Chapter 3 — Marked for Elimination
The whispers started that night.
Rael stood atop a broken tower near the center of Blackrest, his cloak blending into the shadows. The city sprawled beneath him—dying, desperate, violent. The last flickers of what used to be civilization now ruled by fear and dungeons.
He wasn't watching the city.
He was watching the sky.
Because it was watching him.
{Warning: Surveillance Detected. Unknown Source. Origin Signature Traced.}{Threat Level: Red.}{Target Classification: Shadowborne Sovereign – Priority Elimination Order Issued.}
The system's voice echoed like a whisper through his bones.
Rael narrowed his eyes."So they know I exist."
{Daily Login Reward – Day 3: System Scanner (SS-Grade) received.}
The scanner appeared in his hand—a smooth obsidian orb etched with symbols that pulsed with power.
He activated it.
A soft hum. Then a 3D map unfurled before him, revealing clusters of red marks across Blackrest.
{Marked Individuals: 3 nearby. Status: Active. Purpose: Enforce Origin Wipe.}
"They sent hunters already?"
He focused on the closest red dot.
It was moving. Fast. Headed straight toward...
"Syra."
He blinked forward using Void Step, navigating rooftops in shadow.
The Whispers Tavern was in flames when he arrived.
Bodies lay scattered. Shadow-burned. One of them was a child—a runner boy who passed messages.
Rael's grip on his dagger tightened.
From the smoke, a tall man stepped through.
Sleek black armor. A silver mask. His presence didn't ripple—it suppressed.
{Name: Zahr}{Rank: SSS}{Talent: Null Domain – Cancels all passive abilities within 10 meters.}
"Shadowborne," Zahr said, voice muffled by the mask. "You've interfered. That ends now."
Rael didn't respond.
He vanished.
Reappeared behind Zahr. Blade raised.
Clang.
Blocked. Zahr didn't even flinch.
A pulse exploded from his armor.
Rael staggered, all passives cut off.
{Suppress Presence – Deactivated}{Execution Mark – Deactivated}{Shadow Instinct – Deactivated}
Zahr launched a punch.
It connected.
Rael flew across the street and crashed through a wall.
Pain flared.
"System... override restrictions."
{Confirm override using Origin Points? Warning: Overuse may damage System Stability.}
"Do it."
{Override Confirmed. Shadow Core Surge Activated. Passive Skills Reactivated. Time Limit: 30 seconds.}
Rael felt everything return.
He exploded into motion.
Shadows twisted.
Clones flickered into existence.
Zahr turned—but too late.
The real Rael appeared behind him, blade sliding into a gap in the armor.
Shadowfire erupted.
Zahr screamed.
Rael didn't stop. Blade. Shadow. Clone. Strike.
Ten slashes. One second.
Zahr dropped, smoking and twitching.
{SSS-Class Hunter Eliminated. +1 Origin Fragment obtained.}
Rael collapsed to one knee, breathing hard.
That had been too close.
"System. What's an Origin Fragment?"
{Collect enough Fragments to unlock your Origin Ability. Fragments required: 9.}
"Origin Ability..."
A chill went through him.
Whatever they were trying to erase... it wasn't just him.
It was something sleeping inside him.
A groan nearby. Syra.
He found her under rubble, bleeding but alive.
"You came back," she muttered.
"I don't leave debts."
"You made enemies today, Rael."
"I made a promise today."
"To who?"
Rael looked at the sky.
"To everyone who thought we were just pieces in their system."