Episode 4: The Watcher in the Dark

Eryndis stumbled through the dense underbrush, his body heavy with exhaustion but his mind sharper than ever. The aftermath of the battle with the Forest Fang pack had left his nerves frayed. He clutched the Forest Fang Pelt tightly over his shoulders, the only warmth he could manage as the forest temperature dropped sharply.

Time Remaining: 13:30:25

The timer hovered persistently in his vision, a cruel reminder of how little time he had left to survive the trial. With each passing second, the oppressive weight of the system seemed to grow.

I have to find shelter.

He scanned his surroundings, hoping for a cave or a clearing where he could rest without the fear of another ambush. The forest was alive with the faint chirping of insects and the occasional distant howl. Despite the apparent calm, Eryndis knew better than to trust it.

Suddenly, the system flickered to life.

[New Quest Unlocked: Investigate the Beacon]

Objective: Locate the source of the mysterious light.

Reward: Advanced Skill Scroll

“A beacon?” Eryndis muttered. Before he could question further, a faint glow appeared through the trees to his right. It pulsed steadily, its light cutting through the dense foliage.

Every instinct screamed for him to stay away, to find a place to hide instead. But the promise of a reward—a skill scroll—was too tempting to ignore. If he was going to survive, he needed every advantage he could get.

Clutching his branch-turned-weapon, he moved toward the light.

---

The source of the glow was unlike anything he had ever seen. A massive stone obelisk stood in a small clearing, covered in glowing runes that pulsed faintly with a golden hue. The air around it buzzed with an unnatural energy, making the hair on Eryndis’ arms stand on end.

[Beacon of Trials Detected]

Warning: High-Risk Encounter Ahead

“Well, that’s not ominous at all,” Eryndis muttered dryly. He approached cautiously, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

As he drew closer, the runes on the obelisk began to shift, rearranging themselves into a language he could understand.

"Only the worthy may proceed. Face the Watcher, or turn back in disgrace."

Before Eryndis could react, the ground beneath him trembled. A shadow emerged from the base of the obelisk, coalescing into a towering figure. It was humanoid but grotesquely warped, with elongated limbs and a face obscured by a black, featureless mask.

[New Enemy Detected: The Watcher]

Level: 8

Health: 500/500

“Oh, come on!” Eryndis exclaimed, backing away instinctively. His mind raced. He was only Level 4—there was no way he could take on something that powerful.

But the Watcher wasn’t about to give him a choice. It raised a clawed hand, and a surge of dark energy shot toward him. Eryndis dove to the side, the blast hitting the ground where he had just been standing and leaving a charred crater.

[Combat Engaged]

The notification was almost mocking now. Eryndis gritted his teeth, activating Evasion Boost to increase his speed. He needed to find a way to survive this fight, and fast.

The Watcher moved with unsettling grace, its long limbs allowing it to cover ground quickly. It swung one massive arm toward Eryndis, who barely managed to dodge. He struck back with his branch, but the weapon barely left a scratch.

Enemy Health: 495/500

This isn’t going to work, he thought, panic setting in.

The Watcher raised its hand again, summoning another blast of dark energy. Eryndis dodged, but the explosion sent him sprawling to the ground.

Health: 60/100

He scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. The Watcher was too strong, too fast. He needed a strategy, something to level the playing field.

As he dodged another attack, the system flickered again.

[Skill Synergy Detected: Evasion Boost + Ambush]

New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step

- Teleport a short distance to evade an enemy attack and gain a critical strike opportunity.

Eryndis felt a surge of energy course through him. Shadow Step—it sounded risky, but it was his only chance.

The Watcher lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Eryndis activated Shadow Step, and in an instant, he disappeared from its path, reappearing behind the creature.

The world seemed to slow as he struck with all his might, the jagged edge of his branch connecting with the back of the Watcher’s neck.

Critical Hit!

Enemy Health: 400/500

The Watcher roared in rage, its body convulsing as it turned to face him. Eryndis didn’t stop. He activated Shadow Step again, teleporting just out of reach and landing another hit.

Enemy Health: 350/500

For the first time, he felt like he had a chance. The Watcher was powerful, but it was predictable. It relied on brute strength and ranged attacks, while Shadow Step allowed Eryndis to stay one step ahead.

But the skill was draining his mana quickly. He needed to finish the fight before he ran out.

The Watcher raised both arms, summoning a massive sphere of dark energy. The sheer size of it made Eryndis’ blood run cold. If it hit, he wouldn’t survive.

Think, think!

He activated Shadow Step one last time, teleporting directly above the Watcher. As the creature unleashed its attack, Eryndis brought his branch down with all his strength, aiming for the glowing runes on its chest.

Critical Hit!

Enemy Health: 0/500

The Watcher let out a deafening roar as its body disintegrated into black mist, the energy dissipating into the air.

[Enemy Defeated: The Watcher]

Reward: Advanced Skill Scroll, +200 XP

Level Up!

Eryndis collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving. The obelisk’s glow dimmed, and the clearing was silent once more.

The system flashed the details of his reward, but Eryndis barely had the strength to focus on it. He had survived, but he knew this was only the beginning.

Time Remaining: 12:15:42

The trial was far from over.

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