The morning sun had barely risen when Kalsei and Steph began their frantic search for Seikan. The crisp air felt heavier with each passing minute, and despite the beauty of the highlands, a deep sense of unease settled over them both. Kalsei’s usual lighthearted attitude was nowhere to be found as he scanned the landscape, his golden eyes sharp and focused.
"Seikan wouldn’t just wander off," Kalsei muttered, his voice tense. "Not without saying something."
Steph, her expression just as grim, nodded in agreement. "He’s too careful for that. Something must’ve happened." She crouched near the spot where Seikan had slept, her fingers running over the ground. There were no signs of struggle, no footprints leading away from the camp. The ground was undisturbed, as if Seikan had simply vanished into thin air.
Kalsei paced nearby, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "We have to find him. He’s the one who knows how to control all this magic stuff. Without him, we’re... well, screwed." He paused, looking back toward Steph, his voice softening. "And he’s our friend."
Steph rose to her feet, her hand gripping her Void-Touched Staff tightly. "We’ll search the area," she said, her tone steady despite the worry in her eyes. "But if we don’t find him soon, we need to head back to the guild. Something doesn’t feel right about this."
They split up, carefully combing the surrounding area. Kalsei moved quickly, his agility allowing him to cover ground faster as he darted between the trees and up the rocky slopes. He called out Seikan’s name repeatedly, hoping for any sign of his friend, but the only response was the wind whistling through the jagged cliffs.
Steph, on the other hand, methodically scanned the terrain, using her magic to sense any traces of arcane energy. But the further she searched, the more she realized that whatever had taken Seikan had left no magical residue behind—nothing for her to follow.
After what felt like hours of fruitless searching, the duo met back at their camp, both of them breathless and clearly worried. Kalsei was the first to break the silence. "Nothing. It’s like he just... disappeared."
Steph, her brow furrowed, nodded solemnly. "We’ve looked everywhere. He’s not here." She glanced toward the path leading back to the city. "We need help. The guild has resources, and they might know more about this area. There’s something we’re missing."
Reluctantly, Kalsei agreed, though every part of him itched to keep searching. "Let’s go," he said quietly, turning toward the trail that led back to Aurelia.
The walk back to the guild was tense and quiet. Kalsei's usual sarcastic remarks were replaced by silence, his golden eyes fixed ahead, deep in thought. Even Steph, typically the more composed of the two, seemed unnerved by Seikan's sudden disappearance. By the time they arrived at the massive stone building of the Adventurer's Guild, the sun was already high in the sky, casting long shadows over the bustling city streets.
As soon as they entered the guild hall, Kalsei strode up to the counter, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "We need to report a missing person," he said, his voice tight. "Seikan’s gone. He disappeared in the Emberfall Highlands without a trace."
The receptionist, the same young woman with long blonde hair who had greeted them before, immediately looked concerned. She tapped a few keys on her magical tablet, bringing up the map of the region. "The Emberfall Highlands?" she repeated, her tone wary. "That area is extremely dangerous. We don’t usually send adventurers of your level there without warning. The magic in that region is... unpredictable, to say the least."
Steph stepped forward, her voice sharp. "We were prepared for danger, but this is different. He didn’t just get lost. He’s been taken."
The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly as she processed the gravity of their situation. "I’ll notify the guildmaster right away. We’ll organize a search party and send scouts to the area, but..." She hesitated, glancing at Kalsei, who looked more distraught than she had ever seen him. "It could take time. The highlands are vast, and even our best trackers might struggle with the terrain and the magic there."
Kalsei’s fists clenched at his sides, but before he could respond, a voice interrupted from behind.
"I heard you’re looking for help."
They turned to see a tall, rugged adventurer approaching them. His silver hair was cropped short, and his piercing blue eyes gleamed with experience. He wore armor that looked worn but well-maintained, and a sword hung at his side. There was something calm and confident about his presence.
"I’ve worked in the highlands before," he continued, his gaze fixed on Kalsei. "I can join you on a few small quests while the guild searches for your friend. I know the area better than most, and I’m willing to help."
Steph glanced at Kalsei, who nodded, his determination returning. "We could use the extra hands," Kalsei said. "What’s your name?"
"Call me Darius," the man replied, extending a hand. "Let’s get to work."
Kalsei stared at the man before him, Darius, his sharp blue eyes filled with a quiet resolve. Kalsei’s golden eyes narrowed for a moment before his usual carefree grin slid into place. "Alright, Darius," he said, shaking the man’s hand. "You’re in. But we’re not heading back to the Emberfall Highlands, not until the guild gives the all-clear."
