Primordial System Awakening

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Out of the Ruins

I stepped out of the dark tunnel into the fading afternoon light. The air felt cleaner than inside the ruins, but my body stayed tense. The horn sounded again, closer this time. It was the deep blast used by Valthor’s guards when they hunted trouble in the outer lands.

My new stats made everything feel different. My legs moved smooth and quick over the broken ground. I could see farther, hear the wind better, and feel the small shakes in the earth from many boots coming my way.

I stayed low behind a pile of old stones and watched. About thirty men came into view. They wore the gray armor of Valthor city guards, with spears and shields. At the front rode a man on a black horse. He had a captain’s badge on his chest and a long scar down one cheek. His eyes scanned the ruins like he already knew something was wrong.

Behind the guards walked a group of scavengers and a few mages in dark robes. One mage held a glowing crystal that pointed straight toward the ruins entrance — straight toward me.

“They felt the guardian die,” I whispered to myself.

The System showed a new line.

Multiple hostiles detected.

Threat level: Medium.

Recommendation: Avoid or eliminate.

I did not want to fight all of them. Not yet. My body still carried the fresh power from the guardian, but thirty men with spears and magic could overwhelm me if I made a mistake. I needed to get to Valthor city itself. The main quest said so. There I could hide, learn more about the System, and grow stronger without every eye on me.

I used Shadow Step. My body turned to dark smoke for a moment and I slipped behind another broken wall, closer to the tree line. The move felt easy now, like breathing. No one saw me.

The captain shouted orders. “Search the entrance! The guardian’s death caused a power surge. Find the one responsible!”

The mage with the crystal frowned. “The signal is moving. It’s faint but… it’s heading toward the forest edge.”

They were tracking me already.

I moved faster. I ran low through the tall grass and broken stones until I reached the edge of the dead woods that bordered the ruins. Old twisted trees gave me cover. My Void Hunger skill pulled small bits of life from the dry plants around me, just enough to keep my energy up without making noise.

A guard’s voice came from behind. “Captain, fresh tracks! Someone came out alive.”

I cursed under my breath. They were good at this. I pushed harder, jumping over roots and dodging low branches. The city of Valthor was still hours away on foot, but if I kept this speed, I could reach the outer farms before nightfall.

Then I heard horses. The captain and five riders had broken away from the main group and were coming fast through the woods.

I slid behind a thick tree and waited. My heart beat steady. The power inside me felt calm, ready.

The riders came into view. The captain raised his hand and they slowed.

“I know you’re here, boy,” the captain called out. His voice was rough but calm. “The relic you took woke something old. Hand it over and you might live. The Duke of Valthor pays well for ancient finds.”

I stayed silent. My hand rested on the black relic in my pocket. It felt warm again, like it wanted me to use it.

One rider spotted my shadow. He pointed. “There!”

They charged.

I stepped out and used Shadow Step twice in a row. I appeared beside the first rider, grabbed his leg, and pulled him off the horse. He hit the ground hard. Before the others could react, I punched the next horse in the chest with Primordial Strike. The animal screamed and bucked, throwing its rider.

The captain drew his sword and came at me fast. His blade glowed with faint blue light — some kind of magic enchantment.

I dodged the first swing and countered with a dark-wrapped fist. Our blows met. Sparks flew. The impact pushed both of us back.

“You’re no ordinary scavenger,” the captain said, eyes narrow. “What are you?”

I did not answer. I used Essence Drain on the fallen rider closest to me. Warm power flowed into my body. The man gasped and went pale.

Essence Drain successful.

Agility +1

The captain saw it. His face changed. “Demon… or worse.”

He whistled loud. More guards answered from the distance. They were coming.

I knew I could not stay. I grabbed the reins of the nearest horse that was still standing and swung up onto its back. The animal fought me for a second, then settled under my stronger grip.

I kicked its sides and rode hard into the deeper woods.

Behind me, the captain shouted, “After him! Do not let him reach the city!”

Arrows whistled past. One grazed my shoulder. Pain flared, but Scale Armor turned most of it into a shallow cut.

I leaned low over the horse’s neck and rode like the wind. The trees blurred. My new speed and the horse’s strength carried me far ahead.

As the sun started to set, I broke out of the woods onto open fields. In the distance, the walls of Valthor rose high against the sky — tall stone, watchtowers, and the flags of noble houses flapping in the wind.

I was close.

But the sound of many horses still followed. The captain and his men had not given up. And now, lights appeared on the city walls. They had been warned.

I slowed the horse near an old barn at the edge of the farms. I needed a plan to get inside the city gates without every guard looking for a blood-covered boy on a stolen horse.

The System gave one more message.

Main quest progress: Reach Valthor.

Hidden condition: Enter without raising full alarm.

I tied the horse behind the barn and looked at the city lights. My clothes were torn and bloody. My hands still carried the dark marks of shadow.

If they caught me now, they would drag me to the Duke and ask questions I could not answer.

I took a deep breath and started walking toward the side gate used by farmers and traders.

But as I got closer, I saw a line of guards checking everyone who wanted to enter.

And right at the front stood the mage with the glowing crystal. He was looking straight in my direction.

My hand tightened around the relic.

This was going to be tricky.