Karl stood at the edge of the island, gazing at the towering stone pillars and dense jungle stretching before him. The atmosphere was thick with mystery—rumors had spoken of an ancient civilization hidden here, one whose knowledge could shake the very foundations of the world.
[Mission Triggered: Investigate the Lost Temple and Secure the Ancient Artifact]
Objective: Retrieve an artifact hidden in the temple. Time Limit: 48 Hours
Bonus Objective: Uncover the secrets of the Poneglyphs.
Reward: 1x Rare Gacha Ticket | 2000 Beli
Karl grinned at the mission's details, but his excitement was tempered by a strange feeling he couldn't shake off.
He couldn't be the only one interested in this artifact.
The jungle was silent, save for the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. The air smelled of earth and ancient stone, as though the jungle had been growing over ruins for centuries.
As Karl made his way deeper into the jungle, the shadows seemed to shift unnaturally, watching him from every angle. The very trees felt alive, their gnarled branches twisting like fingers, beckoning him toward the heart of the island.
Then, just as the first stone temple came into view, he heard it.
A rustle.
Karl stopped, instinctively reaching for his Flame Whip, only to see a flash of movement in the underbrush.
[Spirit Tracker – Active]
He turned just in time to see a young girl step out of the shadows—dark hair, sharp eyes, and a strange, quiet presence.
"You're not from around here," she said softly, her voice sharp yet calm. "What brings you to the island?"
Karl's grip on his weapon loosened slightly. He studied her, sensing no immediate threat. The girl stood still, her eyes fixated on him with an intensity that made him uncomfortable, as if she could see right through him.
"I'm here to explore," Karl answered carefully. "Looking for something... important."
The girl's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see. You're after the artifact, then. I wouldn't be so eager if I were you."
Karl raised an eyebrow. "Why? What's wrong with it?"
The girl hesitated, glancing around as if checking for unseen listeners. Then, in a quiet voice, she spoke again. "The artifact is not just a treasure. It holds secrets—secrets that the world might not be ready for. People have died trying to claim it."
Karl's interest piqued, but he didn't show it. "And what do you want with it?"
The girl studied him for a moment longer before her gaze softened, though there was still caution in her eyes. "My name is Nico Robin. I've been following the island's history for years. I need that artifact, too—though my reasons may be different from yours."
Karl's eyes flicked to the temple behind her. The stones, worn with age, seemed to whisper in the wind. "Then I suppose we'll be working together."
Robin studied him, her eyes calculating, before she nodded slowly. "Just don't get in my way."
⸻
The Ancient Temple
The two of them trekked deeper into the jungle, the ruins gradually becoming more visible. The temple loomed ahead, half-swallowed by vegetation and time. Vines and roots snaked over the stone, but there was an unmistakable power about the place.
Karl activated his Spirit Tracker, allowing the faintest glow of the past to reveal the hidden paths through the jungle.
"Keep your distance," Robin warned, walking ahead with careful steps.
Karl followed her, watching her every move. There was something about her that intrigued him—her calm demeanor, her intellect, and the way she moved with purpose. Despite the apparent trust she had in him, there was always a layer of wariness in her eyes.
When they reached the entrance to the temple, Karl couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. The air here felt heavy, thick with the weight of centuries of forgotten history.
The stone doors loomed before them, intricately carved with symbols Karl didn't understand. Robin moved to the side, kneeling before the door.
"I've studied these markings," she said quietly. "They're part of an ancient language—a language lost to time. If we're lucky, the temple's secrets will be just as easily unlocked."
Karl watched as she traced a symbol with her finger, and slowly, the massive stone door groaned, shifting open with a deep, reverberating sound.
Inside, the air was cool and musty, the faint smell of ancient stone mingling with something else—something unsettling. The inner temple was darker than Karl expected, but the faintest glow from the walls illuminated the way.
Robin stepped forward, unbothered by the darkness, as though she had been here many times before.
Karl stayed close, his senses alert, knowing full well that danger lurked in these forgotten places.
⸻
The Trial of the Temple
As they descended deeper into the temple, Karl noticed the atmosphere growing tense. It wasn't just the silence—there was something else.
Pressure.
A sudden shift in the air.
Before Karl could react, the temple floor rumbled beneath them, and a series of traps activated—arrows shot from the walls, hidden blades swung from the ceiling, and ancient gears clicked into place, setting off mechanical traps designed to stop intruders.
Karl's instincts kicked in.
[Thunder Step] – He dashed forward, avoiding a barrage of arrows.
Robin, already several steps ahead, effortlessly ducked under a swinging blade, her sharp gaze never leaving the path ahead. She was already working her way around the traps, navigating them with precision.
Karl had no choice but to follow, narrowly dodging another set of blades and using his Ember Shell to block an incoming spear. The flame around his body burned with intensity, but it wasn't enough to make the traps cease. Still, they bought him precious seconds.
"Stay close," Robin called back, her voice steady even amidst the chaos.
Karl nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt of his short sabers. The deeper they went, the more dangerous it became. The temple was more than just a relic—it was a test.
And it was clear that whoever built it didn't want anyone getting their hands on the artifact.
⸻
Uncovering the Secrets
Finally, they reached the inner sanctum of the temple, where the artifact rested on a stone pedestal. The object was glowing faintly, its surface covered in strange symbols similar to those on the door.
Robin stepped forward cautiously, her hand hovering over it, as though she were waiting for something.
Karl stayed a few steps back, eyeing her. "Do you know what it is?"
"I do," Robin said softly. "It's a Poneglyph fragment. A key to the true history of this world."
She reached out and carefully lifted the artifact, a dark blue stone that pulsed with power. As soon as her fingers touched it, the stone seemed to hum, and the entire temple seemed to respond.
A deep rumble shook the ground.
[Warning: Unstable Artifact Detected.]
Robin turned quickly. "We need to leave. Now."
But before they could make their exit, the walls around them began to close in, as if the temple itself was reacting to the artifact's disturbance.