A week ago, on the night when Esteria had that mysterious dream, he found himself unable to sleep. His mind raced with determination, and he knew he had to become stronger. As he paced in his room, a shimmering light suddenly appeared before him. His eyes widened in amazement as floating text materialized in the air.
"What... what is this?" he whispered, his heart pounding as he read the glowing words:
[System Notification]
[Quest: Path to Strength]
Requirements:
• Complete 1000 push-ups (0/1000)
• Master basic sword techniques (0/1000 swings)
• Build endurance through running (0/100 km)
• Strengthen core with sit-ups (0/1000)
[Reward: ATK +10 → Unlock the Increase Skill Capacity ] [Time Limit: None]
Esteria stared at the quest requirements in disbelief. "A thousand push-ups? A hundred kilometers?" He took a deep breath, clenching his fists. Every day since then has been a grueling nightmare of training, but the thought of saving even one more person drives him forward. With trembling muscles but unwavering resolve, he stands up each morning and begins his practice anew.
On the third day, Esteria's muscles screamed in protest as he reached his 156th push-up. His arms trembled violently, threatening to give out beneath him. Sweat dripped from his brow, creating small dark spots on the ground below. Just as his resolve began to waver, images of Lyra's gentle smile and the faces of those he promised to protect flashed through his mind.
"I can't... I won't give up," he muttered through gritted teeth, forcing his body to continue. "For them... just a little more..."
His thoughts drifted back to that haunting encounter with the goblin, the memory unfurling like a dark tapestry in his mind. He could still hear the sickening clash of metal, still feel the spray of warm blood across his face. Lin's clothes, once a pristine white, now stained a horrifying crimson - the color spreading like spilled ink across fabric. The image of Lin's face, drained of all color save for a ghostly pallor, was etched into his memory with cruel permanence.
"If only I had been stronger then..." he whispered, his voice trembling with a mixture of rage and regret that threatened to overwhelm him. His fingers dug into his palms until crescents of blood welled up beneath his nails.
"Just a few centimeters deeper, and Lin would have..." The words caught in his throat like thorns, too terrible to voice. The goblin's blade had missed Lin's heart by mere inches - a distance so small yet so monumentally significant that it haunted Esteria's every waking moment. He could still see the cruel glint of moonlight on that rusted blade as it had plunged toward his friend's chest, could still feel the weight of his own inadequacy as he had watched, helpless and weak.
The image of the goblin's cruel grin and its rusty blade flashed in his mind. The helplessness he felt in that moment, watching Lin collapse, fueled his determination even further. Each push-up wasn't just about getting stronger anymore - it was about never letting anyone else suffer because he was too weak to protect them.
With a fierce cry, Esteria gripped his practice sword tighter, his knuckles white against the wooden hilt. Each swing became a battle against those haunting memories, each arc of the blade a testament to his determination. The whoosh of the sword cutting through air grew stronger, more precise with each repetition.
"Four hundred sixty-seven... four hundred sixty-eight..." he counted through labored breaths, his muscles burning with the effort. The sword felt heavier with each swing, but he refused to let his form falter. In his mind's eye, he could see himself becoming faster, stronger - capable of protecting those who needed him.
"I won't let anyone else get hurt," he declared to the empty training ground, his voice carrying the weight of his promise. "Not Lin, not Lyra, not anyone. I'll become strong enough to protect them all."
On the seventh day, exhausted but triumphant, Esteria collapsed onto the ground after completing his final set of exercises. His entire body ached, but a satisfied smile spread across his face as he watched the quest notification appear:
[System Notification] [Quest: Path to Strength] Requirements: • Complete 1000 push-ups (1000/1000) ✓ • Master basic sword techniques (1000/1000 swings) ✓ • Build endurance through running (100/100 km) ✓ • Strengthen core with sit-ups (1000/1000) ✓
[Quest Complete!] [Reward Obtained: ATK +10] [Increase Copy Skill Capacity to 5 skills]
Despite his trembling muscles and the sweat that soaked through his training clothes, Esteria felt a surge of pride. This was just the beginning of his journey to become stronger, but it was a significant first step. As he watched the sunset paint the sky in brilliant oranges and purples, he made a silent vow to continue pushing himself further, to become someone capable of protecting all those precious to him.
