As Sylas walked back to the forest, the morning fog clung close to the ground. Birds sang in the distance as the warm rays of the sun filtered through the leaves and lit his path. He was not here to chop wood today, but the axe was on his shoulder.
He had come to a decision last night.
The crypt had waited long enough.
Selene's caution lingered in his mind. Don't believe all you're told about the crypt. Her voice had trembled with fear as she said it. Not a fear born of superstition—but of terror. And that was more difficult to dismiss.
Sylas came to the clearing at the forest's edge and examined his satchel. Dried meat, water in a flask, rope, flint, and a torch. It was not much, but it would have to suffice.
> [Active Quest Log] - Shadow Under Haresh (Objective: Explore the Crypt) - Undiscovered Secrets of Haresh (New Objective: Seek Hints)
Farther into the woods he chased the deer's small trail. The branches of the thicker trees grasped up like fingers. It was darker in this place, cooler as well. Every step was like stepping further into the world below.
It took them almost an hour of walking before the trees started to thin out and the ground sloped downward into a small basin. At its center, almost consumed by vines and moss, was a stone building. Half-buried. Forgotten.
The crypt.
Sylas knelt next to it, digging away loose dirt and weeds. The stone was ancient, the carvings weathered. No name was chiseled above the entrance. Only a symbol—something resembling a spiral within a circle.
He pushed on the massive stone door. It didn't move.
> [System Message]
Strength Check Failed. Required: 10 / Current: 8
"Tch. Figures."
He glanced about. A trunk of a tree lying nearby had roots of considerable diameter stretching towards the building. He draped the rope over one of the crypt's rusty iron handles and tied the other around the trunk of the tree.The door creaked open just far enough to allow entry with a soft tug and the groan of very old stone.
He was greeted by a cold, damp wind. His nostrils filled with the scent of dust and mold. Sylas lit his torch and stepped inside.
The corridor was cramped, the air thick. Figures on the walls—straight lines at first, then images. Figures kneeling. A dark sun. A man with multiple arms.
The quiet here wasn't like the forest. This was different. Deeper. Quiet.
Sylas walked carefully, his footsteps muffled by thick dust. The torchlight flickered over bones in the corners—small ones. Animal, he hoped.
At the end of the hall, the path opened into a chamber. A stone altar stood at the center, cracked and covered in ivy. Strange marks covered the floor around it—circles and symbols burned into the stone.
> [System Notification]
You have discovered: Forgotten Ritual Chamber
+50 XP
New Lore Unlocked: Cult of the Veiled One
He moved closer to the altar. Something caught faintly in the crack. He inserted his fingers, being mindful not to injure himself, and withdrew a small amulet. Cold to the touch, spiral-shaped just like the entrance symbol.
> [Item Acquired: Amulet of the Veiled One]
– Type: Key Item
– Description: An artifact connected to the ancient cult previously buried under Haresh. Unlocks secret ways.
A noise behind him caused him to stand still.
A gentle scrape.
He spun around, torch held high.
Nothing.
The shadows stretched long on the walls. Sylas's hand on the torch tightened. He looked around the room once more, this time seeing a narrow crack in the distant wall—nearly a door, but closed.
He approached and held up the amulet.
Nothing.
Then, a weak pulse. A gentle heat in the amulet. The stone groaned.
The wall moved.
Dust rained down as a small opening appeared.
> [Quest Log Update]
– Hidden Secrets of Haresh (New Objective: Enter the Hidden Path)
Sylas paused for a moment, then entered the passage.
The air was different here—older, quieter. It sloped downward. Farther underground. His footsteps boomed louder now. He had no idea how far he'd traveled when he spotted a dim blue glow up ahead.
He entered a new room—circular, with smooth stone walls. At its center, a huge crystal, throbbing dimly with light. Surrounding it, old wooden stands, shattered scrolls, and rotting robes. It resembled a secret sanctuary.
He approached the crystal.
It was… alive.
Then the system spoke.
> [System Message – Hidden Function Unlocked]
Do you wish to awaken latent class potential?
[Y/N]
Sylas gazed.
A class?
He hadn't experienced that since he first materialized in this world. Up until now, he'd lived as a normal commoner. No fancy abilities. No destined hero tale.
But now… this.
He wavered.
Then typed Y.
The crystal burst with light.
> [Class Awakening Initiated…]
[Analyzing Path…]
[Class Gained: Warden of the Hollow]
– A secret class connected to balance, memory, and buried secrets.
– Trait Acquired: "Veil Sense" – Sense hidden doors and cursed locations.
– Ability Acquired: "Bind of Stone" – Stun enemies temporarily with chains of earth.
– Passive Acquired: "Rooted Will" – Greater resistance to fear and mind effects.
Sylas stepped back as the light disappeared.
He felt changed. Lighter and heavier simultaneously. Something deep within him had moved.
> [Quest Log Updated]
– Shadow Beneath Haresh (Objective Updated: Face the Veiled One's Echo)
– New Quest Unlocked: Legacy of the Warden
He stood in the quiet, breathing slowly.
Whatever this was, it had altered him.
He wasn't merely a stranger constructing fields anymore.
He was something of the past.
Something buried.
Sylas gazed at the shimmering message floating before him. Creation skills. The phrase hummed in his head, brimming with subtle promise. For the first time in some time, the way ahead wasn't so cloudy. He now possessed the tools. It was time to construct.
But first—he glanced at the slanted roof of his house—he'd begin small.