Arcana System: Rise of the Forsaken Prince

Blood flows in frozen soil. The biting night air pierced Leon Ardendale's skin, the third prince of the Solmaria kingdom, who is now lying between the roots of the old tree in the Everwood Expanse. His chest and left arm were full of wounds, while his breathing was gasping, trying to survive on the verge of death. 

Betrayal. He still did not believe that his stepbrother, Prince Edgar, dared to launch a coup and kill their father, King Theodric. Leon himself is a witness that should be silenced. The kingdoms who had vowed loyal to now drew the sword at him, forcing him to escape as far as possible from the palace. 

However, Everwood is not a shelter. This forest is more dangerous than all the knights chasing him. It is said that anyone who enters the deepest part will never return. 

His eyes that began to blur caught the shadows of moving between the trees. The creatures approached, hissing sound and growl filled the air. 

"My end is close," he thought. 

However, right when his consciousness began to fade, a sound echoed in his head. 

[Arkana System is detected. Run the activation protocol.]

Golden purple light emerged from the soil below, forming a complicated circle with ancient symbols that he had never seen before. A radiant transparent window appeared before his eyes, as if it was real and indisputable. 

[Welcome, new user.]

[Name: Leon Ardendale]

[Status: Severe injuries | 12%vital energy]

[Running the Emergency Recovery phase ...]

Instantly, the pain in his body decreased. The wounds on his body began to close, even though the weakness still enveloped his entire body. However, before Leon could fully understand what happened, the screen changed again. 

[Warning: System activation requires payment. Select your sacrifice.]

1. Memory about your mother

2. Emotions 'fear'

3. Half of your life expectancy

Leon's heart beat fast. This choice ... Too cruel. He felt the fear that swelled - but, without strength, he would die. 

His hands trembled as he pointed his fingers to the second choice. 

[You have sacrificed 'fear'.]

The strange cold crept into his soul. He could feel the change instantly - like a chain that was released from his mind. There is no more trembling when facing threats, there is no more fear of death. 

[Sacrifice is accepted. Activating the first skill: 'Echo of the Forgotten'.]

[Effect: Every time you kill enemies, you can absorb one of their memories. 

When Leon was still trying to understand what was happening, the creatures in the darkness jumped at him. 

But this time, there is no fear. Only sharp silence and survival instincts are stronger than before. 

He held a dagger that was still tucked at his waist and prepared to face his first battle as a Arkana System user. 

Resurrection in Everwood! 

Leon's eyes burned in darkness. There was no fear that enveloped him when two large shadows shot at him from between trees. His teeth closed tightly, and the instinct survived took over. 

The first sharp claw rolled towards his chest, but Leon avoided him with a quick movement that surprised himself. He crouched down, lifted his dagger, and stabbed it into the stomach of the creature. 

[‘Echo of the forgotten’ active. 

[Absorb memory: shadow stalker]

Leon's mind was suddenly filled with images-visions of the creature. Night hunting in the darkness, lurking prey that is lost, tearing them at speeds that are not visible to the human eyes. 

And then, an extraordinary understanding infiltrated his mind. 

[Skills Obtained: 'Silent Step' - Reduces Sound Steps Until Unheard.]

'This is amazing.'

There is no time to think longer. The second creature, bigger than the first, jump with his claws ready to tear his neck. But Leon had moved before his brain really processed him. His body shot to the side at a speed that should be impossible for ordinary people. 

Silent Step works perfectly. 

He spinning quickly, avoiding attacks, then cut the throat of the creature with a clean movement. Black blood flowed between his fingers when he felt the strange satisfaction he had never felt before. 

[‘Echo of the forgotten’ active. 

[Absorb memory: alpha stalker shadow]

[Skills obtained: 'Predator’s Gaze' - able to see in total darkness.]

Leon's vision suddenly changed. What was only a shadow and silhouette is now clear like during the day. He can see every detail from the forest, from broken branches to the steam that comes out of the creature's wreck he just killed. 

Then, the system screen reappears. 

[Congratulations, new user.]

[Rise Level: 1 → 3]

[Status Points Available: 5]

[Select the attribute to be increased.]

Strength

Agility

Vitality

Intelligence

Charisma

Leon clenched his fist. This is not just an ordinary system. This is the beginning of its resurrection. 

Without hesitation, he chose 'agility' and 'strength', feeling instant changes in his body. His muscles stiffened, his body's response felt sharper. He took a deep breath, staring at the darkness of Everwood. 

He is no longer a weak and wasted prince. 

Now, he is a hunter. 

-----

Everwood night air is still thick with blood aroma. Leon stood between the two -shadow stalker's wrecks he had just killed, his chest up and down with his breathing which began to stabilize. There is no fear. There is no doubt. Only the silence and instinct of survival dominated his mind. 

However, he could not remain silent. Everwood still has a much larger danger. Leon activates Predator’s Gaze, and instantly, the darkness that had been concentrated turned into a clear panorama of detailed detailed. He saw a faint footprint on the ground, mixed with blood spots that had begun to dry up. 

[Detecting Arkana's energy source near the location.]

The system spoke again, showing the direction he had to go. Without wasting time, Leon stepped forward, moving in total silence thanks to Silent Step. Every movement feels natural, like the instinct of a new hunter. 

On the way, rustling sounds heard from behind the bushes. He immediately crouched down, his eyes narrowed while observing something big moved between the trees. 

The figure emerged from the shadow-a figure of a large-bodied man with a black robe filled with ancient symbols. In his hand grasped a stick from the bone, removing the greenish light that was gently throbbing. 

'Witch .…'

Leon couldn't hide his surprise. In Solmaria, magicians are prohibited because they are considered followers of prohibited teachings. But this man stood here, in the middle of Everwood, without fear. 

Without warning, the man turned to look at him, the green eyes glowed directly at Leon. 

"A system user ... I have been waiting for the one like you for a long time."

Leon's heart was beating fast. How can this man know about the Arkana System? And more importantly, is he an enemy or allies? 

In an instant, the air around them changed. 

[Warning: Increased threat level.]