The next day came with no warning.
The bell above the pit rang twice — a sign of trouble.
Guards rushed into the tunnels, their boots stomping loud against the stone. They shouted orders and dragged slaves out of the sleeping quarters one by one.
Auron stood calmly as two guards grabbed his arms.
"Move," one of them barked.
He didn't resist.
He knew what this was.
Someone had found the body.
---
The pit was louder than usual. Slaves stood in lines, confused and scared. Some whispered. Others stared at the ground, silent.
At the center of the pit, the Warden stood beside the corpse.
The man Auron had killed.
His eyes were still open. A single stab wound to the chest. Clean. Precise.
No one said a word.
The Warden raised his voice.
"There's a killer among you."
Silence.
"No one moves. No one eats. No one sleeps — until I get a name."
Some of the slaves looked around. A few pointed fingers. Most stayed quiet.
Auron watched.
He didn't feel nervous. He had already made peace with what he did. He didn't feel guilt or pride.
Only focus.
One guard stepped forward. "Sir, we searched his bunk. Found this."
He held up the dagger Auron had used — cleaned, but not hidden well enough.
The Warden took it.
His eyes scanned the crowd.
Then, slowly, he pointed.
At someone else.
A young slave — scared, shaking.
"I saw him take food last night," one of the others shouted suddenly. "He was acting strange."
More voices joined.
"That's him!"
"He did it!"
The guards rushed in.
The boy screamed. "No! It wasn't me! Please—!"
But it was too late.
They dragged him out of the pit, kicking and crying.
Auron didn't move.
The Warden looked at him from across the pit.
And nodded once.
---
Later that day, the Warden called for Auron.
He met him in the same cold chamber.
"You left your weapon," the Warden said. "Sloppy."
"I didn't think you'd protect me."
"I didn't," the Warden replied. "They chose someone to blame. That's how it works here."
Auron understood.
In this place, truth didn't matter.
Only control.
Only survival.
The Warden tossed him a new blade — shorter, sharper, easier to hide.
"Next time, be cleaner."
Auron caught the blade and tucked it under his belt.
"I won't make the same mistake."
"Good," the Warden said. "Because you're ready for your second mission."
---
That night, Auron stood at the edge of the tunnel that led outside the mine.
He had never been this close to the surface before.
The Warden's voice echoed in his mind.
"There's a merchant caravan resting just a mile from here. They're smugglers. One of them is a noble's spy — tracking our mine for rebellion signs. I want you to kill him and bring back proof."
"Won't the others fight back?" Auron had asked.
"They will if you're loud."
So now he stood, hidden by the rocks, watching the camp.
Four tents.
Two guards.
One fire.
Auron waited in silence for almost an hour.
Then he moved.
Fast. Silent.
Like a shadow.
He slit the first guard's throat before the man could blink. The second died with a dagger through the heart.
The camp didn't notice.
Auron crept into the tent marked with the noble's crest.
Inside, a fat man sat counting gold coins.
He looked up.
Too late.
Auron grabbed him from behind and pulled the blade across his throat.
The man fell back, choking, gasping.
Auron knelt beside him.
"Tell them the Dethroned is coming," he whispered.
The man died with his eyes wide.
Auron took the man's signet ring — proof of the kill — and vanished into the dark.
---
By the time he returned, the sky above the mine had started to turn gray.
His second mission was complete.
> \[Mission Success]
> \[XP Gained: +55]
> \[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step (Novice)]
> \[Title Progress: 2/3 Assassinations Complete]
In the pit, Jace met him at the edge of the sleeping area.
"You're not a normal slave," Jace said quietly.
Auron didn't reply.
"I don't know who you used to be," Jace continued, "but I think you're going to become something dangerous."
Auron turned to him.
"I already am."
---
That night, the system spoke again.
> \[Level Up – 2 ➤ 3]
> \[Stat Points Gained: +5]
> \[Skill Slot Available: Equip 1 Active Skill]
> \[Choose Upgrade Path: Monarch's Flame | Shadowborne]
Auron stared at the choices.
Two paths.
One led to fire, rage, and power.
The other led to shadows, silence, and death.
He thought of the world above — the nobles who lied, the traitors who killed his family.
He chose **Shadowborne**.
> \[Path Selected: Shadowborne]
> \[Skill Equipped: Shadow Step]
> \[Perk Gained: +10% Movement Speed in Darkness]
The path of light had failed him once.
Now, he would walk in darkness.
And become the nightmare the world had forgotten.