Kalsei and Seikan made their way toward the entrance to the town of Meliora. As they approached the gates, a system window appeared before them.
Quest Completed: Reach the Town of Meliora Rewards:
500 experience points earned
Traveler’s Pouch (Grants additional inventory space)
Kalsei grinned as he added the Traveler’s Pouch to his inventory. "Nice. Now we’ve got extra room for all the loot we’re going to find. And by ‘we,’ I mean mostly me."
Seikan didn’t react to Kalsei’s comment, though he did add the pouch to his own inventory as well. Traveler’s Pouch was a simple but useful item, expanding their inventory slots by ten. As they passed through the gates, Seikan’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the town’s residents.
The people of Meliora moved about in a tense, hurried manner, their eyes downcast, their expressions grim. Most wore simple clothing, and their homes, while well-built, showed signs of wear and neglect. The streets were relatively quiet, and the air was thick with a sense of unease.
Kalsei’s cheerful demeanor faltered for a moment as he took in the scene. "Well, this is… depressing. I was hoping for more of a ‘quaint village’ vibe, but this feels more like a ghost town."
Seikan scanned the area, his senses on high alert. "Something’s wrong here. These people are afraid of something."
They continued walking through the town, their eyes drawn to the large notice board in the centre of the square. Several pieces of parchment were pinned to it, each one detailing a quest or job available to those willing to take the risk.
Kalsei’s eyes lit up as he read through the quests. "Oh, look at this one: ‘Retrieve the Sacred Relic from the Ruined Catacombs.’ That sounds awesome! And this one: ‘Help clear out the monsters in the forest.’"
Seikan scanned the quests with a more critical eye. "We need information first. There’s no point rushing into another fight if we don’t understand what’s happening here."
Kalsei groaned. "Fine, fine. You do the serious talk, I’ll go ask the locals about the sadge vibes."
Before Seikan could stop him, Kalsei darted off, his agile form disappearing around a corner. Seikan sighed, knowing that it was pointless to try and reign Kalsei in. Instead, he turned his attention to the largest piece of parchment on the board.
Urgent Request: The Curse of Meliora Quest Type: Town Event
Details: The town of Meliora is suffering under a dark curse. Strange creatures have been spotted in the surrounding areas, and the townsfolk have been plagued by nightmares. Many believe the source of the curse lies in the Ruined Catacombs.
Objective: Investigate the Ruined Catacombs and discover the source of the curse.
Rewards:
1000 experience points.
Shadow Band (Accessory): Increases Kalsei’s Agility by +5 and grants a 10% chance to avoid incoming physical attacks.
Rune-etched Cloak (Armor - Light): Increases Seikan’s Intelligence by +4 and enhances the potency of dark magic by 10%.
500 Gold.
Seikan’s eyes narrowed as he read the details. "A curse…?"
Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, he spied Kalsei talking to a local man, who looked just as happy to talk to Kalsei as Kalsei seemed to be with him. Kalsei’s expression showed clear discomfort.
"The town’s cursed," Kalsei said as he walked back over. "That guy filled me in. Nightmares, strange monsters, people disappearing." He pointed back to the man.
Seikan raised an eyebrow. "You were actually useful?"
"Hey, I’m always useful," Kalsei shot back playfully. "So, it all ties back to that Catacomb quest."
Seikan nodded, already piecing things together. "I just saw the request. The townspeople think the source of the curse is in those ruins."
"Yep," Kalsei confirmed. "Anyone who goes near the Catacombs either disappears or comes back insane. Sounds like fun, right?"
Seikan folded the map and tucked it into his inventory. "We’ll need to investigate. This curse could be related to the system."
Kalsei shrugged, his usual energy returning. "Well, whatever it is, we’ve got a catacomb to explore, a curse to break, and probably some treasure to loot. Sounds like an adventure to me."
Seikan smirked faintly. "Just don’t get yourself killed."
Kalsei grinned. "Hey, It's not like we haven't done that before. But good news! I don't have any noodles on me."
Before heading out, they stopped by a small market stall to trade for some provisions. Seikan handed over a few daggers and the crude items they’d looted earlier. In return, they got basic supplies: food, water, and two bedrolls.
New Quest Accepted: Investigate the Ruined Catacombs. Objective: Discover the source of the curse in the Ruined Catacombs.
Rewards:
1000 experience points.
Shadow Band.
Rune-etched Cloak.
