Echoed Lands

Colm began his trek deeper into the Grove, settling into a brisk, steady run that his boosted constitution and dexterity made easy to maintain. His phantoms flanked him, silent shadows as he went along his route. How far should I arc around to avoid whatever left those claw marks at the camp? He wondered, adjusting his path to keep a safe distance from what he suspected was the creature's territory.

Ahead, his Phantom Spearman led the way, moving steadily through the thick underbrush. Its silent presence was reassuring—a reliable first line of defense against any threats hidden in the dense shadows.

Colm headed a few miles west before turning north, his mind lingering on the reason for his detour. The dried blood back at the campsite was a stark reminder of the beast's presence—a warning he couldn't ignore. Keeping his senses sharp, he attuned himself to every rustle in the underbrush, every flicker of movement in the trees.

Along the way, he passed small clusters of wildlife and the occasional Blossom Beetle, most too low-level to warrant his attention. A few scattered Fungal Goblins emerged, their appearance more of a nuisance than a threat. Still, he sent his phantoms to dispatch them swiftly, unwilling to leave even minor dangers lurking nearby. Though the goblins offered little in the way of experience, the sense of security with them gone was worth the effort.

Fungal Goblin (Level 17) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 19) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 16) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 20) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 23) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Scrolling through the notifications, he noted with a sigh that it looks like anything below my level doesn't yield experience anymore. He supposed it was a reasonable way to prevent higher-level individuals from easily wiping out weaker creatures for easy gains. I mean, I'll keep thinning the goblin numbers for safety, he thought, but I wonder if there's any unseen consequence to what I'm doing.

As he continued, a new idea crossed his mind. If I could extend my phantoms' range, they could be out gaining experience for me even while I'm resting, he mused. The concept was exhilarating. Imagine the constant leveling, an autonomous patrol of spirits handling minor threats while I focus on bigger goals. He could see it already—an army of spectral allies covering the ground while he continued honing his own abilities. If that kind of reach is possible, I might just build an army, he resolved, adding the thought to his list of potential upgrades to pursue.

The thought of building a spectral army stirred memories of his life on Earth. Seeing things through, be it a project or a complex task, came naturally to him—he always enjoyed taking charge. He had always found it natural to guide others and lead his peers, but he had never been one to delegate. He preferred to be hands on, right in the thick of things, combining strategy with action.

That's my path here, he realized, feeling a glimmer of purpose. I don't need an army—I'd rather have a small, high-functioning team. He imagined an elite squad of phantoms at his side, each one shoring up his weaknesses, enhancing his strengths, and responding in perfect sync. A team of my making, with my phantoms covering the gaps in my abilities. The image of these loyal allies—extensions of his own will and skill—filled him with resolve.

I want to fight alone without relying on anyone else, he thought, but with abilities, I can trust at my back.

I'm not against working with others; in fact, I enjoy it. Colm continued his train of thought, moving steadily through the Grove. But there's something different about this world, something uniquely satisfying about what I've earned. He looked down at his hands, feeling a quiet pride. This is real, tangible progress—earned with my own two hands.

He pushed a low-hanging branch aside, his mind shifting to the idea of civilization. I want to find other people—not to rely on them, but to learn about this world, to fill in the gaps in my knowledge, and to make meaningful relationships. He imagined the thrill of picking up new insights, maybe even skills that could strengthen him. But, ultimately, he knew what he wanted most.

Then I can get back to what I crave—the thrill of a fight, the rush of testing my abilities, and watching my skills in action. Colm's lips curved into a slight grin as he continued. Nothing else compares to that. I'll find a place to call my home while seeking greater heights.

A notification blinked into his vision, a result of his spectral allies' efforts.

Fungal Goblin (Level 23) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Colm chuckled. "Guess that's another one down," he murmured. But he quickly refocused, forcing his mind back to the task at hand—one step at a time. First, I need to find my way out of the Echo, he reminded himself, glancing back the way he'd come. He considered retracing his steps all the way to the entrance. The memory of that shimmering portal-like doorway flickered in his mind, stirring a small spark of confidence.

