Chapter 19: Shadow Moves

The streets of Velantir pulsed with tension, the looming threat of war between the city's two dominant guilds turning every alley into a battlefield waiting to ignite. Eclipse had been tightening its grip, pushing its influence to choke out competition, while Nightfall moved silently, weaving its power into the city's underbelly. Between them, however, lurked a force neither could control, Liam, the Revenant, the rogue player who had shattered expectations and defied every attempt to be caged.

Perched on the rooftop of an abandoned alchemist's shop, Liam surveyed the city below. At Level 45, he was far beyond the average player's reach. Most top players were hovering around Level 35, struggling against the game's difficulty spikes. That disparity made him both a target and a ghost. No one could match his strength, but that didn't stop them from trying. The bounty on his head had doubled in the last few days. Jason was desperate, throwing everything he had into hunting him down, while Selene of Nightfall watched and waited, her plans still unknown.

A group of players moved cautiously below, their armor marked with Eclipse's insignia. They carried themselves like professionals, not the usual gold-hungry scavengers who had been after him before. Jason had finally stopped relying on fodder. These were killers. Good. It meant he wouldn't have to hold back.

He activated Shadowstep, his form flickering as he descended into the darkness of the alley. The first opponent barely registered his presence before Liam's dagger slid between the gaps in his armor, a precise strike severing muscle and tendons in an instant. The player crumpled, his health bar obliterated before he could even react.

[Critical Hit!] [-4,200 HP]

The remaining three spun around, weapons raised, their eyes wide with shock.

"He's here! Lock down the area!" one shouted, raising his greatsword, but Liam was already gone, blending in with the shadows.

His shadow clone materialized behind the second target, mirroring his next strike. Phantom Reaver activated, the simultaneous attack cutting deep into the enemy's side while Liam's real dagger found his throat, bringing his health down to 0.

[-3,600 HP] [-1,800 HP]

The player barely had time to scream before vanishing into pixels. The last two hesitated, their formation broken, their confidence shattered. They had thought they were the hunters, but in the blink of an eye, they had become prey.

Liam's smirk didn't waver as he engaged the last two, his blades moving too fast for them to keep up. A combination of Shadow Rend and a well-timed backstab left them gasping, health bars evaporating under the weight of his attacks.

[You have slain an Eclipse Elite!] [You have slain an Eclipse Elite!]

Velantir belonged to the strongest, and right now, there was no one stronger than him.

Before the echoes of battle faded, a system announcement rippled across the game, its impact shaking the entire player base.

[World Announcement!]

[A new dungeon has been discovered: The Abyssal Labyrinth. Recommended Level: 35+]

[First Clear Reward: Unique-Class Weapon + 10,000 Gold]

[Dungeon Location: The Forgotten Ruins, North of Velantir]

Liam's interest piqued. A dungeon above Level 30 was no joke. The rewards alone would drive every major guild into a frenzy. More importantly, this was a chance to see just how wide the gap was between him and the strongest guilds.

He wasn't the only one thinking that. Across the city, Eclipse and Nightfall were already mobilizing. Jason wouldn't ignore a dungeon of this caliber, and Selene would undoubtedly see it as an opportunity to expand her influence. The real question was: who would strike first?

Moving quickly, Liam made his way toward the Forgotten Ruins. He had no intention of watching from the sidelines. If this dungeon held something truly valuable, then he would claim it before anyone else even had a chance to step inside.

On the outskirts of Velantir, in a heavily fortified guild hall, Jason sat at the head of a long table, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood. His officers sat around him, their expressions tense as they reviewed the latest intelligence.

"Revenant took out another squad," one of his lieutenants muttered, frustration clear in his voice. "Three elites, gone in seconds."

Jason exhaled sharply. "Of course, he did. We knew sending small teams wouldn't be enough. If we want him gone, we do this properly." His gaze flickered to the world announcement hovering before them. "Forget hunting Revenant for now. This dungeon changes everything."

The officers exchanged glances. "You think Nightfall will move?"

Jason scoffed. "Selene's already ahead of us. She's probably sending scouts to the ruins as we speak. We don't have time to waste. Mobilize the top raiding party. We take the Abyssal Labyrinth before she does."

A heavy silence filled the room before his second-in-command spoke. "And if Revenant shows up?"

Jason's expression darkened. "Then we make sure he doesn't walk away."

Selene leaned against the stone railing of her guild's hideout, her violet eyes reflecting the torches that lined the chamber. Unlike Eclipse's grand halls, Nightfall operated from the shadows, its headquarters hidden beneath the city in a labyrinth of old tunnels and forgotten passageways.

A scout knelt before her, delivering his report in hushed tones. "Eclipse is moving. Their top party is assembling for the dungeon."

She smiled, a slow, knowing expression. "Let them rush in first. We'll see what this dungeon truly holds."

Her officer hesitated. "And Revenant?"

Selene's smile widened. "Oh, he'll be there. And that's what makes this interesting."

As Liam approached the Forgotten Ruins, he could already see players gathering. Small scouting parties were staking out positions, marking entrances, and speculating on the dungeon's mechanics.

He adjusted his grip on Midnight Fang, his mind already forming strategies. The guilds thought they controlled Velantir, thought they were the only ones that mattered in this game.

They were wrong.

This dungeon wouldn't just be another battle. It would be a message.

Velantir had many kings.

But it had only one legend.