The final bell of high school had rung, but it wasn't just a sound echoing through school halls—it was a moment, a closing curtain, a farewell to the mundane.
Rey stepped out of the examination hall, sunlight catching his face as if the world itself acknowledged his transition. His last paper was done, and ahead of him stretched a few short weeks of freedom before the results decided the shape of his future.
University, adulthood, the unknown... all loomed on the horizon. But for now? Grocery bags.
"Rey, grab that," his mother, Jasmine, called out as she pulled him toward the market stalls, her voice a mix of cheer and command.
He sighed, resigned to his fate as a shopping mule. He never won against her shopping instincts.
Now back at home, Rey staggered through the door, weighed down by vegetables, meat, spices, and other kitchen-bound dreams his mother had conjured.
"Mom, where do I dump these?" he asked, adjusting the heavy bags in his arms.
"Dining table," Jasmine said tiredly, waving a hand as she flopped onto the couch in the drawing room. "I swear, one more stall and my feet would've betrayed me."
"Noted. Next time, we bring a cart," Rey muttered, setting the items down.
He straightened up, stretching his back before heading for the stairs. "I'm gonna freshen up."
"Alright, but don't disappear. I'll need your help in the kitchen later," she called, her voice soft with maternal warmth.
"Got it," Rey replied, a smile tugging at his lips as he ascended the stairs.
From the couch, Jasmine watched his retreating figure, a quiet sigh escaping her lips.
'You really grew up right, Rey… Max, if only you could see the son you left behind. He's becoming exactly who you hoped he'd be.'
Upstairs, inside Rey's room, something much less peaceful was unfolding.
His desktop screen glowed with an eerie intensity—and no, it wasn't Rey operating it. Aiden, his god-ranked relic spirit, was hunched over the keyboard, fingers moving with the speed of a man hacking into the heavens themselves.
"Worthless junk. Trash. Utter garbage!" Aiden snarled, his eyes blazing as he scrolled through an online marketplace for martial artists, every item seemingly more disappointing than the last. "Does no one sell anything actually decent in this entire digital wasteland?"
Just as he was about to bring the keyboard down in a rage, Rey, entering the room with a towel around his hair, drying them with one of his hands, caught his wrist mid-air.
"Hey—leave the keyboard alone. That thing's my ride-or-die."
Aiden huffed. "Everything here is junk. Where are the true artifacts, the relics with power, the legends which they speak so much about on the home page?"
"You're being unrealistic," Rey said, drying his hair. "If you're looking for high-grade items like Stage 4 equipment, they've probably been bought out or hidden by the big names. Either that, or the seller isn't insane enough to sell them openly."
That seemed to hit home. Aiden paused, frowned, and then slowly set the keyboard down like it was a sacred blade.
"...Fair point."
Rey smirked, satisfied with the rare display of reason. "Thought so."
He sat on the edge of his bed, stretching before opening up his System interface. The eternal blue glow flickered into existence, panels sliding open. His eyes scanned over his latest gain—his newly formed core.
He tapped the description window out of casual curiosity.
And then—
=====
[◇ Darksyth Core ◇]
[Core Type: Unknown]
[Proficiency: 0.0%]
[Tier: 0 | Grade: ??? | Mutation Core (Origin)]
[Status: Unanalysable]
[Evolution: Locked | Rank: F- (Unclassifiable)]
[Description:]
A completely unknown and unprecedented core anomaly, the Darksyth Core, is the first and only recorded existence of its kind in all known timelines.
It was born through the unholy convergence of three primordial forces:
✦ The [Oblivion Gloom] – a forgotten and sentient darkness variant that consumes all concept of existence
✦ The [Darkness Physique] – a growth-type body blessed with a natural affinity and dominion over shadows, concealment, and soul-level mutation
✦ The [True Darkness] – an Origin-grade law representing the primordial void before creation
This fusion resulted in the spontaneous formation of Darksyth, a core that the system cannot categorise. Its inner nature is unreadable, and the usual metrics for understanding cores—like affinity, grade, energy flow, or structure—fail to apply.
Even the System can only speculate on its limits.
[Core Perks: ???]
[Current Core Effects: ???]
__
[System Notification]
[Host is notified that the core, "Darksyth," is a never-before-seen entity.]
