Rise of the System Lord

Rain hammered down on the stone-paved streets of Black Hollow, turning the narrow alleys into rivers of filth and mud. The choking stench of rotting waste and unwashed bodies lingered in the air — a constant reminder that this district had long been forgotten by the kingdom's nobles.

Ethan Cross crouched beneath the shadow of a crumbling archway, breathing shallowly through his mouth to avoid the acrid smell. His ragged cloak stuck to his thin frame, weighed down by rain and sweat. His dark hair, tangled and dripping, clung to his forehead as his piercing green eyes narrowed toward his target.

A merchant's caravan rolled through the street, flanked by two armed guards. The merchant, fat and sweating despite the cold, sat beneath a canvas cover, inspecting a velvet pouch heavy with gold marks. The guards wore the crimson-and-black colors of House Valtorin — Ethan recognized the insignia at once. A serpent coiled around a sword.

Valtorin.

His blood boiled.

Ethan slid his hand beneath his cloak, wrapping his fingers around the hilt of a rusty dagger. His stomach ached — he'd gone two days without food — and the prospect of gold marks made his mouth dry with hunger.

The caravan slowed at a crossroad as a wagon passed in front of it. Ethan moved. Silent. Fast.

He slipped through the rain, a shadow among shadows, and reached the back of the cart. His hand darted out and sliced the rope binding the heavy pouch to the merchant's belt. Gold marks jingled softly as the pouch fell into his hand.

One step back.

"Oi!"

The nearest guard turned.

Ethan’s heart slammed against his ribs. He darted backward, feet slipping on the slick stones.

"Thief!"

The guards lunged toward him. Ethan’s instincts screamed. He turned and bolted through the alley, pouch clutched to his chest.

Behind him, heavy footsteps and the clang of steel echoed through the narrow streets.

"Get him!"

Ethan vaulted over a pile of broken crates and ducked into a side passage, feet splashing through knee-deep water. His breath burned in his chest as the sound of pursuit grew louder.

"Cut him off!"

He reached the end of the alley and skidded to a stop. A tall iron gate blocked the path.

A shadow shifted behind him.

Too late.

A fist hammered into his side, driving the air from his lungs. Ethan stumbled, gasping, as a hand twisted in his cloak and hauled him back.

He struck the wall hard.

A guard loomed over him — a massive brute in chainmail. A sneer twisted his scarred face.

"Little rat," the guard growled. He drove his fist into Ethan’s gut.

Ethan choked, doubling over. He fell to his knees as the pouch of gold spilled across the stones.

"Do you know what happens to street rats who steal from House Valtorin?"

The guard grabbed Ethan by the throat and slammed him against the wall again.

Ethan gasped, clawing at the guard’s hand as his vision blurred. His lungs screamed for air.

"Hold him still."

The second guard approached — a short, wiry man with cold, dead eyes. He drew a curved dagger from his belt. "Let’s make an example of this one."

Ethan’s head swam. He thrashed, but the brute’s grip tightened.

The dagger's tip pressed against his throat.

No. No—

A dark haze crept at the edges of his vision. His limbs grew heavy.

The rain. The filth. The cold. The stink of iron and blood.

Not like this.

A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[System Activated.]

Ethan’s eyes snapped open. His breath caught as a translucent screen blinked into existence in front of him, glowing faintly in the dark.

[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]

The cold edge of the dagger bit into his skin.

Ethan’s vision sharpened.

Stats. Health. Stamina. Strength. Speed. His mind flooded with knowledge that wasn’t his — movements, techniques, weak points.

The guard’s wrist — slightly twisted. Weak joint.

Ethan’s hands shot up.

[Stealth Skill Unlocked: Lvl 1]

Ethan’s body moved on instinct. His left hand twisted the guard’s wrist — hard. Bone popped. The guard screamed.

Ethan tore the dagger free and drove it into the guard’s thigh. Blood sprayed across the stones. The man screamed and fell back.

The second guard lunged.

[Combat Skill Unlocked: Lvl 1 – Blade Strike]

Ethan ducked beneath the blade. His dagger slashed upward in a brutal arc — cutting deep into the guard’s side.

The man stumbled. Ethan followed — dagger plunging into his throat.

The guard crumpled. Dead.

Breathing hard, Ethan staggered to his feet. The screen flashed before his eyes.

[EXP Gained: 25]

The first guard lay clutching his leg, groaning. Ethan stepped toward him, dagger in hand.

"Wh-what are you—"

Ethan’s blade flashed. Blood spattered across the stones.

[EXP Gained: 10]

The rain washed the blood from his hands. Ethan’s breath came ragged and sharp.

The System’s screen flickered.

[New Path Unlocked: Survivor]

Ethan lifted his eyes toward the dark alley ahead.

He smiled.

"Let’s see how far this goes."