The mist hung thick over Skull Island, curling around jagged cliffs and twisted roots like living fingers. Chen Lin Chen crouched near the artifact, purple energy humming faintly in his chest. The Human Function timer ticked steadily in the back of his mind:
> [Human Function Active – 41:10:47 Remaining]
His claws scraped the rocky ground, testing the vibrations, sensing every pulse from the artifact. The humans moved carefully behind him, weapons ready. Kong growled low, tail swishing, while Muk'Tahl's tusks scraped the stone floor as he adjusted his stance.
Lin's system pinged softly:
> [New Ability Detected – Artifact Resonance Pulse]
[Activation: Precision and Energy Focus Required]
A subtle hum emanated from the artifact, responding to Lin's presence. He flexed his claws, eyes glowing faintly, and the purple energy coiled in his throat.
"Alright," he muttered, tail twitching. "Let's see what you've got for me."
He stepped forward, letting the energy pulse in his chest sync with the artifact's vibrations. A faint resonance wave rolled through the canyon, sending ripples across the mist. His system guided him:
> [Suggestion: Channel Energy, Synchronize with Artifact Node]
Lin inhaled, chest vibrating, and exhaled in a controlled burst. The purple energy lanced from his mouth, connecting with the artifact. Sparks flew as the runes on its surface rearranged, forming a glowing sigil beneath his feet. The humans gasped.
"Holy… fuc.k," Keller muttered, ducking behind a boulder. "Did… did he just—?"
> [Artifact Resonance Pulse Activated – Minor Ability Unlocked]
The artifact hummed in response, sending localized tremors through the canyon floor. Lin's claws dug in as fissures opened, releasing steam and acidic mist. The pulse not only stabilized sections of the canyon but also amplified his senses. He could now feel minor disturbances—the approach of the Ant Queen's scouts deep below.
> [Quest Update: Artifact Resonance Mastery – 30% Complete]
The humans readied themselves. Kong and Muk'Tahl braced, sensing the tension. A wave of ant scouts skittered from the fissures, drawn by the artifact's pulse. Lin's eyes narrowed. Purple energy coiled in his throat again, and with a sharp exhale, a concentrated pulse lashed forward, cutting through the mist and vaporizing several scouts instantly.
---
Hollow Earth – Su Xiao's Potential Awakens
Miles away, Su Xiao navigated a labyrinth of jagged crystal spires. The faint glow of iridescent mineral veins reflected off her enhanced reflexes, allowing her to move like a shadow across fractured stone. Her partially revealed System powers thrummed in her veins, testing her limits.
> [System Calibration – 75%]
[Abilities: Enhanced Reflexes, Minor Energy Manipulation, Recon Pulse, Latent Potential Detected]
Suddenly, a hulking predator emerged from the shadows, its serrated claws clicking as it lunged. Su Xiao rolled forward, narrowly avoiding its strike. Crystals shattered around her, sending sharp fragments flying. She leapt onto a jagged ledge, firing a concentrated energy pulse that struck the creature's weak points, momentarily stunning it.
> [Minor Adversary – Hollow Earth Predator]
The cavern trembled, fissures opening in unpredictable patterns. Su Xiao's system whispered tactical advice: combine environmental hazards with attacks to survive. She channeled latent energy, forming a shimmering shield of violet light that deflected a crushing strike. The energy surge hinted at her full System potential, waiting for calibration.
> [Latent System Ability Detected – Activation Possible with Focused Resonance]
She narrowed her eyes, letting pulse after pulse flow through her body, each movement precise, each strike calculated. The predator lunged again, and she countered with a sweeping arc of energy that knocked it into a crystal wall. Sparks flew, echoing across the cavern.
---
Skull Island – Artifact and Ant Queen Threats
Lin's claws flexed as he moved, scanning the canyon. The artifact pulsed, now partially responding to his will. The minor ability—Artifact Resonance Pulse—allowed him to subtly manipulate environmental hazards, stabilizing unstable ground while enhancing his offensive strikes.
