Knight

The cold night air filled my lungs as I sprinted through the forest, the distant shouts of the guards still echoing behind me.

I was free—but not safe.

The system notification still hovered in my vision.

[Quest Completed: Escape the Royal Dungeon]

Reward: Skill Unlocked – Shadow Step (Rank F)

I had no time to test it. My body was still weak, my stamina running low. If I stopped now, they would find me.

Then—torches.

Up ahead, a group of knights blocked the road, their silver armor gleaming under the moonlight. I recognized the crest on their cloaks. House Arden.

I gritted my teeth. Arden was one of the noble houses that turned against me in my past life. If they caught me now, they would drag me straight back to my execution.

I glanced at the screen again.

▶ [Skill: Shadow Step (F)] – Allows the user to move unseen for 3 seconds. Cooldown: 1 minute.

It wasn't much, but it was enough.

I took a deep breath, then activated the skill.

[DING!] [Shadow Step Activated.]

The world blurred around me. My footsteps became silent, my body light as air. I darted past the knights, slipping through the trees unseen.

As soon as the effect ended, I dropped low, hiding behind a fallen log. The knights remained where they were, unaware I had already passed them.

I clenched my fists. This power… I would use it to take everything back.

Tonight was just the beginning.

Caius. The nobles. The entire kingdom that betrayed me.

I was coming for them all.