Smoke still lingered in the air.
The ground where the Cultist had fallen was cracked. His blood steamed against the stone.
Sei's legs trembled.
He was alive—but barely.
His body was burning from the inside out. Every breath hurt. His muscles screamed.
But something else screamed louder:
[Level Up Achieved]
Level 1 → Level 2
+3 Stat Points
New Skill Unlocked: Ash Step (F)
Ash Step: Move like a wraith through ash and smoke. +20% speed in low-visibility environments. Costs 10 Soul Energy.
"Ash Step…?" Sei panted.
He didn't know what Soul Energy was—but he didn't have time to learn.
Sirens wailed through the slums. Red crystals blinked atop spires. The death of a Cultist wasn't small news. They'd send more. Stronger.
He looked at the corpse.
Silver armor. Cult brand on the shoulder—Iron Cult, Fourth Division.
Sei grabbed the chestplate and yanked.
CLANK!
The armor came off in pieces. Crude but solid. He strapped the shoulder plate on, wincing as it dug into a bruise.
Then he searched the body.
No weapon. Broken in their clash.
But a glowing orb lay in the dead man's hand. Pulsing. Crimson.
Item Acquired: Spirit Core (Rank F)
Can be absorbed to enhance stats or fuel the System.
Sei hesitated… then crushed it in his palm.
CRACK!
The energy flowed through him like lightning. His vision blurred.
+5 Soul Energy
+1 Strength | +1 Agility | +1 Endurance
"Haaah…" he exhaled, a low fire behind his eyes.
He didn't know how he was still standing. But if he stayed, he'd die.
He turned and ran.
Through alleys he knew by heart. Past the broken carts and crumbling temples of the slums.
Every step was pain.
But every step was free.
The chains that had always been around his mind—they weren't just off. They were gone.
Somewhere deeper in the ruins, a voice called:
"Sei!"
It was faint, hoarse.
He froze. That voice—he knew it.
He turned a corner and skidded to a stop.
A small girl, maybe ten, crouched beside a fallen wall. Her leg was crushed beneath rubble. Her black hair streaked with soot.
Mina.
The orphan girl who always shared her bread with him. The one who smiled, even when the world didn't.
Her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"I knew you'd come…" she whispered.
Sei's heart twisted.
He rushed to her, kneeling. "Don't talk. I've got you."
"They came… after you killed the Overseer. They said they'd burn the block. They laughed."
Sei's fists clenched.
Behind them, smoke rose higher. He could see flames licking at rooftops. The Empire wasn't sending troops to arrest him.
They were sending punishment.
A purge.
Liberation Target Detected: Mina – Bound by rubble and mortal fear
Liberation Bonus: +2 Soul Flames if rescued before fire reaches zone.
A timer blinked in red:
[Fire Approaching – 3:00]
Sei gritted his teeth.
He placed both hands on the stone trapping her leg.
It was heavy. Real heavy.
He wasn't strong enough.
Not yet.
Would you like to allocate 3 Stat Points?
"Yes!"
+2 Strength | +1 Endurance applied.
His muscles bulged with fire. Lightning danced across his veins.
He screamed—and lifted.
"HAAAAAH!!"
CRACK!
The stone rolled off.
He scooped her into his arms just as a wall behind them collapsed in flames.
Liberation Complete
+2 Soul Flames
Skill Upgrade: Chain Breaker – Rank F → E
You feel lighter. Stronger. Faster.
As the fire closed in—
Activating: Ash Step
The world blurred.
Ash swirled like a vortex.
And Sei vanished into it.
They emerged blocks away, gasping.
He laid Mina down under a broken canopy.
Her tears were falling now.
"Why…?" she asked. "Why are you helping?"
Sei looked down at his shaking hands.
The fire inside them hadn't faded.
He clenched them into fists.
"Because we shouldn't have to live like this."
"Not anymore."
Quest Unlocked: Burn the Chains – Chapter I
Objective: Liberate 10 souls from Sector D before sunrise.
Reward: Unique Skill, +1 Level, Class Advancement Unlocked
Sei's silver eyes glowed.
Behind him, the Empire burned its warning into the sky.
But he wouldn't run anymore.
He'd answer.
With fire.
To Be Continued…