As I made my choice, the evolution stone began to vibrate in my hand. I could feel it both drawing in mana from around me and burning up the mana already contained within it. The mana inside was what caught my attention.

  The density of that mana was greater as was its complexity. I found that I couldn’t really even feel all of the differences as it seemed more like a Picasso when I had been expecting a water-color paint by numbers.

  Then I felt that complexity surge into me. There was a burning sensation which was over almost as quickly as it began followed by another notification.

  Trait evolution has been guided by your governing motif.

  Loot (Uncommon)- this ability will allow you to automatically loot any target killed by you or your party without requiring the use of any crafting skills such as skinning. It will also provide a small chance of improving the quality of the loot.

  As I started reading the supposedly evolved definition, I began to feel cheated, but then I realized there was an additional portion to the description.

  The ability will have a further effect on consumable items. The chance to improve the quality of consumable items will be significant. For items above uncommon, this effect will only be moderate. Further, consumables of uncommon or lower grade will have a 50% chance of being doubled when they are looted. The extra items will be produced from the ambient mana in the area where the looting occurs.

  I shook my head. Apparently, I was going to become an item junky dependent upon a bag full of different tricks. Well, that would work. I just had to mentally adapt.

  Of course, then the gate activated, and it was time to see what the system had in store for me.

  Chapter 32- Off to War

  My foot found purchase on the other side of the portal and instantly met with an intense feeling of displacement. It was the same disorienting rush I had experienced each time I had used the portal before—a sensation akin to being swept off my feet by an invisible gust, only to be unceremoniously deposited elsewhere.

  As I emerged fully from the transition, the spectacle before me was nothing short of apocalyptic. The sky was an awe-inspiring theater of devastation. It was not simply ablaze, but erupting in a cataclysmic display of magic. Spells crisscrossed the firmament, arcing and colliding like celestial fireworks gone rogue. Each was a distinct burst of color—vermillion, cobalt, gold, and countless others that blurred the lines of the spectrum.

  Above me, these magical missiles soared with formidable intent, culminating in ground-shaking detonations that made the heavens look like they were in the throes of a fierce battle. The concussive force was so overwhelming, it sent tremors through the earth that rattled my bones and toppled my equilibrium.

  My legs buckled, and I found myself going down on one knee, instinctively reaching out to brace myself against the ground. The rough, cold texture of the terrain pressed against my palm, but the chill that ran through my spine had little to do with the temperature. Beneath me, amid the coarse dirt and rocks, was the unsettling, unmistakable feel of a lifeless body.

  A chilling realization set in as I took in the full scope of my surroundings. The landscape was a gruesome tableau of destruction, carpeted with the fallen. The bodies stretched out in all directions, painting a grim picture that extended as far as the normal human eye could see. The scent of charred earth and the metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air, a sensory assault that only served to underscore the harsh reality of the scene.

  The battlefield was littered with casualties of war, all humanoid, yet distinctly not human. As my gaze swept the gruesome scene, it became apparent that two different alien species had been the combatants in this tragic battle.

  The first was an imposing species, their height eclipsing an average human's by several inches. Their bodies were oddly proportioned, sporting a narrow midriff that gave way to robust hips and a broad chest. Their skin was an ethereal shade of pale yellow that stood out starkly against the blood-stained ground.

  Trailing across the top of their heads were rigid bony ridges, replacing the familiar concept of hair. Their eyes were an intriguing anomaly, two wide ovals stacked atop one another in a bizarre, vertical arrangement. Despite their fallen state, the physical prowess of these beings was evident. Shattered pieces of armor and broken melee weapons lay scattered around them, serving as a testament to their brute strength.

  The second species, in stark contrast, were diminutive beings, barely reaching four feet in height. Each of their bodies was swathed in tattered and charred gray robes, speaking of a battle that had burned hot and fierce. Their heads were smaller, crowned with a sparse coat of tan fur, lending them a peculiarly simian appearance. Yet, their facial structure bore an uncanny resemblance to human features.

  Short arms ended in intriguing hands, each equipped with four nimble fingers sandwiched between a pair of thumb-like appendages. Their chosen weapons were clearly not intended for close combat; broken wands, cracked staves, and a variety of mystic paraphernalia lay scattered amidst the carnage, indicating a strong affinity for magic.

  In the distance, a city stood isolated in the otherwise unbroken expanse of land. Its silhouette was marred by gaping holes and jagged outlines, testament to the unyielding barrage it was facing. A chilling rain of destructive spells continued to fall upon it, their impacts painting bright, fiery smears against the grim backdrop. The city, standing alone against the onslaught, seemed to be the epicenter of the chaos—the focal point of the sky's fury.

  None of the explosions actually entered the city, as they were all stopped in the air. The brilliant explosions crashed against a translucent blue dome of power. I didn’t know much about magic, but from the little that I did, I had to assume that the cost for maintaining such a shield would be staggering.

