BearBrush

Varek Solin was born into a world where power is given at birth. On his 10th birthday, every child opens their Vault, a source of mana that will shape their future. In a society divided by wealth and rank, those born into riches are granted Diamond Vaults, while the poor settle for Bronze Vaults, their strength bound by fate.

But Varek’s path was never meant to follow the ordinary. With a Bronze Vault in his chest, his future seems set—until a war between humans and demons turns his world upside down. Amidst the chaos of battle, Varek encounters a force beyond his understanding—a mysterious power that will alter the course of his life.

As his powers awaken and the world around him shifts, Varek must face the truth of what lies within him. A boy from the lowest ranks, with a vault like no other. What is this power that calls to him from the shadows? And how far will he go to understand it?

In a world where strength determines your fate, Varek Solin will soon learn that the greatest power lies not in the vaults of wealth, but in the mysteries buried beneath the surface.

The Shadow's Beneath

Varek knelt beside Dicio, his hands trembling as he tried to stop the bleeding. Dicio's breathing was uneven, his once confident eyes now struggling to stay open.

"You… look awful," Dicio muttered, his usual smirk weaker than ever.

"Shut up," Varek growled, pressing harder against the wound. "Save your strength."

Dicio chuckled softly. "Yeah, yeah. But let's be real… I always knew you'd be the one to get the last laugh."

Varek clenched his jaw. He didn't want to hear this. Not from Dicio.

Knox and Vikas rushed over, faces pale with worry.

"Don't move, idiot," Vikas said, trying to assess the wound. "We can—"

"There's no time," Knox interrupted, voice unusually serious.

Dicio looked up at them, his usual mischievousness flickering for just a second.

"Remember when I kept annoying you for ice water, Vikas?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vikas let out a shaky breath. "Yeah. And you wouldn't shut up about it."

Dicio grinned weakly. "Maybe… just this once, make the ice a little colder? I could use it."

Vikas' hands shook as he summoned a small shard of ice, placing it near Dicio's fingers.

Dicio's eyes flickered toward Knox. "Hey… Knox. If I don't make it, promise me something?"

Knox gritted his teeth. "Shut up. You're making it."

Dicio ignored him. "Make sure you find a real girlfriend… not just a mannequin."

Knox let out a broken laugh. "You really had to bring that up now?"

Dicio grinned, but it quickly faded as pain surged through him.

The sun barely rose beyond the horizon, casting a dull glow over the barren land. The air was heavy, silent.

Varek, Knox, and Vikas walked forward, but something was missing.

Not just injured. Not just unconscious. Dead.

The weight of it hadn't settled yet—or maybe it had, and they just refused to carry it.

No one spoke. There was nothing to say.

Knox had his hood pulled over his face, his usual smirk long gone.

Vikas' hands were clenched at his sides, faint traces of frost trailing behind him as if his mana was reacting to his emotions.

Varek walked ahead of them, his shadow longer than it should have been. His mana felt different now—darker, heavier.

And ahead of them, waiting in the mist, was their next target.

Banshee—the Rank 1 Ghost Vault user.

Final