Steph, standing just behind Kalsei, nodded in agreement, though her dark eyes still held a hint of concern. "The guild has sent out high-level adventurers to search for Seikan. It’s too dangerous for us to go back there ourselves. But we can’t just sit around doing nothing."
The receptionist quickly interjected, tapping away at her magical tablet, bringing up a list of nearby quests. "While the search party is dispatched, I’d recommend taking on some lower-level quests to keep yourselves occupied. These are ones you and your new companion can handle while we wait for updates on your friend."
Kalsei glanced at the quests on the screen, his eyes flicking over the various options. "We’ll need something close by," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "Something to keep us busy while they search for Seikan. Can’t just sit here twiddling our thumbs."
Darius nodded. "There are a few good quests nearby," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Some of them involve tracking down rogue elementals or dealing with enchanted beasts in the southern forests. That should give us something to focus on for now."
Steph crossed her arms, her usual stoic expression returning. "I’m not thrilled about waiting around, but we can’t rush back into a deathtrap either. Fine. Let’s take one of these quests."
Kalsei exhaled slowly, visibly trying to regain some of his usual enthusiasm. "Alright," he said, slapping his hands together and forcing a grin. "Let’s do this, then. We’ll get our minds off things, and when the guild finds Seikan, we’ll be ready."
Steph gave him a brief nod, though her eyes still held a hint of unease. "Let’s just stay focused."
The receptionist nodded, pulling up a quest from the list. "There’s a group of enchanted wolves terrorizing some farms just south of here. They’ve been driven mad by residual magic from the Emberfall Highlands. Should be a good test of your team’s coordination."
Kalsei flashed a grin. "Mad wolves, huh? Easy enough. We’ll be back before dinner." But as he turned to leave, his expression faltered slightly. Despite the bravado, the weight of Seikan’s absence hung over him like a shadow.
The trio set out from the guild, the bustle of the capital fading behind them as they ventured into the quiet southern forests. The day was cool and clear, the late morning sun casting dappled light through the trees. Kalsei’s mood seemed lighter, but there was still an undercurrent of tension between them all. Darius walked beside Kalsei, his quiet confidence contrasting with Kalsei’s usual vibrant energy, while Steph kept a watchful eye on the treeline, her staff at the ready.
"So," Kalsei began, turning to Darius as they walked, "you’ve dealt with these enchanted wolves before?"
Darius nodded. "Once or twice. The magic in these parts isn’t stable, and creatures like wolves tend to absorb it without understanding what’s happening to them. It drives them mad, makes them aggressive. They’re not hard to fight, but they’re unpredictable."
Kalsei hummed thoughtfully. "Unpredictable, huh? Sounds like my kind of opponent."
Steph rolled her eyes but didn’t comment, her mind clearly elsewhere. She kept scanning the forest, her instincts alert for any sign of danger. Despite the relative quiet, the magic in the air was palpable, a low hum that thrummed through the trees.
After another hour of walking, the trio reached the outskirts of a small village nestled in the forest. The fields surrounding the village were dotted with signs of destruction—crops trampled, fences torn down, and claw marks raked across the sides of barns and houses. A few villagers, wary but desperate, approached them as they entered.
"You’re the adventurers?" one of the farmers asked, a weary man with dirt-streaked clothes and deep lines of exhaustion on his face.
Kalsei gave him a reassuring grin. "That’s us. We heard you’ve got a wolf problem. Don’t worry, we’re here to take care of it."
The man nodded, relief flashing across his face. "They’ve been attacking at night, mostly. But we’ve seen them during the day, too. Their eyes glow... it’s not natural. The magic’s twisted them into something fierce."
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Darius stepped forward, his expression serious. "Any idea where they’re coming from?"
The farmer pointed toward a dense thicket of trees on the far side of the fields. "We’ve seen them coming from the woods over there. There’s a cave deeper in that we think they’ve made their den. Be careful... they’re not like normal wolves anymore."
Kalsei cracked his knuckles, his golden eyes gleaming with determination. "Don’t worry, we’ve got this."
Steph, standing nearby, gave a small nod to the farmer. "We’ll take care of it. Just keep everyone inside until it’s done."
With the directions in hand, the trio headed toward the dense thicket, the trees growing thicker and darker as they approached. The air grew heavier, the faint hum of magic intensifying as they moved deeper into the woods. The ground beneath their feet was littered with broken branches and disturbed earth, clear signs of the wolves’ activity.
