The pendant began pulsing faster and faster in Kyren's hand. The black steel chain floated upward before shooting up and latching itself around his neck.
Kyren reached behind his neck for the clasp—but it had vanished. He tried to pull the necklace off, but each time he did, the chain seemed to tighten, shrinking just enough to make removal impossible.
Frustrated, he tried to send it to his inventory. Mana swirled around the pendant but fizzled out, leaving the necklace firmly in place.
"I guess bound really means bound. I've never been a necklace guy," Kyren muttered to himself.
The pressure in his head eased, his mind now crystal clear.
He stepped out of the church, scanning the room one last time. Nothing else of use. He walked past the hundreds of mole bodies scattered across the floor and down the half-mile path back to the bar.
The bartender was still standing behind the counter. "Didn't think you'd actually do it," he said. "So, bad news—only two rooms."
Kyren laughed. "So am I supposed to just crash on the floor here?"
"Nah, your friends argued about who'd share. You got the room on the right, down that hall."
Kyren walked down the hallway, stopping at the door on the left. He knocked.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
He expected Lydel's voice. Instead, a soft, melodic voice answered.
"Yes, you can come in, Kyren."
It was Runa.
He opened the door slowly. Runa sat on the bed, faint light shining through the curtain behind her. She had removed her cloak and the red-and-black dress she'd worn underneath. In its place, she wore a cute set of pink pajamas.
Kyren blushed, eyes tracing over her gentle expression and the soft curves barely hidden by her clothes.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Runa asked.
"I'm just… not used to having a beautiful woman with me on my journey," Kyren said, his blush deepening.
Runa smiled, but didn't blush.
"I can summon my bedroll if you don't want to share." Kyren said.
Runa nodded. She looked relieved at his response. She lay back in the bed while he summoned his bedroll and laid it out beside her.
After a few quiet minutes, Runa broke the silence.
"Where did you go? I've been back for at least 30 minutes."
"Something about that church… it was calling to me."
Runa started to speak again, but Kyren cut her off gently.
"Let me ask a question, then you get another one. Deal?"
She nodded.
"Why did you pick me to share your room tonight?"
Runa turned her head away, a faint blush touching her cheeks. "I just… wanted to talk to you again. Like the other night."
She composed herself. "That pendant… did you find it in the church?"
Kyren held it up. "Yeah. And I think it has something to do with my family, but I'm not sure yet."
Runa perked up. "So it's a Warhammer relic?"
Kyren shook his head. "No. Warhammer's family didn't have relics. He was only the second of his bloodline to even have real power. This… this is from my mother's side. The people who built this city."
"Can you tell me more about them?" she asked.
"I will. But on one condition."
"What?"
"You've had real sword training, right?"
"Yes… traditional training."
"Then teach me. Train me to sword fight, and I'll tell you what I know—about my family, and the real history of this city."
"I think I can do that," Runa said softly. "Sleep well, Kyren. I had a good time talking."
Kyren smiled as sleep overtook them both.
The dream came again—but this time, it was different.
Kyren didn't watch from the outside. He was inside the dream, seeing through someone else's eyes.
A young girl's voice echoed in his ears.
"Father! Where are you going?"
She chased after a man who walked away without looking back, leaving her outside an orphanage.
She stood alone until a woman came to the door.
"I know it's not what you wanted," the woman said gently. "But this will be your new home."
She turned the girl to face the building.
Kyren's heart lurched.
It was the same orphanage he had grown up in—Grandma Windy's place.
The woman walked her inside.
"What's your name, young lady?" she asked.
"I'm Kyanna… and I hope I don't scare you like I do my other family."
The woman knelt and hugged her. "What about you could ever scare me?"
Kyren woke to Runa accidentally kicking him as she tiptoed out of the room.
"I'm so sorry. At least you can have the bed now," she whispered before disappearing through the door.
Kyren sat up, his thoughts racing.
That wasn't just a dream. That was a memory.
He opened his system and navigated to the Weapons & Armor tab, selecting the Crownshard Pendant.
Relic: Crownshard Pendant
1. Queen's Veil (Passive Trait)
Grants immunity to magical tracking and weak mind-influence effects. In moments of high stress, the pendant will completely mask your aura—just as Kyanna once vanished from the battlefield to strike unseen.
2. Hyper Reflex (Active Skill)
For 10 seconds, Kyren's reflexes exceed human limits.
Dodging becomes instinctual, greatly increasing evasion.
Movement speed doubles.
Instantly counterattack after a successful dodge.
Projectiles appear slowed, allowing Kyren to weave through them.
Cooldown: 25 seconds.
3. Veilborne Heir (Legacy Path)
Unlocks a new hybrid combat path blending stealth, anticipation, and mana-infused strikes. The pendant stores Kyanna's battle memories, which can be unlocked through combat or key system events.
Bonus Passive: In moments of great danger, the pendant may act on its own—shielding Kyren or enhancing a strike with Kyanna's will.
"Damn, great-grandma, you really knew how to pick enchanted gear."
Kyren opened his stat screen. He'd leveled up—Level 8, nearly Level 9, just 100 EXP away. His stat points jumped by 150.
His inventory blinked. He opened it.
A new item had appeared.
He summoned it—and a strange creature fell into his hands before hitting the ground.
It looked like a large chicken… except it was covered in flames.
The flaming chicken clucked once, laid an egg, then disintegrated into ash.
Kyren stared, disturbed, before cautiously picking up the egg.
A new message popped up.
Item: Spirit Beast Egg
Status: Dormant
Gain EXP while in possession of this egg to hatch a spirit beast.