THE SYSTEM OF THE FALLEN PRINCE CHAPTER 3: FIRST BLOOD
Running toward a demon beast seven levels higher than me with nothing but a rusty fireplace poker was, objectively speaking, the stupidest thing I'd done since jumping off a tower.
But I was already committed.
The Shadow Hound noticed me the moment I burst into the courtyard. Its head swiveled toward me, eyes blazing like hot coals in the darkness. Up close, it was even more terrifying than the status window had suggested—roughly the size of a large wolf, but wrong. Its fur seemed to absorb light, creating a void-like silhouette. Smoke or shadow trailed from its body like it wasn't entirely solid.
[WARNING: Enemy has detected you. Initiating combat encounter.]
The maid—I recognized her now as Mira, one of the kitchen staff—screamed and ran toward the palace. Smart girl.
The Shadow Hound's attention locked fully on me now. It growled, a sound like grinding stone mixed with distant thunder.
"ARIA, please tell me you have a combat tutorial."
[I have extensive tactical data. However, your current physical capabilities severely limit available strategies.]
"Give me something!"
The beast lunged.
[DODGE LEFT!]
I threw myself to the side, activating [Sprint] on instinct. The world seemed to slow slightly—not true slow motion, but I could process movement faster. The Shadow Hound's claws raked through empty air where I'd been standing.
I rolled to my feet, poker raised defensively.
[Analysis: Shadow Hounds are agile but have low defense. Their attacks deal shadow-elemental damage and can inflict the 'Bleeding' debuff. Recommended strategy: Stay mobile, exploit openings after missed attacks, aim for vital points.]
"Vital points being?"
[Eyes, throat, heart, spine. However, with your current strength and weapon, only a critical hit to the eyes or throat would deal significant damage.]
The Shadow Hound circled me, intelligent eyes calculating. It wasn't just a mindless beast—it was hunting.
I kept the poker between us, backing toward the fountain. I needed something to limit its mobility, give me an advantage.
[Warning: Enemy is preparing to attack. High-speed charge detected.]
The beast launched itself at me like a black missile.
I dove behind the fountain's low wall. Stone exploded as the Shadow Hound crashed into the structure instead of me. Chunks of debris scattered across the courtyard.
[Structural damage dealt to fountain: 0 damage to enemy. However, enemy is momentarily disoriented.]
Now!
I lunged forward and stabbed at its exposed flank. The poker connected, but it was like stabbing through mud—the shadow-substance of its body resisted, and my weak strength couldn't drive the rusty metal deep enough.
[Damage dealt: 12]
[Enemy HP: 168/180]
Twelve damage. I needed to hit it fifteen more times to kill it.
The Shadow Hound snarled and snapped at me. I barely pulled back in time, fangs missing my arm by inches.
[Warning: That attack would have dealt approximately 45 damage and inflicted Bleeding. Your current HP is 110. Three direct hits would be fatal.]
"Thanks for the cheerful update!"
I scrambled backward, mind racing. This wasn't working. I couldn't win a straight fight. The level gap was too large, my weapon too weak, my stats too low.
Think. This is like a boss fight in a game. What would I do?
Exploit the environment. Use items. Find a weakness.
My eyes scanned the courtyard. Old fountain—broken. Stone benches—too heavy to use as weapons. Garden shed in the corner—locked, probably useless. Ornamental lamp posts—
Wait.
The lamp posts.
They were old-style oil lamps, not magical lights. Which meant fire.
[I see where you're going with this. Shadow-element creatures typically have weakness to light and fire damage. However, you have no fire magic.]
"But those lamps do."
The Shadow Hound charged again. I ran—really ran, pushing [Sprint] to its limit. The beast was faster, but I had agility on my side. I juked left, then right, making it harder to track me.
I reached the nearest lamp post and grabbed it with both hands. The rusted metal groaned but held. I pulled. Nothing.
The Shadow Hound was closing the distance.
[Strength check required: 15. Your strength: 10. Probability of success: 23%]
"Not helping!"
I braced my foot against the base and pulled with everything I had. Muscles screamed. The stat point I'd gained today made a difference—I could feel it. Just a little more—
CRACK.
