Russ didn't sleep that night.
He sat in the corner of his sister's apartment, knees pulled to his chest, eyes fixed on his trembling hands. Every time he blinked, he saw flashes—Quinn Talen's battles, the screams of ancient beings, the crushing silence of the Void.
And in all of it… one word kept repeating:
Heir.
Minny paced the room, arms crossed, occasionally peeking through the blinds. "We can't stay here. The Academy's probably flagged your biometrics already. And if the Pure are really involved…"
She trailed off.
Russ looked up. "What does that even mean? The Pure faction? I thought they were wiped out during the Dalki War era."
"They were," Minny replied. "But extremist ideologies don't die. They go underground. Waiting. Breeding new hate."
Russ clenched his fists. "Why now? Why me?"
Minny hesitated. "Because you're Quinn's son. And whether you like it or not, some of the monsters he sealed… they swore they'd return for his bloodline."
Russ stared at her. "Why didn't anyone tell me this growing up?!"
"Because Dad erased most records tied to the Void. He didn't want us living in fear of his enemies." She sighed. "But maybe that was a mistake."
A low chime echoed from the corner of the room. Minny drew a dagger from her belt in one smooth motion and stepped toward the sound.
But it wasn't danger.
It was Russ's system interface.
A transparent blue panel hovered before him again.
> [Legacy System Notice]
Trial Phase 1: Awaken the Blood.
Task: Engage in a life-or-death combat. Survive.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
Failure: System Termination. Permanent death.
Russ's blood ran cold. "Life-or-death combat?! I haven't even picked a class yet!"
Minny scowled. "The Legacy System doesn't care about classes. It's tied to blood. Instinct. Will."
"So what? I find someone to try and kill me, and hope I win?"
Before Minny could answer, the wall behind them exploded.
A red spear slammed into the apartment, shattering glass and sending Russ flying into a table.
Smoke filled the room. Minny hissed, already shifting into vampire form—eyes glowing, claws extended.
From the smoke stepped a figure wrapped in dark crimson armor, a long-bladed halberd pulsing with energy.
"Target acquired," the figure said in a distorted voice. "Engaging Heir of the Void."
Russ coughed, bleeding from the mouth. "Well… that was fast."
Minny charged, aiming for the assassin's throat—but the halberd spun and caught her mid-air, sending her crashing into the ceiling.
"Minny!" Russ shouted, crawling toward her.
> [System Detected: Lethal Intent Confirmed.]
Trial Phase Initiated.
Survive.
Russ's heartbeat spiked.
The assassin turned toward him, blade raised.
"I'm not ready," Russ whispered, fear freezing him in place.
> [System Override: Bloodline Response Activated.]
Suddenly, Russ felt heat burning in his chest. The glyph on his forehead flared, and shadows coiled around his arms like serpents.
The assassin lunged.
Russ raised his hand instinctively—just as a black claw formed from his palm and deflected the halberd with a screech of metal.
His own eyes widened. "What the hell—?!"
> [Legacy Skill Unlocked: Shade Claw Lv. 1]
The assassin paused, recalibrating.
Russ looked down at his hand—blackened, clawed, humming with power. "Okay… not dead yet."
The assassin attacked again, faster this time.
And Russ met him halfway.