As Colm’s vision settled, a low hum vibrated through his mind, and a System message appeared, glowing softly in the dim surroundings.
[ Echo Detected: The Lucent Grove ]
The words held for a moment, and as Colm was still processing the message, the System provided a brief explanation.
[ Echoes are unique environments within the Echoed Lands, filled with distinct challenges and valuable resources. Their properties often differ significantly from those of the overworld, and clearing an Echo can yield rare and valuable rewards. ]
Colm felt a mix of curiosity and wonder as he took in the message. As he looked around, he noticed the details he hadn’t registered in the rush of his entry. Sturdy stone with lush plants and glowing leaves illuminated the grove with a gentle light, casting colors of blue, green, and soft pink that reflected off smooth stone formations scattered across the landscape.
Taking a slow breath, Colm took in the vibrant beauty around him. It was as if he had stepped into an enchanted forest, alive with vivid colors and bathed in soft, ethereal light—something straight out of a fairy tale from back home. Towering trees and luminous flora stretched endlessly before him, creating a scene so mesmerizing that he could only stand in silent awe, captivated by the breathtaking wonder.
Despite the grove’s peaceful aura, Colm remained wary. The System’s warning echoed in his mind, reminding him that in this world, beauty and danger were often inseparably intertwined.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, he’d have to rely on his instincts and adapt to the mysterious Lucent Grove. For now, though, the quiet beauty of this place offered a strange and welcome reprieve.
Colm took a few tentative steps, his eyes adjusting to the soft, radiant glow that seemed to come from all around him. Bright, vibrant foliage filled the grove, with delicate vines winding around smooth stones and flowers that pulsed faintly in turquoise, lavender, and gold hues. He inhaled deeply, noticing a crisp, earthy scent with hints of something sweet, like nectar, filling the air.
He crouched to examine a cluster of glowing flowers, brushing his fingers over a soft petal. Curious, he used Analyze on the plant. A translucent window appeared.
Celestial Bloom
He let out a slow breath, feeling an odd comfort in knowing that this environment had life and color. It starkly contrasted the undead-laden landscape he had narrowly escaped, and he couldn’t help but feel a cautious relief. If the Lucent Grove was filled with plants like the Celestial Bloom, he might have access to resources he could put to good use, perhaps even finding items with beneficial effects.
As he continued through the grove, he noticed more features that gave the place an almost enchanted quality. Leaves shimmered softly in shades of deep emerald, and streams of faintly glowing water wound between clusters of ferns and flowers. He moved cautiously, keeping his steps light, mentally cataloging each unique feature and noting landmarks that could guide him back if needed. Here and there, small, jewel-like insects flitted between the blooms, leaving brief trails of light.
The stillness and beauty allowed his mind to relax just enough to reflect. The frantic escape from the undead was fresh in his memory, and he could almost feel the icy press of fear from his encounter. It had been a reminder of how unpredictable and deadly the Echoed Lands could be. And yet, the Lucent Grove offered a strange, serene counterbalance to that darkness as though it were an oasis meant to ease the soul. But even as he appreciated the peace, he remained wary. The System’s warning had been clear: beauty could easily disguise danger.
With another deep breath, Colm calmed his nerves. He had time here to explore, understand the System’s possibilities, and perhaps strengthen himself before his next encounter. He resolved to make the most of this vibrant and mysterious space, knowing it might grant him the tools he’d need to survive whatever came next.
With the quiet beauty of the Lucent Grove separating him from the undead-infested overworld, Colm found a rare moment of calm. He remembered the level up notification that had appeared during his frantic escape, a bright pulse from the System that he hadn’t had time to consider fully.
With his surroundings feeling safe for the first time in what felt like ages, he mentally brought up the notification.
Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.
He scanned the message, feeling a mix of satisfaction and curiosity about how best to allocate the points. The System had mentioned earlier that his Spirit Warden class granted him multiple stat points per level, with no reference for other classes. He assumed this was an advantage, and he intended to put it to good use. Knowing he had an edge only strengthened his resolve to make the best possible choices.
Colm directed a mental command toward the System to make the best choices, seeking further clarification on each stat, hoping for a response. The information appeared immediately.
[ Strength - Governs physical power, improving melee damage and carrying capacity. Useful for close-range combat and physical tasks.
Dexterity - Increases agility, evasion, and precision, aiding movement, stealth, and quick reflexes.
Intelligence - Expands the mana pool and enhances magical skill potency, which is useful for sustaining abilities and performing magical tasks.
Constitution - Enhances health, endurance, and damage resistance, providing resilience against both physical and environmental challenges. ]
Each description gave him a clearer idea of his options, and as he considered his recent encounters, he started forming a plan. The Echoed Lands were unpredictable, and he needed to build himself into someone who could adapt quickly and stay resilient. He knew he was never a fighter, but he was always athletic, so he knew he could at least maneuver himself around to an extent. But above all, he knew that his Phantom Warrior ability had been his most significant asset.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
To maximize this advantage, he needed to focus on Intelligence, as it sounds like a higher intelligence would increase the lethality of his Phantom Warrior. While Dexterity would still improve his agility and constitution would help Colm withstand blows, Intelligence would be the foundation that strengthened his primary tool in this world. As for strength, he didn’t feel a need to focus on that much with magic at his disposal.
With his choices clear, he allocated his points and planned to continue this spread for future level-ups:
Intelligence (+2) – To enhance his mana pool, making his Phantom Warrior stronger and more capable as his core ability.
