The inner halls of the Crimson estate were as quiet as a tomb. Marble floors polished like glass. Black banners stitched with silver thorns. Swords hung like trophies on every wall — each one belonged to a Crimson who had either died in battle or killed a sibling to rise. And today, Lucien walked those halls with no fear. No cloak. No servant. No weapon. Just his presence — and that was beginning to be enough. The incident with Ridan spread through the lower ranks like rot. They said the "starless runt" had forced a 2-Star warrior to flee in tears.
That Ridan now suffered from night terrors.
That he refused to train in the east wing.
And most of all— That the tenth son… smiled.But the Crimson elite?They laughed.
"A fluke."
"A child throwing a tantrum."
"No star, no sword, no threat."And yet, one among them decided to verify it personally.
Sibling No. 7 — Kael Crimson
Age: 17. Rank: 3-Star Swordsman. Reputation: Cold, bitter, and desperate to rise in the rankings. He had always seen Lucien as a stain. A reminder that some Crimsons were born weak. He found Lucien alone in the old dueling square — the one no one used anymore. Lucien stood at the center, staring up at the grey sky. Kael approached with his blade resting lazily on his shoulder.
"You've gotten bold, runt."
"You think silence is strength now?"Lucien didn't answer. "I'll carve that arrogance out of you."3-Star pressure. Quick feet. A clean arc.Fast. Efficient. Deadly. Kael aimed to humiliate him with the first strike. But before the blade could even close the distance—Lucien stepped forward. Just once.
[Authority Activated: Fear of Chaos]
The killing intent didn't explode — it fell. Like a hand pressing down on Kael's spine. Kael froze mid-swing. His instincts screamed. His thoughts fractured. His sword stopped an inch from Lucien's cheek — trembling. "What… what is this—" Lucien stared into his eyes. Calm. Cold. Absolute. "You want to prove something?" "Then strike."Kael tried.
His muscles wouldn't move.His heart rate spiked. His legs buckled. His breath came shallow. It was like standing before a void that recognized him as prey. Lucien stepped closer. No malice. No noise. Just pressure.
Kael dropped his sword and fell to both knees — eyes wide, chest heaving."What are you…?" Lucien looked down at him.With hatred. With pride. With indifference. "Stronger." Unbeknownst to either, someone had been watching. A figure cloaked in silence — hidden high above on the overlooking balcony.A pair of amber eyes narrowed. "That… wasn't mana.""And that wasn't sword aura.""What are you, little brother?"
> [Authority: Fear of Chaos — Level 2]
• Radius: 5 meters
• Effect: Instills primal terror in all within range
• Passive: Mental collapse chance increased based on target's fear tolerance.
Lucien walked away, silent as ever.Behind him, Kael remained kneeling, staring into the dirt.No one came to help him.And no one would speak of it out loud.But they'd remember. The starless son had drawn blood — without drawing a blade