The canyon's mist rolled thick over the jagged rocks, carrying the scent of heated earth and acidic steam. Chen Lin Chen crouched near the pulsing artifact, eyes narrowing as the faint glow reflected off his scales. The Human Function timer ticked quietly in the back of his mind:
> [Human Function Active – 42:00:12 Remaining]
Purple energy coiled in his throat, ready to surge at a moment's notice. His system had unlocked the Shop and Quest functions, and now a hidden function from the artifact teased him with every pulse of light.
> [New Function Detected – Artifact Resonance Interface]
[Objective: Unlock Hidden Potential via Trial]
Lin's eyes scanned the glowing runes on the artifact. They twisted and shimmered as if alive, reacting to his presence. As he approached, a tremor ran through the canyon. The ground beneath his feet cracked, small geysers of steam hissing up.
"Alright, everyone," Lin muttered, tail flicking, "this thing wants to play."
Keller stepped forward cautiously, rifle raised. "Looks like a trap. Something triggered by energy or movement."
Lin inhaled slowly, chest vibrating faintly. He extended a claw to touch one of the glowing runes. Instantly, a pulse of violet light shot from the artifact, slamming into the canyon floor. The humans scattered, Kong growled, and Muk'Tahl rumbled defensively, tusks ready.
> [Trial Initiated – Artifact Resonance Challenge]
Lin's system hummed urgently:
> [Suggestion: Focus Energy, Stabilize Resonance]
He drew in another breath, letting the purple energy coil in his throat. A concentrated pulse shot from his mouth, slicing through the vapor and hitting the artifact directly. Sparks danced along its surface, and the runes rearranged themselves, forming a new pattern.
"Holy… moly," Keller breathed, crouched behind a boulder. "It… responded to him."
The artifact pulsed stronger, sending vibrations through the canyon floor. Small fissures opened, releasing acidic steam. A wave of ant drones emerged from the misted jungle, seemingly drawn by the artifact's energy. Lin's eyes glowed, and the humans braced for combat.
He tested the purple beam on a few of the approaching drones, concentrating it into precise, lethal strikes. Kong and Muk'Tahl charged in tandem, smashing and skewering, while humans laid traps, firing in synchronized volleys.
> [Trial Status – Combat Integration Phase]
The artifact hummed as if observing, pulses reacting to each of Lin's strikes. He felt his System interface adjusting, unlocking subtle enhancements to his senses and strength.
Meanwhile, deep below the island, the Ant Queen stirred slightly, her children skittering back into hidden tunnels, sensing the commotion above.
---
Far Away – Hollow Earth
Su Xiao moved cautiously through the crystalline caverns, boots tapping against glassy black stone. The faint hum of energy from her system guided her, but danger lurked in every shadow.
> [System Active – Calibration 67%]
[Abilities Partially Revealed: Enhanced Reflexes, Minor Energy Manipulation, Recon Pulse]
A sudden rumble echoed through the cavern, and a massive predator, its sinewy limbs bristling with spikes, lunged from the shadows. Su Xiao rolled, narrowly avoiding its claws, and fired a recon pulse that illuminated the beast's weak points.
> [Adversary Detected – High Threat]
The predator advanced, testing her reflexes. Energy pulsed in her hands as she deflected strikes with precision, her partial system powers giving her an edge. The cavern around her shifted—crystals cracked, and glowing veins of mineral energy surged unpredictably, creating both a hazard and an opportunity.
She ducked under a falling stalactite, letting it crash behind her, and used the moment to strike the predator with a concentrated pulse of violet energy. The impact sent it sprawling into a pool of glowing liquid, but more were approaching.
Su Xiao's system whispered tactical advice, highlighting environmental hazards and optimal attack sequences. She adapted quickly, using both terrain and energy manipulation to stay one step ahead.
---
Back to Skull Island
Lin's claws dug into the canyon floor as he concentrated on the artifact. The purple energy pulsed stronger with every strike, interacting with the runes. Suddenly, a spike of energy shot out from the artifact, forming a thin barrier in front of him—a test. If he miscalculated, it could fry the humans.
> [Artifact Test – Precision Required]
He inhaled, channeling the beam carefully. With surgical precision, the concentrated purple pulse cut through the barrier, leaving a small scorch mark. The humans cheered, Kong roared in approval, and Muk'Tahl stomped, shaking the ground.
The artifact shifted, revealing a faintly glowing interface—a map of the island etched in energy lines. Lin scanned it quickly. One node pulsed intensely: the heart of the Ant Queen's subterranean hive. Another marker flickered: unknown, ancient, possibly another artifact.
> [Hidden Function Unlocked – Artifact Resonance Manipulation]
Lin felt a surge of power, subtle but significant. His senses sharpened, reflexes faster, and his purple beam now more stable and deadly. The trial was a success—but the real challenge was still ahead.
Suddenly, faint tremors ran through the canyon. The Ant Queen's children stirred in the tunnels below, moving toward the fissures. Lin's eyes narrowed.
"Alright," he muttered, tail lashing, "the real fun begins."
---
Hollow Earth – Su Xiao's Fight Escalates
Su Xiao spun, dodging another strike from the predator. Crystals cracked underfoot, and a fissure opened in the cavern floor. She leapt, narrowly avoiding a deadly fall, and fired a series of concentrated energy pulses. Each strike was precise, testing the limits of her partially revealed powers.
> [System Suggestion: Defensive Maneuvers Engaged]
A second predator appeared, larger, with armored plating and glowing red eyes. Su Xiao's eyes narrowed. The fight escalated; she had to adapt quickly. Using a combination of terrain, energy pulses, and evasive acrobatics, she began to gain the upper hand—but the cavern's instability made every move tense and suspenseful.
> [Threat Level: Critical]
The system hinted at latent abilities yet to be revealed. Her fingers tingled with power, ready to push beyond what she had shown so far. The next strike would determine if she survived—or if the Hollow Earth would claim her.
---
Skull Island – Lin Prepares for the Hive
Lin stood before the glowing artifact map, eyes flicking to the nodes representing the Ant Queen's influence. Purple energy radiated from his chest, ready. Kong and Muk'Tahl flanked him, humans poised and alert. The artifact had revealed secrets, tested him, and upgraded his abilities—but the island was far from safe.
A faint click echoed through the misted jungle. Lin's eyes glimmered. "Looks like the Ant Queen is sending scouts."
He inhaled, letting the purple beam coil in his throat. The 2-day Human Function timer continued, reminding him that time—and power—were both limited.
The system whispered:
> [Primary Objective: Artifact Investigation – Active]
[Secondary Objective: Hive Threat – Pending]
Every shadow, every pulse, every rustle in the mist hinted at the challenges to come. The humans were ready, Kong and Muk'Tahl were ready, and Lin's concentrated purple beam promised devastating power—but one misstep could still cost them everything.
And somewhere far away, Su Xiao faced her own trial, her abilities pushed to the limit, the Hollow Earth testing her with every pulse and shadow.
Two System Holders, unaware of each other, separate yet linked by destiny, moving inexorably toward paths that would one day converge.
The tension coiled like a spring, ready to snap.