The "Hidden Scroll: Shadow Weaver" shredded into glittering black particles the moment I tore it open. The motes swirled around me, coalescing into a shimmering, transparent robe that settled over my silk dress.
> [Class Unlocked: Shadow Weaver (Unique)]
> [New Skills Acquired:]
> * [Shadow Step (Active)]: Teleport short distances through shadows. Cooldown: 5s.
> * [Veil of Obscurity (Active)]: Become briefly invisible by bending light. Cooldown: 10s.
> * [Mana Weave (Passive)]: Your attacks drain a small amount of target's mana.
>
"Seraphina!" Alaric's roar vibrated the dusty shelves of Barnaby's shop. His face was a mask of fury, his sapphire eyes burning. "Did you truly believe you could escape after stealing the Imperial Seal?"
He lunged, his Royal Blade a silver blur aimed straight for my chest. This wasn't the "annoyed Prince" from Chapter 1; this was the "Level 45 Swordmaster" I'd seen in his stats.
> [Warning: Incoming attack! Skill: 'Heaven's Judgement']
> [Recommendation: Evade!]
>
"Barnaby, get down!" I yelled, pushing the terrified old man behind a stack of cursed artifacts.
I didn't try to block. With my new AGI 45, the world still felt like it was running at 0.5x speed. I saw the arc of his blade, the muscle tension in his arm, the glint in his eye.
Too slow, I thought.
> [Skill Activated: 'Shadow Step']
>
I vanished, dissolving into a patch of darkness beneath Barnaby's counter. The Royal Blade whistled through the air, carving a deep gouge in the wooden counter where I had just been standing.
Alaric skidded to a halt, his eyes wide. "What... what trickery is this?!"
I reappeared behind him, my new skills flowing instinctively. He spun, his sword snapping up, but I was faster.
> [Skill Activated: 'Veil of Obscurity']
>
I shimmered, my form blurring as the light around me bent. Alaric's blade passed through empty air, clanking against the far wall as he overextended. For a brief second, his face was pure bafflement.
"The seal, witch!" he roared, recovering quickly. He was good, but he was predictable. Like a player who only knew one combo.
"Come and get it, your Highness!" I taunted, a sly grin on my face. This was exhilarating. It felt like a boss fight.
He unleashed a flurry of strikes, a silver hurricane of steel. I weaved, dodged, and used Shadow Step to blink around the small shop. Each time he swung, I'd appear just out of reach, letting his momentum carry him past.
> [Crown Prince Alaric's HP: 4,490 / 4,500 (Minor Stamina Drain)]
>
My attacks weren't physical, not yet. But as a Shadow Weaver, I had other options. My new passive skill, [Mana Weave], had an idea.
As Alaric lunged again, I didn't dodge. Instead, I let his blade graze my arm. It wasn't a real hit—just a glancing blow, enough to activate my skill.
> [Skill Activated: 'Mana Weave']
>
A faint, purple shimmer connected my arm to his sword. Alaric flinched, a surprised gasp escaping his lips.
> [Crown Prince Alaric's MP: 1,190 / 1,200 (-10 MP)]
>
"What was that?!" he yelled, his eyes darting to his glowing mana reserves. "My mana... it felt like it was plucked away!"
"Just a little taste," I replied, feeling a small surge of power. This was a direct counter to his "Protagonist Armor" and endless mana pool. If I could keep draining him, he'd eventually run out of steam.
He was powerful, but he didn't understand the rules of the game I was playing. And I was about to exploit every single one.
"Barnaby!" Alaric shouted, ignoring me for a moment. "Where is the exit to this wretched place?!"
The old man, cowering behind a barrel, pointed a trembling finger to a dark alcove. "T-There's a back way, Your Highness! Leads to the old sewers!"
"Excellent!" Alaric didn't hesitate. He slashed at me one last time, a wide, sweeping attack that forced me to use Shadow Step to teleport to the very back of the shop.
"You can run," he snarled, already pushing through the hidden door. "But you can't hide from the Royal Knights!"
I chuckled, watching him disappear into the dark passage. "Oh, Alaric. You just gave me a brand new dungeon to explore."
I checked my system window.
> [World Event: 'Escape from the Capital' (Part 1) - Complete!]
> [New World Event: 'The Sewer Gauntlet' - Active!]
> [Bonus Objective: Find Hidden Treasure (0/3)]
>
Perfect. Time to go spelunking.