The warmth of the castle hit me the second I stepped through the doors, chasing away the forest's chill that still clung to my armor.
It should've felt comforting—but my head wouldn't stop spinning. The fight with those Forest Stalkers hadn't just tested my strength; it tested how far Velzithar and I could really push ourselves together.
I dropped into the chair by the hearth, the firelight throwing long shadows across the room. The moment I exhaled, the familiar ding of the system filled my ears.
System Alert: Quest Completed
Bond Quest:Trial of Souls
Reward: Bond Lootbox (1)
System Alert: Milestone Reached
Level 30 Achieved!
Reward: Skill Lootbox (1)
Two faintly glowing cubes appeared in my inventory window, floating like tiny suns in the dim light.
"Well," I muttered, rubbing my neck, "this should be interesting."
Velzithar's voice brushed through my mind, cool and amused.
"Don't forget—you dumped everything into Luck. Let's see if it actually works."
I grinned a little. "Yeah, here's hoping my gambling addiction finally pays off."
I reached for the Bond Lootbox first. It hovered in front of me, pulsing softly like a heartbeat. A tooltip shimmered to life.
Bond Lootbox
Contains a reward tied to the strength of the bond.
90 % Common / Uncommon
9.5 % Rare
0.5 % Legendary
"Alright… show me what you've got."
The cube burst open in a flash of light. For a second, I thought it was going to fizzle into something mediocre—then the light condensed into a pair of dark, gleaming gauntlets.
Item Acquired: Bloodforged Gauntlets (Rare)
Gauntlets crafted from cursed steel, enhancing both physical and magical combat. Linked to Velzithar's energy.
+10 Strength
+10 Endurance
Boosts Energy Surge damage
Velzithar's tone carried a note of satisfaction.
"A fine gift. Those are bound to me—you'll channel my power more efficiently now."
I slipped them on. The metal adjusted around my wrists, almost alive, a quiet hum running up my arms."Not bad," I said, flexing my fingers. "Let's see if the next one tops it."
The Skill Lootbox appeared next, its glow sharper, almost daring me to open it.
Skill Lootbox
Contains a random skill of any rarity.
90 % Common / Uncommon
9.5 % Rare
0.5 % Legendary
I hesitated for half a breath, then tapped Activate.
The cube shattered, light flaring across the room—brighter than before. My chest tightened.Please, just once—
The glow solidified into a golden scroll.
Velzithar's voice came low, almost impressed. "Legendary?"
Skill Acquired: Wrath of the Abyss (Legendary)
A devastating strike that channels Velzithar's full energy, unleashing a wave of destruction across a wide area. Damage scales with bond strength.
Cooldown: 24 hours
I stared at it. For a moment, I couldn't even breathe.
". . . No way," I muttered. "A legendary?"
Velzithar chuckled softly. "Seems your reckless investment paid off after all."
The scroll dissolved into light, the knowledge burning itself into my mind like a brand. The system window updated again.
Updated Skills
Gluttony (Active)
Shadowstep [Tier 2]
Lacerate [Tier 1]
Howl of Terror
Regeneration
Wrath of the Abyss [Legendary]
"You're growing fast," Velzithar said, her tone quieter now, thoughtful. "Just remember—every new power you claim brings heavier expectations."
"I know," I answered, closing the window. My reflection in the glass flickered—silver hair, tired eyes, a hint of something harder behind them. "But I don't plan on slowing down."
The fire crackled softly. The gauntlets felt heavier than they looked, pulsing faintly with borrowed power.I leaned back, letting the warmth seep in as I stared at the ceiling.
The forest was behind me. The next trial wasn't.
And for once, the silence didn't feel empty—it felt like calm before something worth facing.