The stench of decay and the scorch of holy light tangled in the Borderlands ruins, slithering into Karen's nostrils like a cold viper. He jolted awake, silver hair matted to his bloodstained cheeks, and a searing pain tore at his left neck—the "kin-slayer curse" was spreading upward like greedy vines.
Three years. Since Marcus framed him for killing his brother Elias, and the theocratic priests branded him with this forbidden seal, he'd been an exile on the Shattered Continent. The Golden Knight Order badge was long torn from his armor, leaving only a jagged scratch, mocking the "protection" creed he once swore to uphold.
"Roar——"
A deep growl shattered the silence. Three Shadow Hounds lunged from behind withered trees, their black fur oozing acid, claws scraping harshly against the stone ground. They were the most common monsters in the Borderlands, feeding on exiles' flesh—and right now, Karen was their prime target.
Karen struggled to his feet, gripping the only weapon at his waist—Elias' old hilt, no blade left, just the cold touch of metal. His holy light powers had long been suppressed by the curse; now, all he had was the remains of his knightly combat skills.
The first hound pounced, acid splattering his armor with a hissing corrosive sound. Karen dodged sideways, slamming the hilt into its skull, but only left a shallow dent. The curse's pain flared suddenly, darkening his vision as he stumbled back into a cracked stone wall.
Just as the hound's claws were about to pierce his chest, a copper coin slipped from Karen's chest pocket—one he'd traded from a Chinatown merchant while crossing the border, inscribed with "Five-Element Balance" runes. It clattered against the stone wall, emitting a faint golden glow that resonated eerily with the shadow veins on his neck.
[Balance bloodline compatibility detected… Shadow Pact System activating…]
A cold mechanical voice erupted in his mind, and Karen's pupils contracted. He'd heard the theocracy mention "forbidden systems" before, but never dreamed he'd be bound to one.
[Host: Karen Van Helga. Curse Compatibility: 100%. Initial Quest: Devour 3 Shadow Hounds to unlock basic skill—Shadow Claws.]
The hound's snarl was inches away. Karen had no time to hesitate. He grabbed the coin, pressed it to the curse's veins, and roared: "Whatever you are, if you can keep me alive——"
Before he finished, a violent surge of shadow energy rushed from the coin into his body, and the curse's veins erupted with black light. His index and middle fingers suddenly lengthened, nails transforming into obsidian claws glinting with cold malice.
"Die!"
Karen dodged the hound's bite, slashing its throat with his Shadow Claws. Black blood gushed out, absorbed by the claws, and the system chimed: [Shadow Hound devoured ×1. Corruption Level +5%. Humanity Level -3%.]
Agony and power surged through him. He moved like a feral beast, darting through the ruins, claws tearing through monster flesh. The shadow energy nourished the curse, while eroding his sanity.
When the third hound fell, the shadow veins had spread to Karen's left cheek, and a faint purple glow flickered in his eyes. He panted heavily, staring at his bloodstained claws, a wave of terror washing over him—this power was turning him into the very "monster" he'd once hated.
[Quest completed. Skill unlocked: Shadow Claws (Basic). Residual balance runes detected nearby. Explore?]
The system's voice pulled him back. Karen glanced at the cracked stone wall—faint Five-Element symbols were carved there, matching the coin's runes. He reached out, and the symbols emitted a warm golden light, temporarily easing the pain in his neck.
"Balance runes…" he muttered, recalling the ancient text Elias had studied: "Shadow and holy light share the same origin; balance is the root of all things."
Hoofbeats echoed in the distance, followed by the shout of theocratic knights: "We found the kin-slayer! The Archbishop orders his execution!"
Karen's eyes sharpened. He retracted his claws, clutching the coin tightly. He didn't know what this "Shadow Pact System" was, or the secret of the balance runes—but he knew he couldn't die here.
For Elias. For exposing Marcus' hypocrisy. For reclaiming what had been stolen—he had to survive, even if it meant walking with darkness.
He turned and vanished into the ruins' shadows, leaving behind three monster corpses and the glowing balance runes on the wall, painting a lonely, resolute silhouette against the setting sun.