Chapter 7: The Whispering Warren

Dawn painted the eastern sky in shades of amber when Sara knocked on Lance's door. Her arms cradled a long, cloth-wrapped bundle and a folded set of black leather armor. Her eyes were red-rimmed-she'd been crying, but her hands remained steady as a healer's should.

"These were Adrian's," she said softly, laying them on his bed. "They should have been yours when you turned seventeen anyway. He'd want you to have them." She ran her fingers along the wrapped bundle. "The Seraphis style... it's not just about combat. It's about grace, about understanding the flow of battle. Adrian used to say that a scythe was the perfect weapon because it reminds us that every fight is a dance with death."

Lance's fingers trembled as he unwrapped the bundle. The scythe was beautiful-gleaming black metal with silver inlays, the Seraphis family crest etched near the base of the blade: three intertwined dragons forming a perfect circle. The sight made the Ring of Summoning pulse warmly on his finger, as if recognizing a kindred artifact.

[Item Identified: Seraphis Shadow Scythe]

[Quality: Exceptional]

[History: A weapon passed down through generations of the Seraphis line]

[Properties:

- Enhanced fluidity in combat

- Resonates with wielder's bloodline

- Adapts to user's combat style]

[Note: Current synchronization with wielder - Establishing...]

The armor unfolded like liquid shadow-lightweight plates seamlessly integrated into supple leather, designed for quick, fluid movement. Each piece bore subtle etchings of the family crest, worked so finely they seemed to move in the morning light.

[Item Identified: Shadowweave Leather Armor]

[Quality: Exceptional]

[Properties:

- Enhanced mobility

- Reduced weight

- Reinforced vital areas

- Self-repairing capabilities

- Adapts to user's growth]

[Note: Crafted specifically for Seraphis combat style]

Sara helped him adjust the straps, her healer's hands checking each buckle with practiced care. "The armor will grow with you," she explained, adjusting a shoulder piece. "It's engineered with enhancement magic. Adrian used to say it felt like wearing nothing at all." She paused, swallowing hard. "The Seraphis style requires perfect freedom of movement. We were never meant to be heavy tanks or stationary archers. We flow through battle like water through a stream."

She demonstrated a basic stance, muscle memory from years of watching their brother train. "The scythe leads with a sweep, but your body follows through. Every motion sets up the next. Adrian could dance through entire groups of enemies without ever breaking rhythm." Her voice caught. "Just... come back to me, okay? Come back to me like he didn't."

At the town gates, Harper's team waited in the cool morning air. The sun had barely cleared the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. Lance's system pinged with detailed information as he approached each member:

[Team Leader: Harper Ironwall]

Class: Guardian Knight

Level: 38

Specialization: Tank

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Equipment:

- Greatshield "Bulwark of Dawn" (Rare Quality)

- Broadsword "Sunfire" (Rare Quality)

Combat Style: Defensive specialist, excels at crowd control

Experience: Veteran of over 200 dungeon expeditions

Notable Achievements:

- Solo cleared three D-rank dungeons

- Survived the Crimson Depths collapse

- Former member of the Royal Vanguard

[Team Member: Maya Lightweaver]

Class: Battle Cleric

Level: 32

Specialization: Support/Buff

Equipment: Sacred Staff "Dawnweaver"

Notable Skills:

- Divine Enhancement

- Status Purification

- Battle Blessing

- Group Shield

- Combat Prayer

Special Note: Trained at the Cathedral of Dawn

[Team Member: Finn Wildshape]

Class: Circle Druid

Level: 29

Specialization: Transformation/Versatility

Equipment: Living Wood Focus

Notable Forms:

- Dire Wolf (Combat)

- Cave Bear (Tank)

- Giant Owl (Scout)

- Mountain Lion (Speed)

Combat Style: Adaptive response specialist

Special Note: Bonded to forest spirits

[Team Member: Raven Swiftsight]

Class: Precision Archer

Level: 34

Specialization: Ranged DPS

Equipment:

- Recurve Bow "Windwhisper"

- Enchanted Quiver (Auto-refilling)

Notable Skills:

- Perfect Shot

- Multiple Target Tracking

- Wind Reading

- Piercing Arrow

- Rapid Fire Sequence

Special Note: Former monster hunter

Each team member reacted differently to Lance's equipment. Harper's eyes widened, recognition and respect mixing in her expression. Maya whispered a small prayer, her hand forming a protective ward. Finn's eyebrows shot up, clearly recognizing the legendary weapon. Raven simply nodded, the way one predator acknowledges another.

"A Seraphis scythe," Harper breathed, her voice carrying both respect and concern. "I haven't seen one of those since..." She paused, studying Lance's stance. "You move like him, you know. Same grace. The way you carry your weight, the fluid motion-it's in your blood."

Maya stepped forward, her holy symbol glowing faintly. "The Seraphis style was blessed by the old gods," she said softly. "They say death itself taught your ancestors to dance."