[It is advised that the host explore its effects manually. The System shall assist during the process of discovery.]
[Upon completing the system's information threshold, a special title shall be awarded to the host.]
Rey stared at the notification, brows furrowed, lips twitching into something between disbelief and frustration.
"…What the hell is this?" he muttered, leaning back on his chair, eyes still glued to the blinking message.
'Veylen, what did we create? Even the damn system's clueless now.'
Deep within the white void of his soul space, Veylen, the ominous spirit of dark will, stirred.
"Hmph, isn't it obvious, child?" Veylen's deep, unmoved voice echoed through Rey's thoughts. "Did you truly believe a mortal-bound system could comprehend the magnitude of what our master has bestowed upon you? The Will of True Darkness lies beyond this world's rules."
Here we go again.
'Great. Another sermon about your master's greatness... my brain's going to rot if you keep this up.'
Though Rey kept his sarcasm internal, Veylen's emotionless glare pierced through his thoughts. The spirit stared, unblinking, and for a moment, Rey felt as if a monolith was watching him.
But before he could protest further, Veylen vanished, slipping back into the white realm without another word.
"…What a character," Rey muttered.
His attention shifted back to his desk—and what he saw made his mouth twitch again.
Victor had now joined Aiden at the desktop screen. Both relic spirits were nose-deep in the web market, buried under item listings, filters, and artifact searches like two bored, overpowered scholars shopping during a Black Friday sale.
"Unreal," Rey whispered with a small smile.
He leaned back and decided to explore more of his status interface.
Scrolling through, his eyes stopped on something peculiar.
His Intelligence stat—it wasn't just higher. It was nearly triple his normal value, which he forgot to check before.
'Huh?'
He ran a quick check on his past ability usage—and then it clicked.
It was
Abyssal Comprehension
Active: Boosts comprehension by 15,000%, and by 20,000% in complete darkness.
Passive (1): Triples base Intelligence.
Passive (2): Enhances mental processing and perception speed exponentially.
Rey blinked.
He had somehow completely missed the passive effect until now.
"How in the—was this always here?" he muttered.
The enhancement wasn't just a number boost. He could feel it now—thoughts forming faster, calculations smoother, even subtle shifts in emotion more understandable.
And yet… why hadn't he noticed this earlier?
It gnawed at him.
So, he turned to the root of all this madness.
"Aiden."
Without even looking away from the screen, Aiden waved a dismissive hand. "Don't blame me for your lack of reading comprehension, kid."
"…Seriously?"
With a dramatic sigh, Aiden finally turned to face him.
"Look, you couldn't fully connect with our relic bonds before. Your body was garbage—let's be honest here—and your soul was even worse. If we'd tried syncing everything from the start, you would've turned into a spiritual pancake."
"…A spiritual pancake?"
"Yes," Aiden said, dead serious. "Flattened. Cracked. Gone. Just a sad smear in the soul realm."
Rey pinched his brows. "Okay, okay, I get the metaphor."
Aiden folded his arms, feigning offence. "We had to limit the syncing. Just enough to keep you alive and let you grow. Only now that your soul's catching up can our abilities begin activating in full."
"So this means… my abilities weren't fully bonded?"
"Exactly. We set up a partial bridge. Now that your soul has grown stronger—probably thanks to the core—you're experiencing the delayed effects. You're welcome, by the way."
"And let me guess. You weren't planning to tell me unless I stumbled into it?"
"Obviously."
Rey deadpanned. "Why are all of my relics like this?"
Victor, without turning from the screen, added, "Because chaos is fun."
Aiden dramatically wiped away an imaginary tear. "I saved your life, and this is the thanks I get? Accusations? Blame? I still have 516 pages of this trash to sift through and now emotional damage too."
Rey groaned. "So what now? Do I just wait for more ability to awaken? Do I need to perform a ritual? Offer snacks to you gods?"
Aiden snorted. "You want the truth? It's simple: use the abilities."
Rey blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it," Aiden nodded, finally turning back to the screen. "Keep using what's already bonded, and the rest will slowly unlock. It's a natural flow—like water running through a dry path. The more you use it, the stronger the link becomes. No need to overthink it."
Rey let out a slow breath.
He wasn't sure if he was relieved or just exhausted.
