The Waking Wastes stretched endlessly — a desolate sea of cracked earth, scorched stone, and shattered monuments. Once a place of battle, it now reeked of history long buried. Forgotten prayers etched on broken tablets, weapons left to rust, and the silence of a land that no longer wept for its dead.
Kael stood still at the border of that silence, his silver eyes catching the faint shimmer of ash blowing in the wind. Beside him, Zar crouched low, instincts razor-sharp.
[New Zone: The Waking Wastes – Former Battlefield] [Visibility: Low. Mana Saturation: Medium. Threats Nearby: Confirmed.]
"Master… I smell iron. Blood," Zar whispered, his nose twitching.
Kael's gaze hardened. "Then this place still breathes."
They moved, shadows coiling at Kael's heels like a cloak. Every step crunched over ancient remains — broken helmets, splintered shields, and bones picked clean by time.
A shape formed ahead — a broken caravan. Burned wagons, overturned crates, and corpses strewn like ragdolls. Some human. Some beast. Some… both.
A figure stood alone among the carnage — tall, encased in red armor that bled light, spear in hand. His helm bore the fang sigil — a crimson crescent devouring the sun.
[Faction Identified: Crimson Hunters – Rank C Threat] [Alignment: "Purification through Extermination."]
A scream snapped the air — faint, desperate.
Zar growled. "Wagon. Rear axle. Someone's alive."
Kael nodded. "Then let's make sure she stays that way."
They approached.
The knight in crimson turned, slowly, deliberately. His voice rang like steel ground on bone. "Abyss-born filth. You dare walk under the sky?"
Kael's voice was calm, like a blade before the plunge. "Not under it. Through it."
[Skill Activated: Shadow Step]
In less than a breath, Kael appeared behind the knight, claws sweeping for the gap between armor.
Steel rang. Sparks danced. Blood flew.
[Enemy Status: Crimson Hunter Captain – Rank C | HP: 82%] [Warning: Holy Weapon Detected]
The knight twisted, spear glowing, slamming it into the earth. A wave of holy light exploded outward.
[Damage Taken: -12 HP] [Holy Resistance: 0%]
Kael grimaced as the searing light scorched his flesh. But his stance remained firm.
Zar engaged from the side, blade slashing at the knight's exposed legs. "Now, Master!"
[Combo Chain Initiated – Zar + Kael]
Kael struck again — this time with precision.
[Skill Fusion: Void Scratch + Shadow Step → Ghost Fang Lv.1]
The attack pierced through the knight's chest plate, severing muscle and magic alike.
The knight fell, gasping. "Purge… the dark…"
[Boss Defeated: Crimson Hunter Captain (C)] [Item Obtained: Fragmented Holy Core] [Kael – Reputation Gained: -100 (Human Kingdoms)] [New Tag Applied: Abyssmarked]
Kael didn't look at the corpse. He turned to the wagon.
A girl emerged — dirt-smeared, bloodied, and terrified. Maybe fifteen. Eyes wide, skin pale.
"W-Who… what are you?" she asked, trembling.
Kael extended a hand, shadow still dancing on his fingers. "What they fear more than death."
She took his hand.
[Follower Request Available: Lira – Human | Rank G | Support-Type: Healer] [Accept Follower? Y/N]
[Y]
[Lira: Added to Party. Trust: 15%. Emotion: Fear/Confusion]
They camped among the ruins. The girl, Lira, slept near the dying fire, still too afraid to eat.
Zar cleaned his blade in silence.
Kael stared at the stars — dull behind dust and smoke.
[Kael – Rank: E] [Followers: Zar (E), Lira (G)] [Faction Hostility: Human Kingdoms – HIGH] [Title Progress: Tyrant of the Deep – 74%] [New Status: World-Aware – You are now being tracked.]
He felt it — the world shifting. His name, his shadow, his power — all crawling across the borders of the kingdoms.
Far north, in a silver tower woven from light, a mirror cracked. A robed woman stared into the shattering glass.
"The Abyssborn… breathes."
West, in the halls of the Crimson Church, bells rang. Orders were sent. Knights prepared.
East, in the underworld markets, whispers of a boy with no god spread like fire through bone.
South, even monsters stirred — some in awe. Some in terror.
Kael closed his eyes.
One death at a time. One step closer.
He didn't rise for salvation. He rose for conquest.