Three Days Later
Noct moved through the cold darkness, each step heavier than the last. Hunger gnawed at his gut, but he pressed on. Strange glyphs etched into the labyrinth walls offered dim light, casting shadows that looked too alive.
His mind buzzed, not with fear, but with formulas. Numbers danced behind his eyes since the moment he'd awakened with the ability. He had something now. Something that made him dangerous.
After days of searching, he finally stumbled upon a clearing lit by faint green glowstones.
Two figures stood near a half-collapsed column, surrounded by salvaged food crates and water barrels.
Ellen looked up first, her sharp violet eyes narrowing. She stood with arms crossed, a jagged blade resting on her shoulder, her whole posture radiating hostility.
"You're hard to kill, huh," she muttered. "Tch. And here I thought you'd croak and save us the trouble."
Mia, seated on a crate, lazily popped a piece of dried fruit into her mouth. "Kinda dramatic for a guy who faceplanted off a bridge," she said, voice smooth and mocking. "You look like a kicked dog."
Noct didn't flinch. "You're both alive. Good."
Ellen scoffed. "Don't get sentimental. We didn't wait for you."
"No one asked you to," he said grabbing some water.
For a few tense moments, nothing was said. Then Mia finally stood and stretched.
"Let's go. Boss gate's deeper down. We finish the floor, we get out."
Noct nodded. "Lead the way."
Hours later.
Monsters appeared.
Long-limbed, eyeless creatures made of chitin and raw muscle lunged from the walls. The trio broke into motion.
[system identified :Arthroplura ]
Ellen moved like a bullet—each movement brutal and efficient. She didn't speak—just cut.
Mia danced between them, grinning, daggers flicking out like silver tongues of death. "Whew, you guys ugly," she laughed.
Noct activated his ability
Field Activation: Numbers
Equation Grid
Multiplier Edge: x2.5
His blade carved through the leg of a beast—twice as deep as before.
Ather Reserve: 79%
Another rushed him.
Vector Strike: [60°, 150°]
He redirected his body mid-swing, slicing the creature in a single twisting move.
Ather Reserve: 68%
But the pressure built in his head. His vision blurred.
Warning: Cognitive Load Climbing
He pushed on. A third beast lunged, mouth wide.
Division Blink
He flickered—barely—aside, but the edge of a claw caught his ribs.
He stumbled.
Mia sighed and finished the monster with a casual stab to the base of its spine.
"Try not to die, again."
"I'm testing something," Noct growled, pressing a hand to his side.
Heat Expansion: ΔT = 100°C
His blade glowed. One final slash ended the last monster.
Among the ashes lay a ring—black metal with red etching.
One use artifact Identified: Ring of Serekh
Effect: High-tier Ather regeneration
Noct slid it on. His heart slowed. The pounding in his skull eased.
Ather Reserve: 54%... 58%... 65%
He exhaled.
Ellen gave him a glance. "You're improving."
Noct met her gaze. "I have to."
Mia twirled a daggers between her fingers. "Let's see how far that new ability of yours can go. Still plenty of monsters waiting."
They descended deeper into the dark, tension crackling like static between them.
And for the first time…
Noct smiled.