But one thing was clear: this was only the beginning.
He closed his system panel and glanced at the door.
His mom would be calling him soon.
And despite everything—mysterious cores, broken systems, divine relics arguing over items online—he was still just Rey.
A son.
A student.
And now… a boy with a power even the system couldn't comprehend.
Rey sat still for a long moment, eyes blank, thoughts tangled.
He hadn't expected Aiden to hide something that important—not because he doubted Aiden's character, but because… it was something Aiden would totally do.
Still, things hadn't gone out of control. He'd caught it before it mattered. The system had adjusted, the bonds were forming properly now, and all he had to do…
"…is test everything I've got," Rey muttered, opening the relic interface in his system menu.
The familiar section opened.
Victor's image hovered beside a cascading panel of data—his sharp eyes, Crimson Red hair, and faint smirk still gave off the same mysterious, untouchable aura as the first time they met.
Rey's gaze slid to the Abilities tab.
Relic: Victor
1. Devouring Abyss (Passive)
Allows him to gain 2000% of the effects from any medicinal or consumable item. A passive effect, potent and deadly—but useless without something to consume.
'Alright, not something I can test right now.'
2. Eternal Darkness Body(Passive)
Boosts energy regeneration, sensory awareness, and cultivation efficiency by 1500%. This bonus increased—2000%—when he is submerged in darkness.
Rey's lips curled slightly.
"Just standing in a shadow turns me into a cheat."
3. Abyssal Regeneration(Active)
Converts stamina into healing. Can restore serious injuries and even reattach limbs if partially intact.
Healing speed and potency increase in darkness.
Rey had used this one already—and remembered how brutal, yet incredible, it felt.
4. Umbral Adaptation(Passive)
Grants resistance to light-elemental damage and purification-type magic.
Allows instant adaptation to any hostile environment.
Rey remembered how it had saved him in various situations. A quiet, unseen guardian.
5. Abyssal Blood Manipulation(Active)
Allows full control over blood. Can be used for healing, self-enhancement, or crafting weapons.
A terrifying power, once belonging to Victor in his prime—the "Blood God" of his world.
Victor had once said that this ability, after being mutated, has been changed into something entirely else. Now, Rey could feel just a sliver of its former might—and it still felt overwhelming.
6. Monarch's Blood(Passive)
A royal-tier bloodline born from darkness. Increases all darkness-based skill effects.
Also grants subconscious dominance over lesser dark entities.
Rey leaned back in awe.
Even the passive abilities alone could elevate him to monster-tier status with proper use.
With Victor's abilities noted, he shifted to the next relic spirit:
Relic: Aiden
Unlike Victor, Aiden wasn't battle-centric. His power lay elsewhere—in knowledge, comprehension, and spiritual control.
1. Abyssal Comprehension(Hybrid - Passive/Active)
Multiplies comprehension by 15,000% in general, and up to 20,000% in darkness.
Triples Intelligence stat passively. Boosts brain processing speed massively.
Rey still had chills remembering how fast his brain worked under its effect. It scared him… but also thrilled him.
2. Umbral Telekinesis(Active)
Move objects with mental force.
Current limit: 10kg. (Triples to 30kg in darkness.)
Simple, but satisfying. And very fun to train with.
3. Void Insight(Passive)
A mystical insight ability that allows the user to analyze skills, techniques, and even grasp high-level concepts with minimal exposure.
Similar to a protagonist's "copy-eye" cheat from a novel.
Rey had barely scratched the surface of this one… but the potential was terrifying.
4. Dark Dominion(Hybrid)
Passively increases mental resistance.
Lowers enemy resistance to illusions and mental interference.
In darkness, allows him to detect movement through spiritual waves and shadow displacement.
A battlefield disrupter. A hidden edge.
And still... that wasn't all.
Finally, Rey opened Zero's panel.
Relic: Zero
Her screen was… colder.
Minimalistic. Dark-themed. The layout was sharper, more compact. Even her relic image had the icy elegance of a supreme entity draped in shadows, her expression unreadable.
1. Dark Matter Manipulation(Active)
Control dark matter and base matter in the environment.
Currently locked at a limited percentage.
'Still beyond me for now,' Rey thought, frowning.
2. Eternal Darkforge(Passive)
Allows enhancement of the suit matter—both in quality and quantity.
