The sword pulsed in Eleanor's hand—alive, humming, whispering ancient things beneath its steel skin.
She barely had time to process the glowing runes before the voice returned.
[MoonCore Activated]
Welcome to the Omega System. Your path to power begins now.
Eleanor raised a brow. "Alright, system. Tell me—how do I reach Level 100?"
[MoonCore]: Through quests. Daily missions. Soul battles. Power restoration. Memory unlocking. You will gain points as you complete tasks.
"That's a lot of vague," she muttered. "Be specific. What's my first quest?"
[MoonCore]: The quest will come to you.
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
[MoonCore]: Quests are fate-bound. Watch and wait.
Eleanor scoffed. "Watch and wait? Are you a sword or a riddle book?"
Suddenly, a sharp yank on her hair jerked her backward.
"Ugh—!" She stumbled, pain shooting through her scalp.
A loud smack landed across her face.
Eleanor blinked, stunned. Her cheek burned.
"You wolfless bitch!" Elyndra stood before her, eyes glowing gold, a sneer twisting her perfect face.
The crowd of guests had long cleared from the square, but Elyndra had stayed behind—like a vulture circling its prey.
Elyndra's fingers crackled with yellow light as her wolf surged beneath her skin. Her canines lengthened into sharp white fangs. "How dare you try to ruin my engagement! Today, I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
Eleanor straightened, lifting her wooden sword instinctively between them.
The moment the tip pointed at Elyndra's chest, it shimmered again. A silver gleam that only she could see.
[MoonCore Quest Unlocked: Defeat Your Step-Sister]
Reward: +20 Quest Points | Unlock Level 1
Eleanor's eyes narrowed. "Perfect timing."
Elyndra laughed cruelly. "You think you can fight me? With a stick?"
But Eleanor wasn't listening. Her hands curled tighter around the hilt. The sword vibrated again—eager.
She took a defensive stance. "Let's see who gets taught a lesson."
Elyndra lunged forward, fast as a striking snake. Her claws slashed through the air, glowing with fury.
Eleanor ducked. The swing missed her by an inch. Her body moved on instinct—muscle memory born from decades of battles. She spun and struck Elyndra's side.
The sword hit her ribs with a crack of energy. Elyndra howled in pain.
"You—!" Elyndra growled, lunging again. Her claws tore into Eleanor's shoulder, blood blooming across her dress.
Pain blurred her vision. Her legs buckled. But somewhere in her bones, a voice rose up—not MoonCore, not Daria's memories.
Eleanor's.
"Don't yield. You are a queen. A weapon. Strike."
She remembered the arena sands. The roars of warrior packs. The blood-soaked throne she claimed.
Eleanor parried Elyndra's next blow, rolled beneath her swipe, and rammed her sword into her stomach—not enough to kill, but hard enough to knock the wind out of her.
Elyndra crashed to the ground, gasping.
Eleanor stood over her, panting, blood dripping from her arm. "Next time you touch my hair, I take your hand."
Elyndra coughed, glaring up at her. "You… you'll regret this. I swear it."
Then she scrambled to her feet and ran.
[Quest Complete: Defeat Your Step-Sister]
+20 Quest Points Earned
Level 1 Unlocked
"About damn time," Eleanor muttered.
But then—pain.
White-hot pain tore through her muscles. She staggered backward, gripping her shoulder.
"Why… why isn't this healing?" she groaned.
[MoonCore]: Healing begins at Level 2. Until then, endure.
"Endure?! I'm leaking like a stabbed wine barrel!"
[MoonCore]: Reward available. Select your sword evolution.
"What, now?!"
A glow flared around the sword. Three faint outlines hovered in the air, projections made of light and smoke.
Option 1: Shadowfang – stealth, poison, quick strikes.
Option 2: Dawnbreaker – light-infused, divine damage, heavy blade.
Option 3: Stormbite – speed, lightning, shock resistance.
She didn't hesitate. "Stormbite. I want speed and power."
The sword shimmered and twisted in her grip. The runes pulsed with electricity. Small arcs of lightning crackled along the blade's edge.
She grinned. "Much better."
A voice rang out from the corner of the square.
"Daria?!"
Brina rushed over, eyes wide. "I saw what you did! You—you actually beat Elyndra!"
Eleanor gave a lopsided smile. "She had it coming."
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Brina asked, amazed.
Eleanor shrugged. "Fifty years of war training."
Brina blinked. "You're not serious. You know you are eighteen."
"Dead serious."
Brina stared at her like she'd grown horns. "Okay, that's it. No more near-death experiences for you. You're acting weird."
Footsteps echoed from behind them. Brina turned and bowed quickly. "Alpha Korran!"
Eleanor looked up. The Alpha—tall, broad-shouldered, eyes like frozen rivers—was staring at her.
Alpha Korran said nothing but gave a rare smile. "Your performance as the witch was entertaining," he praised, then turned and left without another word.
Brina elbowed Eleanor. "Say something!"
Eleanor remained still. She did not bow. She was not used to bending before anyone
Korran raised an eyebrow but said nothing else. He turned and walked away, his cloak fluttering behind him like a shadow.
Brina exhaled loudly. "If you hadn't rejected him, tonight would've been your engagement, not Elyndra's."
Eleanor froze.
"What did you just say?"
Brina blinked. "You don't remember? Daria… rejected the Alpha."
[MoonCore: New Quest Unlocked]
Uncover the Reason Why Daria Rejected Alpha Korran
Reward: +1 Level
Sub-Quest: Learn the secrets of Daria's household
Eleanor clenched her jaw. "You're kidding."
[MoonCore]: No. Discovering her motives is crucial to unlocking your soul memory.
Before Eleanor could argue, a shiver ran down her spine.
Something… was watching.
She turned slowly.
The shadows between the huts flickered, and for a moment, she saw a figure—a tall man, half-wrapped in darkness, blue eyes glowing like ice.
But when she blinked again, he was gone.
The wind stirred the grass. Somewhere in the distance, a lone wolf howled.
Eleanor's grip tightened on her crackling blade.
Whoever that was, they didn't belong here.
And they weren't finished with her yet.