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Chapter 4: First Blood of a Man
Three nights had passed since Suzan's return from the border, but the System's hunger never slept.
> [Next requirement: Absorb a human cultivator (1-Star or higher).]
[Reward: Shadow Minion skill unlocked.]
Suzan sat alone on a marble ledge outside the royal training courtyard, fingers curled tight around the hilt of a borrowed blade. His Sword Soul pulsed faintly in the air behind him—silent and gleaming, as if aware of what was coming.
Inside, his Dark Soul twisted impatiently in his shadow.
He needed a kill.
Not a beast.
Not a spar.
A human.
A sound interrupted his thoughts.
"Suzan Elvador."
He turned. A tall boy with sharp brows and blue-ink tattoos along his arms stepped forward. He wore a high-collared robe marked with the sigil of House Vareen—an arrogant noble line that often clashed with House Elvador.
"You think just because you have two souls you're above us?" the boy sneered. "Let's duel. Unless you're scared to stain your shiny little name."
Suzan met his gaze coldly.
> A 1-Star cultivator.
An arrogant one.
And best of all—an opportunity.
"Fine," Suzan said, rising slowly. "Let's make it interesting. Duel until one can't stand."
The courtyard guards hesitated but didn't interfere. Noble disputes weren't uncommon—and this one had the air of personal hatred.
They stepped into the center of the stone arena. The other boy summoned his Martial Soul—a flaming whip, coiling like a serpent behind him.
Suzan didn't summon his yet.
He wanted to test his body.
The opponent struck first. A flash of fire, a loud snap—Suzan twisted, dodging, then slid forward and punched the boy hard in the ribs. The whip lashed back, cutting across Suzan's arm.
Blood.
Pain.
His Dark Soul shivered in delight.
Suzan's smile was grim.
"Enough playing."
He called forth his Dark Soul, which materialized behind him like a god of war. With a mental command, it lunged. Before the boy could react, the shadow warrior grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the ground.
The boy gasped, struggling, eyes wide with panic.
"Wait—! No—!"
Suzan didn't hesitate.
> "Devour."
A tendril of darkness extended from his shadow, pierced the boy's chest, and began draining him. Not just his energy—but his very soul.
> [Human Cultivator (1-Star) absorbed.]
[Level increased: 2-Star Cultivator.]
[New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Minion.]
The boy collapsed, unconscious—alive, barely. But his spirit was shattered.
Suzan stood still for a moment, letting the surge of power flood him. His body felt stronger. His soul sharper. And in the corner of his eye, a new shadow moved—a smaller replica of the boy, reborn as Suzan's first Shadow Minion.
It bowed silently.
Suzan exhaled.
> So this is what true power feels like.
---
That night, Duke Renald stood in his war chamber, listening to the report from the guards.
"He devoured him?" Renald muttered, rubbing his beard. "Hmph... That boy is truly no ordinary heir."
His eyes drifted toward the glowing world map on the wall.
> "The other empires will come for him. The moment they learn what he is."
---
Far away, in the Zarephian Empire, a silver-robed seer looked into a pool of black water. A boy's face stared back.
> "A soul devourer has awakened in Milon..."
"Send word to the Empress. The balance has been broken."
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