Chapter 13 Part 1: The Encroaching Storm

Athenor stood at the edge of the dense Midgardian forest, his breathing steady, eyes locked onto the path ahead. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and frost, but beneath it, something else lingered—an unnatural stillness. He had hunted many creatures before, but something about today felt different.

His body had changed over the past few months. The surge of power from his hunts had refined his reflexes, strengthened his body, and honed his instincts to a razor's edge. Each hunt brought him closer to his true potential, yet he felt there was still a chasm between him and the power locked within the depths of his being.

As he ventured deeper into the woods, he noticed the silence. Birds had stopped chirping. The wind barely whispered through the trees. He gripped his weapon, muscles coiled like a drawn bowstring. Athenor had encountered many creatures, but this was the first time he felt truly watched.

A low, guttural growl rumbled through the air. It was deep, unnatural—something more than just a beast. Athenor's grip on his weapon tightened as he moved carefully, his steps near silent against the frostbitten ground. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their bare branches clawing at the gray sky.

Then, from the shadows, it emerged.

A towering Troll, its body infused with seidr magic, stepped into view. Its skin pulsed with eerie, glowing veins, and its eyes shimmered with a sickly green light. Dark runes burned across its flesh, remnants of ancient sorcery that corrupted its mind and amplified its strength.

Athenor exhaled slowly. He had fought Trolls before, but this was different. The magic in its veins was not natural—it was something twisted, something violent.

Ding!

[New System Mission: Corrupted Titan]Objective: Eliminate the Seidr-Infused Troll corrupting Midgard's balance.Reward: +20% Template IntegrationBonus Reward: Unlocked if defeated within five minutes.

The notification flickered briefly in his vision before fading. Athenor rolled his shoulders, feeling the burning anticipation of battle settle into his bones.

The beast roared, its massive club smashing into the ground, shaking the very earth beneath Athenor's feet. The force of the impact sent cracks spiderwebbing through the frozen soil, knocking loose jagged rocks and splintering ancient tree roots.

"So be it," Athenor whispered to himself, rolling his shoulders as the berserker's fire within him flickered.

He lunged forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat. His movements were sharper, and more refined than before, a result of countless battles. He swung his weapon at the creature's knee, aiming to cripple its movement. But the moment his strike connected, a pulse of seidr magic erupted from the Troll's body, sending a shockwave that forced Athenor back.

The corrupted beast was not only powerful—it had defenses against physical attacks.

Athenor skidded to a stop, digging his heels into the ground. His muscles ached from the backlash, but he refused to show weakness. The Troll grinned—a hideous, twisted expression—before charging forward with terrifying speed for a creature of its size.

Athenor barely had time to react before the massive club came down once more. He dodged at the last moment, the force of the impact sending dirt and ice flying into the air. He used the momentum to vault onto a nearby rock, repositioning himself.

The battle had only just begun.