> [Trial Stage – Environmental Hazard Integration]
Ant Queen scouts skittered from hidden tunnels below, drawn by the artifact's energy. Lin exhaled, letting the purple beam coil in his throat. Each pulse was precise, vaporizing drones while avoiding the humans. Kong charged, smashing ant drones, while Muk'Tahl swung tusks in calculated arcs, clearing space for the humans to advance.
The minor antagonist from before, human-controlled, emerged from the mist again, launching a small Titan drone. Lin's eyes glinted. He fired a concentrated pulse, cutting the drone down instantly. Sparks illuminated the mist, reflecting off the humans' awed faces.
> [Quest Update: Canyon Secured – 85% Complete]
The artifact pulsed stronger, sending waves of energy through the canyon. Lin felt a subtle resonance—distant, faint, almost like a whisper. His claws flexed, sensing an echo that did not originate from the artifact.
> [Subtle System Convergence Detected – Low Intensity]
He tilted his head. Nothing visible, yet the sensation lingered—a whisper of another System Holder far away. Lin's pulse coiled tighter, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.
---
Hollow Earth – Su Xiao Pushes Limits
Su Xiao dodged another strike, her enhanced reflexes keeping her one step ahead. Crystals fractured underfoot, fissures opened, and the cavern shifted unpredictably. The predator lunged, but she used the terrain to her advantage, striking with concentrated pulses of violet energy.
> [System Suggestion: Full Potential Tease – Focus Resonance]
Her system whispered of latent energy yet untapped. A surge of power flowed through her arms, enhancing her attacks, but the fight was far from over. Each strike, each dodge, each pulse heightened suspense as the predator adapted, forcing her to push further.
> [Threat Level: Critical]
Su Xiao leapt across fractured crystal, striking the predator's weak points with precise energy arcs. The creature staggered, letting out a shriek that echoed across the cavern. New fissures opened, creating environmental puzzles—unstable paths and falling crystal shards. She had to combine reflex, energy manipulation, and terrain mastery to survive.
---
Skull Island – Preparing for Hive Confrontation
Lin's artifact pulse had stabilized sections of the canyon but awakened more scouts. Purple energy coiled in his chest. He exhaled, firing precise concentrated beams, clearing a path while maintaining control of the humans and allies.
> [Human Function Timer – 40:48:22 Remaining]
[Artifact Resonance Mastery – 45% Complete]
The minor antagonist retreated again but left signs of tracking, placing energy traps and drones in the misted jungle. Lin's eyes narrowed. Every pulse, every movement, every decision mattered.
The faint echo of Su Xiao's energy pulse reached him subconsciously, a whisper in his system. He felt it—a low intensity, far away, teasing convergence.
Keller noticed his pause. "What is it?"
Lin's eyes glimmered. "Nothing… yet. Just a feeling."
---
Hollow Earth – Final Push
Su Xiao faced the final surge of the predator, environmental hazards intensifying. Fissures cracked beneath her feet, shards of crystal raining down. She leapt, firing concentrated energy pulses, striking with precision. Her system whispered tactical advice, guiding her through chaos.
The predator lunged one last time, but she was ready. Using terrain, pulses, and her partially revealed System powers, she struck the creature into a crystal wall, finally neutralizing it. Sparks erupted across the cavern, reflecting her violet energy arcs.
> [Latent System Potential – Slightly Revealed]
[Minor Adversary Neutralized]
The cavern fell quiet, only the hum of residual energy remaining. Su Xiao's pulse quickened. She had survived, grown, and tasted the power that awaited full calibration.
---
The canyon on Skull Island hummed, artifact pulsing, minor antagonist neutralized for now, but scouts still lurking. Lin's humans, Kong, and Muk'Tahl stood ready, tension coiling like a spring.
The Hollow Earth echoed with danger, Su Xiao having pushed herself to new limits.
Two System Holders, unaware of each other but faintly resonant, were moving inexorably toward paths that would collide.
The suspense tightened like a drawn bow. Every shadow, pulse, and movement hinted at challenges yet to come.