Echo Of Infinity: 100× exp

The Echo of Infinity: Chapter 17 - Uneasy Truce

With the immediate danger passed, a tense silence settled over the trio. The aftermath of battle – the coppery scent of blood mixing with swamp decay, the cooling bodies of the Lizardfolk – was a stark reminder of the lethality of their profession.

Silky finished her search, producing a handful of obsidian shards, a crude map etched on cured hide, and a pouch containing strangely pulsating pebbles from the Scaleshaper. "Standard warrior gear," she reported, holding up the pebbles. "These feel like mana conduits. Crude ones. Scaleshaper likely used them for its spells."

Grak examined the map. "Don't recognize these markings. Tribal routes, maybe deeper in the swamp." He pocketed the map and the pebbles. "Guild analysts might make sense of it. Good work, cat."

He then turned his attention back to Kael, his gaze lingering on the clean kill Kael had made on one of the flankers. "That thrust... wasn't panicked, kid. That was practiced."

Kael felt his stomach clench. "Just... lucky?" he offered weakly.

Grak snorted, a noise like rocks grinding. "Luck don't happen twice in one fight. First the speed burst, then the clean kill. Your 'artifact' seems mighty convenient." He wasn't pressing aggressively, more stating an observation. "Elara trusts you. So Grak trusts Elara. But Grak keeps eyes open."

It wasn't hostility, but it wasn't acceptance either. It was an uneasy truce based on proven usefulness and the Orc's loyalty to Elara.

Silky chimed in, her voice soft but carrying. "Your movements saved me distraction. Speed was... unexpected. Efficient." Coming from the reserved Assassin, it was high praise, yet her sharp eyes held the same questioning curiosity as Grak's.

They decided to cut the patrol short. Engaging a war party and killing a Scaleshaper was significant enough to warrant an immediate report. The risk of reprisals or running into larger forces was too high.

The journey back was faster, fueled by adrenaline and the desire to leave the humid depths of the Mirewood. Kael continued navigating, his heightened senses invaluable in avoiding any further trouble. He diligently maintained his fake status, adding no further EXP despite the constant vigilance required. The discrepancy between his projected Lv. 11 self and the Lv. 16 [Swift Blade] / Lv. 15 [Shadow Scout] / Lv. 14 [Mana Weaver] he now possessed was becoming a gulf.

He contemplated the evolution options for [Shadow Scout] now that it hit Lv. 15.

```
[ Shadow Scout reached Lv. 15! ]
[ Class Evolution Available! Choose Path: ]
1. [Ranger]: Broader focus on wilderness survival, archery, and animal companionship. Requires higher WIS.
2. [Infiltrator]: Specializes in urban stealth, bypassing security, and information gathering. Requires higher INT & CHA.
3. [Nightblade] (Rare): Combines stealth with shadow magic for debilitating attacks and movement abilities. Requires high DEX, INT & specific Shadow Affinity.
```

[Nightblade] sounded perfect, blending his stealth and burgeoning mana use, but required 'Shadow Affinity'. He wasn't sure how to get that. [Infiltrator] seemed less useful for his current path, and required Charisma. [Ranger] was solid, but less focused on pure stealth than he liked. Like with [Swift Blade], he held off on evolving.

They reached the South Gate of Riverbend just as dusk painted the sky orange and purple. The noise and relative safety of the city were a welcome relief after the oppressive swamp. They headed straight for the Guild Hall, muddy, tired, and smelling faintly of Lizardfolk gore. The weight of his secret felt heavier now, shared, in a way, by the unspoken questions of his teammates.

---

Publishment Date:  8/4/2025