POV: Kael DarkflameLocation: Arena C-7, Trial Grounds
The mutated beast towered above him.
It had once been a Drakethorn Lizard — but now it pulsed with black veins, its scales rotting in motion, its left eye replaced by a swirling red core.
Its roar made the walls bend.
Kael didn't flinch.
The system warnings blared in his mind, but he ignored them.
This wasn't just a test anymore.
This was a message.
System Alert – Emergency Protocol Engaged
❗Mutation Detected
Creature Name: [REDACTED] Rank: B (Corrupted)
Warning: Consumption not advised– Potential Reaper Trigger: High– Core Instability: 82%
➤ Directive: Retreat or Request Aid
Kael grinned, eyes burning crimson.
"No."
He spun Broodfang and stepped into the center of the chamber.
The beast lunged.
Its tail swept through stone like butter, and its claws tore up chunks of arena floor — but Kael moved like shadow and smoke, always one breath ahead.
Broodfang hissed as it carved into the thing's leg. The corrupted flesh screamed like metal tearing.
________________________________________________________________
POV: Observation Chamber – Selene
She slammed her hand against the barrier.
"He's going to push it."
Beside her, an instructor snarled. "He'll die if that thing explodes! This isn't part of the trial—"
Selene turned on them, eyes cold.
"Then pray he survives. Because if he doesn't… nothing in this world will stop what follows."
____________________________________________________
POV: Kael
The beast charged again — its red core beating like a second heart in its forehead.
Kael launched himself into the air with a burst of shadow, landing on the creature's spine. He jammed Broodfang into its neck and let go.
"Let's see what happens when I do this the Reaper's way."
System Override – Forbidden Action Initiated
Shadow Reaper Trait: Core Consumption (Unsafe)
Consuming Mutated Core…
❗WARNING: Overflow risk 92%
Shadowline Reaping Triggered
He reached forward and plunged his hand into the thing's skull.
The core pulsed, resisted.
Then cracked.
And then—
It screamed.
Not the beast.
The core.
Kael's system howled. Darkness surged into him, ripping through his limbs like razors.
His vision blurred.
And then—
Everything snapped.
___________________________________________________________
POV: Grand Chamber – Academy Elder Council
The lights dimmed.
A spike in mana readings shattered three of the outer wards.
A scrying mirror burst into shards.
And above the trial arena—
A black lotus bloomed in the air.
Ten meters wide.
Petals of flame.
____________________________________________________
POV: Kael
He stood in the aftermath of the explosion.
The beast was gone — a crater where its body had been. Its bones had vanished to ash. The only thing that remained was a red mist, swirling around Kael like a crown.
His hair floated. His skin pulsed faintly with runes.
His scythe had changed — longer, darker, the edge now a serrated fang of midnight.
And in his chest… a second heartbeat.
His.
And the Reaper's.
System Update – Kael Darkflame
Mutation Core Absorbed – Partial Success Classline Advancement: 81% → 93%
➤ Shadow Reaper Trait Unlocked:
Name: Core Eclipse Type: Passive/Active Hybrid Description: Upon defeating corrupted lifeforms, Kael can absorb unstable energy to temporarily unlock traits above system tier. Duration scales with core density.
Side Effect: Black Lotus Bloom – Triggers dimensional fluctuations. Highly detectable.
Kael exhaled.
He didn't collapse.
Didn't cry out.
Just stood there, covered in ash and shadow.
He turned toward the stunned barrier where Selene and the others watched.
And smiled.
_________________________________________________________
POV: High Realm – Skyflame Citadel
The young girl opened her eyes fully for the first time in years.
Her locket pulsed.
"He's alive."
Her attendant gasped. "My lady—your blood… it's glowing."
The girl smiled.
"He's changing. It's starting again."
____________________________________________________________
POV: Celestial Plane – Chamber of Masks
The golden-masked observer stepped forward into a ring of godlight.
"It's confirmed. The Shadow Reaper's heir has absorbed a Mutation Core."
The room filled with whispers.
"Do we erase him now?" one voice asked.
"No," said the gold mask. "He has not yet reached the world tier. Let him climb."
"Why?"
The figure's voice was almost regretful.
"Because he is the last inheritor of something older than law."
"We want to see… if he remembers."
______________________________________________________
POV: Kael – Back in the arena
A portal opened in the stone beside him. The exit gate.
He walked toward it.
The shadows followed.
And behind him, his system quietly whispered:
Shadow Reaper State
Class Tier: Unique+
Phase I: Complete
➤ Next Trigger: Soulmark Activation➤ Condition: Reap a sentient being with noble blood
Kael paused at the threshold.
He whispered:
"Soon."
And stepped through.
End of Chapter 22