New Mission Assigned:Hunt III

No—he could do more than survive.This world had looked down on him, had called him a Lowborn, a rat.

But now, for the first time…He had power.And he was going to use it.Even if it meant becoming a monster.

A City That Never Sleeps...The slums of Ravengarde never truly rested.

Dim lanterns flickered along narrow, winding streets, casting twisted shadows over filth-ridden alleys. The air was thick with the scent of stale sweat, damp stone, and unwashed bodies. Merchants in hooded cloaks whispered deals in the darkness, exchanging stolen goods and forbidden relics.

Kain moved swiftly, keeping to the shadows, his cloak pulled tightly around him. Every step he took was calculated, guided by his newfound instincts.

[DING! Passive Skill in Effect – Silent Steps (Rank 1)]

His movements were near soundless, his body gliding through the alleyways like a phantom. He had successfully escaped the enforcers for now.

But he wasn't safe.They were still hunting him. And worse, he had killed one of their own.

Kain ducked into a shadowed alcove, pressing himself against the damp stone wall.

Ahead, two figures stood at a street corner, their armor gleaming faintly under torchlight.

Enforcers."Orders came down from the High Enforcer himself," one of them murmured. "They want the Lowborn alive."

Kain's heart skipped a beat.Alive?He had expected a kill-on-sight order after murdering one of their own.

The second enforcer scoffed. "Don't know why they'd bother. We should just gut him and be done with it."

The first enforcer hesitated, lowering his voice. "Word is, someone high up took an interest in the boy."

Kain stiffened, "Someone high up?" That made no sense. He was a nobody.A Lowborn orphan raised in the slums.Unless…

A flicker of a memory stirred in his mind—a blurred image of a woman's voice, soft but urgent, whispering something in his ear when he was still a child.

He clenched his fists. Now isn't the time to dwell on that.He needed to move. Kain slipped away, keeping his movements precise.

He had one destination in mind.The Slum Market. If there was anywhere he could disappear, it was there. But stepping into the Slum Market was like throwing yourself into a den of wolves.

Crime lords ruled these streets, and the most infamous of them all was the Black Fang Syndicate.

As Kain entered the market, he was greeted by the sight of cutthroats, thieves, and black-market traders. Stalls displayed forbidden goods—bloodline-enhancing elixirs, enchanted weapons, and stolen noble sigils.

A place where the strong thrived and the weak were devoured.And Kain was walking straight into it. A Dangerous Proposal but didn't have a choice...

If the enforcers were hunting him, he needed protection. And the Black Fang Syndicate might provide it—if he could prove his worth.

A hulking man stood by one of the larger stalls, arms crossed. His face was covered in deep scars, and his eyes gleamed like a predator assessing its prey.

Kain approached cautiously. The man's lips curled into a smirk. "You lost, kid?"

Kain met his gaze. "I need work."

The man chuckled. "And what makes you think the Black Fang hires Lowborn runts?"

Kain took a slow breath, then reached into his cloak.

He pulled out the enforcer's rank insignia. The man's smirk vanished.

He grabbed Kain by the collar, shoving him against a wooden post. "Where did you get this?"

Kain didn't flinch."I killed him."

Silence.Then—Laughter. Loud, cruel laughter. A few nearby gang members turned to watch.

The man finally released him, his grin returning. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."

He leaned in. "But guts alone won't keep you alive in this world."

Kain smirked. "That's why I'm here."The man stared at him for a moment—then nodded.

"Alright, kid. You want in? You'll need to prove yourself."

Kain expected as much. "What's the job?"

The man's grin widened."There's someone we need you to kill."

The System interface flashed before Kain with a floating information. Something that was known and limited to him alone.

[DING! New Mission Assigned – Black Fang's Trial]

[Objective: Eliminate the target without being caught.]

[Reward: Bloodline Growth +3%, New Skill Unlock]

[Failure: Death]

Kain's breath hitched. This wasn't just survival anymore.This was the start of something much bigger. He had already taken one life.Now the system demanded more.

And this time, there would be no hesitation.This was the start of something much bigger..

However, Kain followed the enforcer down a dark passageway, the echoes of their steps swallowed by the suffocating silence.

His new "employer," the Black Fang Syndicate, operated from the underbelly of Ravengarde—a place where the light of day never reached, and the rules of men no longer applied.

They had given him his first job. A simple kill. Or so they claimed.Kain wasn't naive. There were no simple jobs in this world.

Still, he had little choice. He had already drawn blood, and the enforcers were closing in. To survive, he had to prove himself useful.Even if it meant becoming an assassin.

