Arcana System: Rise of the Forsaken Prince

Chapter 7 Black Tower

The variant of cutting one more shadow before shouting. "Then we run away!"

Leon knows it's the right decision. The two of them immediately turned around and ran as fast as possible, leaving the shadows behind. 

They ran endlessly, jumped over large roots and penetrated dense bushes. However, the scary whispering sound continued to follow them. 

And then, suddenly, light appeared in front of them. 

Out of the shadow of the forest, they arrived at an ancient ruins. Giant stone pillars towering, covered with moss and roots. In the midst of the ruins, a giant magic circle carved on the ground, dim and dim. 

Panting variant. "We can use it to leave here!"

Leon doesn't hesitate. They immediately stepped into the magic circle. 

However, before they could activate it, a sound echoed in the air. 

"You won't go anywhere."

Leon and the variant froze. 

From the darkness, the figure of a black robe with bright red eyes appeared, walking slowly towards them. 

Leon immediately recognized his aura. 

This is the figure he saw in his eyesight. 

And this time, he could feel the terrible power radiated from him. 

The air around them seemed to freeze. The black -robed figure stepped forward calmly, as if sure that no one could escape from him. His bright red eyes stared directly at Leon. 

The variant immediately pulled Leon a little back, standing among the young man and the threat in front of them. "Leon, be careful. This is not an ordinary creature."

Leon held his sword tightly. However, before he could move, the figure spoke in a deep and echoed voice. 

"So, you're the one who got the 'system'."

Leon's heart was beating fast. 

"Who are you?" he asked. 

The figure did not immediately answer. Instead, he raised his hand slowly. The black shadow around him began to move, forming a kind of vortex that spin slowly in the air. 

"I'm just a messenger."

Sorting variant. "What is the messenger? Or who?"

The figure ignored his question and looked back at Leon. "The system you have ... is something that shouldn't exist in this world."

Leon narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"It's not something created by this world. It comes from something far bigger ... and more dangerous."

Leon's system suddenly rang. 

[Warning: The entity in front of you access information that should not be known.]

Leon gritted his teeth. "Do you know something about my system?"

"More than you can imagine."

The figure raised his hand a little higher, and suddenly, the shadow on the ground began to crawl up, forming humanoid figures who moved silently. 

The variant immediately pulled his sword. "We can't let him talk longer!"

But before they could attack, the figure spoke again. 

"I came not to fight, but to offer something."

Leon stiffened. 

"Offer?"

The figure nodded. "Yes. I can help you understand the strength you have. I can show who you really are."

Leon was almost interested, but the variant patted his shoulder roughly. 

"Don't listen to him! A creature like this never tells the truth!"

The black -robed figure chuckled. "Really? Or maybe ... are you the one who doesn't want him to know the truth?"

Leon looked at the variant suspiciously. "What does it mean?"

Variants close his jaw, obviously don't want to answer. 

The figure stepped closer. "Listen carefully, Leon. The system in you has a purpose ... but not to just help you survive. You're more than just a pawn. You are the key to something bigger."

"Key?"

"Yes. And if you join me, I will help you open your true potential."

Leon was silent. The offer was tempting. If this creature knows more about the system, maybe ... he can get the answer he has been looking for. 

But before he could say anything, the variant of swinging his sword. "I won't let you poison his mind any longer!"

His sword was sparkling with Arkana's energy as he attacked. 

However, in an instant, the figure disappeared in the fog of shadows, reappearing a few meters behind them. 

"Think carefully, Leon."

The shadow around him began to spread back into the darkness of the forest. 

"I'll wait for you ... in the black tower."

And with that, the figure disappeared. 

After the black -robed figure disappeared, the tense silence enveloped them. The cold wind hit Leon's face, but his mind was more volatile than the surrounding air. 

"Black tower ..." he muttered. 

The variant of patting Leon's shoulder roughly. "We won't talk about that anymore. We have to leave here."

"Wait!" Leon brushed off the variant's hand. "What does he mean? Do you know something?"

Variant sighed, his expression was full of doubts. "I don't want to discuss it here. This place is not a safe place."

The two of them finally rushed back to the camp. However, throughout the journey, Leon's mind could not be separated from the words of the robed creature. 

-

When they arrived at the camp, the atmosphere there felt different. Some soldiers looked at them with a tense expression, as if something had happened. 

A woman with a silvery identity closer. "Variant captain! We have a problem!"

"What happened?" The variant asked, his tone was sharp. 

The woman swallowed before speaking. "Just an attack. Shadow army emerged from the forest and tried to attack the main tent."

Leon stiffened. "Shadow?!"

The woman nodded. "Yes ... and they carry a message."

He pulled out a piece of Black Call with dark red writing, almost like a newly dried blood. Variants take it and read it quickly. His jaw hardened. 

Leon was curious and tried to peek at the contents of the message. 

"Leon must come to the black tower. Alone. If not, more shadow troops will come ... and kill them all."

Leon's heart beat faster. 

"This is a trap." The variant of squeezing the letter. "We will not let them control us with threats."

"But if I don't leave, they will continue to attack," Leon said in a serious tone. 

The variant stared at him sharply. "Don't be stupid. This is the way they separate you from us. Once you enter their territory, you won't be able to get out again."

Leon clenched his fist. "But they know something about my system! This is probably the only way for me to know the truth!"

"And you can die because of that!"

Silence stiffened between them. 

Leon took a deep breath. "I have to go."

"Leon—"

"This is not just about me, variant. If I don't do something, everyone in this camp is in danger. I can't let that happen."

The variant adheres to his jaw. He seemed to want to argue, but finally exhaled roughly. 

"Alright," he finally. "But you won't go alone."

Leon smiled faintly. "I know you will say that."