The group sprinted through the winding cave passages, their footsteps echoing off the damp stone walls. Lyra led the way, her sword ready, while Marcus and Vale supported Sarah between them. Estaria brought up the rear, his breath still ragged from using the shadow technique.
"There!" Vale called out, pointing to a wider chamber ahead. "Look at those markings on the wall!"
The chamber walls were covered in strange purple runes that pulsed with the same eerie light they'd seen in the orc's eyes. In the center of the room stood an altar, dark and foreboding, with chains of purple energy writhing around it.
"This is it," Lyra said grimly. "This is where they're being controlled from."
Marcus's face contorted with rage as he gently helped Sarah sit against a wall. "So this is why our people keep dying? Because some coward is hiding in the shadows, turning creatures into puppets?"
The air crackled with tension as the purple runes flared brighter. A voice, cold and mocking, echoed through the chamber. "Puppets? Oh, they're so much more than that. They're the first wave of my army. And you... you're just in time to join them."
Esteria's eyes narrowed as he quietly accessed his copy ability, careful not to let his expression change. The familiar notification appeared:
[System Notification]
[Skill Detection Active]
Target: Krozar the Puppetmaster
Classification: Dark Mage
Skills Available for Copy: • [Shadow Puppetry] - Rare
Requirements:
Defeat the Dark Mage
Free 100 controlled creatures
His heart raced at the revelation, but he kept his face neutral. This information could be crucial, but something told him to keep it to himself for now. He glanced at Lyra, guilt gnawing at him for withholding this discovery, but his instincts warned him that sharing it could put everyone in even greater danger.
From the shadows of the chamber emerged two massive orcs, their eyes pulsing with the same purple energy as the runes. The dark mage's laughter echoed as the creatures lumbered forward, their movements jerky and unnatural.
"Take care of our guests," the voice commanded, and the orcs charged with frightening speed.
Lyra's blade flashed as she met the first orc's attack, while Marcus and Vale engaged the second. The clash of steel against the orcs' crude weapons rang through the chamber. Sarah remained propped against the wall, her face twisted in pain as she watched the battle unfold.
"Their movements," Lyra called out between strikes, "they're being controlled like puppets!"
Marcus narrowly avoided a devastating blow, his axe catching the orc's arm. "We can't keep this up forever! There has to be a way to break the control!"
Esteria's focus split between the shadow creatures summoned by the dark mage and the corrupted orcs. From the corner of his eye, he saw Vale take position, his bow drawn with practiced precision. Three arrows whistled through the air in rapid succession, each finding its mark in the goblins that had materialized from the darkness.
"Keep them busy!" Vale called out, already nocking another arrow. "I'll handle these shadows while you deal with their master!"
Esteria nodded grimly, his attention returning to the dark mage who stood behind the altar, hands weaving complex patterns in the air. The purple runes pulsed more intensely, casting an eerie glow across the chamber as the battle raged on.
The dark mage laughed as Esteria charged forward, his blade gleaming in the purple light. Just as the sword was about to make contact, a wall of shadowy figures materialized between them. The puppets, twisted versions of fallen adventurers, took the full force of Esteria's attack.
CLANG
"How naive," the mage taunted, his hands weaving another intricate pattern. "Did you think I would make it that easy? These loyal servants are more than happy to die for me... again."
The puppets collapsed into wisps of dark energy where Esteria's blade had struck them, but more quickly rose to take their place. Their hollow eyes glowed with the same sickly purple light as the runes on the walls.
"We need to find a way past his defenses!" Lyra called out, still locked in combat with the orc. "He's just using them as shields!"
Suddenly, as if responding to his increased strength, Esteria's Shadow of the Moon technique manifested differently than before. Instead of a single shadow form, seven identical shadows split from his body, each moving with deadly precision and purpose.
"What... what is this?" the dark mage stammered, taking an involuntary step backward as the seven shadows moved in perfect synchronization.
Each shadow wielded a replica of Esteria's blade, and they moved like a coordinated dance of death. The puppet shields didn't stand a chance as the shadows struck simultaneously from different angles, their blades cutting through the magical barriers like paper.
