The morning brought a kind of anticipation Zaro hadn't felt since his first raid night in Blade Era. His new team had a solid mix of classic RPG roles. Tank, ranged DPS, and caster. Time to see what kind of specialized damage dealer a Voidwalker could become. After a quick breakfast at the Drunken Gryphon, where Chad somehow managed to adjust his hat between every bite of porridge, they gathered their supplies and headed out.

The early morning market buzzed with activity as they passed through. Various merchants called out their wares, the smell of fresh bread and spiced meats filling the air. Ramrod insisted on stopping at a weapons merchant to have his warhammer checked for battle readiness. The smith took one look at the massive weapon and muttered something about overcompensating before reluctantly agreeing to inspect it.

While they waited, Ezra methodically checked her bowstring and arrow fletching with the kind of attention to detail that suggested she had probably memorized each individual feather. Chad, meanwhile, engaged in what appeared to be a fierce philosophical debate with another mage about proper hat tilting angles for maximum magical conductivity.

While looking over his team, one member stood out.

Ramrod, a mountain of muscle and bravado, hefted his colossal curved warhammer with a grunt. The weapon was so absurdly oversized and had such an odd curve, I had the fleeting thought that it might be a failed experiment in boomerang design. Imagine chucking that thing and having it whirl back to knock you flat. I chuckled inwardly.

Ezra, with her sharp eyes and even sharper arrows, gave me a curious glance. You alright there, Zaro? She asked, sensing my amusement.

Just admiring Ramrod's weapon, I replied with a shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. Seems a bit… much, doesn't it?

Ezra followed my gaze and stifled a laugh. Aye, it does have a tendency to get stuck in doorways. Poor Ramrod has had to rebuild more than a few archways in his time.

Chad, the human mage, with his ever present air of sarcasm, scoffed.

As if your puny attacks will be any better, he sneered. I wager they fizzle out before they make contact.

I think I'll call you Zero. Chad said in a condescending tone.

Give me a chance to prove you wrong, mage, I retorted, feeling a surge of competitive spirit. Just wait till we're facing down a horde of cave trolls. Then we'll see whose magic packs a punch.

With a final round of snaps and one liners, we set off, properly equipped. We followed a winding path that led away from the bustling city and into the tranquil countryside. The landscape was a patchwork of fertile farms and lush vineyards, the air filled with the sweet scent of freshly tilled soil and blooming wildflowers. It was a picture of serenity, a stark contrast to the dark and ominous depths we were about to explore.

Ramrod led them toward the Whispering Caves, his freshly oiled warhammer swaying with each step like a metronome designed by someone with anger issues. The weapon now gleamed in the morning sun, though Zaro noticed the smith had reinforced several areas with subtle but necessary improvements.

The path to the caves wound through dense forest, the kind of terrain that screamed random encounter area in every RPG ever made. Ezra moved with the kind of fluid grace that suggested she could probably shoot three arrows before most people finished saying ready aim fire. Her steps were silent, even the leaves beneath her feet seemed afraid to make noise. Chad, bringing up the rear, continued his apparent quest to set a world record for most hat adjustments per minute while simultaneously complaining about the lack of proper roads.

The caves loomed ahead, their entrance a jagged maw in the mountainside that seemed to exhale an unsettling chill. Old mining equipment lay scattered near the entrance, tools abandoned in what looked like a hurried departure. A wooden sign posted nearby read Warning: Silver Rank Minimum. Someone had crossed out Silver and written Gold above it in what Zaro hoped wasn't dried blood.

You know what they say about these caves? Ramrod grinned, his tusks glinting in the fading daylight. Three silver ranked teams went in last week. None came back out.

Chad snorted, adjusting his hat yet again. Actually, they did come back out. Running and screaming about corruption and darkness. Which is precisely why we're here. He turned to Zaro. Our newly acquired void specialist Zero, might be the key to understanding what's really happening in these depths.

Ezra nocked an arrow, her eyes scanning the cave mouth. Less talking, more walking. Whatever drove those teams out is still in there.

Ramrod pulled out a torch, but Chad stopped him with an exaggerated sigh. The mage conjured several orbs of light that circled their group like tiny, attentive moons. Leave the illumination to the professionals, he said, adjusting his hat with his free hand. Though I suppose hitting things with a bigger hammer does have its own charm.