The lamp post tore free from its base, bringing the glass housing and the burning oil reservoir with it. I staggered backward, nearly fell, but managed to keep hold of my improvised weapon.
The Shadow Hound leaped.
I swung the lamp post like a baseball bat.
Glass shattered. Burning oil sprayed across the beast's face and body.
The effect was immediate and devastating.
The Shadow Hound's otherworldly screech could probably be heard throughout the entire palace. Where the oil touched, its shadow-flesh sizzled and burned. The flames spread rapidly across its body—fire consumed shadow like it was made of paper.
[CRITICAL HIT! Weakness exploited!]
[Damage dealt: 89]
[Shadow Hound HP: 79/180]
[Status effect applied: BURNING - 10 damage per second]
The beast thrashed and rolled, trying to extinguish the flames. But the oil stuck to its shadow-flesh, refusing to be put out.
I didn't waste the opportunity.
Dropping the broken lamp post, I grabbed my poker and ran forward. The Shadow Hound was disoriented, writhing in pain. I could see its throat—exposed, vulnerable.
[Aim for the throat! This is your chance!]
I raised the poker high and brought it down with all my strength, driving the pointed tip into the beast's throat.
The rusty metal punched through shadow-flesh and found something solid inside.
[CRITICAL HIT!]
[Damage dealt: 67]
[Shadow Hound HP: 12/180]
The Shadow Hound's screech cut off. It convulsed once, twice, then went still. The flames consumed what remained of its body, reducing it to ash and a few bone fragments.
[ENEMY DEFEATED]
[Shadow Hound - Level 7 - KILLED]
[EXP Gained: 350]
[LEVEL UP!]
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 3!]
Golden light erupted from my body—the visual effect of leveling up. Energy surged through me, washing away the exhaustion and fear. My HP recovered to full. My stamina refilled. Every stat increased.
[Congratulations on your first victory. That was... impressive.]
I collapsed to my knees, adrenaline draining away and leaving me shaking. "Impressive? I almost died!"
[But you didn't. You adapted, used your environment, exploited enemy weakness, and emerged victorious despite a significant level disadvantage. That is the mark of a true strategist.]
I looked down at my trembling hands. I'd just killed something. A monster, yes, but still. I'd taken a life.
[Emotional processing detected. This is normal for first kills. Do you require—]
"I'm fine," I said, though I wasn't sure if that was true. "Show me the level up notifications."
A cascade of windows appeared:
╔═══════════════════════════════╗ ║ LEVEL UP! (x2) ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════╣ ║ Level 1 → Level 3 ║ ║ ║ ║ HP: 110 → 150 ║ ║ Stamina: 100 → 140 ║ ║ ║ ║ Stat Points Gained: 10 ║ ║ (Assign manually or ║ ║ auto-distribute) ║ ║ ║ ║ Skill Points: 2 ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════╝
Ten stat points to distribute however I wanted. And two skill points—which apparently could be used to unlock or level up skills.
"ARIA, recommendations on stat distribution?"
[For your current situation and goals, I recommend a balanced approach: +3 Strength, +3 Agility, +2 Constitution, +2 Wisdom. This maintains your mobility advantage while improving survivability and damage output.]
Made sense. I mentally confirmed the distribution.
╔═══════ ATTRIBUTES ═══════╗ ║ STRENGTH: 13 (+3) ║ ║ AGILITY: 15 (+3) ║ ║ CONSTITUTION: 13 (+2) ║ ║ INTELLIGENCE: 18 ║ ║ WISDOM: 19 (+2) ║ ║ CHARISMA: 9 ║ ╚══════════════════════════╝
Immediately, I felt the difference. My body felt lighter, stronger, more responsive. It was subtle but undeniable.
[Skill points should be saved for now. You have access to basic skills, but higher-tier skills will become available as you progress. Spending points prematurely would be inefficient.]
"Understood."
Another window appeared:
╔═══════════════════════════════╗ ║ NEW SKILL UNLOCKED ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════╣ ║ [Improvised Weaponry Lv.1] ║ ║ ║ ║ Effect: +10% damage when ║ ║ using non-standard weapons ║ ║ or environmental objects ║ ║ ║ ║ "A true warrior can kill ║ ║ with anything." ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════╝
[You unlocked this through creative combat application. The system rewards innovation.]
