The atmosphere in the mysterious space was tinged with a gloomy sense of time. It felt like crossing a rushing river of history, watching the mists of antiquity slowly unveil.
Here, Riven was a completely invisible spectator. He was unseen, as if watching someone else's memories.
A desolate scene unfolded before him. A battlefield. A literal hell on earth.
The thick stench of blood and smoke mingled, creating a suffocating odor. Riven stood amidst the carnage, his heart empty. Countless corpses were piled high like small mountains. Broken weapons and shattered armor were scattered everywhere.
At the center of this destruction, only two figures remained. One man, one woman. They stood barely ten steps apart, yet it felt like an impassable abyss.
Their eyes were bone-chillingly cold, filled with killing intent. They locked gazes as if trying to crush each other with pure will. To them, the lifeless bodies beneath their feet were mere mindless trash.
The youth had hair as black as a starless winter night. His purple eyes occasionally flashed in the heavy air filled with death force. His right hand gripped a bright sword, its blade now stained a deep crimson.
That face... Riven recognized it immediately. It looked just like Kamis, only the hair color was different. It was Kamis.
Opposite him was a young woman. She held a deep red spear, looking as if it had been tempered in blood. She stood in a flawless defensive stance.
Her long black hair fluttered in the scorching wind. But what drew the most attention were her neon purple eyes, flashing with a cold light.
Without a word, her figure vanished.
A split second later, the bloody spearhead appeared right before Kamis's abdomen. Terrifying speed!
Both were heavily injured. Their breathing was ragged, clothes torn, covered in deep gashes. It seemed one more hit would end either of them.
Kamis seemed exhausted. His body moved too slowly to dodge.
Slash!
The spear pierced his stomach. Blood sprayed, dyeing his remaining clothes red.
But immediately, the muscles in Kamis's abdomen tightened like steel, locking the spear shaft inside. The girl started, trying to pull the spear out to no avail.
A flash of determination crossed Kamis's eyes. This was the only chance!
The holy sword in his hand swung—a clean, lightning-fast arc.
Vút!
The blade glided through his opponent's throat.
Cough...!
The girl's mouth hung open. A torrent of red blood gushed from the cut. Her eyes widened in disbelief before the light quickly faded. Her strength vanished, and she collapsed onto the pile of corpses.
But Kamis was no better. His life was like an oil lamp in the wind, fading bit by bit. He stumbled, took out a pitch-black potion, and drank it all. His eyes regained some spirit, but it was merely a final flash of radiance.
He couldn't hesitate. Gritting his teeth, he rushed toward a desolate corner of the battlefield. There, space was slightly distorted—a blurry crack. He threw out glowing crystals and complex runes, quickly setting up a strange formation around the crack.
The air within the formation rippled. A figure emerged from the void.
It was a woman. Her long hair radiated a mystical neon purple light, her face veiled by mist.
"My work is done," her voice was gentle but tinged with immense sorrow. "Goodbye, Kamis."
Her body dissolved into countless purple light particles, merging into the void. Then, from where she had been, a piece of primal light detached. It was purer, more ancient. It drifted toward Kamis and merged into his chest.
Kamis stood there, watching the last of the light vanish. He whispered hoarsely, "Goodbye... Master." "Now... it is my turn to find... a successor."
His black hair began to change. From the roots, silver-white spread until his entire head was ashen under the setting sun.
He dragged his heavy steps toward a black stone coffin within the formation. He lay down and closed his eyes, a deep, nameless regret lingering on his face.
The light shifted. Riven blinked; the sensation of "time travel" was gone. He was back with Kamis.
"Done daydreaming, old man?" Riven shook his head. "Explain what just happened."
Kamis turned, his brooding face replaced by irritation. "Damn it, kid! Can't you let me act cool for a second? Set the mood!"
"In heaven or on earth," Riven crossed his arms with a smirk, "only I act cool toward others. Not the other way around."
Kamis huffed, but his expression softened into seriousness. "Fine. Listen up."