Can be upgraded using Relic Points.
Rey blinked.
'Wait… I do have some points saved up.'
Without wasting time, he invested two points each into Quantity and Quality, upgrading both to F+ rank.
And immediately, a shift began.
His suit's fragments erupted outward, sheer numbers growing exponentially. His skin prickled as the dark particles layered across his body like smoke being pulled into fabric.
But then… the Quantity stat kicked in.
The number of visible particles shrank. The fragments thinned, compressed, and compacted.
Rey watched in stunned silence.
Despite fewer visible particles, the sheer mass and density of them remained… even increased. The suit was now finer, sleeker, stronger.
Impressed, Rey decided to upgrade the Quantity stat again.
But this time—
The number of particles dropped drastically, far below even the original count before any upgrades.
"…Huh?" he muttered, staring in disbelief.
"Hey! Aiden? Victor? What's happening?"
Victor didn't even look up. Aiden grunted, still half-buried in item listings.
No response.
So, Rey called on the source.
"Zero. What's going on with the suit?"
Her answer was short, sharp, and perfectly detached.
"Don't waste time over trivial appearances. Follow the path. Trust the results. They will show up on time."
Then she turned, vanishing silently into the white space like a shadow slipping beneath the surface of water.
"…Helpful as always," Rey muttered, rolling his eyes.
Still, even with the cryptic advice, Rey felt the progress.
Everything was coming together—his bonds, his core, his relics. Bit by bit, his abilities were aligning, evolving.
He took a deep breath and closed his system.
"I'll wait until I've got more upgrade points," he muttered. "Then I'll test them again properly."
For now… he just needed to keep moving forward.
Like Zero said—
Walk the path.
The fourth ability listed under Zero's name caught Rey's attention.
3. Item Genesis(Mutated from "Item Creation", Active)
A power that allowed him to create weapons or tools using Zero's dark matter and his own mana. After mutation, the created items are now Darkness-enhanced by default—granting buffs and passive resistances.
He had used the older version before, but now… it felt more refined. Cleaner. Focused.
'Pretty neat,' he thought. 'Now the items come with built-in darkness traits. Like crafting cursed gear with every use.'
4. Devourer's Grasp(Hybrid - Active/Passive) came next.
A strange, devouring power that allowed Zero's body to absorb equipment—armour, weapons, anything physical—and convert them into her own particles.
Once devoured, those items weren't truly gone. They could be resummoned from Zero's fragments in battle, though they couldn't return to their original form.
A permanent sacrifice, but one that made his relic suit stronger every time.
Then came the fifth.
5. Dark Arsenal(Passive)—a nightmare for Rey.
"Why is it always weapon training?" he muttered.
This ability gave him access to various weapon forms embedded in Zero's particles, allowing him to summon and use them instantly.
It would've been cool—if he actually liked learning weapons.
But Aiden, of course, had other thoughts.
"To walk the path of greatness, you must master every form of battle."
Rey remembered asking why he had to follow Aiden's master's path… only to be answered with an internal pain so hellish he still felt phantom aches from it.
"Ugh… It's like being stabbed by a thousand molten needles again," Rey muttered, wincing at the memory.
The last ability was the most mysterious of all:
6. Core Resonance. (Unknown)
A utility-type power. One that allowed him to form energy cores on his suit—external mana orbs that could store and release vast amounts of energy at will.
Until now, he hadn't used it.
But with the way his Abyssal Comprehension had surprised him with hidden passives, he couldn't ignore anything anymore.
"Let's try it," he muttered.
He focused inward.
Mana pulsed inside his body—once wild and chaotic, it now flowed with clarity. He traced the source of that control to his Darksyth Core. The wild mana that once refused to obey now slept obediently within it.
He didn't know what changed it, but this core wasn't normal. Not by a long shot.
The system still hadn't fully analyzed it.
And yet, his body felt… synchronised.
Rey directed his mana toward Zero's inner structure, searching for the ability icon for Core Resonance.
When he found it, it appeared as a small black orb with three glowing lights hovering inside—simple, but pulsing with potential.
He willed his mana to flow into it.
The moment the energy connected, he felt a pull.
A strange sensation formed in his right shoulder.
A soft heat. A small sting.
