The capital of Aerlion rose from the earth like a geometric crown, its hexagonal walls cutting precise angles against the horizon. From above, the city resembled a spider's web carved in stone, three concentric rings radiating outward from the royal castle at its heart.Guards paced the ramparts, their armor glinting in the morning sun. They moved with practiced vigilance, eyes scanning the roads that stretched toward distant provinces. More sentries waited at the main gates below, where the rumble of wagon wheels mingled with merchants' haggling and the bleating of livestock.

"State your business," a guard called out, his voice cutting through the din. A line of travelers shuffled forward, clutching papers and parcels, their boots scraping against worn cobblestones.

Beyond the outer wall, the first circle teemed with life. Smoke curled from countless chimneys, carrying the scent of baking bread and coal fires. Common folk jostled through narrow streets, their rough-spun clothes brushing against the occasional silk-clad merchant who dared venture into the crowded markets. Children darted between legs, their laughter piercing the constant murmur of voices.

The second wall loomed ahead, its gates flanked by stone towers. Here, the chaos gave way to measured order. Cobblestones were swept clean, and houses stood apart like well-dressed nobles at court. The air itself seemed lighter, perfumed with lavender from manicured gardens. Church bells chimed the hour, their bronze voices echoing off academy walls where young nobles studied behind glass windows.

At the city's heart, beyond the final wall, mansions sprawled across emerald lawns. Here, silence was a luxury afforded only to the powerful.

And at the very center, the castle pierced the sky with its ancient towers, a stone guardian watching over the endless pulse of life below.

In the heart of Aerlion, where emerald lawns stretched beneath azure skies, stood the lavish mansions of the kingdom's most illustrious residents, heroes and royalty alike. Among these grand estates lived the richest and most noble lords, basking in opulence, granted every desire, and reveling in lives unrestrained by ordinary limits.

The heroes, too, claimed their place of honor, their lives often more extraordinary than those of the nobility. Many had been born and raised in Aerlion's capital, while others hailed from distant kingdoms and foreign lands. Yet all shared an air of untouchable power, their abilities so vast they transcended the bounds of humanity. These heroes were not merely strong, they were born exceptional, their potential boundless. By the tender age of ten, some already matched the might of A-Rank warriors, and by twenty, they soared beyond level 200, unstoppable forces of nature.

Yet, nestled within this city of legends was a distinct group of humans, those who appeared ordinary but were anything but. Raised and forged under the relentless tutelage of the heroes, these individuals endured grueling training that honed their skills to razor sharpness. When calamity struck the kingdom, these warriors became the first line of defense, sent into the fray to face dangers deemed beneath the heroes' notice. To the heroes, such disasters were but minor irritations, no more troubling than a mosquito's buzz. It was these chosen few who handled the trials that could be dismissed, preserving the heroes for the battles that truly demanded their unparalleled might.

The heroes were simply unmatched in strength. A single strike from one of them could fell a dragon outright. Their power was not just formidable, it was beyond measure. Yet, these champions were summoned only for the gravest of crises: wars or threats surpassing even the might of dragons.

Threats within the kingdom were categorized into three tiers. The first tier, common threats, could be managed by bounty hunters and the Vanguard, a formidable band of knights, some boasting A-Rank or even S-Rank strength. The second tier involved dragon-level threats, which demanded the intervention of the Pale Reapers. These warriors undertook quests once reserved for heroes before their rise.

At the pinnacle were demon-level threats, the realm where true heroes were indispensable. Demons, especially demon lords, were forces of horrendous destruction, beings who thrived on the ruin of the Goddess's creation, leaving nothing but carnage in their wake. Only such devastating monsters would call forth heroes from their exalted posts.

Yet, just two days ago, in the southern town of Aria, something unexpected shattered this order. A bizarre event unfolded, spreading rumors like wildfire across the kingdom. They named it the Day of the Shadow, the day when Aria was swallowed by darkness, and the world itself seemed to hold its breath.

