The air around Kei buzzed with a low hum, the residue of his Resonance mingling with the chaotic energy of the Rift. As he stepped over the molten remains of the Infernal Golem, his mind wandered back to the battle. He’d felt something unusual—a moment where the vibrations from his opponent seemed to sync with his own. It was fleeting but undeniable.
"Matching the frequency," Kei muttered. "It wasn’t just defense… I could feel its movements."
Kei sat down on a flat rock, staring at his hands. He activated a pulse of Resonance, letting it flow through his body. The familiar hum brought clarity, and he closed his eyes, replaying the fight in his mind. Every attack, every counter, every defensive maneuver—he dissected each moment with a growing realization.
Reflection
The key had been the Infernal Golem’s movements. Its attacks were predictable once he had attuned himself to the vibrations it emitted. By matching its frequency, he’d been able to anticipate its strikes, even before they landed.
"If I can refine this," Kei thought, "I could predict more than just movements. I could react before an attack even starts."
A new idea began to form. Kei focused inward, channeling Resonance through his limbs, his torso, and finally, his mind. He visualized his opponent’s vibrations, not just as waves but as patterns—a rhythm he could tap into and follow. The concept was daunting, but it wasn’t impossible.
He extended his hand and sent out a controlled pulse of Resonance, mimicking the vibrations he remembered from the Infernal Golem. The air around him shifted, the pulse returning with a faint echo. Kei grinned.
"It’s not just defense anymore," he muttered. "This could be something else entirely."
Anticipating the Enemy
Kei spent the next few hours practicing, sending pulses of Resonance into the environment and interpreting the feedback. He started small, focusing on stationary objects. The vibrations painted a picture of their structure, their density, their weaknesses.
When a sudden gust of wind swept through the Rift, Kei turned his attention to the swirling air currents. He sent out another pulse, syncing with the vibrations of the wind. The resonance returned as a rhythm, a pattern he could predict. He shifted his stance just before a gust nearly toppled him, the anticipation making the motion effortless.
"It’s like seeing without seeing," Kei said, excitement bubbling in his chest.
<blockquote>
System Notification: Skill Progression: Resonant Anticipation Description: Synchronize with external vibrations to predict and react to enemy movements and environmental changes. Precision increases with Resonance control.
</blockquote>
Kei’s grin widened. "Guess that’s confirmation."
Trekking Forward
The Rift grew quieter as Kei moved deeper into its heart. The jagged terrain smoothed out into crystalline plains, the fractured sky casting eerie reflections onto the ground. Despite the calm, Kei remained vigilant, sending out periodic pulses to map his surroundings.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
His progress was interrupted by a System notification:
<blockquote>
System Notification: Trial Update: Echoing Wastes Milestone Reached. Participants Remaining: 31%. Objective: Survive and Uncover the Core of the Wastes.
</blockquote>
Kei frowned. "That’s fewer people than I expected."
The thought of other participants weighed on him. He’d seen glimpses of their progress before, and it was clear that many had far surpassed him. But the reminder of their dwindling numbers brought a new perspective.
"Survival isn’t guaranteed," he muttered. "But as long as I’m here, I’ll keep moving."
A New Challenge
Kei’s reflection was cut short by a low rumble beneath his feet. He stopped, sending out a pulse of Resonance. The feedback returned distorted, chaotic, but one thing was clear—something massive was approaching.
The ground beneath him cracked, and from the crystalline plains emerged a towering beast. Its body was a shifting amalgamation of translucent shards, its movements accompanied by an ear-piercing hum. The System identified it immediately:
<blockquote>
Beast Encounter: Resonant Devourer
Level: 12
Affinity: Pure Resonance
Recommended Strategy: Overwhelm its frequency to destabilize its structure.
</blockquote>
Kei’s heart raced. "Pure Resonance? That’s… cheating."
The Devourer lunged, its shard-like limbs slicing through the air with a deafening screech. Kei barely managed to activate [Resonant Shield] in time, the translucent barrier absorbing the impact but cracking under the strain.
"Overwhelm its frequency," Kei muttered, dodging another strike. "Easier said than done."
Resonant Harmony
Kei sent out a pulse of Resonance, syncing with the Devourer’s vibrations. The feedback was overwhelming, a chaotic symphony that threatened to drown him. But instead of resisting, Kei focused on harmonizing with the rhythm.
The vibrations began to align, the chaotic noise transforming into a discernible pattern. Kei’s movements followed suit, each dodge and counterattack flowing effortlessly as he anticipated the Devourer’s strikes.
He activated [Resonant Slice], sending a cutting wave of wind at the beast. The attack struck one of its limbs, shattering it into fragments. The Devourer roared, its frequency shifting erratically.
"Got you now," Kei said, his confidence growing.
He pressed the advantage, alternating between [Resonant Shield] for defense and precise Resonant strikes. Each attack disrupted the Devourer’s structure, the once-massive beast beginning to crumble.
With one final pulse, Kei amplified his Resonance through the Echo Gauntlet, driving the vibrations into the Devourer’s core. The beast let out a deafening wail before collapsing into a cascade of shimmering shards.
<blockquote>
Beast Defeated: Resonant Devourer
Reward: +200 Experience Points, +4 Perception, +3 Agility
</blockquote>
Stats Update
Kei leaned against a crystalline spire, catching his breath as the System displayed his updated stats:
<blockquote>
Status Update: Name: Kei
Level: 4
Health: 110/110
Stamina: 60/60
Stats:
<ul>
<li>
Strength: 11
</li>
<li>
Agility: 13
</li>
<li>
Intelligence: 6
</li>
<li>
Endurance: 10
</li>
<li>
Perception: 13
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
He studied the numbers, a small smile playing on his lips. Each battle pushed him further, sharpening his skills and deepening his understanding of Resonance.
"If I keep this up," Kei said, "I might actually have a chance."
With his new skill, Resonant Anticipation, and the confidence gained from the fight, Kei stood and prepared to face the next challenge the Wastes had in store.