Chapter 3: Nebula Inferna

When Vesper returned to his makeshift shelter with the carcasses of the giant ant he had slain, he was exhausted. He knew he needed to start a fire but couldn't quite remember how to do so. He tried everything he could think of, but nothing worked.

"I wish I could remember how to start a fire," Vesper muttered in frustration. With no fire and only ant meat to sustain him, he had no choice but to gnaw on the tough flesh to stave off hunger.

After finishing his makeshift meal, Vesper set to work crafting armor from the ant's carcass. "At least I can protect myself a bit," he said to himself as he fashioned a crude plate for his upper body and some protection for his legs. The process was slow and laborious, but he managed to piece together a serviceable set of armor.

As the clock ticked past midnight, Vesper's exhaustion weighed heavily on him. His wounds still oozed blood, and fatigue crept into his bones. Before he could rest, he needed to secure his hideout. He covered the entrance carefully, ensuring no one could enter without his notice.

"Alright, that should keep me safe for now," Vesper said, finally feeling secure enough to sleep. He collapsed onto the ground, eager for the rest he so desperately needed.

When Vesper awoke, every joint and bone ached. His head, though no longer bleeding, was wrapped in a rag, and he was left with little more than the ant's leg as a weapon. He checked himself over to ensure he was prepared for whatever came next. Satisfied with his readiness, he picked up the ant's leg and removed the blockade from the entrance.

He scanned the surroundings carefully before attempting to summon the Abyssal Monitor, as humans referred to it. At first, nothing happened. But then, Vesper felt a strange pull, as if part of his consciousness was being dragged into another plane. It was his Core Star, a manifestation of his latent abilities.

Seeing his Core Star for the first time filled him with awe. He focused on the Emblems displayed, noting his innate abilities:

Name: Vesper

Innate Talent: Phantom Blades (dormant)

Age: 20

Stigma: Remnant of the Phantom (locked)

Legacy: ---

Eclipse Relic: 1 (Locked)

Astral Marks: Dormant Star, Curse of Constellation, Phantom

Vesper examined his innate talent closely, revealing the following description:

Phantom Blades: As a Remnant of the Phantom, you are destined to master all bladed weapons. Non-bladed weapons and those with holy or dark affinities are forbidden.

Vesper recalled his recent battle with the monstrous ant. Despite not wielding a blade, he had fought with remarkable skill. "So this is what it means," he mused, astonished by the power he had experienced.

He then turned his attention to the Stigma but found it inaccessible. Frustrated, he moved on to the Astral Marks. The first mark, Dormant Star, read:

Dormant Star: As a Dormant Star, you can only utilize your dormant talent until you transcend to a higher plane of power. Being a Remnant of the Phantom who challenged the Supreme Star, UY Scuti, you will be watched by this supreme entity until you gain the power to resist it.

The magnitude of potential power and the fact of being observed by a supreme star left him awestruck. "I had no idea stars like that existed," he thought. The idea of gaining higher knowledge and power intrigued him.

He read the next mark, Curse of Constellation:

Curse of Constellation: All stars are wary of the Phantom, the "Nebula Inferna," rival to UY Scuti.

This revelation left him reeling. "I guess I'll be watched forever then? Is that all there is?" he wondered aloud.

Finally, he looked at the last mark:

Phantom: Moves with ghostly agility and strikes with unrivaled precision, rivaling the strongest.

Vesper took a deep breath, processing the weight of these revelations. He felt a mixture of fear and determination. "I've got a long way to go," he said, his voice steady with resolve. "But I'll make the most of this power and see what the future holds."

Vesper trudged back to his hole, clutching the ant leg he'd used as a weapon. It had served him well but needed sharpening to be truly effective. He began working on it, using rocks and whatever tools he could find to hone the edge.

"This should be better," he muttered, focused as he ground and shaped the ant leg into a more sword-like form. After some effort, he managed to give it a sharper, more defined blade. It wasn't perfect, but it was definitely improved.

Satisfied, Vesper ventured out of his hideout with his newly sharpened blade in hand. The forest was unusually quiet, the silence broken only by occasional rustling. As he explored, a sudden movement caught his eye—a monstrous butterfly, unmistakably a Category 1 Monster, hovered nearby.

The butterfly was a grotesque sight. Its massive wings were adorned with eerie, shimmering patterns, and its many legs, tipped with sharp, barbed claws, moved with unsettling grace. The creature had eight wings, though some looked damaged.

"Gotta stay sharp," Vesper whispered to himself, trying to hide behind a large tree. Unfortunately, his attempt at concealment was a moment too late. The butterfly's immense wings beat with a powerful force, propelling it toward him with alarming speed.

Reacting quickly, Vesper activated his Phantom Astral Mark. His movements blurred as he evaded the butterfly's charge, his newfound speed allowing him to dodge with agility. He struck one of the butterfly's wings with his blade, severing it cleanly.

The butterfly screeched in fury, but Vesper had already moved back, taking a brief moment to catch his breath. The creature, now missing one wing, was still a formidable opponent.

As the butterfly pursued him, Vesper shifted sideways, his movements swift and precise. He slashed and stabbed at the monster's side with controlled strikes. Though not perfect, his attacks were enough to slow the butterfly down. With four wings remaining, all on one side, it was grounded but still a threat.

Realizing he needed to end the fight quickly, Vesper lunged forward and leaped into the air, his blade aimed at the butterfly's head. With a powerful strike, he beheaded the monster.

As he landed, he winced in pain. In his rush, he had cut himself with his own blade. "Great timing," he grumbled, limping back to his hole.

Once there, he collected as much of the butterfly's meat and carcass as he could carry. He set to work crafting another piece of makeshift armor from the butterfly's hide and wings. "If I can just get this to fit right, it should give me better protection," he said, working diligently on his new armor.

After finishing, he inspected his creation. "It's not perfect, but it should help," he concluded, satisfied with the result. With his new armor in place, Vesper finally settled down to rest, preparing himself for whatever challenges awaited him next.