The event was visible from thousands of miles away, like a dark storm devouring a swath of the land. Whispers spread quickly, some blamed a demon, but the rumors soon faltered under the stark reality. Demons, ruthless as they were, would have left nothing standing; the entire town of Aria would have been razed to rubble and ash. Yet, remarkably, the townspeople survived unharmed.

That was, except for one group: the Black Cloud Guild. Almost all of its members were slaughtered with brutal efficiency. Only two survived, one fled into the shadows, while another was found unconscious amidst the wreckage, rescued but broken.

The terrifying figure responsible for the carnage radiated a power so immense it darkened the entire town. After descriptions circulated, it was widely believed the entity was human, likely a hunter or a worshipper of demon gods from the far eastern lands. Despite being human, this being was a grave threat, a problem that demanded swift action.

The feat of obliterating an entire guild alone, including an S-Rank member, and enveloping a town in shadow confirmed the threat's magnitude: unmistakably dragon level. The Vanguard lacked the strength to confront such a foe; only the Pale Reapers were fit to pursue this menace. Yet, the danger was still beneath the threshold that called for the heroes themselves, this was a battle fierce but not worthy of their attention.

Near the heart of Aerlion, just beyond the castle's protective walls, stood a mansion close to the scorched training grounds where the Pale Reapers had honed their devastating skills. The earth around the area was scarred and rough, a silent testament to the overwhelming power unleashed during their relentless practice.

Inside the mansion, a grand chamber held a massive round table draped in pristine white cloth. Emblazoned on the fabric was a striking symbol: two black scythes crossed in an X, their blades facing opposite directions, a mark of deadly precision and unity. Around the table, seven figures occupied high-backed chairs crafted from gleaming, fine wood, their presence commanding respect and authority.

Each wore flowing white robes, long coats bearing the scythe emblem emblazoned on their backs. Every individual possessed formidable power in their own right, united by duty and purpose.

Among them was Adrian Barker, a tall, dark-skinned man with piercing blue eyes and styled dreadlocks that framed his face. With a deep, commanding voice, he leaned forward slightly and placed a worn wanted poster in the center of the table, obscuring the emblem beneath.

"That's him," Adrian declared, eyes locking on the others. "I'm sure you've already seen these wanted posters, they've spread fast." The gravity in his voice filled the room, underscoring the urgency of the hunt.

Ben Lauren, a shorter man with pale white skin and tightly cropped brown hair, reached forward to take the worn wanted poster. His brown eyes narrowed as he studied the image, tracing the edges with a careful finger. His soft voice cut through the quiet room. "So this is the guy that almost wiped out an entire guild?"

Across the table, Hannah Tunner sat with a composed grace. Her slim, athletic frame seemed poised and ready, her long, flowing red hair tumbling loosely to just near her waist. Her sharp red eyes fixed on the poster, unwavering and intense. She folded her hands neatly in her lap before speaking. "He did more than that. They say he covered the entire town in shadow."

Ben nodded slowly as he placed the flyer back on the polished wooden table. "Yes, I've heard," he said quietly, the weight of the words settling firmly in the room.

Kingsley Dome, with his long blond hair cascading loosely over his broad shoulders, lifted the poster. His golden eyes softened as he examined the white-scaled mask that concealed the figure's face. His voice, gentle and almost like a lullaby, broke the silence. "We don't have much to go on, do we? We can't even tell his face since he's hiding behind a mask."

Adrian Barker leaned forward, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table's surface. His deep voice was calm but measured. "We have some info on him, but it's not really much to go on."

Karen Reacher, her pink eyes sparkling with faint amusement, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was soft, tinged with knowing. "They call him the Shadow Hunter." She smiled lightly before continuing. "It says he was wearing a C-rank necklace, obviously a false ranker. An assassin type as well."

At her side, Harry Turner shifted subtly. His short red hair caught the light as he glanced at the poster, his red eyes mirroring the intense gaze shared by his twin sister, Hannah. Though silent, his expression spoke volumes.

Anna White exhaled softly, her long black hair falling in smooth waves that matched Karen's in sheen and depth. Her dark eyes, serious and contemplative, fixed on the wanted poster as she spoke quietly, "He must be an S-rank, a very powerful one at that. He's obviously reached level 200 or higher. Otherwise, there's no way he could have done all this."

