Colm stared at the glowing screen in front of him, his thoughts racing. The fight with the Pitchcaller replayed in his mind, its overwhelming strength finally making sense. It must have had some sort of attunement. Jerry's words echoed in his head, connecting the dots that had eluded him before.

His mind drifted back to the Grove Stalker. The second time he faced that beast, it had ignited itself, its body cloaked in flames, its attacks covered with flames, and its endurance heightened. That had to have been an attunement, too. Something that bolstered its strength and durability, turning an already terrifying creature into a true powerhouse.

It all clicked now—attunements were the key to unlocking a new level of power.

"I can get even stronger", Colm whispered to himself, the words barely audible. A spark of excitement flickered inside him—an ember of hope igniting into something more. What other hidden features are there in the system? He leaned back, running a hand through his hair as his thoughts spiraled. Is there some threshold to unlocking them? It looks like once Jerry gave me the knowledge, it unlocked it for me. His brow furrowed. Is that all it took? Missing knowledge that once I learned about it, the system unlocked it fully?

"This is insane," Colm muttered, unable to fully grasp the enormity of the revelation.

He sat there, stunned, trying to process everything. Jerry had dropped a bombshell of knowledge on him—changed the way he saw his path entirely. I barely even know the guy, Colm thought, his expression softening. And he's already done so much for me. He's taught me more in a single day than I've learned in months of surviving alone. I don't know why he's helping me, but I truly appreciate it.

Colm took a steadying breath, forcing his focus back to the screen hovering in front of him. Attunements. The word carried weight. He'd unlocked something incredible—something that could redefine his strength, his abilities, his future.

"They all sound incredible," he muttered, scrolling through the descriptions with a mix of awe and anticipation. "But what fits me?"

His gaze lingered on the options, his mind sifting through each one. This wasn't just about raw power—it was about who he was, how he fought, and what would keep him alive.

[ Congratulations! Hidden Feature Unlocked.

Attunement

An Attunement is a hidden system perk granted to those who align themselves with the elements of the world and have gained the knowledge to do so. Your personality, class, and abilities determined the attunements presented to you.

7 Suitable Attunements found. Please select an attunement to shape your path.

Mist – Silent and elusive, mist clings to every surface, concealing movement and intent. It shrouds your presence like a veil, lingering faintly before vanishing into nothingness.

Spark – A fleeting brilliance, a crackle of energy. Spark ignites life into every action, flickering with relentless intensity before surging into power.

Gale – The untamed force of the wind, swift and unpredictable. Gale sweeps across the battlefield, carrying strength in its flow and leaving the air trembling in its wake.

Clay – Solid, and malleable. Clay forms the foundation, adapting to pressure with enduring resilience, shaping the path with each grounded step.

Twilight – Where light and shadow meet, twilight blurs the edges of reality. It exists between moments, subtle yet profound, leaving traces of its quiet power across the world.

Tide – Constant and inevitable, the tide flows without end. It leaves its mark on everything it touches, carving paths and pulling all into its steady, relentless embrace.

Ember – A spark that refuses to die. Embers smolder with quiet promise. Small and unassuming, yet ready to ignite into a blaze when fanned by determination. ]

Colm sat there, staring at the glowing screen before him. This is different. Every other choice I've made so far was in a rush—life or death, with no room to think. But here, now, I have time. A rare sense of safety settled over him as he let out a slow breath. I'm in no rush.

"I guess I'll go through them all," he muttered, shrugging. Still, the sheer weight of the decision felt overwhelming.

Mist could be pretty good. He leaned back, recalling the fight with the Pitchcaller. As a summoner, my strength is my phantoms, but my weakness? It's definitely when something focuses on me. The memory of the Pitchcaller's relentless assault flashed through his mind, his near-death moments still vivid. If I'd been able to hide myself better, or if it hadn't locked onto me so easily, that fight could've been so much smoother. Mist moved up on his mental list.

Spark, he considered next. It sounds like raw power. Less utility, sure, but strength isn't something I can ignore. His mind flickered to Carver, stronger now at Tier 2. I might not lack firepower with my phantoms anymore, but pure, undeniable strength? That's never a bad thing.

