Morning light barely touched Onex's room when they woke, already feeling the pulsing energy of Shadowlight and Voidlight halos. The system blinked faintly:
[Ding!]
[Nearby Higher-Level Halo Detected: Level 2 – Aura Source: Merchant Clan Leader]
"Looks like today's gonna be fun," Onex muttered, stretching.
Nix leaned against the doorframe. "Fun, or dangerous? You know how these people get."
"Exactly why it's fun," Onex replied, smirk curling their lips. "Besides, a little danger sharpens the system's teeth."
By midday, they reached the merchant's district. People flaunted halos of every shape and color, but one figure stood out—a rival flaunting a bright crimson halo, radiating energy that sent nearby onlookers backing away.
"Level 2, huh?" Onex whispered. "Not too shabby."
The system highlighted weak points, aura flow patterns, and extraction angles.
[Ding!]
[Objective Update: Farm Rival Halo – Reward: +25 Aura]
The rival noticed Onex approaching. "Halo-less freak. Trying to snatch my light?"
Onex grinned. "I don't snatch. I farm."
The battle was short but revealing. Onex's Shadowlight halo absorbed a fraction of the rival's aura mid-strike, growing stronger. Nix cheered from the sidelines, clearly impressed.
[Ding!]
[Halo Farm Successful: +25 Shadowlight Energy]
[New Halo Unlocked: Eclipse Flicker]
The rival glared. "You'll pay for this next time."
System pinged ominously:
[Ding!]
[Next Objective: Rival Confrontation – Level Up Required]