As they neared the cave, Darius raised a hand, signaling them to stop. "We’re close," he said quietly, his eyes scanning the area. "The magic here is stronger. Be ready for anything."
Kalsei nodded, drawing his Shattering Blade, the weapon gleaming faintly in the dim light. Steph gripped her staff tightly, her dark magic thrumming just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed from the darkness of the cave, followed by the sound of claws scraping against stone. A pair of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows, followed by another, and then another, until the cave entrance was filled with the snarling forms of the enchanted wolves.
System Alert: Enchanted Wolves Detected! Class: Corrupted Beast - Level: 8 Health: 400 Mana: 150 Strength: 25 Agility: 22 Abilities: Savage Bite, Magic Howl (Disorients enemies with a blast of magical energy), Pack Tactics
"Here we go!" Kalsei shouted, his voice filled with excitement as he lunged forward.
The first wolf pounced, its claws outstretched, but Kalsei was faster. His eyes flashed gold as he activated Reality Blink, warping space around him and disappearing just as the wolf’s claws slashed through empty air. He reappeared behind the beast, his blade flashing as he struck with Rift Strike, sending a shockwave of energy through the wolf’s side. The creature howled in pain, stumbling back, but it wasn’t down yet.
Darius, moving with precision, stepped in to engage the second wolf. His sword moved in smooth, practiced arcs, deflecting the wolf’s savage bite and striking back with measured force. His experience showed in the way he kept his movements controlled, never overextending, always keeping the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Steph raised her staff, dark energy swirling around her. "Let’s see how you handle this," she muttered, casting Lifebane. The shadows coiled around one of the wolves, draining its life force and transferring the stolen vitality to her. The wolf snarled, trying to shake off the dark magic, but it was no use. Steph’s spell sapped its strength, leaving it weakened and vulnerable.
Kalsei grinned, spinning on his heel to face another wolf. "Come on, is that all you’ve got?" he taunted, dodging another lunge with ease. His agility allowed him to dance around the wolves, his movements fluid and almost playful, though his strikes were anything but.
As the fight raged on, Darius called out, "Focus on one at a time! These things fight as a pack—if we don’t take them down fast, they’ll overwhelm us!"
Steph nodded, directing her next spell toward the wolf Kalsei had already injured. Her Shadow Fang lashed out, tearing through the weakened beast, finishing it off. The wolf collapsed to the ground, its body dissipating into a cloud of magic as the corruption left it.
Kalsei, not missing a beat, leaped toward the next target, his blade flashing in the dim light. "Two down, plenty more to go!" he shouted, his voice brimming with excitement. Despite the tension of the situation, there was a strange lightness in his tone—a clear sign that he thrived in battle, even if his thoughts were still on Seikan.
The remaining wolves, now disoriented by the loss of their packmates, let out a collective howl, their glowing eyes flickering with unstable magic. But they were no match for the combined strength of the trio. With swift coordination, they dispatched the remaining wolves, each strike precise and powerful.
System Alert: Enchanted Wolves Defeated! Experience Gained: 2200
System Alert: Steph has reached level 7
Health: 310 → 380 Mana: 840 → 1000
Strength: 15 → 17 Agility: 28 → 34
Intelligence: 27 → 32 Wisdom: 32 → 39
Luck: 3 → 4
Skill Points Gained: 3
New Skills:
Shadow Mend (Lvl 1): A dark healing spell that channels shadow energy into an ally, healing them over time while simultaneously granting them increased resistance to dark-based attacks for 15 seconds. Healing potency: Moderate. Cost: 75 Mana.
Spectral Veil (Lvl 1): Cloaks an ally in shadows, making them invisible for 10 seconds or unt
il they attack or cast a spell. This skill can also remove debuffs when cast. Cost: 90 Mana.
Dark Serenity (Passive): Steph’s shadow-based healing and support spells now restore a small amount of mana to herself when cast.
Updated Abilities:
Shadow Fang Dagger (Lvl 2): The dagger now has a 20% chance to release a shadow bolt upon critical hits, dealing dark damage to a nearby enemy.
Shadowstep (Lvl 2): Steph can teleport to a shadowed area within a 20-meter radius, allowing for quick repositioning in combat. Cost: 50 Mana.
As the last wolf fell, the forest grew still, the oppressive weight of the lingering magic beginning to fade. Kalsei lowered his sword, taking a deep breath as the tension in his body eased. "Well, that wasn’t too bad," he said, flashing a grin at Steph and Darius. "A little wolf trouble, nothing we couldn’t handle."
Steph, still catching her breath, leaned against her staff. "They were corrupted by residual magic, just like the villagers said. There’s something deeply wrong with this place."