Rey opened his eyes and turned toward the mirror.
A circular orb, no bigger than a coin, had formed over the nano-layered suit. It shimmered faintly—blue mana swirled inside, tinged with a dark hue like a storm cloud floating in a pool of light.
His mana… had been stored.
'Like a battery,' Rey realised.
He checked his internal reserves and was shocked to see half of his total mana gone—already transferred into the new core.
'So this is… an emergency supply? A backup core?'
He grinned. "Now that's useful."
Not stopping there, Rey poured more of his mana into the ability, trying to see how many cores he could form.
Another appeared—this time on his left shoulder.
Then a third, at the center of his back.
But after that, nothing.
He pushed a bit more… and nothing happened.
'So the limit's three for now.'
Still, it was impressive.
Three external mana cores, filled and ready, embedded directly into his suit.
He looked over to Aiden and Victor, eager to show them his discovery.
But both were staring at the computer screen like lifeless statues.
"…?"
A second later, both of them fell back in exaggerated despair.
Rey blinked. "Okay… what happened now?"
He walked over.
The market screen was still open—rows of items on display. Mostly low-tier pills, rusty weapons, and junk monster fragments.
Nothing worthwhile.
Aiden was slumped like a defeated merchant.
"Five hundred and sixteen pages… and not one decent thing. This whole site is garbage."
Victor, arms crossed, simply nodded. Then vanished with a sigh.
"Aiden, call me if anything remotely interesting shows up. I'm done wasting time."
Rey chuckled. "Ouch. That bad?"
"Worse," Aiden muttered as he closed the tab in frustration.
Just before he returned to his relic space, Rey stopped him.
"Wait. Before you vanish too—where are we supposed to sell those monster materials from the last dungeon?"
"They're just rotting in my inventory."
Aiden perked up, his frustration melting slightly.
"Ah, those? Don't worry—I found a buyer. There's an underground market nearby, and I confirmed the location."
"You… what?"
"I asked around. Told some forum users I was passing through and looking to buy stuff locally."
"You talked to random users? What if they trace it back to me?!"
Aiden waved a hand nonchalantly.
"Relax. I never gave your name or location. They assumed I was some powerful nomad or rogue buyer. A couple of idiots even begged me to join their hunting teams."
He laughed like a devil who'd scammed a room full of nobles.
Rey just stared at him.
"…You're impossible."
"Thank you," Aiden said proudly.
Rey sighed.
"…Fine. When do we go to this underground market?"
"Soon. But we'll need to prepare properly. That place might be shady."
Rey leaned back.
So much to do. So many powers. So many layers.
And yet—this was only the beginning.
Aiden's maniacal laugh echoed in Rey's mind as he vanished, leaving behind a trail of chaos and shivers.
"Psycho," Rey muttered, shaking his head as he closed the market tab. He made sure to erase all traces of it from the screen—especially with Jasmine or Emmy possibly passing by.
With some time to kill before dinner, Rey decided to clean up his room.
He started sorting through his shelves and table, brushing off the layers of dust that had settled there during exam season. Books, old papers, broken pens—some things were kept, others tossed.
This had once been his little academic battlefield.
But now, he wouldn't need it anymore.
A quiet realisation struck him: this chapter of his life had closed. And no matter what came next, it would never quite be the same again.
Jasmine's voice rang out from downstairs.
"Rey, can you come help in the kitchen?"
He wiped his hands and headed down.
As he stepped into the kitchen, he spotted Emmy—his little sister—standing on a stool, trying her best to stir a large bowl with her tiny arms.
He couldn't help but smile.
"Here, Emmy. Let me take that," Rey said, reaching for the bowl.
"Nooo! I wanna help Mom too!" Emmy pouted, hugging the bowl tighter as she wobbled a bit.
"Come on, don't start," Rey smirked, effortlessly taking the bowl from her. "Go watch TV or something."
"I'm the helper today! You go away!" she shouted, jumping up and trying to grab it back, but Rey simply bumped her away with a gentle nudge of his hip.
She stumbled back but didn't fall—thankfully. Any more force, and Jasmine might've thrown the bowl at him.
"Mom! Brother's bullying me again!" Emmy cried out dramatically, rubbing her shoulder like she'd been shot.
