The torchlight danced against the walls as Raizer and Lynara walked in silence. Their steps echoed along the stone corridor, each one a statement of power and unease. Behind them, the door to the summoning chamber remained open—its glow fading, the scent of blood still fresh.
Lynara cast occasional glances at the Shadow Blade of the Abyss, now sheathed in a sheath of shadow on Raizer's back. Its presence weighed heavily in the air, like a predator watching from the dark.
"Where does this path lead?" Raizer asked without turning.
"To the Grand Stairwell," she replied quickly. "Then the Inner Keep. From there, we can access the city or the palace halls, depending on—"
"City," he said.
"Y-yes."
They descended a spiral staircase, passing by ancient statues of forgotten kings and stone murals carved with wars long past. The castle was old — older than the kingdom it belonged to — and magic was woven deep into its bones.
[New Objective: Exit the Royal Fortress and Reach Elvaria's Capital – Aelvinar]Reward: 25 Gacha Points
Raizer smirked. "Keep the points coming," he muttered.
But the castle didn't seem keen on letting him go that easily.
At the base of the stairs, a steel gate blocked their way — reinforced and warded. Three palace guards waited there, cloaked in white and gold. Each held a halberd glowing faintly with embedded mana crystals.
"Halt," one barked. "We were told to detain the summoned one until royal inspection."
Raizer tilted his head. "You're welcome to try."
The guards tensed, magic surging in their weapons.
Lynara stepped forward, her voice pleading. "Please, don't. He—he's not like the others. He's not under compulsion."
"He must obey the King's decree," said another guard. "It's the law."
Raizer's gaze narrowed. "Let me show you a new law."
He vanished.
A flicker.
A scream.
Steel shattered. One halberd cracked in half as Raizer appeared behind the first guard, his blade already drawn, a trail of shadow licking along the ground. The man collapsed with a gurgle, his armor cut cleanly through.
"Protect the Princess's apprentice!" one of the remaining shouted — but too late. A pulse of shadow exploded outward, like a heartbeat from the abyss. The second guard collapsed, mind broken by a will too vast to comprehend.
The third dropped his weapon and fled down the hallway.
[Objective Updated: 2 of 3 Threats Eliminated]
Raizer didn't pursue. "Cowards survive. For now."
Lynara stared at the bodies. "The King… he'll send knights, inquisitors, maybe even the Crimson Hands if he hears of this."
"He will," Raizer replied. "And I'll kill them too."
Lynara hesitated. "Why are you so… merciless?"
Raizer didn't answer immediately. Then, after a breath:"Because kindness was the first lie I ever heard."
He turned and placed his hand on the gate.
[System Detected: Magical Seal – Rank B][Option: Use Gacha Points to Break the Seal – Cost: 10 Points][Or… attempt Forced Overload – Risk: ???]
Raizer chose the first.
[10 Gacha Points consumed. Seal broken.]
The gate groaned and slid open, revealing the moonlit inner courtyard of Elvaria's capital. Towers rose like spears into the night sky, and distant lights flickered in the city below. The stars above shimmered with magic. Somewhere out there, answers — and enemies — awaited.
[Objective Complete. +25 Gacha Points][Current Gacha Points: 25]
[Tip: Pull now or save points for x10 Premium Pull – 100 Points required]
Raizer exhaled. "No rush. We've only just begun."
A wind stirred his coat. He took a step forward into the night.
And from the shadows, unseen by both Raizer and Lynara, something watched.
Its voice, a whisper in the dark:"The abyss remembers you, Raizer. Even here."