"Impossible!" the dark mage shrieked as his defensive wall crumbled under the relentless assault. The shadows moved faster and faster, becoming almost impossible to track with the naked eye, their attacks systematically destroying each layer of the mage's protection.
Lyra's eyes widened in amazement as she watched the display of power. "Is he... copying my ultimate technique?" Lyra gasped in disbelief as she watched Esteria's shadows multiply. "He's mastered it in an instant!"
A sinister grin spread across the dark mage's face as he raised both hands toward the ceiling. "You think you can challenge me? Let me show you the true extent of my power!" The purple runes flared blindingly bright as he channeled his energy.
[Ultimate Summon]
The chamber trembled as dark portals materialized throughout the space. From these swirling voids emerged a terrifying sight: dozens of goblins, their eyes glowing with that same purple energy, poured forth like a tide of twisted flesh and rusty weapons. Behind them, three more massive orcs stepped through larger portals, their muscles rippling with corrupted power.
"Fifty goblins and three more orcs?" Marcus spat, tightening his grip on his weapon. "This bastard's not holding back anymore!"
Vale's face paled as he surveyed the overwhelming number of enemies. "This... this is bad. We're completely surrounded!"
"Everyone, behind me!" Marcus roared, planting his feet firmly on the ground. His massive frame seemed to grow even larger as he channeled his energy into his signature skill.
[Shield of the Mountain King]
A translucent barrier of golden light erupted from Marcus's outstretched hands, forming a dome-like shield around the group. The first wave of goblins crashed against it like waves against a cliff, their weapons bouncing harmlessly off the magical barrier.
"We can't stay here forever," Marcus grunted, sweat already beading on his forehead from maintaining the shield. "The barrier won't hold against this many for long. Everyone needs to run, now!"
Vale quickly slung Sarah's arm over his shoulder. "Which way?"
"There's a tunnel to the left," Lyra pointed, her keen eyes spotting an escape route. "It leads upward – might take us to the surface!"
Esteria's eyes flickered to Marcus, watching how the warrior's stance remained unshakeable as he maintained the barrier. His system notification quietly pinged:
[System Notification]
[Skill Detection Active]
Target: Marcus
Skills Available for Copy: • [Shield of the Mountain King] - Epic
Requirements:
Successfully defend against 50 simultaneous attacks
"No," Esteria said firmly, stepping forward. "We're not running."
Lyra shot him an incredulous look. "Are you insane? There are too many-"
"Marcus can't hold that shield forever," Esteria cut her off, his eyes fixed on the dark mage. "And if we run now, he'll just keep building his army. How many more villages will fall? How many more people will become his puppets?"
The dark mage's laughter echoed through the chamber. "Brave words from a dead man walking."
Esteria's seven shadows began to move again, their movements becoming more precise, more deadly. "Marcus, on my signal, drop the shield. Vale, be ready with cover fire. Lyra... I need you to trust me."
The shadows moved with lethal grace, their blades flashing in perfect harmony. Each strike found its mark, and the notifications began to flood Esteria's vision:
[System Notification] [Enemy Defeated: Corrupted Goblin] x1 [Enemy Defeated: Corrupted Goblin] x2 [Enemy Defeated: Corrupted Goblin] x3...
The synchronized dance of death continued as his shadows weaved through the horde of goblins. The notifications blurred together as the count rose rapidly:
[System Notification]
[Total Enemies Defeated: 25]
[Total Enemies Defeated: 40]
[Total Enemies Defeated: 50]
The chamber echoed with the sound of falling bodies as the last of the fifty goblins collapsed. The dark mage's confident expression faltered as he watched half his army fall in mere moments. The remaining orcs shifted uneasily, their purple eyes flickering with uncertainty.
[System Notification]
[Skill Copy Successful]
• [Shield of the Mountain King] - Epic Requirements met:
Successfully defend against 50 simultaneous attacks ✓
[Skill capability 3/5]
The familiar notification appeared in Esteria's vision as he watched Marcus maintain the golden barrier against the onslaught. This new defensive capability could be exactly what they needed to turn the tide of battle.