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Chapter Three — An Irresistible Offer… and Shadows Watching
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The sun peeked through the city's tall buildings, striking the shattered rooftops of the market, revealing the devastation left by the Iron Beast battle.
Kai stood in the alley, his breath ragged, his heart pounding.
The Iron Beast was just the beginning.
He felt it before anyone saw him, before he heard the whispers of order within his chest:
[Your limbs are weakened… your remaining life is being cut short.]
Kai smiled wearily.
"If I must die… I will at least fight everyone I can."
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🏰 The Dawn Claws Guild's First Official Appearance
At the corner of the market, a tall man with black hair pulled back and eyes like red garnets emerged.
His guild emblem gleamed in the sunlight: Dawn Claws.
He approached him step by step, still not revealing his weapon.
"You're… the boy who toyed with the iron beast last night, aren't you?"
His voice was deep, full of confidence, but there was something cold about it.
Kai looked at him warily.
"It wasn't anyone's business… I was just protecting a child."
The man smiled, a half-smirk of disdain.
"Protection…? Or a show of strength?"
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⚡ Tempting Offer
The man turned toward the devastated market, where the remains of the beast and the blood lay scattered.
"Join us," he said clearly.
"Dawn's Claws are the strongest hunter guild in the empire, and if you're smart… you'll learn a lot with us. You'll be able to survive… even against unimaginable monsters."
Kai felt something strange.
His desire for power was there, but his heart was telling him:
"Mosmin are trustworthy… no one knows about you."
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🕷️ Eyes of Shadows
From the rooftop of a building opposite, a mysterious woman appeared, dressed entirely in black, her face partially obscured. She smiled faintly, whispering, "The first star… it's starting to move. The boy has power… and what's coming is even greater."
She raised her hands, her finger brushing the black dagger hanging from her belt.
A faint light touched Kai's body the instant he didn't notice it, as if tracing his heartbeat.
The Shadow Sect had known about him from the very beginning.
It was no coincidence that the Iron Beast had appeared nearby.
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🩸 First Internal Test
Kai paused, breathing slowly.
The system whispered again:
[Opportunity to expand your abilities: Accept the offer = Temporarily enhance your ability to absorb shards.]
But the price?
His lifespan will decrease even further… and he might attract the attention of even stronger enemies.
Kai smiled, saying in a low voice,
"If I want to survive… I have to be smarter than everyone else."
He raised his head.
He swallowed his fear, inwardly welcoming the offer, but not yet accepting.
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💥 The Final Glimpse
The leader approached him again, studying his every move, then left the market, saying,
"I'll see you soon… I promise you, your decision will be crucial."
Kai followed his gaze, unable to discern the man's genuine smile, but he sensed that this moment was the beginning of something greater.
In the background, the mysterious woman remained in the shadows, watching him.
A fleeting smile touched her lips, and she began to whisper in a voice no one else could hear:
"He won't escape… The whole world will soon know him… The first star has awakened."
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🌒 End of Chapter Three