Chapitre 9: Newfound Strength, and Bad News

William slumped against the gnarled trunk of the ancient tree, the rough bark digging into his sore back. He closed his eyes and focused on the familiar blue screen, a wave of weary satisfaction washing over him as he reviewed his updated status.

Name: William Velmont

Level: 10

Class: None

Attributes:

Strength: 19

Agility: 21

Stamina: 17

Intelligence: 18

Mana: 13

Skills:

Chrono Shift (SSS-Rank): Allows the user to open a portal to a specific point in the past. (Details Unlocked)

Seven levels. In a handful of brutal hours, he had made more progress than he could have ever imagined. He felt the transformation in every fiber of his being - the newfound strength in his limbs, the lightning-fast reflexes, the surge of energy thrumming through his veins. He was no longer the weak, unassuming boy who had stumbled through the portal. He was stronger, faster, more capable. He was a survivor.

A grim smile tugged at his lips. Cast aside, deemed unworthy by the arrogant Elric. Yet here, in the untamed wilds of Aethel's past, he was proving them all wrong. He was forging his own path, seizing control of his destiny.

William remained by the tree, allowing his battered body to recover. The aches and pains from his battles with the primeval beasts slowly subsided, replaced by a growing sense of strength and vitality. He felt a strange connection to this ancient land, a primal energy thrumming beneath his feet.

As his strength returned, he ventured deeper into the primeval forest. The towering trees, their leaves painted in hues of twilight, cast long shadows that danced and writhed like phantoms. Unfamiliar scents filled his nostrils - the pungent aroma of damp earth, the cloying sweetness of exotic blooms, the sharp tang of something wild and untamed.

He stumbled upon a hidden cave, its entrance veiled by a curtain of emerald moss and twisting vines. Sword drawn, senses heightened, he cautiously peered into the darkness. The air within was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of something ancient and forgotten. It offered shelter, a sanctuary from the untamed wilderness.

William slipped inside, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. He settled down on a bed of soft moss, the cool stone wall pressing against his back.

As he drifted into a light sleep, a glint of light caught his eye. A small, shimmering object lay nestled amongst the rocks, its surface reflecting the dim light filtering through the cave entrance. Curiosity piqued, William rose and cautiously approached, his footsteps muffled by the soft earth.

It was a stone, unlike any he had ever seen. It pulsed with a soft, inner light, its surface smooth and cool to the touch. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands, mesmerized by its otherworldly glow. Instinctively, he slipped it into his pocket, a strange sense of connection drawing him to the mysterious stone.

Hours melted away in the quiet solitude of the cave. William rested, his body slowly recovering from the trials of the day. He drifted in and out of sleep, haunted by fragmented images of snarling beasts and flashing claws.

Then, with a sudden jolt, he was back. The familiar hillside, the portal shimmering faintly like a fading memory. He checked his system clock. The same hour, the same minute as when he left. Time, it seemed, had stood still in his absence.

But his Chrono Shift skill was grayed out, a message flashing beneath it:

[Skill in Cooldown. Time Until Reactivation: Unknown.]

Disappointment pricked him, but it was quickly overshadowed by the thrill of his newfound strength and the mystery of the glowing stone tucked safely in his pocket.

He made his way back to the village, his steps lighter despite his wounds. As he approached Gorn's cottage, Elara rushed out, her eyes widening in alarm at the sight of his battered and bloodied form.

"William!" she gasped, her voice laced with concern. "What happened to you?"

He offered a sheepish grin, trying to downplay the severity of his injuries. "I... uh... went into the forest to train," he stammered. "I wanted to get stronger, so I could go with Gorn next time. I guess I got a little carried away."

Elara's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press him further. She quickly ushered him inside, her hands hovering over his wounds with a practiced touch. "You're lucky those weren't worse," she scolded gently, applying a soothing balm to the angry red marks. "And you've been poisoned! That spider venom could have been deadly."

William winced as she applied a poultice to the bite on his shoulder.

"There," Elara said, stepping back to survey her handiwork. "That should help with the pain and the poison. But you need to be more careful, William. The forest is a dangerous place, even for experienced hunters."

"I know," William mumbled, shamefaced. He hated lying to Elara, but he couldn't exactly tell her the truth about his time-traveling escapades.

Just then, the cottage door burst open and Gorn stumbled in, his face pale, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Behind him, the other hunters crowded into the small space, their expressions mirroring Gorn's fear.

"What is it, Gorn?" Elara cried, rushing to his side. "What happened?"

Gorn leaned heavily on his spear, his eyes wide with a terror William had never seen before. "We found it," he choked out, his voice hoarse. "Or rather, it found us."

He recounted a harrowing tale of their expedition. They had ventured deep into the forest, following the trail of strange tracks and unsettling sounds. But what they discovered was far worse than anything they could have imagined.

"It wasn't just goblins," Gorn explained, his voice trembling. "There were other creatures, things out of nightmares. Twisted, monstrous things, with claws like daggers and eyes that burned with an unholy fire."

He paused, his gaze falling on William. "They were... Corrupted. But unlike any I've ever seen before. Stronger, faster, more vicious."

"And that's not the worst of it," Gorn continued, his voice barely a whisper. "We found... a cave. A lair. And inside..." He swallowed hard, his eyes filled with fear. "Inside, we saw it. The source of the corruption. A creature of immense power, its very presence radiating darkness and despair."

And then, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the tense silence, echoing through the village, sending a wave of panic through the small gathering.

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