The Genius in the Game

Chapter 4 : The Ruin's Secret

The night was still and quiet, with only the gentle crackling of the campfire and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Elysia had once again fallen asleep while on watch, her head resting lightly on her folded arms, her weapon still clutched tightly in her hand.

Hiroshi sat nearby, staring into the flames as thoughts of the day's events swirled in his mind. Despite the progress he had made with Elysia, a sense of inadequacy gnawed at him. *I'm still too weak...* he thought, glancing over at the sleeping elf. *She's the one always protecting me. I need to get stronger... I need to stop being a burden.*

Quietly, so as not to wake her, Hiroshi stood up and decided to train. It wasn't much, just a bit of jogging to keep his body moving, but every little bit helped. He moved away from the campsite, jogging through the forest, his breaths steady in the cool night air. After a while, his jogging turned into running, his feet pounding against the ground as he pushed himself harder, trying to build his stamina.

After what felt like hours, he finally slowed to a stop, leaning against a tree to catch his breath. He panted heavily, sweat dripping down his face, but there was a sense of satisfaction in the physical exertion. It felt good to push himself, even if just a little.

As he stood there, catching his breath, something caught his eye in the distance—a faint glimmer, barely noticeable in the darkness. Curious, Hiroshi squinted, trying to make out what it was. The glimmer seemed to be coming from a structure, half-hidden by the dense foliage. He hesitated for a moment, but then curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to investigate.

Pushing through the undergrowth, Hiroshi approached the structure. As he got closer, he realized it was the entrance to a ruin, ancient and overgrown with vines. The stone was weathered and cracked, and strange markings adorned the walls, glowing faintly in the dark.

Hiroshi's heart raced with excitement and a bit of nervousness. *What is this place?* he wondered. The air around the ruin felt heavy, charged with an ancient energy that sent shivers down his spine.

Taking a deep breath, Hiroshi stepped inside. The air was cooler within the ruin, and the glow of the markings provided just enough light for him to see. He walked slowly, his footsteps echoing softly in the silent corridor as he ventured deeper into the structure. The walls were lined with carvings of long-forgotten deities and scenes of battles, hinting at the ruin's ancient past.

As he explored further, Hiroshi noticed a faint light emanating from a chamber up ahead. His pulse quickened, and he moved toward it cautiously. When he reached the entrance of the chamber, he paused, peering inside.

The chamber was small but beautifully decorated, with intricate carvings on the walls and a large stone pedestal in the center. Atop the pedestal rested a weapon—an elegant sword with a curved blade, resembling a katana. The blade shimmered with a pale blue light, as if it was made of pure energy. The hilt was adorned with jewels, and strange runes were etched along the length of the blade.

Hiroshi's breath caught in his throat. He had never seen a weapon like this before. It seemed to radiate power, almost as if it were alive. *Could this be… a magical sword?* he thought, awed by its beauty.

He stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the katana. There was something about it that called to him, a feeling deep in his gut that told him this weapon was meant for him. Tentatively, he reached out and wrapped his fingers around the hilt. The moment his hand made contact, a surge of energy coursed through his body, making his heart race.

Suddenly, the system interface appeared before him, startling him for a moment.

[New Weapon Acquired!