Kain found himself in a dimly lit chamber deep within the Black Fang's hideout.

A man leaned against the wall, his expression calculating. He was older, perhaps in his late thirties, with scars across his face and a single silver eye that gleamed even in the darkness.

"New recruit?" the man muttered, eyeing Kain with mild amusement. The enforcer who had led Kain here simply nodded.

The silver-eyed man chuckled, stepping forward. "You look like you've barely held a blade before, kid."

Kain didn't respond. He knew better than to waste words. The man smirked, apparently pleased by his silence. "Good. You listen. That'll keep you alive longer."

He turned away, grabbing a roll of parchment from the desk.

"This is your mark." He tossed the parchment toward Kain. "A minor noble. Bastard son of a merchant lord. Likes to visit the Slum Market for… pleasures he shouldn't be indulging in."

Kain unrolled the parchment. A sketched portrait of a young man with slicked-back blond hair and a sneering expression stared back at him. A name was written beneath it. "Erwin Vale."

Kain's jaw tightened. He had heard that name before. Vale's family owned half the trade routes through Ravengarde. They were rich enough to buy their way out of any crime.

No wonder the Black Fang wanted him dead. "How do I find him?" Kain asked.

Silver Eye smirked. "That's part of the test, kid. Figure it out."

Kain sighed inwardly. Of course. Nothing was ever easy.

In a flash of a moment the system intervened before Kain.

[DING! Mission Updated – Target: Erwin Vale]

[New Sub-Objective: Locate the target's routine.]

[Hint: The Slum Market's pleasure dens are a good place to start.]

Kain pulled his cloak tighter as he navigated the filthy streets of the Slum Market.It didn't take long to gather information.

A few bribed drunks, some casual eavesdropping, and a carefully placed threat to a brothel worker gave him what he needed.

Erwin Vale was predictable. He always visited the same gambling hall every few nights. Tonight was one of those nights. Perfect!

As Kain approached the gambling den, the system chimed again. Guiding him.

[DING! New System Suggestion – First Kill Efficiency Mode Activated.]

[Recommended Strategy: Silent Execution – Target Vulnerabilities Detected.]

[Skill Unlocked: Backstab (Rank 1)]

[Effect: Increases critical hit damage when striking from behind. 15% bonus to lethality if unnoticed.]

Kain inhaled sharply. A skill tailored for assassination. It seemed the system wanted him to kill.

He clenched his fists. Was this my fate now? A killer in the shadows?

There was no time for doubt. He had a mission. And hesitation meant death.

The gambling hall was a loud, crowded place, filled with merchants, thieves, and guards off duty.

Erwin Vale sat at a private table near the back, surrounded by sycophants and women draped over his arms. He laughed loudly, a smug grin plastered on his face.

Kain watched from the shadows. Waiting.

Vale eventually staggered to his feet, muttering about relieving himself. Perfect.

Kain followed him silently, keeping to the edges of the room.

They slipped into a side corridor, away from prying eyes.

Kain's fingers tightened around the dagger hidden in his cloak. This was it. His first true kill.

A Moment of Hesitation then, Vale stopped near a water basin, groaning as he splashed his face.

Kain took a slow step forward. Then another. His heart pounded. He was close. One quick strike, and it would be over.

But as Kain raised the dagger—Vale suddenly turned. Their eyes met. For a brief moment, Vale's expression was confused. Then— Realization and fear. Kain hesitated.

That moment nearly cost him his life. Vale stumbled backward, knocking over a stool. "What the hell—GUARDS!"

Panic surged through Kain's veins. A loud mechanical voice cracked in his head. It was the system.

[DING! Warning! Mission at Risk – Exposure Detected!]

Damn it! No more hesitation more...

Kain lunged—And plunged the dagger deep into Vale's throat. Vale gurgled, his eyes wide with terror as he clutched at his throat.Blood poured from the wound, staining his fine clothes.

He collapsed, his body convulsing—then stilled. Silence.

Kain stood over the corpse, breathing heavily. It was done. The system chimed again.

[DING! Target Eliminated – Erwin Vale Deceased.]

[Mission Completed.]

[Reward Unlocked: Bloodline Growth +3%, New Skill Acquired – Shadow Cloak (Rank 1).]

A new sensation coursed through Kain's veins.Power.

The system was changing him. And for the first time, he didn't fight it. This world had made him a killer.

Now, he would see just how far this path would take him although he wasn't destined for that but making his way out ...No choice!