His claws brushed aside a layer of ice dust as something shimmered beneath the fallen Ice Giant's remains.
It wasn't a core or a typical loot crystal.
It was a small, silver-white orb embedded with fine runes that pulsed faintly with energy. It looked alive, almost like it was breathing.
Ryu narrowed his eyes. "This isn't part of the standard drops... Right? Or am I just ignorant?"
He picked it up gently.
The moment his claw touched it, a strange chill ran up his spine.
[ Fragment of the Frost Womb (??) ]
[ Warning: Unidentified Artifact. Caution Advised. ]
"...Frost Womb?"
Even his system offered no detailed explanation.
But deep within the orb, he could sense something. A faint heartbeat. A slumbering presence.
Ryu tilted his head. "A dormant lifeform?"
It didn't radiate danger... not yet, at least.
Still, the runes glowed brighter for a second before going completely still. As if it acknowledged his touch.
