Chapter 6: Shadows of the Guild
Kael crouched in the shadows of the narrow alleyway, his heart pounding in rhythm with the distant toll of the city's bell. The Shadow Guild's hideout loomed ahead, a decrepit warehouse with faint torches flickering behind grimy windows. This was it—his first chance to confront the people who had destroyed his old life.
[Kael's Stats – Pre-Infiltration]
Level: 12
HP: 240/240
MP: 180/180
Strength: 28
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 40
Stealth: 22
Magic Rank: B (Elemental Manipulation)
Kael took a deep breath and activated the Shadow Step skill, a minor teleportation spell he had unlocked last month. With a whisper of movement, he slipped past the first set of guards patrolling the perimeter.
[Stealth Check: Success – Guard Unaware]
Inside, the hideout smelled of damp wood and old smoke. Crates stacked to the ceiling created natural cover, but Kael knew the real danger lay in the traps—pressure plates, tripwires, and magically enchanted alarms designed to alert the guild at the first hint of intrusion.
He paused, assessing the layout. His Perception stat kicked in, highlighting faint glimmers where pressure plates were embedded into the floor. One misstep and his presence would be broadcast to the entire guild.
[Trap Detection Check: Success – Pressure Plates Spotted]
Carefully, he sidestepped each one, barely brushing against the edge of a glowing rune that could incinerate him if triggered. He moved with calculated grace, every heartbeat echoing like a drum.
At the center of the warehouse, Kael spotted the Inner Chamber, where the guild's leaders held their meetings. Three heavily armored enforcers patrolled in a triangular formation, their weapons glinting under torchlight.
Kael's mind raced. If I fight head-on, I'll be overwhelmed. But I can't leave without answers.
He whispered the incantation for his Rank B Fire Manipulation, a skill he had barely mastered:
"Ignis, Umbra!"
A shadowy flame flickered at his fingertips—dark as night but scorching as molten steel. Kael extinguished it immediately, using it only as a lure. Tossing a small spark to the far end of the chamber, the guards' attention snapped away from their patrol.
[Distraction Check: Success – Guards Distracted]
Seizing the moment, Kael slipped into the Inner Chamber. Ancient tomes, maps, and crates filled the room, but what caught his eye was a locked chest pulsating with faint, dark magic. He knelt, examining the lock. This was no ordinary chest—it was a Rank C Enchantment Seal, designed to resist casual theft or magical interference.
Kael closed his eyes, focusing all his magical energy. His hands glowed with a vibrant mix of fire and shadow, and for the first time, he unlocked the hidden potential he had felt simmering inside him since his rebirth.
"Rank A – Shadow Flame Manipulation!"
The chest exploded into sparks as the seal shattered, revealing scrolls, potions, and a leather-bound journal. Kael scanned the journal quickly—names, locations, and plans for operations that could lead him straight to the people who had orchestrated his death.
[Level Up Achieved – Level 13]
HP: 260/260
MP: 200/200
Strength: 30
Agility: 37
Intelligence: 43
Stealth: 25
Magic Rank: A (Shadow Flame Manipulation)
As Kael exited the chamber, his mind was ablaze with new possibilities. He had survived the traps, bested the enforcers without being seen, and now held knowledge that could guide his revenge. Yet, a cold shiver ran down his spine—he was certain that someone had noticed the magic spike when he unlocked the chest.
The real hunt was only beginning.