The System’s interface flickered to life, presenting him with something unexpected, a choice he had to make.
Jayce’s vision swam as he knelt amid the ruins of the battle, his body barely holding together. His breath was ragged, every inhale sharp with pain. The remains of the Wraithbound Sentinel shimmered before him, slowly dissolving into particles of spectral energy.
[System Notification: Boss Defeated -- Wraithbound Sentinel]
The victory came with a choice.
Before him, two distinct paths unfolded. The System displayed both options in vivid detail, urging him to decide. One path would grant him an ally, a lingering shadow of the defeated guardian. The other would make its power his own, transforming his very existence into something beyond human.
Jayce clenched his fists. His body, broken and battered, needed rest. But the adrenaline of the battle still coursed through his veins, keeping him grounded in the moment. The Wraithbound Essence pulsed before him, waiting for his decision.
He considered his options carefully. The Ethereal Summon offered him a spectral warrior, a guardian who could turn the tide in a crucial fight. Five minutes of overwhelming power, shielding him from death itself. But the cooldown was long, and if the Sentinel fell in battle, it would take time before it could rise again.
The Phantom Vanguard, on the other hand, would change him permanently. The armor and blade of the Sentinel would be his to wield, granting him resilience and devastating might. But it would demand something from him in return -- adaptation. His fighting style would have to shift to accommodate the heavy greatsword, and his mobility might suffer.
His gaze flickered to the rewards that accompanied both choices. The Shadowform Excalibur -- a weapon skill that could cut through the material and spiritual plane alike -- was now his plus the stolen skills by using Adaptive Glitch, filled him with newfound potential.
Void Severance. Phantom Rush. Phantasmal Gauntlets. Each technique whispered promises of power, urging him forward.
Jayce exhaled, steadying himself. His path in this world was still uncertain, but this moment demanded clarity.
With resolve hardening in his chest, he reached out, making his choice.
The System responded immediately.
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [Selection Confirmed! -- Option 1.]
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [Ethereal Summon Acquired!]
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [Inner Spirit Awakening Detected!]
[SYSTEM UPDATE!] [SPT (Spirit) Stat Unlocked -- Now visible in Status Window.]
A sudden warmth flooded Jayce’s core, a pulse of unfamiliar energy surging through his veins. It was unlike mana, unlike anything he had felt before. The sensation expanded outward, anchoring itself deep within his being. His vision momentarily blurred, and then the world snapped back into focus, sharper and more vibrant than before.
His Inner Spirit had awakened.
The weight of the moment settled over him, and a quiet understanding filled his thoughts. He wasn’t just changing -- he was evolving.
[Ethereal Summon Now Available.]
“Somewhere in the swirling remnants of the battle, the essence of the Wraithbound Sentinel trembled, waiting for his call.”
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [New Spirit Skills Acquired!]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Initializing…. Updating…. Complete!]
New Spirit Skills:
- Spirit Bind -- Channels spiritual energy to restrict an opponent’s movements, preventing them from escaping or attacking. Strength and duration scale with SPT.
Duration: 3-10 seconds (scales with SPT).
Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Restrictions: Cannot be used repeatedly on the same target within a short period.
- Astral Travel -- Allows Jayce to briefly separate his spirit from his body, granting invulnerability and heightened perception. Can be used to pass through walls or scout areas unseen.
Duration: 5-15 seconds (scales with SPT).
Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Side Effects: Extended use can cause disorientation upon returning to the body.
- Traction -- Manipulates spiritual force to push or pull an opponent towards or away from Jayce.
Effect Strength: Depends on SPT stat and target’s resistance.
Cooldown: 10 seconds.
Restrictions: Heavier or stronger enemies may resist the effect.
- Meditation -- A restorative ability that passively regenerates lost spirit energy over time. Enhances focus and gradually increases the efficiency of other Spirit-based abilities.
Recovery Rate: Scales with SPT.
Additional Effect: Prolonged meditation may unlock hidden spirit-based skills.
- Soulflare -- Releases a burst of pure spiritual energy, damaging enemies within a radius and disrupting magical constructs.
Damage Type: Spirit-based, bypasses conventional defenses.
Cooldown: 1 minute.
Restrictions: Consumes a significant amount of spirit energy.
- Resonance Strike -- A melee attack that amplifies Jayce’s next physical strike with concentrated spiritual energy, dealing additional damage and bypassing physical armor.
Effect Strength: Based on SPT stat.
Cooldown: 12 seconds.
As the newfound energy within him settled, Jayce could feel the possibilities stretching before him. He had only just unlocked the potential of his spirit, and yet, he knew this was only the beginning.
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[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [Spirit-Induced Memory Fragment Detected!] [SYNCING…]
A sudden wave of dizziness overtakes him.
