My Infinite Mana System

The soft hum of the village's night was a stark contrast to the storm in Allen's mind. The System's latest hint, "The stars that never fade," played over and over in his thoughts. He sat by the window, unable to sleep, watching the stars twinkle in the sky.

Emma stirred in her bed, rolling over and groaning. "If you keep pacing, I'm going to throw a pillow at you," she mumbled.

"Sorry," Allen said, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "This next quest feels… different."

Emma yawned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "It always does, doesn't it? 'Stars that never fade.' Sounds poetic. Or ominous. Maybe both."

Allen frowned. "Kael said the Forgotten Path is tied to an ancient power. What if this next step isn't just about leveling up? What if it's bigger than that?"

Emma smirked. "It's always bigger than that. That's how this works. Now, get some sleep. We'll deal with it in the morning."

But sleep didn't come for Allen.

***

The next day, Allen and Emma met Kael in the village square. He was leaning against a lamppost, his sharp green eyes scanning the street.

"You're ready," Kael said without preamble. "The Guardian's Vault lies north of here, but you'll need to decipher the System's hint to find the entrance."

Allen crossed his arms. "And you're here to help?"

Kael smirked. "Consider me a guide. I know enough about these quests to get you started, but the rest is up to you."

Emma stepped forward. "What's north of here?"

"An abandoned observatory," Kael replied. "Hunters used it as a base before it was overrun by dungeon creatures. The 'stars that never fade' likely refer to a map stored there."

Allen exchanged a glance with Emma. "Then that's where we're going."

The journey to the observatory was grueling. The path wound through dense forests and rocky terrain, with no signs of civilization for miles. The air grew colder as they ascended, the trees thinning until they reached the summit.

The observatory loomed ahead, its structure battered by time. The dome was cracked, and vines crept up its walls, but it still retained an air of mystery.

Kael stopped at the entrance, drawing a blade inscribed with glowing runes. "Be ready. The creatures here aren't ordinary."

The group stepped inside, the air thick with the smell of decay. Broken equipment and shattered glass littered the floor, and faint growls echoed from the shadows.

[System Alert: Dungeon Detected – Level 10.]

[Objective: Clear the Observatory and Recover the Star Map.]

Emma tightened her grip on her dagger. "Here we go."

The first wave of enemies came swiftly creatures that resembled oversized bats with leathery wings and razor-sharp claws.

Allen reacted instinctively, summoning Static Veil to protect Emma and Kael. The barrier crackled with electricity, repelling the creatures as they dove.

Kael moved with precision, his blade cutting through the air in a blur of light. "Focus on the larger ones!" he shouted.

Allen nodded, targeting a particularly large bat-like creature that hovered near the ceiling. He unleashed Chain Lightning, the electricity jumping between multiple enemies and stunning them mid-air.

Emma darted forward, finishing off the weakened creatures with quick, lethal strikes.

[Enemies Defeated: 400 EXP Gained.]

The room fell silent as the last creature dissolved into mist.

"Nice work," Kael said, sheathing his blade.

They moved deeper into the observatory, eventually reaching a chamber dominated by a massive mechanical device. It looked like an ancient planetarium, with intricate gears and glowing runes.

"This must be it," Kael said, stepping forward to examine the device. "The Star Map."

Allen's System chimed:

[Objective Complete: Recover the Star Map.]

[New Objective: Decode the Star Map and Locate the Guardian's Vault.]

Emma looked at the map, a series of constellations etched into the glowing surface. "How are we supposed to decode this?"

Kael traced his fingers over the runes. "The System will guide you. It always does."

As Allen touched the map, his interface lit up with a new prompt:

[Decoding…]

[The Guardian's Vault lies beneath the Twin Peaks of Everlight.]

Emma frowned. "Twin Peaks of Everlight? That's not on any map I've seen."

Kael nodded. "It's an ancient name. The peaks are hidden deep in the Wuyun Mountains, shrouded by magic. Few Hunters have ventured there and returned."

Allen clenched his fists. "Then that's where we're going."

Kael gave him a hard look. "Be careful, Allen. The Guardian's Vault isn't just a test it's a battleground. The shadows will follow you, and they'll do everything to stop you from reaching it."

"Is he being cursed with this shadow stuff, it is so creepy", Emma said with a irritated look on her face.

As they left the observatory, Allen couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The forest seemed darker, the air heavier.

Emma walked beside him, her usual confidence tempered by caution. "You felt it too, didn't you?"

Allen nodded. "The shadows. They're getting stronger."

Kael glanced at them. "You're not wrong. The more you progress on the Forgotten Path, the more attention you'll draw. The Reavers are only the beginning. If you're not ready, you'll be consumed."

Allen tightened his grip on Stormfang. "Then let them come, i will be waiting."

***

That night, as they camped by a small river, Allen stared into the flames of their campfire. Emma sat beside him, silently tending to her dagger, while Kael stood watch nearby.

The System chimed softly, breaking the silence.

[New Skill Unlocked: Arc Surge – Temporarily enhance your speed and strength with lightning energy.]

Allen felt a surge of energy coursing through him

Emma looked up, her gaze steady. "Allen. Whatever's waiting at the Vault, we'll have to be ready"

Allen nodded, the firelight reflecting in his eyes. "yeah."