Echoed Lands

With his two spectral allies in tow, Colm spent the next few days exploring the Grove's depths. Along the way, he encountered more Fungal Goblins, and after several easy encounters, he gained two additional level-ups.

Fungal Goblin (Level 20) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Fungal Goblin (Level 18) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Fungal Goblin (Level 21) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

…

Fungal Goblin (Level 20) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

The fights were becoming routine—almost too easy. His Phantom Warrior and Phantom Spearman swiftly dispatched the goblins without him needing to lift a finger. "Maybe I made the wrong choice," Colm grumbled. "If this keeps up, I might get rusty."

He paused, considering his next move. Maybe it was time to strengthen his abilities, too, just in case he ever faced a situation where his phantoms couldn't protect him. But he shoved the thought aside for now. "Focus on the immediate goals," he reminded himself. His priority was clearing this echo—and hopefully finding some trace of civilization on the other side.

As Colm continued along the path, the landscape shifted once more. Where he'd recently struggled to navigate through a dense forest, now the trees grew sparse, giving him plenty of room to move. He wondered if he had somehow doubled back; the openness reminded him of the entrance. But just as he began second-guessing his direction, he spotted what appeared to be a temple up ahead. Intrigued, he pressed forward.

Sticking to the shadows, he activated Stealth and circled the structure. It was smaller than he expected, about the size of a modest house. After scouting the perimeter and finding nothing suspicious, he approached the entrance, staying alert for anything lurking in the darkness. Inside, the air was thick, and everything lay shrouded in shadows, leaving him unable to make out any details.

With a quick idea, Colm doubled back and gathered some of the Sunlit Petals he'd spotted earlier.

After a bit of experimentation, he discovered the petals kept their glow for a short time after being uprooted. Gathering a handful, he scooped up some of the surrounding soil as well, hoping it would extend their glow. They'd make for a passable flashlight, at least.

Returning to the temple, Colm entered cautiously, illuminating his way with the warm glow of the petals. The first room was plain—a square space with smooth, featureless stone walls and a single door leading deeper into the temple. Running his fingers along the walls, he noted how unnaturally smooth the stone felt. "This doesn't seem natural... Maybe magic built it?" he muttered to himself.

A soft glow at the center of the next room immediately drew Colm's attention as he entered. A light shone down, illuminating a stone pillar in the middle of the otherwise bare chamber. He let out a small chuckle. "Well, this is obviously a trap. And I'm all for it," he laughed, stepping forward with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

Colm studied the pillar, planning his approach. His first thought was to send one of his phantoms ahead to test for any traps or triggers. Remaining in the first room with his Phantom Spearman, he instructed his Phantom Warrior to approach the pillar slowly, ready to dodge at any moment. Step by step, the Warrior crept closer, but nothing happened.

Colm then directed the Warrior to touch the stone pillar. When that yielded no results, he had it strike the pillar. The blow landed with a heavy, resounding bang, but the pillar didn't even chip.

"Huh," Colm muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Guess I can't cheat this with my class after all." He sulked momentarily, realizing he'd need a more direct approach.

Colm re-entered the room, slowly approaching the pillar, holding the glowing petals close to inspect it for abnormalities. Nothing seemed unusual at first. But as he crossed an invisible threshold, the pillar suddenly illuminated brighter, revealing strange symbols across its surface. He didn't recognize the script but immediately felt his Universal Language perk from his Through the Rift achievement kick in, and the symbols shifted before his eyes, forming a readable message. Those who offer blood unto the stone will be tested. If deemed strong, they will be rewarded.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"That doesn't sound ominous at all," Colm chuckled. He glanced around the room, finding nothing out of the ordinary. "Well, in for a penny…" He shrugged, instructing his Phantom Warrior to make a small cut across his hand. Leaning toward the pillar, he let a few drops of blood fall onto the stone.

The moment his blood made contact, the door behind him slammed shut, and the sound of skittering filled the room. He felt his pulse quicken, but a grin spread across his face as he muttered, "In for a pound… or is that how the saying goes? Never actually said it before."