The world around him fades into darkness, and he finds himself in a fragmented memory -- perhaps a glimpse of his past life, a forgotten moment, or an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar place.
He sees glowing chains binding an unknown figure, accompanied by a distorted whisper:
“You were never meant to be here… yet you are the only one who can fix it.”
“Find the lost one. Their bond is your key to stability.”
Before Jayce can react, the vision shatters, and he wakes up gasping for breath.
As he regains awareness, a soft, echoing voice speaks in his mind -- not from the System, but something deeper.
The voice is ancient and gentle, guiding him toward a place within the Glitchrift that was previously hidden.
A System Notice confirms the awakening of his Inner Spirit:
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Your Inner Spirit has awakened.]
[New Stat Unlocked: SPT (Spirit)]
[New Pathway Available: Spirit Resonance Detected Nearby.]
Following the pull of his newfound energy, Jayce stumbles upon a forgotten sanctuary hidden within the corrupted Glitchrift.
Inside, he finds a small, weakened spirit creature -- a fox, wolf pup, or perhaps a more mystical being.
The creature appears to be half-fading, stuck between existence and oblivion.
As Jayce approaches, a connection forms, and he feels their presence merging with his Spirit energy.
The System presents a choice:
[Do you wish to form a Spirit Pact with the lost one?]
[Yes] / [No]
Choosing “Yes” will bind the creature to him, allowing it to grow stronger alongside him.
“Yes.”
As Jayce held the Fenrir Pup, his vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. A sudden pull -- like being yanked out of his body -- forced his consciousness into a strange, surreal space.
The world around him shifted. Darkness stretched endlessly, but within it, glitching fragments of light formed incomplete images.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Vision Begins.]
Jayce stood in the ruins of a battlefield. The land was charred and broken, with the remains of colossal creatures scattered about. Swords impaled the earth like tombstones, and the air smelled of blood and decay.
In the distance, a massive shadow loomed -- an ethereal figure, faceless yet terrifyingly familiar. Its form flickered between a knight, a beast, and something unrecognizable, as if it existed beyond reality itself.
A voice -- distorted and ancient -- echoed in his mind.
"The cycle repeats. The world fractures. And you... You are the catalyst."
Before Jayce could move, the shadow lunged -- not toward him, but toward something behind him. He turned, only to see...
A larger Fenrir, glowing with ethereal silver flames, standing in defiance. Its piercing azure eyes locked onto the shadow, unyielding.
The shadow roared. The vision cracked.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Vision Ends.]
Jayce gasped as his consciousness snapped back. He was still holding the Fenrir Pup, now trembling slightly in his arms.
Then, the System Notification appeared.
[SYSTEM NOTICE: SOULBOUND CONTRACT ESTABLISHED]
[Companion Acquired!] [Fenrir Pup -- ???]
Spirit Link Established → [Status Shared]
Familiar Growth Unlocked → [Evolution Possible]
Innate Skill Activated → [???]
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [IDENTIFYING -- SPIRIT_LINK]
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [Spirit_Link -- IDENTIFIED!]
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Initializing…. Updating…. Complete!]
Spectral Fenrir (Pup) -- Spirit Companion
Type: Spirit -- Ethereal Wolf Cub
- Name: (Unnamed)
- Appearance: A small ethereal wolf cub with fur that shifts between silver and deep blue, glowing runes faintly appearing along its body when it uses abilities. Its eyes shine like twin moons, hinting at its latent power.
- Personality: Loyal, curious, and playful but instinctively protective of Jayce.
- Abilities:
- Spirit Howl -- Emits a chilling howl that weakens enemies and boosts Jayce’s Spirit-based abilities.
- Phase Dash -- Can momentarily phase out of physical space, avoiding attacks.
- Lunar Fang -- A bite attack infused with spiritual energy, bypassing defenses.
- Bonded Awareness -- Shares a mental and emotional link with Jayce, allowing silent communication over short distances.
Evolution Potential:
The pup has the potential to grow into a full-fledged Spirit Fenrir, unlocking higher-tier abilities as Jayce strengthens their bond.
The pup whined softly, pressing against Jayce’s chest, as if sensing his confusion.
Something about this little Fenrir felt... important.
The Fenrir Pup trembled in Jayce’s arms, its glowing runes pulsing in eerie rhythm as if reacting to something beyond the visible world. Its azure eyes darted around, its small body pressing against Jayce’s chest, seeking comfort.
A lingering pressure hung in the air. Heavy. Unnatural. It coiled around him like an unseen force, whispering that the vision was not a mere dream but a warning. The battlefield, the shadow, the Fenrir -- all of it carried meaning yet to be understood.
Jayce exhaled slowly, steadying himself. His body felt different. His muscles tensed, his breathing slowed, and a strange resonance pulsed through him, unfamiliar yet natural -- his spirit-based stats had fluctuated or awakened further.
