Chapter 15: Shadows of the Archive
Ryo Aelren's fingers brushed the rune-etched mana crystal in his pouch, its pulse syncing with the hum of his Rift Sense. Veyra's words—Come with me, and I'll show you—echoed alongside the System's voice: The archive opens. His steel short sword rested against the inn's wall, its edge a quiet promise of strength. With twenty silvers in his pouch, he could afford better gear, but the Rift Memory—Progress: 3/Unknown—drove him harder than coin. The guild's scrutiny and Gav's threats loomed, but the Rift's secrets called louder.
His Status Screen glowed in his mind, a map of his growth:
*Name: Ryo Aelren
Level: 2
Class: None
Stats:
Strength: 5
Agility: 7 (+15% in combat, Survival Instinct)
Endurance: 6
Mana: 0
Skills:
Survival Instinct (Passive): Boosts agility by 10-15% when threatened.
Basic Strike (Active): Increases single-target attack damage by 6%.
Danger Sense (Passive): Heightens awareness of imminent threats.
Weak Point Strike (Active): Increases damage to vital areas by 11%.
Rift Sense (Passive): Detects Rift-based anomalies.
Experience: 50/300
Rift Memory: 3/Unknown*
The Rift Memory—visions of a lost civilization, rune-carved cities, and a cataclysm—felt like a key to the System's origins. Veyra knew more, but her offer was a gamble. Join her, and risk the guild's wrath. Stay with Calen, and face their scrutiny. Ryo's scars ached, reminders of how far he'd come from a porter's life.
A sharp rap at the door snapped him from his thoughts. Danger Sense stirred faintly. He grabbed his sword. "Who's there?"
"Calen," came the gruff reply. "We've got trouble."
Ryo opened the door, and Calen stepped in, his cloak damp from Varnholt's evening drizzle. "Guild's forming a high-priority mission," he said, his scar stark in the candlelight. "Rank A, deep Rift dive. Relic recovery—another rune-etched artifact, like the orb. Pay's fifty silvers. They're pulling in everyone they trust, and I got you on the list. But it's dangerous, Ryo. And Veyra's involved."
Ryo's Rift Sense flared at the mention of the relic. The archive opens. "Why her?" he asked.
"Guild's desperate," Calen said. "She knows the runes better than anyone, banned or not. But I don't trust her, and neither should you. You in?"
Ryo's Danger Sense hummed, but the Rift Memory pulled stronger. A Rank A mission was suicide for a Level 2, but the relic could unlock more of the System's truth. "I'm in," he said, gripping his sword. "When?"
"Dawn," Calen said. "Gear up. You'll need more than that vest."
Ryo nodded, and Calen left. At the market, Ryo spent twelve silvers on a pair of reinforced leather greaves, leaving eight. The added weight felt grounding, his steel sword sharper in contrast. He checked the mana crystal, its pulse stronger, and Rift Sense whispered of the relic. Sleep brought dreams of rune-lit ruins and Veyra's glowing eyes, the System's voice clear: Seek the archive.
At dawn, Ryo joined Calen's team at the Rift Gate. Mira's bow was taut, Brom's satchel heavy, and Elara's staff glowed with restrained mana. Veyra stood apart, her black cloak blending with the mist, the rune-etched orb from the last mission in her hand. Her eyes met Ryo's, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Ready to see the truth, boy?"
Calen's glare silenced her. "Focus on the mission," he said. "Relic's in a temple, deep in the branch. Rank A Riftspawn likely. Stay tight, no mistakes."
The portal opened, revealing a Rift branch of black stone and crimson mist. The ruins were ancient, their runes pulsing with raw mana. Rift Sense screamed, guiding Ryo through glowing traps. The temple loomed—a massive structure, its spires jagged, its entrance guarded by a Rank A Riftspawn: a wyrm of crystal and shadow, its scales shimmering with runes.
Calen charged, his sword clashing against scales. Mira's arrows sparked uselessly, Elara's ice spell barely slowed it, and Brom's ward cracked under a tail swipe. Ryo's Survival Instinct boosted his agility, and he flanked the wyrm, Weak Point Strike targeting a glowing scale. His steel sword cracked it, drawing a roar.
Experience gained. Level 2: 100/300.
Veyra darted to the temple, her hands tracing runes. Ryo followed, Rift Sense locking onto a central altar with a rune-etched tablet—the relic. "Help me!" Veyra called, her voice urgent. Ryo struck a rune with Weak Point Strike, weakening the wyrm's power. The System chimed: Rift Memory Progress: 4/Unknown.
The wyrm lunged, and Ryo dodged, Danger Sense screaming. Veyra grabbed the tablet, her eyes blazing. "The archive!" she hissed. "It's the key!"
The temple shook, runes flaring. Calen's shout cut through: "Portal, now!" Ryo guarded Veyra as they fled, the wyrm's claws grazing his greaves. The team dove through the portal, emerging in Varnholt as the branch collapsed.
The guild paid fifty silvers, Ryo's share twelve, bringing his total to twenty. Veyra vanished with the tablet, her parting words to Ryo chilling: "Find me when you're ready for the truth." The System chimed: Rift Memory Progress: 5/Unknown. The voice roared: The archive lives.
Calen grabbed Ryo's shoulder. "You're too deep in this, kid. What's driving you?"
Ryo met his gaze, his scars burning. "Answers," he said. The Rift Memory, Veyra, the guild's eyes—everything pointed to the Rift's heart. With his steel sword and Level 2, Ryo Aelren was no longer running. He'd chase the truth, whatever the cost.
To be continued…
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