One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

I stared at the glowing mark on my hand, my breath coming in short gasps. It wasn't just a simple marking—it pulsed with an energy I had never felt before.

A deep, ancient power. Something that belonged to me. But… how?

Tatsuo and Smoker were still catching their breath. The ruins had stopped shaking, the chains had vanished, and for a moment, there was only silence.

Then—

"You are not ready."

A voice—no, a presence—echoed through my mind.

The mark on my hand flared, sending a sharp pain through my arm. I gritted my teeth, trying to shake off the burning sensation, but it was like something inside me was being rewritten.

shira moved closer, his sword still drawn. "Ardan, talk to me. What's happening?"

I exhaled slowly, trying to focus. "I… I don't know. But this—" I held up my hand, the glow intensifying. "This is part of Asmora's secret."

Smoker let out a low grunt. "If that's true, then we're standing in the middle of a damn graveyard that doesn't want us here." He lit another cigar, his expression unreadable. "We should get moving before whatever's watching us decides to strike again."

I nodded. He was right.

Something was watching.

Something that didn't want me to remember.

I clenched my fist, and the glow dimmed slightly. The ruins around us still held secrets, but I had a feeling we wouldn't be getting any more answers here. Not yet.

"Let's go," I said, my voice firm. "There's more we need to uncover."

shirao glanced at me. "And if something else comes after us?"

I smirked. "Then I guess we'll just have to survive."