Gatebreaker

The village hummed with the soft, familiar sounds of daily life—merchants haggling, villagers chatting, and the rhythmic clang of blacksmiths at work. But beneath the surface, Jonas could feel a tension in the air, a reminder that danger was always lurking in Ilvorya. The peace here felt fragile, temporary.

As they approached the village square, Jonas couldn’t help but activate Analysis on everything and everyone around him. The skill was becoming second nature now, and the more he used it, the sharper and more efficient it seemed to become.

Analysis - Blacksmith

Race: Human

Class: Craftsman (Level 4)

Description: A skilled blacksmith capable of forging weapons and armor. Strong, with moderate combat ability, though primarily focused on crafting.

Jonas absorbed the details, keeping the information in mind. He hadn’t leveled up the Analysis skill yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time. Each use brought him closer, deepening his understanding of the world around him.

As they moved past a group of villagers near a well, Jonas instinctively used Analysis on a boy standing near his family.

Analysis - Villager Child

Race: Human

Class: None (Civilian)

Level: 0

Description: A young villager without combat experience. Vulnerable to Riftspawn attacks.

Jonas sighed softly. It was a reminder of why he needed to grow stronger—why he couldn’t stop pushing himself. These people were defenseless against the dangers that rift creatures presented. They needed protection, and if he wanted to survive—and protect them—he had to keep improving.

But there was one person Jonas hadn’t yet analyzed, and it had been nagging at him for a while: Grimm. She was his mentor, his protector, and someone who was quickly becoming much more than that. There was so much about her that intrigued him, and part of him wanted to understand her better.

Stealing a glance at her as they walked, Jonas took a deep breath and activated Analysis.

Analysis - Grimm

Race: Orc

Class: Berserker (Level 7)

Description: An experienced warrior specializing in raw strength and close-quarters combat. Orcs are known for their resilience and power in battle. Grimm's class emphasizes ferocity and endurance, with increased attack power when enraged.

Notable Traits:

Enhanced Strength

Confident in Physical Appearance (Naked)

Enjoys Sensation of Neck Bites

Weakness: Prone to berserker rage, making controlled combat difficult.

Class Abilities:

Berserker’s Fury: Boosts attack power in proportion to damage taken.

Battle Hardened: Increased resistance to physical and magical attacks.

Jonas blinked as the new traits about Grimm flooded his mind. He’d expected her strength and endurance—he’d seen it in every battle—but the other details made his heart race in a completely different way. Confident in her physical appearance while naked wasn’t surprising, considering the way she carried herself with absolute certainty. Grimm radiated power and self-assurance, and now it made sense why she didn’t seem to shy away from the intensity of their connection.

But the second trait—enjoys sensation of neck bites—took him by surprise. It felt deeply personal, something intimate that added a new layer to the tension between them. For days, the pull between them had been simmering beneath the surface, but now, with this new understanding, it became clearer. Their relationship was more than just about power and fighting—it was physical, electric.

Grimm must have sensed his gaze lingering on her, because she glanced over with a grin, her tusks glinting in the sunlight. "You use Analysis on me again?" she asked, her tone playful but edged with curiosity.

Jonas shifted, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks. "Uh… yeah. I thought it might be good to know more about the person I’m fighting alongside."

Grimm chuckled, stepping closer, her voice low and teasing. "And? What did you find out?"

Jonas hesitated, unsure of how to approach the topic. "Well, I found out you’re strong. Level 7. But… I also learned a couple of other things."

Her grin widened, and she stepped even closer, her presence suddenly overwhelming. "Go on," she encouraged, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Jonas’s throat tightened. He knew she wasn’t going to let him off the hook. With a deep breath, he continued, feeling his pulse quicken. "You’re… confident. Especially when it comes to your body. And you like…"

Grimm raised an eyebrow, waiting expectantly. "Like what?"

Jonas’s voice dropped to a near whisper, his heart pounding. "You like having your neck bitten."

There was a brief, charged silence, the air between them crackling with tension. Grimm’s grin softened, but her eyes darkened with something more than amusement. She tilted her head slightly, exposing a sliver of her neck in a subtle, deliberate gesture. "That’s right," she said, her voice husky, her gaze locking onto his. "I guess you’re learning more about me than you expected, huh?"

Jonas felt his body react to her words, a rush of heat flooding his chest. The tension between them was undeniable now—raw and potent, simmering beneath every glance and touch. He wanted to push forward, to explore this new understanding of her, but he wasn’t sure how far to go.

Grimm’s hand brushed his arm, her touch sending a jolt through him. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Curious, aren’t you?"

Jonas swallowed hard, feeling the air between them thicken. He could smell the faint scent of sweat and battle on her, mixed with something more primal. "Yeah… I guess I am."

Grimm’s smile widened, a dangerous glint in her eye. "You’re not the only one," she murmured, her voice rougher now. She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, "Maybe I’ll let you find out more later… if you’re lucky."

Jonas’s pulse raced, his mind spinning. The heat between them was nearly unbearable, and Grimm wasn’t making it any easier to focus. The way her words lingered in the air, the way she teased him with that intense gaze—it made it hard to remember anything other than the primal attraction pulling them together.

But then, just as quickly as the tension had built, Grimm stepped back, her playful grin returning. "But first," she said, her voice back to its usual confident tone, "we’ve got work to do. You can’t let your head get too foggy before we’ve dealt with whatever’s out there."

Jonas exhaled, trying to steady his breathing. "Right. The ruins."

Grimm nodded, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and heat. "Come on, let’s take care of business. Then we’ll see where the night takes us."

They continued toward the ruins, but the charged tension between them didn’t fade. It simmered, lurking beneath every glance, every step. Jonas could barely think straight with the way Grimm had just teased him, the way she had hinted at something more. But he forced himself to focus. They had a job to do, and whatever was lurking near the ruins couldn’t wait.

The air grew heavier, more oppressive, as they approached the ancient stone structures. The ruins stood before them, crumbling and overgrown with moss and vines, but the air around them crackled with an unmistakable energy. Jonas activated Rift Sense, and the pull of the rift washed over him—a faint but persistent signal.

"There’s a rift nearby," Jonas said quietly. "It’s weak, but it’s here."

Grimm’s eyes narrowed, her hand tightening on the hilt of her axe. "Good. That means something dangerous is close."

As they moved deeper into the ruins, the eerie silence was broken by a low growl from the shadows. Jonas’s heart leapt into his throat as a creature emerged from the darkness—a hulking, twisted form with sleek, shadowy fur and glowing, malevolent eyes. Its claws were sharp as obsidian, and its body rippled with unnatural energy.

Jonas didn’t hesitate. He activated Analysis.

Analysis - Riftspawn Alpha

Race: Corrupted Beast

Level: 6

Description: A powerful Riftspawn corrupted by dark energy. Its strength comes from the rift itself, making it faster and stronger than typical Riftbeasts. Highly aggressive and territorial, it will defend the rift at all costs.

Weakness: Light-based magic and fire.

Jonas’s mind raced. This creature was more dangerous than anything they’d encountered before. But he wasn’t alone. Grimm stood beside him, her axe ready, her eyes focused and fierce.

"Let’s take it down!" she called, her voice sharp with determination.

Jonas gripped his sword, his body thrumming with anticipation. The tension between him and Grimm was still there, but now it fueled his resolve. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with—and this Riftspawn didn’t stand a chance.

As the creature lunged at them, teeth bared and claws outstretched, Jonas and Grimm moved as one, ready to face the darkness ahead.