Ascension of the Eternal Game-Chapter 9: The Spring’s Guardians

Alex trudged along the winding path, his boots sinking into the soft earth with each weary step. The forest air carried the crisp scent of pine and damp moss, but a faint, acrid whiff of smoke and charred wood clung to the breeze, unsettling his senses. His mind kept drifting back to the previous night—the shadowy figure he'd glimpsed watching from the treeline, gone before he could call out. He hadn't told Lyra or Kael yet, unsure if it was real or just his nerves playing tricks after their recent battles. Still, the unease gnawed at him, a quiet weight pressing on his chest.

Lyra walked beside him, her red hair catching the dappled sunlight that pierced the thick canopy above. Her brow was furrowed, her green eyes distant, as if wrestling with thoughts she hadn't shared. Ahead, Kael moved with his usual quiet grace, his dark cloak blending with the shadows as he scanned the surroundings with a scout's sharp vigilance.

They crested a hill, and the trees parted to reveal a valley below, where a small village nestled among the greenery. Thatched roofs and wooden walls dotted the landscape, but the sight was far from idyllic. Thin plumes of smoke spiraled upward from several buildings, and an unnatural stillness hung over the settlement—no laughter, no clatter of daily life, just silence.

Lyra's hand drifted to her sword hilt, her grip tightening. "This doesn't look good."

Kael's expression hardened, his voice low. "Let's proceed with caution."

They descended into the village, the air growing heavier with each step. Up close, the signs of ruin were unmistakable. Doors dangled off their hinges, windows gaped with shattered glass, and dark scorch marks streaked across the walls like the claw marks of some unseen beast. A child's wooden toy lay abandoned in the dirt, its painted face chipped and faded, a jarring splash of color against the bleakness.

Alex's stomach twisted. "What happened here?"

"Shadow Wyrm's minions, most likely," Kael replied, his tone clipped and grim. "They're getting bolder."

Lyra's jaw tightened, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and resolve. "We need to check for survivors."

They moved deeper into the village, their footsteps echoing in the empty streets. Each building they passed told a story of sudden violence—overturned tables, broken pottery, and dark stains on the ground that Alex tried not to dwell on. In the central square, the evidence of a struggle was stark: splintered carts, discarded weapons, and more of those ominous scorch marks.

A faint sound broke the silence—a muffled cry, barely audible, coming from a large building that resembled a temple or communal hall. Alex raised a hand, signaling the others, and they approached with quiet steps.

Kael tested the door, finding it barred from within. "Someone's inside," he whispered.

Lyra stepped forward, her knock firm but measured. "Hello? We're players, here to help. Is anyone there?"

Silence stretched, then a flurry of hushed whispers filtered through the wood. A voice, wary and trembling, answered, "How do we know you're not with them?"

Lyra glanced at Alex, then back at the door. "We're not with the Shadow Wyrm. We're heading to Eldergrove to stop it. Please, let us in—we can protect you."

After a tense pause, the door creaked open, revealing a cluster of villagers huddled together, their faces pale and drawn with fear. At their forefront stood a woman with silver-streaked hair and piercing blue eyes, her healer's robes stained with dirt and blood.

"Thank the gods," she said, her voice cracking with relief. "I'm Elara, the village healer. We thought we were finished."

Lyra sheathed her sword, her stance easing slightly. "What happened here?"

Elara waved them inside, barring the door behind them. The temple's interior was dim, lit only by flickering candles, and the air smelled of herbs and antiseptic. Wounded villagers lay on makeshift beds, their shallow breaths filling the space with a quiet rhythm of survival.

"Two nights ago, shadow creatures attacked," Elara explained, her tone steady despite the exhaustion lining her face. "They came for the mana spring at the village's heart. It's a source of power, and the Shadow Wyrm wants it."

Alex's curiosity stirred. "A mana spring?"

"Yes," Elara said, leading them to a back room where a small pool of water glowed with an ethereal light, its surface rippling as if alive. "It enhances our magic and heals our wounds. But if it's corrupted, it could become a weapon for the Shadow Wyrm."

Kael studied the spring, his eyes narrowing. "We can't let that happen."

Elara nodded, her expression grave. "We've held them off so far, but our defenses are failing. More will come tonight—I'm certain of it."

Alex felt a spark of determination ignite within him. "Then we'll help you defend it."

Lyra's hand rested on his shoulder, warm and grounding. "Are you sure? We don't even know what we're facing."

He met her gaze, his resolve hardening. "We can't just walk away. If the Shadow Wyrm wants this spring, stopping it here might weaken its plans."