Then, the System chimed.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: STATUS UPDATE!]
[Spirit Link Established → Passive Enhancement DetectedSpirit-Based Attributes Adjusted → Hidden Parameters Unlocked]
A sudden wave of calm clarity washed over him. The link with the Fenrir Pup wasn’t just a contract -- it was a bond that deepened his own spirit. This connection, however, came with mysteries of its own.
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [New Objective: Understanding the Vision]
Jayce tightened his grip on the pup, thoughts racing.
What was that battlefield? Aeloria’s past? Or worse -- its future?
What was that shadowy entity? It called him “the catalyst” -- but of what?
And the larger Fenrir? Could it be his future companion, or something beyond his understanding?
He had no answers. But one thing was certain -- the vision wasn’t random.
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [New Encounter: A Disturbance in the Glitchrift]
As if responding to his thoughts, the air shifted. A low, almost imperceptible hum resonated around him, sending chills down his spine. The distorted atmosphere of the Glitchrift pulsed irregularly.
Something had changed…
Then, a new anomaly appeared -- a few meters ahead, the world itself fractured. A distorted pathway shimmered in and out of existence, leading toward an unknown location. Its edges flickered erratically, a gash in reality itself. It wasn’t just a Glitch -- it was something more.
Jayce’s instincts screamed caution, but he knew better than to ignore the System’s shift.
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED BEYOND PATHWAY]
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [ANOMALY IS STABLE. ACCESS POSSIBLE.]
The Fenrir Pup growled softly, its hackles rising. It, too, felt something. Something watching.
Jayce exhaled sharply. He was still injured, his energy reserves low from the recent battles. Rushing in recklessly would be a death sentence. He made his decision…
Rest. Recover. Then explore.
Hours later, after tending to his wounds and regaining his strength, Jayce stood at the edge of the distorted pathway. The Fenrir Pup sat beside him, ears perked, alert yet unafraid.
With a deep breath, Jayce stepped through.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the world around him shifted.
The oppressive darkness of the Glitchrift melted away, replaced by an ancient, forgotten realm. Towering ruins of spirit-infused stone stretched before him, their surfaces glowing with faint inscriptions. The air carried a weight -- not of decay, but of remembrance.
Jayce’s pulse quickened. This place… It felt old. Sacred. As if it had witnessed countless souls before his arrival.
[SYSTEM NOTICE!] [You have entered the Spirit Ruins.]
Then, a chill ran down his spine…
From the depths of the ruins, they appeared.
Spectral warriors. Ethereal figures clad in armor long turned to dust, their hollow eyes burning with unrest. Remnants of past battles, lingering echoes of spirits refusing to fade.
They were not welcoming…
Jayce’s grip on his sword tightened as the first spectral knight raised its weapon. The Fenrir Pup let out a low, warning growl.
The Spirit Trial Begins!
Jayce steadied his stance as the spectral warriors advanced, their ghostly forms flickering like candlelight in the wind. Their armor bore no crest, their weapons weightless yet deadly. They moved with eerie silence -- no clanking of steel, no sound of shifting feet. Only the low hum of spiritual energy vibrating through the ruins.
The first knight lunged.
Jayce barely dodged, his instincts screaming as the translucent blade carved through the space where his head had been. He then made a quick Phantom Step backwards and countered with a swift strike, his Fragmentation Blades shimmering with glitching energy as it made way to meet the phantom. Sparks erupted -- but his attack phased through, the specter unaffected.
“Physical attacks won’t work…” Jayce realized, cursing under his breath. “Un-like the Wraithbound Sentinel, which is also an ethereal being, these guys… ”
“Is it because I’m not in the Glitchrift anymore but in the Spirit Realm?”
Swift as the wind itself, the spectral knight dashed and retaliated with an overhead slash. He barely managed to deflect it, but the impact sent a jolt through his arms. These warriors were not mindless spirits -- they were skilled, remnants of fallen champions.
The Fenrir Pup leaped forward.
With a sharp Spirit Howl, an invisible shockwave burst from its tiny frame. The spectral knights faltered, their forms flickering under the weight of the pup’s energy.
Jayce’s mind raced. Spirit-based attacks. That’s the key.
A quick glance at his status window revealed something new:
[Resonance Strike -- Infuses the next attack with spiritual energy. Can damage ethereal beings.]
Perfect.
Jayce activated Resonance Strike. Energy pulsed through his arm as he slashed again, his blade now coated in a shimmering glow. This time, when his sword met the specter’s chest, the spirit knight let out a hollow cry. Its form cracked -- fractured -- before dispersing into mist.
But there were more.
Three more knights approached, their weapons raised.
Jayce exhaled. The trial had only just begun.