"Good to know."
I stood up on shaky legs and examined what remained of the Shadow Hound. Just ash and bone now. But there was something glinting in the remains—a small black crystal, roughly the size of a marble.
[Shadow Core - crafting material. Can be used in alchemy or enchanting. Moderate value. I recommend keeping it.]
I pocketed the crystal.
"Cassian!"
I turned to see Elara running toward me, followed by Mira—the maid I'd saved—and two palace guards. They all stopped short when they saw the ash pile and the destroyed fountain.
"What happened here?" one of the guards demanded. "We heard screams and—" He noticed me, then the ash. "Prince Cassian? Did you... did you kill a demon beast?"
I looked down at myself. I was covered in ash and soot, holding a bent fireplace poker, standing in the ruins of my own courtyard.
"It attacked Mira," I said simply. "I defended her."
The guard's eyes widened. "With... with what? You don't have magic!"
"I had fire," I gestured to the broken lamp post. "And determination."
Mira pushed past the guards and dropped into a deep bow. "Thank you, my lord! It would have killed me if you hadn't—" She started crying.
Elara reached me first, her eyes scanning me for injuries. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine." And surprisingly, I was. The level up had healed everything.
"You're insane," Elara said, but there was something like respect in her voice. "A Level 7 Shadow Hound. Even trained guards avoid those things."
[Relationship with Elara increased to: Loyal (67/100)]
[Relationship with Mira changed to: Grateful (85/100)]
The guard was still staring at the ash pile. "I need to report this to the captain. Shadow Hounds don't normally come this close to the palace. Something drove it here."
That was concerning. But before I could ask more, another voice cut through the night.
"What is all this commotion?"
Everyone turned. Walking toward us with measured, elegant steps was my mother—Queen Seraphine.
[Analyzing...]
[QUEEN SERAPHINE VALENHEART] Level: 32 Class: Curse Mage HP: 640/640 MP: 890/890 Affinity: Shadow/Curse (Advanced) Relationship: Hostile (8/100) Threat Level: EXTREME
Her cold eyes swept over the scene, taking in the destroyed fountain, the ash, me covered in soot, and the terrified servants.
"Cassian," she said, her voice like ice. "Explain."
I met her gaze steadily. "A Shadow Hound attacked one of the maids. I killed it."
"You? You killed a demon beast?" The disbelief in her tone was cutting. "How?"
"Fire and a poker," I said flatly.
Her eyes narrowed. For a moment, something flickered in her expression—surprise? Concern? It was gone too quickly to identify.
"How fortunate," she said slowly. "Though I wonder what attracted such a creature to this section of the palace. Shadow Hounds are typically drawn to..." She paused meaningfully. "...dark magic."
Was she implying I had somehow attracted it? Or was this a veiled threat?
[Warning: This is a verbal trap. Whatever you say can be used against you.]
I kept my expression neutral. "Perhaps you should ask the palace security why our defenses allowed a demon beast inside the grounds at all, Mother."
The guards shifted uncomfortably.
Seraphine's smile was sharp. "Indeed. I shall speak with the captain immediately." She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Cassian? Do try not to destroy any more palace property. The fountain you demolished was three hundred years old."
She walked away before I could respond.
[That was a power play. She's asserting dominance while gathering information about your capabilities.]
"I noticed."
The guards began ushering the servants back toward the main palace, leaving Elara and me alone in the ruined courtyard.
"That was terrifying," Elara said quietly.
"The Shadow Hound or my mother?"
"Both." She looked at me seriously. "But you were amazing. I've never seen anyone fight like that. So... strategic."
[She's perceptive. Be careful what you reveal.]
"I read a lot of books on combat tactics," I lied smoothly. "When you can't use magic, you have to think differently."
