Chapter: When the World Learned the Name Akuma
Dawn broke over Valoria like a hesitant apology.
The sun rose, golden and warm, touching fields, rivers, and rooftops that had no idea what had transpired in the night. Birds sang. Merchants opened their shops. Children laughed.
And yet—
Something was wrong.
---
Count Arclay's Territory – Morning
Smoke still curled from shattered towers.
Stone walls lay cracked like broken teeth. Courtyards were stained dark—blood soaked so deeply into marble it would never fully fade. Bodies had already been cleared, but the silence remained unnatural, heavy, as if the land itself was holding its breath.
Inside the grand hall, Count Sebastian Arclay sat on his throne.
Or what remained of it.
The once-proud seat of power was cracked down the middle, claw marks burned into its sides. Sebastian himself looked like a shadow of the man he had been—one arm bound, ribs broken, eyes hollow and shaking.
A trembling steward knelt before him.
Steward: "M-My lord… the council has been informed."
Sebastian did not answer.
Steward: "The healers say it is a miracle you survived."
Sebastian laughed.
A broken, rasping sound.
Sebastian: "Miracle…?"
His fingers trembled.
Sebastian: "No."
Sebastian: "A warning survived."
---
Valoria Council Chamber – Same Morning
The hall was full.
Every noble seat occupied. Tension pressed down like a storm cloud.
At the center, a scrying crystal hovered, still replaying fragments of the night.
A burning gate.
Undead rising.
Lightning tearing through steel.
A single masked figure walking through fire.
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
Noble One: "This… this cannot be one man."
Noble Two: "The necromancy alone violates every known law."
Noble Three: "And yet Count Arclay lives."
The High Chancellor slammed his staff.
High Chancellor: "Silence."
He turned to the trembling messenger.
High Chancellor: "Report."
Messenger: "Yes, my lord."
Messenger swallowed.
Messenger: "Count Sebastian's entire household guard has been wiped out. Elite mages, knights, retainers—gone."
Gasps erupted.
Messenger: "No signs of siege engines. No army. No infiltration force."
Messenger: "Only one conclusion."
The crystal flickered, showing a shadowed figure standing amid corpses.
Messenger: "A single entity."
High Chancellor: "Name?"
The messenger hesitated.
Messenger: "The Count claims the intruder named himself… Akuma."
Silence.
Then—
Fear.
---
Across Valoria – The Rumors Spread
In taverns.
In markets.
In academies.
In churches.
The same whispers repeated, growing darker with every telling.
Commoner: "They say he walked through fire."
Soldier: "They say the dead obeyed him."
Mage Apprentice: "They say Count Arclay begged."
Priest: "They say even the gods turned their eyes away."
Akuma.
A demon.
A calamity.
A punishment.
Some began praying.
Others began sharpening blades that would never be used.
---
Somewhere in the Town's Library
A girl sat alone at a long wooden table.
Sunlight poured through tall windows, illuminating stacks of reports, council notices, and magically transcribed eyewitness accounts.
Her fingers trembled—not with fear.
With excitement.
She had chestnut-brown hair tied loosely behind her, strands falling freely as she leaned closer to the parchment. Her eyes—bright, amber-gold—scanned every word hungrily.
Girl: "…single entity… necromancy… hybrid casting…"
Her lips curved upward.
Girl: "They finally noticed."
She pressed a hand to her chest, heart racing.
Girl: "You finally showed yourself."
She stood abruptly, chair scraping the floor.
Librarian: "Miss, please—!"
Girl: "Sorry!"
She gathered the documents and fled toward a quieter alcove, breath uneven.
She read again.
And again.
Her smile widened.
Girl: "Akuma…"
Her voice softened.
Girl: "My savior"( Daniel once wearing black mask saved her and her family from bandits ..Bandits leader were Robbing them and even tried to R*pe her mother but that's when a boy in black mask appeared and saved them in exchange of Whatever Rudraksh they can give )
Girl: "I knew it."
She clenched the parchment.
Girl: "You weren't a dream."
Her voice trembled—not with fear, but longing.
Girl: "Everyone else sees a monster."
Girl: "I see the man who saved me."
She closed her eyes.
Girl: "Akuma…"
Girl: "Where are you now?"
---
Baron Saint John's Mansion – Quiet Morning
Daniel sat beneath a tree in the rear garden.
Birds chirped.
Dew glistened on leaves.
Everything was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Suddenly
System Update: Ding dong! Congratulations on your great achievement.
You have taken the Count in hand and, by sparing him and making him realize his mistake, set him on a new and good path. You have saved many lives.
In particular, you have saved the major People Count and the Count's son, who were doomed to perish because of their father's actions.
The reward system has been upgraded to a new version. The System now has its own personality. There will be restrictions, but the System will be far more useful.
Daniel: Sensei?
Sensei: "Your name is spreading rapidly."
Daniel: Sensei did you just talked to me without me asking the question first ..so it is true you have your own will now
Sensei: Yes Daniel.. This is the Reward of your Action . ..So how does it feel to be Infamous..
Daniel: "Good."
He opened his hand, watching light dance between his fingers before extinguishing it.
Daniel: "Fear keeps them honest."
Sensei: "However—"
Daniel: "There's always a however."
Sensei: "Multiple factions will be interested in you. Some fear you. Some wish to control you."
Daniel smirked.
Daniel: "Let them try."
Somewhere in the Kingdom – Whispers in the Dark
In hidden rooms, cloaked figures gathered.
Cultist: "The prophecy speaks of calamity."
Assassin Guildmaster: "Or opportunity."
Noble Shadow: "A single man cannot be allowed such power."
Cleric: "Unless he serves the gods."
They all spoke different words.
But shared one truth.
Akuma had changed the balance.
---
Back at the Mansion – Night
Daniel stood at his window.
Moonlight washed over Silverlake.
Somewhere inside the mansion, Aurelia slept peacefully.
Daniel whispered.
Daniel: "I did this so you wouldn't have to fear."
Daniel clenched his fist.
Daniel: "But it seems…"
Daniel: "The world will fear me instead."
Sensei: "Are you troubled?"
Daniel smiled faintly.
Daniel: "No."
Daniel: "Let them fear."
Daniel: "As long as she is safe "
The wind stirred.
Far away, a girl looked at the same Moon and smiles