Morning came slowly over the Villages Eldrath.
The sky was gray, the air thick with smoke from nearby bandit camps.
Kael stood at the doorway of his broken hut, holding the dull knife that had ended the mouse's life.
His eyes were calm—too calm for a boy his age.
> [Quest: Kill 5 living beings.]
Progress: 1 / 5
Reward: Unlock System Shop.
He whispered the words that had burned into his mind all night. "Kill to grow…"
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🌑 First Hunt
Kael stepped into the narrow alleyways.
The village were infested with wild rats, starved dogs, and thieves who'd kill for bread.
He found his next target soon enough—a large sewer rat gnawing on trash.
Without hesitation, Kael threw the knife again.
Thunk!
> [Target eliminated.]
[+1 EXP gained.]
A faint red glow passed into his chest. He could feel his heartbeat steadying—stronger than before.
He killed another.
Then another.
Each time, the same notification:
> [+1 EXP.]
When the fifth creature fell, the System's voice echoed inside his head:
> [Quest Completed!]
[Reward Granted — System Shop Unlocked.]
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🩸 System Interface Activated
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Blood Reaper System
Name: Kael
Cultivation Level: Mortal (Lower)
EXP: 5 / 100
EXP Storage: 0
Skills: None
Abilities: None
Techniques: None
Weapons: None
Equipment: None
System Shop: Unlocked
──────────────────────────────
> [Opening System Shop…]
A dark red window appeared, filled with glowing items.
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🛒 Blood Reaper System Shop (Grade 1 - Lower)
1. Skill: Blood Sense – 5 EXP
→ Detects nearby living beings through their blood energy.
2. Weapon: Rusted Blood Dagger – 5 EXP
→ Increases kill speed by 10%. Absorbs a trace of blood essence.
3. Pill: Basic Vitality Pill – 3 EXP
→ Restores minor stamina and grants +1 EXP.
4. Ability: Blood Instinct – 10 EXP
→ Enhances reaction speed in combat for 30 seconds.
──────────────────────────────
Kael's eyes scanned the list.
He had exactly 5 EXP. Enough for one choice.
"Skill or Weapon…" he muttered, thinking carefully.
His cold gaze stopped on the Rusted Blood Dagger.
> "If I'm to kill, I'll need a real weapon."
> [Purchase Confirmed.]
[5 EXP deducted.]
[Weapon Acquired: Rusted Blood Dagger (Grade 1 - Lower)]
The broken knife in his hand shimmered and melted into red light, reforming into a dark blade pulsing with faint crimson veins.
Kael gripped the hilt. The dagger felt alive.
When he swung it lightly, it whistled through the air with deadly precision.
> [Passive Effect: 10% Kill Speed Boost Activated.]
He smiled faintly for the first time.
"Good. Let's begin."
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⚔️ The slums Will Tremble
Kael turned toward the path leading to the outer forest.
That's where the bandits hid — the same ones who had burned his village years ago.
Now, his steps were silent. His aura, colder.
Each step pulsed with the rhythm of the new power growing inside him.
> "You destroyed everything I had," he whispered.
"Now I'll rebuild it… with your blood."
Above him, the system chimed softly:
> [Next Quest Generated:]
Eliminate 10 bandits (Any Level).
Reward: Unlock Ability Shop (Grade 1 - Lower) + 20 EXP.
Kael's eyes glowed crimson as he walked into the mist.
> [The Blood Reaper's Path… has begun.]
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