Gacha Summoner: Pulled into Another World

Chapter 29: The Voice of the Fragment

Chapter 29: The Voice of the Fragment

Yuuji’s hand froze just inches from the glowing Heart fragment, the voice ringing in his mind. It wasn’t the void’s dark whisper—it was something deeper, more ancient, and undeniably powerful. The Blade of Eterna pulsed in sync with the fragment, but the resonance felt strained, as if there was a barrier between them.

The voice echoed again, stronger this time.

Yuuji… you are not ready.

He staggered back, clutching the Blade tighter, confusion clouding his thoughts. The others had gathered around him, their eyes wide with anticipation, but none of them seemed to have heard the voice.

“Yuuji, what’s wrong?” the mage asked, her voice tinged with concern. “Is it the fragment? Why aren’t you taking it?”

“I—” Yuuji hesitated, glancing at the fragment. Its light still pulsed softly, but the closer he came, the stronger the sensation of being rejected. It wasn’t malevolent, but it felt as if the fragment itself was warning him off. “There’s something… it’s telling me I’m not ready.”

The knight frowned, gripping his sword as he scanned the cavern’s entrance. “Not ready? We don’t have time for doubts. The void is still out there, and those creatures aren’t going to stay back for long.”

Yuuji nodded, his heart racing. The weight of their journey, the mounting chaos, and the void’s growing influence made every second precious. He knew they couldn’t stay here much longer. But the voice inside him, the one connected to the Heart fragment, felt immovable—an undeniable truth.

“I don’t think it’s about hesitation,” Yuuji said, trying to make sense of the feeling. “The fragment is rejecting me… like I haven’t proven myself yet.”

The archer, still scanning the shadows for any sign of the void-born, raised an eyebrow. “Proven yourself? What more do you need to prove? We’ve fought our way across half the realm and back, risked everything for that piece of glowing rock.”

The mage stepped closer, her gaze softening as she studied the fragment. “It’s not that simple. These fragments… they’re not just objects of power. They’re part of something bigger, something that may have its own will.”

Yuuji swallowed, glancing back at the glowing shard. His whole journey had been about finding these fragments, piecing together the Heart of Eterna, and defeating the void. But now, standing before this next piece, he felt like he was standing at the edge of something he couldn’t yet understand.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the cavern, the walls vibrating as dust and pebbles rained down from the ceiling. The knight raised his shield instinctively, his gaze snapping to the entrance of the cave.

“They’re coming,” he said darkly. “We need to move, now.”

Yuuji nodded, his decision made. Whatever the fragment wanted from him, he didn’t have time to figure it out right now. The void’s forces were closing in, and the fragment would be lost if they didn’t act. He steeled his resolve and reached for the shard again.

As his fingers wrapped around the glowing fragment, a sharp surge of energy shot through him. The Blade of Eterna blazed with light, resonating powerfully with the fragment. Yuuji gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the strain as he felt the two forces clash within him. The voice echoed louder in his mind, but this time, it was more of a warning than a refusal.

Yuuji… this power comes with a price.

He gasped as the light from the fragment enveloped him, washing over his senses like a flood. For a brief moment, he was lost in a torrent of memories, visions of the past, echoes of battles long forgotten. He saw the Heart of Eterna as it once was—whole, shining, and wielded by a warrior of unimaginable strength. He felt the weight of the Heart’s power, and the burden it carried.

Then, just as quickly, the visions faded. Yuuji stumbled back, his heart pounding as the fragment dimmed in his hand, its energy now flowing faintly into the Blade of Eterna. He felt the connection form between them, but it was fragile, incomplete. The power was there, but the warning echoed in his mind.

The others watched him in silence, their eyes filled with uncertainty.

“What… what happened?” the mage asked softly.

Yuuji shook his head, trying to steady his breathing. “I don’t know. It… it gave me part of its power, but there’s more to this. Something I’m missing.”

“We don’t have time to figure that out now,” the knight said, his voice low and urgent. “Those creatures will be on us any second.”

The ground shook again, and from the shadows at the mouth of the cavern, the void-born began to slither forward, their glowing eyes fixed on the group. Their movements were slower now, more hesitant, as if the presence of the fragment was keeping them at bay, but it wouldn’t hold them for long.

Yuuji glanced at the Blade of Eterna. The fragment’s power was there, but it felt distant, as if he couldn’t fully access it yet. He didn’t know what the voice had meant by a price, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

“We’ll figure this out later,” Yuuji said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. “Let’s move.”

The group made their way out of the cavern, keeping close together as the void-born encircled them. The creatures hissed and snarled, their twisted forms shifting in the darkness, but they didn’t attack. The presence of the Heart fragment seemed to be keeping them at bay, at least for now.

The archer loosed a few arrows, driving the closest creatures back, while the knight raised his shield, ready to defend against any sudden strike. The mage conjured faint sparks of magic, though her energy was almost spent.

Yuuji held the Blade of Eterna tightly, feeling the fragment’s pulse through the sword. It was faint, like an echo, but it was there—a connection to something greater.

As they pushed forward, Yuuji’s mind raced. The fragment had spoken to him, given him a glimpse of the power it held, but it had also warned him. There was more to this journey than he had realized, more to the Heart of Eterna than just gathering the fragments and defeating the void.

There was a price, one he hadn’t yet fully understood.

The void-born began to close in again, their eyes burning with dark intent. Yuuji felt the pull of the void stronger than ever, but now, with the fragment’s power coursing through him, he could resist it—if only just.

“We need to find a way out of here,” the knight said, glancing around. “We can’t fight them all.”

“There’s another path ahead,” the archer said, pointing to a narrow passageway that led deeper into the forest. “It’s risky, but it’s our best shot.”

Yuuji nodded, his decision made. “Let’s go.”

As they moved toward the passage, the void-born let out a collective hiss, surging forward with renewed fury. Yuuji raised the Blade of Eterna, and for a brief moment, the light from the fragment flared, driving the creatures back.

But the voice lingered in his mind, quiet but persistent.

This power comes with a price, Yuuji… are you ready to pay it?

Yuuji didn’t have an answer. Not yet.