Into the Shadows

Kalen stood in the dimly lit alley, his heart still pounding from the battle. The bodies of the Temple Guards lay at his feet, their lifeless eyes staring into the night. He had killed them.

There was no turning back now.

Renna's breathing was unsteady. "Kalen… what do we do now?"

Kalen didn't answer immediately. He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of new power coursing through him.

> [Mission Complete: Prove Your Strength]

[+10 EXP]

[Shadow Cloak (Basic) Unlocked]

[Level Up: 3 → 4]

+3 Strength

+2 Agility

+1 Shadow Mastery

The system was rewarding him for killing.

It was a dangerous realization.

Kalen exhaled and looked at Renna. "We can't stay here. More guards will come."

Renna hesitated before nodding. "Where do we go?"

That was the problem. He had never been outside the orphanage's territory. The lower district was a dangerous place, crawling with thieves, assassins, and worse.

But it was also the best place to disappear.

"We go underground," Kalen said.

Renna frowned. "You mean, like… hide?"

"No. We go to the Underworld."

Her eyes widened. "Kalen, you can't be serious."

But he was.

The Underworld was a hidden network of criminals, mercenaries, and assassins. If he wanted to survive—if he wanted to grow stronger—he had to learn from those who thrived in the shadows.

And he knew exactly where to start.

The Path to the Underworld

The Lower District was alive, even at night. Fires burned in iron barrels, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Figures moved in the darkness—thieves, drunkards, and men who would slit your throat for a few silver coins.

Kalen kept his hood low, Renna walking beside him.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To find someone who can help us."

Renna scoffed. "And who exactly is that?"

Kalen's eyes scanned the streets until he found the symbol he was looking for—a blood-red handprint on an old wooden door.

The mark of the Black Talons.

One of the deadliest assassin guilds in the city.

Renna stiffened when she saw it. "Oh, hell no."

Kalen knocked.

Silence.

Then, a low, raspy voice from within. "Who seeks the Talons?"

Kalen took a deep breath. "A shadow looking for a master."

The door creaked open.

A tall, skeletal man with pale skin and sunken eyes peered at them. "You're either brave or stupid, boy."

Kalen met his gaze without flinching. "Maybe both."

The man chuckled. "Come in, then. If you survive the night, we'll see if you're worth keeping."

Renna grabbed Kalen's arm. "Are you sure about this?"

Kalen didn't answer.

Because this was the only path left for him.

The Trial of the Black Talons

The inside of the guild was nothing like Kalen had expected. It wasn't an underground lair filled with killers. Instead, it was a quiet hall, dimly lit with lanterns.

Men and women sat at tables, sharpening blades, tending wounds, or simply watching.

They weren't just assassins.

They were predators.

The skeletal man, who introduced himself as Varik, led them to a stone courtyard at the back of the guildhall.

"This is where we test those who wish to join us," Varik said.

Kalen noticed the dried bloodstains on the floor.

He had a feeling that most of those who took the test didn't survive.

Varik smirked. "You want to learn from us? Fine. Here's your first trial."

A door on the far end of the courtyard opened, and a massive figure stepped out.

A man covered in iron chains, his arms as thick as tree trunks. His face was hidden by a metal mask, his eyes glowing red beneath it.

Kalen's stomach tightened. This wasn't a man.

It was a beast.

Varik gestured. "Kill him. Or die trying."

Renna cursed. "This is insane!"

But Kalen didn't hesitate.

Because this was exactly what he needed.

Another chance to grow stronger.

A Battle in the Dark

The iron-masked warrior charged. Fast.

Kalen barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as a massive fist smashed into the ground, cracking the stone.

> [Enemy Identified: Bloodhound]

- A warrior experimented on by the Temple's alchemists.

- Enhanced strength, but slow reflexes.

Kalen's eyes widened. A Temple creation?

That meant only one thing.

The Temple was connected to the Underworld.

But there was no time to think. The Bloodhound lunged again.

Kalen activated Shadow Cloak.

[Shadow Cloak (Basic) Activated]

- Conceals the user's presence in low-light environments.

- Increases evasion by 30%.

His body faded into the darkness, just enough to confuse the Bloodhound for a second.

That was all he needed.

He darted behind the beast and struck.

His dagger sank into the creature's back—but barely pierced the skin.

The Bloodhound snarled and spun, slamming a massive fist into Kalen's stomach.

The impact sent him flying.

Pain exploded through his ribs as he crashed against the stone wall.

[HP: 11/20]

Renna screamed. "Kalen!"

Varik chuckled. "Not bad. But not good enough."

Kalen gritted his teeth and stood. Pain didn't matter.

He had to think.

The Bloodhound was strong but slow. His armor-like skin was tough, but it wasn't impenetrable.

"If I can't stab through it… I have to go for the weak points."

Kalen activated Shadow Dagger again, but this time, he aimed for the eyes.

The Bloodhound charged. Kalen didn't dodge.

Instead, he ran straight at it.

The beast swung a massive arm—Kalen slid under it at the last second, using the momentum to launch himself upward.

And then—he drove his dagger straight into the Bloodhound's eye socket.

A sickening squelch.

A deafening roar of agony.

The Bloodhound staggered, clawing at its face.

Kalen didn't stop.

He summoned another dagger and slashed across its throat.

Dark blood sprayed across the courtyard.

The Bloodhound collapsed.

Silence.

Then—

[Enemy Defeated: Bloodhound]

[+20 EXP]

[Level Up: 4 → 5]

[Shadow Step (Basic) Unlocked]

A rush of pure power filled Kalen's body.

His breathing was ragged, but he had won.

He turned to face Varik. "Is that good enough?"

Varik grinned. "You'll do just fine, boy."

The assassins around the courtyard began to clap.

Kalen had passed the test.

He was one of them now.

And the real training was about to begin.

End of Chapter 5