  As I absorbed the sheer scale of devastation, a ripple of apprehension ran through me, making the hairs on my neck stand on end. Slowly, I rose to my feet, eyes transfixed on the beleaguered city.

  Every impact which landed outside the city caused mushroom clouds of debris to erupt with each hit, sending dark plumes of smoke spiraling into the sky. Their ascent was marked by the occasional spark and flicker as residual magic ignited within the dust-filled shrouds, casting an eerie, dancing glow that seemed like a mockery of stars in the night sky.

  The wind, once a silent spectator, began to pick up its pace, echoing the fury of the heavens above. It whipped past me, carrying with it the acrid smell of scorched earth and the discordant symphony of battle—the ear-splitting roars of the spells, the terrifying thuds of their impacts, and the distant, desperate cries echoed from the city.

  Suddenly, the ground beneath me shook with a greater intensity, knocking me back to the ground. A shockwave rippled through the air, followed by a deafening boom that resonated in my chest. An immense geyser of energy erupted from the city, briefly outshining the devastating ballet in the sky, casting long, horrifying shadows across the field of the fallen.

  The city, now obscured by a massive cloud of smoke and debris, was momentarily silenced. Then, as if provoked by the sudden quiet, the sky retaliated with increased ferocity. A barrage of spells rained down, relentlessly pounding the smoky veil.

  I knew I couldn't stay idle, the scene before me was compelling enough to spur me into action. The crunch of loose gravel beneath my boots echoed ominously as I began to move, each step a measured attempt to navigate the gruesome terrain.

  The taste of dust and fear was bitter on my tongue as I set my sights on the city under siege, steeling myself for the daunting journey ahead. It was clear that a storm was brewing, a clash of unimaginable powers, and I was walking straight into the heart of it.

  I didn’t know what the details of this setting were yet, but moving towards the city seemed safer than standing out in a field of the dead, even if it was being targeted. But, then I focused for a moment, waiting to see if I would get a notification explaining my mission. I’d only been here for seconds, but it seemed far longer.

  Welcome to the war for Proximus.

  Two different factions are fighting a war. The reasons for this war are varied depending on which side you ask.

  Proximus is the name of the city and it is the last bastion of the Ceorgi, a race with an innate magical talent. It is being attacked by the Delmin, a race known for their natural strength and physical aptitude.

  Choose a side and do your best to turn the outcome of the war one way or the other. Either way, this war will soon be over, but even a small influence might tip the balance.

  Complete your Healer Challenge at the same time and earn a bonus reward.

  Duration: 16 hours.

  Oh, that complicated things. Now that I had more time to consider it, I wasn’t sure if I’d even be able to enter the city given the bombardment it was undergoing. I laid low amidst the fallen, the bleak reality of war on full display around me. Each breath was labored, a sharp reminder of the precariousness of life amidst death. A torrent of thoughts clouded my mind, but the choice that hung over my head weighed the heaviest.

  I had to pick a side. But how could I choose when I barely knew the stakes, the reasons for this devastating war? Choosing the underdog, the city under attack, felt instinctive, but it was a decision that needed more than just instinct. It was a scenario that demanded understanding and strategy, not knee-jerk reactions.

  Just as I was wrestling with these thoughts, the cacophony abruptly ended. The sudden silence that followed was unsettling, almost tangible. My body seemed to thrum in the absence of the relentless bombardment, a phantom echo of the chaos I had just witnessed.

  As the dust and smoke began to clear, I saw movement at the city gates. The massive doors swung open, revealing a procession of carts. They were pulled by sturdy, horned beasts of a similar size to oxen that seemed unfazed by the apocalyptic scene around them. Each cart was manned by four robed figures, and as they moved out, I realized the city wasn’t entirely defenseless.

  Simultaneously, on the other side of the battlefield, a group of Delmin were rummaging through their fallen, the raw brutality of their forms a stark contrast to the serenity of the magical beings I had just witnessed. The open field was soon going to be a convergence point of these two opposing forces, a thought that prompted an adrenaline surge.

  Decision time had arrived. Who was I going to approach? The Delmin seemed significantly stronger than I was even after my level ups. Meanwhile, the Ceorgi, who carried an air of calm even amidst chaos… was that a hint as to their magical capabilities? A part of me was drawn to them as I suspected they would have much more to teach me about a magical build such as I was aiming for.

  Still, the Delmin clearly had magic of their own, and impressive magic at that, judging from the way they had been bombarding the city. I was thinking in circles and talking myself out of making any decision, which I couldn’t risk here.

  A gut instinct tugged me towards the procession leaving the city. I felt a draw towards understanding the mystical, the magical. Swiftly, as stealthily as possible, I moved, keeping a wary eye on the Delmin across the field. As I approached one of the carts, a robed figure turned around. Their face, partially hidden by a hood, showed no sign of surprise. Their monkey-like features remained impassive, their eyes peering into mine.