He took a deep breath. "Years ago, when the God of Eternal Darkness fell, his power split into 24 parts. They are called Primal Aspects."
Kamis pointed to himself. "I, and that neon-haired girl—my master—were both 'Karma Bearers' of that god. Just like you."
"Gaining karma?" Riven frowned. "Carrying the sins of some dark god?"
"Basically." Kamis nodded. "You inherit his power, but also the consequences, responsibilities, and hatreds he left unfinished."
Riven recalled the fight. "If you serve the same god, why kill each other?"
"By nature, all Karma Bearers are enemies. Stealing a Primal Aspect from another makes you stronger. When one gathers all 24... they will hold the peak power of the God of Darkness."
"Wait..." Riven rubbed his forehead. "So I'm in a 'battle royale' with 23 other cheaters?"
"Youngsters use such strange terms," Kamis sighed. "But yes. Some might already hold more than two. Some are still waiting for a host."
Riven felt a surge of excitement. If everyone has a "broken buff," then it's a fair game of brains.
He looked at Kamis with a dangerous glint. "Kamis Valory Nocturne. You won't regret this. I'll kill them all. The successor of the girl who finished you... I'll handle them. Consider it revenge."
Kamis smirked, giving a thumbs-up. "Good style! But remember, I didn't 'choose' you. You have the right because of the 'Pledge Item'—the necklace."
Riven pulled the cube necklace from his shirt. A mysterious item, an unknown origin. 'Riven's identity isn't simple,' he thought.
"Open the barrier, old man. I want in."
Kamis laughed—a tired, liberating laugh. "Forget it, boy. I am dead. Let the corpse rest. Besides, my true self won't let me interfere with that barrier."
Riven nodded reluctantly. "Suit yourself."
He scanned the space. The ancient golem was now glowing green, its cracks healing.
"I hold the 7th Primal Aspect," Kamis said, pointing. "It's yours now."
A notification appeared:
[dungeon function unlocked: heart-to-heart link] [function unlocked: mobile shop] [items refresh daily; power scales with your strength; purchase with rpg coins] [magic stones and purple light have merged the rpg dungeon with the pocket space]
A sense of relief filled Riven. A real base of operations.
He opened his skill board. His eyes skipped the attacks and stopped on:
[disguise (lv 1)] [transform into a character you have contacted]
He instantly upgraded it to level 10.
[disguise (lv 10)] [can mimic voices. can create an entirely new character.]
He locked this skill in his Special Slot so it could be used in any Class. Then, he switched to Priest.
"Riven is dead," he whispered. "I am Sainzo."
[disguise: activated!]
Energy swirled. His hair grew into a neat, pale ash color. His build became scholarly. He wore a simple ivory-white priest's robe. Clear-framed glasses appeared on his nose, masking his sharp gaze. His neon purple eyes turned into a gentle autumn-lake green.
The reflection in the water showed a kind, trustworthy young priest. He smirked—a gentle smile hiding deep calculation.
Riven then focused his will. The air twisted, and the corpse of the Undead Wyvern appeared. He used [Multi-Body Divinity].
Purple light enveloped the corpse. When the smoke cleared, the creature had changed.
Its eyes now burned with faint purple soul-fires.
[name: ???] [class: thief lv 30 | priest lv 30 | lord undead lv 48] [clones: 1/3]
The Lord Undead Wyvern bowed its head submissively, nuzzling Riven's hand like a loyal hound.
"Hahaha!" Riven laughed. "Before, I hated how strong you were. Now... the stronger you are, the better!"
He turned to Kamis. "Help me get out of here."
Kamis struck a dramatic pose. "I... call upon the power of the deep darkness—"
"Stop acting!" Riven snapped. "Just get me out!"
"Fine, fine!" Kamis pouted, his 'high-master' persona vanishing. "Boring brat. Get lost!"
He snapped his fingers.
Pop!
Riven vanished.
Kamis stood alone in the silence. His back looked lonely again, but this time, he was smiling.