Chapter 8 — The Unexpected Encounter
The moon was rising higher now, its pale glow filtering through the dense canopy as Ethan made his way back along the forest path. The completed quest slip was tucked safely in his pouch, along with the gathered Moonblossom petals. The gentle hum of nighttime creatures filled the air, but Ethan couldn't help but feel a growing unease.
His thoughts wandered.
The Arkanom… Levels… Swordsmanship increasing like it's a game… This world's laws might follow patterns I barely understand yet.
A faint breeze rustled the trees. His ears caught it: something — not an insect or bird — moving deeper within the shadows.
His instincts tensed.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated sharply in his pocket.
[The Arkanom — Proximity Warning]
Unregistered Hostile Entity Detected.
Threat Level: Class C (Low).
Ethan's breath caught. His hand gripped his sword instinctively. He scanned the area, eyes narrowing.
From behind a thick patch of undergrowth, a new creature slowly emerged — far larger than the Scale-Tusk from earlier.
Its long, sinewy frame glistened faintly under the moonlight. Smooth, chitinous armor covered much of its body like overlapping plates. Six clawed legs carried it forward with unnerving grace, and two elongated mandibles clicked rhythmically beneath its sharp, segmented jaws. Large, multifaceted eyes reflected the moon's light, giving it an almost eerie intelligence.
[The Arkanom — Identified: Nightcrawler Ravager (Beast Class: C - Low)]
This wasn't listed as part of the quest!
He could feel the tension in his chest tightening.
"This shouldn't be here…" Ethan whispered, sweat beading on his forehead. The Eastern Outskirts were supposed to be beginner-friendly. For a creature like this to be wandering so close was highly irregular.
Either it wandered far outside its normal territory... or something drove it here.
The Nightcrawler hissed, its legs clicking against the rocks beneath it. It was sizing him up. Waiting.
Run or fight?
He knew better than to underestimate something two whole classes stronger than what he'd faced earlier. But running blindly in unfamiliar woods at night risked even more danger. His only advantage was that it hadn't attacked yet.
Suddenly, his phone pinged again.
[Arkanom System Suggestion: Temporary Boost Available]
Activate: Adaptive Focus Protocol (Short Duration - Emergency Use)
Emergency boost?
Ethan swallowed. He accepted the option mentally.
A faint ripple coursed through his body. His senses sharpened, hearing and sight amplified. His muscles felt slightly more responsive, like someone had fine-tuned his reflexes.
The Nightcrawler finally lunged.
Ethan sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the lashing mandibles, and swung his sword in a wide arc toward one of its exposed legs. Sparks flew as his blade clanged off its hardened shell.
Too tough…
The beast hissed again, whipping its spiked tail. Ethan ducked instinctively, barely avoiding the strike. His mind raced, scanning for weaknesses.
The joints between its armor — that's where I need to strike.
He circled cautiously, waiting for his moment. The Ravager lunged again, but this time Ethan slid beneath its main body, stabbing upward toward the softer underbelly where the chitin was thinner.
His blade sank in partway before hitting resistance.
The beast shrieked in pain, twisting violently, flinging him aside. He tumbled, rolling back onto his feet with gritted teeth.
The temporary boost was fading fast.
One of the front legs faltered slightly, the creature's movements becoming more erratic. Blood — or something close to it — dripped steadily from the wound. But it was still dangerous.
He glanced at his phone briefly:
[System: Boost expired. Energy reserves are low.]
No more free assists…
The Ravager charged again.
Ethan focused everything into one last gamble. As it lunged, he feigned a stumble, drawing the creature's head low. At the last second, he sidestepped and drove his sword directly into the already bleeding joint beneath its front leg.
The sword pierced deeper this time, cutting through vulnerable tissue.
The Ravager shrieked a final time before collapsing fully, its many legs spasming and finally going still.
Ethan stumbled back, panting heavily. His jacket was torn, his left arm bleeding, and his breathing was ragged.
[Target Neutralized: Nightcrawler Ravager (Class C - Low)]
[Significant Experience Gained — Skill Advancement Pending.]
He collapsed to his knees for a moment, gripping the hilt of his sword to steady himself.
"This world… is not forgiving," he whispered to no one.
For several long minutes, he stayed still, listening, making sure nothing else was nearby. Finally, his phone pinged once more.
[Arkanom: Quest Complete — Return to Guild for Report and Rewards.]
As Ethan limped his way back toward Caldris, his mind was spinning.
That creature shouldn't have been there. Something's wrong.
If even beginner quests could unexpectedly turn deadly, it meant one thing: there were much larger forces at play in Elyndra than anyone was letting on.
I need to learn more… and fast.
He exhaled heavily as the city walls finally came into view, lit by torchlight against the night sky