Kael did not stay in the alley.
He stripped the Iron Vein disciple of his robe, wiped the blood from his face, and disappeared into the maze of backstreets before dawn. Instinct guided him—an unfamiliar certainty whispering where to step, where not to linger.
The Abyss was watching.
Deep within his chest, something pulsed.
[Demon Lord Seed: Dormant]
Kael exhaled slowly. Each breath pulled faint black mist into his lungs, not from the air, but from somewhere deeper—like the world itself was bleeding power into him.
He stopped atop a broken watchtower overlooking Blackstone City.
Lights flickered below. Life went on.
"They won't ignore this," Kael murmured.
Right on cue—
A distant bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Iron Vein Sect's alarm.
Kael's lips curved faintly. "So fast."
---
Iron Vein Sect – Outer Hall
A shattered jade tablet lay on the floor.
"Dead?" an elder snarled. "An outer disciple killed by a halfling?!"
"Yes, Elder Fang," a kneeling disciple replied nervously. "Witnesses say the boy collapsed without being touched."
Silence followed.
Elder Fang's eyes darkened. "Summon the enforcers. Seal the city gates."
He crushed the jade tablet underfoot.
"A halfling cultivating is unacceptable."
---
Back to Kael
The system reacted instantly.
[Alert.]
[Host has been marked by a Human Sect.]
[Threat Level: Moderate.]
Another window appeared.
[Secondary Mission Triggered.]
[Mission: Escape or Dominate.]
[Objective: Survive the Iron Vein Sect's pursuit for 24 hours OR kill an enforcer.]
[Reward: Abyss Mark (1)]
[Failure: Bloodline Exposure.]
Kael frowned. "You really like pushing me."
[Correction.]
[You require pressure to evolve.]
"…Figures."
Footsteps approached from behind.
"You move like a demon."
Kael turned sharply.
A man in black armor stood atop the tower ruins, Qi rolling off him in disciplined waves. A Meridian Opening cultivator, maybe early Qi Condensation—but far stronger than the disciple Kael had killed.
An enforcer.
"You're Kael Ashborne," the man said coldly. "Half-blood. Come quietly."
Kael studied him.
Human cultivation felt… noisy. Qi flowed rigidly through meridians, bound by rules. Predictable.
Kael raised his hand.
The enforcer sneered. "Don't tell me you think you can—"
The ground trembled.
Black symbols burned briefly across Kael's arm.
[Abyss Mark Forming.]
The enforcer staggered, heart pounding violently. His Qi faltered, like something had grabbed it by the throat.
"W-what are you doing?!"
Kael stepped forward, eyes glowing faintly crimson.
"I'm surviving," he replied.
He extended his authority.
Not domination.
A test.
The enforcer dropped to one knee, gasping, veins bulging.
Kael frowned slightly.
"…You're resisting."
The system chimed.
[Abyss Authority insufficient.]
[Suggestion: Kill to stabilize control.]
Kael hesitated.
Then the enforcer laughed weakly. "If you hesitate, you die."
Kael's gaze hardened.
"I've hesitated my whole life."
He clenched his fist.
The Abyss answered.
The enforcer's Qi collapsed inward violently. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his core shattered.
His body fell.
Lifeless.
[Mission Complete.]
[Abyss Mark Acquired: Suppression Sigil.]
[Authority increased.]
Kael exhaled, chest rising and falling.
He stared at his shaking hands.
"I killed again."
[Correction.]
[You enforced your existence.]
Kael closed his eyes.
Far away, deep within the Demon Realm, something ancient stirred.
A throne pulsed once.
---
Elsewhere — Demon Realm
A massive horned figure opened one eye.
"…A half-blood?"
A cold smile spread.
"So the Abyss has chosen."