By the time they reached the Ashwood Ruins, the moon was dipping low, mist thickening around the twisted stones.
Ashwood Ruins looked less like a ruin and more like something that had decided to fall apart artistically. Massive obsidian pillars leaned against each other at impossible angles, half-swallowed by twisted roots and violet moss. Mist curled around shattered archways, and ancient mana shimmered in the air like heatwaves off stone.
Kai stepped carefully over a cracked stone tile that hissed ominously as he passed. "So… dungeon rules, huh?"
"Yup," Nika said, her ears twitching. "Step wrong and something explodes. Or screams."
"Or both," Lyria muttered from the rear, bow drawn.
[System Alert: High-Mana Zone Detected – Ashwood Ruins]
All abilities enhanced by 10%. Danger rating: Moderate to High.
Kai eyed the glowing inscription along a fallen column. "Why would someone build this?"
"People didn't," Nika said. "This place used to be a prison for cursed souls. Then it got… trendy."
Kai stared. "Haunted prison ruins became a tourist trap?"
"Until everyone died," Lyria added dryly.
"Oh. Right. Classic."
[Quest Update: Find the Source of the Interference]
Goal: Investigate the central altar within the ruins.
Bonus Objective: Survive.
Kai took a breath. "Alright. Let's get this over with."
The deeper they went, the more unstable the mana became. Kai's vision flickered at the edges, and sometimes he thought he saw faces in the mist — faces that weren't there when he turned.
[Status: Mana Distortion]
Clarity -10%. Illusions possible. Physical effects minimal.
"Guys," he whispered. "I think my system's drunk."
Nika took his hand. "Stay close. Don't trust what you see."
Lyria frowned. "He's a system user. The ruins will target him harder than us."
Kai winced. "Neat. I feel super special."
Suddenly, the ground trembled. A low, pulsing hum filled the air.
[New Detection: Active System Signature Nearby]
Unknown User | Core Type: S.I.N. Core | Rank: Unstable
Status: Cryo-Sealed
Distance: 42 meters
Kai froze. "Did that say S.I.N. Core?"
Lyria's eyes widened. "That core type was banned by the gods. It manipulates guilt, temptation, and mental corruption."
Nika growled. "Whatever it is — it's waking up."
They reached a shattered amphitheater at the ruin's heart. In the center stood a broken altar, and chained to it by glowing glyphs was a girl.
She looked no older than them. Pale skin, short silver hair, and ragged ceremonial robes barely hanging onto her form. Her eyes were closed — but glowing faintly beneath the lids.
As Kai stepped closer, the system screamed.
[ALERT: Containment Seal Compromised by Host Proximity]
[Core Synchronization: 3%...]
[WARNING: Emotional Link Forming – UNSTABLE]
"Stop," Lyria hissed. "Get back!"
"I-I didn't do anything!" Kai held up his hands, but the girl stirred.
Her eyes opened.
Silver light poured out.
The chains shattered.
[New Entity Awakened: Subject X-344 – Core: S.I.N.]
Status: Confused | Emotionally Receptive | Danger Level: Unknown
The girl stared at Kai, confused… and curious.
"You… freed me?" she said, voice rough with disuse.
Kai gulped. "Technically it was proximity-induced mana interference, but… yes?"
She tilted her head. "You don't feel like the others."
[Emotional Sync Stabilized – Compatibility Detected]
Potential Companion Candidate
Bond Path: "Redemption" (Locked)
Nika narrowed her eyes. "Kai, she's unstable."
Lyria notched an arrow. "She's dangerous."
The girl blinked. "I don't want to hurt anyone."
Her system flared.
The amphitheater trembled.
[S.I.N. Core Reaction: Panic Spike Detected]
Emotional Burst Incoming – 3 seconds
Kai moved on instinct. He grabbed the girl's shoulders.
"Hey! It's okay! You're not alone. We're not your enemies!"
[System Override: H.E.A.R.T. Core Calming Pulse Activated]
Sin Core Stabilized – Emotional Burst Defused
Compatibility Level: 8% → 36%
The girl gasped, then collapsed against him.
"…warm," she whispered.
[New Companion Candidate Identified: Name Unknown]
Status: Semi-Stable | Requires Care and Emotional Anchor
Bond Path Progress: Initiated
Kai looked at the others. He hesitated, voice softer this time. "What do we do with her?"
Lyria groaned. "Of course it had to be you. You are a system-powered chaos magnet."
Nika crossed her arms. "Fine. But if she even twitches wrong, I'm setting her robe on fire."
[To be continued…]