Valeria.
A city of marble towers and golden banners fluttering in wind kissed by divine mana. At its heart stood the Sanctum of Light, where nobles dined and prayed—and planned wars they would never fight themselves.
In the war chamber, maps sprawled across the long crystal table.
Blips of black flame marked Kael's movements.
"He was spotted again in the Waking Wastes," said High Commander Elric, armored in enchanted steel. "Abyssborn. Class-S threat. Accompanied by a goblin… and now, a human girl."
Archmage Selyra narrowed her glowing eyes. "The corruption spreads. He's naming the weak, forging an army."
"And worse," said another knight, pointing at a scorched report, "he wears the crest of the Tyrant. He's taken the title for himself."
A hush fell.
Then the queen spoke.
"Burn the wastes. Every village, every den, every cave. If it breathes the abyss, cleanse it."
Meanwhile — Back in the Wastes
Kael awoke with a strange pressure in the air.
Not mana.
Intent.
Zar already stood outside the cave, eyes narrowed. "Footsteps. Many."
Lira peeked from behind Kael, still clutching her broken staff. "I sense holy magic… closing in fast."
Kael's pupils thinned.
[Danger Detected: Paladin Recon Squad – Rank C+ to B][Estimated Enemy Count: 7 | Lead: Knight-Inquisitor Talien][Objective: Kill the Abyssborn | Purge the Girl | Banish the Goblin]
Kael exhaled slowly.
"I gave them a chance."
They set the trap quickly.
Zar coated the path in sharpened bones and black clay. Lira, though still healing, created a simple illusion mist.
Kael stood in the center of the clearing, cloak of shadow swirling like smoke.
The paladins arrived moments later — shining armor, blades blessed by light.
"Demon," the lead shouted, "on the authority of Queen Alara, you are sentenced to erasure!"
Kael didn't move.
"Speak your last words."
He raised his head.
"They never gave me first words."
Then shadows exploded.
[Skill Activated: Phantom Grasp Lv.1 – Multi-Target Bind][Skill Activated: Ghost Fang Lv.2 – Piercing Strike]
Kael appeared behind the first knight, claws through plate.
Zar burst from the mist, slashing tendons and kneecaps.
Lira whispered a spell — the ground shook with small bursts of dark light.
[Combo Initiated: Dark Synergy – Power Boost +20%][Status Effect: Fear (Paladins x4) – Success]
Two fell immediately.
Three tried to flee.
Talien, the leader, stood his ground — sword blazing with holy light.
"You've killed men. But can you kill faith?"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"I'll show you what comes after gods fall."
Their blades clashed — light against void.
Wings of burning mana flared behind Talien. Kael bled — but only smiled.
[Passive Activated: Tyrant's Will – Resist: Holy Burn][Skill Chain: Abyss Claw + Ghost Fang → Oblivion Drive Lv.1]
With a final surge, Kael drove his hand into Talien's chest, absorbing the fading light into himself.
[Boss Defeated: Knight-Inquisitor Talien (B)][Item Gained: Holy Sigil – Corruptible][Follower Growth: Lira – Rank G+ → F][Follower Growth: Zar – Loyalty Maxed | Trait Unlocked: Kael's Blade]
They burned the corpses.
Lira stood quietly beside him, no longer shaking.
"You were right," she said. "They never gave us a chance."
Kael watched the flames.
"I'll give the world two options. Kneel."
He turned to her.
"Or be reborn in fire."
[Kael – Rank: E+][New Trait Developing: King of the Nameless][Reputation: Feared | Tracked | Wanted Dead or Sealed][Followers: 2 – Evolving…]