The events of the night had left Solace in a strange state of mind. After Seraphine left, the quiet of his room enveloped him, but sleep did not find him. He sat up, staring out the window, his gaze fixed on the vast, endless sea of stars that stretched across the sky.
"I need more strength," he whispered, his voice barely a murmur in the stillness of the night. "I refuse to bow and follow anyone's game." His words were filled with determination, but there was also a hint of defiance in his tone. He had become entangled in a web of political maneuvering, but he would never let anyone use him as a pawn—he would rise above it all.
With that, Solace stepped away from the window, the cold air outside almost palpable in its reminder of how far removed he was from the games of the royal court. He reached up and placed his mask back on, hiding the face he kept from the world. His true self was something no one would ever see—not yet, not until he decided it was time.
"System, I need to level up," he said as he turned, his tone sharper now. "Give me some names from the Assassination Hitlist."
The System responded almost immediately, a list of names flooding Solace's mind. These were influential figures—powerful individuals within the kingdom of Solara and beyond. Each one was a target, their lives worth more to him than just the political implications they carried. They were stepping stones on the path to his own strength.
Solace read the names quickly, already planning how to approach each one. There were 20 names in total, ranging from political figures to cultivators of significant strength, each with their own personal defenses and resources. He wouldn't waste time.
Tonight, the faceless assassin would spill blood through the Kingdom of Solara. No one would be safe. Solace's path to power wouldn't be through alliances or subtlety—it would be through the sharp edge of his blade and the unrelenting force of his will.
Solace found himself in the darkened streets of Solara, a small, secluded alleyway his first destination. His target tonight was a merchant lord named Darnok, a man of influence and connections throughout the kingdom. He had earned his spot on the Assassination Hitlist due to his shady dealings with the Fire Dragon Clan, smuggling illicit goods and gathering intelligence for their cause.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow across the kingdom. Solace stood motionless, his Abyssal Eye flickering with dark power as he observed the heavy door of the merchant's residence. His breathing was slow, controlled—there was no need to rush. The guard standing outside the door was a low-level cultivator, probably around Level 150. Solace's eyes scanned the area, and the faintest smile appeared under his mask.
Using his Swap ability, Solace suddenly appeared behind the guard, his katana flashing in a swift motion. The guard barely had time to react as Solace drove the blade into his side, a quick, clean kill. The man crumpled to the ground with barely a sound, his life snuffed out in a flash.
Solace stepped over the body and moved toward the door. With his other abilities, the merchant's residence was no challenge to enter. He silenced every footstep, every breath, as if he were a shadow drifting through the night.
Inside, Darnok sat in a lavishly decorated office, unaware of the danger creeping ever closer. Solace felt a faint pulse of mana from the man. Level 220. He could sense his target's fear, and that was all Solace needed. He moved swiftly, his katana already drawn, ready to end the man's life.
The clash of metal was sudden, as Darnok reached for his concealed blade and attempted to fight back. However, Solace was quicker—too quick. A slice to the throat ended the merchant lord's struggles before they ever truly began.
Another target down, and another bounty collected.
Solace stood over the body for a moment, feeling the weight of the kill. It didn't affect him. These people had no place in his plans, and their death was simply a means to an end.
With the death toll rising, Solace continued his silent march through the kingdom, taking down those who dared to oppose him, leaving only bodies and whispers in his wake.
----
Solace didn't finish until early the next morning. By the time the sun had risen high above the kingdom, he had completed his task. The kingdom was silent, unaware of the storm that had passed through it under the cover of darkness. The people went about their daily routines, oblivious to the bloodshed that had taken place overnight.
And then, by noon, the first of the chaos began to spread throughout the kingdom. The ruckus was heard everywhere—a combination of whispers and shouts, the rumors growing louder with each passing moment. The guards were in disarray, scrambling to lock down the streets and figure out who was behind the sudden wave of assassinations. Word spread quickly that important figures had been murdered, and the city was thrown into a state of panic. The royal family, particularly, was in a state of alert.
Solace, however, was already back in his room, seated with a calm expression as he stared at his System Rewards.
[Ding!]
[20/20 Assassination Hits Completed.]
[Rewards - 100,000 Mana Stones, 2 Gacha Rolls, 50 Levels Gained.]
The rewards were hefty this time around, and Solace couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The bounty on his head had made the stakes high for these assassinations, but the targets were worth the risk. The highest cultivator he had taken out was a Level 320, a dangerous individual who had been causing turmoil in the outer territories of the kingdom. The lowest, however, was a Level 180, someone with enough influence to spark change but too weak to defend themselves from a quick strike.
The weight of his assassinations didn't faze him—this was just the beginning. Mana Stones flowed into his inventory, his cultivation rising rapidly with the 50 levels he had gained. The Gacha Rolls held the promise of something more, but for now, he needed to focus on what he had accomplished.
"Not bad," Solace murmured to himself, standing up from his seat. His body felt different, more alive, as the power from the kills coursed through him. His strength had grown significantly over the course of the night, and now, the path forward was clearer. He had taken a significant step toward his goal—and he would keep going. No one would stand in his way.
As the sunlight streamed through the windows of his room, Solace felt a quiet anticipation rise within him. The kingdom would soon know who he was—and it wasn't just a prince consort or pawn in a political game. He was Solace, and he was ready to claim his power.
With a final glance at the city below, Solace turned to the Gacha Rolls.
[Gacha Roll 1 - Results]
[Reward: Phoenix's Flame – A powerful, heat-based attack that manipulates the element of fire. This ability grants the user control over flames, allowing for a variety of devastating fire-based techniques.]
[Gacha Roll 2 - Results]
[Reward: The Blood Moon Ring – An ancient artifact that enhances the wearer's perception of blood and life forces. It allows the wearer to sense the heartbeat of others, and even manipulate their life force to some degree.]
Solace smiled beneath his mask as the rewards materialized before him. Phoenix's Flame was a perfect addition to his arsenal, while the Blood Moon Ring would add a level of subtlety to his power. Both were powerful, and both were necessary for what he would face in the future.
But for now, there were other things to attend to. The kingdom was in disarray, and soon enough, the royal family would need to react to the chaos he had caused. And Seraphine... she would have questions.
"Let the games begin," Solace whispered, his voice barely audible under his breath. He had just taken the first step toward making the kingdom and its royal family realize what kind of power he truly held.