The faint crimson light of dawn spread across the plains of Elder Vale, where mist curled like living smoke.
Aris walked alone through the fog, his boots crunching against the damp grass. The System interface flickered before his eyes —
Level: 27
Title: The Lost One
Status: Stable
Hidden Title: Bearer of the Divine Flame (Sealed)
He exhaled softly. "Still too low… I can't even take on a Silver-tier dungeon at this pace."
A distant bell tolled — dong… dong… dong…
He froze. That wasn't a System sound. It came from an old stone church visible through the haze, its cross-shaped spire cracked, its stained-glass windows half shattered.
He'd read about this place on a forum: "Avoid the Silent Chapel quest chain. It's bugged and flagged as impossible for solo players."
Aris smiled faintly. "Bugged, huh? That's usually where the best loot hides."
He stepped forward.
⚔️ The Silent Chapel
Inside, the air was heavy with incense and ash. Rows of pews lined the hall, each one burned black. The altar had been scorched by lightning — yet a giant mural still survived behind it:
four majestic beasts encircling a man cloaked in shadow.
"When the Four kneel, the Empire shall rise."
The whisper wasn't from the System. It was… real.
Aris turned, his instincts flaring — and that's when he saw them.
Six figures in white armor, each wearing a silver cross-shaped helm, emerged from the mist outside. Their tabards bore the sigil of the Church of the System.
[Inquisitor: Level 45 – Holy Order Unit]
"By decree of the Holy Algorithm," one of them intoned, raising his spear, "you are accused of wielding forbidden power. The flames of the divine are not meant for mortals."
Aris smirked. "Then let's see if your gods can extinguish mine."
⚡ The White Tiger's Awakening
The first strike came fast — a radiant spear that tore through the chapel wall. Aris dodged, rolling behind a pew, but the holy light still burned across his arm. His HP dropped by nearly half.
[Warning: Divine Detection Active]
[Your hidden status has been exposed.]
The Inquisitors closed in, chanting. Holy circles flared beneath their feet. Aris tried to summon the Phoenix's flame — but it flickered, restrained by a System Seal.
Too much holy interference… I can't use fire here!
He grit his teeth, ducking as another spear of light shattered the stone altar.
The impact flung him backward, blood splattering across the marble floor.
For a brief moment, he saw something — a faint reflection in the broken glass above him:
a massive white tiger with eyes like lightning, pacing behind his reflection.
The voice returned — low, powerful, ancient.
"You carry the flame of rebirth… but the world needs fangs as well."
"Will you bear my mark, little flame?"
Aris's vision blurred.
He felt claws tear through his soul, not in pain, but in awakening.
[Divine Fragment Resonating…]
[White Tiger of Dominion Recognizes You.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Thunder Dominion – Lv. 1]
The world flashed white.
Lightning erupted from his body, forming ethereal tiger stripes along his arms. His eyes glowed a fierce silver-blue.
"Let's hunt," Aris whispered — and disappeared.
⚡ Divine Fury
The Inquisitors never stood a chance.
Every movement Aris made split the air — his steps leaving behind arcs of static. His fists crashed through armor as if it were paper, and each strike carried divine resonance.
[Critical Hit x8]
[Skill Chain Bonus: +250% Damage]
One by one, they fell, their bodies dissolving into motes of data and holy light. When the last Inquisitor fell to his knees, his voice trembled.
"Y-You… the prophecy… it's beginning again…"
Before Aris could question him, the man's body burst into a column of golden fire, leaving behind a single silver badge marked with the Church's seal.
[Quest Updated: The Empire's Shadow]
Objective: Uncover the Prophecy of the Four Divine Beasts.]
🐾 The Village of Chains
Following the System marker, Aris descended into a hidden valley behind the chapel — and froze.
A small Beastfolk village lay there, half burned.
Children were chained to stone pillars, forced to pray toward a glowing monolith.
Over them loomed a Church Overseer, his level concealed by question marks.
Aris's hands tightened into fists. His divine aura flared.
"Release them," he said quietly.
The Overseer turned, smiling cruelly.
"And who are you to command the will of the Church?"
Aris's lightning arced, reflecting in his silver eyes.
"I am the one your gods warned you about."
"The Ruler… of Divine Beasts."
Thunder cracked across the valley