Kael smirked, a rare glint of approval in his eyes. "Spoken like a true hero. Let's get to work."

The next few hours blurred into a flurry of preparation. Kael scouted the village perimeter, rigging traps with vines and wire. Lyra rallied the able-bodied villagers, fortifying the temple with barricades and salvaged wood. Alex worked with Elara, learning what he could about the shadow creatures' weaknesses.

"They hate light and fire," Elara said, pressing a vial of glowing liquid into his hand. "This is mana-infused oil. It can boost your spells or create barriers."

Alex tucked the vial into his pouch, his mind racing. He had Fireball and Basic Swordsmanship—maybe he could synthesize something new for the fight ahead.

As dusk settled over the village, a tense hush fell. Alex stood on the temple steps, watching the shadows stretch across the square. Lyra joined him, her presence a quiet comfort.

"You're quiet," she said, her voice soft.

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at free𝑤ebnovel.com Only.

He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Just thinking. What if I'm not strong enough? What if I fail them?"

Lyra turned to him, her green eyes fierce yet warm. "Alex, you've grown so much since we started this journey. You're not just some newbie who stumbled into Eryndor anymore. You've got skills, sure, but it's your heart that makes you strong. That's why I believe in you."

Her words sank into him, loosening the knot of doubt in his chest. "Thanks, Lyra. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She smiled—a rare, genuine smile that made his heart stutter. "You'll never have to find out."

Kael's sharp call cut through the moment. "They're coming!"

From the forest's edge, dark shapes slunk into view—shadow wolves with glowing red eyes, flanked by hulking figures that looked like twisted bears. The air thickened with snarls and the stench of decay.

Alex drew his sword, its blade catching the last light of day. "Let's do this."

The battle erupted in a chaotic clash. Shadow creatures surged toward the temple, but Kael's traps sprang to life, snaring some in tangles of vines or tripping them with hidden lines. Lyra charged forward, her sword a blur as she cleaved through the front ranks.

Alex focused, tossing the mana oil onto the ground. It spread into a shimmering barrier, forcing the creatures back. Then, he synthesized Fireball and Basic Swordsmanship into Flame Slash, his blade erupting in brilliant flames. He swung, carving through shadow flesh, each strike leaving a trail of fire that made the creatures shriek.

But the onslaught didn't relent. A massive shadow bear lumbered toward him, its claws slashing the air. Alex dodged, but a glancing blow caught his arm, pain searing through him. He retaliated with Flame Slash, though the bear's thick hide absorbed the blow.

He needed more. Then it hit him—he still had Savage Bite from his first wolf fight. What if he combined it with Fireball?

Focusing inward, he activated Skill Synthesis. A tense second passed, then:

Synthesis Successful! New Skill: Inferno Fang

Inferno Fang: A fiery bite attack that deals massive damage and burns the target. Cost: 30 Mana.

With a primal yell, Alex lunged, sinking his teeth into the bear's neck. Flames burst from his mouth, searing through its shadowy form. The creature thrashed, then crumbled into ash.

Breathing hard, Alex stood, his mana nearly spent. Around him, Lyra and Kael fought on, and with the shadow bear gone, the tide began to turn. The remaining creatures faltered, then fell under their combined assault.

When the last enemy dissolved, silence reclaimed the night. The villagers emerged, their faces alight with relief and gratitude.

Elara approached, her eyes shining. "You saved us. I don't know how to thank you."

Alex wiped sweat from his brow, offering a tired smile. "Just doing what we can."

Later, as they tended to the wounded, Elara pulled Alex aside. "There's something you need to know. The Shadow Wyrm—it's not just a beast. It's being controlled by a player, someone powerful. They're using it to gather power across Eryndor."

Alex's blood chilled. "Who?"

"I don't know their name," Elara admitted, "but they're collecting artifacts, corrupting mana sources. If they succeed, they'll be unstoppable."

The weight of her words settled over him. A player behind the Shadow Wyrm? That raised the stakes far beyond what he'd imagined.

Lyra joined them, her face set with determination. "We need to reach Eldergrove. If there's a player involved, they might be there."

Kael nodded, his usual smirk replaced by a rare frown. "Agreed. But we'll need to watch our backs. This just got a lot messier."

As they prepared to depart, Elara pressed a small amulet into Alex's hand, its runes glowing faintly. "This wards off dark magic. May it guide you."

Alex fastened it around his neck, feeling its warmth against his skin. "Thank you, Elara."

With the village safe for now, they set out again, the road to Eldergrove stretching ahead. Yet as they walked, Alex couldn't shake the sensation of eyes on his back, shadows lurking just beyond the trees.