The relic pulsed faintly in Floki’s hands, its energy sending chills through his fingers. He could feel it calling to something distant, its presence heavier than the War Glaive strapped across his back.
[Energy Fragment Detected: Shadow Relic is One of Five. Path Alignment Required for Full Integration.]
Floki smirked, his steps crunching against the gravel path as he left the Shadow Clan far behind. The Eastern Region was a mystery, but one he couldn’t wait to unravel.
His system’s map displayed the route ahead, marking key points of interest. [Path to Pai Mei Detected. Estimated Time: 7 Days. Caution: Hostile Zones Identified.]
“Seven days and some bandits? Sounds like fun,” Floki muttered, his voice carrying in the quiet forest. The shadows around him rippled in agreement, faintly responding to the relic’s power.
First Night: A Dangerous Experiment
The first night on the road, Floki sat by a small fire, the War Glaive resting beside him. The relic, tucked carefully into his pouch, hummed faintly, its vibrations almost soothing.
The system chimed, pulling Floki’s attention. [Analysis: Shadow Relic Synchronicity at 18%. Increased Alignment Available Through Forbidden Energy Techniques.]
Floki arched an eyebrow, leaning back against a tree. “And how exactly do I increase this synchronicity? Care to share?”
[Suggestion: Combine Relic Energy with Spirit Well Through Controlled Exposure. Warning: Instability Risk High.]
Floki’s grin widened, the danger only making it more tempting. “Controlled exposure, huh? Let’s see if you’re as dangerous as you look.”
He placed the relic on the ground in front of him, its dark surface glinting faintly in the firelight. Closing his eyes, he summoned his Shadow energy, letting it weave toward the artifact.
The connection hit like a spark, jolting through his Spirit Well and sending a shockwave through his body. The relic’s pulse quickened, its energy surging outward like a hungry beast.
Floki gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow as he fought to maintain control. The shadows around him writhed, coiling like snakes, threatening to overwhelm him.
“Easy now,” he muttered, his voice strained. “You’re not the one in charge here.”
The relic pulsed harder, testing his resolve as his grip on the energy tightened. His War Glaive glowed faintly, reacting to the relic’s power as if recognizing its potential.
The system chimed again, its tone sharp. [Synchronization Increased to 25%. Warning: Prolonged Exposure Not Recommended.]
With a final surge of effort, Floki severed the connection, the shadows retreating into stillness. He exhaled sharply, his chest heaving as the relic’s glow dimmed once more.
“Not bad,” Floki said, wiping the sweat from his face. “But you’ll have to try harder than that to take me down.”
The fire crackled softly as Floki leaned back, his mind racing with possibilities. The relic was dangerous, but its power was undeniable—and he intended to master it.
Day Three: Bandits in the Pass
On the third day, Floki ran into his first real challenge. A group of bandits blocked a narrow mountain pass, their weapons flashing in the midday sun.
“Well, well,” one of them sneered, stepping forward with a jagged blade. “Another traveler who thinks they can pass without paying the toll.”
Floki tilted his head, his grin sharp and mocking. “Toll? Let me guess—you’re part of the Cockroach Guild? Crawling out of every crack in this place.”
The bandit leader frowned, clearly confused by the insult. “What did you say?”
Floki sighed and rested his glaive on his shoulder. “Cockroaches. Ugly, annoying, and always in the way. Except even cockroaches know when to run.”
The other bandits shifted uneasily, but their leader barked a laugh, trying to cover his nerves. “Big words for someone walking alone.”
Floki’s War Glaive hummed faintly as he unsheathed it, the crimson blade catching the light. “Who said I was alone?”
The shadows around him twisted, forming a perfect Shadow Clonebeside him. The bandits froze, their eyes wide as they saw the two figures standing in sync.
“Get him!” the leader shouted, though his voice cracked with fear. The bandits charged, weapons raised, but Floki was quicker.
He stepped forward, his glaive moving like lightning to block the first strike. With a sharp twist, he slammed the weapon into the bandit’s ribs, sending him to the ground gasping.
The Shadow Clonemoved next, attacking two bandits at once. Its movements mirrored Floki’s perfectly, forcing them to trip over each other as they tried to fight back.
Floki spun on his heel, slicing through another attacker’s blade as if it were paper. He laughed, the sound cutting through their growing panic. “What’s wrong? Scared already? Or did someone finally step on the roaches?”
The leader lunged, aiming his sword for Floki’s chest. Floki sidestepped easily and swung his glaive, cracking it against the man’s head. The leader fell with a heavy thud, his weapon dropping uselessly beside him.
The fight ended quickly after that, the remaining bandits fleeing into the forest. Floki sheathed his glaive, his grin wide as he knelt to inspect the spoils.
The fallen bandits had scattered coins, shards, and a few low-tier trinkets. Floki was about to move on when something shiny caught his eye—a spatial ringstill on the leader’s finger.
“Well, what do we have here?” Floki muttered, slipping the ring off the unconscious man. He channeled a thread of energy into it, unlocking its contents.
Inside, he found high-tier resources clearly stolen from travelers on this pass. Rare herbs, polished spirit stones, and a flawless piece of Celestial Irongleamed back at him.
The system chimed softly in his mind. [Acquired: High-Tier Spirit Resources. Value: Significant.]
Floki grinned, slipping the ring onto his own finger. “Not bad for a morning stroll. Thanks for holding onto this for me.”
He pocketed the other shards he found, letting his clone fade into the shadows. “Next time, try robbing someone less important.”
As he walked away, the relic in his pouch pulsed faintly, matching his steady steps. The path ahead still held danger, but Floki was ready for whatever came next.
Day Five: The Silent Watcher
By the fifth day, the forest began to thin, giving way to jagged cliffs and rocky terrain. The Eastern Region’s stark beauty stretched before him, the air heavy with the promise of danger.
The relic pulsed faintly in his pouch, its energy guiding him like a compass. Floki’s system highlighted a distant structure on the map, its label glowing faintly.
[Pai Mei’s Domain: Restricted Zone. Entry Requires Approval.]
“Approval, huh?” Floki murmured, his grin returning. “Good thing I’ve never been big on following rules.”
The path ahead twisted sharply, leading to a narrow bridge spanning a deep ravine. As Floki approached, a shadowy figure stepped into view, blocking his way.
The figure’s voice was low and cold, cutting through the stillness. “Turn back. This path is not for the weak.”
Floki planted his glaive in the ground, his grin sharp and challenging. “Good thing I’m anything but weak.”
The figure’s eyes glinted beneath his hood, his stance shifting slightly. “Then prove it.”
The system chimed softly in Floki’s mind, overlaying a new objective. [Mission Update: Confront the Guardian. Passage to Pai Mei Requires Victory.]
The relic pulsed once more, its energy flaring as Floki prepared to face the shadowy figure. “Let’s see if you’re as strong as you look,” he said, his glaive humming with anticipation.