Chapter 4: The Path of Shadows
Liam kept his steps measured as he weaved through the bustling streets of Velantir, the newly launched server's capital city. All around him, thousands of players flooded the area, their excited voices blending into a chaotic hum. Some marveled at the breathtaking architecture, others ran towards the Novice Training Fields, eager to level up.
None of them knew what was coming.
Liam did.
His gaze flickered back toward the town square, where Jason stood, laughing and chatting with his new party members.
Jason had no idea. No memory of the past life where he had betrayed his best friend, orchestrated his downfall, and taken everything from him.
And Liam wasn't going to let him find out, not yet.
Revenge wasn't just about striking back. It was about timing. A well-placed blade in the dark was always more effective than a reckless charge.
That was why, instead of confronting Jason, Liam turned and slipped into the side streets, vanishing into the shadows.
He had far more important things to do.
A Race Against Time
Unlike the thousands of clueless players wasting time exploring and roleplaying, Liam had a plan.
He opened his inventory and inspected his newly acquired equipment.
[Shadow Dagger (Uncommon)]
[Attack Power: 25]
[Effect: +5% Critical Chance, +3 Dexterity]
[Rogue's Cloak]
[Defense: 10]
[Effect: +5 Agility, Reduces Detection Radius by 10%]
For a level one player, these were insane starting stats. Most players were still running around with basic wooden daggers, while Liam had gear equivalent to a level five rogue.
Still, this was only the beginning.
Liam's real target was something far more powerful, the Mythical-tier dagger, Midnight Fang.
If he was going to dominate this world, he needed to start stacking advantages immediately.
The dagger was hidden deep within the Forsaken Ruins, a dungeon that no one knew existed yet.
Except Liam.
Leaving Velantir – Entering the Wilds
The moment Liam stepped out of Velantir's city gates, the atmosphere changed. The lively noise of the city faded behind him, replaced by the eerie silence of the open wilds.
Massive green plains stretched endlessly under a crimson sunset. Distant mountains loomed in the horizon, their peaks shrouded in mist. Wild boars and low-level goblins wandered the fields, easy prey for beginners looking to grind experience points.
Liam ignored them.
Most players would waste time farming weak mobs. Instead, he sprinted towards the ruined temple hidden deep within the forest.
His agility was already superior thanks to his cloak, allowing him to move swiftly through the wilderness.
Ten minutes later, he arrived at a moss-covered archway leading into an underground dungeon. The entrance was barely visible, overgrown with vines.
No one had discovered it yet.
Perfect.
Liam unsheathed his dagger and stepped inside.
The Forsaken Ruins – A Dungeon Unknown to the World
The moment Liam entered, the temperature dropped. The ruins smelled of damp stone and decay. Flickering torches lined the walls, casting eerie shadows across the crumbling pillars.
Then... movement.
From the darkness, three skeletal warriors emerged, their hollow eye sockets glowing with faint blue light.
[Forsaken Guardian – Level 5]
Liam narrowed his eyes. In his past life, players didn't even find this dungeon until they were level fifteen. A level one rogue had no business being here.
But Liam wasn't an ordinary rogue.
He took a deep breath and dashed forward.
The first skeleton lunged, swinging a rusted sword. Liam twisted his body at the last second, dodging cleanly before slashing his dagger across the monster's exposed ribcage.
Critical Hit!
The Shadow Dagger's effect activated, sinking deeper into the skeleton's bones and dealing bonus damage.
The monster staggered, but Liam didn't stop.
Using his superior agility, he sidestepped the second skeleton's attack, rolling behind it before stabbing directly into its skull.
[Critical Hit! Bonus XP Gained!]
The second skeleton collapsed into a pile of bones.
The final skeleton charged. This time, Liam leapt into the air, flipping over its head before driving his dagger straight into its spine.
The ruins fell silent.
[You have defeated 3 Forsaken Guardians!]
[XP Gained: 500]
[You have leveled up!]
Liam exhaled, a rush of power flooding through his body as his level increased.
Most players struggled to reach level two within their first hour. Liam had just hit level three in a matter of minutes.
And this was only the start.
The Midnight Fang – Securing His First Mythical Weapon
Liam continued deeper into the ruins, avoiding unnecessary fights when possible. He knew the real prize was waiting at the final chamber.
After navigating through a maze of corridors and avoiding several traps, he finally reached it.
A massive stone altar stood at the center of the chamber, and embedded in its surface was a dagger pulsating with violet energy.
Midnight Fang.
Liam stepped forward, his heartbeat quickening.
The moment he touched the dagger, the entire room rumbled.
From the darkness, a towering figure emerged, a spectral knight cloaked in shadows.
[Guardian of the Fang – Level 10]
Liam's eyes narrowed. He had expected this.
The first real boss fight of his new life.
The knight raised its massive blade, shadows curling around it like living tendrils.
Liam tightened his grip on his dagger, a cold smirk forming.
"Let's dance."
The knight lunged forward, and the battle for the Midnight Fang began.