Colm waved goodbye to Luke and Tessa as he turned to leave—but just as he stepped out, he abruptly turned back.

"Oh yeah, how busy has the guild been since I've been gone?"

Luke laughed. "It's calmed down quite a bit now. The guild put some infrastructure and notes in place to spread the knowledge, and from what I've heard, around sixty to seventy percent of people were able to unlock that class specialization feature you found. It's insane."

Tessa chimed in, "It was hectic for a couple of days, but after about three or four, things finally settled down." She sighed. "We took it as a sign to relax since nothing was really operating—everyone wanted their chance at the new power-up, so a lot of places shut down for a while."

She beamed. "Once things calmed down, we finally had time to see some of the trainers at the guild, and they helped us unlock our specializations."

Colm blinked, then grinned. "Shit—why didn't you lead with that instead of waiting until I was almost out the door?" He laughed.

Tessa chuckled. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

Luke added with a smirk, "In all seriousness, though—thanks, Colm. You helped a ton of people by spreading that knowledge, and everyone's stronger for it. I've already noticed huge improvements myself." He glanced at his hands, flexing his fingers instinctively.

Colm smiled. "Glad I could help. And thanks again for all the info."

He stretched before continuing, "Once I get sorted and finish my little 'training session'—" he made air quotes with a chuckle, mentally picturing a classic training montage set to music—"I'll aim to stop by again if I can. And I still plan on heading to The Expanse—I want to get you that Prime Scale."

Luke nodded. "I truly appreciate it. But just remember—it's dangerous. I don't want you risking yourself for my sake."

Colm waved him off. "Don't worry—I'll be fine. Anyhow, that's a plan for the future. Right now, I'm off. Thanks again."

He gave the siblings one final wave before turning and leaving.

As he stepped back onto the streets of Brimhope, he let out a deep breath.

That was nice. Seeing them…

It made me feel a bit better after everything that happened on the escort mission.

I have a destination in mind, a plan, and I can quickly gather everything I need.

If I can find all the shops, I should be able to leave before nightfall. I'll need to make sure I have the essentials which is not much since I have some convenient racial traits but still since it sounds like this Echo is a rather long one to complete I could be stuck in there for a few days at least.

Colm walked through Brimhope's bustling streets, mentally reviewing his inventory and double-checking everything he had learned from Luke and Tessa about Everfrost Ruins.

I still have some silver left from my haul in the Dusk Caverns, and once I turn in this writ tomorrow, I'll have even more. Granted… I'll probably be gone by then, so hopefully, I can get everything I need today.

As he made his way toward the guild plaza, he suddenly stopped in the middle of the street.

You know… it's been a while since I actually took stock of everything I have.

With that thought, he stepped aside, moving out of the crowd's flow until he found a quiet bench along the walkway.

Settling onto it, he let out a breath, mentally pulling up his inventory.

Time to see exactly what I'm working with.

Wait… shit.

Colm's eyes widened slightly before he facepalmed.

Did I seriously never Analyze any of the loot I got from the system?

Fungal Charm

Enchantments: Poison Resistance I

Ring of the Stone Gnawer

Enchantments: Endurance IV

Duskborn Amulet

Enchantments: Evasion II, Reflex II

Abyssal Ledger (Bonded - Colm Arden) Tier 3, Level 4

Bonded Ability: Abyssal Lance

Reduces cast time by 10% and increases damage by 12%.

Steelhide Basilisk Armor (Tier 3, Level 10)

Enchantments: Self-Repair I, Self-Cleaning I

Analyze (Rank 7) has increased to Analyze (Rank 8).

Colm's eyes widened as he read the text before him, a chuckle escaping at the level-up notification for Analyze.

I'm a moron. I've Analyzed my surroundings, and monsters plenty of times, but not my loot. A long, drawn-out sigh left him. His gaze drifted toward the popup for the Ring of the Stone Gnawer.

Interesting. This has the highest enchantment I've seen so far… Did I get ripped off selling that claw? Fuck… what did I miss from the Claw of the Grove Stalker when I sold it?

Shaking his head, he muttered, "My greatest downfall is my lack of knowledge here." A moment later, he exhaled sharply, pushing the thought away.

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"Oh well. If I hadn't sold it, I wouldn't have my armor, my weapon, or even my inventory ring." His fingers brushed against the ring. Speaking of which… this thing is an absolute convenience.

Quinn's Legacy

Crafted by Quinn Morth. Has a storage capacity of 200 cubic feet.

Being able to store anything instantly, keeping it in the exact condition I left it… Yeah, definitely worth it.

Colm took stock of his gear, scanning through his inventory.

"I've got those clothes from Luke, some random meals and snacks I shoved in here…"

His brows furrowed.

Maybe I should grab some camping essentials? Not that I'll be sleeping anywhere, but if I need a place to rest, I can always use the Champion of the Lucent Grove portal. Actually… how does that work in other Echoes? I'll have to test it out.

With that thought in mind, he ran through what else he might need.

"More warm clothes and clothes in general wouldn't hurt. Something to start a fire with—fuel, maybe. And a tent or some kind of shelter, just in case the portal doesn't work inside an Echo."

With a clear plan, Colm stood up, clapped his hands together, and set off toward the shops in the guild plaza.

