Ryan had finally arrived at the tenth floor of the Holy Light Tower.
As he pushed open the ornate, golden door, a blast of divine energy flooded outward, brushing across his face like a warm breeze, yet carrying immense pressure. A luxurious room bathed in sacred light unfolded before him. The air buzzed with power, and towering stained-glass windows filtered sunlight into radiant beams.
This place wasn't just a simple floor in a tower—it was a sacred chamber, the heart of the Holy Light Organization's authority.
In the center stood a golden throne, atop which sat a majestic old man clad in priestly robes that shimmered with threads of light. He was clearly the highest-ranking figure of the Holy Light Tower—Archbishop Alfred.
Several other powerful figures stood around him, each exuding intense pressure. Among them was a beautiful yet cold-looking woman in silver armor. Her long silver hair flowed like moonlight, and her sharp gaze locked onto Ryan the moment he entered.
Ryan glanced at her, mentally noting her identity—Saint Knight Charlotte, known as the "Silver Spear." A top-tier powerhouse within the Holy Light Organization, and not someone to mess with lightly.
But Ryan didn't flinch. He walked in with calm steps, his black cloak fluttering slightly. Though he appeared casual, his body was already operating at maximum alert.
Archbishop Alfred raised his hand, and the pressure in the room eased slightly.
"You are Ryan," the archbishop said in a deep voice, his tone filled with authority and a hint of curiosity. "The so-called worst talent in the world, who now stirs the world into chaos?"
Ryan didn't answer immediately. He walked a few more steps forward and offered a half-smile. "You could say that."
Charlotte stepped forward, her tone icy. "Don't be arrogant. You're standing before the highest authority of the Holy Light Tower. Kneel."
Ryan turned to look at her, his expression calm. "Do all your guests kneel? Or just the ones you don't like?"
"You—" Charlotte's eyes narrowed, clearly irritated.
But Alfred raised his hand again. "Enough. We didn't summon him here for a quarrel."
Then, he looked directly at Ryan. "You're different from the others. We've been watching you ever since the Trial Tower."
Ryan chuckled softly. "Watching me? That sounds kind of creepy."
"Your growth rate is astonishing," Alfred continued, ignoring the sarcasm. "And more importantly, your talent is unlike anything we've seen. The 'Mediocre Talent,' they called it. But now... you've slain demons, defeated elite talents, and even survived the Endless Abyss."
Ryan's eyes flickered for a moment. "Is that why you brought me here? To praise me?"
"No," Alfred said slowly, "to test you."
As he spoke, a strange ripple spread across the room. A golden magic circle formed beneath Ryan's feet. The atmosphere grew heavy again. Ryan's pupils contracted—this wasn't a discussion; it was a trap.
"You want to test me without warning?" he asked coldly.
Charlotte stepped forward once more, her silver spear glowing. "Don't worry. If you're really as strong as they say, you'll survive."
Ryan didn't hesitate. A dark aura surged around him as he activated his Shadow Domain. In a split second, he vanished from his spot, reappearing behind one of the holy knights.
A sharp dagger materialized in his hand.
The knight sensed danger too late. Blood splashed, and he collapsed.
"Don't test an assassin with words," Ryan whispered.
Chaos erupted.
Charlotte charged with her silver spear, thrusting it toward Ryan like a bolt of lightning. But Ryan was faster. He bent backward at an impossible angle, letting the spear pass overhead, then countered with a swift kick that knocked Charlotte off balance.
More knights joined the fray, surrounding Ryan from all directions.
But this wasn't the Ryan from the early days.
His eyes turned pitch black, and shadows danced around him like living creatures. Every step he took left afterimages, and every strike landed with deadly precision. He was like a ghost in the midst of mortals—untouchable, unstoppable.
Even Charlotte, who prided herself on her speed and precision, found herself completely suppressed. Her spear never landed a clean hit.
Alfred watched from his throne, unmoving, eyes deep and thoughtful.
Finally, he raised his staff and chanted a spell.
A beam of holy light descended upon Ryan. It wasn't an attack, but a scanning spell—trying to see through Ryan's secrets.
Ryan felt the intrusion and smirked. "You're trying to probe me?"
He allowed it—just a little.
The next moment, the entire chamber trembled.
What the spell saw was not a mere human—but a void. A chasm filled with countless corpses, blood-stained roads, broken divine artifacts, and countless secrets buried beneath layers of shadow.
Alfred's pupils shrank. He canceled the spell immediately.
Ryan stood calmly amid the collapsing golden magic circle, brushing off his cloak. "Done testing?"
Alfred was silent for a long moment before he finally spoke.
"You are dangerous."
Ryan smiled. "I've been told."
"But you are also valuable. Would you consider joining the Holy Light Organization?"
Charlotte looked over in shock. "My lord?!"
Ryan tilted his head. "Isn't this sudden? You were trying to kill me just a moment ago."
Alfred replied calmly, "That was a test. And you passed."
Ryan narrowed his eyes, thinking. He didn't trust them, of course. But accepting the offer might give him access to resources, secrets, and more importantly—information.
After a long pause, he smiled again. "Alright. But on one condition."
"Speak."
"I act alone. No orders. No missions unless I choose to accept them. And I want access to your classified archive."
Alfred's eyes gleamed. "You drive a hard bargain."
Ryan walked to the center of the room, stepping over the fallen knights as if nothing had happened. "Then we have no deal."
"Wait," Alfred said. "Very well. Your conditions are... accepted."
Charlotte's eyes widened. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. A rogue assassin—invited into the Holy Light Tower under such terms?
Ryan turned back slightly, his voice relaxed. "Good. Then you'll be seeing me around."
Before anyone could respond, he disappeared into a swirl of shadows.
When he reappeared, it was on the rooftop of a distant cathedral.
He looked out over the city, letting the wind play with his cloak.
Then, from the shadows behind him, a soft voice spoke.
"Was it necessary to kill that knight?"
Ryan didn't even turn. "He drew his weapon first. I simply finished it."
A woman stepped out from the dark. It was Raven, his informant. "The Holy Light Tower won't forget this."
"They already tried to test me. They can try again."
Raven hesitated, then handed him a scroll. "New intel. Assassins from the Night Temple are moving. You might be a target."
Ryan chuckled. "What a coincidence. I'm also an assassin."
He took the scroll and vanished into the night.
The city below glowed peacefully, unaware that a storm was brewing.
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