Li Kai and Serin returned to the Store as the twin moons rose high over Verdant Hollow, casting silvery light over the cobbled streets. Dust clung to their cloaks and boots, and the faint traces of residual ghost-energy clung to their skin like a cold mist.
As they passed through the Store's bronze gates, the building itself seemed to sigh with relief, recognizing the retrieval of an important artifact.
Xiaomei was waiting inside, standing by a complex structure on the main counter.
The artifact she had crafted was unlike anything Li Kai had seen before: a crystalline sphere suspended within a swirling metal cage, inscribed with countless runes. Wisps of stabilizing energy floated around it, giving off a calming pulse that contrasted starkly with the tension that hung over the group.
"You found it," Xiaomei said, her eyes gleaming as she spotted the Echo Fragment.
Li Kai tossed the containment pouch onto the counter. "Barely. Dungeon almost came down on us."
Serin cracked her neck. "Good workout though."
Xiaomei grabbed the pouch and expertly extracted the fragment, inserting it into a socket at the base of the sphere. As soon as it clicked into place, the entire artifact thrummed with new power, the runes glowing brighter, harmonizing into a steady hum.
"There," she said, wiping her hands. "The Stabilizer is ready."
Li Kai leaned in. "Explain how this works."
Xiaomei smiled, clearly proud. "This artifact anchors chaotic natural growth and condenses excess fate energy into a controlled form. Think of it like... pruning a wild vine without killing the plant."
"In simple words?" Serin said, raising an eyebrow.
"If we deploy this at the Rebirth Tree's core, it'll stop the tree from expanding out of control. No need to chop it down. No mass panic. No wars."
Li Kai felt a weight lift from his chest. "Good. That gives us a real chance."
Xiaomei, however, looked hesitant. "There's a catch."
Li Kai's optimism immediately withered. "Of course there is. Go on."
"This Stabilizer needs to be attuned manually," Xiaomei said. "Someone has to plant it at the core of the tree and stay connected to it while the artifact synchronizes with the tree's fate lines."
"How long?" Serin asked.
"An hour," Xiaomei replied grimly. "At least."
Li Kai winced. "One hour standing right next to a magic-bomb tree that's mutating reality around it. Great."
"And the area around the core is unstable," Xiaomei added. "Expect mutated wildlife, rogue magical storms, territorial cultists, and gods know what else."
Serin grinned. "Sounds like my kind of party."
Li Kai ran a hand through his hair, thinking. "If it's that dangerous, I can't go alone. We'll need a full team."
He opened the System's interface.
System Function Unlocked:Temporary Recruitment - Up to three non-customer entities may be contracted for missions via Store credit.Warning: Higher-tier entities require increased risk-reward clauses.
A smile crept across Li Kai's face. "System, show available local hires."
A list popped up:
Jax the Earthbreaker (B-rank mercenary, specializes in defense and area control) – 500 Credits
Ilya of the Falling Leaves (A-rank archer, stealth specialist) – 700 Credits
Gorruk the Bloodhowler (B-rank berserker, uncontrollable when enraged) – 400 Credits
Mira the Silver Tongue (C-rank illusionist, crowd control specialist) – 300 Credits
Li Kai quickly calculated. He had earned about 2000 Credits through sales last week.
"Alright," he said. "We'll hire Jax and Ilya. Defense and precision—we'll need both."
Serin nodded approvingly. "Solid choices."
Li Kai pressed confirm.
A pulse of System energy rippled through the Store.
Moments later, two figures shimmered into existence at the recruitment pedestal near the east wall.
The first was Jax—a towering man built like a mountain, with stone-like skin and runes carved across his arms. He wore massive plated armor and carried a hammer that looked like it could flatten a house.
The second was Ilya—a slender woman dressed in a cloak of autumn-colored leaves, a bow taller than she was strapped to her back. Her eyes were sharp and calculating.
Both immediately kneeled, acknowledging Li Kai as their temporary employer.
"You called," Jax rumbled, voice like rolling boulders.
"We accept your contract," Ilya said in a crisp voice.
Li Kai gave a short nod. "Welcome aboard. Mission briefing: We're stabilizing a runaway magical phenomenon—a tree grown from a relic. It's mutating the land. High risk. Payment includes Store-exclusive relic access after completion."
Both mercenaries nodded without hesitation.
Good, Li Kai thought. Professionals.
"Gear up," he ordered. "We move at dawn."
That night, Li Kai sat alone on the Store's rooftop, staring up at the stars.
He could feel the weight of the debt pressing down on him. Not just the Store's survival—but the futures at risk because of his actions. That boy he'd helped, unknowingly setting off a chain reaction that could reshape the world.
He thought about the Debt Collector's warning: Beware the ones who feed on debt.
There were powers moving behind the scenes now, watching, waiting for him to fail.
But he wasn't going to give them the satisfaction.
He tightened his fists.
"I built this Store," he whispered to the night. "I'll protect it with everything I've got."
A soft presence settled beside him. Xiaomei.
"You don't have to do it alone," she said quietly.
Li Kai smiled faintly. "I know."
The next morning, the team assembled outside the Store at first light.
Jax stood stoic as a mountain. Ilya checked her quiver and adjusted her bowstring. Serin polished her blade, the sunlight glinting off the edge.
Xiaomei handed Li Kai the Stabilizer, now sealed in a reinforced case.
"Last chance to back out," she teased, though her voice held a serious undertone.
Li Kai shook his head. "Let's move."
They set out northward, the mana-beasts carrying them swiftly through the forested paths.
Hours later, they reached the edges of the affected zone.
The air was different here—thicker, buzzing with unseen forces. The trees had changed, twisted into towering giants with glowing veins pulsing under their bark. Flowers bloomed with colors not found in any natural palette, and small creatures scurried about, their forms bizarre combinations of familiar animals.
At the heart of it all, they could see the Rebirth Tree.
It was colossal—rising hundreds of meters into the sky, its trunk wide enough to house a village. Its branches spread out like a living canopy, vibrant with leaves that shimmered gold and green.
The ground around it shifted constantly—new roots burrowing, old ones collapsing, patches of strange terrain forming and disappearing.
And near the base, scattered groups of people knelt in worship, their bodies already showing signs of mutation—glowing eyes, bark-like skin, floral growths sprouting from their limbs.
"They're forming a cult," Serin observed grimly.
"No turning back now," Li Kai said.
He turned to his team.
"Phase One: Jax, you create barriers to block mutated wildlife. Serin, you handle anything that breaches. Ilya, take down anything threatening from range. I'll go in, plant the Stabilizer, and attune it."
The team nodded.
"Remember," Li Kai said, voice steady. "This isn't just about survival. It's about protecting the future."
They moved out.
The ground trembled underfoot.
And somewhere deep within the tree, something ancient and half-aware stirred, sensing their approach.
The battle for fate itself had begun.
End of Chapter 23