Echoed Lands

As Colm stepped through the rift, the world shifted abruptly. The vibrant, living beauty of the Lucent Grove was now replaced by the oppressive gloom of the dark forest. The stench of death filled the air, and decaying trees loomed around him like twisted sentinels. I forgot how depressing this place was.

Turning to look behind him, Colm saw the rift had vanished. I guess the only way back to the Lucent Grove is through the portal ability from the achievement. Good to know.

Realizing his phantoms hadn't come through the rift with him, Colm frowned. There must be a restriction preventing abilities from crossing rifts, he reasoned. Quickly remedying the situation, he summoned all three of his spectral allies, immediately instructing Lance and Robin to patrol the surrounding area while Carver remained by his side.

Fully expecting the undead to swarm him once they sensed something alive in their domain, Colm wanted to be prepared. With his phantoms guarding him, he considered his next move. Find others. The thought lingered in his mind, but he did not know which direction to take. Deciding to rely on instinct, he picked a random path and started walking at a steady pace, scanning his surroundings carefully. He didn't want to miss anything, so he avoided running.

As he moved, Colm began using Analyze on everything he passed—trees, grass, bushes—but the skill returned only basic information, nothing useful. Almost immediately, a notification flared in his vision.

Undead Walker (Level 2) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Colm smirked at the result, amused. He recalled the first time he'd encountered an undead and how terrified he'd been. Now, he didn't even flinch. It was so weak that my phantom destroyed it before I even realized it was there, he thought, relishing this newfound sense of power.

As he enjoyed the moment, more notifications appeared in quick succession.

Undead Walker (Level 7) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 11) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 4) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

…

Undead Walker (Level 5) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

I guess they know I'm here. He chuckled, unfazed by the onslaught. Trusting his phantoms to handle the undead, Colm continued forward, letting the notifications fade as he focused on finding something—anything—that might help him in this forsaken place.

Colm continued through the day, leaving a trail of decrepit corpses in his wake. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of undead had fallen to his phantoms and, by extension, to him. None posed a challenge—none were even strong enough to threaten his spectral allies.

Eventually, fatigue crept in, though not from physical exertion. His body remained energized thanks to the relentless efficiency of his phantoms handling everything, but the mental strain of maintaining his focus left him feeling slower. He decided it was time to find a place to rest. The thought of stopping here, in this cursed forest, struck him as absurd. How could I even consider sleeping in this place? He mused, chuckling softly, thinking of his first ever night in this world. Yet, he knew rest was necessary. He didn't know what lay ahead and wanted to face it fully alert and prepared.

Colm began scouting for a defensible spot where his phantoms could hold off any threats while he slept. After surveying a few potential locations, none truly stood out, but eventually, he came across a large tree. Its thick trunk and towering height gave him an idea—it could provide a vantage point and a secure place to rest.

Circling the tree, Colm inspected it. Its branches stretched wide, sturdy enough to hold his weight. Nodding to himself, he reached up and began climbing. The rough bark scratched at his hands as he pulled himself higher, carefully testing each branch before moving further. Eventually, he found a small, stable spot where he could wedge himself securely.

Once settled, Colm issued commands to his phantoms. He instructed Lance and Carver to guard the tree's base, ensuring nothing could approach unnoticed. Meanwhile, Colm positioned Robin higher in the tree to rain down arrows as if a threat arose.

Leaning back against the tree, Colm allowed himself a brief chuckle at the absurdity of it all. I've been walking for hours, maybe even an entire day, and I still feel perky. My phantoms have done all the heavy lifting, but the mental strain is catching up to me.

He glanced around at the oppressive gloom of the forest. The darkness doesn't help either, he thought, noting how the thick canopy above blocked much of the light, leaving the area in a perpetual shadow throughout the day. The scattered rays that broke through only heightened the eerie sense of endless night.

I'll wait here until the sun rises, Colm decided, and see if I can find anything useful once there's light. With that, he let his body relax, trusting his phantoms to keep watch as he waited for dawn.

Satisfied with his preparations and plan, Colm took a deep breath, allowing the eerie quiet of the forest to settle around him as he prepared for some much-needed rest, while looking over his notifications through the day.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Undead Walker (Level 2) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 4) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 11) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

…

Undead Walker (Level 4) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Colm felt a sense of satisfaction with the sheer number of undead defeated as the notifications flooded his vision. Though part of him wished for more to have fallen, he took solace in the hundreds of creatures he had already slain—monsters that had haunted his first night in this world. He felt no remorse, only a burning resolve to cleanse the undead wherever they lurked.

As he reflected, Colm couldn't help but wonder why so many of the creatures were low-leveled. There were a few higher-leveled ones scattered among them, but the strongest he'd encountered barely reached the upper teens. Observing the fresher appearance of the stronger undead, at least relative to the others, he theorized that the age of a corpse might influence its level.

These thoughts circled in his mind as new notifications flared across his vision. Lance and Carver stood vigilantly at the base of the tree, dispatching anything that approached. Content with their protection, Colm closed his eyes, letting his phantoms continue their tireless work as he allowed himself to rest.

