Chapter 2 – The Voice Inside
Arion leaned against the trunk of an old oak, still gasping for breath. The forest was eerily silent. No insects. No birds. No wind. The kind of silence that felt like the world was waiting.
His pulse thudded in his ears as he whispered, "System… are you still there?"
"Online," the voice replied immediately.
Arion flinched; the voice wasn't external—it echoed from within. He swallowed. "What do you want from me?"
"Clarification: System does not possess desires. Primary function unclear. Awaiting full synchronization."
"Synchronization with what? With me?"
"Correct."
Arion let out a shaky laugh. None of it made sense. Elven magic flowed with nature. Demonic magic fed on fear. Human runes commanded energy through symbols. But this System wasn't like any magic at all—more like an ancient mechanism.
"Why me?" he whispered.
"Reason unknown. Crystal selection protocols damaged."
"So the crystal chose me?"
"Correct."
Arion sank down, trembling. The demon attack… the crystal calling to him… the voice in his mind. And worst of all—the possibility that the demons came because of him.
"What were they after?"
"Possibility: User," the System said. "Crystal activation signature detected."
Arion's stomach twisted. Demons had crossed deeply into human lands for one purpose.
Him.
A sudden rustle made him jump. He gripped his broken pitchfork.
"System—identify that sound."
"Analysis: small animal, non-hostile."
A squirrel scampered away. Arion exhaled. "Can you always… do that?"
"Limited functionality. System incomplete. Certain abilities locked."
"How do I unlock them?"
"Synchronization required. Questline available."
A transparent screen shimmered before his eyes.
──────────────────────
SYSTEM QUEST – INITIALIZATION
Status: Incomplete
Objective: Stabilize User-Race compatibility
Progress: 1/4
Rewards: System Expansion Tier I
──────────────────────
"Race compatibility…" Arion murmured. "You mean the power you gave me when that demon chased me?"
"Correct. User accessed Werewolf Ability Fragment. Three additional race channels locked."
"Elves, demons, humans?"
"Correct. Full compatibility required."
Before arion could ask more, a branch snapped loudly. Not an animal. Something big.
"Warning: Hostile entity approaching fast," the System said.
A massive shape burst from the underbrush—a towering wolf-like creature with glowing silver eyes.
A werewolf.
It lunged. Arion dodged, instinct exploding through him as the System re-activated emergency enhancements. The werewolf crashed into a tree, splintering bark.
"User must flee. Enhancement insufficient for combat."
Arion didn't argue. He sprinted, the creature roaring behind him, shaking the earth with each stride.
"System!" he shouted in his thoughts. "Where do I go?"
"Northeast. Terrain advantageous."
He turned sharply, trusting the voice. The werewolf followed, snarling.
Demons were hunting him. Werewolves were hunting him.
Whatever the System was…
Arion now had enemies everywhere