Ashen moved with quiet resolve through the forest of silver-thorned trees. The leaves whispered secrets in a tongue long forgotten, and every step released a faint shimmer of force energy that rippled through the damp earth. His cloak fluttered behind him, brushing aside creeping vines as if nature itself recognized his authority.
[System Notification: New Region Discovered – "The Dreadwillow Frontier"]
[+2,000 EXP for Discovery Bonus]
[Current EXP: 321,913 / 2,000,000]
Ashen's breath misted in the cold air. "So this is the Empire's border…" he muttered. "Even the terrain is oppressive."
Up ahead, ruins peeked from under thick moss and spiraling roots. The aura of timeworn magic saturated the air, a primal presence that tugged on his elemental senses. Ashen could feel it—the trace of long-dead warding spells, protective glyphs twisted beyond recognition.
He raised his Elemental Staff. "[Mystic Detection]."
