Heavy footsteps echoed through the narrow alleys of Kareth. Seven fully armed guards marched in formation, led by a burly man clad in black-silver armor.
"Anyone who looks suspicious... kill them. This city belongs to us. Not the people. Not that cursed shadow," the captain growled, his voice hoarse with rage.
Above, on the roof of an old house, a black-cloaked figure watched them silently.
> Remaining targets: 7 guards.
Arzael wasn't in a hurry. Time was his ally.
He studied their formation, their steps, the position of their weapons.
He dropped into another alley. Quiet. Then used Gatewalk—not to the Underworld, but to reposition himself ahead of the group.
Its cooldown was one hour, but Arzael knew: he only needed one precise move.
He picked up a sharp piece of metal from a broken wall and hurled it at another building. The clanging noise echoed, causing two guards to break formation and investigate.
The first mistake.
Arzael emerged from the shadows. Shadow Pierce sank into the neck of one guard. Blood sprayed in silence—no scream came.
The second guard turned, but a knee smashed into his face. Arzael grabbed the man's head and slammed it against the wall until his skull cracked.
> [You have slain City Guard. +9 EXP]
[You have slain City Guard. +10 EXP]
Damn it. Why so little?
Arzael thought to himself.
> EXP: 21 / 200
Four guards remained. They heard the commotion and formed a circle, weapons drawn.
Their captain stepped forward.
"Show yourself! Coward!"
They didn't know—Arzael was already above them.
He dropped a homemade smoke grenade, crafted from ingredients stolen from a herbal shop—fuel, soot, and sulfur.
Smoke spread fast. Panic broke out.
A scream. Then three guards collapsed, their throats slashed.
The fourth tried to fight back, but Arzael blocked with his arm, letting the blade pierce his flesh. His face showed no pain.
With blood flowing from the wound, Pain Conversion activated.
One punch shattered the guard's helmet like a shell.
> [You have slain City Guard. +10 EXP]
[You have slain City Guard. +11 EXP]
[You have slain City Guard. +9 EXP]
> EXP: 51 / 200
"You're no human," said the captain, voice now lower.
"And you're no protector of the people," Arzael replied flatly.
The captain struck first—his blow fierce and furious.
But Arzael moved like a shadow.
The fight was swift and brutal.
Steel clashed with curse.
Arzael feinted, stalled, then struck between the gaps of the captain's armor with Shadow Pierce.
The captain staggered. Arzael didn't hesitate.
He leapt, drove two fingers into the man's eyes, and tore open his throat.
The large body collapsed.
> [You have slain Guard Captain. +20 EXP]
> [Quest Complete: Eliminate the Corrupt]
[+New Skill Unlocked: Blood Reaving]
Civilians began to gather.
They saw the bodies of the corrupt guards strewn across the street.
There were no tears. No fear.
They smiled.
"Finally..."
An old man approached, trembling.
"We... we don't know who you are, but... thank you. They've oppressed us for years."
Arzael simply nodded.
"What territory is this city in?" he asked curtly.
The man looked puzzled. "This is part of the Eterna Kingdom. You didn't know?"
Arzael stared into the distance, thinking:
Yeah... I really didn't.
Back in the Alzareth Empire, I wasn't even allowed to touch a book.
The old man continued, as if revealing a long-hidden truth:
"This continent is called Illumina. There are three main nations:
Alzareth Empire, a ruthless empire that only accepts humans. They despise all other races.
Eterna Kingdom, where we are now. Still ruled by humans, but they allow all races to coexist.
Valiant Alliance, led by elves. They reject discrimination and uphold unity."
Arzael committed it all to memory.
This world was far larger than he imagined.
And if he wanted to survive—or take revenge—he had to know everything.
[Status – Level 10]
Name: Arzael
Race: ???
Level: 10
EXP: 71 / 200
HP: 790 / 790
MP: 520 / 520
STR: 37
AGI: 32
VIT: 41
INT: 28
LUK: 8
Available Stat Points: 1
Active Skills:
Shadow Pierce (Lv. 1)
Gatewalk (Lv. 1)
Blood Reaving (Lv. 1): A strike that absorbs enemy blood, healing a portion of HP (5% of damage). Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Passive Skills:
Cursed Blood
Pain Conversion (Lv. 1)
Arzael stood on the rooftop, gazing at a city that now felt just a little lighter.
The shadows still clung to him, but tonight...
...Kareth no longer belonged to the corrupt.