Karen gave a small smile, amusement flickering in her pink eyes as they briefly glowed a faint dark pink before settling back to their usual shade. "That's exactly what I was thinking." She leaned forward slightly, voice low but steady. "The man took on a whole guild by himself... in just one night. The power he wielded, it's unlike anything anyone's felt before." Her tone dropped to an almost whisper. "Fascinating."

Adrian Barker's deep voice cut through the room, steady and commanding. "Right. Since this was reported, the threat has been classified as, a dragon-level threat. It's up to us to handle it. The reason we're meeting here is to decide who is going."

Karen leaned back, relaxing into her high-backed chair, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Her voice carried a teasing edge as she said, "Isn't it obvious? It's Anna."

Anna's jaw tightened as she fixed Karen with a sharp glare, gritting her teeth. "Why me?" she asked, voice tight with barely concealed frustration.

Before she could protest further, Adrian interrupted without hesitation. "Because you're the weakest," he said bluntly.

The words escaped Anna with a low groan rather than a gasp, her frustration clear.

Adrian continued, voice measured but firm. "You're the only one still at level 290. All the rest of us are 300 and above."

Ben looked at Anna with a mixture of sympathy and resolve. "Yeah," he said quietly. "This is your chance to level up, after you eliminate the threat."

"Hannah's tone was even. 'He's right, Anna. Do you remember what happened before? We don't want to relive that.' Her gaze was serious, and in that moment, understanding shadowed Anna's face, a subtle mix of sadness and regret flickering in her eyes.

A small smile touched Harry's lips. 'Hey, if you're not up for it, I can take the mission. No worries.'

Anna's response was sharp. 'No. I'll go.'

Karen's lips curled into a playful smirk. 'Oh? Trying to outdo me again?'

Harry grinned back, a flash of competitiveness in his eyes. 'Damn it, you're only ten levels above me! I'll catch up, eventually.'

Karen chuckled, her voice still light. 'In your dreams.'

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Adrian cleared his throat, changing the subject. 'Alright, then, Anna. It's decided. You're taking point on this mission.'

Hannah frowned, tapping a finger on the table. 'So, we estimate this Shadowhunter is above level 200, but can't be stronger than Anna, right?'

Anna met Hannah's eyes, a hint of steel in her voice. 'Of course not.'

Harry shrugged, a note of uncertainty in his tone. 'Well, we can't be certain.'

Anna's hands clenched into fists. 'No. He isn't stronger than me. Is that what you're thinking? Because he shrouded a whole town in shadow with some trick skill? Nothing happened there.'

Adrian began to speak, 'But still, an aerial skill with that much range...'

Before he could finish, Anna exploded from her seat, slamming her palms against the table with a resounding thud. The sound echoed in the sudden silence. Stop it! Why is it always like this? Just because I'm the weakest, you think... I can't handle this? You think he's stronger than me?'"

"Adrian interjected, 'Come down, Anna. We're not saying he is, we're just acknowledging it's a possibility.'

Anna's shout was laced with disbelief. 'A possibility?' She let out a short, humorless chuckle. 'You think I don't know? You all underestimate me. Just because I'm the weakest.'

Karen's tone was deliberately teasing. 'Oh, Anna, you're not the weakest. You're just... not as strong as the rest of us. You're not weak.' Anna glared at her.

Before Anna could respond, Ben cut in. 'Look, I was simply saying you shouldn't underestimate the opponent.'

Anna scoffed, 'Like *I* have a tendency to do that? I'm saying you shouldn't underestimate *me*.'

Adrian's voice held a note of warning. 'Anna, sit down.'

Anna met his gaze, defiance burning in her eyes. 'No,' she retorted.

Adrian sighed, exasperation lacing his voice. 'You're being childish.'

Anna gritted her teeth. 'What? Just because I'm the youngest? You're calling me childish now?'

Adrian looked at Anna, his voice dropping to a low growl. 'I won't repeat myself.'

