The forest outside Eldrath slums was a place no sane man entered at night.
But Kael walked through its darkness as if he belonged there.
His footsteps were silent, his heartbeat steady.
The Rusted Blood Dagger in his hand pulsed faintly, drinking in the crimson moonlight.
> [Quest: Eliminate 10 Bandits]
Progress: 0 / 10
Reward: Unlock Ability Shop (Grade 1 - Lower) + 20 EXP
Kael's eyes glowed faintly red as the dagger hummed in his hand. The air smelled of smoke and ale — signs of men nearby.
He crouched behind a boulder and watched.
Ahead, a small camp of five bandits sat around a dying fire, laughing crudely.
Kael's gaze darkened. He remembered those same emblems on their torn armor — the same men who had burned his village two years ago.
"Perfect," he whispered Silent Death
He moved like a shadow.
One bandit turned, frowning. "Who's—"
Slash!
The dagger sliced his throat before he finished the sentence.
> [+2 EXP Gained]
[Blood Essence Absorbed: 3%]
The second tried to shout, but Kael was already behind him — a flash of red, and he fell.
> [+2 EXP]
The next three didn't even have time to draw their blades.
By the time the fire crackled again, the camp was silent — only corpses remained.
> [Quest Progress: 5 / 10]
[EXP: 9 / 100 → 19 / 100]
Kael exhaled softly, wiping the dagger on a torn cloak. The blade shimmered faintly, greedily absorbing the spilled blood.
> [Weapon EXP +1%]
He felt it then — a surge of energy rushing through his veins, like fire and lightning combined.
> [Level Up Detected.]
[Cultivation Level: Mortal (Peak) → Beginner (Lower)]
Crimson lines flickered across his arms for a moment before fading.
Kael clenched his fist. "So this is power…"
System Update
───────────────────────────────
Blood Reaper System
Name: Kael
Cultivation Level: Beginner (Lower)
EXP: 19 / 200
Exp Storage: 0
Weapon: Rusted Blood Dagger (Grade 1 - Lower)
→ Kill Speed +10%
→ Blood Essence Absorption +3%
Skills: None
Abilities: None
Techniques: None
Equipment: None
System Shop: Open (Grade 1 - Lower)
───────────────────────────────
> [New Feature Unlocked: EXP Storage]
You can now store excess EXP to purchase items later.
Kael sat by the dead fire, expression unreadable.
He looked at the glowing red blade in his hand.
"If killing brings me strength… then I'll never stop."
---
The Path Grows Darker
Further north, another bandit camp waited — bigger, stronger.
Ten men with stolen blades and greedy eyes.
Kael rose from the shadows, his red eyes glowing faintly.
> [Quest Progress: 5 / 10]
[Target Location Detected — 400 meters north.]
He gripped the dagger tighter, his tone calm yet cold.
> "The Blood Reaper doesn't forgive."
And with that, he vanished into the darkness again —
one boy against a world built on cruelty.
But this time, the world would bleed first.