14: “A little adventure. A new ancient power? And a new ally.” Adrian’s POV.

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the ancient forest. Adrian Nightshade stood at the edge of the clearing, his keen eyes scanning the dark treeline. The air was thick with anticipation, the silence only broken by the distant howl of his dire wolf, Raven.

Adrian took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs. The encounter with Venion Stan still lingered in his mind, but tonight, he needed to clear his head and gather his thoughts. Cale and Choi Han were safe back at the tavern, planning their next move. Adrian, however, felt the pull of the forest and the need for a solitary journey.

Turning to Raven, who stood loyally by his side, Adrian patted the wolf's massive head. "Ready for a little adventure, Raven?"

The dire wolf let out a low growl, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. With a nod, Adrian started into the forest, Raven following closely. The trees seemed to whisper secrets as they moved deeper into the woods, the path ahead lit only by the moon and stars.

As they walked, Adrian's mind wandered to the map he had been studying. There was an ancient ruin marked not far from their current location, rumored to hold artifacts of great power. It was a perfect opportunity to test his skills and maybe even find something useful for their upcoming battle.

After a while, they reached a clearing where the ruins stood, half-hidden by overgrown vines and moss. Adrian approached cautiously, his senses heightened. "Stay alert, Raven," he whispered, knowing the ruins could be guarded by creatures or traps.

The night was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Adrian's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword as he stepped into the ruins. The air was cool, and the stone walls seemed to hum with ancient energy. He felt a thrill of excitement and curiosity, wondering what secrets these ruins might hold.

Suddenly, Raven growled softly, ears perked. Adrian froze, listening. From the shadows, a faint glow emerged, illuminating a hidden chamber. He moved towards it, feeling a strange pull. Inside, a pedestal stood, holding an intricately carved amulet that seemed to pulse with light.

Adrian approached the pedestal, feeling a surge of energy as he reached for the amulet. "This might be exactly what we need," he murmured, carefully lifting the artifact. The moment he touched it, a wave of power coursed through him, and he knew this discovery was significant. He named it the **Amulet of Aetherium**, feeling its ancient energy resonate within him.

As he was about to leave, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. Adrian's instincts kicked in, and he began to run, gripping the Amulet of Aetherium tightly. None of this was ever mentioned in the novel, he told himself, feeling the adrenaline course through his veins. He sprinted through the ruins, Raven close at his side, until they stumbled upon an ancient chasm, illuminated by the moonlight.

The chasm was breathtaking, its beauty rivaling the moonlight that shone bright inside it. It was there, amidst the ancient stones and the ethereal glow, that Adrian discovered the unknown ancient power, Mythos Sculpting. However, it was guarded by a malevolent shadow, a dark entity that seemed to absorb the light around it.

Adrian knew he had to confront this shadow to gain the ancient power. As he approached, the shadow writhed and twisted, forming into a monstrous shape with glowing red eyes. It lunged at him, and Adrian barely had time to dodge.

"Raven, stay back!" Adrian shouted, drawing his sword. The shadow was fast, but Adrian was faster. He focused his mind, recalling the techniques from the two fighting books he had absorbed using his shop in his system.

The battle was intense, the shadow striking with dark tendrils that Adrian parried with his blade. He realized he couldn't defeat it with brute force alone. Remembering the Amulet of Aetherium, he quickly wrapped it around the handle of his sword, feeling its power surge through the weapon.

Adrian closed his eyes, envisioning a burst of pure light. The amulet responded, its energy flowing into the blade. With a swift motion, he swung his sword, unleashing a brilliant beam of light that struck the shadow. The entity howled, its form dissipating in the blinding radiance.

When the light faded, the shadow was gone. In its place, a glowing sigil appeared on the ground, marking the location of the ancient power.

**Power Name: Imaginarium Genesis**

- The agent possesses the ability to breathe life into their imagination, sculpting mythical creatures and entirely new beings with limitless possibilities. From majestic beasts to ethereal entities, the agent's creativity knows no bounds.

This power not only grants the ability to summon mythical creatures but goes a step further by allowing the agent to craft entirely original beings, limited only by the depths of their imagination. The creatures may possess unique abilities, appearances, and characteristics, making the agent a true master of mythical creation.

Adrian stepped forward, feeling the sigil's energy flow into him. He had passed the trial and gained the power of Mythos Sculpting. He didn't know what other ancient powers lay hidden, but he was determined to discover them all. For now, he had gained something incredible, something that could change the course of their journey.

He pocketed the Amulet of Aetherium and glanced at Raven, who seemed to sense the significance of the moment. "Let's head back," Adrian said softly. "We have much to prepare for."

As they made their way back through the forest, the night seemed a little less dark, the path ahead illuminated by the promise of newfound power and endless possibilities.

Adrian then remembered the dark figure that had been chasing him earlier. As they neared the path that would lead them back to the tavern, Raven suddenly growled, his fur bristling. Adrian stopped, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword. From the shadows ahead, a massive figure stepped into the moonlight, revealing itself to be a Minotaur.

