Ascendant Genesis: Boundless Evolution

Chapter 8: Whispers of the Unknown

The night was dark and cold, the ruins eerily silent as Nathan moved cautiously through the broken cityscape. Every shadow seemed alive, every sound amplified in the stillness. His encounter with Ravok had left him bruised and exhausted, but his resolve was stronger than ever.

The System's recent notifications played over in his mind: Synchronization Increased to 55%. The words were both a reassurance of his progress and a warning of the trials that lay ahead.

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Mission Update:

Objective: Discover the Origin of the Artifact of Genesis.

Progress: 12%.

---

Nathan stopped to rest by the husk of an overturned bus, its frame twisted and rusted. He pulled a small ration bar from his pack, chewing it slowly as he scanned his surroundings. The campers he had rescued were far behind him now, their survival a fleeting victory in a world that seemed determined to crush all hope.

The night sky above was a murky gray, the stars hidden by a thick layer of clouds. Yet, something faint caught his eye—a faint glow on the horizon, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"What is that?" he murmured, narrowing his eyes.

The glow seemed unnatural, its rhythm too deliberate to be anything ordinary. Nathan felt a strange pull toward it, as though the System itself were guiding him.

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New Location Unlocked: The Veil of Echoes.

Distance: 5.2 kilometers.

---

The name sent a shiver down his spine. "The Veil of Echoes," he repeated, his voice low. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."

Despite his weariness, Nathan knew he had to press on. The System wouldn't steer him toward something trivial, and the glow might hold answers about the Artifact—or his own transformation.

---

The journey was grueling. The ruined streets were littered with debris, forcing Nathan to climb over broken cars and collapsed buildings. His enhanced stamina kept him going, but he could feel the strain building in his muscles.

Hours passed before he finally reached the edge of the glow. It emanated from a massive crater, its edges jagged and scorched. The air was thick with energy, making his skin tingle.

Nathan crouched behind a piece of rubble, peering into the crater. At its center was a monolithic structure, half-buried in the earth. It was made of a strange black material that seemed to absorb light, its surface etched with glowing blue runes.

"What the hell is that?" he whispered.

The System responded instantly.

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Artifact Fragment Detected.

Category: Ancient Relic.

Properties: Unknown.

Threat Level: High.

---

Nathan's heart raced. An Artifact Fragment—it had to be connected to the Artifact of Genesis. But the warning about its threat level wasn't lost on him.

As he moved closer, the ground trembled slightly, and a low hum filled the air. Nathan froze, his instincts screaming at him to retreat.

From the shadows of the crater emerged a figure. It was humanoid but distorted, its body composed of jagged metal and pulsing energy. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Nathan, and it let out a guttural growl.

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Enemy Detected: Sentinel of the Fragment.

Level: 7

Traits: Energy Manipulation, Enhanced Durability, Guardian Protocols.

Weakness: Core Overload.

---

"Of course there's a guardian," Nathan muttered, drawing his blade. "It wouldn't be a challenge without one."

The Sentinel moved with unnatural speed, closing the distance between them in seconds. Nathan barely had time to react as its energy-clad fist slammed into the ground where he had been standing, sending shards of rock flying.

Nathan activated Kinetic Surge, his body moving faster than his thoughts. He darted around the Sentinel, his blade flashing as he aimed for its exposed joints. Sparks flew as the blade connected, but the damage was minimal.

"Damn, this thing's tough," he muttered, dodging another attack.

The Sentinel's energy seemed to intensify, its movements becoming more erratic. Nathan realized he couldn't rely on brute force alone. He needed to find its weakness—the Core Overload mentioned by the System.

He activated Predator's Instinct, his vision sharpening as he scanned the Sentinel. There—a faint glow in its chest, hidden beneath layers of armor.

"That's it," he said, a determined grin forming on his face.

Nathan darted forward, his blade aimed at the Sentinel's core. But the creature was relentless, its energy pulses forcing him back each time he got close.

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Suggestion: Utilize Environmental Hazards to Weaken Opponent.

---

Nathan's eyes darted around the crater, spotting a cluster of jagged rocks hanging precariously above the Sentinel. A plan formed in his mind.

He baited the Sentinel, taunting it as he moved toward the base of the rocks. The creature followed, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground.

"Come on," Nathan muttered, glancing up at the rocks.

At the last moment, he dodged to the side, using Kinetic Surge to escape the Sentinel's attack. Its energy blast struck the base of the rocks, causing them to collapse.

The massive stones crashed down onto the Sentinel, pinning it in place. Nathan didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, driving his blade into the creature's exposed core.

The Sentinel let out a deafening roar, its energy flaring wildly before it collapsed, its body disintegrating into shards of metal and light.

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Enemy Defeated.

Evolution Points Gained: 300.

Synchronization Increased to 60%.

---

Nathan staggered back, his body trembling from the effort. He watched as the monolithic structure in the crater began to pulse more rapidly, the runes glowing brighter.

A panel slid open on its surface, revealing a small, glowing sphere—the Artifact Fragment.

Nathan approached cautiously, his hand hovering over the sphere. The energy it radiated was overwhelming, but he felt an undeniable connection to it.

When he touched the sphere, a surge of power coursed through him, and his vision went white.