Chapter 7(bonus)

Valerian moved quickly through the narrow alleys of Whitechapel, his cloak pulled tight against his body. The moonlight filtered through the dense fog, casting an eerie glow on the cobblestone streets. Every step echoed faintly, and the sound of distant shouts and clashing weapons reminded him that danger lurked in every shadow.

The *Whispering Shard* weighed heavily in his inventory. Since his meeting with Lucien, its presence had grown even more intense, as if it pulsed with anticipation. He couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching him.

"This place feels different," Valerian muttered to himself, his breath visible in the cold air.

He had been in Whitechapel before, but now that he was marked as a relic holder, the city felt more alive. NPCs and players alike seemed to glance his way with suspicion, and the once-familiar streets now held an air of menace. He knew Lucien had been right—holding a relic put a target on his back.

His objective was clear: he needed to make his way to the Blackstone Guild, one of the smaller, independent factions that operated in the area. They weren't one of the massive powerhouses, but their leader, a former *Herald* named Rebecca, was known to be a reliable ally—if you could pay her price.

As Valerian rounded a corner, he spotted a group of players gathered ahead, their armor gleaming faintly in the fog. They were positioned at the entrance of an old, abandoned building—a known guild hideout.

"Looks like I'm not the only one trying to make moves tonight," he thought grimly.

He recognized the emblem on their cloaks—a stylized wolf's head. The *Silverfangs*, a mid-tier guild known for their ruthlessness. They must have caught wind of the relic's presence in Whitechapel.

Valerian ducked behind a stack of crates, narrowing his eyes as he observed the scene. The leader of the group, a tall man with silver hair and a jagged scar running down his face, barked orders to the others. His name was Ulric, and he was notorious for taking what he wanted by force. He didn't care about alliances or reputation—only power.

Valerian's mind raced. He had two choices: try to sneak past them or confront them head-on. Neither option seemed ideal. If he fought and won, he'd be drawing even more attention to himself. But if he tried to slip by and got caught, the consequences would be just as dire.

Before he could decide, a system notification blinked in the corner of his vision.

**[System Notification: Rebecca of the Blackstone Guild has sent a message.]**

Valerian opened the message quickly.

**"You're not alone. I see you. Wait for my signal."**

His pulse quickened. Rebecca was already aware of the situation. He scanned the rooftops and noticed a faint silhouette perched on a nearby building, barely visible through the fog. It was her—watching, waiting.

Ulric's voice cut through the night air. "The relic is here somewhere. Spread out. I want it found before anyone else gets their hands on it!"

Valerian's heart pounded. If they found the *Whispering Shard* in his inventory, it would be over. He had to trust that Rebecca had a plan.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from one of the nearby buildings, followed by the sound of shattering glass. The *Silverfangs* immediately turned their attention to the disturbance, their weapons drawn.

"Now!" Rebecca's voice hissed through Valerian's earpiece.

Without hesitation, Valerian darted from his hiding spot, slipping into the shadows as the *Silverfangs* rushed toward the noise. He moved swiftly, his footsteps barely making a sound as he crossed the street and made his way toward the alley on the other side.

Rebecca dropped down from her rooftop perch, landing silently beside him. She was dressed in dark, leather armor, her twin daggers gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Her expression was calm, but her eyes burned with intensity.

"You've made quite the stir, newcomer," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Valerian shot her a sideways glance. "Wasn't exactly my plan."

She smirked. "Plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy. But you're still alive—that's something."

Rebecca led him further into the alley, away from the prying eyes of the *Silverfangs*. The distant sounds of their search grew fainter, but Valerian knew they wouldn't give up easily.

Once they were far enough from the chaos, Rebecca stopped and turned to face him. "The *Whispering Shard* is powerful, but it's also dangerous. You've seen how quickly it's drawn attention. If you're not careful, more guilds—stronger guilds—will come after you."

Valerian nodded. "I didn't expect it to be this bad. What do you suggest?"

Rebecca studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "You'll need allies. The Blackstone Guild is small, but we have connections. We can offer you protection—for a price."

Valerian crossed his arms. "And what's your price?"

Rebecca's eyes flickered with amusement. "Information. You have access to the relic, and we want to know what you find. In exchange, we'll help you navigate the politics of Whitechapel and beyond. You can't fight everyone on your own."

Valerian considered her offer. He didn't trust Rebecca entirely, but she had already proven herself to be a valuable ally in this dangerous game. Besides, he had little choice. The alternative was facing Ulric and the *Silverfangs* alone.

"Deal," he said finally.

Rebecca's smile returned. "Good. Now, let's get out of here before they realize what's happened."

As they moved through the twisting alleys, Valerian couldn't shake the feeling that he was being pulled deeper into a web of intrigue and danger. The stakes were rising, and every step he took brought him closer to a confrontation he wasn't sure he was ready for.

But there was no turning back now. He had chosen his path, and whatever came next, he would face it head-on.

As they approached the edge of the district, a final system notification blinked in Valerian's vision.

**[System Notification: Player Valerian has reached Rank 2 – Acolyte.]**

He smirked. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

The game had just begun.