The wind howled through the shattered windows of the church.The scent of burnt stone and blood still lingered in the air.Leon's body lay unconscious against a broken column, light flickering weakly from his cracked armor.
Adrian stood over him, silent, eyes still glowing faint violet.Lucien's ghostly form hovered nearby, expression unreadable.
[Synchronization: 24.3% → 25.6%][Emotional anchor stabilized.]
For the first time since awakening the system, Adrian felt something strange — not rage, not triumph… but clarity.He could feel Leon's essence fading. The "light" within him was dimming, being absorbed into the ruins, into the void that now pulsed inside Adrian's chest.
"Pathetic," he muttered under his breath. "Even your light seeks the dark when it dies."
Lucien's spectral voice resonated faintly.
"You didn't kill him."
Adrian didn't look up. "No. But I didn't have to."He knelt, brushing dust from a fragment of Leon's broken sword. "The Order will know what happened here. They'll call me a demon."
Lucien's eyes flared briefly.
"Are they wrong?"
Adrian smirked, almost amused."Maybe not."
He turned, walking out of the ruins. The morning fog hung thick over the outskirts, and the distant toll of cathedral bells echoed through the silence.For anyone else, it would have sounded holy.To Adrian, it sounded like a warning.
The Heroic Council — Paris Citadel
Far from the ruins, a tower of glass and white stone loomed above the city. The Heroic Order's main headquarters — Citadelle de la Lumière.Within its circular chamber, the Council gathered.
Images flickered across holographic screens — destroyed ruins, collapsed buildings, reports of "Abyssal energy signatures."
A woman with silver hair and a cold, sharp voice spoke first."Confirm it. You're saying the anomaly was… Adrian Laurent?"
A younger man, pale and nervous, nodded. "Y-Yes, Lady Miriel. The resonance pattern matches his file. But it's impossible. He was erased twelve years ago."
Another council member slammed his fist against the table."Impossible or not, Leon was nearly killed by something that shouldn't exist. If Adrian Laurent is truly back… we have a threat worse than any villain."
Miriel's eyes narrowed."Contact the Inquisitors. I want eyes on every city sector. If he's truly back… we'll bring him to judgment ourselves."
Meanwhile — Adrian's Apartment
Adrian had returned home under the cover of dusk. His body was tired, but his mind was restless.The room felt smaller than ever — walls closing in, shadows breathing.
He dropped onto the couch, turning on the television.As expected, the headline flashed instantly:
"Heroic Knight Leon Varelius Severely Injured in Unknown Attack — Possible Villain Involvement."
The image of the broken church appeared on screen. The newscaster's tone was somber."According to sources, traces of a forbidden aura were detected — similar to that used in ancient soul-binding rituals. The Heroic Council has yet to release a statement."
Adrian chuckled under his breath."'Forbidden aura'… they make it sound so poetic."
[New Mission Unlocked][Title: Echoes of Light][Objective: Survive the Heroic Council's pursuit.]
He frowned slightly."So you're giving me missions now?"
[System Response: Directive initiated. Observation phase complete.]
The letters flickered as if the system itself was… learning.
Lucien materialized nearby, resting his spectral blade against his shoulder.
"You're being watched."
"I know," Adrian murmured, eyes fixed on the city lights beyond the window."Let them watch. Maybe they'll learn something about the monsters they create."
He closed his eyes briefly — but then, something strange happened.A voice — soft, distant — echoed in his mind.
"Do you regret it?"
His breath caught.The voice wasn't Lucien's.It was female. Familiar.
"Who's there?"
No answer. Only static.
Then the system pulsed again:
[Residual Heroic Echo Detected][Name: Jeanne Devereux — Class: Saint Healer (Deceased)][Emotional Signature: Regret / Devotion]
Adrian's eyes widened.Jeanne. She had been one of his classmates at the Academy. One of the few who had treated him kindly — before she died during a hero mission gone wrong.
He clenched his fists. "Why now? Why her?"
[Connection request detected. Accept / Deny?]
He hesitated. Then: "Accept."
The room dimmed. The shadows thickened.A soft light — gold and silver — began to take shape before him.
Jeanne's spirit appeared, fragile and glowing faintly. Her eyes were sad, filled with confusion."Adrian… what have you done?"
Adrian's chest tightened. For a second, the cold mask slipped.He had imagined this moment — but not like this.
"I did what I had to," he said quietly."They called it justice when it was their hand holding the blade. Why can't I do the same?"
Jeanne's expression softened. "Because justice isn't revenge."
He turned away. "Tell that to the ones who buried us."
The light flickered.
[Heroic Echo Stabilization: Failed.][Warning: Emotional conflict detected.]
Her form began to fade, breaking apart like glass."Adrian… please… don't become what they said you were…"
Her voice vanished. The apartment returned to silence.
Adrian stood there, motionless, hands trembling faintly.For the first time, his breath felt heavy — almost human again.
Lucien's voice broke the silence.
"You still care."
Adrian didn't answer. He simply looked out the window, toward the Citadel's shining spire.
"Care?" he whispered. "No. I remember."
He clenched his fist, and the runes on his arm began to glow faint violet again.
[Synchronization: 29.2%][New Passive Skill Acquired: Memory Assimilation][Effect: Absorb traces of memory and will from fading Heroic Echoes.]
He exhaled slowly, feeling power — and grief — coil inside him."I won't run anymore. If the Council wants to judge me… then let them come."
He grabbed his coat, the glow fading from his eyes.Lucien followed silently, his form flickering.
"Where are we going?" the knight asked.
Adrian's lips curved into a thin, cold smile."To visit an old friend," he said. "Someone who once taught me what it means to be a hero."
As he stepped out into the night, the system flickered once more:
[Next Objective: Locate the Fallen Mentor.][Warning: Multiple Heroic Agents in pursuit.]
And in the distance, above the shining towers of Paris, a red beacon lit the sky — the mark of a Heroic Hunt.
Adrian didn't flinch.He adjusted his coat, the faint violet in his eyes reflecting the firelight.
"Let them chase the shadow they created."