Anna met Adrian's gaze, and a flicker of fear crossed her features. His eyes were glowing a faint white, and an almost invisible, white smoke was subtly emanating from him, barely perceptible but clear to everyone in the room. His aura sent a chill of dread through Anna. She saw it, and slowly, she sat back down.

Karen sighed, her voice laced with annoyance. 'Ah, honestly. Do you have to do this every time? Always ruining the mood? I was simply giving you advice... to be careful. Now you're ranting on about us underestimating you?"

Anna stared down at the table, her fists clenched beneath the surface, her anger a tightly leashed beast.

Adrian continued, his voice firm, "You'll be taking some Vanguard members with you."

Anna's head snapped up, a spark of defiance in her eyes. "What? I don't need them."

"That wasn't a suggestion, Anna," Adrian replied, his tone brooking no argument. "You will take five members. You're heading to Aria to investigate all the towns in that region."

"They'll just slow me down," Anna protested, her voice tight. "I can fly there myself. It'll be faster."

Kingsley leaned forward, his expression grim. "We don't know what we're truly facing, Anna. That's why the team is essential. Each of them is S-rank. The man may not be operating alone, and the report mentioned teleportation." He paused, considering. "It seems he can teleport with others."

Hannah spoke up, "The report didn't mention any allies."

Kingsley countered, "That doesn't mean they don't exist. He could have companions...or a pet."

Anna scoffed, the sound sharp. "A pet? You think *a pet* could actually defeat me?"

Karen tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Can you defeat the Hydra of Tyranny, Anna?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered. The answer, unspoken, was a resounding no.

Harry cut through the tension, his voice direct. "We're getting off track. The bottom line is, Anna, you're investigating Aria and its surrounding towns. You'll be taking five Vanguard members. End of discussion."

Anna didn't answer, her jaw clenched, her silence a defiant statement.

Adrian said, his voice taking on a finality, "Alright. This meeting is adjourned. We will reconvene when you return… with the culprit's head." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the remaining figures. "Until then, maintain contact."

A faint, blue-white light enveloped each of the remaining members. Then, Adrian's eyes flashed a brilliant white, and they vanished from the room in an instant.

The room was utterly silent. Empty. The building stood deserted, its occupants all transported back to their previous locations.

****

The day after the carnage, Mani was trapped within the sterile confines of the clinic, lost in a world of shadows. She was still bedridden, her form seemingly adrift in a sea of unconsciousness. Her short, raven hair, usually a sign of her fiery spirit, was now a tangled mess, clinging damply to her brow. She was clad in a simple, white robe, a stark contrast to the vibrant life she embodied. Beside her, stood Leonard, the physician, his presence a silent guardian. He was the owner of the Aria clinic, the town's healer, a saint. His short, sun-kissed blonde hair framed a face etched with concern, and his golden eyes, usually brimming with warmth, now held a flicker of uncertainty. He wore the plain clothing of his profession - a white shirt, practical trousers, and sturdy boots. The midday sun cast long shadows through the clinic windows, but the town of Aria was still shrouded in a lingering dread, a palpable fear that clung to the air like a shroud after the horrors of the previous day.

Leonard rolled up his sleeves, the familiar gesture failing to soothe the unease that gnawed at him. *Those guards… they practically begged me to bring her back. Said she had vital information about the hunter. But I've tried everything. Everything I know. And still...* He sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. *"It's like she doesn't want to wake up. Doesn't want my help."* He steeled himself. "Well," he murmured, "I have no choice."

He gently placed his hand upon Mani's forehead. A soft, golden light bloomed from his touch, washing over her like a warm, yet fleeting, embrace. Then, a change, a shift. Mani's body temperature began to surge, her skin flushing, beads of sweat erupting across her face. Her brow furrowed, and her teeth clenched in the silent agony of the unconscious.

Mani found herself adrift in an abyss of pure darkness, a world devoid of form or substance. Emptiness was her only companion, an unending expanse where sound itself was swallowed by the void, save for the echo of her own ragged breath, a lonely pulse in the stillness. The ground beneath her felt like a chasm of cold, a chilling presence that seemed to seep into her very bones, as if she were walking on the edge of nothingness.

