The Awakening of Resonance

"Now!"

Rover lunged forward, his straight katana gleaming under the dim light. With agile footwork, he kicked off the ground, vanishing for a split second before reappearing right before the monster.

The beast swung its black spear, aiming to intercept, but Rover had already anticipated it. With swift precision, he ducked, slipping past the attack as if dancing through a storm of blades.

"Haaah!!"

A diagonal slash—fast, precise—tore through the monster's torso. A burst of white energy erupted from the wound, making the creature reel from the impact.

"GRAAAH!!"

The monster roared, but before it could counterattack, a green whirlwind surged in from the side—Lingyian!

"Storm of the Veil!"

His blade carved a spiraling gale of emerald wind, slicing into the beast's side and deepening the wound Rover had inflicted.

Black blood sprayed into the air. The monster staggered back, its dark wings flaring wildly as it struggled to maintain balance. But its strength was waning.

Meixue, standing at a distance, seized the moment.

"Buff enhancement… Celestial Accord!"

A soft radiance glowed from her hands, and in an instant, golden-blue energy enveloped Rover and Lingyian. A sudden surge of power coursed through them—speed, resilience, and strength heightened beyond their limits.

Rover felt his body grow lighter, his blade sharper. He exchanged a glance with Lingyian, who gave a brief nod.

"Let's finish this!"

Lingyian moved first, leaping high, his sword glowing with a green-gold light as he spun in midair.

"Tempest Slash!"

His strike ripped through the monster's wings, shredding its dark mass, forcing it to one knee as it gasped for breath.

And that was when Rover advanced.

He didn't allow the beast a chance to recover. With a single, fluid motion, he launched himself forward, katana raised high. Then—

"Phantom Rend!"

A streak of white light slashed across the air, severing the monster from shoulder to waist.

For a moment, silence.

Then—

"GRUUAAAAAHHHH!!"

Its body shattered, dissipating into swirling fragments of black shadow before vanishing into the wind.

Rover remained still, his breath slightly uneven. He glanced at his katana, still faintly glowing, before the light gradually faded.

Lingyian landed beside him, sheathing his blade with practiced ease.

"Good work."

Meixue lowered her hands, her magic dissipating. She stepped closer.

But as the monster's body disintegrated, something unusual happened.

Where it had vanished, a faint, translucent shadow hovered in the air. Slowly, it began to coalesce, its form growing denser. A dim glow pulsed from within, like a lingering star flickering in the abyss.

"That's…" Lingyian observed the phenomenon.

Meixue approached cautiously, her eyes narrowing. "Obs Resonance."

Rover stared at the luminous fragment. Its energy felt unlike anything he had ever known—if he could even recall what 'familiar' meant to him anymore.

Lingyian exhaled. "At least we gained something from this fight. If this Obs Resonance is stable, you should try it, Rover. This could confirm whether you're a Resonator… unlike the monsters before."

Meixue shot him a sharp look. "Be careful. Not all Obs Resonance can be absorbed so easily—especially for someone who doesn't even know if they're a Resonator or not."

Rover remained silent, then reached out.

The moment his fingertips touched the Obs Resonance, a strange sensation coursed through him—not pain, but something unfamiliar. It felt like grasping at lost memories, something he should recognize yet couldn't fully recall.

The glow intensified—then shot straight into his body.

A surge of energy pulsed within him, yet no drastic change followed. He glanced at his hands—no newfound power, no visible transformation.

"Huh. I don't feel any different."

Lingyian shrugged. "Maybe it takes time. Or maybe… it's just not your match."

Meixue studied him before sighing. "At the very least, we've confirmed one thing—you can absorb Obs Resonance. That means one thing is certain—you're a Resonator."

Rover gazed at his hands, still trying to process what had just happened.

A gentle breeze drifted through the battlefield, carrying the weight of a battle just won.

The once-dark sky now began to clear, gray clouds dispersing to make way for sunlight that illuminated the ruins. And before Rover, Meixue, and Lingyian, a soft blue glow flickered in the air, swirling slowly before shaping into a human form—a holographic projection.

She was a young woman with long silver hair, partially tied with elegant ornaments that swayed gently. Her eyes, a striking mix of gray and blue, shimmered with intelligence and composure. Her attire blended classic refinement with futuristic design—a white robe adorned with black and gold accents, lined with ancient script-laced talismans attached to her sleeves. A sleek sword rested on her back, fastened with a delicate blue ribbon.

Her gaze was steady as she looked at them, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"You finally made it."

Her voice was clear, soft like the whisper of wind, yet carried an undeniable weight. She took a step forward—or rather, her projection did.

"I am Jiayi. A researcher from Qinshu… and perhaps, the one you've been looking for."

Her eyes landed on Meixue, who remained expressionless but furrowed her brows slightly.

"You don't seem too surprised. As always, Meixue. I expected a bit more enthusiasm after all this time."

Meixue sighed. "I wasn't expecting you to appear as a hologram. Where are you now?"

Jiayi offered a small smile. "That's still a secret. But I assure you, I'm safe… for now."

Her gaze shifted toward Rover and Lingyian, assessing them as if measuring their worth.

"And you… Rover, correct? I've heard of you. Quite a name for someone with no past."

Rover didn't react, simply watching her warily. Jiayi chuckled.

"No need to be so tense. I'm not here to interrogate you—just to confirm something."

Lingyian, who had been quiet, finally spoke. "So… why contact us now? Just to chat with Meixue?"

Jiayi's expression sharpened slightly. "Not just that. I have important information about the Obs Resonance you just encountered… and something far bigger happening beyond Qinshu."

Everyone's attention was now solely on her.

"But before that… we need to talk about the enemy you just fought."

Jiayi crossed her arms, her hologram flickering slightly as she adjusted her stance. Her gaze was calculating, the look of someone who never spoke without careful thought.

"Let's start with the facts."

She glanced at the lingering remnants of the Obs Resonance, its final flickers of light fading into the air.

"The entity you fought wasn't just an ordinary creature. Its energy structure wasn't stable, and its movement patterns showed signs of high-level adaptation. In other words, it wasn't just a natural predator—it was likely the result of mutation or external manipulation."

She raised a hand, summoning a series of holographic diagrams filled with complex energy wave patterns.

"If we compare this with past data…" She zoomed in on one chart, highlighting key points. "The resonance frequency emitted by this creature matches anomalies recorded in Qinshu over the past few months. In short, a pattern is emerging. And this is no coincidence."

Meixue's gaze sharpened. "What do you mean by 'external manipulation'?"

Jiayi nodded,her expression grave. "Something—or someone—is accelerating these mutations. Whether it's an experiment, an anomaly, or something worse, I can't say for certain yet. However…"

Her eyes locked onto Rover's, waiting for a reaction.

"If we assume this Obs Resonance originated from the same source as the incidents in Qinshu, then we're facing more than just mutated beasts. There's someone—or something—behind all this."

Lingyian clenched his jaw, deep in thought. "So you're saying… someone is deliberately influencing or creating these Obs Resonances?"

Jiayi's smile was faint, but her eyes were sharp. "That's the most plausible theory. But I need more data. That's why I'm here—or at least, my digital self is."

She paused, her voice lowering slightly.

"One thing is certain…"

Her gaze swept over them, her words carrying weight.

"What you fought today… was only the beginning."