---
The dungeon fell silent.
Kael walked among the ruins with the Shadow Guardian floating behind him. Though it was only a remnant of the original beast, its presence weighed on the air. The chains that bound it slithered across the ground like serpents.
> [Servant Slot: 1/3 Active]
Vitality: Stable
Bond Limit: Expandable through future absorptions
Up ahead, a massive black gate pulsed with faint crimson cracks—evidence that this section of the dungeon wasn't meant to be opened… from within.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"A containment seal?"
He reached out. As soon as his fingers touched the surface, the system reacted:
> [Corrupted Exit Portal Detected]
Requirement: Minimum Rank – D / Shadow Core Present
ACCESS GRANTED
Exit the dungeon? [Yes] / [No]
Kael hesitated.
A part of him wanted to leave. But another part—the one that had never known power until now—was tempted to stay.
But his sister was waiting.
He nodded.
"Open it."
---
> [System: Exit Portal Activated.]
Reality cracked like black glass.
A vortex erupted, pulling dust, pebbles… and Kael's body into the spiral.
When he landed, he was no longer inside the dungeon.
---
🌲 Unknown Cave – Surface Layer
The cave was cold and quiet. Trees warped by mana bent unnaturally above. Kael took a deep breath.
The world felt... sharper. Brighter. Alive in ways he hadn't noticed before.
He had changed.
---
📍 City of Juren – 4:22 AM
The city still slept under the early mist. Blue mana lights flickered atop the watchtowers of the Central Guild. Kael moved through side streets, his hood pulled low. Officially, he was still listed as dead in a collapsed dungeon.
And it was better that way.
> [Identity Concealment: Active]
Hostile mana detected nearby...
Tracking initiated
He stopped.
Two faint presences behind him.
Kael turned slightly. Two men in hunter gear stepped from the alley. Guild Dragoon uniforms. One Rank D. One Rank C+.
"You…" the taller one said, drawing a curved blade. "You're the survivor, aren't you? From the broken dungeon."
Kael said nothing.
"They said no one came back. But here you are. Guess we'll fix that."
They lunged.
Kael raised his hand.
From the ground, his Guardian rose—its dark body stretching like smoke, chains rattling with hunger.
"What the hell is that?!"
The Guardian struck.
One chain whipped the Rank D hunter into a wall—bone snapping on impact. The Rank C conjured a magic shield, but Kael was already in front of him.
One punch to the throat.
One to the stomach.
Then Kael's fingers pierced the man's chest.
> [Weak Core Detected – Rank C]
Absorb? [Yes]
"Yes."
The enemy's eyes dimmed.
> [Absorption Complete.]
New Skill Acquired: Enhanced Agility – Lv.1
Servants: 2/3 Active
The hunter's body dissolved into shadow.
---
Moments later, Kael stood in an empty alleyway, cloak tattered, hands bloodied.
He looked at the city before him.
"If they still think I'm the same trash from before… they're going to learn the truth soon enough."
> [Progression Quest Unlocked: Phantom Hunter]
Objective: Infiltrate the Dragoon Guild in disguise. Discover who ordered your death.
Reward: Unlock Hidden Class – Shadow Executor
---
Kael smiled.
The hunt… had just begun.
---
📌 Next: Chapter 4 – The City That Forgot Him
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