READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 6: The Purple Mystery
The next morning, Xiang Yue stood at the edge of Serenity Haven, staring at the map displayed on her holographic screen. The glowing purple dot was still there, pulsing faintly as if beckoning her. Liu Yan stood beside her, armed with a newly crafted spear from the Resource Workshop.
"This feels different," he said, breaking the silence.
"It is," Xiang Yue replied. "The system can classify monsters and humans, but this… it's something else."
"Do you think it's a trap?"
"Possibly." She turned to him, her piercing gaze steady. "That's why I need you with me. If things go wrong, you're responsible for getting back to Serenity Haven and protecting the others."
Liu Yan swallowed hard but nodded. "Understood."
The two set out into the ruins, moving cautiously. Xiang Yue led the way, her small frame seeming out of place in the desolation, yet she moved with purpose and confidence. Liu Yan followed closely, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger.
As they approached the location of the purple dot, the air grew colder. A strange mist hung low to the ground, curling around their feet like tendrils.
"What is this place?" Liu Yan murmured, gripping his spear tightly.
Ahead of them was a massive crater, its edges jagged and blackened as if something had exploded there. In the center of the crater stood a figure, shrouded in the swirling mist.
"It's… a person?" Liu Yan whispered, disbelief in his voice.
Xiang Yue's grip on her staff tightened. "Stay alert."
The figure turned toward them, and the mist began to clear. It was a man, tall and lean, with sharp features and pale skin. His eyes glowed faintly purple, matching the energy that surrounded him.
"Who are you?" Xiang Yue demanded, her voice steady.
The man smiled faintly, his expression calm but unreadable. "I could ask you the same, child. What brings someone like you into my domain?"
"This area is close to my sanctuary," she replied. "Your presence could be a threat."
He chuckled softly. "A sanctuary? In this world? How intriguing."
Xiang Yue's eyes narrowed. "Answer the question. Who are you?"
The man's smile faded, and his tone became more serious. "My name is Kael. I was… an experiment, you could say. The rift didn't just bring monsters into this world. It also changed people—some of us more than others."
Liu Yan tensed. "So, you're… like her?" He glanced at Xiang Yue.
Kael's gaze shifted to her, his expression thoughtful. "No. She's something far beyond what I am.
Chapter 6: The Purple Mystery (Continued)
Xiang Yue didn't flinch under Kael's intense gaze. Instead, she studied him carefully, her senses attuned to any sudden movements. His words hinted at knowledge of the rift and the powers it had unleashed—knowledge that could prove invaluable.
"What do you mean by 'far beyond'?" she asked, her tone sharp.
Kael crossed his arms, the faint purple glow around him flickering like an aura. "I've encountered others like me—altered by the rift, gifted with abilities. But you…" He gestured to her with a faint smirk. "You're different. You wield the rift's power with purpose, not chaos. And that staff of yours… it's not from this world, is it?"
Xiang Yue stiffened, but she didn't answer.
Kael raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, I'm not your enemy. If I were, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Liu Yan took a step forward, his spear raised slightly. "What do you want, then?"
Kael's expression grew serious. "I've been watching this region for some time. The monsters are growing stronger, and their numbers are increasing. Something is stirring—a force that's controlling them. If you plan to expand your little sanctuary, you'll have to face it eventually."
Xiang Yue's eyes narrowed. "You're suggesting an alliance?"
"Call it mutual survival," Kael replied. "I have information, skills, and the ability to fight. You have… whatever this sanctuary of yours is." He gestured toward the direction of Serenity Haven. "Together, we might stand a chance."
"Why should I trust you?" Xiang Yue asked, her voice cold.
Kael shrugged. "You don't have to. But I think you're smart enough to know you can't do this alone forever. The rift isn't just chaos; it's intelligent. And it's watching us."
The weight of his words settled over them like a heavy fog. Xiang Yue exchanged a glance with Liu Yan, who looked uneasy but said nothing.
Finally, Xiang Yue spoke. "Fine. You can come with us. But if you step out of line, I'll kill you myself."
Kael smirked. "Fair enough, little one."