500 Gold.
As they stood just outside the gates of Meliora, preparing to leave for the Catacombs, Kalsei suddenly paused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Hang on a sec," he said, raising a finger. "I almost forgot."
Seikan glanced at him with mild annoyance. "What now?"
Without answering, Kalsei spun around and dashed back toward the notice board in the town square. His agility made him a blur as he ducked between the few townsfolk lingering about. In moments, he was back in front of the large, weathered board, yanking the quest parchment for the Sacred Relic from the pile. He returned to Seikan, holding up the scroll with a triumphant grin.
"We’re heading to the Catacombs anyway, right? Might as well grab some bonus loot while we’re there!" Kalsei said, as he rolled up the parchment.
Seikan rolled his eyes. "You really can’t resist, can you?"
Kalsei shrugged, stuffing the scroll into his inventory. "Hey, more treasure, more fun. And besides, what’s the worst that could happen? It’s just a relic."
Seikan sighed. "You know this isn't a game, right?"
Kalsei winked with a cheeky grin. "Maybe not for you; but I'm having a blast!"
Seikan let out a small breath, and Kalsei nudged Seikan with his elbow. "Come on buddy. It's just a side quest. We can pick it up on the way out."
New Quest: Retrieve the Sacred Relic from the Ruined Catacombs. Quest Type: Exploration/Relic Recovery.
Details: A mysterious relic of ancient power is rumored to be hidden deep within the Ruined Catacombs. Many have sought it, but none have returned. Recover the Sacred Relic and return it to the town’s authorities for a reward.
Objective: Retrieve the Sacred Relic from the Ruined Catacombs.
Rewards:
1200 experience points.
Relic Hunter’s Bracer (Accessory): Increases Kalsei’s Agility by +4 and adds a 5% bonus to finding rare loot.
Dark Tome Fragment (Seikan’s Item): A piece of an ancient magical text that increases Seikan’s Intelligence by +3 and unlocks advanced rune magic.
Seikan and Kalsei set out once more, their destination clear but the path uncertain. The dense forest loomed ahead, its dark canopy casting shadows that seemed to shift and move. The further they walked, the colder the air became, and the ground beneath them was littered with twisted roots and uneven terrain.
Kalsei’s sharp eyes scanned the tree line, but the eerie silence kept him on edge. "Why do cursed forests always have to look so creepy?" he muttered, glancing from tree to tree, as if expecting something to jump out at him. "It’s like this place is just asking to get haunted."
Seikan remained focused, though he cast a quick glance at the trees. "It probably is haunted," he suggested in a bored tone.
Kalsei let out a small nervous laugh. "Ha-ha, very funny, Seikan," he said, the thought of something jumping out at him was creeping further up his spine now.
"This is a fantasy world," Seikan drawled. "We have encountered a wolf as big as a camper van, and a warden that looked like it came straight out of the abyss itself. I literally have magic, and so do you. The idea of ghosts is highly probable."
Kalsei tried to maintain his smile, but it felt like a bucket of iced water had been dumped on him. "You're probably right," he said quietly; but his grin quickly returned. "Besides, I've never fought a ghost before. It could be fun."
As they pressed deeper into the forest, Kalsei noticed something ahead. A faint rustling among the trees. He slowed down, his golden eyes narrowing as he held his blade at the ready. "Seikan… we’ve got company."
Without warning, the ground erupted beneath them, and twisted, dark creatures with glowing white eyes crawled out from beneath the soil. Their bodies were misshapen, covered in coarse fur and oozing black ichor. Their jagged claws gleamed in the faint light.
Enemy Encounter: Abyssal Stalkers. Level: 4
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Health: 400 each
Abilities:
Shadow Pounce (Lvl 2): Leaps onto enemies, pinning them down.
Dark Claw (Lvl 2): Causes bleeding damage over time.
Stealth (Passive): Blends into shadows, making them hard to detect.
Kalsei’s smirk didn’t fade, though there was a tension in his movements. "These things just keep getting uglier."
Seikan’s eyes flickered as he quickly assessed the situation. "Don’t let them pin you down. Their claws are dangerous."
Kalsei snorted. "Sounds like my ex. She was a monster."
"Almost as ugly as these too," Seikan added, his eyes assessing the area around them.
"Oh come on. She wasn't ugly. She was just a bi-" His sentence was abruptly halted as the first Abyssal Stalker lunged at Kalsei, its white eyes locked onto him. Kalsei’s agility kicked in, and he dodged to the side with a swift roll, bringing the Shattering Blade down in a quick arc. The blade hummed as it connected with the creature’s side, leaving a gash running along its flank.
