The bustling atmosphere of Oakhaven felt different to Emile now. The carefree chatter of other players, the mundane quests posted on the notice boards – they all seemed inconsequential in the face of the cosmic threat he now knew awaited them. After bidding Jin farewell, promising to keep in touch, Emile prepared to embark on his solo quest for the artifacts rumored to hold immense power, remnants of the energy beings who had shaped Nytheris.
His research in the virtual library had yielded a few promising leads. One ancient text spoke of the "Shard of Temporal Echoes," an artifact said to grant its wielder limited manipulation over time, allowing for brief glimpses into the immediate future or even slight alterations of past actions within a small area. The text hinted that this shard was located within the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the flow of time, nestled deep within the Chronos Peaks, a mountain range far to the north of Oakhaven.
The journey to the Chronos Peaks would be long and perilous, taking him through territories teeming with high-level monsters that most novice adventurers avoided. But Emile knew that acquiring such an artifact would be invaluable in preparing for the unpredictable nature of the convergence.
He consulted his in-game map, charting a course north. He packed his inventory with essential supplies, including potent healing potions and energy restoratives, utilizing a portion of his vast wealth to acquire the highest quality provisions available in Oakhaven. Donning his Mythical-rank gear, the obsidian greatsword strapped to his back, Emile stepped out of the town gates, a solitary figure heading into the untamed wilderness.
The landscape quickly transitioned from rolling green hills to dense forests, the trees growing taller and more ancient as he ventured north. He encountered packs of aggressive Foreststalkers, creatures with razor-sharp claws and an uncanny ability to blend into their surroundings. Emile found ample opportunity to test his Voidblade Ascendant (Ex) skills. [Void Step] allowed him to evade their ambushes with ease, while [Abyssal Slash] proved lethal against their armored hides. He even experimented with [Void Shroud], finding that it could briefly absorb the impact of their powerful lunges.
As he progressed, he focused on honing his control over the Void energy, the power within him growing more responsive with each encounter. He also practiced using [Void Pulse], emitting bursts of dark energy that briefly revealed hidden traps or the faint outlines of cloaked enemies.
After several days of travel, the terrain began to incline sharply, the forests giving way to rocky foothills. The air grew colder, and the distant peaks of the Chronos Mountains loomed ahead, their jagged silhouettes piercing the sky. He encountered Mountain Yetis, their roars echoing through the valleys, and agile Rock Wyverns soaring overhead. These were significantly more challenging foes, requiring him to utilize the full extent of his abilities and employ strategic thinking.
During one particularly harrowing encounter with a Rock Wyvern, Emile found himself dodging its aerial attacks while simultaneously fending off a pack of aggressive Yetis on the ground. He utilized [Void Step] to evade the Wyvern's fiery breath, then unleashed a powerful [Void Annihilation] at the Yetis, the massive wave of dark energy tearing through their ranks. The Wyvern, seeing its ground support decimated, screeched and retreated into the higher peaks.
[System]: Congratulations, Void God! You have gained 1280 experience points.
[System]: You have gained a Yeti Hide.
[System]: You have gained 15 silver coins.
The journey was arduous, but with each challenge overcome, Emile felt his power growing. He reached Level 4, his connection to the Void deepening further. He allocated his attribute points, continuing to balance his Intelligence and Agility while also investing in Wisdom, feeling that understanding the secrets of the ark would require more than just raw power.
Finally, after weeks of solitary travel, he reached the Chronos Peaks. The air was thin and biting, and the landscape was dominated by towering, snow-capped mountains. Navigating the treacherous terrain, he searched for any sign of the ancient temple described in the texts.
Using the fragmented clues from the library, Emile eventually located a hidden path leading up a secluded valley. The path was overgrown and barely visible, suggesting it had been forgotten for centuries. Following it, he arrived at a plateau where the ruins of a magnificent temple stood silhouetted against the sky. The stone was weathered and cracked, but the remnants of intricate carvings hinted at its former grandeur. A faint, temporal distortion seemed to ripple through the air around the ruins.
This was it – the Temple of Temporal Echoes. Now, he just needed to find the Shard hidden within its ancient walls. His solo journey had led him to a significant location, and the lure of the ancient power held within the Shard of Temporal Echoes spurred him onward. The preparation for the convergence had truly begun.