The city buzzed behind me, but I barely noticed. My focus was entirely on the interface hovering before me. The Nameless Warden system pulsed like a living entity, amethyst lightning tracing the edges, responding to my heartbeat and thoughts.
A faint hum echoed in my mind. A notification, unlike any I had received before.
[Daily Task Available]
"Purpose: Provide what you currently need to continue your ascension. Choose wisely, Ashura Bellet."
Four glowing options appeared, each framed in crackling violet lightning:
Option 1 – Active Task: Random Challenge
"A trial of unpredictability. Outcome unknown. Could grant items, experience, or hidden power. Will push limits."
Option 2 – Sponsored Quest: Contract of the Storm God
"Eliminate a local calamity-level threat and gain direct divine blessing. Guaranteed reward."
Option 3 – Sponsored Quest: Contract of the Shadow God
"Investigate a void anomaly appearing in an inhabited region. Success grants unique wraith evolution or passive skill."
Option 4 – Active Task: The Nameless Fragment
"Recover a fragment from an abandoned, extreme-level dungeon. Reward unknown but tied to the Nameless God's authority."
I leaned back, smirking, fingers brushing the interface. The storm hummed faintly along my body, resonating with the system.
"Random… predictable… predictable… unknown…" I muttered. "Interesting. All options carry risk… and reward."
Active tasks were tempting. I could feel the allure of chaos, the thrill of taking something without knowing what I'd gain. But the sponsored quests… they were guaranteed blessings from gods. Real power.
I let my violet lightning flare, brushing over the four options, feeling each pulse in my veins. The storm whispered to me: "Choose the one that sharpens you. The one that strengthens your storm and your wraiths. The one that answers the Nameless God."
A smirk curled across my lips. "I like chaos… but I also like certainty. Let's… make it interesting."
I selected Option 2: Sponsored Quest of the Storm God, feeling the interface respond instantly. My wraiths twined around me, sensing the surge of divine energy as the system provided the details.
[Quest Details – Storm God Contract]
Objective: Neutralize a Calamity-level tornado elemental that has been ravaging the eastern plains.
Restrictions: System support limited to 20%.
Full reliance on your body, wraiths, and abilities.
Timeframe: 72 hours from departure.
Reward: Divine Storm Blessing (enhances violet lightning abilities, grants wraith synergy boost)
Optional Bonus: Mastery surge for Abyssstorm and Judgment Spark if completed solo.
I let out a low chuckle, violet sparks dancing along my arms. "Calamity-level… solo… system support at 20%? Sounds like a warm-up."
My fingers brushed the hilt of my sword. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it… and leave a few sparks behind for anyone foolish enough to try stopping me."
The system pulsed again, an almost smug whisper threading through my mind:
"Remember, Ashura Bellet… every task you choose, every storm you unleash, brings you closer to what you are meant to inherit."
I leaned forward, smirk widening. "Good. Because I'm not here to play small. Let's make this interesting."
The wraiths shifted around me, Shadow, Rift, and Obsidian poised like silent predators. The storm inside me coiled tighter, eager for release.
Outside, the city carried on, oblivious to the coming storm, oblivious to the divine trial about to strike the eastern plains.