After 6 Months...
The morning of Ashreign's sixth birthday dawned clear and cold, with frost glittering like diamonds across the Khain estate's grounds. A caravan of twenty wagons loaded with supplies, weapons, and magic artifacts stood ready at the gates, flanked by his combined forces: Black Fang assassins disguised as merchants, Bladeheart Guild mercenaries in sturdy travel gear, and Shadow Intelligence agents posing as scouts.
"Are you certain you want to come with us, little lord?" Kara asked, adjusting the straps on her axe as she walked beside Ashreign's carriage. "The northern roads are dangerous this time of year, and the temple is guarded by ancient magic. Your parents would feel better if you stayed behind and continued your training here."
Ashreign shook his head, running his hand over the Khain's Fang sword now strapped to his hip, an A-Rank weapon he'd pulled from a gacha ten pull the week before.
"I have to be there," he said firmly. "Only a true Khain heir can open the seal, and I need to see what my grandfather left behind with my own eyes. Besides, I've already unlocked the full Khain Bloodline ability. We'll need every bit of power we can get to breach the temple's defenses."
He pulled up his system screen to confirm:
[ABILITY UNLOCKED: KHAIN BLOODLINE]
[DESCRIPTION: You have awakened the complete bloodline power of the Khain family. Grants mastery over shadow magic, enhanced physical abilities, and the ability to sense corruption in all its forms.]
[BONUSES: +15 Strength, +20 Agility, +10 Intelligence, +25 Willpower]
The journey began smoothly enough. For the first three days, they traveled through rolling hills and quiet villages, where the Khain name was now greeted with respect rather than fear thanks to the evidence Ashreign had presented to the imperial court months earlier. He spent his days training with Kara and Raven, practicing new Balanced Magic techniques that combined light and dark magic to create powerful defensive barriers and offensive strikes.
On the fourth night, as they camped beside a frozen river, the Ruins Scanner began beeping urgently.
[RUIN DETECTED: ANCIENT SHADOW FORGE]
[LOCATION: 5 MILES WEST OF CURRENT POSITION]
[RARITY: A-RANK]
[DESCRIPTION: Contains ancient forging techniques and possibly a mythical weapon blueprint.]
[RISK LEVEL: MEDIUM, GUARDED BY CORRUPTED BEASTS]
"Should we investigate?" Raven asked, her eyes scanning the dark forest to the west. "We're still a week away from the temple. We have time to spare, and any advantage would help us when we reach the mountain pass."
Ashreign grinned. "Absolutely. My grandfather's journal mentioned ancient forges in these mountains. He believed they held secrets that could help fight the corruption. Let's go see what we can find."
They set out at dawn, with Ashreign leading a small group of ten Black Fang assassins and five Bladeheart mercenaries. The forge was hidden in a cave behind a waterfall of frozen ice, its entrance marked by the same wolf-and-moon symbol as the Khain family crest.
Inside, they found a vast chamber filled with ancient forges, tools, and racks of long-lost weapons, but also corrupted wolves, their fur matted and their eyes glowing with menacing red light.
"Corruption magic," Ashreign said, activating his Shadow Sense to see the dark energy clinging to the beasts. "The same type that the imperial court created and blamed on the Eastern Continent refugees. Let's take them down cleanly. We can purify them once they're subdued."
The fight was fierce but short. Ashreign used Balanced Magic to create a shield of light while striking with dark magic enhanced sword blows. Kara's axe cleaved through the air, taking down two beasts at once, and Raven's shadow daggers found their marks with deadly precision.
Once the beasts were defeated, Ashreign used a Purification Potion he'd purchased from the System Shop to cleanse the corruption from their bodies. The wolves transformed back to their natural state, bowed gratefully to the group, and vanished into the forest.
Ashreign then used his Shadow Insight to activate the forge's ancient magic. The chamber glowed with purple light, and a stone pedestal rose from the center, holding a rolled-up parchment and a small crystal.
[NEW ITEM FOUND: MYTHICAL RANK BLUEPRINT, SHADOWLIGHT GREATSWORD]
[DESCRIPTION: A weapon that combines light and dark magic. Can only be forged in an ancient shadow forge by a Khain heir with balanced magic abilities.]