Jasmine turned without looking. "Rey, don't be rough. And Emmy, no tattling for every little thing. Go watch your cartoons or finish your homework."
For a second, Emmy looked victorious—until the second half of Jasmine's sentence sank in.
Her triumphant grin twisted into a pout as she stomped off with exaggerated huffs.
Rey grinned and stuck his tongue out behind Jasmine's back to tease her more, making her erupt in anger.
Jasmine chuckled, having seen it all through the kitchen window reflection.
These little moments—they were a soft warmth Rey rarely allowed himself to enjoy. But right now, they felt precious.
Two hours later, the dining table was packed with food—his favourites, from spiced meat to seasoned vegetables, laid out like a small celebration.
"So," Jasmine said with a gentle smile, raising her glass of fruit juice, "today marks the end of Rey's high school life. A big step toward his future. Let's celebrate his efforts—and everything that lies ahead."
Emmy raised her glass too, copying her mom's movement with wide eyes and a proud smile.
Rey held his glass, overwhelmed by a warmth that settled deep in his chest.
The meal began with laughter.
Though the celebration was for him, Emmy seemed to be having the time of her life—talking, eating, spilling things, and acting like it was her party.
Rey didn't mind.
It felt right. It felt real.
But just as he was biting into a perfectly roasted leg, Aiden's voice crawled into his head.
"Kid… cherish these moments of peace. After this, they might not come again for a long time."
'Can you not?' Rey replied, mentally grimacing. 'I'm having dinner, not marching to war.'
"It's the truth. Once you step into the real world—the true world—this kind of peace becomes rare or maybe only a dream. Hold onto it while you can… or you'll regret it later."
Then silence.
A heavy silence that stuck with him long after Aiden's voice faded.
As dinner continued, Jasmine suddenly turned serious.
"So, Rey," she asked, her voice calm, "now that high school's over… what do you want to do? I support you no matter what path you choose."
Rey froze for half a second.
He'd known this was coming. He'd rehearsed it in his head over and over.
"…I've actually been thinking about that a lot, Mom," he said slowly. "And after a lot of back and forth, I've made up my mind."
He looked her in the eye, the flickering candlelight reflecting off his gaze.
"I want to enter a Martial University. I want to walk the path of strength… not just for myself, but for our family. Maybe even restore the name we lost back then."
The second half had slipped out—almost subconsciously.
Even he didn't know if it was a dream or just a distant, aching wish.
Emmy's eyes lit up like a spark.
"Whaaat! Big Brother's gonna be one of those super cool martial guys? Like the ones in shows who can shoot fire and fly?!"
Her excitement made her spit out bits of food as she talked.
Jasmine instantly turned toward her. "Emmy, no talking with your mouth full!"
Rey laughed.
But then Jasmine's eyes found his again, and this time, there was a storm of emotions hidden behind them.
"…And where exactly is this university?" she asked softly. "Is it nearby?"
"No," Rey said honestly. "It's a new one. Still being built. But it's already accepting early students. It's called Noctis Arcanum University—in the capital city of the Empire."
The name seemed to ring a bell inside Jasmine.
She stared for a long moment—then sighed.
"I see…"
There was silence.
Then a small, bittersweet smile curved her lips.
"…You have the same eyes as your father. That quiet fire."
She stood up and walked over to him.
"You have my blessing, Rey. But listen—if you ever feel lost… if you ever feel like the road ahead is too dark to walk alone… come back. No matter how far you go, this will always be home."
Her voice cracked, just barely.
But Rey felt something tighten in his throat.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll carry your words with me. Always."
Jasmine wiped her eyes and laughed it off.
"Look at you, talking like you'll live forever. You've been watching too many dramas."
"Maybe," Rey smiled.
"Hey! Me too!" Emmy shouted, trying not to be forgotten. "Big Brother, if you ever get hurt, I'll beat up the bad guys!"
"Haha! Yes, my little warrior." Jasmine pulled Emmy into her lap and tickled her.
Laughter filled the room.
And for Rey, this moment—this warmth—was something he silently vowed to protect.
No matter what.
As Rey watched his mother and little sister laugh and mess around in the kitchen, he felt a strange sense of peace settle in his chest.
A rare warmth.
For a moment, he forgot about spirits, relics, powers, and unknown paths.
