The cold wind cut through the dimly lit alley where Lleyn stood, casting eerie shadows on the walls of nearby buildings. He watched as Tasha, her eyes filled with desperation and tears, approached him. Her voice quivered as she spoke, her plea etched with worry.

"Lleyn, please, you have to help me. My sister, Sarah, she's gone. I don't know what to do," Tasha implored, her hands trembling as she clutched a crumpled photograph of a smiling young woman.

Lleyn couldn't turn away from the anguish in Tasha's eyes. He nodded solemnly, a sense of duty overwhelming him. "I'll help you, Tasha. Tell me everything you know about what happened."

Tasha took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. She began recounting the harrowing events that had unfolded in the past few weeks. "It started with the disappearances in the city. People have been vanishing without a trace, and most of them have close to no family or friends. It's like they were never there."

Lleyn furrowed his brow, a sense of unease settling over him. "And your sister, Sarah? What happened to her?"

Tasha's voice quivered as she continued, "Sarah was last seen leaving work late at night two days ago. She texted me that she was on her way home, but she never reached there. Her phone's been off since that night, and the police—they offered no help. They said she's an adult and might have left on her own."

The darkness of the situation weighed heavily on Lleyn's shoulders, but he couldn't ignore the urgency of the matter. "We won't rely on the police, Tasha. I promise, we'll do everything we can to find Sarah."

Turning to James, who had been silently observing the conversation, Lleyn asked, "James, what do you think about this?"

James nodded gravely, his experience as a former soldier lending a serious tone to his response. "Tasha's right. It's possible this is connected to something darker—human trafficking, maybe. The fact that so many people have vanished, and the police aren't taking it seriously, raises suspicions."

Lleyn clenched his fists, his determination to help Tasha and put an end to the sinister activities in the city growing stronger. "We can't waste any more time. We need to find Sarah."

As they stood in the chilling night, Lleyn and James brainstormed ideas on how to proceed. Their thoughts raced, searching for a way to locate Tasha's missing sister.

James suggested, "I have a contact who works with the government. He can access the city's surveillance cameras. It won't be easy, and it'll cost us, but it might be our best shot at finding Sarah."

Lleyn considered the proposition carefully, aware that time was of the essence. He nodded in agreement. "Do it, James. We'll cover the expenses. Every minute counts."

Hours passed as they waited anxiously, the tension growing with each passing moment. Lleyn kept a reassuring hand on Tasha's shoulder, offering what little comfort he could. Tasha's face was a mosaic of hope and fear, her eyes fixed on the screen of James' phone.

Then, finally, a series of video clips arrived, one after another. They showed grainy footage from various security cameras around the city. Lleyn and the others huddled around James as the clips played.

In the videos, they saw Sarah, her face etched with fear, being forcibly dragged into a dark van by masked individuals. The vehicle sped away, its license plate concealed, leaving behind a trail of uncertainty.

Tasha's trembling voice broke the silence. "That's her, that's Sarah!"

Lleyn clenched his fists, his resolve deepening. "We know where she was taken. We'll find her, Tasha. We won't let them get away with this."

The moon hung low in the sky as Lleyn, James, and his team of operatives approached the desolate industrial zone where Sarah was believed to be held captive. The air was tense, filled with the anticipation of danger lurking in the shadows.

James signaled to his men, and they fanned out, moving stealthily through the darkness. Their training and experience as former soldiers allowed them to navigate the terrain with precision. As they neared their destination, the silhouette of a building came into view, shrouded in darkness but not hidden from their watchful eyes.

The operatives huddled together, concealed behind crates and debris, carefully assessing the situation. Through night-vision binoculars, they observed armed men standing guard around the building's perimeter.

James whispered low, his voice barely audible. "We've got multiple hostiles guarding the entrance. Our objective is to neutralize them and find Sarah. Lleyn, I need you to stay behind. We can't risk our employer's safety."

Lleyn nodded in understanding, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He knew he possessed the power to take on these threats on his own, but he also recognized the prudence in James' decision. While he could storm that building single-handedly, it's wiser to lay low for now.