[NEW ITEM FOUND: CORRUPTION CLEANSING CRYSTAL]
[DESCRIPTION: Can purify corrupted creatures and break dark magic barriers. Critical for accessing the Void-Sealed Temple.]
[QUEST UPDATED:BLUEPRINT SEALED TEMPLE]
[OBJECTIVE 2 COMPLETE: Gather supplies and finalize alliances]
[PROGRESS: 100% COMPLETE]
As they made their way back to the caravan, they encountered a group of Eastern Continent refugees, exactly the kind his grandfather had written about. They were huddled by the road, cold and hungry, with several sick among their number.
"Lord Ashreign, we should keep moving," one of the scouts warned. "The imperial patrols have been known to attack these people on sight."
But Ashreign had other plans. He ordered the caravan to stop and had his healers tend to the sick. The merchants distributed food and warm clothing, and the Black Fang Unit set up a protective perimeter.
The refugees' leader, a tall man with weathered features, approached Ashreign, bowing deeply. "We've heard stories of the Khain heir who speaks the truth about us. We thought they were just rumors."
"Your people have been wronged," Ashreign said quietly. "My grandfather tried to help you, and I intend to finish what he started. When we return from the temple, I'll present the evidence we find to the emperor and demand safe haven for your people in the northern territories."
The man's eyes filled with tears. "We would be forever in your debt, young lord. If you ever need help, the Shadow Tribes will stand with you."
As the refugees continued on their way, the system chimed in Ashreign's mind:
[NEW ALLIANCE FORMED: SHADOW TRIBES]
[DESCRIPTION: The Eastern Continent refugees have pledged their loyalty to you. They possess unique knowledge of ancient magic and the source of the corruption.]
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: TRUE PROTECTOR]
[REWARD: 400 GP + 300 EXP + UNLOCK: SHADOW TRIBE MAGIC TECHNIQUES]
ARRIVING AT THE TEMPLE
A week later, they reached the base of the northern mountains, where the Void-Sealed Temple stood perched on a high peak, wrapped in swirling clouds and ancient magic. The Corruption Cleansing Crystal began to glow brightly as they approached, pushing back the dark energy that clung to the steep mountain paths and keeping dangerous beasts at bay.
Ashreign looked at his companions, his family's forces, the Bladeheart Guild, and the Merchant Alliance scouts who'd joined them along the way. They were no longer just a group of mercenaries and spies. They were an alliance, united by a common goal of exposing the truth and healing the empire.
He pulled up his system screen one last time before they began the final climb:
[INFINITE GACHA SYSTEM: MAIN TAB]
[PLAYER STATUS]
Name: Ashreign Khain
Title: Reincarnator, Destined Villain, Force Commander, Family Secret Keeper, Shadow Tribe Ally
Level: 15
Age: 6 Years, 2 Months
Affiliation: Khain Family + Merchant Alliance + Bladeheart Guild + Shadow Tribes
Bloodline: Khain Bloodline (Fully Awakened)
Ability: Magic Swordsman (Dark/Light, Mastered)
Mana: 12,000 / 12,000
Stamina: 9,500 / 9,500
[STATS]
Strength: 92
Agility: 108
Defense: 85
Intelligence: 120
Luck: ???
Willpower: 150
Charisma: 95
[CURRENCY]
Gacha Points: 4,600
EXP: 750 / 12,800
World Gold: 250,000
[FATE MANAGEMENT]
Current Fate Density: Unpredictable
Status: You have altered the main timeline significantly. The hero of the original story has not yet appeared. You will meet her when you enroll at the imperial academy in six years.
[ACTIVE QUEST: THE VOID SEALED TEMPLE]
[OBJECTIVES:]
1. Reach age 6 to begin travel: COMPLETE
2. Gather supplies and finalize alliances: COMPLETE
3. Unlock full Khain Darkline ability: COMPLETE
4. Reach the temple and open the seal: IN PROGRESS
[REWARD: 1,000 GP + 500 EXP + Mythical Rank Item + World Fate Shift]
As they began the final climb to the temple gates, Ashreign felt the weight of his grandfather's legacy on his shoulders. But he also felt determination burning bright in his chest, determination to expose the truth, stop the corruption, and build a better future.
Six years from now, he would face his fated enemy at the Elyndor Imperial Academy. Until then, he had work to do.