  I made sure that Adorably Harmless was running along with the rest of my passives.

  As they got closer, I found my voice, the auto-translation ability activating as I spoke, "I mean you no harm. I want to understand. I want to help." It felt like a desperate plea, a leap of faith into the unknown, but it sounded better than, I come in peace. Take me to your leader. At least I thought that it did.

  The figure stared at me for a moment, the stillness of the scene punctuated only by the distant rumbling of carts. Then, breaking the silence, their voice sounded in my head, the auto-translation feature turning their foreign language into my own, "Help comes in many forms, stranger. Understanding is the first step. Come, let's talk."

  The voice was soft, but sounded somewhat masculine.

  With a nod of acknowledgment, I moved closer, hoping that my choice was the right one, that my understanding of this war would grow, and that I could indeed influence its outcome.

  The figure gestured for me to climb into the cart, an invitation I took without hesitation. As I hoisted myself onto the back, the wagon shuddered slightly under my weight, the ox-like beasts in front grunting in tandem. Once settled, I got a better look at my host.

  I found the simian-like Ceorgi both fascinating and oddly, similar to how my DnD group had created a character based off ‘Wukong the Monkey King’. I realized, even though his face was half-obscured by the shadows of his hood, his eyes stood out. They were a startling shade of cerulean, and there was a certain… serenity, or a monk-like quality in them that radiated outward. Perhaps a passive aura? The hidden depths of his gaze belied his small, monkey-like stature.

  "I am Maelis," the figure finally introduced himself, his voice echoing in my mind through the auto-translation. "What brings you to Proximus, stranger?"

  I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. "I've been tasked with a Healer's Challenge.” I didn’t want to say anything more than that. Dori and the others had been good with me being a Forerunner, but I suspected that not every group would be the same.

  Maelis didn't respond immediately. Instead, he seemed to be studying me. His gaze was evaluating, calculating. Finally, he spoke. "A noble cause, but not an easy one. From what you’ve said, you sound as though you might be one of the heaven’s blessed.”

  I was caught off guard by that turn of phrase and bumbled out, “I’m not sure what that means.”

  “Perhaps you are very new at this. I think you might be what is called a Forerunner, but we know them as the blessed of the heavens.”

  Something about his turn of phrase even in an alien language reminded me of what Jiang had said to me. It left me feeling off kilter.

  “I see that you don’t deny it. Well, you are most welcome by whatever name you are known.”

  “Silas,” I said.

  “Well, Sigh-less,” Maelis said, slightly mispronouncing my name.

  I didn’t bother to correct him and so he continued.

  “This war is not just about brute force, but about our essence, our magic. The Delmin want to crush that, to turn us into a mere shadow of what we are. They would cast our entire world into darkness out of their ignorance."

  His words hung heavily in the air. He clearly believed what he said, but despite how much I felt inclined to trust him, I needed to be careful. I knew that my aura had opened the door for me, but I was nervous to be completely under their power.

  "But, you don’t need to take my word for these things," Maelis continued, breaking the silence, "if you truly wish to help, you must understand what you're helping us protect. I will pledge your safety inside our city. This is our way. You will be free of any unwanted attention, but you can see what you would be fighting for, and I sense that you have some magical aptitude, perhaps you might learn something?”

  Identify finally went off and a part of me cursed that I hadn’t chosen to upgrade it.

  Maelis Bunarn (common) Class: Ritual Mage

  Level: 26

  If the others were this strong, I wondered how I could help them… then again, Dori did say my stats were ridiculously high. More importantly from my standpoint, maybe I could learn something that would make me stronger?

  “Are you willing to enter our city with an open mind and to learn of our ways?”

  "I am," I said firmly, meeting Maelis' gaze with a resolve I hadn't known I would feel until the words came out of my mouth.

  With a nod, Maelis turned his attention forward again, towards the retreating city walls of Proximus. "Then let us start with the most important lesson—our magic isn't just about casting spells or conjuring illusions. It is the very life of our world. Thus, we must gather up as many of our fallen as possible, so that they may be restored to the collective. This is the rhythm of the universe that hums in our veins. And, stranger, it's a rhythm that doesn't discriminate. It could resonate within you too, if you're open to it."

  As Maelis' voice echoed in my head, I felt a subtle shift in the air around me and the ground below me. The same calm that I had seen in Maelis' eyes began to seep into me. Something stirred, like my mind was on the cusp of profound understanding, just waiting for me if only I could quiet my mind enough to let it come to me. One thing that struck me instantly as I looked around… there was more to this conflict than I could physically perceive.

  Mage Challenge – 10% complete

  That single notification sealed the deal for me. I might still have my reservations, but if I could learn to empower my magic, I could potentially complete both of my remaining challenges here. Maelis had boosted me 10% of the way towards completing the Mage Challenge in a single moment.