Day 11 of the Ascension Royale
The morning air was sharp, the kind that woke the lungs with each breath. Mist curled between the trees like it had nowhere else to be. Luis stood atop the creaking watchtower, staring at the forest's edge. His eyes landed on a distant black patch carved into the earth—the Cave of the Forgotten.
[LEVEL: 4 (20%) ENGINEER][SOUL ESSENCE: 10,000]
He exhaled through his nose. "My progress is too slow. At this rate, I won't last two weeks."
Zyx floated beside him, lounging in the air like he had nowhere better to be, sipping an invisible cup of tea. "Slow? Pfft. My longest-living host survived a whole month living in a sewer and didn't even hit level three. That guy was a cockroach in a human suit."
Luis didn't take the bait. "If I want to survive this Royale, hiding's not going to cut it."
Zyx rolled lazily in the air. "What?! You mean you're not planning to rot in a hole forever? Revolutionary thinking, truly."
"I'm going into that cave."
That stopped Zyx mid-spin. He righted himself and stared. "The Cave of the Forgotten? The red-glowy-death-hole? No offense, Luis, but your current setup screams 'hobo with a stick.'"
Luis's jaw tightened. "This whole world is a death trap. Every step's a gamble. But waiting around isn't safety. It's suicide."
Zyx was quiet for once. Then: "I don't even know what's in that cave. None of my previous hosts made it past the sign. One guy tripped before reaching it and bled out. Whole legacy, gone because of a root."
Luis turned to him. "Why do you even care if I die? You'll just jump to the next poor soul. For you, it's Tuesday."
The god of misfortune floated silently for a beat, then sighed. "Okay, first, rude. Second… sure, I'll survive. I always do. But you? You're the first one that made me think maybe—maybe—we have a real shot at winning. That means something."
Luis raised a brow.
Zyx smirked. "Also, if we win, I get celestial clout, maybe some followers, a shrine, book deals—you know. Perks. But… I dunno. I guess I don't want you to die screaming and alone. Is that weird?"
Luis gave a tired chuckle. "So I fight for a future, and you fight for brand deals."
Zyx grinned. "And also to keep hearing your delightful sarcasm."
Luis tapped open the Divine Blueprint, scanning the limited options and crafting what he could afford.
Crafted: Armbrace of Feathers (Scrap Tier)+5% Defense+5% Movement Speed+10% Health Regen
Crafted: Gloves of Feathers (Scrap Tier)+10% Resistance+3% Movement SpeedPassive – Wind Snap: After taking damage or executing a parry, gain +20% attack speed for 3 seconds.
He equipped them. Divine thread shimmered faintly as it laced up his arms, vanishing into a second-skin glow.
Zyx whistled. "Stylish. You'll die fabulously."
Luis grabbed his gear—water, rations, minor healing supplies—and moved toward the gate. Icon stood waiting like a loyal gargoyle.
"Icon, stay here. Patrol within five kilometers. Eliminate threats. Protect the villagers."
"ACKNOWLEDGED," Icon intoned. "DEATH TO INTRUDERS."
Luis had barely reached the treeline when a familiar figure stepped out from behind it—Rico, arms crossed.
"Where are you headed?"
"Just scouting," Luis replied, not missing a beat. "Back before sundown."
Rico's eyes narrowed slightly. "Not a lot of detail for someone carrying rations and a hammer."
Luis (Inner Monologue): If I tell him the truth, he'll follow me. I can't risk his life on a maybe.
"Just mapping terrain," he said.
After a pause, Rico nodded. "Don't do anything dumb."
Then came a voice behind them.
"Wait!"
Yuna jogged forward, a small charm in hand, cheeks pink from the run. She stopped in front of him, breathless.
"I know we're not… close," she said. "But I want you to have this."
Her voice lifted into a melody—soft, strange, and haunting. The notes wrapped around him like a warm breeze at dawn. He didn't understand the words, but the effect was instant.
BUFF ACQUIRED: Song of Divine StrengthDuration: 60 HoursEffect: +20% Attack Power
Luis blinked, the energy still tingling in his chest. "That… was amazing."
Yuna smiled shyly. "Selune's gift. It's not much, but… just in case."
Then she surprised him—stepped in, hugged him quickly. A flash of warmth. Then gone.
She ran back without another word.
Zyx floated by, misty-eyed. "That's it. You have to marry her. Three kids minimum. Open a bakery together. Maybe get a cat."
Luis (Inner Monologue): Shut up, Zyx.
He didn't look back after that.
At the gate, Icon raised a claw in solemn farewell. "VICTORY OR DEATH, MASTER."
Luis raised a hand. "Hopefully the first."
The hours passed. The forest grew quieter. Wilder.
And then… it was there.
The Cave of the Forgotten loomed ahead, jagged and wrong, its entrance pulsating with blood-red runes like veins beneath stone. The glow beat in time with something—maybe his heart. Maybe not.
He tightened the straps on his bag. Gripped his hammer.
"This is it," he whispered.
And then he stepped into the dark.
The cave swallowed him whole.