Compared to his first panicked arrival, he was vastly stronger now, with his phantoms at his side, ready to tackle any undead swarm that might cross his path. He could turn back, find civilization, and cut his losses here.

But he quickly dismissed the idea. He remembered the initial notification about the Echo, mentioning "rare and valuable rewards" for those who cleared it. I've got nowhere else to be, he thought, already feeling the thrill of the challenge returning. Sure, leaving would mean a safer route to find others, but the rewards he'd seen so far hinted at more potential power than he'd ever dreamed of. The blessing from the Temple of Stone was invaluable as it would only grow stronger, and he couldn't ignore the possibility of what might await him if he cleared the entire Echo. If I take on the tree temple and then the beast, maybe that's what it takes to clear this place.

The Grove itself felt strangely still, almost eerie in its quiet. Nothing here feels like a threat anymore, he mused, the shadows familiar, the terrain predictable. So far, the only genuinely aggressive creatures in the massive forests had been the Fungal Goblins and Blossom Beetles, and he wondered if that was all there was to face. Has it really just been those two creatures this whole time? I've seen wildlife things that look like bunnies, squirrels, and other things, but no other monsters.

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Time felt blurred, blending into a continuous rhythm as he continued on his journey. Between gathering his bearings, grinding against foes, and recovering from the temple's trials, he guessed it might have been a month—maybe even two. A pang of sadness crept into his thoughts. I wonder if anyone's even noticed I'm gone, he thought, feeling the weight of both loss and newfound purpose, each stirring him forward deeper into the Grove.

I haven't had a proper conversation with friends in months, Colm thought, a hint of bitterness creeping in. Sure, I'd send the occasional meme just to keep things feeling somewhat alive, but it was all surface-level, with no actual connection. He sighed, realizing how long it had been since he'd truly grown closer to anyone.

And family? He shook his head. No one's going to think of me during the holidays. If anyone noticed he was gone, his work would be the reason—maybe they would send him a formal email saying he was fired for missing deadlines.

He let out a dry laugh. Shaking himself from his thoughts, he adjusted his path, deciding he'd veered far enough west. Turning north, he continued for most of the day before angling east again, hoping to stumble upon something new finally.

After a long, steady journey, he thought he saw a change in the trees up ahead. Heart racing, he quickened his pace, anticipation building—only to find nothing—just more endless forest stretching in every direction.

Colm's heart sank, and he let out a frustrated sigh. "Well, shit. I guess I'm lost."

"Really thought I was onto something with that plan… and that mural," Colm grumbled, sitting down to chew on some Celestial Blooms. I guess I'll stick with my tried-and-true method of wandering until I find something.

He glanced at his spectral allies, both silently waiting for his next move. "I do not know where the clawed beast could be, and I can't just keep tiptoeing around it forever," he muttered, as if expecting a reply. "I know we planned to hit the temple first, but if we run into that thing, maybe we'll just face it head-on." He smirked, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "Guess it's time to work on my cardio again." With that, Colm set off, his phantoms trailing behind him, both silent sentinels on his winding path.

Over the course of what felt like two weeks, Colm wandered through the Grove, his path increasingly aimless. By now, he could've sworn he'd explored every corner of the Grove, even retracing his steps back to where he'd first arrived. Yet, despite his efforts, he still had uncovered nothing new.

At least the abundance of Celestial Blooms kept me fed—without them, I would've starved long ago. I've analyzed almost everything in this forest, he thought, forcing down another bland mouthful. Nothing else has any nutritional value.

He sighed, chewing slowly as the monotony of the taste set in. "I'd kill for a bit of seasoning," he muttered, his appetite waning with each bite.

After eating his fill, he continued onward and soon stumbled upon a small scattering of goblins. Colm yanked his spear from the latest victim, feeling a mounting irritation as he glanced over the notifications. He'd stopped relying on his phantoms to fight these creatures, preferring to handle them himself—a way to let out his frustration and keep his skills sharp.

