Grove Of Shadow Trees (5)

Now, he could only rely on his knowledge and skills to complete this research and prepare for the further path that would most likely lead him to the Head of the Shadow Forest.

[System Notification]

[Task updated: The Grove of Shadow Trees is 100% explored.]

[A new direction has been obtained — the Head of the Shadow Forest.]

Atlas couldn't help but feel his self-confidence increase.

He couldn't help but feel his self-confidence increase. He was ready to move on again, but before leaving the Grove, he needed to gather all the necessary resources for the next stage of his journey.

[System Notification]

[Resources received: Shard of Shadow Magic, Stones of Destruction.]

He took everything he could and then headed back to the safe zone, deciding it was time to move forward.

Atlas emerged from the depths of the Grove of Shadow Trees, feeling the tension slowly release his muscles. He was now confident that he had explored the location 100%, and the system had confirmed it.

But before going to the Head of the Shadow Forest, he should have dealt with the findings. He settled down in a safe area and spread out the artifacts he had obtained in front of him.

[Inventory updated]

°Shard of Shadow Magic (material)

°Stones of Destruction (rare reagent)

Fragment of Shadow Skin (material)

He wondered what he could do about it. The "Shard of Shadow Magic" clearly contained remnants of the Grove's power. Perhaps it could be used to upgrade equipment or enhance magical abilities. "Stones of Destruction" is a rare reagent, but what is it for?

–We should take them to some expert. – He muttered, twirling the Shard in his hands.

However, there hasn't been time for that yet. The main target remained the Head of the Shadow Forest, a new location that had just been unlocked.

[System Notification]

[New location available: Shadow Forest Head.]

[Recommended level: 10+]

Atlas frowned. He was only level 9, but perhaps he could explore the location with caution without getting into unnecessary fights.

– Okay, let's go. He called Sin over and started walking.

The location greeted him with thick fog. Unlike the Grove, the air here was dense, saturated with humidity, and the trees were much taller and thicker, their branches intertwined in impenetrable nets. Every movement in this place echoed, creating the feeling that someone or something was constantly watching you.

An aerial shark flying nearby froze nervously, its fins quivering. Atlas cautiously moved forward, but before he had taken ten steps, the system issued a new message.:

[An Anomaly Has Been Detected!]

Atlas stopped. It was unexpected. The system usually warned of enemies, magical traps, or hidden mechanisms, but "anomaly" sounded different.

–What does that mean? – He muttered, looking around.

The answer came immediately. Somewhere ahead, there was a heavy, ragged sigh, as if someone-or something—was struggling to breathe. Atlas tensed and slowly moved in that direction.

A silhouette began to appear in the mist, between the intertwined branches.…

Atlas moved cautiously forward, trying not to make sudden movements. An air Shark swam nearby, its body shimmering slightly in the dim light through the fog.

The silhouette ahead became clearer. It was something tall and hunched over, its outlines distorted as if through quivering water. The heavy, ragged sigh came again, closer this time.

[System Notification]

[Attention! You have detected an Unknown Anomaly.]

[Danger: ???]

[Recommendations: avoid contact.]

Atlas gripped the hilt of his dagger. He didn't know yet if it was an enemy or something else, but the system clearly advised against getting into a fight.

–Sin, stay close. – he said softly, without taking his eyes off the figure.

The creature took a step forward, and the mist cleared for a moment, revealing its appearance. It was a man. Or once was.

Burnt skin, slits instead of eyes, from which weak light seeped, broken limbs. His clothes, which once resembled an expensive robe, hung in tatters.

[Unknown creature]

[Name: ???]

[Level: ???]

[Condition: Distorted]

Atlas exhaled sharply. "Distorted." It was a term he had come across in the library—creatures affected by anomalies or ancient curses that changed their essence.

–Are you... alive? – he ventured.

The figure did not respond. She only tilted her head slightly, as if studying him. Then she suddenly made a long, hoarse sound that sent a chill down Atlas' spine. It wasn't a roar or a groan, but something in between, filled with something... otherworldly.

[System Notification]

[Warning: contact with an anomaly may cause unpredictable consequences!]

Atlas took a slow step back, watching the creature's every move. The aerial Shark, as if sensing danger, froze in the air, its fins quivering slightly.

– It's not the time yet, we need to make our rounds. – he muttered, mentally fixing the coordinates of this anomaly.

The figure did not move, but its glow became stronger. The air around him was trembling, as if before a thunderstorm, and it seemed to Atlas that the space around the distorted one was cracking, losing its stability.

[System Notification]

"You have left the danger zone."

"Research: 100%."

The forest became ordinary again: a little disturbing, but not so oppressive. Atlas exhaled and continued moving, choosing a different route. Now his goal was to complete the exploration of the grove and find out what was hidden in its last unexplored corners.

A few minutes later, he came out to a massive tree, whose bark was riddled with deep furrows. At the base is a strange structure resembling an ancient altar. Runic symbols covered the stone slabs, and an object lay in the center, as if waiting for someone to find it.

[System Notification]

[You have discovered a Secret Place: An Abandoned Altar.]

[Recommended action: Explore.]

Atlas ran his hand over the rough surface of the stone slabs. The runes were ancient, but not so alien—he had already seen some of them in the library of the Dra' World.

[System Notification]

[You have activated the skill "Exploring Lost Artifacts" (level: 2).]

[Decryption: 35%...]

[Decryption: 62%...]

[Decryption: 100%.]

The meanings of the symbols have formed into a meaningful text:

"Pure light will illuminate the darkness,

But if the darkness touches first,

Then the way back will be closed."

–It's like a ritual or a warning. – Atlas muttered.

Looking further around, he noticed shallow depressions on the sides of the altar. Their shape resembled... bracelets?

Atlas had destroyed bracelets with seals in his inventory. Perhaps they should have been inserted there, but how? If they were destroyed.

Atlas carefully examined the recesses in the altar and took out the ruined bracelets with seals from his inventory. They fit perfectly into the recesses, but nothing happened.

[System Notification]

[Activation is impossible: the Essence of Silence component is missing]

–Damn, I was hoping it would be easy. – Atlas sighed, putting the bracelets back away.

To be continued, please like and save…