Ash and flame clung to the air as Thorne stood alone in the aftermath of the battle. The bodies of dark-armored assailants lay strewn across the stone floor, their blood mixing with the echoes of a forgotten legacy. The Sovereign's Will hummed in his hand, sated for now.
[System Notification: Legacy of the Sovereign - Part II Updated: Next Archive Unlock in 12 Years]
Thorne blinked. "Twelve years…?"
[Explanation: Temporal Lock on Remaining Archives. Legacy Quest Progress Delayed. Additional Clues Will Be Revealed Through Dungeon Assimilation and Personal Growth.]
He exhaled slowly. It wasn't the pause he had feared—it was a countdown. One that gave him a window to grow stronger, forge allies, and prepare for what was next.
"I'll be ready."
The next few days were spent recovering and traveling to the nearest city—a bustling dungeon hub known as Dravengarde. Towering gates, patrols of armored guards, and the buzz of merchants selling enchanted wares greeted Thorne as he stepped through.
Before he could continue raiding dungeons under his real identity, one thing needed to be done.
[System Notice: Special Item Granted - Mask of Veiled Sovereignty]
A sleek, black mask formed from mist and solidified in his hand—its surface adorned with faint, shifting sigils.
[Effect: Conceals Facial Identity, Suppresses Recognition by Known Entities, Enhances Aura Suppression. Recommended for High-Risk Public Appearances.]
Thorne slipped it on, feeling his presence diminish in the eyes of others. The perfect veil for a ghost of a forgotten clan.
Next, he headed for the Dungeon Conqueror's Guild, a grand hall filled with adventurers and the sharp tang of competition. The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman in her late twenties with short auburn hair and a quick smile, welcomed him.
"Welcome to the Dravengarde Guildhall. Here to register?"
Thorne nodded. "Yes."
She handed him a crystal slate. "Fill this out. Blood signature, mana pulse... Oh, and coded name—mandatory for all registered Conquerors to avoid conflict."
He paused for a moment, then typed: Masked Fang.
[System Syncing with Official Registry... Complete.] [Rank: Unranked] [Title: Independent Conqueror - Novice Tier] [License Issued: Valid for Global Dungeon Entry. Currency Exchange Activated.]
[Registration Complete. Coded Name Confirmed: Masked Fang]
Coins clinked into his pouch—exchange value for the fragments, cores, and relics he'd gathered in his early trials.
"Welcome to the Guild, Masked Fang. You're now eligible for posted dungeon raids, bounty tasks, and skill trials. Watch your back out there."
He gave a nod and turned to leave.
His first listed conquest under the guild's watch was a D-Rank dungeon—one known for its shifting corridors and flame-elemental creatures. Not particularly dangerous, but perfect for sharpening his skills.
Inside, he made quick work of the dungeon, adapting to his new weapon and using the quests provided by his system for targeted growth. No one knew of the system—and he intended to keep it that way.
[Personal Quest Completed: Sustain Damage Resistance for 3 Minutes — Reward: +2 to Adaptation Stat] [Dungeon Cleared — Rewards Acquired: Flame Crystal, Molten Hide, Burnt Core x2]
On his way out, he wasn't alone.
A small group had gathered at the exit, mostly fellow Conquerors. But one figure stood out.
A woman with silver-white hair that shimmered under the sun, dressed in layered leather armor reinforced with obsidian plates. Her gaze met Thorne's—and her eyes, a striking shade of glacier blue, held no fear. Only calculation.
"You're the one who took the Sovereign blade."
Thorne tensed.
"I'm not here to fight," she added quickly, raising a hand. "Not now, anyway. I only wanted to see the heir for myself."
"Then what do you want?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
"I go by Kaela. Let's say I have... complicated ties to your clan's history. And an interest in what you plan to do next."
Before he could respond, she walked away, disappearing into the crowd of guild members. A warning? A potential ally? The system remained quiet.
Thorne turned toward the city's outer edge, where new portals flickered into life.
[Daily Quest Available: Enter 2 F-Rank Dungeons. Earn Combat Mastery Points. Optional Objective: Solo Clear Without Injury.]
[System Message: Legacy Progress Locked. Time Remaining: 12 Years. Focus on Development Until Unlock.]
His legacy quest was no longer a haunting shadow—it was a distant summit. And he would climb it one step at a time.
The blade at his side pulsed in agreement.
This was only the beginning.