Chainspire Tier 2 was quiet.
Too quiet.
Zane Kael moved through the upper platforms, his HUD pulsing with system alerts. The Genesis Coin flickered—its stability now at 87%. The System Coin remained passive, but the Echoglitch pulsed erratically, like it was trying to rewrite something beneath the surface.
[OBJECTIVE: Reach Level 10]
Trial Unlocked: Architect's Gate
Requirement: Coinmaster Level 10
Zane needed two more levels.
He found the trial node near a collapsed forge—an arena etched into the platform itself, glowing with ancient coin glyphs.
Trial: Architect's Echo
Type: Combat / Lore Sync
Reward: Architect Coin (Rare)
He stepped into the arena.
The trial began instantly.
Three constructs emerged—tall, humanoid, forged from coin fragments and system code. Each one bore a different symbol: Creation, Control, and Collapse.
Zane activated CoinPulse, striking the first construct. It staggered, but reformed instantly.
He switched to EchoOverride, slowing time and predicting their movements. It worked—barely. He disabled the second construct, but the third unleashed a blast of corrupted energy.
[HP: 38%]
Zane triggered GlitchSurge, destabilizing the arena itself. The constructs faltered. He fused the Echo and Glitch coins mid-combat—risking another feedback loop.
Fusion Successful. Skill Unlocked: Rift Chain
Golden chains erupted from the ground, binding the constructs.
Zane struck.
Trial Complete. Architect Coin Acquired.
The arena faded.
A new coin hovered before him—silver, etched with geometric patterns that pulsed like blueprints.
[COIN TYPE: Architect Coin]
Tier: Rare
Skill: System Design (Passive)
His HUD updated.
[PLAYER STATUS: ZANE KAEL]
Level: 10
New Coin: Architect Coin
New Skill: Rift Chain, System Design (Passive)
Coin Balance: Genesis, Whisper, Echo, Glitch, Echoglitch, System, Architect
Inventory: Null Dagger, Coin Fragment ×21
System Note: Architect's Gate unlocked
The platform shimmered.
A new path unfolded—golden steps leading upward, suspended in code.
Zane looked up.
The Architect'sGate awaited.
And beyond it… the truth behind Velaryn's creation.