Suddenly, within the suffocating blackness, a beacon appeared: a shimmering, grayscale light. It pulsed with a strange, almost otherworldly energy, and a scene began to form within it. Mani's eyes widened, drawn to the spectacle. "Hello?" she called out, her voice swallowed by the echoing void. "Please, help me. Where am I?" She began to run, her desperate pleas echoing through the emptiness.

But the gray light remained stubbornly distant, as if the miles were endless, the distance never closing. She ran and ran, her breath growing ragged, until exhaustion forced her to a standstill. Then, without warning, the grayscale light hurtled towards her, closing the impossible distance in an instant.

It wasn't a light. It was a scene, a tableau rendered in shades of gray. Two figures stood before her: a bed, and her mother, lying upon it, her eyes wide open. She was blinking, but unmoving, lost in a frozen moment. Mani was stunned. "Mother?" she whispered, the name a fragile sound.

Her father stood on the other side of the bed. A harsh, humorless laughter ripped from him, a sound that shattered the fragile silence. "You see?" he said, his voice laced with a cruel satisfaction. "I warned your mother. Warned her not to use that skill. But in the end, this is what happened." He chuckled again, the sound devoid of mirth. "She went mad. I couldn't reach her. She can't sleep, can't eat, can't do anything. Look at her!"

Mani stared at her mother, a wave of fear washing over her. Mani's form was trembling.

Mani's father, an older man with a face that echoed her own features, buried his face in his hands, and tears began to flow. "I lost her," he choked out, his voice thick with grief. "Every death… every single one *she* felt… it was like a piece of her was torn away. I could see it, feel it, but I couldn't stop it. All because of those nights... because she was forced to track their lives, to know when we lost one of them." He looked up at Mani, his eyes overflowing. "All for a promise… a reward. To get you into the Capitals Academy. I told her… I begged her. You didn't need school. You could have stayed here, farmed the land, like me." His voice cracked. "But she was always so stubborn. Always wanted the best for you. And in the end… this is what she got."

He looked towards his wife, and his gaze drifted to a point in space. "They killed the dragon, yes, but at what cost? So many lives lost… *She* said that with each death, she felt like she died alongside them. Now, look at her."

Tears streamed down Mani's face as she whispered, "Father, this wasn't her fault. I'm so sorry. I should have listened." She reached for her mother's hand, her fingers brushing against the spectral form. But her mother's hand turned to a shimmering white mist, dissipating into nothingness.

Mani gasped, recoiling as the last vestiges of her mother vanished.

Her father turned to her, his face contorted with a mixture of pain and accusation. "You're no different," he spat, the words laced with venom. "You see what it did to *her*? And I warned you. Warned you not to use it. Warned you not to join those… those criminals. But the moment they flashed the money, you turned a deaf ear, didn't you?"

"I loved your mother," her father said, his voice raw with a mixture of love and resentment. "But she was greedy. And you… you're just like her. The moment you see money, you'll do anything to get it. The moment there's a chance at a 'better life,' a life with less struggle, you'll risk anything to grasp it. Won't you?"

Mani stumbled backward as her father advanced, his silhouette a looming shadow against the grayscale backdrop. "None of you… ever thought about what *I* thought. None of you ever considered how *I* felt."

Mani stumbled back again, and finally, fell to the dark floor. She scrambled onto her knees, bowed her head, and pressed her forehead against the cold, solid darkness. "I'm sorry," she whispered, the words a fragile offering. "I'm sorry I was so selfish. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, Father. I didn't know."

Her father cut her off, his voice sharp. "Don't give me that. You knew the risks. You knew where this path led."

Mani closed her eyes. "I know. I'm so sorry. Even after everything you taught me, I… I hadn't learned. I was ignorant. And greedy. I'm sorry I didn't… consider your feelings. I'm sorry I left you alone with Mother. I'm sorry you had to bury her by yourself. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" The words tumbled from her lips, a litany of regret.

Silence descended.