Bracing himself, he stepped back, positioning himself between his two spectral allies, his grin widening as he prepared for whatever was coming.

"Of course, it's rats. Why wouldn't it be rats?" Colm yelled, skewering another Stone Rat with his wooden spear as it crumpled to the ground. He cast a quick glance at his Phantom Warrior and Phantom Spearman, watching them work seamlessly together, dispatching the rats with brutal efficiency. "They look like they've fought countless battles together… their synergy is incredible," he muttered, momentarily in awe.

Stone Rat (Level 18) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Stone Rat (Level 20) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Stone Rat (Level 22) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Colm quickly lost track of time as the relentless onslaught continued. Stone Rats poured into the room from every corner, their claws scraping against stone and their eyes gleaming with a fierce, territorial hunger. Yet he felt no worry—only the thrill of testing his strength, the satisfaction of each enemy falling under his or his phantoms' strikes. With every defeated rat, he could feel his power growing, like a palpable energy coursing through his veins. His Phantom Warrior and Phantom Spearman moved with deadly precision, their spectral forms slashing and striking in perfect unison, clearing swathes of rats with every swing.

The rhythmic flow of combat, with its skillful parries and counterstrikes, was truly captivating. He barely noticed the minor scrapes he picked up, completely immersed in the exhilarating rush each time a rat fell. Everything around him centered on the battle—the sounds of scraping, the fierce snarls, and the swift movements as he deftly dodged and struck, all while supported by his two loyal spectral allies, who stood by him unwaveringly. It was an adventure filled with excitement and a sense of purpose.

What felt like hours eventually slowed, the endless skittering around him beginning to die down. Colm steadied his breath, his muscles humming with the remnants of adrenaline. The floor around him was littered with the motionless forms of Stone Rats, and silence returned to the room, broken only by his own ragged breathing.

Colm opened his notifications, his heart pounding with satisfaction as he took in the results.

Stone Rat (Level 19) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Stone Rat (Level 21) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Stone Rat (Level 24) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

…

Stone Rat (Level 20) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Hardened Skin (Level 1) is now Hardened Skin (Level 2)

Phantom Spearman (Level 1) is now Phantom Spearman (Level 2)

Phantom Spearman (Level 2) is now Phantom Spearman (Level 3)

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Colm glanced over his notifications, grinning. "Damn," he muttered, "I don't know how I'd have survived this if I'd picked any other class. These phantoms are the real MVPs—keeping those creatures at bay and letting me stay out of the worst of it." He looked down at his spear, noticing the sorry state it was in after the relentless onslaught. "Those hides were no joke. 'Stone rats' was definitely accurate," he said, shaking his head. "This spear's on its last legs."

A surge of pride rose in him, knowing how much tougher he was becoming with every battle, but his satisfaction was cut short.

A loud, booming crash echoed through the room, reverberating off the stone walls and making the floor tremble beneath him. Colm's grin faded, replaced by a flicker of unease as he looked up. A massive shadow filled the doorway, broad and hulking, blocking his only exit.

His heart raced, and his grip on his spear tightened. He cast Analyze, hoping to get a read on whatever had just entered, feeling a new tension settle over him.

Stone Gnawer (Level ??)

Colm gritted his teeth. "I've been getting too arrogant," he muttered, quickly refocusing his thoughts. He observed the new creature—which looked like some Mutated Stone Rat, which was as large as a small car—carefully noting its size and power. He plotted a plan of attack while considering any possible escape routes, but the idea was quickly dismissed. The doorway was still shut; there would be no retreat. This would be a fight.

He quickly repositioned his spirit allies, sending his Phantom Warrior forward to lead the charge while he stayed at the rear, watching the creature's every move. Without hesitation, Colm slammed all his newly earned attribute points into various stats, disregarding optimization—this was going to be a fight to the death, and he needed every advantage he could get.