"But are you sure about the weapon choice?" Harper asked, professional concern winning out. "Scythes aren't exactly standard dungeon-diving equipment. The corridors can be narrow, the enemies clustered-"

"It's what feels right," Lance replied, surprised by how true the words felt. The weapon seemed to hum in his grip, responding to something in his blood, something older than memory.

Harper nodded slowly. "Your brother used to say the same thing. He could make that blade sing." She squared her shoulders. "Alright, let's move out. The Whispering Warren awaits."

The journey took them through rolling countryside, morning mist clinging to the valleys like reluctant ghosts. Lance's system pinged regularly as they encountered wildlife:

[Monster Detected: Dire Rat]

Class: F-Rank Beast

Threat Level: Minimal

Combat Value: Low

Pack Tactics: Forms groups of 5-10

Notable Skills:

- Enhanced Smell

- Disease Carrier

- Pack Coordination

Note: Common dungeon vermin, minimal combat value

[Monster Detected: Shadow Vole]

Class: F-Rank Beast

Threat Level: Minimal

Combat Value: Low

Special Properties:

- Natural Stealth

- Enhanced Vision

- Pack Hunter

Note: Often serves as scout for larger rat packs

The team worked with practiced efficiency. Harper's shield created mobile walls when needed, Maya's buffs enhanced their capabilities at crucial moments, Finn shifted between forms to scout ahead, and Raven's arrows found their marks with lethal precision. Lance found himself falling naturally into their rhythm, his body remembering training it had never actually received.

Then they encountered something different.

[Monster Detected: Forest Goblin Scout]

Class: D-Rank Humanoid

Threat Level: Moderate

Combat Value: Medium

Intelligence Level: Basic Tactical Reasoning

Notable Skills:

- Enhanced Night Vision

- Superior Agility

- Basic Tool Use

- Pack Tactics

Warning: Higher rank than previously encountered monsters

Note: Often serves as advance scout for larger goblin groups

The goblin burst from the underbrush, crude blade glinting. It moved with surprising speed, its movements showing trained precision rather than bestial savagery. But Lance's body reacted instinctively. The scythe felt alive in his hands as he spun, the blade catching morning light. His first real combat, and it felt like a dance he'd practiced a thousand times.

The world seemed to slow. He saw everything with crystal clarity: the goblin's blade trajectory, the openings in its stance, the perfect arc his scythe needed to make. The weapon moved like an extension of his soul, black metal trailing silver light as it swept through the air. Power hummed through his arms, down the shaft, into the blade.

The goblin's head hit the ground before its body.

[First Kill Achieved]

[Combat Analysis: Perfect execution of Seraphis Blade Dance technique]

[Skill Absorption Available]

[Choose one skill to absorb from target:]

1. Enhanced Night Vision

- Permits clear vision in low light conditions

- Range: 30 meters

- Duration: Passive

- Effectiveness: 80% light amplification

2. Superior Agility

- Increases overall movement speed and reflexes

- Movement Speed: +20%

- Reaction Time: +15%

- Balance: +25%

[System Note: Skill quality and availability improve with proficiency. Higher-ranked monsters offer better skills. Multiple kills of same monster type increase absorption options and skill potency. Current absorption limit: D-Rank and below]

"Nice move," Harper called out, eyebrows raised. "That scythe isn't just for show. The Seraphis flow-I never thought I'd see it again. But stay focused-we're almost at the Warren. Those rats might be F-rank, but there's strength in numbers."

Ahead, partially hidden by morning mist, an old granary rose from the landscape. Its wooden walls had long since turned gray with age, and dark holes dotted its surface like hungry mouths. The air carried the musty scent of grain gone bad and the skittering sounds of countless tiny feet.

The Whispering Warren lived up to its name. Even from outside, they could hear the endless chittering of rats, their sounds forming what almost seemed like words-if you listened too closely. The whole structure seemed to pulse with malevolent life, as if the entire building had become one massive organism.

[Location Detected: The Whispering Warren]

Rank: F

Type: Infested Structure

Floors: 5

Primary Inhabitants: Dire Rats, Shadow Voles

Warning: Signs of additional inhabitant types detected

Note: Structure shows signs of recent modification.

"Remember," Harper addressed the team, her voice steady and professional, "F-rank doesn't mean harmless. We clear each level methodically. Maya, keep those protection buffs strong-disease resistance is crucial here. Finn, owl form for scouting the rafters. Raven, watch our backs. Lance..." She paused, looking at his scythe. "Show us if you've inherited more than just your brother's weapon."

Lance gripped the scythe tighter, feeling the weight of both his brother's legacy and his own destiny. The Ring of Summoning pulsed once, almost encouragingly, as they approached the entrance to his first dungeon. The blade hummed in his hands, eager to dance again.

The real test was about to begin.