Chapter Twenty: Ah, Rats

  After the Affinities class, his next scheduled step was to visit Hades. The rest of them headed to their respective Societies. Here, they would gain their first class titles and party roles.

  Jace opened his map using the digital display. It created a mini-map in the top right corner of his HUD.

  There was a tiny mark on the map labeled [Active Quest]. Looking closer, two options appeared. The one marked [Fast Travel] was grayed out. The other, [Navigate] was selectable. Jason chose his only real option, [Navigate], and immediately his location on the map started to glow. This time, it knew exactly where Jace was and a dotted line sprang from his position, winding down the path to the Entrance of the Underworld.

  The air grew cold and restless as he walked beside the wall of a cliff face. The light faded in the late afternoon, darkness enveloping him. The cliff face was overgrown with moss and branches, the foliage clinging desperately to the rocky surface.

  An alert flared before his eyes, casting an eerie glow on the path ahead.

  You Entering Protective Zone Two.

  As he continued to follow the map, another notification appeared.

  You Entering Protective Zone Three.

  Warning: Your rank does not meet the recommended minimum requirements for entry to this level. Proceed at your own risk.

  Why did they put the entrance to the Underworld so far from the Campus proper? Jace thought about it and decided that the question answered itself. Right, who wants to be that close to death?

  The trees grew gnarled and twisted, their branches clawing at the sky. Thick clouds loomed overhead. The dense canopy blocked out what little light remained, casting deep shadows over the ground.

  Jace squared his shoulders and pressed on, each step echoing the quiet determination thrumming in his chest. The forest seemed to close in around him, silence broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant snap of twigs. He could feel unseen eyes tracking his every movement, the sensation prickling the back of his neck. Every sound set his nerves on edge, a reminder of the lurking dangers.

  The path wound deeper into the heart of the forest, the air growing colder, as if the very essence of the Underworld was seeping through the earth to greet him.

  A loud ding rang through Jace’s mind, nearly causing him to jump out of his body.

  New Area Discovered

  Path of Echoes has been added to your map.

  Status Effects:

  ? Reduced Visibility

  ? All Sound Reduced by 25%

  The forest whispered ancient words in the language of rustling leaves and creaking moans. Distant growls reverberated through the trees, muffled by oppressive magic. Jace treaded carefully, knowing this place was alive with threats. Squinting into the shadows, he strained to pierce the inky blackness, but the darkness seemed to shift and mock his efforts. Shapes moved within, blending seamlessly with the gloom, creating an ever-present sense of dread.

  He was pretty sure he should turn back.

  A chill enveloped him as he advanced, ignoring his instincts. Trees loomed like ancient sentinels, their twisted branches clawing at the sky. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled the air. Jace’s heartbeat quickened, matching the rhythm of his cautious steps.

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  He continued forward, senses heightened, every rustle and murmur amplifying the tension. The shadows pulsed with life, and Jace knew he wasn’t alone in the dark.

  A faint sniffling sound pricked Jace’s ears. From the oppressive shadows emerged a grotesque abomination, a rat-like beast lumbering into view. Matted fur, slick with grime, coated its hunched back. Malevolent red eyes glowed above yellowed fangs that jutted from a slavering maw. Pus-filled sores oozed a rancid liquid, mingling with the stench of decay. Its long, worm-like tail lashed the ground, kicking up dirt and debris.

  Jace’s heart pounded like a war drum as he faced the monstrosity unarmed. Staring down at this nightmare, a cold sweat slicked his brow. Dread coiled in his stomach, heavy and nauseating.

  It’ just a game. It’s just... a... game. He reminded himself.

  With a ferocious snarl, the giant rat launched itself at Jace, razor-sharp claws slashing through the air. He stood his ground, trying to steel himself. But as the beast closed in, panic surged through him. He turned to run, tripping over a root, his dexterity betraying him.

  The rat was upon him in an instant, claws raking across his chest. Jace gasped in pain, rolling to the side as the beast’s fangs snapped inches from his face. Scrambling to his feet, heart pounding, he searched frantically for a weapon. His eyes landed on a fallen branch, jagged and sturdy, lying a few feet away.

  Combat Log

  Greater Plague Rat deals 15 Damage with Glancing Gash.

  Health: 25/40

  Status: Moderate Injuries, -1 to Stamina

  Jace lunged for the branch, gripping it tightly just as the beast charged again. He swung with all his might, the branch connecting with a sickening crunch against the creature’s skull. It reeled back, a guttural scream ripping through the air.

  But the rat was far from deterred. It shook its head, blood and black ichor dripping from the wound, and launched itself at Jace again, this time knocking him to the ground. The creature’s onslaught was relentless, its fury ripping claws and disgusting mouth fueled by primal instincts and a hunger for blood. Each swipe of its claws sent Jace sprawling to the ground, his limbs flailing as he desperately tried to fend off the assault.

  Greater Plague Rat deals 15 Slashing Damage.

  You are Poisoned and Bleeding

  Health: 10/40

  Status: Severe Injuries, -4 to Stamina

  He pushed himself back, crawling away from the beast. His eyes darted frantically, searching for any escape. Dizzy from the stamina drain, a sudden, searing pain shot through his hand. His silver raven ring burned fiercely. With a yelp, he yanked his hand back, the pain instantly subsiding. “What the hell?” he whispered through clenched teeth.

  The ring tugged his hand sideways, guiding him toward a vine. His gaze followed its length, realizing it led to the top of a cliff. Perched precariously above were loose rocks, teetering on the edge. The beast’s snarls grew louder, and with a sudden, gut-wrenching lunge, it charged at him. Jace fell prone, hands scrambling for the vine in a desperate bid for survival.

  Clutching the thick vine, he used it to shield his face from the beast, its dripping maw inches away. The vine tightened, pulling taut against the rock face. Over the creature’s deafening growls, Jace heard the ominous rumble of shifting stone. A cascade of rocks tumbled down, each impact reverberating through the ground.

  Jace rolled away just as a series of massive stones crashed down, smashing the rat’s head with a sickening crack. The relentless downpour of debris continued, a thunderous roar drowning out the beast’s final, muffled squeals. Rocks piled high, burying the monstrous rat under a suffocating mountain of earth and stone. Jace lay on the ground, breathless and bleeding.

  His heart hammered in his chest as he stared at the pile of rubble. Adrenaline surged through his veins, the realization of his narrow escape washing over him like a tidal wave.

  Enemy Defeated: Greater Plague Rat

  Rank Difference: 2 ranks above yours

  EXP Gained: 500 + Rank Disparity Modifier

  Total Experience Gained: 750

  He didn’t know why, but he laughed. He had survived. Looking at his ring with newfound appreciation, he asked aloud, “Did you know that was going to happen?” as if expecting an answer. For a brief moment, the gemstone eye caught the light, glinting mysteriously.

  Health: 5/40

  “Wait, why am I losing health?” Jace pulled up his status effects.

  Status Effect: Poisoned

  Status Effect: Bleeding

  Health Loss: -15 over 10 seconds until cured.

  “Shit.”

  You Have Died