The crimson alarm lights pulsed like veins of fire across Valoria City's northern wall.
Sirens wailed in the distance, echoing through steel and stone.
[ System Alert: Rift Activity Detected – North Perimeter, Zone 7 ]
[ Classification: Low-tier Demon Scout Incursion ]
[ Required Personnel: Combat Professions (E-rank and above) ]
The message hung in Lin Xuan's vision as he fastened his twin daggers to his belt.
It was his first day as an awakened assassin—and the world was already reminding him that strength meant survival.
Academy Grounds, North Assembly
Hundreds of trainees gathered under the iron gates. Some wore polished armor that gleamed in the dawn light; others, like Lin Xuan, wore standard-issue combat jackets and nervous expressions.
The academy instructor, Captain Rhea, stood before them—broad-shouldered, with a scar running from her cheek to her collar. Her aura alone made the air feel heavy.
"Listen up!" Rhea's voice thundered. "Three demon scouts breached the barrier from the northern Rift. Your task—support the city guards and prevent further contamination. Do not, I repeat, do not act without command."
Students exchanged anxious glances.
Demon scouts. Even low-tier ones could tear through walls if left unchecked.
Rhea's gaze swept the crowd and stopped on Lin Xuan. She held his stare a moment longer than the rest, as if trying to read the calm in his eyes.
"Rookies, this is your chance to prove whether your awakening was worth anything. Move out!"
The Northern Wastelands
The world beyond Valoria's walls was dead.
Charred soil, twisted ruins, and faint traces of the old world's highways cut through the ash.
Lin Xuan's squad moved in formation, the scent of rust and smoke thick in the air.
Their group had one Mage, one Healer, two Warriors—and him, the Assassin.
[ Temporary Quest: First Demon Subjugation ]
Objective: Eliminate 3 Abyssal Scouts
Reward: 500 EXP + Skill Upgrade Chance
Danger Level: Low ]
His heartbeat steadied as the System message faded.
"Over there!" one of the warriors shouted.
From behind a collapsed building, shadows twisted—and emerged as monsters.
They were tall, thin, humanoid, skin like molten stone with veins of black flame. Their claws shimmered with demonic essence.
[ Enemy Identified: Abyssal Scout (Lv. 8 – E-tier Demon) ]
Rhea raised her blade. "Front line—engage!"
The warriors charged, the mage chanting behind them. Blades met claws, sparks scattering through the dust.
The air filled with the sound of steel and screams.
Lin Xuan slipped away from formation, his steps light, his body fading into motion blur.
[ Shadow Step ] activated.
He appeared behind the first demon in a whisper of black mist.
His dagger flashed once, sliding between the creature's ribs.
[ Critical Strike! ]
[ Target Eliminated ]
[ +120 EXP ]
[ Soul Assimilation Activated ]
[ Permanent Attribute Gain: +2 Agility, +1 Strength ]
The rush hit instantly—his body humming, muscles tightening.
The second demon turned, roaring.
He didn't hesitate.
Another step, another flicker of light. His dagger sliced across its neck.
[ Target Eliminated ]
[ +130 EXP ]
[ Permanent Attribute Gain: +1 Strength, +1 Agility ]
The final demon lunged, claws flashing crimson.
He ducked, rolled, and drove both daggers into its chest.
The monster convulsed once and fell, black ichor splattering his boots.
[ Target Eliminated ]
[ +150 EXP ]
[ Soul Assimilation Triggered ]
[ +2 Strength, +2 Agility, +1 Perception ]
He exhaled slowly.
The System's notifications faded, leaving only the quiet hum of power under his skin.
When the dust settled, the rest of the squad was still catching their breath.
The Mage looked at him, eyes wide. "You... you took all three down yourself?"
Rhea approached, expression unreadable.
"How long since your awakening?" she asked.
"Two days," Lin Xuan replied.
Her eyes narrowed. "I've seen assassins before, but never one that moved like that."
She paused, then nodded once. "Good work. You just saved us half the casualties."
[ Fame +10 ]
[ Contribution Reward: +200 EXP ]
After the Mission
By the time they returned to the academy gates, the System had tallied his progress.
[ Mission Complete – First Demon Subjugation ]
[ Total EXP: +600 ]
[ Level Up! Lv. 1 → Lv. 5 ]
A surge of energy flowed through his body.
It felt like the world had grown slower—his movements sharper, his senses clearer.
Status Panel
Name: Lin Xuan
Profession: Assassin (Lv. 5)
Talent: SSS – Silent Killer
Passive: Soul Assimilation (Active)
Skills: [ Dagger Mastery II ], [ Shadow Step I ], [ Perception Boost I ]
Strength: 15
Agility: 19
Perception: 14
HP: 260
EXP: 20 / 600
Nightfall
The city slept under silver moonlight.
Lin Xuan sat on the academy rooftop, watching the wind sweep through the streets below. His daggers gleamed faintly in the starlight.
The System flickered before his eyes again.
[ New Quest Unlocked: Path of the Assassin ]
Objective: Register with the Assassin Guild
Reward: Hidden Class Evolution Hint ]
He exhaled, lips curving slightly.
"So it begins."
The wind whispered past him—
and for a moment, the night itself seemed to bend around his presence.