Darkness remembered.
Kai stepped deeper into the crumbling temple—ruins that once belonged to a forgotten god now buried under centuries of moss and silence. The dungeon's oppressive air was thick with ancient power, humming low like the growl of a sleeping beast. A faint blue glow traced strange symbols along the broken walls, marking a path that only he could see—etched by the God System.
[System Notification]: Hidden Dungeon Discovered – "Echoes of the Forgotten God"Danger Level: Calamity (Solo Mode Engaged)Minimum Requirement: None MetProceed?
Kai swallowed hard and whispered, "Yes."
Orwenhall Capital – Thronewatch Keep
High above the city in the floating glass citadel, Archmagus Teyren Vos stood before the Mirror of Names. The mirror shimmered, showing flickers of Kai's figure descending into the ruin. His fingers trembled.
"He's awakened… it," he murmured.
"Impossible," said High General Clavius, stepping forward, his armor clanking like a death bell. "The boy was broken. Useless."
Vos turned slowly. "That useless boy now carries the signature of a forbidden fragment. One sealed away by the Seven Saints themselves."
Silence.
Then a quiet voice—clear, feminine, cold.
"Then we end him before the world remembers who he is."
They all turned. A woman in silver robes, her face hidden behind a veil of white chains. Cardinal Nysha, the Saint of Chains.
Back in the Dungeon: Chamber of the Forgotten King
The inner sanctum pulsed with energy. As Kai entered, the stone doors behind him slammed shut with a thunderclap. The room expanded—twisting impossibly into a circular arena with black fire dancing along the walls.
Suddenly, a figure materialized in the center. Not a beast. Not a demon. A man.
Or what was once a man.
Crowned in rusted gold, draped in robes torn by time, the Spirit of the Fallen God opened his eyes—two endless voids of sorrow and wrath.
[System Warning: World Boss Detected – Unrecorded Class]Name: Thar'Zul, the God Who WasClass: Forgotten Deity Fragment (Suppressed)Threat Level: ImmeasurableNote: Escape Impossible. Fight or be Erased.
Kai didn't run. Couldn't. His knees were weak, his breath thin. But a strange calm settled in.
"You bear the mark," the spirit growled. "Why?"
Kai replied through gritted teeth, "Because I was forgotten too."
Thar'Zul roared. The arena exploded into chaos. Dark magic twisted into chains that lashed at Kai. He dodged the first—barely. The second cracked a rib. The third sent him flying into a pillar.
[System Activated: Pain Limit Temporarily Removed – 300% Learning Boost Applied]Adapt. Or Die.
Kai coughed blood, smiled bitterly, and pushed himself up.
Northern Barrens – The Ravenhold Fortress
Under the red sun, a hooded mercenary made her way across a bloodstained field. Her name was Sarya Locke, once a noble, now a shadow assassin for hire. A crow circled above her head.
She paused as her enchanted tattoo flared.
Target marked by Divine System detected: "Kai Arclight"Contract Rate: Tripled.
She grinned. "Finally. A mark worth the chase."
Back in the Arena
Kai fought with everything—bare fists, broken rock, shattered magic. But Thar'Zul was no ordinary monster. He wielded regrets and memories like blades. Each swing hit not just Kai's body but his soul.
When Kai collapsed for the third time, the God Fragment in his chest flickered. The system screamed in his mind.
[Emergency Trigger Activated]Awakening Proto-Divinity: Echo of AshesSkill Gained: Ember Sovereign Form – 10 Seconds Max (Cooldown: 1 week)
Kai stood. Flames of silver and black exploded around him. His hair turned white, eyes glowing with sigils. Even Thar'Zul hesitated.
"You… you dare…" the spirit hissed.
"I don't need your approval," Kai growled. "I'll take back everything that was stolen. From me. From the world."
He launched forward—faster than lightning. His punch shattered the spirit's mask.
A blast of light engulfed the arena.
And when it cleared, Kai stood alone, panting, as the chamber began collapsing.
[Dungeon Cleared: Unique Boss Defeated]Reward: 1x God Core (Cursed), 15,000 Karma Points, Title Gained: "The Forgotten Flame"Hidden Trait Awakened: ???
But the moment he touched the black orb, the world shifted.
The Void Between Realms
A figure stirred on a throne of bones.
Another god.
Its blindfold twitched.
"Another cursed heir walks the path…" it whispered. "Then the Game begins once more."