Chapter 5: The Cost of Power

Kael stared at Selene, her words digging into his mind like hooks.

"A death sentence."

The Watchers had fallen silent, their unreadable eyes shifting between him and the silver-haired warrior.

Kael forced himself to stay still, to keep his expression neutral. But inside, his thoughts raced.

If they knew about his Fractured Sovereign System, if they understood its cost—then they knew more than he did.

He crossed his arms. "Explain."

Selene didn't blink. "Do you feel it? The fractures creeping into your body?"

Kael's jaw tightened.

Of course he felt it. Every time he used the system, something in him cracked—a piece of himself slipping away. His vision blurred, his thoughts twisted, his body shuddered under the strain.

"I can handle it," he said flatly.

Selene's violet eyes darkened. "No. You can't."

Varian stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back. "The Fractured Sovereign System isn't just a source of power. It's a curse. Every time you tap into it, every skill, every ability—it demands a price."

Kael tensed.

"I already figured that much out."

"No," Selene said. "You don't understand the real price."

Her fingers ghosted over the hilt of her blade as she studied him.

"The more you use the system, the less of yourself remains."

Kael's breath stilled.

"What?"

"The fractures aren't just impairments," Varian said grimly. "They're pieces of your soul breaking apart. Use it too much, and one day, you'll wake up as someone else entirely."

Kael felt a chill crawl down his spine.

That… that couldn't be true. Could it?

But then—he remembered the whispers. The flickers of something wrong in his mind after every activation. The voice that taunted him in the throne room.

"One step closer to ruin, Sovereign."

He clenched his fists. "So what?" His voice came out colder than he intended. "What do you expect me to do? Just roll over and die?"

Selene's expression didn't change. "No. I expect you to learn how to fight back before it's too late."

Kael narrowed his eyes. "And let me guess—you're the only ones who can teach me?"

Varian smiled slightly. "You're sharp."

Kael exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm. He didn't like being cornered. But right now, he needed them more than they needed him.

"…Fine." He met Selene's gaze. "Show me how to control this power."

A flicker of approval crossed her face.

"Then let's begin."

Training in the Shadows

The Watchers led Kael deeper into their underground hideout—a sprawling network of tunnels and chambers, some lined with ancient stone, others reinforced with magic seals.

In a secluded training hall, torches flickered against the damp stone walls, casting jagged shadows. Weapons lined the racks—blades, bows, enchanted gauntlets—tools of assassins and spies.

Selene strode to the center of the room, unsheathing her sword with a metallic whisper.

"You're strong," she admitted. "You fight like someone who understands battle."

Kael didn't answer. In his past life, as Reiji, he had spent years designing combat mechanics, refining AI battle sequences, perfecting attack animations. He had studied war.

But knowing how to fight and actually fighting were two very different things.

Selene raised her blade. "Draw your weapon."

Kael unsheathed the Voidfang Dagger, its cursed black blade pulsing in his grip.

Selene's eyes flicked to it. "That dagger will drain you dry if you're not careful."

Kael smirked. "Guess I'll have to be careful, then."

She didn't smile. Instead, she lunged.

Kael barely dodged.

Selene's attack was fast—too fast. She moved like a ghost, her sword slicing the air where his throat had been.

Kael twisted, bringing the dagger up, but she was already moving again—her blade sweeping toward his ribs.

[Skill Activated: Fractured Counter]

Kael's vision blackened.

His body moved instinctively, the dagger deflecting Selene's sword in a perfect, fluid motion.

When his sight returned, she had stepped back, watching him with interest.

"Fast reaction," she said. "But you rely too much on the system."

Kael exhaled heavily. "And?"

Selene raised her blade again. "And if you keep doing that, the system will consume you before you ever learn how to fight for yourself."

Kael scowled. He hated to admit it, but she was right.

His skills were powerful, but they weren't his. They belonged to the system. And if what Selene and Varian said was true…

Then eventually, they would own him completely.

Selene studied his expression. "Again."

Kael tightened his grip on the dagger.

This time, he wouldn't rely on the system.

This time, he would fight his way.

A Shadow Rises

For hours, Kael trained under Selene's relentless instruction. She was merciless, striking him down over and over, forcing him to react on his own instead of leaning on the system.

By the time she finally lowered her blade, Kael was bruised, bleeding, and exhausted.

But he was also learning.

He could feel it—the beginning of something new. Something that didn't belong to the system.

Selene sheathed her sword. "Not bad."

Kael smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "That sounded almost like a compliment."

She didn't respond. Instead, she turned to Varian.

"He's learning fast. Faster than he should."

Varian hummed in thought. "Maybe the fractures aren't just a curse after all."

Kael frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Selene and Varian exchanged glances.

Then Varian spoke.

"It means that whatever happened to you, Kael… you might not be the first."

Kael's blood ran cold.

Not the first?

His fingers curled into fists.

There were others.

Others who had been fractured. Others who had been cursed.

And if that was true—

Then where were they now?

End of Chapter 5

Now Kael knows the true danger of his system, and the Watchers hint at other fractured beings. Who are they? Are they alive? Or did the system consume them first?