Kei sat in the aftermath of his fight with the Rift Chimera, sweat rolling down his face as he stared at the shimmering particles left behind by the beast’s dissolution. He should have felt triumphant. Instead, all he could feel was exhaustion and frustration.


    The failures weighed heavily on him. His level, now reduced to 3, was a constant reminder of what he had lost. He glanced at his hands, the faint hum of resonance within them barely perceptible.


    "Water barriers, wind blasts, bursts of heat…" Kei muttered, his voice tinged with self-reproach. "It all works, but it’s too slow when it matters most."


    The image of the Chimera’s claws tearing through the air toward him flashed in his mind. His water barrier had saved him, but the time it took to summon it had left him vulnerable.


    "I need something quicker," he said, clenching his fists. "Something I can deploy instantly."


    Kei stood, determination burning in his chest. The landscape around him—jagged spires of ice and flowing rivers of molten rock—seemed indifferent to his resolve. But Kei had never been one to wait for inspiration to strike. He began to experiment.


    Experimentation


    Kei focused on the vibrations around him, extending his hand and sending out a pulse of resonance. He visualized a barrier, not one built of water or shaped by air, but one formed purely from vibrations—a solid plane of sound.


    He sent another pulse, this time compressing the resonance into a specific area. The air shimmered faintly, and for a brief moment, a translucent plane appeared before him. Then, just as quickly, it dissipated.


    "Almost," Kei muttered, adjusting his stance. He tried again, this time channeling the resonance through the Echo Gauntlet. The crystalline lines on the gauntlet glowed faintly as the vibrations intensified. A rectangular pane of energy materialized, holding firm for a moment before dispersing.


    Kei grinned. "That’s more like it."


    He repeated the process, each attempt refining the stability of the barrier. With each pulse, the translucent plane became clearer, more defined. It emitted a low hum, the vibrations harmonizing into a steady rhythm.


    Finally, Kei thrust his hand forward, and the barrier snapped into place. It hung in the air, solid and unyielding.


    <blockquote>


    System Notification: New Skill Unlocked: Resonant Shield Description: Solidify vibrations into a defensive plane capable of withstanding physical and elemental attacks. Strength scales with resonance control.


    </blockquote>


    Kei let out a triumphant laugh. "About time!"This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Testing the Shield


    Eager to see the shield in action, Kei looked around for a target. The environment offered plenty of hazards, and a nearby geyser of molten rock provided the perfect test.


    He approached cautiously, sending out a pulse of resonance to gauge the pressure building beneath the surface. When the geyser erupted, Kei activated [Resonant Shield]. The translucent barrier formed instantly, absorbing the brunt of the molten spray. The vibrations in the shield oscillated wildly but held firm.


    As the geyser subsided, Kei deactivated the shield, the vibrations dispersing harmlessly into the air. He examined his hand, the Echo Gauntlet glowing faintly.


    "Not bad," he said, nodding to himself. "But can it handle something stronger?"


    Pushing the Limits


    Kei ventured deeper into the Elemental Rift, his senses on high alert. The air grew thicker, the alternating heat and cold pressing against his skin. He sent out periodic pulses of resonance, mapping the terrain as he moved.


    A sudden roar shattered the uneasy quiet. From the shadows emerged a massive creature, its body a grotesque amalgamation of rock and fire. The System identified it instantly:


    <blockquote>


    Beast Encounter: Infernal Golem


    Level: 10


    Affinity: Fire/Earth


    Recommended Strategy: Neutralize its core to destabilize its structure.


    </blockquote>


    Kei cursed under his breath. "Guess it’s time for a real test."


    The Golem charged, its molten limbs leaving trails of fire in their wake. Kei activated [Resonant Shield], the barrier snapping into place just as the Golem’s fist came crashing down. The impact sent ripples through the shield, but it held.


    Kei gritted his teeth, the strain of maintaining the shield evident. The Golem’s molten fist pushed against the barrier, the vibrations threatening to destabilize. With a yell, Kei redirected the resonance, forcing the shield to rebound. The Golem staggered, giving Kei a moment to counterattack.


    He activated [Resonant Slice], sending a cutting wave of wind at the Golem’s core. The attack struck true, carving a jagged line through its molten chest. The Golem roared, its movements growing more erratic.


    Kei pressed the advantage, alternating between offensive and defensive techniques. Each time the Golem attacked, the Resonant Shield absorbed the blow, allowing Kei to counter with precision. The battle pushed him to his limits, but the synergy between his skills and the Echo Gauntlet gave him the edge he needed.


    Finally, with one last strike, Kei drove the Fang Dagger into the Golem’s core, amplifying the resonance through the blade. The Golem let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into molten shards.


    <blockquote>


    Beast Defeated: Infernal Golem


    Reward: +150 Experience Points, +3 Strength, +3 Endurance


    </blockquote>


    Reflection


    Kei sat down, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. The Resonant Shield had proven its worth, but the strain of maintaining it had been immense. Still, the skill felt like a breakthrough, a step toward mastering his Law of Sound.


    He opened his status screen, examining his progress:


    <blockquote>


    Status Update: Name: Kei


    Level: 3


    Health: 90/90


    Stamina: 50/50


    Stats:


    <ul>


    <li>


    Strength: 11


    </li>


    <li>


    Agility: 10


    </li>


    <li>


    Intelligence: 6


    </li>


    <li>


    Endurance: 10


    </li>


    <li>


    Perception: 9


    </li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    Kei leaned back, staring at the fractured sky above. Despite the setbacks, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The trials were unforgiving, but each challenge brought him closer to unlocking the full potential of resonance.


    "One step at a time," he said, the words a quiet vow.


    With the Resonant Shield now a part of his arsenal, Kei stood and prepared to face whatever the Zone had in store for him next.