The Abandoned Forge Of The Depths (1)

The first unexplored area: The door leading to the room was partially blocked. Atlas had to make an effort to move the stones, opening the passage. Inside was a small room with a high ceiling, strewn with bones. Some of the skeletons were still holding their weapons, as if they were frozen in eternal battle.

–Hmm... I don't like it. – he said, looking around the room.

Suddenly, the air thickened, and shadows began to slide from the ceiling. The system flashed a warning:

[ATTENTION! You have activated the "Seal of the Forgotten Battle". The Ghost Warriors are recovering!]

Translucent figures began to materialize in front of the Atlas. Their armor was old, but their weapons glowed with cold blue flames.

The battle has begun.

Atlas quickly assessed the situation: four opponents. One with a spear, two with swords, and the last with a two—handed axe. They moved smoothly, without unnecessary movements, as if they knew the tactics in advance.

[The skill "Tactical Evasion (level 3)" has been activated]

Atlas dodged the first attack, shifting his weight to his left leg, and immediately stabbed a dagger into the neck of the nearest ghost. The blade went through, but the system confirmed the damage.

The air shark rushed into battle using a "Discharge Wave" — electrical impulses hit the warriors, weakening their movements.

– Good job. – Atlas said, dodging the axe strike again.

The battle lasted for several minutes. The ghosts proved to be difficult opponents, but thanks to the tactics and attacks of the air shark, he coped. The last warrior crumbled into dust, and the system issued a message:

[You have cleared the Seal of the Forgotten Battle. Access to the chest is open.]

There was a massive chest on the opposite side of the hall. Atlas wiped the sweat from his forehead and came closer.

"I hope you're worth it."…

[Received: "Echo Armor Fragment" x1, "Dim Soul Crystal" x2, "Gold" x100.]

The reward wasn't bad, but there was still one more unexplored area.…

– Well, shall we go on? – he asked the shark, which happily snapped its teeth.

Atlas opened his inventory and scrolled through the list of new items.

[Fragment of the Echo Armor]

Description: A remnant of an ancient protective gear that absorbs the energy of its owner. It can be used to create or enhance armor with the effect of "Echo Protection".

Effect : Increases resistance to magic damage and absorbs some of the damage, accumulating it for a retaliatory strike. (Requires a master blacksmith to restore).

–Hmm, it's an interesting thing, but it's useless to me so far... – Atlas muttered.

He switched to another subject.

[Dim Soul Crystal]

Description: A magic crystal that once contained essence energy. His power is now weakened, but it can be used in special rituals or to charge cursed artifacts.

Effect : Allows you to temporarily activate "Weakened Cursed Artifacts" or use them to enhance magical items.

At the sight of the last line, Atlas thought about it.

– Maybe this crystal will help to stabilize the "Eye of Silence"? – He looked at the air shark as if waiting for an answer, but it only emitted a quiet discharge.

He put the items back into his inventory and looked at the map.

[Study: 92%]

The last unexplored zone remained...

– Well, are we moving on?

Atlas nodded to himself. He had accumulated too many rare materials— the "Echo Armor Fragment", the "Dim Soul Crystal", the "Shadow Skin Fragment", the shattered bracelets... all of these required processing, and his own skills were too low-level.

The "Master of Shadow Fabrics" quest required finding an artisan capable of working with special materials related to shadow. Perhaps if he explores the dungeon 100%, he will be able to stumble upon a blacksmith or at least a clue where to look for him in the city?

He looked at the map. There wasn't much left to explore—a long tunnel leading deeper, beyond a heavy stone gate. They were covered with old symbols, and the air in front of them was as still as before a storm.

–I wonder what's in there. –Atlas muttered as he approached the gate. The air shark hovered quietly over his shoulder, clearly wary.

[System Notification]

[You are approaching the hidden zone: "Abandoned Forge of the Depths."]

[Warning: the danger level is unknown.]

Atlas grinned. Perhaps here he would finally find a craftsman who could help him deal with rare materials.

"I got lucky."

Atlas gently pushed open the stone gate, and it began to creak open. Inside was an old blacksmith shop, covered with a thick layer of dust and soot. However, there was a weak fire burning in the middle of the hall, and a figure in worn leather armor stood at the forge.

She was a girl with short dark brown hair, unkempt and disheveled, as if she hadn't slept in a long time. There were shadows of fatigue under her eyes, and her hands were covered in soot. When Atlas entered, she whirled around, grabbing a small hammer.

–Who are you? –Her voice was husky, as if she had been working alone for a long time.

Atlas raised his hands, indicating that he wasn't going to attack.

–Just exploring the dungeon. – Are you here for something too?

The girl looked at him suspiciously, then sighed heavily and loosened her grip.

–I'm...I'm Kira. – A blacksmith from Dra'Myr. Well, more like a beginner. I came here looking for information about my family. They say my ancestors were famous blacksmiths, but their knowledge has been lost. If I want to become a real craftsman, I need to find at least traces of their work.

Atlas nodded. Perhaps it was the key to his own quest.

–So you're looking for something valuable, too… Maybe we should team up?

Kira thought for a moment, and then nodded

–If you help me, I'll help you with what I know about blacksmithing. Don't you have any materials that need processing?

Atlas grinned. It seems he was lucky to find the right person.

Kira looked at Atlas carefully, noticing his ears, which barely moved noticeably, catching the sounds of the dungeon. She blinked a few times, as if checking to see if her eyesight was playing tricks on her.

–Wait... –she tilted her head to the side: –Are you... a rabbit?

Atlas tensed slightly, already used to such reactions.

–Well, more like an adventurer with rabbit features. – He replied calmly.

Kira stared at him for a few seconds, then grinned.

– Hm. I've never met anyone like that before. Warriors are usually massive, formidable... but you...– She looked at his ears again, which twitched a little: –It's even a little cute.

– I would prefer the word "practical". – Atlas replied calmly. –A good ear helps.

Kira chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.

–Okay, adventurer. Since we're here, let's search together. But I still want to watch you fight. It's strange to see someone like you in places like this.

Atlas just nodded, not giving in to the obvious challenge. He was used to people questioning his appearance, but in the end it was his skills that mattered, not the way he looked.

–What are you looking for here? – he asked, looking around.

Kira sighed, her gaze became a little sadder.

//To be continued, please like and save…