Elara helped me back to my quarters. As we walked, I pulled up my full status:
╔════════════════════════════════╗ ║ CASSIAN VALENHEART ║ ╠════════════════════════════════╣ ║ Level: 3 ║ ║ EXP: 20/300 ║ ║ ║ ║ HP: 150/150 ║ ║ MP: 0/0 (LOCKED) ║ ║ Stamina: 140/140 ║ ╚════════════════════════════════╝ ╔═══════ ATTRIBUTES ═══════╗ ║ STRENGTH: 13 ║ ║ AGILITY: 15 ║ ║ CONSTITUTION: 13 ║ ║ INTELLIGENCE: 18 ║ ║ WISDOM: 19 ║ ║ CHARISMA: 9 ║ ╚══════════════════════════╝ ╔═══════ SKILLS ═══════╗ ║ [Observe Lv.1] ║ ║ [Sprint Lv.1] ║ ║ [Improvised Weaponry ║ ║ Lv.1] ║ ╚═══════════════════════╝ ╔═══════ TITLES ═══════╗ ║ [Royal Disgrace] ║ ║ [Defiant Will] ║ ║ [Beast Slayer I] ║ ╚═══════════════════════╝
A new title. [Beast Slayer I]. Probably from killing my first demon beast.
[You've made significant progress in a single day. However, I must warn you—that Shadow Hound's appearance was suspicious. Shadow Hounds require a summoner or a portal to enter this plane. Someone brought it here.]
"You think someone sent it to kill me?"
[Or to test you. Either way, you should assume your enemies are active.]
I thought about Lyria's warning. About Daemon and Mother planning to "solve the problem permanently."
Had they sent the Shadow Hound? It seemed too sloppy for a real assassination attempt. Unless...
"It was a test," I said suddenly. "They wanted to see if I'd actually fight back. If I had any hidden capabilities."
[That assessment matches the data. Your mother arrived remarkably quickly after the fight ended. She may have been watching.]
Which meant they now knew I could fight. That I was getting stronger.
I wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
Back in my room, I cleaned the ash and soot off as best I could with a washbasin. Elara had left fresh clothes and promised to have the fountain damage "handled quietly" so it didn't become more ammunition for the nobles to mock me with.
I sat on the edge of my bed, the Shadow Core crystal in my palm.
"ARIA, if someone is actively trying to kill me, I need to get stronger faster. Two levels in one fight was great, but I need more opportunities for combat."
[Agreed. However, seeking out demons would be suicidal at your current level. Most creatures in the wild near the capital range from Level 8 to Level 15. You would need a party or significantly better equipment.]
I turned the crystal over in my fingers. "What about dungeons?"
[Dungeons?]
"In my world's games, dungeons were areas with higher monster concentrations but also better rewards. Do they exist here?"
[Scanning local database... Yes. This world contains what are called 'Rifts'—dimensional pockets where monsters spawn. They're regulated by the adventurer's guild and the military. However, access requires registration and payment. As a disgraced prince with no income beyond a minimal stipend, you lack the resources to enter legally.]
"What about illegally?"
[There are unregulated rifts in the wilderness. Far more dangerous. No oversight. High mortality rate.]
"But high rewards?"
[Theoretically, yes.]
I smiled. "Then that's where I need to go. But first..." I pulled up my quest log.
╔═══════════════════════════════╗ ║ ACTIVE QUESTS ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════╣ ║ [MAIN] SURVIVE ║ ║ Time: 27d 11h 35m remaining ║ ║ Progress: 8.7% ║ ║ ║ ║ [HIDDEN] FAMILY SECRETS ║ ║ Progress: 15% ║ ║ - Daemon's plot: Unknown ║ ║ - Mother's involvement: ║ ║ Confirmed ║ ║ ║ ║ [NEW] QUEST AVAILABLE ║ ║ Click to view ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════╝
New quest? I selected it.
╔═══════════════════════════════╗ ║ NEW QUEST ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════╣ ║ THE GUARDIAN'S PATH ║ ║ ║ ║ You saved a life at risk to ║ ║ your own. This act has not ║ ║ gone unnoticed. ║ ║ ║ ║ Objective: Protect 5 people ║ ║ from harm (1/5 complete) ║ ║ ║ ║ Reward: ║ ║ - Title: [Guardian] ║ ║ - Skill: [Protective Instinct]║ ║ - +500 EXP ║ ║ ║ ║ Time Limit: None ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════╝
Interesting. The system was rewarding me for saving Mira. And if I saved four more people, I'd get a title and a new skill.
