The Architect’s Path

Liam stared at his status window, the glowing text reflected in his wide eyes. His body was still weak, his muscles sore, but his mind raced.

🔹 [New Trait Unlocked: ???] 🔹

A new trait. Something the system had unlocked when he was at death's door.

"What is it?" Iris asked, noticing his expression.

Liam exhaled slowly. "I don't know yet."

He tapped the unknown trait.

🔹 [Analyzing…] 🔹

A second passed. Then another.

The status window flickered—then glitched.

For the first time since he had awakened as an Architect, something went wrong. The text blurred, symbols flashing in and out of existence before stabilizing into a single line.

🔹 [Trait Acquired: Ink Core - Incomplete] 🔹

Liam's grip tightened. Incomplete?

He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a warning.

"What is it?" Iris pressed.

Liam hesitated. "Something called Ink Core. But… it's incomplete."

Iris frowned. "That's new."

"You think?" Liam muttered, dismissing the screen with a wave of his fingers. His head still throbbed, and his body was far from recovered, but one thing was clear—his class was evolving.

He just didn't know how yet.

A wooden cup was placed beside him. Ileana, the woman who had taken them in, stood over him with an unimpressed look.

"Drink," she said simply.

Liam looked at the dark, murky liquid. "What is it?"

"A tonic," Ileana replied. "For idiots who almost get themselves killed."

Iris smirked. "Seems appropriate."

Liam sighed and took a cautious sip. Bitter. Awful. Like swallowing liquid charcoal. He barely kept himself from gagging.

Ileana chuckled. "Good. That means it's working."

Liam wiped his mouth, scowling. "What is this place, anyway?"

"You're in the Outer District," Ileana said. "Ardentia's underbelly. The kind of place people disappear and no one asks questions."

Liam grimaced. "Comforting."

"Should be," Ileana said. "Means no enforcer is dumb enough to come looking for you here. At least, not yet."

Liam and Iris exchanged glances. Not yet.

Cain had let him go. But that didn't mean the city had.

"We need to leave soon," Liam said, voice firm.

Iris scoffed. "You can barely sit up."

"I don't have a choice."

"The hell you don't," she shot back. "You think you can fight like that?"

Liam clenched his fists. He knew she was right. He could barely move, let alone fight Cain again.

But something gnawed at him. That final moment—when Cain had looked at him and spoken about the Architect's path—it wasn't just a passing remark.

Cain knew something about his class.

Something Liam didn't.

Before he could voice his thoughts, the door creaked open.

A boy no older than twelve peeked inside. His face was gaunt, his clothes little more than patched rags, but his sharp brown eyes locked onto Ileana.

"They're here," he whispered.

Liam tensed.

Iris immediately grabbed her dagger. "Who?"

The boy glanced at Liam. "People looking for him."

Liam and Iris were on their feet in an instant. Liam's body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to stand. He grabbed his brush, his fingers curling around the familiar weight.

Ileana clicked her tongue. "Tch. That was faster than I expected."

"How many?" Iris asked.

"Five," the boy said. "Not enforcers. They're…" He hesitated. "Different."

Liam's eyes narrowed. "Different how?"

"They move like hunters," Ileana said, voice serious. "Not soldiers."

That set Liam's nerves on edge. Mercenaries? Bounty hunters?

No, if they moved like hunters, then that meant…

They were here to kill him.

Iris gritted her teeth. "Then we need to move. Now."

Liam agreed. Staying meant certain death.

He took a deep breath and focused, reaching out to his ink. Even in his weakened state, he could still draw.

And if they wanted to hunt him…

He'd rewrite the rules of the hunt.

To be continued…