Adrian remained on his knees in the middle of his tiny apartment, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like an invisible mountain. The room, which already felt small on normal days, suddenly seemed even smaller with three people crowded inside it. The air was thick with tension and the sharp scent of cigarette.Smoke lit another one off the cigarette, took a long drag, and blew it up at the ceiling. His eyes went around the furniture, the mattress in the corner, the peeling paint, and he clicked his tongue."This is one small room, Adrian." Another puff. "Feels like I'm wearing the damn thing."The one smoking was the one doing most of the talking. His name was Smoke."But I didn't come here to judge your taste in housing." His voice went cold. "I came for my money." He added and smirked.Adrian kept his head down, staring at the floorboards, his heart slamming so hard.Smoke crouched down until they were eye level, cigarette hanging from his mouth, just watching him."

Adrian sat there for a second just staring at his own hands, still not fully believing any of this was real, and the first face that showed up in his head wasn't even Ruby's.To hell with her! It was Smoke's."I'm coming for you" he muttered under his breath, and it felt good to say it out loud even if nobody heard it but him.But he wasn't stupid enough to go looking for a fight right now. His mana was basically nothing, Noir was still at C-rank, and one bad move could end this second life before it even really started. He'd already died once today and that was enough. He knew he needed to get stronger before he did anything else. He needed knowledge first.He stood under the shower for a very long time, letting the water run down his back, scrubbing at skin that didn't even have a scratch on it anymore even though he could still feel the pain every kick had landed. When he finally stepped out he threw on the cleanest clothes he still had, then dug under the bed for the old bank ca

Silence fell over the huge room as sweat rolled down Adrian's face despite the cold temperature. Standing before the Goblin King made the other goblins they had fought feel like children holding wooden swords.The Goblin King's eyes glowed as a smile appeared on his face, as if already anticipating the battle to be a glorious one.The stone floor beneath his feet cracked as he charged at them with a burst of speed. Despite the King's huge size, he was fast. In a few strides, he appeared before them, much to Adrian's surprise, but Noir was ready and used his broadsword to block the axe that almost crashed on Adrian.The floor cracked under Noir's boots as the knight held his ground for several tense seconds, his muscles straining, before he managed to push back, making the Goblin King take a few steps backward.The King didn't stop attacking. He pressed forward aggressively, swinging his axe in powerful attacks that forced Noir into a defensive position. Sparks flew wildly in every dir

It was currently afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. Adrian walked through the empty street, hands in his pockets, walking without caution or any need to look behind him, but it was all a ruse.This was the side of town where abandoned industrial companies were located. A part of Ashvale had been left behind years ago. Factories had closed, workers were gone, and only the occasional scavenger or criminal still bothered to walk these streets.Outwardly, Adrian looked like any other young man taking a walk. Inside, however, every sense remained sharp. After everything that had happened, he no longer trusted these quiet streets. He already suspected that he was being followed, and to confirm he was right, the system notified him that he was being followed. So he came out here to these empty streets to lure the person out.The familiar blue system panel appeared in front of him.[Main Quest Updated]A hostile presence has been following Host for the past ten minutes.O

Adrian stood breathing hard, his body was still trying to recover from the earlier fight with the thugs.Meters away from him was Smoke who had now fused with his summon. The green eyes glowed with pure intelligence, Smoke's intelligence.“I’m going to enjoy killing you again, boy.” a deep voice spoke from the Snake's mouth.Adrian spit out blood from his mouth and stared at the Black enormous mamba towering over him. He then whispered “Noir, Go" The knight dissolved into black smoke immediately and disappeared into Adrian's shadow.Adrian then activated the Night Vanguard cloak again and dashed forward towards the Mamba with his Dagger in his hand.The Mamba struck with terrifying speed, it's head shot downwards towards the approaching Adrian but he was fast enough to dodge as the attack made a deep hole on the ground.Adrian then jumped up and attacked with his Dagger, driving it into the snake scales but the blade bounced off without leaving a scratch.Adrian was still mid air whe