As they ventured deeper, Zaros Void Sense tingled, picking up strange energy signatures that felt like corrupted game files trying to execute proper code. The sensation grew stronger with each chamber they passed. Unlike his companions' magical illumination, his Void Sense painted the caves in shades of purpose. He could see where other adventurers had passed, their lingering energy signatures fading like footprints in sand.

The air grew colder, damper, carrying a metallic tang that made his teeth ache. The whispers started soft, almost subliminal, but grew stronger as they pressed deeper into the caves. Each chamber they passed showed signs of recent activity - scattered equipment, hastily abandoned campsites, and the occasional bloodstain that suggested not everyone made it back out.

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What in Odin's beard are those? I asked, my voice barely a whisper above the growing chorus of ghostly murmurs.

Who's Odin? Said Ramrod.

Whispering Crystals, Chad replied, his eyes gleaming with a scholar's fascination. They're said to be conduits of magical energy, capable of amplifying and distorting spells. Fascinating, aren't they?

And the whispering? I pressed, feeling a growing sense of unease. Chad's academic curiosity seemed oblivious to the chilling atmosphere.

Legends say they're the voices of spirits trapped within the crystals, Ezra explained, her voice barely audible over the infectious sound of whispers. Lost souls, forever lamenting their fate.

Chad paused occasionally to collect samples of crystal formations, muttering about resonance frequencies and void contamination levels. Ezra marked their path with small notches that seemed to glow faintly in the darkness. Ramrod just hummed what sounded suspiciously like a dwarven drinking song, his deep voice echoing through the tunnels.

Through a narrow passage, they entered a vast chamber where crystalline formations cast eerie shadows. The ceiling stretched up into darkness, lost beyond the reach of Chad's light orbs. Ancient mining equipment lay scattered about, broken picks and rusted cart rails suggesting this place had once served a more mundane purpose.

Zaros Void Sense flared a warning moments before a massive form emerged from the darkness. A bear, but wrong somehow. Its fur matted and patchy, its flesh a sickly green, its limbs elongated and twisted. Its eyes, glowing with malevolent red light, fixed on Ramrod who stood closest.

The bear moved with unnatural speed, its corrupted form allowing it to cross the chamber faster than something its size should manage. Ramrod met its charge head-on, his warhammer whistling through the air in a mighty arc. The blow connected with enough force to stagger a small giant, but the corrupted beast barely seemed to notice.

Ezra loosed arrow after arrow, each shot finding its mark with deadly precision. The shafts stuck from the bears hide like decorative porcupine quills, but failed to slow its advance. Even her fire-enchanted arrows, usually devastating against flesh and blood creatures, only seemed to annoy it.

Chad unleashed his most powerful spells, the cave lighting up with arcane devastation. Lightning crackled and thunder boomed in the confined space. Ice formed and shattered. Flames roared hot enough to make the air shimmer. The bear pushed through it all, its corrupted form seeming to absorb or ignore most of the damage.

Something about the bear's corrupted energy felt familiar to Zaro. He channeled void energy into his palm, feeling the familiar tingle of a Void Bolt forming. The bolt struck true, and unlike his companions' attacks, tore clean through the creature's hide. Dark energy dispersed where his pure void power made contact.

The bear roared in genuine pain this time, its attention snapping to Zaro. His void energy seemed to disrupt whatever corruption powered the beast. Another Void Bolt, minus 20 MP. This one staggered the creature, its movements becoming erratic as void energy ate away at its corrupted form.

Chad, hit it with lightning! Zaro called out. The mage obliged, electricity arcing into the beast just as Zaro launched a third Void Bolt. The combination of energies created a devastating reaction. The bear stumbled, its form beginning to destabilize.

Ramrod, seeing his chance, brought his warhammer down in an overhead strike that would have made Thor proud. The corrupted bear collapsed, its form dissolving into wisps of shadow that quickly dissipated.

Level Up!

Level 3 achieved.

10 stat points awarded.

5 skill points awarded.

9 stat points banked. 1 skill points banked.

Void Bolt has reached Level 2

Damage increased

Mana cost reduced to 15

Zaro quickly distributed his stat points.

Level 3.

Class Voidwalker.

HP 140

MP 140

Attributes

Strength 12 Plus 2. 14 Here.

