CHAPTER 20 : BONDS FORGED IN STEWThe three fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The cool evening air was filled with the soft murmuring of the river nearby, and the fading light painted the sky in hues of pink and lavender. For a brief moment, they could pretend they were simply travelers at rest, not warriors bearing the weight of the battles behind and the struggles yet to come.Their quiet moment was abruptly broken by a loud growl that rumbled from Howard’s stomach, making him blush and chuckle sheepishly. Anne and Loren burst out laughing, their laughter filling the forest around them. It was a sound they hadn’t heard often enough in recent days.“Well, I guess it’s been a while since any of us have had a proper meal, if only there were some wild boar around here…” Howard said, grinning and patting his stomach. “If you two can gather the ingredients, I’ll make us something delicious. After all you’ve both been through, it’s the least I can do!” Anne
CHAPTER 21 : GEARFOLKGearfolk, a town as vibrant as it is, hums with the ceaseless rhythm of machinery, its streets filled with the hiss and clank of steam-powered engines. Built upon layers of steel and stone, this unique city is split into two distinct realms: the upper rank, where those blessed with resources and status reside in gleaming metal towers, and the lower rank, a gritty, smoke-shrouded district where people survive amid the clutter of worn-out machines and improvised inventions. The town’s heartbeat, both hopeful and haggard, pulses through its winding streets and hidden corners, where the stark disparities between the ranks become painfully clear.In the upper rank, life is an endless chain of improvements, a testament to engineering mastery and mechanical wonders. The streets are spacious and clean, lined with storefronts displaying polished gadgets, exquisite brass, and chrome fixtures that reflect the golden light of carefully maintained street lamps. Residents here
CHAPTER 22 : THE GRAND LIBRARYMilo couldn’t shake his fascination with the crystal’s power. He had heard whispers about it his entire life in the lower rank of Gearfolk, where tales were like embers in the darkness, fueling hope that something extraordinary could elevate them beyond their current struggles. He knew the crystal held answers, secrets of unimaginable power. But finding out more was nearly impossible in the lower ranks, there was no information, no way to even begin his research.Then he remembered the library in the Upper Rank. Unlike the sparse, worn books they had in the lower rank, the library in Upper Gearfolk was rumored to be vast and ancient, filled with rare tomes that held knowledge from the most elusive corners of history. And with little else but determination, Milo packed his gear and set out, slipping into the shadows under the cover of night. This was a reckless idea, but the thought of unlocking the mystery of the crystal was worth the risk.Over the past
CHAPTER 23 : MILO’S STORYThe ancient book on the floor began to tremble, its yellowed pages flipping open in a blur, faster and faster, as if guided by an invisible hand. Milo froze, staring in wide-eyed astonishment as a brilliant, blinding light burst forth from the center of the book. Instinctively, he raised his arm, using his worn vest to shield his eyes from the searing brightness, his heart hammering in his chest.“Grrraaaahhhh!” Vorador’s shriek of agony pierced the room. The assassin’s undead form twisted as the light’s warmth took on a razor-sharp intensity, burning with a searing heat that seemed to consume him from the inside out. Clawing at the air in a futile attempt to escape, Vorador’s bony fingers stretched toward Milo, a final act of desperation as his fleshless body dissolved into wisps of smoke, then crumbled into a pile of ash.When the last echo of Vorador’s scream faded, a charged silence filled the room, punctuated only by the soft crackle of dissipating ener
CHAPTER 24 : MILO AND VEILITHThe sun was just beginning to set as Veilith strolled through the bustling, rusty streets of Gearfolk’s Lower Rank, his homemade weapon strapped proudly across his back. He was on his way to visit Milo’s workshop, a routine he’d come to enjoy. Despite the struggles of life in the Lower Rank, Milo’s place was always a refuge, a corner filled with sparks, tools, and dreams. Today, however, Veilith was in for something unexpected.As Veilith pushed open the creaky door to the workshop, the faint smell of oil and burnt metal filled the air. Milo was hunched over his workbench, completely absorbed in the tattered pages of a book. Veilith, grinning, stepped closer and noticed the peculiar title.“Hey, what book is that, Milo?” Veilith’s voice broke Milo’s focus. He looked up, a strange gleam in his eye that Veilith hadn’t seen before.“This…” Milo paused, his voice low and tinged with reverence.“…is a source of knowledge and power. With this book, Veilith, I’l
CHAPTER 25 : VEILITH’S PATHIn the winding alleys and hidden corridors of the Upper Rank of Gearfolk, Veilith carved out a life in stark contrast to the one he’d left behind. Here in the world of power and privilege, he had forged a path among bounty hunters, sharp-eyed mercenaries whose loyalty was as fleeting as the marks they tracked down. Each assignment was a test, each battle a step further from the Lower Rank’s gritty streets and closer to a future he could seize for himself.Veilith had always been practical, even as a young boy. Growing up with Milo, he’d been swept up in his friend’s endless fascination with the crystal, that ancient relic that supposedly held untold power. Milo would rattle on about its mysteries for hours, pulling Veilith into elaborate theories and dragging him into old libraries to unearth forgotten fragments of history. Veilith remembered nights spent listening to Milo’s fervent dreams of transforming the world, of using the crystal to rise from the Low
CHAPTER 26 : KAEL THE GRAND MAGUSThe room was dim, with a faint, eerie green glow emanating from enchanted sconces along the wall, casting flickering shadows over shelves crammed with ancient tomes. The scent of aged parchment mixed with earthy herbs filled the air, adding to the atmosphere of arcane mystery that pervaded the large wooden structure nestled deep within the forest. This was Kael’s sanctuary, a place steeped in magic and history, each book within it a gateway to power and forbidden knowledge.Kael, a long-eared Elven mage with flowing silver hair, stood by a massive, ornate desk. His pale fingers lightly traced the edge of an open tome in front of him, hovering over yellowed pages filled with dense, ancient script. His sharp, silver eyes scanned the text with practiced ease. Each word seemed to fuel the ambitious fire simmering within him.“So, the holy war begins.” he muttered, an intrigued smile tugging at his lips. His voice was soft yet laced with a razor-sharp edg
CHAPTER 27 : BOSS FIGHT EVENTThe crisp, automated voice filled the realm, echoing through the trees and rocky cliffs as the system announced the new twist in this year’s holy war: a Boss Fight Event. The announcement sent a ripple of excitement and tension among the participants scattered across the battleground, each one briefly pausing to listen."Attention all participants, this year's holy war has a new rule called the Boss Fight Event. Participants will face powerful enemies known as bosses. Defeating a boss will reward you with valuable items. Several bosses are scheduled to appear in the realm throughout the event, and remember: only the participant who lands the final blow will receive the reward."The last line made Loren’s ears perk up. He looked around at his small group, Howard, a stocky, armored warrior with an intense gaze, and Anne, a slender bard with a haunting beauty and a gentle yet mischievous smile. Their trio had formed an alliance early on, trusting each other