The guild hall was louder than usual when Ash and Riven returned.
A crowd had gathered around the quest board, voices buzzing with curiosity and tension. At the center of it all stood a new figure—tall, cloaked in faded crimson, with a strange mark etched on the back of one glove: a gear split in half by a single vertical line.
Ash's system pulsed the moment they stepped inside.
> [WARNING: Unknown System Residue Detected]
> Subject Classification: Host Signature – Fragmented
Probability: 72% – Former Linked Host Presence
Ash tensed. So… someone like him? Or worse—someone left half of what they used to be.
The stranger turned.
Her eyes locked with Ash's like twin blades. Cold. Sharp. Knowing.
Then she smiled.
"New blood," she said, voice smooth and smoky. "Which one of you is the one the system chose?"
Riven stepped forward. "What's it to you?"
She ignored him. Her gaze never left Ash.
"I've seen your type before. You don't belong here, and the system? It doesn't give gifts. It gives wagers."
Ash said nothing, but inside, gears spun.
> [Name Unknown: "Shardwalker" – System Trace Level: Low]
> Combat Rank: SR (Estimated)
Threat Level: EVALUATING…
Guildmaster Kale stepped forward to intervene, voice gruff. "That's enough posturing. You just got here, Shardwalker. Let the new ones breathe."
Her lips curled into a smirk. "Let them breathe, sure. But don't be surprised when they start choking."
She turned, cloak flicking, and vanished up the stairs like a ghost.
Ash exhaled slowly. "She's charming."
Riven blinked. "That woman's got enough edge to slice a dragon in half."
Ash half-smiled. "Let's hope she keeps it sheathed."
---
Later, in the guild's backroom, Ash opened his system menu quietly.
> [System Upgrade Available: Post-Vigil Scramble Sync Stabilized]
> New Ability Unlocked: "Ghost Layer"
> Description: Cloaks Host's presence from magical detection for 60 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Sync Bonus: Resistance to mind probes increased by 20%.
Ash muttered, "Finally, something useful."
> [Stat Update: Sync Progress – 14%]
> Passive Ability Strengthening Unlocked:
> Leech Stabilizer – Stat Leech now adjusts 10% under overload threshold automatically. (Strain reduced)
A sigh of relief slipped from his lips. He could feel the difference already—his body no longer screaming every time he borrowed strength.
Then came the ping.
> [Private Message Detected – System Relay]
> [From: Shardwalker]
> Message: "We're not enemies yet, Host #13. But be ready. Some Hosts don't stay dead forever."
Ash stared at the words.
"…What the hell does that mean?"
---
Current Status: Riven
Level: 9
Rank: D+
Title: Orphan Swordsman, Riven the Swift
Condition: Healthy
---
Base Stats:
Strength: 30
Agility: 35
Stamina: 28
Intelligence: 14
Endurance: 25
Mana: 10
---
Skills & Abilities:
Swordsmanship (Intermediate): Proficient with light and medium swords, focused on agility-based combat.
Rapid Slash: A burst of swift, consecutive sword strikes.
Evasion Mastery: Enhanced reflexes and dodge rate against melee attacks.
Iron Will: Resists fear effects and mental interference.
---
Equipment:
Battered Iron Sword: Well-used but sturdy.
Light Leather Armor: Offers basic protection without sacrificing mobility.
---
Mental State:
Protective of Ash despite his youth.
Curious and slightly wary of Shardwalker after witnessing the tension.
Determined to prove himself as more than just a "kid
---
Current Status: Ash (a.k.a. Daniel Reed)
Level: 7
Rank: E+
Title: Host #13, The Stormbound
Alias: Ash
Condition: Stable
---
Base Stats:
Strength: 24
Agility: 22
Stamina: 21
Intelligence: 18
Endurance: 20
Mana: 15
---
Skills & Abilities:
Passive Ability: Stat Leech
Absorbs 50% of an opponent's physical stats upon engagement.
Drawback: Cannot limit absorption, causing strain and risk of overload.
Upgrade: Leech Stabilizer (Reduces overload risk by 10%)
New Ability: Ghost Layer
Cloaks Ash's presence from magical detection for 60 seconds.
Cooldown: 5 minutes
Effect: Enhanced resistance to mind probes (+20%)
---
System Features:
Emergency Boost Protocol: Temporarily enhances physical abilities during critical danger.
Memory Archive Access: Unlocked fragments from previous Hosts (Host #05's data currently available)
System Scramble: Disrupts hostile detection or mental interference.
---
Recent Notifications:
Unlocked Data: Vigil Node from Velmire Ruins identified as a surveillance artifact.
System Ping Detected: Observer presence confirmed.
Message Received: Shardwalker warned of "hosts that don't stay dead."
---
Mental State:
Tense and cautious due to recent encounter with Shardwalker and the Vigil Node.
Determined to understand the system's origins and avoid becoming a pawn.
---