[Owen's POV]
The market square was unusually packed today, with street vendors barking out prices and the scent of grilled skewers mixing with sweet buns in the air.
I was just walking through, hands in my coat pockets, trying to stay unnoticed while on my way to grab a quick al—when, of course, the universe decided to spice up my life again.
"Soone stop him! He's trying to harass !!"
The voice rang out like a blaring horn through the crowd, and suddenly, all heads turned in my direction.
I blinked. Wait, what?
There she was—a tall, overly dramatic girl with perfectly styled curls, fake tears welling in her eyes as she pointed a trembling finger at .
The crowd instantly shifted, mumbling and closing in. A few even looked ready to pounce.
I tilted my head. "...Are you sure you're talking about ?"
"You grabbed my wrist and whispered sothing filthy!" she wailed.
I looked at her hand. "Lady, your wrist's covered in perfu strong enough to tranquilize a yak, and I haven't co within five feet of you."
A few people chuckled nervously, but the tension remained.
Then I sighed dramatically, rubbing my temple. "Look, let's be honest here." I raised my voice just slightly, making sure everyone could hear . "Do you really think you are beautiful enough to be harassed?"
That landed like a bomb. The crowd gasped. Several people visibly winced.
"Damn!" one vendor whispered. "You savage...!"
The girl looked scandalized. "How dare you—!"
I cut her off, stepping forward and casually pulling out my phone. "You were live-streaming five minutes ago, weren't you?" I tapped into the city-wide CCTV app—a gift from a few favors I'd done for the underground—and flipped the screen around for all to see.
"Let's rewind, shall we?"
The screen showed her clearly walking up behind in the crowd and accidentally bumping into . Then, she paused, looked around, and theatrically flung herself backwards, clutching her wrist. Nothing even remotely close to harassnt.
The crowd turned.
One guy whispered, "She just tried to pull a Bitch Bardot move."
Another muttered, "And failed harder than Katerina's Hole at a loyalty test."
Soone snorted. "She's no better than those two snake Bitches combined."
The girl's fake tears were gone now, replaced with panic. "I—It was just a misunderstanding, I—"
"No," I said flatly, sliding my phone away. "It was a calculated misunderstanding. And frankly, your acting's not even worth a D-list theater troupe."
Then I casually adjusted my coat, brushing past her. "Next ti you want attention," I added, "try talent... not false accusations."
The crowd parted for like I was Moses himself. A couple people even clapped. The girl stood frozen in place, humiliated, as vendors started shouting things like "You owe him an apology!" and "Sha on you!"
I didn't need to turn back. This wasn't about flexing power—it was about stopping a lie cold.
And honestly? It was kinda fun.
________________________________________
The Lost Artifact of Wuyi.
The wind howled through the dense bamboo forest of Mount Wuyi, whispering secrets long buried beneath moss-covered stones. My boots crunched against the sacred earth as I approached the ancient shrine, half-devoured by ti and nature.
The system chid in my mind like a steady heartbeat:
----
[Quest Objective: Locate the Lost Artifact of Wuyi]
Status: 99% Complete
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One last step.
I stopped before the dragon-carved altar. Its surface was etched with divine runes—so still glowing faintly with ancient qi. I reached into the pouch hanging from my belt and pulled out the final piece: a jade shard recovered from the Hollowstag's domain. It pulsed softly, recognizing its place.
Click.
The altar shifted. Dust spilled from the cracks. Then, with a deep rumble, the stone centerpiece split open—and from within, rose a narrow pedestal holding the artifact itself:
A Golden Hairpin, simple at first glance—yet imbued with the soul of a divine beast. Its aura was intense, tiless, and regal. This wasn't just a hairpin.
This was the Crown of the Forgotten Empress.
----
Quest Completed: The Lost Artifact of Wuyi
Rewards Unlocked: – [Artifact: Crown of the Forgotten Empress]
– 50 Intelligence
– New Passive Skill Unlocked: Imperial Command
– Beast Companions' loyalty permanently increased.
– Hidden Title Gained: "Wuyi's Chosen"
----
"Impressive," I murmured. "This... is no ordinary relic."
Suddenly, the shrine burst with light as a spiritual projection appeared—an echo of the Empress herself. She was serene, clad in robes of moonlight and fla.
"You, who bears the Beast Heart," she spoke. "You carry the sorrow of many worlds... yet still stand tall. You are worthy."
I bowed lightly out of respect.
She stepped closer. "Then heed this, Alpha of Beasts. When the Tyrant arrives, do not let your past define your wrath. Let your will shape the new world."
And just like that, she faded.
The air grew still again, but sothing inside had shifted. The artifact was mine now—not just as a prize, but as a legacy. The Empress had fought to protect this land.
Now, so would I.
"Alright," I muttered, sliding the hairpin into my inner coat. "Tyrant or not... I'll be ready."
And with that, I turned from the shrine—step by step, descending back into a world that desperately needed strength.
But this ti, I didn't walk alone.
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