From the rooftops above the slums, two cloaked figures watched Arthur vanish into the haze.

"He’s marked," the younger said.

"The dagger pulsed," the elder confirmed. “And he took down Jorrin like it was nothing.”

A black raven fluttered from his wrist and vanished into the sky.

Message Sent: Lady Vera of the Black Maw — target identified. Awaiting next orders.

The hunt had begun.

The next morning, Arthur woke with a jolt. His muscles ached, his body still buzzing from the system's notifications.

[Ability: Shadowstep – Unlocked (5 minutes, cooldown 12 hrs)]

He did some quick pushups, crunched his abs, then slipped into his coat and headed out.

Myra was already up, cart loaded with boiled eggs, spice packs, and dried bread.

"You’re late," she smirked.

"You're selling all that alone?"

"I sold out yesterday. I’ve got fans now. Go lift bricks or fight someone, champ. I’m doing real work."

Arthur chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Don’t let anyone push you around.”

“Don’t worry,” she said with a smirk. “I’ve got a brother with a glowing dagger.”

But danger always came quick.

Two shady vendors approached Myra’s cart mid-morning.

“Little girl makes too much coin,” one said, cracking his knuckles.

Arthur was already moving. The first went down with a knee to the stomach, the second tried to run — too slow.

[Kill Count: 13/50]

Aeon’s voice buzzed: “The blade responds stronger when your emotions spike. It’s feeding on purpose now.”

Arthur wiped it clean. “Good. Let it grow hungry.”

From the thug’s coat, Arthur pulled a strange coin — silver, etched with symbols that shimmered when near his dagger.

“What the hell is this?”

Aeon responded immediately.

“Dungeon Sigil. Rare. Dangerous. Use it, and the world changes.”

Without warning, a ripple passed through reality. Shadows deepened, buildings shimmered.

[Dungeon Access: Whispering Gate – Unlocked]

A swirling black archway appeared in the alley.

Arthur stared.

And stepped through.

The air inside the dungeon was thick, heavy with moisture. Jagged stone rose all around him. His footsteps echoed.

Then he saw them — creatures. Black-skinned, crawling on four limbs, eyes glowing with a sick yellow hue.

Arthur didn’t wait. He charged.

Slash. Dodge. Shadowstep.

One by one they fell.

[Kill Count: 14... 15... 20... 23...]

His dagger drank in each soul.

By the end, seven corpses surrounded him.

[Dagger Kill Count: 10/10] – Milestone Reached! [Dagger Upgraded – New Ability: Soul Chain – Bind soul to dagger for passive bonus]

Arthur collapsed to one knee. Then the second wave of notifications came.

[Level Up! 3 → 6] [Stat Points Gained: +3] [Dagger Kill Limit Expanded: 10 → 50]

He grinned.

Time to get stronger.

Back in his room, Arthur sat beside the flickering oil lamp. Myra was counting their coins.

“One silver, eight bronze from me today,” she said proudly.

Arthur showed her the pouch he had. “Add four silvers.”

Myra’s eyes widened. “What did you do?!”

Arthur leaned back. “I killed a few monsters. Found something… more.”

He didn't say dungeon. Not yet.

But he knew what he’d seen inside. That place wasn’t just stone and blood. It was calling to him. Testing him.

And he was going to answer.

[Next: Dungeon Floors – Whispering Gate Floor 2] [New Objective: Reach 50 Kills – Complete the Trial of the Marked]

The night was still.

Arthur sat in silence, watching the dagger float gently above his palm. Aeon's voice echoed in his mind.

“Your soul has begun to synchronize with the blade. Each kill you make now strengthens the bond. At 50, the weapon will evolve again.”

“Fifty, huh,” Arthur muttered. “I better move fast.”

The next morning, he left early. Myra was still asleep, curled under the patchwork blanket. He didn’t wake her.

By now, the streets of Fallowmere didn’t feel the same. People looked at him longer. Some nodded, others moved out of his way.

He made his way to the Whispering Gate.

It was still there — pulsing — hungry.

This time, he brought a few essentials: rope, cloth, a skin of water, and a wrapped piece of bread from Myra.

He stepped through.

The second floor was colder, darker. Moss coated the stone. Insects scurried. The sound of dripping echoed like a heartbeat.

The creatures were different — taller, bipedal, with claws like broken glass and jaws too wide for their heads.

“They're smarter,” Aeon warned. “This will test you.”

Arthur wasted no time.

The first two ambushed him from the ceiling. He rolled, slashed one across the thigh, and dodged the other with a Shadowstep.

[Kill Count: 31/50]

He used the Soul Chain ability now — binding the souls of the dead to the blade. His reflexes improved. His breathing steadied faster.

“You’re adapting. Good,” Aeon murmured. “But you’ll tire. Don’t stay too long.”

He pressed on. Killed another four. Found a chamber with a stone circle and markings across the floor.

They glowed faintly when his dagger passed them.

“This place knows the dagger,” Arthur whispered. “It’s built around it.”

[Kill Count: 37/50]

Blood smeared his coat. He was bruised but alive.

Then he saw it — a larger creature guarding a pile of bones. It wore armor made of scavenged iron and dragged a club made of stone and teeth.

Arthur gripped the dagger tighter.

“Let’s go.”

The fight was brutal.

The creature roared, swinging the massive club. Arthur dodged, barely. His ribs ached.

He tried Shadowstep — cool down still active.

“Use the dagger,” Aeon instructed. “Let the souls guide your hand.”

Arthur gritted his teeth, whispered a curse, and leapt.

He feinted right, drew the beast’s swing, then dove beneath — dagger plunging into its side.

[Critical Hit – Soul Chain Damage Amplified]

The beast screamed.

Arthur didn’t stop.

He struck again. Again.

Finally, the monster collapsed.

[Kill Count: 38/50]
[Elite Kill – Bonus Experience Gained]
[Level Up! 6 → 7]

Arthur gasped, hands trembling. His clothes soaked in blood.

He stood in the silence that followed.

[Dagger Response: Resonating... Seeking more.]

He returned just after sunset. Myra was tending to her stall, smiling as a few locals exchanged coins for dried meat.

When she saw him, she ran over, eyes wide.

“Arthur! You’re— you look like death.”

“I’m alive,” he said with a tired grin.

They walked home slowly. She handed him half a bread roll and sat beside him.

“You’re changing,” she said. “Even the way you walk. You feel... heavy.”

“I’m carrying more than I used to,” he replied.

She placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll catch up.”

He smiled. “I know.”

[System Update Available – Pending Sleep]