She looked up, and her father's gaze bore into her. He sighed, the sound heavy with weariness. "Your mother… she was barely clinging to *her* sanity, just as she *is* now. There was only one person left alive… one person who was… who made her keep it all together. And that person died. And that… that's what brought her to this."

Mani blinked, and the figure before her shifted. Her father was gone, replaced by a version of herself. But this "other" Mani was… wrong. Her hair was a pristine white, her eyes the color of freshly fallen snow. A chilling smile stretched across her face, a grin devoid of warmth, of any semblance of empathy. "It's the same with us, you know," she said, her voice unnaturally high-pitched, almost a squeak. The other Mani put her hands behind her back, leaning down towards the kneeling Mani. "There are two people left. Two."

She paused, considering. "The first? Jacob. From the guild. I wonder how he survived." A short, cruel laugh escaped her. "Probably ran."

"The second one…" she continued, her voice dripping with a morbid curiosity. "Now, *he's* interesting. This… *skill* of ours… You were starting to truly understand it, weren't you?"

She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto Mani's. "Every death… it wasn't just the pain, the suffering we shared. We began to *understand*. To truly understand the skill. As soon as we're linked to another person, we know everything. Their skills, their power, their level… in time, maybe even their secrets."

Mani's eyes widened, shock battling with a burgeoning understanding. Her other self… talking to her… but the conversation felt less like a dialogue and more like a thought, a shared experience. A conversation with something… different.

The white-haired Mani straightened, her smile never faltering. "The other person," she said, her voice taking on a new, almost hungry tone, "as soon as we link ourselves to them, we know their name, too."

"Kai. His name is Kai."

A swirl of white smoke erupted beside the white-haired Mani, and a boy materialized. He, too, was rendered in black and white, but the colors quickly returned. He had short, black hair, eyes the color of fresh blood, and wore tattered, worn clothing, the garb of a beggar. Mani gasped, her eyes widening. She fell back onto the floor, staring at him. "What? But that's…"

The white-haired Mani chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "Are you scared? Don't worry. He resembles that man you fear, but this isn't him. Yet, you should feel something about him. You see, this boy…"

The white-haired Mani vanished in a blink, reappearing behind the materialized boy. She placed her hands on his shoulders, her head resting against his, her white hair a stark contrast to his dark locks. "This boy carries a curse," she breathed, her voice hushed, conspiratorial. "Not like those petty curses that prevent walking, sleeping, or even blinking. No, this one is different. Fascinating. You already know what it is, don't you? We've always being able to tell from a single touch."

Mani shook her head, fear constricting her throat. "I… I don't know. What… What *are* you?"

The other Mani rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Oh, please. We already know what I am. We need to focus on this boy. Before you wake up. He has a curse… a curse that doesn't allow him to die. It's not that he *can't* die, he just… can't *stay* dead. Fascinating, isn't it? And we're linked to him."

Mani's eyes widened in horror. "What? But I never… I didn't…"

The white-haired Mani cut her off, her voice triumphant. "But *I* did."

"What? But how? This… doesn't make any sense." Mani grabbed her head, shaking it, as if to dislodge the impossible.

The white-haired Mani brushed off the protests. "You don't need to understand it, not yet."

"Why?"

"You don't get it, do you?" Her grin widened. "Every death… we grow stronger. We level up. But in return, we feel their pain, their suffering… well, not all of it, but enough to make us *regret* it." Her voice took on a note of manic excitement. "But this boy… with this boy, who *can't* die… imagine how strong we can become."

She moved closer to Kai, embracing him from behind. Her hands, as pale as her hair, phased through his abdomen, a ghostly caress. "We'll be the strongest crystal mages. Ever. And even if he dies, whenever he comes back… we'll still be linked. *Still* linked together."

With a sudden puff of smoke, Kai vanished. The white-haired Mani knelt, her face inches from Mani's. She ran a hand across Mani's cheek, the touch cold and unsettling. "Make sure… to find him. Bring him back. He's precious… to us."

Suddenly, the white-haired Mani shimmered, instantly erupting in a blinding white light.

Mani gasped, her eyes snapping open.

She was back in the clinic.