Gale. He frowned slightly. It makes me think of the Pitchcaller. I wonder if it had something like a gale attunement? His lips pressed into a thin line. Wind never really resonated with me, though. I've never cared much for the concept, and Jerry said to pick something that felt right.

His thoughts shifted to Clay. This one gave him pause. It's similar to Gale—I never gave it much thought. But… my phantoms are kind of like clay beings, right? I shape them into existence, mold them to fit what I need. He nodded to himself. That resonates a little. I'll put it as a maybe.

Twilight. Colm's expression hardened. No. Just no. A shiver ran through him, and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. Light and shadow? It's just not for me. Plus, Jerry mentioned how people pick Void attunements just because they sound edgy, and that's exactly how this feels. It rubs me the wrong way.

Tide. A small smile crept onto his face. I like the sound of this one. There's something about it that feels… unstoppable. A force that moves no matter what. No hesitation, no stopping, just constant forward motion. That's the kind of feeling I can get behind.

And then there was Ember. He frowned slightly, but not in distaste. I'm not one for fire, but I can respect the raw power it offers. Ember would make things easier—it could bring overwhelming strength. He glanced at his hand, tracing the faint lines of glowing mana. But do I really need it? I don't have to rely on fire for survival. My Morvyn traits handle the dark. I don't need fire for food. Would Ember overlap the utility I already have?

He let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "So many choices," he muttered. "They all sound amazing."

After a long moment, Colm straightened, determination settling over him. Okay, I can narrow this down. Mist, Spark, Clay, Tide, and Ember. Those felt right—each of them clicked with him on some level.

Now I just have to figure out which one fits me best.

Minutes turned into hours as Colm sat there, weighing each option, the possibilities swirling through his mind.

"Okay, I'm throwing out Clay and Ember," Colm muttered, shaking his head. "They just don't mesh with me." He let out a frustrated sigh, staring at the remaining options. That just leaves Mist, Spark, and Tide.

"This is a damn pain," he grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I really wish Jerry was here to answer some questions." But he remembered Jerry's words—this choice is yours. There'd be no shortcuts here.

Colm sat up straighter as a thought clicked in his head. Do I really feel a personal connection to Mist? He paused, turning the idea over in his mind. I thought it sounded cool, sure. I liked the idea of hiding myself. But now that I really think about it, I don't feel any connection to it. I was just latching onto the utility—the idea of staying hidden, staying safe.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

He exhaled slowly, the realization settling in. If I strip that away, it's just Spark and Tide now.

His eyes drifted upward, as though searching for answers in the ceiling. Spark… A small smile tugged at his lips. It sounds incredible. I can't help but imagine thunderstorms brewing in the distance, the lightning dancing between the clouds, the crash of thunder rolling through the air. It was always so… soothing. Watching storms roll in, their chaotic beauty, their raw power—it was mesmerizing.

His smile faltered slightly, his mind shifting. And then there's Tide. The word brought a weight to his chest, a gentle ache he hadn't allowed himself to feel in so long. The beach. Hidden memories surfaced: the endless waves crashing against the shore, rolling in and out in a rhythm as old as time itself.

We used to go there all the time. His thoughts turned wistful. We never lived far from the beach, so we'd visit it constantly—her and I. The memory stung, tugging at something deep inside him. We really loved it, didn't we? He mumbled, shoulders slumping low.

Colm stared at the ground, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the table. I shoved those memories down for so long, trying to cope with everything. But I can still see it… the waves, stretching out for miles. Their ceaseless crashing onto the sand—powerful, yet somehow serene.

A tear slipped down his cheek, startling him out of his thoughts. He wiped it away quickly, but it didn't stop the others from falling. "I think… I know what choice I need to make." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke. It hurts. It brings those memories back—the ones I tried to bury so deep.

Colm leaned back in his chair, staring up at the screen through tear-blurred eyes. "I think I need a therapist," he whispered with a dry laugh. "I bottled so much up after everything that happened. But this… this world…" He shook his head, voice trembling. "It's forcing me to face everything I've buried. And maybe that's a good thing."

