Nolan enters the dungeon cautiously, his footsteps echoing lightly on the cold stone floor. The corridor before him is dark, an oppressive darkness that seems to suck out all light. The walls, made of smooth, ancient rock, are decorated with enigmatic carvings of winged creatures and swirls of wind. A faint breath of air snakes through the space, as if the dungeon were breathing softly, adding a palpable tension to the atmosphere.
At the end of the corridor, a faint white light flickers, drawing his gaze like a star in the darkness. The glow seems unreal, almost divine, illuminating a small portion of the path, but not revealing what lies beyond. Nolan advances slowly, his vigilance alert, ready to react to the slightest threat. He senses the strange energy that permeates the place, a power that seems to amplify the closer he gets to the light.
As Nolan stepped through the light, he was immediately struck by the vastness of the place before him. This was not just a hallway or a room, but an entire world encapsulated within the dungeon. The air seemed to vibrate with an ancient energy, and the ground beneath his feet, made of smooth, glistening stone, resonated softly with his steps. He looked up and felt tiny, like a grain of sand lost in an endless valley.
The walls of the dungeon rose so high that they disappeared into a distant darkness, their surface adorned with colossal engravings depicting swirling winds and soaring winged creatures. At the center of this gigantic space, enormous statues, dizzyingly tall, represented majestic birds with outstretched wings, as if ready to take flight. Their feathers were intricately detailed, each sculpture seemingly alive, as if observing the intruder who had dared to enter these premises.
The ground Nolan stood on was dotted with luminous crystals that emitted a faint light, casting strange shadows on the surrounding structures. Great stone columns, worn by time but still imposing, stood here and there, reinforcing the impression of being in a cathedral dedicated to an ancient and primordial power.
A light wind blew through the space, carrying with it distant sounds resembling songs or bird calls. Nolan felt a growing intensity in the air, an energy that seemed to surround him, assess him, weigh his worth. He inhaled deeply, setting his gaze on the massive statues that seemed to challenge him
Nolan spotted a shimmering crystal lying on the ground, its pure, bright light contrasting sharply with the dungeon’s stark atmosphere. Intrigued, he bent down to pick it up. As soon as his fingers made contact with the object, a gentle energy radiated within him, giving him a strange sensation, like a breath of life silently pouring out.
Curious about its usefulness, he activated his [Analysis] skill. An invisible interface projected itself into his mind, quickly displaying the crystal’s information:
Name: Vitality Crystal
Effect: Instantly restores 50% of the user’s Health Points (HP).
Nolan turned the crystal between his fingers, its captivating glow reflecting an amused smile on his face. “Ah, a simple healing item,” he murmured. “Not really on my list of priorities right now.”
He put the crystal in the inside pocket of his coat, adding casually, "It could fetch a nice sum on the market." He then looked up, ready to continue his exploration, convinced that much more interesting treasures awaited him in the heart of the dungeon. This was just the beginning.
As he straightened up, Nolan looked around. What he saw left him momentarily speechless: the ground, which seemed to stretch to infinity, was littered with sparkling crystals. These luminous gems reflected a soft and hypnotic light, creating a sea of shards that seemed to dance under an invisible source. The unreal setting gave the impression of being in another plane of existence.
As he was still savoring this vision of immensity and mystery, a shiver ran down his spine. An oppressive, almost overwhelming sensation invaded the space. Nolan squinted and instinctively turned his gaze towards a cliff that stood in the distance, dominating this unreal landscape. There, perched on the summit, was a colossal creature.
A bird of immaculate whiteness, with four majestic wings, towered over him. Its wings seemed to glow with a divine glow, each movement giving off a vibrant and imposing energy. The size of the animal defied reason: it was so immense that it seemed to rival the mountains themselves. Its piercing, icy blue gaze fell directly on Nolan, as if probing his soul.
Nolan, although calm in appearance, felt the pressure of a power that surpassed anything he had faced so far. "So... this is the guardian of the Imperial Wind," he murmured, his tone a mixture of respect and excitement.
The duel was imminent.
The enormous bird let out a shrill cry, a sound so powerful and deep that it sounded like ear-piercing thunder. The resulting shockwave swept away everything in its path: crystals shattered in a shower of glittering fragments, the ground cracked under the intensity, and the air seemed to vibrate with the immeasurable force. It was not simply a cry, but a proclamation of absolute dominance, a warning to any who dared challenge it.
In a majestic movement, it spread its four titanic wings, each so vast that they covered half the mountain it stood upon. The feathers shimmered with an ethereal glow, seeming to capture and reflect the light of the entire domain. Each beat of its wings stirred up gusts of wind so violent that they tore away the few remaining pieces of crystal, sending debris flying in all directions.
In a gesture as graceful as it was destructive, the bird propelled itself into the air, its flight generating an explosion of wind and energy that made the ground beneath Nolan buckle. The creature hovered for a moment, as if to contemplate the tiny being that dared to tread its territory, then began a dizzying descent. When it landed, the shock was apocalyptic. A wave of titanic force swept across the plain, lifting up chunks of earth, cracking the ground for miles.