[This is a reputation-building quest. Completing it will establish you as someone who protects others, which could attract allies and change how people perceive you.]
"Every ally I can get helps."
A knock at my door interrupted my planning.
"Come in," I called.
The door opened, and to my surprise, Lyria slipped inside, still in her nightgown with a cloak thrown over it.
"Lyria? What are you doing here? It's past midnight."
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. "I heard about the Shadow Hound. About what you did." Her ice-blue eyes studied me intently. "You really killed it?"
"I did."
"How? You're..." She trailed off.
"Powerless? Weak? A disgrace?" I supplied helpfully.
"I was going to say 'not trained for combat,'" she said quietly. "But the servants are saying you fought like a veteran. That you used fire and tactics and refused to back down even though it was seven levels higher than any normal person expects a sixteen-year-old to be."
Smart girl. She'd done the math.
I sat back on the bed. "Lyria, why are you really here?"
She took a breath. "Because I need to know if you're actually planning to fight back. Against Daemon. Against Mother. Against everyone who thinks you're worthless."
"And if I am?"
"Then I want to help."
[Relationship with Lyria increased to: Ally (62/100)]
I looked at her—this twelve-year-old prodigy who somehow saw through all my family's political games.
"Why?" I asked. "What do you get out of helping me?"
"Freedom," she said simply. "Daemon wants the throne. Mother wants power. Father wants glory. But none of them care about Valoria itself. About the people. They just see them as resources."
She walked over and sat beside me on the bed.
"But you saved a maid tonight. A nobody, in their eyes. You risked your life for someone who can't give you anything in return. That tells me you're different."
I wanted to tell her I wasn't that noble. That I'd acted on instinct, not heroism. But looking at her hopeful expression, I couldn't.
"If I fight back," I said carefully, "it's going to get ugly. Daemon won't hesitate to hurt anyone who sides with me. Including you."
"I know." Her voice was steady. "But I'd rather fight and lose than live as a puppet."
I studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. But we do this smart. No running into danger. No reckless heroics. We plan, we prepare, and we strike when we have the advantage."
She smiled—the first genuine smile I'd seen from her. "Deal."
[Warning: Accepting a twelve-year-old as an active ally in political warfare is dangerous and potentially unethical.]
"She's a level nineteen mage," I thought back at ARIA. "She's more powerful than most adults."
[Fair point.]
"What do you know about dungeons?" I asked Lyria. "Or rifts, as they're called here?"
Her eyes lit up. "Oh! There's a small rift about an hour's ride from the capital. It's rated for levels five through ten. The adventurer's guild uses it for training new recruits."
"Can you get me in?"
"Probably not officially. But..." A mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "I know one of the gate guards. He owes me a favor after I healed his daughter last year."
"That would work."
We spent the next hour planning. Lyria would arrange access to the training rift. I would prepare equipment and train to maximize my chances of survival. We'd go in three days, giving me time to reach level five or six through basic training.
By the time she left, sneaking back to her own quarters, I felt something I hadn't felt since arriving in this world: hope.
Not just hope for survival, but hope for actually changing things.
The next morning, I woke to a notification:
╔═══════════════════════════════╗ ║ DAILY QUEST ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════╣ ║ TRAINING ROUTINE ║ ║ ║ ║ Complete: ║ ║ - 200 Push-ups ║ ║ - 200 Sit-ups ║ ║ - 200 Squats ║ ║ - 15km Run ║ ║ ║ ║ Reward: +1 random stat ║ ║ +25 EXP ║ ║ ║ ║ Resets: Daily at dawn ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════╝
A daily quest. If I completed this every day, I'd get a free stat point and experience just for working out.
The grind was real.
But as I started my first push-up, I couldn't help but grin.
Let Daemon plot. Let Mother scheme. Let the whole kingdom think I was worthless.
Because while they wasted time on politics and pride, I was leveling up.
And in three days, I'd enter my first dungeon.
The trash prince was going to become a legend.
One level at a time.
[END OF CHAPTER 3]