Devon's breath caught in his throat as Valia stumbled into him, the silver tray she unconsciously held fell down, crashing, her trembling frame pressing briefly against his chest. The warmth of her body was quickly overshadowed by something else—cold, wet, and metallic. His eyes went down.
Blood.
Her hands were streaked crimson, the stains darkening against her pale skin.
"Valia, what happened?" Devon demanded, his voice steady but edged with urgency.
She looked up, her lips quivering, her eyes unfocused as though trying to make sense of what she'd seen. Her breath came in shallow bursts. "I—I was just coming from the kitchen store on the ground floor," she stammered, her voice barely more than a whisper. "And then… something grabbed my leg. I thought it was a rat or a mop, but when I looked down—" Her voice cracked. "It was a man, my lord. Blood was coming from his chest… it wouldn't stop. I tried to help, but he was already—" the words couldn't form properly, "—already gone."
Her shoulders convulsed as she covered her mouth, trembling.
Devon instinctively placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her. Her pulse raced beneath his touch, fast and wild like a trapped bird's heartbeat. "Easy now," he murmured. "You're safe." He tried hard to look away from her rising breasts as he pacified her.
Valia turned towards the door. "I heard a sound coming as I ran out too," she told him.
Before Devon could respond, a sharp chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Unknown Threat Detected!]
The words hung before his eyes, translucent and cold. Devon's expression turned stern.
He turned sharply to Valia. "Listen to me. Lock yourself in with Luka. Don't open that door for anyone unless they bear the house seal. And if you see any guards, alert them immediately."
"The other servants, they might be found," she wanted to persist.
"Now!" His tone left no room for argument.
Valia startled at his command, her fear dissolving into obedience. She gave one last shaky nod and hurried off down the corridor, the sound of her slippers fading into silence.
Devon exhaled and flexed his fists. The air felt heavier, charged. His instincts, honed by years of danger, whispered that this was no random attack.
The marble corridor stretched ahead of him, the moonlight from the upper windows glinting off the polished floor. Devon's boots made controlled, deliberate steps as he advanced. His hand hovered near his dagger, his eyes scanning every shadow and movement.
The system's voice returned, smooth and detached.
[Mission Triggered: Eliminate Unknown Threat]
[Reward: 300 Supremacy Points]
[System Shop Gemstone: 1/3 Unlocked]
Devon frowned. "System shop? That's a new one."
He reached the stairwell leading to the ground floor. The scent of iron and cinder hung in the air, faint but unmistakable. He was halfway down when he heard footsteps.
Fast. Approaching from behind.
Devon didn't move. The figure emerging from the lit corridor bore the Traventis crest upon his armor—one of his men. Devon's posture eased slightly. "You there," he called. "Did you see any intruders? Do you know if anyone was harmed?"
The man's expression shifted. His eyes flickered, a strange mix of recognition and hostility.
Then, without warning, he lunged.
His sword flashed in the gloom. Devon twisted, but not fast enough; the blade scraped across his left arm, splitting through the fabric and grazing flesh.
He groaned, heat blooming before pain followed—sharp, blinding, alive. His muscles spasmed; fingers curled in reflex as blood spattered the dirt. The world tilted for a heartbeat.
He stumbled back, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his sleeve.
[Enemy Detected!]
[On Par with Guard Level]
[Warning: Failure to Fight Will Result in Death]
Devon's jaw clenched. His pulse quickened, but his stance hardened. "So that's how it is."
The traitorous guard sneered, circling him. "I've been waiting for this, Traventis. You know you and I have a score to settle. The man gave a sinister smirk as he circled around him.
You have locked us up, thrown men like me into cells, ruined every deal, every operation we built. You think you're the righteous one?" The man spat, pointing his sword at him. "You're just a noble dog in fine robes."
Devon's eyes narrowed. "A foul knave like you probably deserves everything he's gotten."
The insult struck home. The man's face shifted in an instant from a smirk to a deep frown. He roared and charged, his blade whistling through the air. Devon sidestepped, but the man's boot connected with his ribs, sending a shock of pain through him. He staggered, his breath hitching.
Blood trickled down his arm, warm and sticky beneath his sleeve. The copper scent filled his nose, his mind raced on how to handle the situation. The system didn't help as it reminded.
[Warning!] [Warning!] [Warning!]
The man smirked. "You look weaker than I thought. So the rumors were true." The imposter guard said snickering. "It'll be an honor to tell everyone I killed the great Devon Traventis, And After that." He moved a bit closer, placing his blade on Devons shoulder. "Maybe I will take a look around your fine manor, have my fun with the women, and what I please." His smile grew wildly.
Devon froze. The words hit him harder than any blade.
A surge of heat rose within him—anger, disgust, defiance.
His heartbeat pounded in his ears. The pain in his arm faded behind the rush of adrenaline. His vision narrowed on the enemy's sneering face.
With a low growl, Devon lunged.
He caught the man around the waist, driving him backward with raw force. The impact sent both crashing into the wall. The enemy's sword clattered to the floor.
The man hammered his fists against Devon's back, snarling. "You bastard, get off!"
But Devon didn't yield. His voice was tight with fury. "You come into my home… and threaten me?"
He slammed the man again, the sound of impact echoing through the hall. A vase toppled from a nearby pedestal and shattered across the floor. Devon's gaze flicked to the shards—then to a larger intact one nearby.
He grabbed it, the ceramic felt solid and cold in his hand. He swung forcefully.
The vase cracked against the man's skull with a heavy thud. The traitor gasped, staggered, then collapsed.
Devon stood over him, chest heaving, blood still dripping from his arm. His eyes hardened. "You shouldn't have come to confirm those rumors." Devon said softly between breaths.
He stooped, grasped the fallen sword, and drove it cleanly into the man's chest.
The blade sank deep. The enemy's breath hitched—then stilled.
Silence reclaimed the corridor.
Devon exhaled slowly, the tension draining from his limbs. His wounded arm throbbed, but he ignored it. He knelt and tugged free a small crest from the man's armor—his family's insignia, stolen and abused.
"Traitor," Devon muttered, slipping it into his coat.
Then the system's voice rang out again.
[Mission Complete: +300 Supremacy Points]
[System Shop Rune Stone: 1/3 Acquired]
[Collect Two More to Unlock Full Shop Access]
The faint glow of the system faded from his vision, leaving him staring at the destruction caused by the fight earlier. Devon knew that his objective wasn't finished, his gut feeling didn't waver, but in that same minute of uncertainty his thoughts were interrupted by another message from the system.
[Ding!]
[Level Up! Guard Rank 20 Achieved!]
He wiped the sweat from his brow, smirking faintly despite the sting in his arm. "Now that," he said under his breath, "is more like it."
Thank you all for giving my book a trial. I promise to keep updating (minimum of two chapters daily) and feel free to correct any errors you find and I will make the edit.