Ethan stood at the threshold of a winding, narrow path, the dark vine forest looming ahead of him like a predator waiting to strike. The canopy above was dense, allowing little light to penetrate, leaving the entire area shrouded in gloom. The path before him seemed to snake into the heart of the Beast Plane's inner regions, a place few had ventured and even fewer had returned from. Ethan wasn't just exploring; he was headed for something deeper, something darker.
From his system storage, he pulled out his war hammer—a formidable black weapon with crimson details etched into its surface. He had been training with it for some time now, its weight and power becoming a natural extension of his body. But today, he took out something new—a dark blue chain, coiled like a bracelet around his wrist. He hadn't used it before. It had been a reward for slaying a Tyrant, but until now, it had remained in storage, untouched and unexplored.
As soon as he held it, the system activated.
[System Identification!]
A great artifact for Psychic users and those with Psychic-related affinities. Created by ??? for his beloved disciple, a prodigy in willpower and Psychism.
It has the spirit of wills and can assist the user in any way possible. It can elongate and shorten itself according to the user's desires. However, its full potential is limited by the user's level and the strength of their will.
Rank: None (grows alongside the user)
Perks: This artifact forms a pact with its user and stays with them until death. It can transform into an accessory to remain with the user at all times. Additionally, the artifact can protect the user from surprise attacks. Other features remain locked until the user levels up.
Ethan's eyes scanned the description. He could tell the artifact was powerful, far more than what the system was revealing at his current level. But there was something else—a hidden message in its description. The chain could help him strengthen his willpower, something Ethan was eager to hone.
A new message appeared before him.
[Would You Like to Form a Pact of Wills?]
Ethan stared at the prompt, contemplating the choice. The chain had immense potential, and the idea of forming a pact with it felt significant. But he also understood the risks involved with such artifacts. It was a gamble—a leap of faith.
[Initiating Pact of Wills. Prepare for a Bit of Pain.]
The moment he confirmed, Ethan was hit with a blinding pain that seared through his skull like white-hot lightning. He gritted his teeth, his body stiffening as the chain in his hand began to glow, first cool and blue, then gradually shifting to a fiery red. It burned, the temperature fluctuating from ice-cold to blistering hot, but none of it compared to the throbbing pain in his head. It felt as though something was carving into his mind, branding his very soul.
Minutes passed in a painful blur, until finally, the sensation stopped, and the chain ceased glowing. Ethan took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. When he looked down, the chain had disappeared.
He reached up to his right ear. There, dangling from his lobe, was an earring—the chain had transformed. His mouth twitched in annoyance. "An earring?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. That wasn't what he had asked for, but clearly, the artifact had a mind of its own.
With a sigh, Ethan pushed forward into the darkness of the vine forest, the eerie silence broken only by the occasional distant roar of unseen creatures. His steps were quiet, cautious, as he made his way deeper into the Beast Plane.
[You've Entered the Inner Area of the Beast Plane]
[Section 1: Babel's Hive]
The system warning made Ethan pause. Babel's Hive—it sounded ominous. He knew the further into the Beast Plane he ventured, the more dangerous the beasts became. The humanoid beasts he had fought before, the ones that had granted him the Hammer Lord's Constitution and his new weapon, were unlike anything in the outer regions. But Babel's Hive? This was different. This place had an air of sentience, of creatures not just born from chaos but crafted with intelligence and purpose.
Ethan summoned Angitia, his loyal snake companion, who eagerly coiled around his neck, her cool scales pressing against his skin. Together, they entered Babel's Hive, ready for whatever lay ahead.
The forest was eerily quiet. The only sounds were the occasional distant roar of beasts far removed from his location. Each step Ethan took seemed to echo louder than it should, and he moved carefully, his senses stretched to their limits, trying to detect any sign of danger before it struck. His mind raced, trying to anticipate what might be lurking in the shadows.
The sharp sound of flesh meeting flesh broke through the silence like a whip crack.
A brawny man stood over a small, trembling figure—a girl, no older than twelve, crouched in fear, her tiny frame wrapped in her wings as though trying to shield herself from the man's wrath. She had light blue hair, matted with dirt, and a pair of blue eyes that shimmered with tears. Her features were strikingly delicate, yet unusual: elf-like ears, icicle-shaped horns sprouting from her head, and white eagle wings covered in icy blue feathers.
The man, who shared many of the girl's features, towered over her with a sneer of contempt etched into his face. His voice was a growl, filled with venom. "You motherless child of a whore! Do you think anyone would care for you?!"
The girl sobbed, her small body trembling, but even in her fear, she wrapped her wings around herself protectively. The man had once been her father, but no longer. After her mother's death during childbirth, the man had severed all ties with her. The Seer had condemned the girl as cursed, a being of misfortune, one who would never die, no matter how many times they tried to kill her.
And so, her life had been one of misery. Rejected by her own people, she was blamed for the death of her mother, their Empress. She was shunned by everyone, even the slave traders who ran at the sight of her peculiar horns, calling her cursed. The girl had endured forced labor, work far too demanding for a child of her age, and had grown up in a world where cruelty was all she knew.
Yet, deep inside, the girl harbored a secret—a secret that no one knew. She was not weak, not dull, as everyone believed. In fact, she was a wolf among sheep, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The girl had awakened her powers long ago, had already bonded with her Spirit Beast, but kept her abilities hidden. Even the cowardly Seer hadn't detected her true nature.
She had seen a vision of her future—of a prince, her savior, who would unlock the full potential of her powers and stand by her side as she claimed the position that should have been hers by birthright. The position of Empress.
For now, she would play her part, feigning fear and submission as her father berated her. But inside, her mind was calculating, cold, and merciless. She would wait, bide her time, and when the moment came, they would all regret what they had done to her.