grass, Shin turned his attention to his Fate Scavenger scythe. He felt a familiar sensation—a deep pull, a hunger that wasn't his own. The chains rattled slightly, and the lock on the scythe clicked open with an audible snap.
The eye on the scythe glowed a bright crimson, and from its center, a sharp-toothed maw emerged, grotesque and ravenous. The air around them grew heavy, as if the scythe was commanding the space itself.
Shin stepped back, observing the macabre spectacle. The souls and energy of the defeated wyverns began swirling in the air, drawn toward the scythe's mouth. Streams of glowing energy—brilliant blues, greens, and reds—rushed toward the maw, accompanied by the faint but chilling echoes of the wyverns' dying screams.
The scythe devoured them greedily, the teeth grinding as it consumed the souls. A deep, guttural growl emanated from the weapon, resonating through the field like the roar of a beast. Then, with a loud snap, the lock resealed itself, silencing the chaotic energy.
Shin stood still, his body radiating a newfound strength. His skin appeared fresher, his eyes sharper, and his aura more imposing. He flexed his fingers, feeling the surge of power coursing through him.
"That never gets old," Shin muttered, smirking to himself.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Shin looked at the others. "It's time to move," he said.
He raised his hand, opening a massive dimensional portal beneath the cargo they'd carried. The remnants of their supplies disappeared into the swirling vortex. "We don't need that cart anymore," Shin said, brushing off his hands. "Now that we can fly, it's faster this way."
The trio lifted into the air, their silhouettes outlined against the fading sunlight. They soared toward the forest in the distance, the cool night air brushing against their faces.
Nightfall in the Forest
As the stars began to twinkle overhead, Shin led the group to a clearing in the forest. "We'll rest here for the night," he announced, landing softly on the grass.
Miko and Kuro followed, landing slightly less gracefully. Miko stumbled a bit, catching himself against a tree. "Man, I'm still getting used to this flying thing," he muttered.
Shin smirked. "You'll get there."
The trio quickly set to work setting up camp. Shin gathered some stones to form a fire pit while Kuro scouted the perimeter for any signs of danger. Miko gathered wood, dragging a large bundle into the clearing.
"I've got the light," Miko said confidently, stepping forward. He raised his hand and shouted, "Fire Blessing!" A small but controlled flame ignited in his palm, and he touched it to the wood. The fire crackled to life, bathing the clearing in a warm glow.
Shin raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You're getting pretty good at that," he said with a chuckle.
Kuro nodded, his tail swishing lazily. "Not bad, kid. You're pretty cool."
Miko rubbed his nose, trying to hide his grin. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm awesome."
Shin opened his dimensional storage, summoning a massive dead boar with a flourish. The enormous carcass thudded onto the ground with such force that Miko and Kuro both stumbled backward, falling onto the grass.
"What the—?!" Miko exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at the boar. "Where did that come from?!"
Shin scratched the back of his head, laughing. "Sorry for the surprise. Found this earlier. Thought it'd make a good meal."
Miko stood up, brushing off his clothes. "A good meal? That thing's huge!"
Shin grinned. "Which is why I need you to handle it. Think you can cut it up for us?"
Miko nodded, stepping forward. Shin handed him a sharp blade from his storage. With a swift motion, Miko activated his energy sword and began slicing through the boar. His movements were precise and efficient, and within moments, the fur was gone, leaving only the meat.
"Whoa!" Kuro exclaimed, his ears perking up. "That was fast!"
Shin clapped his hands. "Nicely done, Miko. Now, can you cook it too?"
Miko hesitated, scratching his head. "I've never cooked before, but I can try."
As he focused, a faint glow surrounded him. The system interface activated, and Shin's eyes widened as a notification appeared:
[Miko's Cooking Blessing Activated]
"Cooking blessings now?" Shin said with a laugh. "You're full of surprises."
Miko grinned sheepishly. "Guess I'm a natural."
Using his newfound blessing, Miko prepared the boar meat with surprising skill, seasoning it with herbs from Shin's storage and cooking it evenly over the fire. The aroma was mouthwatering, and by the time he was finished, the trio was practically drooling.
They dug in, savoring the tender, juicy meat. Kuro let out a contented growl. "This is amazing!"
Shin nodded in approval. "Infinity out of five stars, Miko. You've outdone yourself."
Miko beamed, clearly proud of his work. "Told you I was awesome."
When the meal was done, all that remained were bones. The trio leaned back, their stomachs full, and the crackling fire provided a soothing ambiance.
The Artifact's Secret
Late into the night, while Kuro and Miko slept soundly, Shin remained awake. The stars above cast a faint light on the clearing, and the fire's embers glowed softly.
Shin reached into his dimensional storage, pulling out a mysterious artifact he had found earlier. The object shimmered faintly, its surface etched with intricate runes.
As he examined it, the system interface activated, revealing the artifact's purpose:
[Transformation Artifact: Grants humanoid forms to living beings.]
Shin's eyes widened slightly, and he glanced over at Kuro, who was curled up near the fire in his tiger form. "I've been searching for this for ages," Shin murmured. "Read about it back in the library... never thought I'd actually find one."
He turned the artifact over in his hands, contemplating its use. "But... not tonight," he said with a yawn. "This can wait until morning."
Placing the artifact back into his storage, Shin leaned back against a tree, letting his eyes drift shut. The night was peaceful, but in the back of his mind, he knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges—and possibly new discoveries.