Nolan, motionless and perfectly serene, stared at the monumental creature with unwavering assurance. He activated his [Analysis] skill, and immediately, a translucent screen materialized in front of him, providing precise details about his opponent.
Name: The Imperial Wind Orchestra
Level: 5
Life Points (HP): 3000
As Nolan assumed a fighting stance, the dark energy around him crackling with intensity, a howl pierced the air, like the roar of a storm. He raised his head, his piercing gaze scanning the skies.
Three more birds appeared in a burst of swirling wind, materializing alongside the Imperial Wind Orchestra. These creatures, though smaller, exuded an overwhelming presence. Their bodies seemed to be made entirely of condensed wind, translucent but palpably dense.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Name: Storm Sentinels
Level: 3
Life Points (HP): 800 each of them
One of the Storm Sentinels, soaring gracefully, suddenly stopped. A swirling light intensified at its center, and a concentrated blast of wind, sharp as a blade and powerful as a tornado, was released at lightning speed toward Nolan.
Unmoved, Nolan calmly raised a hand, a dark, swirling vortex instantly forming in front of him. The blast of wind disappeared into the vortex’s opening as if it had been sucked into absolute nothingness.
“A mere draft? Let me show you what a real counter is.”
With a quick movement, he waved his hand back, and a second vortex appeared behind the Sentinels. From this opening burst the same attack, but its power was amplified by Nolan’s dark enchantment, multiplying its intensity and the charge of destructive energy.
The wind, now tinged with black and purple lightning, exploded towards the Sentinels. Unable to react in time, two of them were directly struck, their wind-made bodies violently deforming before disappearing in a burst of dissipated energy.
As Nolan prepared to savor his partial victory, he noticed a strange fluctuation in the air around the destroyed Sentinels. A spiral of wind began to swirl where they had disappeared, the fragments of energy quickly gathering together. In a matter of moments, the two Sentinels that had been annihilated reformed entirely, as if they had never been touched.
A translucent screen appeared before him:
[Life Restoration Through Wind Detected]
Nolan frowned, watching the creatures, now regenerated, take their places around the Imperial Wind Orchestra.
He muttered, "So even if I destroy them, as long as there is wind in this place, they will continue to reform?"
Clenching his fists, he added with a hint of irony, "Wind, huh? There's no shortage of that here, damn it."
Nolan cracked his knuckles, a determined glint in his eyes.
"Alright. If wind is their strength, it's time for me to turn it into their weakness. I'll find a way to neutralize that damn element."
Nolan, With a quick, precise movement, he activated his [Creation] skill. The air around him distorted as a shadow sword formed, a black, fluid blade that vibrated with sinister power. He gripped it tightly, the force emanating from the blade palpable in every muscle of his arm. The weapon was ready. He was ready.
With a flash of speed, Nolan rushed toward the Sentinels, his silhouette melting into the darkness, as fast as a predator hunting its prey. The three creatures, reacting instantly, rushed toward him in turn. The beating of their wings produced violent gusts of wind, destabilizing everything in their path. But Nolan did not slow down. He dashed forward, his movements precise and fast as lightning striking a target.
The Sentinels, seeing Nolan teleport, launched their attacks simultaneously. The wind intensified, forming torments of energy that devastated everything in their path, creating tornadoes of devastating power. The roar of the wind was such that it would have crushed any less experienced opponent. But Nolan, calm and focused, anticipated the movements of his enemies.
With a single gesture, he teleported behind the Sentinels, his shadow sword ready to strike. He attacked with terrifying precision, sweeping the air with a gigantic slash, a black wave crossing space. Two of the Sentinels were struck full force by the attack. Their bodies dissipated instantly, swept away by the force of the impact, and left behind a trail of wind that gradually calmed down.
But one Sentinel survived. Furious, she spun around and launched herself in pursuit of Nolan, her wings beating furiously to generate another devastating gust. The winds that escaped from her were powerful enough to sweep away everything in their path, sending debris flying in all directions. But Nolan, with superhuman agility, ran on the walls of the dungeon, his speed defying logic, taking advantage of every corner to avoid the attacks.
The Sentinel, relentless, continued to launch wind attacks in multitudes, incessant torments of gusts that tore the air around Nolan. Each breath was like a discharge of pure energy, but he remained calm. He moved with ease, his feet leaping from one wall to another, narrowly avoiding the wind projectiles that pulverized the space where he was a few seconds before.
As the Sentinel, exhausted by the series of attacks, finally collapsed to the ground, she gradually dissipated, disappearing in a final burst of light. The last ripples of wind calmed around her, and everything became silent again. Nolan’s shadow sword, imbued with the opponent’s energy, had consumed all of her vitality, canceling the Sentinel’s regeneration and leaving her vulnerable to the devouring of her essence.