The creature screeched in pain, but its claws swiped back at Kalsei, grazing his arm. He hissed in pain as he felt the sting of the Dark Claw, blood slowly trickling from the wound.
"It's rude to interrupt people reminiscing about their past lives, " Kalsei muttered, gripping his sword tighter. "Damn, these things sting!" he said, glancing at the torn sleeve of his hoodie with a whince.
Seikan, meanwhile, raised his hand, his fingers tracing a rune in the air. Dark chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around one of the Abyssal Stalkers, immobilizing it. He activated Adaptive Shackles, and the chains tightened, draining the creature’s strength.
Kalsei darted forward again, using his high agility to outmaneuver the remaining Stalker as it lunged for him. "Let’s try something new, shall we?" He activated Rift Strike, sending a pulse of distorted energy through the air. The shockwave slammed into the creature, knocking it out of the air, and skidding back a short distance.
The Abyssal Stalker screeched as Kalsei brought the Shattering Blade down, cleaving the creature in two with a swift motion, before it had time to react. He grinned, despite the pain in his arm. "That's for my hoodie."
Seikan finished off his own opponent with another pulse of dark energy, watching as the last Stalker writhed in pain before crumbling into dust.
Abyssal Stalkers defeated. 800 experience points earned.
Both of them stood still for a moment, catching their breath. Kalsei wiped the blood from his arm, wincing slightly. "Well, that was fun. Not a fan of the claws, though." he added, using Reality Blink to repair his hoodie.
Seikan gave him a flat look. "Is your hoodie alright, my lord?"
"My lord?" Kalsei scoffed. "Not this shit again." He smirked. "It's 'my prince'," he said with a sarcastic laugh.
Seikan shook his head. "We’re close to the Catacombs. We should rest a moment," he said. "It will give us time to look over our new abilities, now that we have leveled up.
"We leveled up?" Kalsei swiped his hand through the air, bringing up the System Menu. "Neat!"
Kalsei - Level 3. Stat Points to Spend: 5. Skill Points to Spend: 1.
Kalsei thought for a moment, weighing his options. "Agility’s already my best stat, but I could always use more. Can’t hit what you can’t catch, right?" He smirked, quickly spending three points on Agility, boosting it further. "And maybe a little more Strength... yeah, I’ll need that."
Stat Allocation: Agility +3, Strength +2. Health: 250. Mana: 700. Strength: 15 (20) (+5 Shattering Blade). Agility: 27 (42) (+15 Shattering Blade). Intelligence: 17.
Wisdom: 18.
Luck: 2.
Skill Point Spent:
New Skill Unlocked: Blink Strike (Lvl 1): A quick, teleporting strike that allows Kalsei to close distance instantly and deal damage, with a chance to cause disorientation.
Kalsei felt the rush of power surge through his body as the skill took hold. “Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun.” He tested his movements, feeling the increased speed and strength coursing through him. “Seikan, we’re gonna tear through these Catacombs like it’s nothing.”
Seikan, standing quietly beside him, also opened his menu. He spent his points more methodically, knowing he needed a balance between power and control.
Seikan - Level 3. Stat Points to Spend: 5. Skill Points to Spend: 1.
Seikan added points to Intelligence and Wisdom, reinforcing his spellcasting ability. His fingers traced the air as he activated his new skill, feeling the power hum around him.
Stat Allocation: Intelligence +3, Wisdom +2. Health: 280. Mana: 650. Strength: 12.
Agility: 18.
Intelligence: 25 (35) (+10 Rune of Binding).
Wisdom: 22 (27) (+5 Rune of Binding). Luck: 4.
Skill Point Spent:
New Skill Unlocked: Rune of Decay (Lvl 1): A powerful rune that saps the life force of enemies within its radius, slowly weakening them and causing continuous damage over time.
Seikan nodded to himself, feeling the dark magic resonate within him. “Good. This will make controlling the battlefield easier.”
Kalsei glanced over, intrigued. “Rune of Decay? That sounds fucking ominous.”
Seikan’s cold gaze flickered over to him. “It’s meant to be.”
They continued in silence until they stopped outside an ancient, crumbling structure that would have once looked magnificent, but the cruelty of time made it look weak and broken.