The tears kept falling, but there was a strange sense of peace in letting them go. For the first time in a long time, he didn't fight them. Colm sat there, thinking about the life he'd had, the people he'd lost, and the path that lay ahead of him now.

[ Attunement Selected: Tide

You have embraced the power of the tide—an unrelenting force that never falters. The tide ebbs and flows, and so does your path. Though you may stumble, you will not stop. You are now one with the endless tide.

Attunement Abilities Acquired

Rising Current (Level 1)

The tide surges with your movements. Your steps leave rippling waves of water in their wake, increasing your movement speed while slowing enemies who pass through them. Standing within these waves restores a small amount of health and mana over time.

Wavebound Surge (Level 1)

Mana: 50

Cast Time: Instant

Cooldown: 20 Seconds

Channel the power of the tide, sending out a surging wave in a cone in front of you. The wave deals moderate damage to all enemies hit and knocks them back. If standing in Rising Current, the wave becomes empowered, causing increased damage and slowing all enemies hit for 3 seconds.

Class Abilities Adapted

Your class abilities have been infused with the essence of the tide. The waves now flow through them, leaving their mark and empowering their strength. ]

The moment Colm selected the attunement, a surge of power rippled through him, like a wave crashing over his body. He exhaled sharply, his limbs tingling with energy, as if the ocean itself had flowed through his veins. Without hesitation, he pulled up his abilities, eager to see how they had changed now that the tide was his to command.

[ Active Ability: Phantom Warrior (Tier 2, Level 2)

Mana: 25% of your total mana

Summon a single empowered spectral warrior, a stronger and more resilient manifestation of the spirit realm.

Only one Phantom Warrior can be summoned at a time; attempting to summon another will replace the current warrior.

The Phantom Warrior can now use Ripping Cleave. Ripping Cleave causes the warrior's blade to glow blue and unleashes a sweeping strike that cleaves through multiple enemies in a cone-shaped area, dealing 150% weapon damage. This attack applies a Spectral Rend debuff, causing enemies hit to take additional damage over 5 seconds. Ripping Cleave has a cooldown of 30 seconds.

Tide Attunement Effect: Ripping Cleave now generates a crashing wave of water that travels 5 feet beyond its initial cone range, dealing 30% additional splash damage to enemies caught in its path and knocks them back. Enemies hit are Drenched, increasing the damage they take from all sources by 10% for 4 seconds.

Active Ability: Phantom Spearman (Level 10)

Mana: 25

Summon a single spectral spearman to aid you in combat, who wields a long spear and is effective for keeping enemies at a distance. The Spearman delivers powerful thrusts that can push back enemies, making it useful for maintaining control over the battlefield. Only one Phantom Spearman can be summoned at a time; attempting to summon another will replace the current Spearman.

Tide Attunement Effect: Each thrust from the Phantom Spearman generates a wave of water that pulses outward in a small area. The wave deals minor splash damage to nearby enemies and restores a small amount of Colm's mana when it hits.

Active Ability: Phantom Archer (Level 10)

Mana: 25

Summons a spectral archer equipped with a longbow, capable of firing precise, ethereal arrows. The arrows deal moderate damage and can pierce through multiple enemies in a line. Only one Phantom Archer can be summoned at a time; attempting to summon another will replace the current Archer.

Tide Attunement Effect: Arrows fired by the Phantom Archer leave a trail of Rising Current in their wake for 6 seconds. Enemies hit are Drenched, increasing the damage they take from all sources by 10% for 4 seconds.

Passive Ability: Lingering Vitality (Tier 2, Level 10)

Your connection to the spirit realm has deepened, allowing its energy to sustain you with unparalleled strength.

Rapidly regenerate health when out of combat.

Slowly regenerate health during combat.

Tide Attunement Effect: While standing in water, or the waves generated by your abilities, Lingering Vitality's combat regeneration increases by an additional 40%.