A bright screen appeared in front of Nolan, the information scrolling rapidly:
Regeneration canceled
HP theft
Life energy absorption successful
The effects were immediate. Nolan felt a powerful wave of energy invade him, his own HP increasing significantly. The energy stolen from the Sentinels, the life force he had absorbed, was redistributing itself within his own body. His already colossal energy increased further, strengthening his abilities.
HP increase successful.
The Imperial Wind Orchestra, its gigantic body vibrating with the power of the attack it was about to unleash, took a deep breath before releasing a gust of energy like a hurricane. The surge of wind tore through the air, engulfing everything in its path. Walls cracked, the earth rose, and the air compressed under the force of the attack.
However, Nolan did not flinch. His figure remained motionless in the face of the storm, his concentration absolute. He raised his shadow sword, his weapon glinting with a menacing glow. In a single movement, he cut through the attack with deadly precision. The wind, split in two by the edge of the sword, split and passed around him, while Nolan, calm and determined, remained firmly planted on the ground.
The Imperial Wind Orchestra, shocked by the ease with which Nolan had blocked his attack, stared intently at the man before him. His eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. This creature, colossal in size, was clearly more powerful than his sentinels, but Nolan felt no fear. He was no longer the weak man of old, he had become an entity of nothingness itself, an incarnation of shadow.
Nolan activated his [Redirection] skill, and a dark ring formed behind him, an aura of dark energy pulsing around his body. The ring seemed to warp, distorting the air and space around him. As soon as the Imperial Wind Orchestra launched another titanic attack, the skill kicked in.
The powerful gusts of wind, capable of destroying mountains, were instantly repelled. Each attack was redirected, sent off the path they had originally taken. The orchestra increased the intensity of its assaults, sending out waves of wind, tornadoes, and bursts of pure energy, but all of its attacks were relentlessly deflected by the redirection.
With each gust, Nolan remained calm, his gaze focused on the orchestra, each shockwave pushed in another direction.
Nolan held out his hand with calm, determined precision. A cube of energy formed around the Imperial Wind Orchestra, trapping the creature in a confined space where it could neither flee nor fight back.
Within the cube, the orchestra, furious and disoriented, attempted to free its colossal form by unleashing powerful winds. But with each movement, Nolan’s attacks struck from all sides. He unleashed several waves of pure energy, blasts of light that split the air and shook the cube, crushing the creature’s attempts at defense.
The attacks struck the orchestra again and again, each impact reducing its strength and weakening its energy structure. The cube seemed to tighten with each attack, preventing the orchestra from regenerating or escaping the pressure.
The orchestra, finally defeated, crashed heavily to the ground, its immense body deforming as the energy cube dissipated around it. The creature, exhausted and aware of its defeat, prostrated itself before Nolan, bowing its head in submission. A heavy silence filled the air, the echoes of the battle still present in the surroundings.
Nolan approached calmly, his eyes scanning the creature in an almost impassive manner. He reached out and gently touched the orchestra's head, the dark, black energy he summoned enveloping the creature in a shadowy aura. A shiver ran through the air, a silent and powerful transformation.
The creature, now under his control, slowly straightened, looking up at Nolan with an expression of deference. Its swirling forms of wind bent to the master's will.
Nolan spoke in a cold, commanding voice:
Stand up. You are my minion now.
With those words, the orchestra gradually dissipated, its essence melting into the dark energy that poured out of Nolan. The creature was now just a part of him, a servant under his domination. It was disappearing, carried away by the flow of the magic he had inserted into it.
A screen appeared before Nolan, detailing the loot and powers he had gained during his victory:
Loot Gained:
Enchanted Quill
HP Ring
4 HP Restoration Crystals
Power Gained:
Wind Skills
Nolan stared at the screen for a moment, analyzing the rewards with a slight glint of interest in his eyes. The Enchanted Quill and HP Ring could prove useful, and the Restoration Crystals were always valuable. But what caught his attention the most was the Wind Skill, a notable addition to his already impressive repertoire.
He took a deep breath and focused on the Wind Skill. He could feel the energy of the creature, the orchestra, seeping into him, an additional power he could use to his advantage. Wind, in its purest form, was now a weapon at his disposal.
Satisfied with his winnings, he prepared to continue on his way, his determined gaze fixed on the unknown.
Nolan said quietly, with a slight satisfaction in his voice, "Now that the hunt has paid off, let's go see how much these things are worth." He turned on his heel and headed out of the dungeon. As he left the dark corridors and vast halls of the place, the daylight slowly began to fade. The sun was setting, dipping the sky in orange and purple hues. The cool evening air caressed his face as he made his way to his destination, never slowing down. The day was drawing to a close, but Nolan wasn't tired. He knew that the magic item market was a place where he could find interesting opportunities, and he was eager to see how much he could profit from his loot.
Despite the late hour, the road leading to the market was alive. The sounds of carts, distant whispers, and shouts of voices intermingled, making it seem as if the city never slept. The magical marketplace never closed either. Even after dark, it remained a vibrant trading place, where adventurers, merchants, and collectors gathered to barter for artifacts and enchanted items.