The Minotaur stood seven feet tall, its muscular body covered in dark brown fur.

(I just relieved Adrian is 7'2 he is taller than the Minotaur)

Its eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and it brandished a massive axe that gleamed menacingly in the moonlight. Adrian's heart raced, but he forced himself to stay calm.

"So, you're the one who's been following me," Adrian said, his voice steady despite the tension.

The Minotaur snorted, steam rising from its nostrils. "You have something that belongs to me," it growled, its voice deep and guttural. "Hand over the amulet and the power you've stolen."

Adrian tightened his grip on his sword. "I don't think so," he replied, stepping forward. "If you want them, you'll have to go through me."

The Minotaur roared and charged, its massive hooves thundering against the ground. Adrian dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the swing of the Minotaur's axe. He knew he couldn't afford to take a direct hit from that weapon.

Adrian focused his mind, recalling the techniques from the two fighting books he had absorbed using his shopping system. He wrapped the Amulet of Aetherium around the handle of his sword, feeling its power surge through the weapon once more.

With a swift motion, he slashed at the Minotaur, aiming for its legs. The creature bellowed in pain as the blade cut into its flesh, but it quickly recovered, swinging its axe in a wide arc. Adrian ducked under the swing and countered with a powerful thrust, aiming for the Minotaur's chest.

The battle raged on, the Minotaur's strength and rage matched by Adrian's agility and skill. Raven darted in and out of the fray, snapping at the Minotaur's legs and providing crucial distractions.

As the fight progressed, Adrian realized he needed to use his new power to gain the upper hand. He focused on the image of a powerful creature in his mind, channeling the energy of Mythos Sculpting.

A blinding light surrounded him as he called forth a magnificent creature: a chimera with the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the tail of a serpent. The chimera roared, its eyes blazing with fierce intelligence.

"Attack!" Adrian commanded, and the chimera lunged at the Minotaur, its claws and teeth tearing into the creature's flesh. The Minotaur roared in fury, but it was no match for the combined might of Adrian and his mythical creation.

With one final, powerful strike, Adrian drove his sword towards the Minotaur's chest, stopping just short of delivering a fatal blow. The Minotaur, realizing it was defeated, dropped its axe and fell to one knee, breathing heavily.

Adrian stood over the fallen foe, his chest heaving with exertion. He glanced at the chimera, which bowed its head before fading back into the ether. Raven padded over, his eyes shining with approval.

"We did it," Adrian said, patting the dire wolf's head. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the battle lift from his shoulders. He looked at the Minotaur, who was now watching him with a mixture of respect and submission.

"Why were you following me?" Adrian asked, his tone less confrontational.

The Minotaur looked up, his red eyes dimming slightly. "I was tasked to retrieve the amulet and power, but I see now that you are worthy of them," he rumbled. "You have shown strength and honor in battle. I offer my allegiance to you."

Adrian was taken aback by the Minotaur's sudden change in demeanor. He considered the offer carefully, weighing the potential benefits and risks of accepting allegiance from such a formidable creature.

"I appreciate your offer," Adrian replied cautiously, "but I must ask, why were you protecting the amulet and this power?"

The Minotaur hesitated, his gaze shifting. "I am the guardian of these ancient artifacts, sworn to protect them from those who would misuse their power," he admitted reluctantly.

Adrian nodded thoughtfully. "You've done your duty well," he said, extending his hand in a gesture of trust. "I accept your offer of allegiance, but I don't need you to follow me back to the tavern. Instead, take these." Adrian handed the Minotaur a communication crystal, two enhanced rations, a moonlight stone, and a few other supplies. "Keep these with you. I'll call if I need your help. For now, head towards the Roan Kingdom and stay alert."

The Minotaur took the items gratefully, his eyes showing a mix of respect and relief. "Thank you, Adrian Nightshade. I will be ready when you call," he rumbled, bowing his head in acknowledgment.

With their alliance sealed, Adrian watched as the Minotaur turned and began making his way towards the Roan Kingdom. Adrian knew they might cross paths again, and when they did, the Minotaur would be a valuable ally.

Adrian and Raven then made their way back through the forest, the night now feeling a little less daunting. The Amulet of Aetherium pulsed with energy at his side, and the power of Mythos Sculpting thrummed within him, a reminder of the incredible potential he now wielded.

As they neared the path leading back to the tavern, Adrian felt a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the challenges ahead. The forest seemed to whisper promises of adventure, and Adrian knew that with his newfound power and allies, he was more prepared than ever to face whatever lay ahead.

When they reached the tavern, Cale and Choi Han were waiting, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Cale asked.

Adrian nodded, a confident smile on his face. "Yes, and much more. We've gained a powerful ally and discovered ancient powers that will help us in our journey."

Cale and Choi Han exchanged glances, their worry easing. "Then let's plan our next move," Choi Han said, determination in his voice.

As they gathered around the table to strategize, Adrian felt the weight of responsibility but also the thrill of possibility. With the Amulet of Aetherium, the power of Mythos Sculpting, and the support of his friends, Adrian Nightshade was ready for whatever came next.