Agility 6 plus 4. Finally at 10

Intelligence 12 Plus 2. 14.

Vitality 12 plus 2. So 14.

Stamina 12

9 stat points banked. 6 Skill points banked.

The changes were immediate and noticeable. His muscles felt denser, his reflexes sharper. Almost double what they were before. His connection to void energy stronger. It was like his entire being had been upgraded to the next patch version. A quick browse through his skills menu revealed options that would make any min maxer drool.

Under combat abilities, Shadow Strike caught his attention first. The description promised a void-enhanced melee attack that could bypass standard defenses, perfect for when enemies got too close for comfort. The three skill point cost made him wince. That was a serious investment for a single ability. But watching Ramrod go toe to toe with the bear had convinced him that having a solid melee option wasn't just useful, it was essential. Plus Zaro didn't bring a weapon, and void bolts are cool, but punches in bunches are cooler.

The utility section held its own treasures. Analyze jumped out immediately. A one point skill that would let him break down enemies and items into easily understood gaming terms. No more guessing about threat levels or item qualities. Next to it, Eye of the Storm offered enhanced focus and regeneration through meditation. For another single point, being able to recover faster between fights seemed like a bargain.

He spent the points carefully, watching his available pool decrease. Shadow Strike ate the biggest chunk at three points, but the promise of viable melee damage was worth it. Analyze and Eye of the Storm rounded out his purchases, each costing a single point. Already he could feel new combat possibilities opening up. He spent 5 skill points and banked 1.

As the corrupted bear's form dissolved into shadow, something caught his eye. A small crystalline shard lay where the creature had fallen, black as obsidian but pulsing with a purple inner glow. Perfect time to test out his new skill.

Analyze activated.

Item. Void Shard

Quality. Rare

Description. A tangible shard of corrupted void energy. Can be purified and used as crafting material with proper skills.

Note. Crafting skills required for proper utilization.

Zaro carefully pocketed the shard in his void storage for later study. The lingering energy resonated with his own void powers, suggesting untapped potential. With the right skills, this could become something interesting.

Chad examined the spot where the bear had fallen, his scholarly curiosity temporarily overwhelming his usual condescension. His magical instruments whirred and clicked as he took readings. The residual energy signatures suggest a complete destabilization of the corruption matrix, he muttered, more to himself than the group. Fascinating. I've never seen anything react that way to magical energy before.

Ramrod propped his warhammer on one massive shoulder. In Common, he means your void stuff made the big scary bear go poof, he translated with a grin. Much more satisfying than our usual method of hit it till it stops moving.

Ezra moved silently through the chamber, examining both exits with experienced eyes. She marked each passage with small notches that seemed to catch what little light remained. Your abilities seem particularly effective against these corrupted creatures, she observed. That could prove very useful, especially if we're going to be exploring these caves further. Her raised eyebrow suggested this wasn't just idle speculation.

Chad finally looked up from his instruments, adjusting his hat as if the gesture helped him think. The corruption is spreading deeper into the cave system, he said. These readings suggest a central source, something powerful enough to warp natural creatures into... that. He gestured at the spot where the bear had fallen.

The implications hung in the air like the cave dust. Something was changing these caves, twisting them with corrupt power. And somehow, Zaros void abilities seemed uniquely suited to fighting it.

Ramrod hefted his warhammer with renewed enthusiasm. Well then, he boomed, his voice echoing off the crystal formations. Let's go find whatever is making these beasties and introduce it to my favorite negotiation tactic.

Chad sighed. Must you always reduce everything to hitting it with that oversized mallet?

Ezra was already moving toward the deeper passage, bow ready. Sometimes the direct approach is best, she said softly. But perhaps with slightly more tactical consideration than our Orcish friend suggests.

The team pressed deeper into the caves, but Zaro could tell something had changed. Their dynamic felt more natural now, each member adjusting their tactics to account for his unique abilities. They moved with growing confidence, ready to face whatever other corrupted horrors awaited in the depths.

System notification. Team synergy increased.

Combat effectiveness enhanced.

Note. Try not to get cocky.

The whispers grew stronger as they descended, a constant reminder that they were heading exactly where those silver ranked teams had fled from. But with his new abilities an

d a team that worked this well together, Zaro felt ready for whatever waited in the darkness.

Even if Chad wouldn't stop adjusting his hat.