Dexterity (+2) – To improve agility, supporting his reflexes and helping him evade attacks.
Constitution (+1) – To increase his resilience, allowing him to withstand more damage and keep going in hostile environments.
Once the points were allocated, he felt a subtle shift wash over him, his mind becoming clearer, his body more attuned. The System was honing him, aligning him more closely with the abilities he was beginning to master.
Satisfied, he pulled up his status page to get a full view of his progress.
[ Status ]
Name: Colm Arden
Race: Human
Level: 2
Health: 110 / 110
Mana: 75 / 75
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 14
Intelligence: 17
Constitution: 11
Class: Spirit Warden
Active Class Abilities:
- Phantom Warrior (Level 1)
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
Passive Class Abilities:
- Lingering Vitality (Level 1)
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
- Empty
Skills:
- Analyze (Level 1)
Achievements:
- Through the Rift
The changes were more apparent now, and he noted that each new point in constitution added 10 points to his Health, while every point in Intelligence increased his Mana by 10. The difference felt significant, giving him a better foundation to summon and sustain his abilities.
After scanning through the adjustments, he closed the status page and resummoned his Phantom Warrior, something he hadn’t been able to do since his frantic escape from the undead swarm. He focused, channeling his mana to summon the spectral figure. In a swirl of energy, the Phantom Warrior materialized beside him, its form appearing stronger, more distinct, as if it, too, had been sharpened by his level-up.
With his Phantom Warrior at his side, Colm began a careful exploration of the Lucent Grove. The surrounding beauty and calm felt reassuring, but he was under no illusions about the dangers that could still lurk ahead.
He sent his Phantom Warrior forward, directing it to scout the area in his stead. The warrior moved silently across the soft earth, its spectral form slipping past glowing plants and low-hanging branches without disturbing a thing. Colm observed it, fascinated by how seamlessly it blended into the Grove’s ethereal light.
As it scouted, Colm followed at a cautious distance, maintaining focus on his connection with the Phantom Warrior. After a few moments, he noticed an odd sensation—almost like a gentle pull—tugging at the edges of his awareness. The warrior had moved further ahead, nearly at the limits of his line of sight.
Then, a faint warning sensation coursed through him as though something within his bond with the warrior was stretching too thin. Immediately, a System message appeared in his vision.
Phantom Warrior has reached maximum range. Further distance will despawn the spirit.
Colm filed the information away, realizing this restriction would be essential in future strategies. He estimated it to be about a 50-foot range which meant he couldn’t rely on the Phantom Warrior to scout too far ahead or in separate areas, forcing him to stay within close proximity. As much as he wanted it to be an independent scout, it would require him to remain aware and responsive to the warrior’s movements.
With this limitation in mind, Colm directed the warrior to return, recalibrating his approach. He sent it into clusters of dense vegetation and shadowed spots nearby, using it to probe the Grove’s strange features. At one point, he directed the warrior close to a glowing cluster of flowers that seemed brighter than the others. Using Analyze once again.
Sunlit Petals
As Colm read through the results, a new notification appeared in his vision.
Analyze (Level 1) is now Analyze (Level 2)
A sense of accomplishment settled over him. Curious about the skill’s new depth, Colm used Analyze on the Sunlit Petals again to see what more he could learn.
Sunlit Petals
With a sigh, Colm wasn’t surprised that the rank-up in Analyze had accomplished absolutely nothing. Frustration crept in as his desperation mounted—he needed to find food, and soon. Time had become meaningless; he didn’t know how long he’d been unconscious or how much time had passed since his awakening. The gnawing hunger was a constant reminder that his body still needed something to sustain it.
Taking a calculated risk, Colm turned his attention to the two plants he’d encountered: the Sunlit Petals and the Celestial Blooms. Lingering Vitality should hopefully protect me if anything goes wrong, he thought, though he wasn’t entirely convinced.
He started with a Sunlit Petal, plucking it carefully and hesitantly bringing it to his mouth. The moment the petal touched his tongue, his face twisted in disgust, and he spat it out immediately. Sour and bitter—like chewing on old chalk and lemon. Shaking his head and grimacing, he muttered, “Definitely not that one.”
Reluctantly, he turned to the Celestial Bloom. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the worst as he placed it in his mouth. To his surprise, the plant carried a mild, minty flavor—almost refreshing. Tentatively, he chewed and swallowed. A moment later, he felt it: a faint trickle of energy pulsing through his body, subtle yet revitalizing, like a cool stream running through dry land.
Colm exhaled in relief, a flicker of confidence returning. “Looks like this one’s safe,” he muttered, plucking another bloom. At least I won’t starve for now.
Determined to keep advancing his abilities, Colm resolved to use Analyze as often as possible, seeking to uncover the world's secrets—and to find a way to rank up his class abilities, too. He kept his Phantom Warrior within its 50-foot range, using it to scout sections of the area and guide his movements. With each exploration, he learned to maximize his companion’s utility and to understand his surroundings better.
As he continued forward, his confidence grew, fueled by both his Phantom Warrior and his own adaptability in this vibrant, unpredictable world. Soon, he located a nearby water source and used Analyze on it as well.
Stream Water
For now, in this relative haven with the abundance of Celestial Blooms and hopefully safe water nearby, he felt equipped to survive as he honed his new abilities and ventured deeper into the unknown.