NOVEL WEB Chapter 2: Discovery
Bruce adjusted his cowl, his eyes fixed on the eerie glow of the orb he had just collected. The forest was quiet now, but he knew that quiet didn't mean safe. He knelt down, examining the strange traces left behind by the wolf. Its footprints seemed to fade into the ground, leaving faint scorch marks where it had walked.
The system interface blinked to life once again.
[New Quest: Investigate the Ruined Tower]
Objective: Find Shelter and Uncover the Secrets of the Tower.
Reward: Shadow Map (Localized)
Bruce frowned. A ruined tower likely meant some kind of vantage point, possibly defensible. It was a logical choice for shelter, but it also screamed trap. He weighed his options briefly before standing.
"Survive first, question Bat-Mite's motives later," he muttered.
The soft sound of rustling leaves caught his attention. Whatever it was, it wasn't close, but it wasn't far either. He moved quickly, his cape barely brushing the undergrowth as he headed toward higher ground.
The ruined tower was not difficult to find. Its silhouette loomed against the glowing red moon, its stone walls cracked and overtaken by vines. The air around it buzzed with faint magical energy, setting Bruce's nerves on edge.
The interface pinged again.
[Proximity Alert: Unknown Entity Detected]
Bruce crouched, scanning the area. He spotted movement at the base of the tower—a humanoid figure clad in ragged armor, its head tilted unnaturally to the side. It stood motionless, a faint green glow emanating from its chest.
"A sentry?" Bruce whispered.
He activated his newly acquired Stealth Veil skill. Shadows clung to him like a second skin, making his movements almost imperceptible. He approached the figure silently, noting its stiff, puppet-like movements.
When he got close enough, the system identified it.
[Enemy: Cursed Knight]
Level: 3
Weakness: Core (Chest)
The knight's head snapped toward him, its hollow eyes glowing an ominous green. It let out a guttural roar, drawing a jagged sword from its side and charging at Bruce.
Bruce dodged the first swing with ease, the blade slicing through the air inches from his face. His cape swirled as he spun around the knight, delivering a precise kick to its back. The impact staggered the creature, but it quickly recovered.
"Not just brute strength," Bruce observed. "It's guarding the core."
The cursed knight slashed again, its strikes heavy and deliberate. Bruce used the momentum of its attacks to analyze its patterns. After a few exchanges, the system chimed.
[Skill Unlocked: Tactical Analysis]
Effect: Identify enemy attack patterns and weaknesses.
The knight lunged once more, but this time, Bruce moved with precision. He dodged under its swing, driving a sharp strike into the glowing core on its chest. The creature froze, its sword clattering to the ground, before it crumbled into ash.
The system chimed again.
[Enemy Defeated: Cursed Knight]
Reward: +50 Shadow Points, Lesser Shadow Crystal
Bruce picked up the glowing crystal left behind, feeling a faint warmth emanating from it. He pocketed it and turned his attention to the tower.
...
Inside, the tower was dimly lit by cracks in the stone walls, through which the red moonlight seeped. The first floor was mostly rubble, with broken furniture and rusted weapons scattered across the room. Bruce moved cautiously, searching for anything useful.
As he ascended the crumbling staircase, he found a small alcove containing what appeared to be a worn journal. He opened it carefully, the pages brittle with age.
The text was written in a language he didn't recognize, but the system quickly translated it.
"To those who find this: beware the Abyss King. His cursed army consumes all in its path, leaving only ruin in its wake. The Shadow Tower is all that stands between him and the final kingdom. If you've found this, you are either brave or foolish. May the gods protect you."
The system chimed again.
[Quest Updated: Investigate the Ruined Tower]
Objective Complete: Discovered Historical Context.
Reward: Shadow Map (Localized)
A glowing map appeared in Bruce's interface, showing a detailed layout of the surrounding area. The forest he had traversed was marked as "The Shrouded Wilds," and the tower itself was labeled "Shadow Tower." Beyond the tower, a sprawling settlement was marked with the name "Eryndor."
Bruce studied the map closely. The settlement was likely his next destination, but he needed more information. Whoever or whatever this "Abyss King" was, it posed a clear threat.
As he tucked the journal into his utility belt, the system issued a final notification.
[New Quest: Journey to Eryndor]
Objective: Reach the City of Eryndor and Gather Information on the Abyss King.
Reward: Basic Equipment Upgrade, New Skill Unlock.
Bruce looked out from the tower's crumbling window. The faint glow of the city was visible in the distance, its lights flickering like fireflies in the darkness.
"This world has its mysteries," he muttered. "But every mystery has a solution."
With the map as his guide and the Shadow System as his tool, Bruce prepared to venture into the unknown.