If only he hadn't left the Ember Isle in search of a life outside royal servitude, maybe then he would have been able to protect his family.

Aaron gritted, he could hear the branch cracking and breaking. His mind raced and his eyes darted around for a desperate escape. His gaze landed on the dagger.

One hand held the breaking branch while the other scrambled for the dagger. His fingers closed around the hilt and he grabbed it just as the branch shattered.

With a surge of adrenaline, Aaron plunged the blade deep into the bear's eye. Amidst the bear's deafening screech, Aaron drew the dagger, stabbing over, and over again till its body movement dulled.

The bear collapsed over him, its blood spilling onto his body. Wincing, Aaron moved the bear and staggered to his feet.

He huffed, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He glanced at the bear, his lips curling up.

Ever since moving to the capital in North Eldrador, he had only done cobbling. He was no field man, yet he just took down a bear single-handedly.

Suddenly, the green window appeared again, startling Aaron. He read through it, his eyes widening;

((Level up!))

[Corrupt grizzly (Level 2) Defeated!]

[Quest complete! Congratulations! Vessel has gained Xperience points]

Aaron was so engrossed in battling the bear that he almost forgot about the quest. ‘Bears are life forms; I guess it still counts.’ he glanced at the bear again, Its lifeless body a reminder of his victory.

The wound on his back still throbbed; luckily, he wasn't bleeding out.

Aaron looked left and right, unsure of where his journey should begin. ‘What now?’ He pondered and the system appeared with an answer.

[To obtain maximum retribution, Vessel must exceed current status. Get stronger, complete tasks and quests, level up, unlock special abilities, and attain high-rank titles]

‘Revenge, that's it. I must avenge my family and my people. The entire Royal bloodline and the Voldars, I will smite them all. But first, I need to get stronger’

Aaron's thoughts were to master the arts of conjuring Phantoms first. He would need his Nous —the magical book owned by every Ember. It is a guide to perfecting Phantom creation— but traveling to Ember Isle with nothing but a small dagger would only lead to his early capture and death.

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Right now, he could only rely on the system and level up as he should.

“Any more quests?” Aaron asked out loud, the words hitting him; He was in a forest, alone, talking to a glowing, green screen.

[No active quest/task]

Aaron sighed. ‘Seems Like, it's just me from here,' the system faded. He wandered for about an hour or so before noticing a fire light at a distance.

He cautiously approached, and the sound of clinking bottles and laughter filled the air. Aaron drew close and crouched down behind shrubs.

As he peered, rage flashed in his eyes and his face darkened. The two goofing around and having wine were Voldarian soldiers. He could tell because of their golden hair, crimson eyes, and the light swords in their scabbards.

The same lightswords that were used to massacre all that were Ember, sparing not even the littlest of children.

Aaron boiled with anger. His mind was filled with hate and he didn't realize that even though two men were there, the tents were four in number.

He didn't know that the other two were behind him.

After getting their fill of hits, Aaron was finally thrown before the campfire. “Guess what we found?” The first one said with a wide grin.

Aaron's hands were tied, his face bruised. He glared at them, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

“Take that dirty look somewhere else.” The second one used his shoe to turn Aaron's face away.

They discussed amongst themselves.

“What an unlucky fellow, what do we do with him?”

“Isn't it obvious? He's an Ember, we kill him of course”

“Yes, but not too quickly; this one looks like he's got a grudge. It'll be better to beat him dead instead of using our swords”

“Ah yes, that'll be nice, and if he tries any Phantom trick, we'll just kill it and kill him.

Aaron watched them, their whispers loud enough for him to hear. Aaron had no plan but he was determined to come out alive. He still had his trusty dagger, after all.

The soldiers placed their swords aside, raining punches and kicks on Aaron. Front, left, and right, Aaron couldn't tell where the hits were coming from; their cackling made his ears bleed.

Suddenly, they paused to take a look at him. Aaron was struggling to keep his eyes open but hope of survival never left him. The system appeared.

[Warning! Reduced HP, Vessel is deteriorating!]

The words blinked in bright red. Aaron was surprised that it didn't even bother the soldiers, they couldn't see it.

[Dire quest(Mandatory): Terminate external threats 0/4]

Duration: 25:00

Penalty: Death and Requiem system deactivation

‘A quest!’ Aaron voiced inwardly, ‘But how?’ He was tied up and almost at a pulp.

[Enhancing weapon: Basic ›››› Poisonous dagger]

[Weapon stats: Poisonous dagger: Venom causes cell inflammation, swelling, and rupture. Target undergoes Cellular Deformation]

Aaron understood the assignment. In 25 minutes, either he dies or the four soldiers perish.

“Go on, go on, untie him, let him fight us” one of them mockingly sneered. Aaron's binds were cut off. He tried to stand and face them, but his battered body betrayed him, and he stumbled.

His suffering was their amusement, they laughed each time he rose and fell. Aaron's body shuddered ‘I will kill all of you!’ he managed to stand, his back arched, blood dripping from his mouth and nose.

“Finally! I was starting to think you were weak” One of them said, approaching Aaron with a balled fist. Smirking, he swung his hand at Aaron.