Chapter 5 – The Devil's Whisper
The night air hung heavy with smoke and whispers.
Kael Vireth stood atop the burnt remains of the east training yard tower, looking down at the city that once turned its back on him. His breath fogged in the cold, but his body felt like it was on fire. Not from exhaustion—but from the raw, unfiltered power now pulsing through him.
System Alert:
Revenge Pact (Ryn Dalmoor) active. Bloodline connections mapped.
New sin targets suggested: Serah Velthorn, Commander Gallan, Grand Disciple Vaern.
[GREED] or [ENVY] Sin Tree available for unlock. Select one to continue progression.
Kael clenched his fists.
"Greed… Envy…"
He thought of Serah—how she stole credit for his strategies, his hard-earned victories.
He thought of Gallan—the man who stripped him of his knighthood, his titles, and dignity.
And Vaern... the high priest who called him "tainted" and left him for dead.
His fury stirred, but another voice crept into his mind. Velvet, ancient, coiled in honeyed malice.
"Choose wisely, my little devil…"
"Take from them what they hoarded, or become what they feared to face…"
The devil. Lucivar.
Kael smirked.
"Envy. Let me show them what it's like to watch their world burn... through their own eyes."
[ENVY Skill Tree Unlocked]
[Passive: Shadow Mimic – Temporary ability steal]
[Mimic Sin Lv.1 acquired]
The moment the choice was made, Kael's body shivered. A new sensation rippled through him—like thousands of voices echoing in his soul, each one a stolen whisper from someone else's strength.
He felt hollow and heavy all at once.
Two Days Later – Outer Slums, District 13
Kael walked through the smog-laced streets, the stench of filth and forgotten lives clinging to every brick.
Here, there were no nobles. No knights. Just rats—some starving, some dressed in fine cloaks pretending they weren't drowning like everyone else.
This was where Serah operated now.
Exiled from the Order for "unethical tactics," she ran a black-market militia—mercs, thieves, and broken exiles. They worshiped her. Called her "The Silver Viper."
Kael smiled as he watched them from the shadows.
"You never could live without an army of dogs behind you," he whispered.
[Sin Detection – Active]
Target: Serah Velthorn
Dominant Sin: GREED
Secondary: Pride
Mimic Sin: Ready
Kael stepped into the torchlight. The guards didn't recognize him—not at first.
But then one tilted his head, squinting.
"…Kael? That you?"
His hand was already raised.
[Hellfire Pulse Lv.1] – Cast
The explosion blew the man off his feet, his charred body tumbling down the alley.
The second reached for a horn.
[Echo Step] – Cast
Kael appeared directly behind him, a shadow flicker in motion.
[Shadow Mimic Activated – Copying Weapon Technique: [Steel Fang Slash]]
He drove the stolen blade art into the man's spine with surgical brutality.
2 SP earned. Nightmare Gauge: 22%
The door burst open. Serah appeared, silver hair flowing, eyes narrowing.
She raised her twin daggers. "You've lost your damn mind, Kael."
"You lost your soul years ago," he replied, walking forward, blood dripping from his borrowed blade.
She lunged. Fast. Deadly. Like always.
But Kael was faster.
[Echo Step – Return]
[Mimic Sin – Copied: Dagger Art: Viper Spiral]
He mirrored her move as if she were looking into a time-warped mirror. Steel kissed steel. Then his second blade caught her shoulder.
She gasped—confused.
"You… you copied me?"
"I learned from the best," he whispered, twisting the blade. "But unlike you, I don't forget who I stole from."
She fell to her knees.
[Contract Available – Activate?]
False Redemption Pact – Suggested.
Use Serah's desperation and hunger for power to bind her soul.
Kael knelt beside her, voice now gentle—a lie.
"I don't have to kill you, Serah. You can serve a greater purpose. I can make you powerful again."
She looked up, bloody and broken. "I… don't want to be forgotten."
"Then sign," he said, his hand glowing with a sigil of burning white ink.
She took it.
[False Redemption Pact – Serah Velthorn Bound]
Effect: Serah regains power, but her soul is corrupted. She now unknowingly empowers Kael with every use of her strength.
Kael rose, eyes flickering with black flame.
The Viper now served the Devil.
System Update:
SP: 9
Nightmare Gauge: 28%
Pact Formed: False Redemption – Serah Velthorn
New Ability Acquired: [Viper Spiral]
ENVY Skill Upgrade Available: [Mirror Bind]
Next Suggested Target: High Priest Vaern
From the shadows, the devil rises. With each soul twisted, each betrayal repaid, Kael builds a new empire—one made not of loyalty, but of sins and shattered dreams.