The physician, his eyes wide with shock and relief, was standing over her. "You're awake!" he exclaimed.

Mani coughed, still disoriented.

"Please, don't move," the physician said, and then rushed out of the room.

The physician had gone to fetch water. Mani stared at the ceiling, and a single word, raw and dry, escaped her throat. "Kai."

***

Deep within the bustling town of Aria, Kai sat perched on a rooftop, savoring a piece of bread. His mouth was full, and a wide smile stretched across his face. The sun bathed him in its warmth, and he thought, "Oh, this bread is so good." He chuckled to himself. "Can't believe she actually gave me a discount… because I'm a beggar." It was worth it. He chewed, relishing the crunch. Swallowing, he looked up at the sky, a gentle breeze rustling through his slightly messy hair, his crimson eyes fixed on the endless blue. *I wonder… I wonder if I'll see him again. Maybe he'll give me more.* He smiled, a hint of anticipation in his expression.

Days later, Tyler lay asleep in his room. The little goblinth rested contentedly on his chest. A groan escaped Tyler's lips as he stirred, awakening within his home in Veridia. The small, green goblith opened its eyes wide, staring up at Tyler as if it had been awake for hours. Tyler was surprised. "Oh, you're already up?"

The goblinth tilted its head, its cheek resting against Tyler's chest, a small smile gracing its face. Tyler swung his legs over the side of the bed, gently scooping up the creature and placing it on the wooden floor. "Come on," he said with a smile. "Time to get up."

The goblith yawned, stretching its tiny limbs. Tyler watched it, a strange feeling washing over him. He found the creature… cute.

It was a feeling he had never experienced before, and it left him a little bewildered.

Tyler's upper body shimmered, and a shirt materialized from his inventory, appearing as he wore it. The goblith watched, its eyes wide with wonder. "Right," Tyler said. He opened his palm, and the shadow ring *shimmered* a slight blue as it appeared, the ring itself a solid black. He glanced at the goblith, whose eyes mirrored the ring's brief, blue shimmer. "This will be your first. Eat up."

The goblith looked up at him, almost vibrating with excitement, and snatched the ring, devouring it in a single gulp. Tyler was a little surprised, but a small smile spread across his face as the system panel shimmered into existence before him: Congratulations, Joy's attack power has increased by 40%."

"Huh..." Tyler exclaimed. "It actually works! I thought there'd be some kind of restriction… that the accessory might be too strong for you or something. But it seems that's not the case." He chuckled. "It seems there's no restriction on how powerful an accessory you can consume." He reached down, placing a hand on the creature, and began to pet it. Joy closed her eyes, enjoying the attention. "Nice." He stood up, a spark of determination in his eyes. "Come on. Time for your first hunt with me."

Tyler, filled with anticipation, prepared for his first hunt with a pet. He was eager to see how the goblith would perform, excited to have a companion on the hunt once more. He knew the creature would grow stronger, and the prospect of training it, of shaping it like his own mentor had shaped him, filled him with purpose. His dreams, a canvas just beginning to be painted, were only just beginning. He had bought a house in Veridia; now, all that remained was to acquire a shop and become the region's premier craftsman. He dreamed of spreading his name, not just throughout the region, but across the world. He craved growth, success, and prosperity, a stark contrast to his previous life. This, he thought, was just the beginning.

Unbeknownst to him, however, the challenges were far from over. The pale reapers had already begun to stir, and Tyler was a wanted man, his face a secret. Only one person knew his true identity, the face hidden beneath the mask: Mani. And Mani, now, had a goal of her own. Something dark within her had devised a plan and set its sights on a target: Kai, the boy who could not die.

Kai, now, found himself thinking of Tyler. He believed Tyler was… special. He felt it in his bones. He couldn't explain why, but whenever Tyler filled his thoughts, his grandmother's words echoed in his mind.

Not all angels have wings.

Tyler, on the other hand, cared little for perceptions. Shadow hunter, assassin, craftsman, hero… it made no difference. All that truly mattered were his goals, the person he was striving to become. His journey, he knew, was far from over.

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