The forest was no longer silent.
After the death of the Crystal Hound, a low hum vibrated through the soil. Aiden could feel it through his boots. It wasn't just ambient energy—it was as though the very world had taken notice of his existence.
[ChronoForge Alert: Foreign Tech Signature Identified]
[Tracking Activated: Leyline Authority En Route – ETA: 1.2 Hours]
Aiden's mind raced. "Authority? That doesn't sound like a welcoming committee."
He glanced around the forest. The towering trees still shimmered with their metallic leaves, and phosphorescent vines pulsed faintly in the underbrush. Everything about this world felt designed—no, evolved—around magic. He didn't belong here.
But his System did.
That thought stuck with him like a thorn. He hadn't installed anything, hadn't accepted any terms and conditions. And yet…
[System Analysis Available: Would you like to review your Origin Sync?]
"Yes," he said automatically.
[Analyzing Origin Sync…]
[User Soul Signature: Compatible with Technomancer Archetype]
[Base Alignment: Non-Native | Interface Created via Temporal Singularity Event]
[Warning: Presence Considered Illegal under Code 7 of the Arcanum Accord]
Aiden narrowed his eyes. "So I'm a technomancer. Great. And apparently I broke some magical Geneva Convention just by showing up."
He needed answers. But first, he needed shelter—and maybe allies. Or at least a location that wasn't so open.
He pulled up the map interface the System had compiled during his earlier scan. It was rudimentary: a small zone with markers indicating tree types, elevation, and one flickering dot labeled "Leyline Node – Minor."
"Leyline Node… That's probably a mana-rich location," Aiden muttered. "Might be able to harvest energy or craft upgrades there."
He began walking. The terrain sloped downward into a gulley, where glowing moss carpeted the floor. Insects buzzed lazily through the air, casting pale trails of light like fireflies.
As he descended, the System pulsed again.
[Energy Core Recharge Possible at Node]
[Proceed with Extraction Protocol? Y/N]
"Yes."
A pulse of light surged through his interface. The translucent display flared briefly, then faded.
[Core Energy: 5% → 28%]
[New Function Available: Temporal Snapshot]
"What's that?" Aiden asked.
[Temporal Snapshot: Allows preservation of environmental data. Usable once every 6 hours. Warning: Limited to Passive Data Only]
"Useful, but not enough."
He knelt beside the node, examining the source. At its center was a crystal bulb, growing like a fruit from the moss. It vibrated subtly, casting tiny arcs of magical energy into the air.
Aiden reached out, then paused. Could he extract it? Use it?
[Resource Detected: Leyfruit Core]
[Compatible with Arc Battery Blueprint – Would you like to craft?]
He smirked. "Now you're speaking my language."
[Crafting in Progress…]
…
[Arc Battery Created – Energy Capacity: +50% | Recharge Time: Moderate]
The crystal reshaped itself in his palm, folding inward and merging with the AI drone chip fragments in his pocket. The result looked like a power cell the size of a hockey puck, faintly glowing.
"Excellent. That should extend uptime."
Then came the howl.
Far louder than the Crystal Hound's, this was deeper, more resonant. Aiden jumped to his feet and spun around.
Above the ridgeline stood a figure. Not a beast.
A humanoid.
Tall. Cloaked in flowing robes. A staff of twisted silver and emerald in one hand. The eyes glowed faintly—white fire.
[Target Scanned: Ley Enforcer – Rank C+]
Arcanum Authority Operative. Specializes in Ley Detection and Spatial Bindings.
Warning: Hostile Intent Detected
"Oh crap."
The figure raised a hand. The air around Aiden distorted.
[Alert: Binding Hex Detected – Attempting System Countermeasure… Success]
A circle of runes shimmered into existence around Aiden—only to short-circuit with a digital fizzle.
The figure flinched.
"Unauthorized system breach," the enforcer intoned, voice layered with echoing magic. "You have violated the Accord. Surrender."
Aiden raised the Shock Pike. "Yeah, not happening."
He ran.
Down the gulley, between trees. Roots clawed at his boots, and every step was a gamble. He heard the enforcer chant—words ancient and sharp. Energy crackled behind him.
He turned and tossed the Arc Battery. "System—detonate battery! Delay only!"
[Detonating…]
The explosion was less fiery and more like a concussion wave. The enforcer staggered. Trees bent. Moss ignited.
Aiden used the moment to dive into a crevice beneath a massive root system. The System pinged a warning.
[Stealth Protocol: Primitive | Remaining Hidden Time: 45 Seconds]
He didn't move. Breath held. Heart hammering.
The enforcer landed near the crater, scanning the area. The staff glowed with runes—searching, filtering, tracking.
"Temporal anomaly must be neutralized…" the enforcer muttered.
Aiden watched, teeth clenched. He had no illusions—he couldn't take this guy head-on. Not yet.
Eventually, the enforcer moved on, vanishing in a shimmer of white mist.
Aiden exhaled shakily.
[Threat Passed – Status: Injured (Minor Burns)]
[System Upgrade Recommended: Cloaking Shell (Tier 1)]
[Materials Required: Light-Bending Fibers (x3), Null Crystal Shard (x1), Fabricator Slot]
He crawled out of hiding, brushing dirt from his arms. His Shock Pike was cracked. He'd used half his energy reserves.
But he was alive.
And now he knew the stakes.
There were laws in this world. Systems of power. Authority that governed magic. And he'd just stepped outside all of it.
"I'm not just a stranger here," he whispered. "I'm a threat to their order."
And if that was the case…
He'd need more than just tools.
He'd need to build a revolution.
Starting with himself.