The sun never truly set in Nimrune — it just sank into a haze of violet clouds and bone-pale mist. Leo stood at the edge of the tower's ruined archway, watching shadows stretch across the corrupted treeline. The world grew still. Too still.
Aerin moved behind him, her fingers dancing over the carved figurine on the map table. She didn't look up. "The second night is when they hunt."
Leo swallowed. "You mean the Hollowborn?"
"Worse," she said. "The ones that used to be human."
Before Leo could respond, the system pulsed again — cold and emotionless.
---
"⟪Skill Upgrade Available⟫
Skill: Shadow Step
Current Rank: D → New Rank: C (Enhanced Tier)
Effect: Instantly dash through shadows within 5 meters. Leave behind a shadow afterimage that distracts enemies for 1 second.
Cooldown: 8 seconds
Soul Resonance: 17%"
---
A subtle chill wrapped around his spine. He could feel it this time — the shift in the skill, the deepening of power. His breath caught as the darkness around his feet curled toward him like a waiting beast.
"How do you live like this?" Leo asked, more to himself than anyone.
"You don't live," Aerin replied, donning her hood. "You survive."
Suddenly, the system chimed again — not a passive update, but a warning laced with static and urgency.
---
"⟪System Alert⟫
Hostile Surge Detected: Hollow Tide Incoming
Classification: Tier III Corruption Event
Estimated Arrival: 14 Minutes
Recommended Action: Engage Nightfall Protocol | Fortify Shelter | Prepare for Combat"
---
Aerin's face tensed. "No time. Grab that spear," she said, pointing toward a half-broken rack near the wall.
Leo stumbled to it, gripping the weapon. The wood was old, but the tip glowed faintly — not iron, but something else. When his hand closed around it, another message flared.
---
"⟪Item Acquired: Verdant Fang⟫
Type: Weapon (Polearm)
Affinity: Nature
Effect: +12% Damage vs Corrupted | Releases minor healing spores on successful strikes (Cooldown: 20 seconds)
Durability: 60%"
---
He tested the weight. It wasn't perfect. But it would have to do.
Aerin stood at the tower entrance now, whispering into a sigil stone. Faint green lines flared across the outer walls as the runes realigned themselves — stronger this time, brighter.
"They won't stop until dawn," she said. "We hold here, or we die here."
Leo gritted his teeth. "And if the wards fail?"
Her eyes flicked toward him — cold, resolved.
"Then we fight until they forget how to scream."
The first howl came seconds later — long, sharp, distorted like metal dragged over bone.
And then the system flared again.
---
"⟪New Quest: Hold the Line⟫
Objective: Survive the Hollow Tide for 1 Hour
Rewards:
300 EXP
1 Skill Upgrade Token
+2 Soul Resonance
Bonus (If No Wards Breach): Rare Equipment Drop"
---
Leo tightened his grip on the Verdant Fang, his pulse syncing with the faint hum of the wards around them. The shadows beyond the tower stirred — not with one enemy, but dozens.
Tonight would be war.
And Leo — for the first time — didn't want to run.