Chapter 4: Shadows and Secrets

Allen felt a strange weight pressing against him as he walked through the crowded streets of Beijing. The people around him moved as if nothing had changed, their lives filled with mundane chatter and routine. But for Allen, the world felt different.

Every shadow seemed darker, every noise sharper. The Hidden Quest and the Trial of the Forgotten had ignited a new power within him, but it also left him uneasy.

He glanced at his System interface, pulling up his updated stats:

[Stats]

Strength: 6

Agility: 7

Intelligence: 12

Vitality: 8

Mana: Infinite

[Skills]

Lightning Bolt (Level 1): A focused burst of electricity.

Chain Lightning (Level 1): A multi-target attack that arcs between enemies.

His new skill was powerful, but it came with a steep energy requirement. Even with infinite Mana, his physical stamina would be his greatest weakness.

The familiar sound of heels clicking against the pavement caught his attention. He turned to see Emma approaching, her usual confident stride accompanied by a playful grin.

"Looks like someone survived their first dungeon," she teased, crossing her arms.

Allen smirked. "Barely."

Emma's expression shifted to something more serious. "I was going to swing by your place, but something told me you'd be here. What's going on?"

Allen hesitated. He trusted Emma more than anyone, but the Crystal Core and the Hidden Quest felt… dangerous. Sharing too much might put her at risk.

"Nothing," he said, trying to sound casual. "Just leveling up."

Emma didn't buy it. Her sharp green eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Allen, you've always been a terrible liar. Spill it."

Before he could answer, the System's voice interrupted:

[Danger Detected: Hostile Presence Nearby.]

Allen's eyes darted around, scanning the crowd.

"What is it?" Emma asked, her tone shifting to concern.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a side alley, away from the main street. "We're being watched," he whispered.

As if on cue, three figures emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by black masks. Each carried weapons glinting faintly with enchantments.

"Give us the Core," the leader demanded, his voice cold and mechanical.

Allen's stomach dropped. How did they know about the Crystal Core? He had kept it hidden, even from Emma.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Allen said, stepping in front of Emma.

The leader raised a hand, and dark energy swirled around his palm. "Don't play dumb, rookie. We know you activated it. Hand it over, and we might let you live."

Emma stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with healing energy. "Three-on-one? You cowards couldn't pick an easier fight?"

The leader chuckled. "Three-on-two. Fine by me."

Allen raised his hand, lightning crackling to life around his fingers. "Let's see if you can handle it."

The first attacker lunged, a dagger flashing toward Allen's chest. He sidestepped, releasing a Lightning Bolt that struck the man square in the chest, sending him sprawling.

Emma moved with surprising speed, her agility honed from years of dungeon raids. She ducked under another attacker's swing and slammed her glowing hand against his back. The man howled as her healing energy burned into him like acid a unique trait of combat healers.

The leader watched, unmoving, as his two subordinates fell. Then, with a wave of his hand, the shadows around him coalesced into a massive blade.

"You've got potential, rookie," he said, stepping forward. "But you're not ready for me."

Allen gritted his teeth. The man's aura was overwhelming, far beyond anything he'd faced. But he had no choice.

He raised both hands, focusing his energy. Chain Lightning surged from his palms, arcing toward the leader.

The man smirked, raising his shadow blade. The lightning struck, but instead of injuring him, the shadows absorbed the attack.

"What—?!" Allen stumbled back.

The leader closed the distance in an instant, slamming his blade against Allen's sword. The force sent Allen crashing into the wall behind him, his chest heaving as the System chimed:

[HP: 50/100.]

Emma darted forward, her hands glowing as she reached for Allen. "Stay still!"

He felt her healing energy wash over him, soothing the pain, but the leader didn't give them time to recover.

"I'll take that Core now," the man said, raising his blade for the final blow.

In the moment before the blade struck, something inside Allen snapped. His vision blurred, and the world seemed to slow. The System's voice rang louder than ever before:

[Unique Trait Activated: Infinite Mana Surge.]

Electricity exploded from Allen's body, a violent storm that lit up the alley. The leader was thrown back, slamming into the opposite wall with a grunt.

Allen stood, his body crackling with energy. The air around him shimmered, and his voice was layered with the System's cold tone.

"Don't touch her," he said, his eyes glowing with blue light.

The leader struggled to his feet, glaring. "What… are you?"

Allen didn't answer. He raised his hand, summoning a massive bolt of lightning. It struck the leader, sending him crashing to the ground.

[Opponent Defeated: 300 EXP Gained.]

The other two attackers scrambled to their feet and fled, dragging their unconscious leader with them.

As the energy subsided, Allen swayed, exhaustion crashing over him. Emma caught him before he fell.

Emma guided Allen to a nearby bench, her hands still glowing faintly as she tended to his wounds.

"You've got some explaining to do," she said, her voice soft but firm.

Allen hesitated, then sighed. "There was something in the dungeon. A Core. It… gave me a quest."

Emma frowned. "And those guys wanted it?"

"Yeah," Allen said, his gaze distant. "But there's more to it. That Core it's part of something bigger. I can feel it."

Emma didn't respond immediately. Instead, she tightened her grip on his arm. "Whatever this is, you're not doing it alone. Got it?"

Allen met her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Fine."