---
City of Velkarth — 200 km south of Umbra Coast
Velkarth was not part of any empire. It was a free city — a haven for mercenaries, assassins, thieves, and all who slipped through the cracks of kingdoms.
And right now, it was Zehn Caelum's first hunting ground.
The streets were loud with the sound of metal and ale, music and sin. Magic lanterns floated above rooftops, and cloaked figures disappeared into alleyways like whispers in fog.
But none of them noticed the one man watching from the bell tower.
A man cloaked in shadow.
Zehn Caelum.
He stared down at the crowded street below, where a tall figure moved with practiced calm. A mercenary leader now. Ten years ago, that man was known as Kael the First Fang — Zehn's right hand. Ruthless. Loyal. Deadly.
Or so Zehn had thought.
> ❖ [Target Identified: Kael Velmor – Former Lieutenant of Silent Fang]
❖ [Status: Alive — Loyalty: Unknown]
❖ [Threat Level: A+]
❖ [Mission: Confront or Eliminate]
Zehn narrowed his eyes.
Kael had betrayed no one… as far as he knew. But in the final raid ten years ago, Kael had vanished. No word. No signal. No body.
And now he leads a mercenary company in a neutral city?
"Time to talk, brother."
---
Inside the Rusted Blade Tavern
Kael leaned back on a broken wooden chair, boots on the table, a mug of firebrew in one hand, and a dagger flipping in the other. He was broader now, beard rougher, eyes more tired — but that same razor-sharp aura clung to him.
Suddenly, the flame of the tavern lamp flickered.
The noise of the tavern — talking, shouting, music — died instantly. No one moved. No one breathed.
A chill swept across the room.
And then… a voice.
Low. Calm. Deadly familiar.
> "Did you forget your oath, Kael Velmor?"
Kael's mug froze in his hand.
Slowly, very slowly… he turned.
The dagger dropped from his hand.
Standing in the shadow of the doorway was a man cloaked in black — silver streaks in his hair, violet eyes glowing beneath his hood. Time hadn't changed him much. If anything… he looked more dangerous now.
"Zehn…"
The word left Kael's mouth like a ghost.
"Impossible."
The entire tavern remained frozen.
Zehn walked in without sound. The floorboards didn't creak beneath him. The shadows moved with him, like loyal dogs.
Kael stood, tense. "I saw you die. I buried half the guild myself. What the hell is this?"
Zehn's voice remained flat. "I'm not here for drama, Kael. I came to ask you one question."
He stepped closer.
"Did you betray me?"
The silence hung like a blade.
Kael's fists clenched. "No. I was set up. They used me to draw you out. I survived. I thought you didn't."
Zehn's expression didn't change. His voice dropped lower.
"Then prove it."
---
> ❖ [System Link Request Sent – Recruit: Kael Velmor]
❖ [Class: Assassin – Subclass: Blade of Echo]
❖ [Talent Rank: S]
❖ [Loyalty Test: Initiated]
A dark chain of light extended from Zehn's hand — toward Kael's chest.
Kael didn't flinch. He simply stepped forward… and let the chain pierce him.
> ❖ [Oath Accepted]
❖ [Kael Velmor has rejoined the Silent Fang]
❖ [Shadow Contract Sealed – Any betrayal will result in soul destruction]
Zehn stared into Kael's eyes.
"You're the first to return."
Kael's lips curled into a bitter smile. "And who else do we bring back?"
Zehn turned toward the door.
"The dead. The betrayed. The forgotten. Anyone who remembers who we were."
---
Meanwhile — Elmaria Empire, Inquisition Tower
The High Chancellor watched from his crystal mirror.
He had seen it all — the meeting, the chain, the contract.
"They've begun to gather."
His eyes narrowed.
"Then we begin the Hunt."
> ❖ [Empire Alert: Target Zehn Caelum classified as Class Omega Threat]
❖ [Bounty Increased: 10 million gold – Alive or Dead]
❖ [Dispatch Inquisitor Corps – Priority Black]