Ethan spun, bringing his sword across the last soldier's chest in a clean arc. The man collapsed without a sound, and his Ascendant Core floated free for just a moment before vanishing into Ethan's inventory.
A soft chime echoed in his mind.
[Ascendant Cores collected: 50 / 50.]
The moment it happened, Ethan froze.
His grip on the hilt of the Flame Dragon Sword tightened—not from fear, but anticipation. The blade in his hand suddenly grew warm. Then hot. Then alive.
A deep crimson glow surged through the carvings along the weapon's length. Faint lines of golden light pulsed from the core at its base, moving like veins to the tip of the blade.
It was happening.
The Flame Dragon Sword was evolving.
Cracks of red and gold light shimmered outward, forming patterns in the air around him. Heat pulsed from the weapon—not the kind that burned, but the kind that breathed. It was as if something ancient inside the sword had awakened, stretching for the first time in years.
