The hidden shelter underneath the Aethereal Crags provided a brief but precious rest. Naturally protected from the strong irregular winds that constantly blew across the higher peaks, it was a deep crack in the solid granite. This place had clean cool air and few anti-magic areas giving Anchor a vital opportunity to regain his strength, mana and stamina.
The enormous dazzling figure of Anchor was the center of the camp. The vast slime had stabilized and was now around the unconscious Arctic Stag of Dissolution in a huge specially designed insulating dome. The chill emanating from the Stag was tremendous but Anchor's controlled mass served as an ideal cooling unit preserving the precise temperature required for the Stag's crystalline structure to survive. They operated with a deep resonant even musical hum the sound of chaotic will ruthlessly enforcing elemental balance.
Vulcan erected a basic barrier. He set up a number of specialized detecting devices which were tiny, grey, pulsating globes that searched the surroundings for both surprising magical signs and extreme energy vibrations. Then he sat against the chilly granite wall, his enormous legendary-grade armor blending in with the wild scenery. After the brutal sonic attack he went into a deep controlled state of meditation which enabled the Core Aegis to gradually and effectively replenish its energy shock absorption capacity. The only indication of life inside the metal shell was the steady rise and fall of his chest plate and his breathing was deep and slow. For the next unavoidable battle he had to be completely prepared.
The first patrol watch was taken by Ethan. If he stood motionless for very long the thin silent and extremely cold air would easily cut through his light armor. With his Shadow-Weave Mantle making sure he was more of a moving shadow than a watchman he went gently around the perimeter. The quiet was unsettling because in these deep wilderness areas quietness frequently indicated grave danger and the stealthy approach of a top apex predator.
With the Shadow-Edge Silencer dagger comfortably lying in his lap Ethan took up an important spot. He gazed at the huge barren landscape in front of him, an endless line of pointy peaks that unavoidably led to the unrecorded Frozen Citadel.
This is the trade-off he thought with the sharp wind pushing him to reflect within. The trip to the Ember Dragon which took three days was swift, extremely profitable and certain of an immediate payout. This escort was a gradual grinding commitment against a high-level region's whole ecosystem. Every opponent was a tactical threat rather than a straightforward target in this tactical conflict.
He conducted a brief internal inspection. Although he had received less than 50,000 EXP from the hard-fought meticulous battle with the Gargoyle-Hounds his Level 58 status was still not enough. While the escort mission placed a higher priority on avoidance and Anchor's energy conservation the system rewarded risk and high-value kills. The long-term lore unlock the potential Mythic-grade content from the Citadel itself and the unwavering devotion of a Sovereign NPC were the real rewards which translated into unmatched narrative power and stability in Aethelgard rather than instant system EXP.
He let his mind wander to his actual life with his debt paid off his parents safe in a new house and his investments increasing. It was evident how powerful his financial independence was. He had the option to log off retire and enjoy his millions. However the idea felt subdued and lifeless. He came to the realization that he was now pursuing the greatest artistic challenge rather than escaping debt. He was made for the content the exposure and the grind. The adventure itself was now the content.
Another significant commitment was working together with Vulcan which exchanged isolation for shared responsibility. Ethan had never experienced such fundamental reliability as the master blacksmith unshakable defensive force. He observed Vulcan a motionless silent mountain resting. The skilled blacksmith was more than simply a blacksmith; he represented an unwavering commitment to survival and the ideal counterpoint to Ethan's chaotic movement.
We are two sides of a coin: speed and defense, creation and exposure. They are totally reliant on each other.
Ethan moved closer to Anchor positioning himself just beyond the slime's shield and sensing the bubble's peculiar pure chill. He felt the energy inside using his Forgemaster's Grasp. Anchor was working extremely hard concentrating all of its mass and the Dragon Essence it had hoarded on the Stag's thermal stability.
The actual Arctic Stag was magnificent. Its crystalline structure sparkled with subtle rainbow colors in the moonlight a tribute to the pure Anti-Magic energy it held. Ethan sensed the creature's calm old vibe radiating from it.
He extended his hand taking care not to pierce the stable field of cold. He conducted a gentle delicate scan.
[ARCTIC STAG OF DISSOLUTION STATUS: STABLE ( ANCHOR ASSISTING)
Ethan's movements were gently followed by the Stag's crystalline eye. Now it was clear appreciating his presence and his sacrifice without using words. The Stag's expression conveyed a great deal of tiredness and fearlessness. It had faith in them. It had faith in the enormous slime that was investing its own tremendous energy in keeping it safe.
Anchor pulsed softly sensing Ethan's attention on the Stag and comprehending the unsaid exchange. Slowly on the edge of the slime's body a tiny, flawless, steady crystal of Anti-Magic essence one that Anchor had processed and saved from the chaotic purification materialized and slid out of the protective layer. It was an act of thankfulness reward and a silent offering.
Ethan understood. This was a more deep personal exchange rather than the gathering of resources. Instead of going through the typical hectic, unstable acquiring process Anchor was expressing the Stag's gratitude and providing a tiny stable portion of the reward directly. It was a gift of well-balanced material.
Ethan picked up the crystal with caution. It emitted a subtle shielding magical null-field and was smooth and cool.
[NEW MATERIAL ACQUIRED: SOVEREIGN ANTI MAGIC SHARD (LEGENDARY FRAGMENT)]
[ A perfectly stabled crystal purified by the chaos core guardian from the essessnce of sovereign entity. Ideal for integration into the gear to grant highly localized anti magic shielding]
The entire stack of volatile material they had collected was significantly less valuable than this one steady fragment. It was an indication of the extent of the Stag's appreciation and Anchor's expertise and proof that the escort was the right course of action. It was a physical manifestation of legend.
Feeling the fragment's chilly presence against the cloth, Ethan tucked it inside his pocket. He was aware that this quiet conversation the gift between the Chaos Core Guardian and the Sovereign NPC was the real SSS-Rank content the kind of in-depth lore engagement that players had long yearned for.
The cold seeped into his bones as he looked out over the crags. Their goal now was the lengthy escort. The journey had evolved, deepened and grown immeasurably more complicated. He kept watch over him anticipating the first rays of light and the next phase of the unachievable journey to the Frozen Citadel.