When the first orange ray crept over O'Hara's horizon, Spectre D. Ash left the cobbled paths of the island and stepped into the small inland jungle that only scholars and children bothered to visit. The night mist still clung to the low ferns, wrapping his ankles in cool silver, and each broad leaf glittered with dew like a sheet of tiny mirrors. He loved this hour; the world was quiet enough that his own heartbeat sounded louder than the birds.
He inhaled through his nose—four counts—held the breath two counts, then let it flow out for six. This was his Pulse Breath, the foundation of every Haki drill he did. A faint, translucent ring drifted in front of his vision, a simple graphic from the Codex that glowed green when his timing was smooth and red when it wavered. Today the ring stayed green.
Codex snapshot:
Observation EXP +7
• WRP 94 / 100
• Heart 92 bpm (steady)
Ash stooped beside the creek and chose three smooth river stones—the same ones he used yesterday. Placing two on his forearms and one on his head, he balanced for a breath, then sprinted across a fallen tree acting as a narrow bridge. Mid‑run a bright kingfisher exploded from a bush, its wings a flash of cobalt.
Micro‑Precognition flickered in his mind like a candle flare, showing him a half‑second future where he slipped. He shifted his weight. The arm stones clattered into the water but the top stone stayed. Mud splashed his calves as he slid to the far bank.
The Codex chimed.
Improvised recovery +5 EXP
• WRP 99 / 100
"Not clean, but I'm still dry," he muttered. He repeated the sprint—again and again—until the sun climbed a hand's width into the sky. Fifty flawless crossings later a soft bell rang in his mind.
Milestone reached:
WRP full.
Armament Path unlocked.
A fresh line of text scrolled across the Codex, plain and easy to read:
Iron Vein unlocked
A thin layer of will hardens skin and muscle.
+10 % defence.
Overuse may tear skin at current level.
Ash pictured warm iron sliding under his skin. A dark sheen crawled along his forearms. They felt heavier, like wearing metal cuffs, and heat built under the surface until it stung. After three slow seconds he released the flow and the grey colour faded.
First Iron Vein use
+35 Armament EXP
• WRP 71 / 100
He flexed his fingers, wincing, but the pain turned into a pleasant throb—proof that something new now belonged to him. He coated only his wrists this time, held the power for a single strong heartbeat, then let it go. Better. Again, and again, each burst a little steadier.
Mid‑morning found him back at the Tree of Knowledge, slipping through a side stair that most visitors never noticed. He ducked past dangling cobwebs until the air turned cool and still. At the end of the stone corridor stood a tall iron door. Twin scythes crossed over a crescent moon, and the metal seemed to drink the torch‑light.
Vault status:
Locks open 1 / 5
• Progress 5 %
Ash placed his palm against the symbol. A faint tingle spread through his skin. Lines of pale light crawled under the surface, mapping hidden circuits. He traced a slow curve; rust flaked away, new runes blinked to life.
Door progress → 9 %
"Progress is progress," he whispered, and felt the door's chill answer back.
After lunch he joined Robin in the astronomy wing. She perched near the top of a rolling ladder, sliding heavy star charts into place. Ash practised Iron Vein bursts at a reading table, flexing until his arms darkened then clearing the coat with a shake.
Robin glanced down. "Those dark marks look like bruises."
"Field test," he replied. At that exact moment a leather‑bound chart slipped from her hands. Ash lunged, but the book still clipped his forehead before he caught it.
Robin's laugh filled the tall room. "Science hurts," she teased.
Ash set the book on his head and bowed exaggeratedly. "All progress has a price."
She stuck out her tongue—just a tiny gesture, but it warmed him more than the afternoon sun.
When the curfew bell rang and lights dimmed, Ash crept back to the locked corridor. Two floor tiles near the door glowed in his Codex overlay—silent alarm plates he'd found yesterday. Activating Harmonic Blink, he felt time stretch; sound dulled, colours deepened. In one calm step he cleared both tiles.
He let Iron Vein flow only to his fingertips—less drain that way—and pressed a small glowing rune. The door drank his will fast, like water disappearing into dry sand.
WRP –12
• Door progress 22 %
• Warning: mild dizziness
Ash pulled away, head spinning but heart racing. "Almost there," he breathed, pride spreading through his chest.
That night exhaustion dragged him into deep sleep. He found himself standing in a vast stone hall. Above, stars spun in slow wheels. On a low block rested a black glass scythe with two mirrored blades.
A calm, echoing voice filled the air:
"Lay bare thy mettle, Scion of the Veil."
Ash stepped forward. Each footfall rang like a soft drum. When he reached out, the scythe shattered into shards of dark light that wrapped his wrists in cool fire. He felt chosen—and tested.
He woke in a gulp of air, heart pounding and bedsheets damp with sweat.
The Codex opened a new page:
Entry: Skeyth—sentient scythe (locked)
Quest chain: Harvester's Accord
Strengthen body and will (0 / 3)
Offer proof of courage (0 / 1)
Survive the bonding trial (locked)
"Soon," he promised the dark room. Far below, the vault door answered with a single pulse of pale light, almost like a heartbeat.