Chapter 4: The First Taste of the Abyss
[Main Quest: Survive Until Your Eighteenth Birthday]
Time Remaining: 364 Days
Kael stared at the notification floating before him.
His body felt strangely light, yet the darkness surrounding him seemed heavier than ever.
The contract had changed something inside him.
He could feel it.
Every shadow had a presence. Every trace of hatred in the chamber whispered into his mind.
Then another notification appeared.
[New Skill Available: Abyssal Absorption]
[Description: Absorb negative emotions and convert them into Abyss Energy.]
Kael raised his hand.
A small black flame appeared above his palm.
"So this is my new power..."
The flame trembled, responding to his thoughts.
He closed his fist.
The flame disappeared.
"Interesting."
Suddenly, the system flashed red.
[Warning: Hostile presence approaching.]
Kael turned toward the staircase.
Footsteps echoed from above.
Someone was coming.
### The First Enemy
"Young Master Kael!"
A familiar voice called out.
It was Marcus, the head of the estate's private guards.
He stood at the entrance with four armed knights behind him. Their expressions were tense, and their hands rested on their swords.
"By order of the Duke, you are to return to your quarters immediately."
Kael glanced at them.
"Did Father send you?"
"His Grace sensed an unusual disturbance beneath the estate."
Marcus looked at the broken chains behind Kael.
His face turned pale.
"What have you done?"
Kael shrugged.
"Just exploring."
"Do not joke! You have disturbed something that should never have been awakened!"
The knights slowly surrounded him.
Kael noticed their expressions.
Fear.
Suspicion.
Hatred.
His system responded immediately.
[Negative emotions detected.]
[Abyss Energy +5]
Kael smiled.
"So that's how it works."
Marcus drew his sword.
"Seize him!"
The four knights charged.
Kael barely moved.
A black shadow spread beneath his feet.
[Skill Activated: Abyssal Absorption.]
The knights suddenly felt their bodies grow heavy. Their fear was being pulled toward Kael like smoke.
One of them collapsed.
Another dropped his weapon.
"What... is happening?"
Kael raised his hand.
A dark blade formed from the surrounding shadows.
[New Skill Acquired: Abyssal Blade.]
With one swing, the blade struck the ground in front of the knights.
A wave of darkness threw them backward.
Silence followed.
Kael stared at his hand.
He had barely used any strength.
Marcus struggled to stand.
"You... You're no longer the same person."
Kael walked toward him.
"You're right."
He stopped a few steps away.
"The old Kael would have begged you to stop."
His eyes darkened.
"But I'm not him."
### The Duke's Warning
Minutes later, Kael was escorted to the Duke's private chamber.
Duke Alaric Veyron stood beside a large window, his hands clasped behind his back.
Seraphina was there too.
And beside her stood Lucien.
The moment Kael entered, Lucien's eyes moved toward his chest.
He had sensed the change.
"Brother," Lucien said with a gentle smile. "Are you hurt?"
Kael ignored him and looked at his father.
"You wanted to see me?"
Duke Alaric turned.
"What happened beneath this estate?"
"I found an old gate."
"Do not lie to me!"
The room shook with the Duke's anger.
Seraphina stepped forward.
"You foolish idiot! Do you understand what you have awakened?"
Kael looked at her calmly.
"Something your family was afraid of?"
Her expression changed.
Duke Alaric approached him.
"Listen carefully, Kael. Whatever you found beneath this house, forget it. Never return there."
Kael tilted his head.
"And if I refuse?"
The Duke's eyes narrowed.
"Then I will personally ensure you never leave this mansion again."
A brief silence filled the room.
Then Lucien stepped forward.
"Father, perhaps we should give Brother a chance to explain."
His voice was gentle.
His expression was perfect.
But Kael could see something behind that smile.
Fear.
[Negative Emotion Detected: Hidden Hostility.]
[Abyss Energy +3]
Kael smiled faintly.
So even you are afraid of me, Lucien.
### An Unexpected Notification
As Kael turned to leave, his system suddenly activated.
[Hidden Condition Fulfilled.]
[You have attracted the attention of a future hero.]
[Special Quest Unlocked: The False Saint.]
Objective: Discover the secret behind Lucien Veyron.
Reward: Unknown.
Kael stopped walking.
Lucien noticed.
"Is something wrong, Brother?"
Kael looked back at him.
"No."
His smile widened.
"Nothing at all."
But inside, his thoughts were already moving.
The original story said Lucien would become one of the seven heroes.
Yet the system calls him a false saint.
Kael returned his gaze to the door.
Perhaps this world isn't as simple as the novel described.
And somewhere deep beneath the mansion, the demon whispered:
[Be careful, little heir. The most dangerous monsters are not always the ones hiding in the darkness.]
[Main Quest Updated]
New Objective
SURVIVE THE VEYRON FAMILY
- Investigate Lucien's hidden identity.
- Discover the Duke's connection to the ancient seal.
- Increase Abyss Energy.
Time Remaining: 363 Days
Kael looked toward the mansion's grand windows.
For the first time, he wasn't thinking about escaping his fate.
He was thinking about controlling it.
"Let the heroes come. I'll decide who deserves to be called a monster."
End of Chapter 4
Next Chapter: Chapter 5 – The Smile of a False Saint