The rain poured endlessly over the ruined city of Arcanis.
Lightning flashed across the dark sky, revealing broken towers and shattered statues of ancient heroes. Once, this city had been the heart of magic. Now it was nothing but a graveyard.
A boy walked through the rain.
His name was Aiden Vale.
He looked no older than seventeen. His black coat was soaked, and his silver eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
In his hand, he held a cracked black crystal.
"After ten years… I'm finally back," Aiden whispered.
Ten years ago, the Shadow Mage Clan had been wiped out overnight. Betrayed by the very kingdoms they protected. Flames burned their towers, and every mage was hunted down.
Every mage except one.
Aiden.
At the time, he was only a child hiding beneath the burning ruins of his home.
The crystal in his hand suddenly pulsed.
A deep voice echoed inside his mind.
"Host detected… Shadow Core synchronization complete."
Aiden froze.
"What…?"
A blue interface appeared in front of him.
[Shadow System Activated]
Host: Aiden Vale
Class: Shadow Mage (Last Survivor)
Level: 1
Aiden stared at the glowing screen.
"A system…? Seriously?"
Before he could think further, the ground trembled.
From the darkness, glowing red eyes appeared.
A massive wolf-like monster stepped out from the ruined street.
A Bloodfang Beast.
Normally, even trained knights struggled to fight one.
Aiden slowly clenched his fist.
"Level 1, huh…"
The system window changed.
[New Skill Unlocked]
Shadow Bind
Aiden raised his hand.
Darkness gathered around his fingers like smoke.
"Let's see what this thing can do."
He snapped his fingers.
Shadows burst from the ground and wrapped around the monster's legs.
The Bloodfang Beast howled, struggling to move.
Aiden walked closer, rain dripping from his hair.
For a moment, the beast's glowing eyes reflected fear.
"Don't worry," Aiden said quietly.
"This world already killed my family."
His eyes turned completely black.
"So I'll just return the favor."
The shadows exploded.
The monster collapsed.
The system chimed again.
[Enemy Defeated]
EXP +120
Level Up!
Aiden looked toward the distant capital city beyond the mountains.
Where the kings and nobles lived.
Where the people who destroyed his clan still ruled.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Wait for me," he said softly.
"The last Shadow Mage… has returned."
And this time—
He wasn't alone.