It wasn't long before sunlight broke through the canopy, its golden rays gently brushing Colm's face as he sat high in the tree. The warmth stirred him from his rest, and he opened his eyes, taking in the sight with a profound sense of gratitude. It's been months since I've seen genuine sunlight, he thought, awestruck. The fleeting glimpses of light in the undead-infested forest and the perpetual twilight of the Grove had never truly been enough.

Colm spent several long minutes basking in the feeling, letting the sunlight warm his skin. I didn't realize how much I missed this. The brightness, the warmth—it filled him with a joy he couldn't put into words.

As the moments stretched on, Colm eventually refocused on the present. He took stock of his surroundings and remembered his goal. Seeing notifications hovering in his vision, he pulled them up to skim through.

Undead Walker (Level 9) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 2) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 1) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

…

Undead Walker (Level 3) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Colm blinked, both alarmed and impressed. How did I sleep through so many undead walkers coming for me? Shaking his head in disbelief. But more than anything, he was grateful for the tireless efforts of his phantoms.

Glancing down at the base of the tree, he spotted Lance and Carver standing tall, their forms unwavering. Around them were mounds of undead corpses, a grim testament to the battles fought throughout the night. The sheer number of lifeless bodies piled high struck Colm, underscoring just how relentless the assault had been—and how steadfast his spectral allies were in protecting him.

Colm ate a handful of the Celestial Blooms he had brought with him, savoring their faint minty taste before climbing higher into the tree. After a few minutes of careful maneuvering, he reached the top, securing a spot where he could use his vantage point to survey the forest below.

He scanned in all directions, his gaze sweeping over the grim expanse of the dark forest that stretched endlessly for miles. The sight was disheartening—nothing but shadows and decay met his eyes. Still, he wasn't willing to give up.

Colm continued searching, his determination unshaken. There has to be something that points to civilization, he thought, his eyes straining to pick out even the faintest sign of hope in the oppressive wilderness.

Colm spent long, tense minutes scanning the endless dead and decaying foliage, his eyes combing every shadow and break in the canopy for a sign—anything—that might hint at something beyond the bleak forest. Nothing.

Just as he was about to give up hope, his gaze caught on a small clearing where the trees gave way to a patch of dirt. There, faintly, he saw it—a glint, as though light had reflected off glass or metal among the trees. His heartbeat quickened. This is it. There's something there, he thought, his focus sharpening.

Though the shimmer was faint and partially obscured by the decaying canopy, that brief glimmer was enough for Colm. It's hidden, but it's real, he told himself, determination settling in his chest.

With a goal in mind, Colm shimmied down the tree toward his phantoms at the base, Robin descending from its perch to join him. He glanced at his spectral allies, a wave of gratitude, pride, and strength swelling within him. My class and abilities have brought me far. I'm ready for this, he thought.

Now closer to the ground, the stench of decay hit him full force, the mounds of undead corpses surrounding the tree an unbearable testament to the battles fought through the night. Grimacing, Colm decided it was time to move. Without hesitation, he set off toward the glimmering spot he'd seen, his phantoms by his side, ready for whatever awaited them.

Trying to maintain a brisk walk, Colm broke into a run, unable to suppress his growing anticipation. His phantoms continued dispatching the undead effortlessly as he moved, clearing the path ahead. I need to find civilization, he thought, his heart pounding with excitement at the possibility.

Yet, his mind raced, trying to temper his expectations with logic. If what I saw is a city or settlement, would anyone even be there? It's surrounded by this undead forest. And what if it's not a city at all? It could just be a random piece of metal—or worse, a shiny rock catching the light. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay grounded. I need to keep my emotions in check and not get ahead of myself.

Colm's pace was steady, his enhanced stats allowing him to cover ground at an incredible speed. Despite his speed, the distance was significant, and the destination he'd spotted from the treetop took time to reach. Doubts crept into his mind. What if I overshoot it? Or go the wrong way entirely?

He clenched his jaw, pushing those thoughts aside. No, I can't let myself stop. I need to see this through—whether it's people, ruins, or just a lead. It's better than wandering aimlessly.

Determined, Colm kept running, his phantoms at his side, his focus locked on the chance of finding something—anything—that could offer hope or answers in this vast, desolate forest.

Hours passed, but Colm never wavered. No undead came close to him, their approach swiftly dealt with by his phantoms. He lost track of how long he had been running or how many undead had fallen. None of it mattered—only reaching his destination.

The trickle of sunlight through the canopy faded, giving way to the cold glow of moonlight streaking through the trees. Shadows deepened, and the forest grew eerily quiet, save for the unsettling sound of undead groans echoing through the darkness.

Then, in the distance, Colm caught sight of something—a shape breaking the monotony of the dark woods. It looked like a wall or some kind of structure. Is this what I saw? His heart raced with anticipation, and he broke into a sprint, the thrill of discovery propelling him forward.

In mere moments, he reached the structure, breathless with excitement and ready to uncover what lay ahead.