Darius nodded in agreement, wiping his blade clean. "The Emberfall Highlands are leaking unstable magic into the surrounding regions. These kinds of incidents will only get worse if the source isn’t dealt with."
Kalsei’s playful grin faded slightly as he thought about Seikan and the danger he must have been in. "Yeah, and we’re stuck here fighting wolves while the guild searches for him," he muttered under his breath, though loud enough for Steph to hear.
Steph placed a hand on Kalsei’s shoulder. "I know you’re worried, but rushing back there would be suicide. The guild knows what they’re doing. We’ll find him."
Kalsei didn’t respond right away, his golden eyes flickering with uncertainty. But after a moment, he gave a short nod. "Yeah, you’re right. Just hate feeling helpless."
Darius glanced around the forest, his expression thoughtful. "We should report back to the guild. The enchanted wolves were dealt with, but this area could still be dangerous for the villagers."
Steph straightened up, her resolve returning. "Agreed. Let’s head back."
The walk back to the capital was quieter than before, the weight of Seikan’s absence hanging over them. Kalsei’s usual banter was noticeably absent, and even Steph seemed more withdrawn, her mind clearly on their missing companion. Darius remained a steady presence, walking a few paces ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
When they arrived at the guild, the receptionist greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome back! How did the quest go?"
Kalsei’s grin returned, though it was more subdued than usual. "Wolves are handled. But there’s still something off in those woods. You should let the villagers know to stay alert."
The receptionist nodded, quickly making a note on her tablet. "I’ll make sure they’re informed. And your reward—" She tapped a few more keys before the screen flashed with their payment details.
Quest Completed: Enchanted Wolves in Southern Forests
Rewards:
1200 Gold
3000 Experience Points
System Alert: Kalsei has reached level 7
Health: 300 → 370 Mana: 800 → 960
Strength: 22 → 29 Agility: 35 → 43
Intelligence: 22 → 27 Wisdom: 24 → 30
Luck: 3
Skill Points Gained: 3
New Skills:
Reality Snap (Lvl 1): Instantly alter a single element of the battlefield (e.g., turn fire into water, create a gust of wind), temporarily changing reality for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cost: 60 Mana.
Dimensional Rend (Lvl 1): Tear through dimensions, creating an unstable rift in a small area that damages and disorients enemies within. The rift deals spatial damage over time. Cost: 100 Mana.
Reality Shift Mastery (Passive): Increases the effectiveness and duration of Kalsei’s reality-altering abilities by 10%.
Updated Abilities:
Void Step (Lvl 2): Void Step’s duration is increased by 1 second, allowing Kalsei to remain intangible for longer, and he can now use it to pass through solid objects. Cost: 50 Mana.
Blink Strike (Lvl 2): Increases damage and improves disorientation chance to 40%.
Kalsei gave a short nod. "Thanks."
As they moved toward the guild’s common area, Kalsei caught sight of the quest board again, his eyes lingering on the postings for high-level missions in the Emberfall Highlands. The ones meant for adventurers far stronger than them.
"We’ll find him," Steph repeated softly, following his gaze. "The guild’s search party will bring him back."
Kalsei sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know. I just hope he’s okay."
Just as they were about to leave the guild hall, a voice called out behind them. "Kalsei, wait."
They turned to see one of the higher-ranking guild members, a tall woman with silver hair and piercing violet eyes. She approached them with a calm, steady gait, her expression serious.
"I overheard your situation with your missing companion," she said, her voice low but authoritative. "I’m headed to the Emberfall Highlands myself. If you’d like, I can keep an eye out for him while I’m there."
Kalsei’s eyes widened slightly, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a flicker of hope. "You’d do that?"
The woman nodded. "I know how dangerous that area can be, and I’ve dealt with similar situations before. If your friend is out there, we’ll find him."
Steph stepped forward, her expression cautious but grateful. "Thank you. We appreciate any help you can offer."
The woman gave a small nod, her gaze steady. "I’ll keep you updated through the guild. In the meantime, focus on the tasks you can handle. The search will take time."
Kalsei let out a long breath, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Thanks. We’ll be waiting."
With that, the woman turned and left, her presence disappearing into the crowd of adventurers. Kalsei and Steph exchanged a glance, the weight of the situation still heavy, but now tempered with a sliver of hope.
"Let’s get some rest," Steph suggested, her voice soft but firm. "We’ll be ready when we hear from the guild."
Kalsei nodded, his golden eyes flickering with determination. "Yeah. We’ll be ready."