Three days later, Kael rode out of Eldwyn under royal orders, the Signet of Command hidden beneath his glove. He wore a traveler's cloak now, plain and nondescript, but the satchel strapped to his back held more than spare rations—it held orders sealed with the king's mark, addressed to the frontline command of the Eastern Watch.
His mission: investigate rumors of cult activity in the Fogmere Marsh, a cursed region long abandoned due to unstable mana zones and frequent disappearances.
According to the reports… the fog was moving again.
And this time, it was whispering.
The journey was quiet at first. Too quiet.
Kael passed only a few scattered travelers along the forest road, most heading away from the eastern front. Farmers. Traders. Even a few mercenaries.
They all said the same thing:
"There's something wrong in the mist."
"The voices… they call your name."
"People vanish. And sometimes they come back wrong."
On the second night, Kael camped near the edge of the marsh. He sharpened his sword by firelight, listening to frogs chirp and the occasional splash in the dark.
But when the wind died, so did the sounds.
Then—
He heard it.
A voice. Barely audible.
"Kael…"
He stood, sword drawn.
"Who's there?"
"Kael… of another world… the chosen pawn…"
The fog thickened, slithering between trees like a living thing. A shape stepped forward—no footsteps, no breath. A woman in rags. Skin pale. Eyes glowing blue.
She smiled without warmth.
"You carry the scent of fate, outsider. Your soul does not belong."
[Enemy Detected: Fog-Walker (Corrupted Human) Lv. 10]
Warning: Mind Affliction Possible. Resist or Retreat.
Kael gritted his teeth.
"I've had enough of creepy spirits."
He lunged.
The fight was unlike any before.
The Fog-Walker didn't block. Didn't dodge. She simply moved with the mist, phasing in and out like a mirage. Her claws were spectral, but they cut—leaving gashes that burned with cold fire.
Kael took a hit across the ribs and stumbled back.
[Status Effect: Chill of the Forgotten – Stamina Regen Halved]
"System," Kael growled, "give me a path out of this."
Fate Branching Available – 1 Use Remaining.
Previewing…
[Outcome A]: Prolonged fight. Bleed out. Die.
[Outcome B]: Lure into radiant zone. Light disrupts fogform. Win with severe wounds.
[Outcome C]: Use Mana Crystal. Overload blade. One-hit kill. Lose the item.
Kael clenched his jaw. That mana crystal could be sold or socketed later. But he wasn't dying tonight.
"Option C."
He pulled the Lesser Mana Crystal from his pouch, jammed it into the crossguard of his sword—and focused.
Weapon Overcharge Initiated. WARNING: Weapon may shatter.
The blade glowed blue. The fog hissed and recoiled.
Kael struck.
One clean slash.
The Fog-Walker screamed, her body unraveling into vapor as the blade exploded in his hands.
Silence.
Enemy Defeated. Skill Fragment Extracted: [Miststep Lv. 1]
Title Earned: [Waker of the Fog] – Increases resistance to mind-affecting magic.
Kael collapsed beside the smoldering remains of his sword, gasping.
Morning came slowly.
The mist lingered, but no longer whispered. Kael fashioned a temporary spear and resumed his trek.
He'd survived the Fogmere's greeting.
But deeper in the marsh… something waited. Something old.
And it already knew his name.