In the world of Marta, power belonged to sects.
Across the continents, powerful organizations ruled entire regions, each pursuing their own ideals and ambitions.
In the east, the Dragon Hunters sought glory by slaying the strongest beasts known to the world. They believed that whoever conquered the most powerful creatures deserved to rule Marta.
In the west, the Witch Hunters burned witches and hunted down anyone who practiced forbidden magic. To them, witches were the source of countless disasters that had nearly destroyed civilizations in the past.
Far to the north lived the Frost Demons, a sect that had mastered the brutal magic of ice and snow.
And in the south ruled the Death Kings, five absoulute rulers who commanded terrifying death magic.
Around these great sects, countless smaller sects and factions formed, each hoping to rise to power under the shadow of the strongest.
And in the southern lands, far from the great capitals and sect headquarters, lay a large village known as Death Stock.
Beyond mountains, forests, and muddy plains, past dozens of kingdoms and cities, this village stood quietly at the edge of civilization.
In a narrow alley between two tall buildings, a young girl was trapped against a wall.
She looked no older than fifteen.
Her long dress reached all the way to her ankles, hiding her slim figure, but her most striking feature was impossible to miss, two fluffy white ears sitting on top of her head.
Her sharp eyes glared at the man standing in front of her.
The man was tall, around 185 centimeters, with black hair and dark eyes. His sharp features and elegant suit made him look like some rich noble enjoying a morning stroll.
But his relaxed posture told a different story.
He wasn't here by accident.
The girl's voice was cold and threatening.
"Do you know what my father will do to you when he finds out you dragged me here to kill me?"
The man didn't react.
His expression remained calm, almost bored.
"If you hand over that small death gem," he said casually, "I won't lay a single finger on you. Then I'll leave."
It sounded as if he were asking for directions rather than threatening her.
For a brief moment, panic flashed in the girl's eyes.
But she quickly forced her face to remain steady.
Slowly, she reached into the pocket hidden in her dress and pulled out a small gem. The stone was pitch black and a faint dark aura leaked from its surface like smoke.
"Is this what you're looking for?" she asked. As Her grip tightened around it "Take one more step and I'll smash it." Her eyes told him she meant every word.
But before the man could answer, She suddenly turned and threw the gem over the wall behind her with all her strength.
Then she dashed forward, slipping past him and sprinting out of the alley.
The man didn't even glance at her.
His eyes were already following the gem.
Without hesitation, he sprinted forward.
Two quick steps.
Then he jumped.
The gem spun through the air above the wall, falling toward the busy street on the other side. A crowd of people walked below, unaware of the small object dropping toward them.
The man leapt high into the air.
His arm stretched upward.
His fingers closed around the gem just before it could disappear into the crowd.
"Yes!"
He landed lightly on the street, laughing loudly.
"I fucking did it! Hahaha!"
People nearby stared at him like he had lost his mind.
Some shook their heads.
Others quickly moved away from the strange man shouting in the middle of the street.
Dravon didn't care.
He quickly composed himself and blended into the crowd as if nothing had happened.
Within seconds, he was just another passerby.
He turned down several streets, moving casually but with purpose, until he arrived at a large clothing store.
The sign above the door read:
Beauty
Dravon walked inside.
His destination was the locker rooms in the back, but before heading there he grabbed a simple jacket from one of the racks.
Inside the locker room, he finally allowed himself to relax. He locked the door and sighed deeply. Then he raised his hand to his throat.
With two fingers, he grabbed the skin on his neck.
And peeled it off.
The layer of skin came away like a mask. Slowly, he removed the entire disguise from his face and hair.
Fresh air hit his skin.
"Finally," he muttered quietly. "That suffocating mask is off." The mask had covered everything, his face, his hairline, even part of his neck.
Now his real face was visible.
His hair was still dark, and his eyes remained black but it was common traits in the southern regions, but his face was rougher than before. A long scar ran down across his eye.
His skin was slightly pale, and his features were sharper than the smooth noble face the mask had shown.
Height and build were harder to disguise, but luckily many men in this region shared a similar physique.
After thirty minutes, Dravon stood again.
The streets would now be far too crowded for anyone to recognize him
He looked into the mirror.
Different face.
Different man.
Perfect.
Before leaving the room, he checked the hallway to make sure nobody was nearby.
Then he climbed onto a chair and opened a small wooden panel hidden in the ceiling.
From inside, he pulled down a small bag he had hidden there earlier.
Inside were spare clothes.
He quickly packed his expensive suit into the bag and replaced it with a black shirt, blue pants, fresh socks, and worn shoes.
Next, he took out a small container of pale makeup powder.
Carefully, he applied it over the scar on his face.
It didn't completely hide it, but it softened the mark enough that it wouldn't attract attention.
To finish the disguise, he put on a hat that cast a small shadow over his eyes.
Good enough.
Dravon stepped out of the locker room and joined the line at the front counter.
When his turn came, he gave the clerk a friendly smile.
"Hi there. I'd like to buy this jacket."
The young clerk returned the smile.
"Of course, sir. That will be 50 copper coins. If you'd like a bag with it, the total will be 51 copper coins."
Dravon placed the coins on the counter without hesitation.
"I'll take the bag."
The clerk handed him the bag and jacket.
"Thank you for shopping with us."
Dravon nodded politely and walked out of the store.
Once outside, he blended back into the busy streets of Death Stock.
Inside his pocket, the small black gem pulsed faintly.
And for the second time that day
Dravon allowed himself to smile.