Chapter 5 - Sect Shadows Descend

Alex's veins thrummed with SSS Core power, draconic gold flecks swirling in his irises—a dead giveaway to any mana-sensitive scout. Eclipse Dragon Sovereign coiled beside him, its massive form compressed to panther-size for stealth, shadow flames flickering like wary embers. The forest's ancient heart pulsed with malice; the ambush was seconds away.[Quest Update: Sect Invitation Wars - First Contact Imminent. Reject or Ally? Reward: Faction Starter Pack.]Rustling intensified. Five black-cloaked figures materialized from the mist—Shadow Veil Sect enforcers, their daggers etched with void runes. Leaderess Lira, a lithe beauty with silver hair and B-rank Void Whisper talent, smirked. "Dragon aura from an F-rank whelp? The academy's trash birthed a prodigy. Join us, boy, or become scrap."Alex gripped his Abyssal Lance, now veined with draconic gold. "Trash? Ask your scouts." Eclipse growled, Apocalypse mist coiling.Lira laughed, vanishing in void-step. Daggers rained from nowhere. Alex activated Draconic Phase—full intangibility—phasing through the barrage. "Eclipse, Feast!"The dragon expanded, maw unhinging to devour two assailants whole. Their essence fueled instant growth: [+Void Affinity (Lv.1), Party Wipe Progress: 3/5.] Screams echoed as shadows drained them dry.Lira reappeared, void chains binding Eclipse mid-air. "Cute pet. But prodigies kneel." She lunged, dagger aimed at Alex's throat.Thunder Phase + Draconic speed blurred him forward. Lance clashed dagger—sparks of essence flew. Alex countered with Essence Apocalypse, mist siphoning her strength. Lira paled, chains weakening. "What are you?!""Infinite evolution." He shattered her guard, palm striking her core. [Essence Absorbed: Void Whisper (Partial). New Skill: Shadow Bind (Lv.1).]Her last two minions fled, but Lira knelt, gasping. "Mercy... Shadow Veil offers power. Hidden arts, spirit stones beyond academy scraps. Our Patriarch seeks SSS talents."Alex paused, system pinging options: [Accept Invitation? Y: +Sect Resources, Ally Waifu Potential. N: Loot + Enemy Status.] Her beauty and skills tempted—first harem tease?Distant horns blared—rival sects converging, drawn by the commotion. Crimson Flame Sect pyromancers and Iron Fist Clan bruisers closed in.Eclipse rumbled approval. Alex smirked. "Tell your Patriarch: I build my own path. But... deliver his offer formally. Survive that, and we talk."Lira nodded, vanishing in a void puff—loyalty sparked? Loot piled: void daggers (prime scrap), sect tokens.[Quest Complete: +Shadow Veil Scout Pack (Mana Pills x50, Void Scroll). Faction Neutral.]But as rival sects breached the treeline, flames roaring, Alex's map updated: [Night Boss: Elder Flame Wyrm Awakens. Evolve or Escape?]Eclipse's eyes gleamed. The real hunt began.