It was just home.
A half-hour later, dinner was done, dishes were cleaned, and the quiet hum of the night returned.
"Mom, I'm heading to my room," Rey said softly.
Jasmine gave him a nod, brushing her damp hands on her apron.
Upstairs, Rey yawned, stretching his arms as he walked into his room. Today had been a lot—physically and emotionally—and his body was starting to feel it.
But just as he was about to flop onto his bed…
Two familiar figures were floating in the air, arms crossed, eyes locked on him.
"…What now?" Rey blinked. "Did I forget something?"
Victor raised a brow and slowly drifted toward him. "You forgot something… and now you're even forgetting what you forgot?"
Rey blinked again. "Ah! Right—the trash. The waste items. I need to throw them out before they get forgotten and Mom finds them." He moved toward the bound books and waste
"...You're hopeless," Aiden sighed, and without another word, he hurled a thick book at Rey's head using his telekinesis.
Thwack!
"Ouch! Damn it, that actually hurt!" Rey clutched his head. "Can't you guys just tell me straight instead of playing riddles?!"
"No drama," Aiden said, smirking. "Time to move. We're heading to the Underground Market to sell the materials and..."
"We might actually find something decent there," Victor added, both of them speaking in eerie unison like two shady merchants preparing for a deal.
"Wait—let me get ready first—"
But before Rey could finish, his entire outfit shimmered and changed in an instant.
His casual clothes vanished.
In their place: a dark, hooded cloak that veiled his form. A sleek mask covered everything but his eyes. His hands were now gloved, sleeves long and loose to hide any trace of identity.
"…Right. Of course. I guess I didn't need to ask," Rey mumbled, now fully disguised like a masked rogue.
He silently locked his door behind him, opened his window, and climbed out with the ease of routine.
Activating Phantom Stride, his figure flickered and vanished, landing silently in the backyard.
With a smooth wave of his hand, his window shut behind him, closed by a gentle pulse of telekinesis.
"All right," Rey muttered, adjusting his mask. "Where to?"
Aiden's voice echoed in his mind, sharp and clear.
"Follow my directions. We're not taking the main roads—too many eyes. We go through the back alleys."
Rey slipped through narrow lanes and unlit streets, navigating the dim cityscape like a shadow guided by whispers.
The deeper he went, the quieter it got.
Eventually, he reached a strange, slit-thin passage between two buildings. A narrow alley that looked like it belonged in another world.
At its end, hidden in the blackened stone, stood two towering men in sleek, black suits. Each over six feet tall, their aura buzzed with barely restrained power—Peak Initiates, no doubt. The dim lighting made them nearly invisible, as if they belonged to the shadows.
They stood still.
Silent. Unmoving.
Rey stepped forward under Aiden's direction, his boots barely making a sound.
No words were spoken.
Then, Rey spoke the phrase Aiden had taught him—an old entry code passed down among those who dealt in secrets and shadows.
"Heaven falls. Shadow remains.
Silent step. Leave the fame."
There was silence.
Then the taller guard replied, his voice gravelly and deep.
"Enter. Fade. Obey."
One of them stepped aside, pressing a hidden button beside a rusted wall panel.
A click. A hum. A disguised elevator door slid open—old, mechanical, and covered in scratches—but functional.
Rey stepped inside.
The doors closed behind him.
And with a slow groan of metal, the lift began to descend.
Both guards exhaled as the lift descended, sensing a terrifying aura from Rey. They misinterpreted him as a big shot coming down for a deal, so they didn't ask him for anything.
Little did they know that the person they perceived as powerful was merely a façade created by Aiden, without Rey even being aware of it.
Meanwhile, inside the lift...
At first, all he saw through the glass pane was a blank stone wall.
Then, the wall gave way to something else.
A slow gasp escaped his lips.
His eyes widened as the light from below revealed the underbelly of the city—a vast, multi-level sprawl hidden beneath the capital, glowing with an eerie purple hue.
Black-market stalls twisted like roots. Towering merchants cloaked in veils. Shouts, whispers, and the scent of blood, incense, and much more.
He had arrived.
The Underground Market.
And what awaited him within…
--> To be continued…
Brace yourself.
The peaceful warmth has ended.
Now begins the descent into chaos, secrets, and destiny.