Passive Ability: Spectral Persistence (Level 10)

A phantom's duty never ends. When destroyed, a phantom lingers briefly as an invulnerable spectral remnant, dealing 40% of its original damage over 8 seconds before fading completely.

Tide Attunement Effect: While the phantom lingers, it unleashes Surging Ripples—periodic bursts of water every 2 seconds in a 5-foot radius around its position. Each ripple deals damage to all enemies caught in its radius and applies a Drenched debuff, increasing the damage they take from all sources by 10% for 4 seconds.

Passive Ability: Phantom Sacrifice (Level 10)

When you take fatal damage, your nearest active phantom absorbs the blow, sacrificing itself to save you. The phantom is destroyed, and you are left with 30% of your maximum health. Requires at least one phantom to be active and has a 15-minute cooldown and the sacrificed phantom cannot be summoned during the cooldown duration.

Tide Attunement Effect: Upon activation of Phantom Sacrifice, a wave of restorative water surges outward in a 10-foot radius. This wave restores 15% of Colm's mana and grants him a Flowing Resilience buff, reducing incoming damage by 15% for 60 seconds. ]

Colm sat there, staring at his newly upgraded abilities, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Holyyyyy shit." The words slipped out as he processed the sheer magnitude of the changes. Everything had powered up—each ability enhanced with additional effects.

Unable to contain his excitement, he jumped to his feet, and the moment his feet hit the ground, rippling waves formed beneath him. Colm froze, glancing down in awe as the water swirled gently, tracing his steps. Rising Current. So this one's passive. It doesn't even cost mana. Looks like I can toggle it on and off, though. He thought, pacing slowly to test it further.

With each step, the puddles expanded outward, shimmering faintly before lingering for a few seconds and gradually dissipating as if they'd never been there. Colm grinned like a kid with a new toy, quickly testing its range. He jogged a few paces, creating a small trail of waves behind him, then doubled back. As he passed through the rippling water, he felt it—an unmistakable boost to his movement. It was subtle but powerful, like the tide itself pushing him forward.

This is incredible, he thought, barely able to contain his laughter. He sprinted a little faster; the ripples trailing him like echoes of his steps. His joy bubbled up into a chuckle, his glee undeniable. He was already envisioning how to use this—how he could dart through the battlefield, leaving waves behind that would turn the tide in his favor.

Just as Colm was about to unleash his other abilities and see what else had changed, a dry voice rang out, cutting through the quiet of the library.

"Enjoying yourself over there?"

Colm whipped his head toward the source, only to see Jerry standing a few rows away, arms crossed, an amused grin tugging at his lips. The old man let out a low, knowing cackle, clearly entertained as he watched Colm's childlike enthusiasm at work.

Colm sheepishly scratched the back of his head, muttering, "Uh… yeah, maybe a little."

[ Status ]

Name: Colm Arden

Race: Morvyn

Level: 60

Health: 1450 / 1450

Mana: 630 / 630

Strength: 65 (78)

Dexterity: 70 (84)

Intelligence: 105 (126)

Constitution: 121 (145)

Attunement: Tide

Attunement Abilities:

- Rising Current (Level 1)

- Wavebound Surge (Level 1)

Class: Spirit Warden

Active Class Abilities:

- Phantom Warrior (Tier 2, Level 2) [Carver]

- Phantom Spearman (Level 10) [Lance]

- Phantom Archer (Level 10) [Robin]

- Empty

- Empty

Passive Class Abilities:

- Lingering Vitality (Tier 2, Level 10)

- Spectral Persistence (Level 10)

- Phantom Sacrifice (Level 10)

- Empty

- Empty

Skills:

- Analyze (Level 4)

- Stealth (Level 7)

- Pain Resistance (Tier 2, Level 1)

- Hardened Skin (Level 8)

- Slash Resistance (Level 7)

- Spear Mastery (Level 10)

- Sprint Mastery (Level 10)

- Poison Resistance (Level 6)

- Stun Resistance (Level 5)

- Dual Wielding (Level 4)

- Infection Resistance (Tier 3, Level 10)

Achievements:

- Through the Rift

- Champion of the Lucent Grove

- Bane of the Undead

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