The streets were unusually quiet that morning, but Onex could feel the faint tremor of power from the other side of the district. Something was out there—something dangerous. The Eclipse Halo Farming System pulsed in response, its interface flickering.
[Ding!]
[Shadow Syndicate Detected – Level 3 Aura Sources Nearby]
[Recommended: Proceed with Caution]
Nix leaned against the cracked wall of the alley they were hiding in, smirking. "You're excited, aren't you?"
"Excited?" Onex raised an eyebrow. "I'm ready. This is the kind of challenge that actually matters."
Nix shook their head. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Syndicate members aren't like the small fry we've been farming. These people can obliterate halos before breakfast."
Onex's Shadowlight halo flickered, like it was sensing the tension. "All the better. If they want to fight, I'll make sure they regret it."
The system pinged again as shadows moved in the distance. Three scouts, clad in black with halos dimly glowing red, slipped from the alleyways, surrounding them with calculated precision. Onex noticed the first one raise a hand, the halo around their head thrumming with potential energy.
"Level 2 aura. Amateur," Onex muttered under their breath, stepping into the open with a casual grin.
The system responded almost immediately:
[Ding!]
[Nearby Aura Source Level 2-3 Detected – Extractable]
[Suggested Method: Shadowlight + Voidlight Combination]
Nix smirked. "Looks like your system finally gets it. Or maybe you just like showing off."
Onex tilted their head, letting the Eclipse Flicker halo spin faster. Shadows curled like smoke around their wrists. "Why not both?"
The first scout lunged. Onex sidestepped, letting the Shadowlight halo absorb a fraction of the incoming aura, while a ribbon of darkness lashed out, grazing the second scout.
[Ding!]
[Aura Absorbed: +12 Shadowlight Energy]
The second scout stumbled back, their red halo flickering. The third had the good sense to pause, observing.
"Not bad… for a halo-less freak," one of them hissed.
Onex smirked. "Halo-less? Please. You'll be halo-less and humbled in a minute."
Nix chuckled. "Careful, Onex. They're getting nervous. Nervous people make mistakes."
Onex pivoted, combining Shadowlight + Voidlight halos in a fluid motion. The two energies intertwined, creating a rippling aura wave that struck the scouts simultaneously. The system pinged with precision:
[Ding!]
[Combo Successful: +20 Aura]
[New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Pulse]
The scouts were thrown back by the force, staggering as their halos dimmed. Onex casually walked forward, eyes scanning the street for more targets. "Come on. Who else wants to play?"
One of the scouts finally called out, panic rising. "Lieutenant! The freak's stronger than we thought!"
Nix raised an eyebrow. "Lieutenant? Now it's getting interesting."
A shadow detached itself from the edge of the district. A tall figure, halo glowing with ominous purple energy, stepped forward. The Shadow Syndicate Lieutenant. Power radiated off them in waves that made the air shimmer.
"Onex," the lieutenant said, voice calm but deadly. "You've attracted the wrong attention."
Onex tilted their head, smirk widening. "I like attention. Makes the halo farming more… fun."
The system pinged repeatedly:
[Ding!]
[Elite Rival Detected – Level 4]
[Warning: Extreme Difficulty]
Nix whispered, "Level 4? You do realize this is basically the district's elite, right?"
Onex flexed their fingers, shadows crawling up their arms like living things. "Exactly why it's going to be fun."
The first exchange was lightning-fast. The lieutenant moved like liquid, their aura flaring with purple lightning. Onex barely dodged, letting Shadow Pulse absorb a slice of their energy mid-strike.
[Ding!]
[Halo Farm Partial: +30 Aura]
[New Technique Available: Eclipse Fusion]
Onex's eyes glinted as they tested the new ability, merging Shadowlight and Voidlight halos into a concentrated strike. The lieutenant blocked, but their halo dimmed ever so slightly.
Nix gasped. "You're actually… farming them?!"
"Only a little," Onex said, smirking. "Gotta leave them with some pride… for now."
The fight escalated, halos clashing with bursts of light and shadow. Each strike Onex absorbed fed the Eclipse Halo Farming System, and new abilities flickered into existence like sparks from a forge.
[Ding!]
[Halo Farm Successful: +50 Aura]
[New Halo Unlocked: Shadow Core]
Finally, the lieutenant signaled retreat. "This isn't over, Onex. We'll meet again."
As they disappeared into the shadows, the district seemed to exhale, tension dissolving into the early afternoon light. Onex lowered their hands, letting the halos pulse gently above their head.
Nix shook their head, impressed. "I knew you were good… but that? That's insane."
Onex smirked, letting the Eclipse Halo Farming System update with the results of the fight. "Insane? Maybe. But insane works."
[Ding!]
[Next Objective: Eclipse Trial – Extreme Difficulty]
The system's text glowed ominously, a silent promise of challenges to come. Onex tilted their head to Nix. "Ready for the real fun?"
"Always," Nix replied.
And with the Shadow Syndicate's warning echoing in their mind, Onex stepped forward, shadows trailing behind them like a living cloak, ready to conquer whatever the system threw next.