⚔️ Chapter 7: Shadows of the Past, Flames of Loyalty
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🌙 Flashback: Before the Dungeon…
It was raining.
Not just water from the sky — but the kind of rain that soaked into your bones and made the whole world feel cold. A 12-year-old Jin sat on the steps of a crumbling building, clutching a tattered photo. His clothes were thin, his hands bruised.
> "Dad's not coming back, is he?"
His sister, Lina, only 9, leaned her head on his shoulder.
> "Mom still believes… but deep down, I think she knows."
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👪 Family Background
Father: Kael, a former B-rank hunter who vanished during a raid on a forbidden dungeon. Known for wielding dual glaives and using time-slowing abilities.
Mother: Isha, a healer who lost her powers after a mana burn during childbirth. She runs a small herbal shop in the outer city to survive.
Sister: Lina, quiet, artistic, and sensitive — has latent magical abilities tied to illusions and dreams. Unawakened... for now.
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🕯️ The Incident
One night, their home was attacked by mana-deformed beasts — failed experiments from a rogue lab near the city slums. Hunters never came. The guilds didn't care.
Jin tried to protect Lina… but failed.
He nearly died. She was badly hurt. That night, he swore:
> "Never again will I be this powerless. Even if I have to become a monster."
That vow echoed into the present.
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🔥 Present – Shadow Realm Interlude
Back in the Territory of Eternal Rest, Jin sat atop a black throne in his private dimension. Around him, 20 shadow soldiers stood — emotionless, eternal.
But three stepped forward. Not just soldiers — his generals.
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👑 Shadow Generals Side Story:
1. Barok – The Fallen Knight
Once the captain of a noble order. Betrayed by his king and burned alive during a crusade. Jin revived him from the ashes of a cursed dungeon.
Now, clad in obsidian armor with a molten greatsword, Barok kneels only to Jin.
> "Your enemies will be ashes before your command, my King."
2. Vex – The Phantom Fang
A deadly rogue assassin. Died protecting a child from a bounty in his final life. In death, he is faster than sound, silent as smoke. His red eyes still hold traces of humanity.
> "A command, Master. I'll slit the sky if needed."
3. Karga – The Beast of Ruin
A colossal were-bear from the Beast Realms. Once enslaved by magic users as a pet weapon. Jin freed and resurrected him as a loyal beast-lord.
> Rumbles lowly: "You saved me. Now I break for you."
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🎭 Side Characters Introduced:
Lira Venn: Red-haired guild master of Crimson Fang. Curious about Jin's powers. Strong and ambitious — possible ally… or rival.
Dr. Yulsen: Scientist from a forbidden lab. Experiments on monsters using old Monarch DNA. Interested in Jin's biology.
Varin: A B-rank hunter and rising star. Jealous of Jin's rapid rise. Dangerous and manipulative.
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🌀 Secret Side Plot Twist Setup
Lina — Jin's sister — begins dreaming of a dark place… filled with voices and shadows that call her name.
> "We know your blood, child of Kael. You are the Seer. You will awaken soon… and destroy your brother."
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🕊️ Final Scene
Back in the Shadow Realm, Jin closes his eyes.
> "Even if the world burns… they won't touch my family."
Shadow wings burst behind him.
And far in the distance, Lira looks up at the same moon, whispering:
> "Who are you really, Jin? And who must I become… to reach you?"
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🪓 End of Chapter 7