Fungal Goblin (Level 24) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 16) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 23) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 19) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 14) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 16) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Fungal Goblin (Level 23) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

"FUCK! I'm so done with these goblins," he growled, slamming his foot into a nearby tree. With his enhanced strength, the trunk cracked and splintered on impact. "I've had it with this place. I've been running in circles for over a week, getting nowhere. Fuck this Grove, fuck these blooms, fuck this silence. It's all driving me insane!"

The frustration boiled over. "I need answers! Actual people, actual voice, real interaction. I can't keep playing this game on my own, trying to be calm and patient—I'm losing it!" His voice echoed through the Grove as he rampaged, kicking tree after tree until several toppled, thudding against the forest floor with reverberating crashes. His phantoms stood silently nearby, shadows in his fury.

Colm sank to the ground, letting the frustration drain from him. He muttered, "I really am losing it," as he pressed his face into his hands. "I don't know if I can keep this up. I'm just tired." He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. I just need to breathe, to think clearly, he reminded himself. I can come up with a plan, find my way out, and maybe even circle back to the entrance. Not that I even know which way that is anymore.

He was still gathering himself when, suddenly, a notification blurred into his vision.

Your Phantom Warrior has been destroyed.

Your Phantom Spearman has been destroyed.

"What?" Colm muttered, snapping upright. In his frustration, he hadn't noticed where his phantoms were. Only one thing could have wiped them out so fast. His mind sharpened. "Looks like I found the clawed beast... or it found me," he murmured, instantly regretting his earlier outburst.

He quickly scanned the area, heart pounding, and re-summoned his phantoms. The familiar drain of mana washed over him as they reappeared by his side, ready for battle. Just as the second one solidified, he heard a faint rustling off to the left. He pivoted, spear raised, but saw only the quivering leaves of dense shrubbery. This isn't good, he thought. I'm not ready. I lost my phantoms before the fight even started, and I used up mana to get them back.

He clenched his jaw. I would like more time and a better setup. This is happening whether or not I'm ready. Depending on how it goes, I may need to run.

Colm's mind raced, trying to calculate the best path of escape. To his right, he spotted a narrow, partially clear route. He marked it in his mind, staying hyper-alert. It felt like hours had passed, but he knew it had only been minutes. "I know it's still here," he muttered under his breath. "It's playing with me."

Just as that thought crossed his mind, a sudden rustle sounded from behind him. He pivoted, spinning as fast as he could, but it wasn't fast enough. In a split second, his Phantom Spearman reacted, sweeping Colm's legs out from under him. The unexpected move caused him to fall, just barely avoiding the creature's attack. As he hit the ground, another notification flared into his vision.

Your Phantom Warrior has been destroyed.

"This is not going well," Colm muttered, quickly resummoning his Phantom Warrior while his Spearman moved defensively between him and the newly visible creature.

The creature was as massive as the Stone Gnawer, but far more striking. Its sleek, panther-like form glowed with a mystical green aura, intricate markings etched across its fur like ancient runes. Despite its breathtaking beauty, it exuded an even greater menace—gleaming fangs, massive claws, and a predatory gaze that locked onto Colm with unnerving intensity.

His heart sank. He hadn't anticipated facing something this fierce so soon. I can take this on… but not now, he thought, his mind racing. I need the upper hand for this fight—not the other way around.

Steeling himself, Colm nodded to his phantoms, his focus already shifting. Change of plans. Let's hope I can make it to that temple first.

?? (Level ??)

"What?" he whispered, shock creeping into his voice. "Analyze didn't show anything… either it's got some kind of resistance, or it's just that far above my level." His mind raced, the reality of the creature's strength sinking in. This is bad. I need to get out of here. I know I've been wanting a fight, but I also need to be smart and live another day.

Glancing around, Colm weighed his options, his phantoms at the ready with weapons raised.