A faint, cold wind blew out from the entrance, carrying with it the distant sound of whispers. The air here was heavy and oppressive. It felt as though the world itself was warning them to turn back.
Kalsei tilted his head, his usual grin faltering for just a moment. “Okay, I’ll admit it. This place gives me the creeps.”
Seikan remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he studied the entrance. “This is where the curse begins.”
They stepped into the darkness, the solemn mood of building seeming to cling to them as they descended into the Catacombs. The inside was cold and damp, the air thick with the scent of decay. Ancient stone walls lined the narrow corridor, etched with strange deep gouges in the stonework that were barely visible in the dim light.
Kalsei’s golden eyes flickered, scanning their surroundings. “So, what do you think we’re gonna run into here? More monsters? Some kind of cursed relic? Maybe an ancient spirit?”
Seikan’s fingers ran along one of the gouges on the wall, his expression grim. “Whatever it is, it’s powerful. The magic here is ancient… and dangerous.”
After a few minute's walking through the stone halls, the air around them seemed to shift. Soft clicking noises echoed through the halls. Kalsei tightened his grip on the Shattering Blade, waiting for any movement in the shadows.
Three large cat-like creatures emerged from the shadows, their eyes reflecting the dim light with a putrid green glow. Black veins moved under their skin, and their claws clicked against the floor as they moved forward, hissing.
Enemy Encounter: Corrupted Hungerers. Level: 5. Health: 600 each. Abilities: Corrupting Strike (Lvl 3): A powerful attack that inflicts a curse, reducing the target’s defenses. Shadow Warp (Lvl 2): Teleports behind enemies for a surprise attack.
Endless Hunger (Passive): Gradually restores health by draining the life force of nearby enemies.
Kalsei raised an eyebrow. “Hungerers? We’ve got to stop running into things that remind me of food.”
Seikan’s voice was calm, his eyes locked onto the approaching creatures. “Focus. These aren’t like the bandits. They’ll tear you apart if you’re not careful.”
The first Hungerer lunged at Kalsei with terrifying speed, its claws aimed directly at his chest. Kalsei reacted instinctively, activating Blink Strike. His form flickered for a moment before he reappeared behind the Hungerer, delivering a swift slash to its back.
The creature screeched in pain, but it quickly recovered, warping through the shadows to attack from behind. Kalsei narrowly avoided the strike, spinning on his heel to parry the blow with his sword.
“Okay, these guys don’t mess around!” Kalsei called out, ducking under another swipe.
Seikan moved swiftly, his fingers tracing the air as he activated the Rune of Decay. Dark energy spread across the floor, forming a circle around the Hungerers. The moment they stepped into it, their movements slowed, their bodies shuddering as the rune sapped their strength.
One of the Hungerers turned toward Seikan, its green eyes blazing with fury. It charged, its claws glowing with cursed energy. Seikan barely flinched as he summoned a barrier of dark runes in front of him. The Hungerer’s claws struck the barrier with a resounding crash, but it held firm.
Kalsei took advantage of the moment, darting forward and slashing through the weakened Hungerer with the Shattering Blade, killing it swifly.
“Two to go!” Kalsei grinned, though his breathing was heavy.
The remaining two Hungerers snarled in anger, warping through the shadows toward them. Seikan’s eyes flickered as he activated Adaptive Shackles, dark chains erupting from the ground to bind one of the creatures. The Hungerer struggled, but the chains tightened, draining its energy.
Kalsei moved in for the kill, his agility allowing him to dance around the last Hungerer’s attacks. He activated Rift Strike, sending a pulse of distorted energy through the air. The shockwave slammed into the Hungerer, staggering it long enough for Kalsei to finish it off with a swift strike to the chest.
The final Hungerer writhed in the Rune of Decay, its strength draining rapidly. Seikan raised his hand, a single gesture sending a pulse of dark magic through the rune, causing the creature to collapse into a withered pile of festering flesh.
Corrupted Hungerers defeated. 1200 experience points earned.
Kalsei panted, leaning on his sword for a moment. “Okay… that was intense. And those claws hurt like hell.”
Seikan, though equally exhausted, gave a curt nod. “We’re not done yet. The source of the curse is deeper inside.”
Kalsei pushed himself up, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Right. Well, if there’s more of those things down there, we’re in for a fun time.”
Seikan glanced ahead, the darkness of the Catacombs stretching before them. “Stay sharp. Whatever’s causing this curse… it’s more powerful than anything we’ve faced so far.”