Colm smiled as he exited a general store he had found on the corner.

They pretty much had everything I needed in one place, he chuckled. That was pretty convenient… though now I'm basically broke.

Stepping away from the crowd's flow, he took a moment to look over his haul.

Got a few sets of clothes, both for regular weather and cold weather.

A small shudder ran through him as he glanced down at his casual wear, realizing how filthy it had become. Without hesitation, he stepped into a less crowded spot, summoned his armor from his inventory to overlay his clothing, and quickly swapped out the old set for something fresh from his inventory.

So convenient, he chuckled.

I've got a bedroll, a sharp knife, a lot of rope, a woodcutting axe, and something basically equivalent to matches but magic-based. Probably won't use these much, but better safe than sorry.

He had decided against food and water rations—he didn't need them. Not in the way others did.

Lifebound Sustenance - Through their innate connection to life energy, the Morvyn are sustained without the need for food, water, or sleep. The constant flow of life energy fuels their bodies, providing all the nourishment and rest they require functioning at peak condition.

Feels like a bit of a cheat code, he muttered, reviewing the racial trait again. I really don't need much to keep going. Honestly, I could've avoided this whole shopping trip but do I even know how cold I can actually get?

"Alright," Colm said aloud, glancing around at the moving crowds.

The sun was slowly drifting lower in the sky.

I figured it might be nightfall before I had everything I needed, but finding that general store was insanely convenient. Saved me a ton of time.

He exhaled, rolling his shoulders.

I think… I just wanted to shop.

Maybe it was something to make me feel like I wasn't about to go on some insane adventure. Just… normal.

His gaze flickered over the city streets, the people, the routine of it all.

Things really have changed, huh? You know. Perhaps I'll do another pit stop at the library to do one more studying session before the trip.

* * *

Colm stood in the darkness, the crash of the waves echoing before him.

Why did I come here?

The rhythmic pull of the tide, the scent of salt in the air—it only brought pain. It only reminded him of what he had lost.

His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the sand, unable to hold himself upright any longer. His breaths came shallow, uneven. His hands dug into the damp earth beneath him.

I can't keep going. I feel empty. There's nothing left.

The thought lingered, heavy and suffocating. But as the waves continued their relentless assault on the shore, something else pushed its way through the numbness.

No. There's something I need to do.

He had seen how this world catered to the rich, the well-connected, how it let them walk free, no matter the crime, no matter the lives they destroyed. He had seen it happen right in front of him.

The memory burned. The wreckage, engulfed in flames. The distant wail of sirens, too late to do anything. The stench of alcohol thick in the air, and the man who walked away laughing, stumbling slightly, but unscathed.

Colm clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

The courtroom came next. That smug bastard, sitting there, flanked by his team of high-paid lawyers, knowing he had already won before the trial even started.

And then that smile.

That fake, empty grin.

A mockery—as if to say, you can't touch me.

Colm's rage seethed, his body trembling as he grit his teeth.

"That fucking murderer… and the fucking press congratulated him after the trial." His voice cracked, raw with fury.

"How the fuck did he come out on top?!"

The scream tore from his throat, swallowed by the crashing waves. His chest heaved, but the fire inside him only burned hotter.

Minutes passed. His breathing steadied, but the resolve within him did not waver.

I'm going to take this into my own hands.

He exhaled sharply, the weight of his decision settling in.

"I don't give a shit anymore. I have nothing to lose."

His fingers curled into the damp sand. His jaw tightened as his resolve hardened..

* * *

[ Status ]

Name: Colm Arden

Race: Morvyn

Level: 65

Health: 1450 / 1450

Mana: 720 / 720

Strength: 70 (84)

Dexterity: 75 (90)

Intelligence: 120 (144)

Constitution: 121 (145)

Bonded Weapon: Abyssal Ledger (Tier 3, Level 4)

Weapon Ability: Abyssal Lance (Tier 3, Level 4)

Attunement: Tide

Attunement Abilities:

- Rising Current (Level 6)

- Wavebound Surge (Level 5)

Class: Spirit Warden (Tier 5)

Specialization: Resonance

Active Class Abilities:

- Phantom Warrior (Tier 2, Level 2) [Carver]

- Phantom Spearman (Tier 2, Level 1) [Lance]

- Phantom Archer (Tier 2, Level 1) [Robin]

- Empty

- Empty

Passive Class Abilities:

- Lingering Vitality (Tier 2, Level 10)

- Spectral Persistence (Level 10)

- Phantom Sacrifice (Level 10)

- Empty

- Empty

Skills:

- Analyze (Level 8)

- Stealth (Level 7)

- Pain Resistance (Tier 2, Level 1)

- Hardened Skin (Level 8)

- Slash Resistance (Level 7)

- Spear Mastery (Level 10)

- Sprint Mastery (Level 10)

- Poison Resistance (Level 6)

- Stun Resistance (Level 5)

- Dual Wielding (Level 4)

- Infection Resistance (Tier 3, Level 10)

- Heightened Instincts (Level 3)

- Meditation (Tier 2, Level 1)

- Unarmed Combat (Level 7)

Achievements:

- Through the Rift

- Champion of the Lucent Grove

- Bane of the Undead

- Echo Sprinter I

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