Episode 6: The Whispering Vale

The shard hummed softly in Eryndis’ palm, a constant reminder of the weight it carried. He tucked it securely into the leather pouch he had scavenged earlier. The forest around him seemed to grow darker, the air heavier with tension.

Time Remaining: 10:30:15

The system’s timer ticked down relentlessly. Despite his exhaustion, Eryndis pushed forward, knowing rest was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

---

As the forest opened into a narrow valley, the system chimed.

[Quest Update: Whispering Vale Detected]

Objective: Navigate the vale and uncover the source of the whispers.

Reward: Mystery Relic

“Whispers?” Eryndis muttered. As if in response, faint voices began to drift through the air. They were fragmented, unintelligible, but undeniably there.

The valley was unlike any terrain he had encountered so far. Mist curled around the ground like living tendrils, obscuring his view of what lay ahead. The cliffs on either side loomed ominously, their surfaces etched with ancient runes.

He gripped his Shadow Blade, keeping it active despite the toll it took on his mana. The whispers grew louder with each step, their tone shifting from soothing to menacing.

---

The system flickered again.

[Warning: High-Risk Area Detected]

“Of course,” Eryndis sighed. His instincts screamed danger, and he didn’t have to wait long to see why.

Out of the mist emerged figures, their forms translucent and shimmering like glass. They moved unnaturally, their limbs bending at odd angles.

[New Enemy Detected: Mistbound Wraiths]

Level: 5

Health: 150/150

The wraiths didn’t attack immediately. They circled Eryndis, their movements deliberate and haunting.

Eryndis held his ground, watching their patterns. One wraith darted forward, its claw-like hands swiping at him. He activated Shadow Step, teleporting behind it and slashing with the Shadow Blade.

Critical Hit!

Enemy Health: 50/150

The wraith let out an otherworldly shriek before disintegrating into mist.

The remaining wraiths attacked in unison. Eryndis ducked and weaved, using Shadow Step to stay ahead of their strikes. He dispatched them one by one, but their sheer numbers began to wear him down.

Health: 35/100

Mana: 10/50

I can’t keep this up, he thought, panting.

Just as the last wraith dissolved, the whispers shifted. They were no longer fragmented but formed coherent words.

"Why do you seek the shards?"

Eryndis froze. The voice was deep, echoing all around him. “Who’s there?” he demanded, his voice shaky but firm.

The mist parted, revealing a figure cloaked in shadow. Its form was human-like but indistinct, as if it were a mirage.

[Entity Detected: Keeper of the Vale]

Level: ???

“I am the Keeper,” the figure said, its voice reverberating in Eryndis’ mind. “To claim what lies beyond, you must prove your resolve.”

Before Eryndis could respond, the Keeper raised its hand. The mist coalesced into a massive beast, its form shifting and writhing as if it couldn’t decide on a single shape.

[New Enemy Detected: Mistborn Guardian]

Level: 7

Health: 500/500

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Eryndis muttered.

---

The Mistborn Guardian roared, its amorphous body surging toward him. Eryndis dodged, activating Shadow Step to gain distance. He summoned the Shadow Blade, the weapon flickering slightly as his mana reserves dwindled.

The Guardian lashed out with tendrils of mist, their touch freezing the air around them. Eryndis narrowly avoided being ensnared, striking back with his blade.

Enemy Health: 470/500

The Guardian’s attacks were relentless. It shifted forms constantly, making it nearly impossible to predict its movements. Eryndis took hit after hit, his health dropping dangerously low.

Health: 15/100

Think, Eryndis. Use the terrain.

His eyes darted to the cliffs. The runes etched into the stone glowed faintly, resonating with the Guardian’s presence.

The system chimed.

[Environmental Interaction Available: Runes of Binding]

Eryndis grinned despite himself. “Let’s see how you like being trapped.”

He activated Shadow Step, teleporting to the nearest rune. As he touched it, the rune flared brightly, sending a beam of light toward the Guardian.

The creature recoiled, its form destabilizing.

Enemy Health: 400/500

Eryndis sprinted to the next rune, dodging the Guardian’s attacks as he went. Each activation sent another beam of light, further weakening the beast.

Enemy Health: 200/500

The Guardian let out a furious roar, its body expanding into a massive storm of mist and wind. Eryndis struggled to stay upright, the force threatening to throw him off balance.

With one final push, he reached the last rune. As he activated it, the beams converged on the Guardian, binding it in chains of light.

Eryndis summoned the Shadow Blade one last time, channeling every ounce of his remaining mana into the strike. He leapt toward the Guardian, driving the blade into its core.

Critical Hit!

Enemy Health: 0/500

The Guardian let out a deafening wail before dissolving into nothingness.

---

The Keeper’s shadowy form reappeared, its expression unreadable.

“You have proven yourself,” it said. “Take the relic and continue your journey.”

A pedestal rose from the ground, and atop it rested a small, intricately carved talisman.

[Item Acquired: Relic of the Whispering Vale]

Effect: Increases mana regeneration by 15%.

Eryndis grabbed the relic, feeling a surge of energy as its power infused him.

Time Remaining: 9:45:02

The Keeper vanished, and the mist began to clear, revealing a path leading out of the valley. Eryndis took a deep breath and stepped forward, the shard and relic safely in his possession.

But deep down, he knew the trials ahead would only grow more perilous.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***