'earlier that day, when the party just started '
Nerulia Haven had never been this alive.
The once-humble outpost was now a sprawling hub of magic, trade, and laughter.
Stone streets shimmered with enchantments. Spirit lights hovered above the canals. And in the heart of it all stood Yuto, overseeing his growing city like a proud but slightly exhausted guardian deity.
"Population just passed ten thousand," Elira reported, her eyes glowing faintly as she flipped through a mana tablet. "Trade with Eridale is stable, and Lyra's hospital already has a queue that could wrap around the guild."
Yuto smiled faintly. "That's… actually kind of scary."
[ Advisor: Scary? Try miraculous. You've built a functioning city out of a crater and chaos. Congratulations, you're a mayor with trust issues.]
"Harsh. But fair," Yuto sighed. "What about defense patrols?"
"Zarek's handling that," Elira said. "He insists on calling them the 'Nerulian Guard' now."
Yuto winced. "He named them after himself again, didn't he?"
[Advisor: I vote we let him. Keeps morale high and the stupidity contained in one division.]
Mimi ran up, panting, carrying a sealed crystal. "Yuto! You gotta see this ..., something's wrong with the western lake!"
At that, Elira's eyes widened. "The Spirit Lake?"
"The one that supplies most of our mana water?" Yuto asked, already sensing the mana shift in the air.
The lake had always been tranquil, a glowing, azure mirror reflecting the city's lights. But Yuto and the others didn't really pay much of an attention to it that time...
Not until now....
---
Ripples spread unnaturally across the surface. Dark veins of mana pulsed beneath the water like something alive, something infected.
"Corruption?" Elira whispered, stepping back.
[Advisor: Affirmative. Mana integrity collapsing. Suggest purification before the water supply decides to grow teeth.]
Yuto's aura flared. "No hesitation then."
He raised his hand ...
Spirit energy surged from his palm, spreading across the water in radiant waves.
For a second, it worked.
The corruption screamed. The surface boiled.
Then… something answered back.
A sound like thunder mixed with a growl rolled through the valley.
The lake erupted , water and darkness bursting upward as a colossal claw tore out of the depths.
"Elira , get BACK!"
The ground split as the creature emerged , scales cracked and glowing crimson, eyes burning with sick intelligence. It wasn't just a corrupted beast.
It was a Corrupted Drake, an offspring of dragons. And worse, its mana signature was far beyond anything Yuto had ever faced since the vampire overlord.
] Advisor: Ah. Fantastic. You wanted stronger stimuli. Here's trauma with wings.]
"Not the time!" Yuto snapped, drawing his aura into shape.
Mana Shaping =Heaven Blade!
He sliced, cleaving a wave of condensed spirit light through the air, but the drake blocked it with one wing and roared, sending shockwaves across the forest.
The attack threw Yuto backward, slamming him into a mana tree. His HP dropped rapidly.
HP: 520 → 310
[ Advisor: Warning. You're about to redecorate the forest with your insides.]
Yuto's chest glowed faintly as his form shimmered ...
Spirit-Core Mode Activated.
His physical body dissolved into luminous spirit matter. He streaked across the sky, reappearing behind the drake with ethereal speed.
"Spirit Purge: Divine Flash!"
He struck, piercing the drake's armor with pure light. Black ichor splattered, sizzling against the ground.
The drake shrieked , but didn't fall. Its tail lashed, smashing Yuto into a ridge.
Pain flooded his senses.
[ Advisor: You call that dodging? You just invented flight without wings.]
"Shut up and run the analysis!" Yuto barked.
[ Advisor: Fine, Mr. Impatient. Analysis complete: corrupted mana density 97%. Draconic essence present. Suggest new tactic, or funeral arrangements.]
"Working on it…"
Yuto's hand twitched. "Mana Shaping: Twin Collapse Blades!"
Two blades of energy formed, orbiting him like twin satellites. He darted forward, cutting through the air in streaks of light.
Each slash shattered dark scales, spraying corruption mist into the sky.
But for every wound he made, the drake regenerated.
[Advisor: Regeneration rate exceeds 250%. You'll need something bigger. Maybe a miracle.]
"Or a weapon…"
Yuto froze. That gave him an idea.
"Advisor… you said something about an inventory before?"
[ Advisor: Oh, NOW you remember? Yes. Inventory unlocked at Level 35. You're currently Level 37. You're welcome.]
"Access it. Now."
[ Advisor: Opening Weapon Inventory. Processing compatible items…
Recommended: "Astral Edge , Prototype." Cost: 3,000 Soul Credits.]
"Buy it!"
[Advisor: Transaction complete. Try not to die using it.]
Light burst into Yuto's hand , a blade of crystalline energy formed, its core pulsating like a heartbeat.
Yuto grinned. "Now we're talking."
He vanished ...
Reappeared atop the drake's head.
"Spirit Art=Heavenfall Slash!"
The world turned white.
A blinding arc of spirit light cleaved downward, ripping through the drake's chest. The roar that followed was half agony, half hatred , and then, silence.
The beast crashed into the lake, sending up waves that shook the city walls.
---
Yuto floated above the steaming water, panting.
Elira along with Serphina, Mimi, and Zarek ran up moments later.
Mimi shouted, "That was INSANE! You just killed a dragon baby!"
[ Advisor: Correction: you killed a toddler version of death. Be proud.]
Elira ran forward, eyes worried. "You're hurt.."
Yuto smiled weakly. "I'll live. Probably."
Her hands glowed faintly as she healed him, spirit energy intertwining softly with his own.
Their eyes met for a moment longer than either expected.
[Advisor: Emotional proximity rising. Shall I play mood music?]
"SHUT UP!" both yelled simultaneously.
[ Advisor: Rude but adorable.]
Yuto sighed, turning back to the lake , now calm again, but tainted.
That drake wasn't alone. He could feel it.
Something deeper. Stronger. Ancient.
And it was watching.
[ Advisor: Congratulations. You've officially pinged something that should never be aware of you.]
Yuto clenched his fist. "Then I'll get ready. No more running. This time, I'll be the one they fear."
---
📜 Status Update
Level: 37→ 40
HP: 520 → 680
MP: 780 → 950
Strength: 120 → 160
Agility: 140 → 182
Endurance: 97→ 132
Intelligence: 120 → 158
New Skills:
✅ Weapon Inventory (Lv.1) - Access magical armory using Soul Credits
✅ Spirit Art: Heavenfall Slash - Converts spirit aura into celestial energy for a single devastating strike
Evolution Progress:(56%)
[ Advisor: At this rate, you'll evolve in… roughly never. Please fight something suicidal soon.]
"Working on it," Yuto murmured.
And far beneath the lake ...
something vast shifted, its eyes glowing gold through the abyss.
---