With a reluctant agreement, Lleyn watched as James and his team armed themselves with precision and determination. Their movements were fluid and synchronized, a testament to their training and camaraderie.

James could sense a quiet turmoil within himself as they prepared for the assault. He couldn't help but question the enigmatic nature of Lleyn. The way he carried himself, the power that seemed to emanate from him—it all raised doubts and curiosity. However, James quickly pushed those thoughts aside. This mission was about one thing: rescuing Sarah.

The operatives, each equipped with suppressed weapons, moved in perfect unison as they approached the building. Their mission was clear—eliminate the threats and find Sarah. Every step taken, every corner turned, was a calculated move towards that goal.

As they closed in on the building, James felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He was determined to bring Sarah back safely, no matter the cost. The darkness seemed to close in around him, amplifying the intensity of the moment.

With a silent signal, the assault began. James and his team moved swiftly, their suppressed firearms barking in the night. The guards outside the building barely had a chance to react before they were taken down, one by one.

Inside the building, chaos erupted as the operatives stormed through the hallways. The sound of gunfire and shouts filled the air, a symphony of battle. James switched his focus to a room that seemed suspicious, its door slightly ajar.

As he cautiously pushed the door open, he was met with a shocking sight. A dozen women were tied to beds, their faces pale and expressionless, seemingly drugged. Fear and despair clung to the air, but they were alive.

James' heart sank, knowing they had stumbled upon something much larger and more sinister than they had anticipated. He called out to his team, instructing them to secure the women and ensure their safety.

The rescue mission had taken an unexpected turn, and the questions about Lleyn's true nature were temporarily forgotten. James and his team were now faced with the urgent task of unraveling the dark secrets hidden within the depths of the industrial zone and bringing the victims to safety.

Inside the dimly lit building, chaos reigned as James and his operatives relentlessly cleared each room of armed enemies. The exchange of gunfire echoed through the grim corridors, punctuated by shouts and the desperate pleas of those who had been held captive for far too long.

With unwavering determination, the operatives eliminated the remaining hostiles, ensuring that no threat remained. The building was finally secure, but the horrors it concealed had left an indelible mark on their minds.

Once they were certain that the building was clear of danger, James signaled for Lleyn and Tasha to join them. The two cautiously entered the building, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

In the room where the women had been locked up, Tasha's heart skipped a beat as she spotted her sister, Sarah, lying on one of the beds. She rushed to her side, her tears flowing freely as she embraced her still, sleeping form.

"Sarah! Oh, thank goodness you're okay," Tasha whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Outside the room, James approached Lleyn, his expression grave. He knew they couldn't linger in the building any longer, and he needed to share his troubling findings.

"Lleyn," James began, his voice low and solemn, "this place—it's not just a hideout for criminals. We found operating rooms. It's an organ trafficking ring, and the scale of it is horrifying."

Lleyn's eyes widened with shock and disgust. The depths of human depravity were staggering, and he knew that they had uncovered something beyond their initial mission.

James continued, "We can't stay here. We need to leave and call the police and rescue services anonymously. We can't risk being linked to this place."

However, as James spoke, Tasha's emotions reached a breaking point. She refused to leave her sister's side, her desperation to protect her sibling overwhelming her.

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"No, I won't leave Sarah here! We just got her back, and I'm not letting her out of my sight!" Tasha exclaimed, her voice quivering with determination.

Lleyn understood Tasha's anguish, but he also recognized the danger they were in. Reluctantly, he made a difficult decision. With a swift, gentle strike, he rendered Tasha unconscious and carefully placed her in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Tasha," Lleyn whispered, his heart heavy with the weight of his actions. "We'll get Sarah the help she needs, I promise."

Carrying Tasha and accompanied by James and the operatives, they retreated from the building, leaving behind the grim scene of their triumph over the criminals. As they drove away, James made a discreet call to his government contact, urging him to erase their presence from all camera footage since they had entered the city.

One hour later, they received news that the women had been rescued, and the organ trafficking ring dismantled. Lleyn's phone buzzed with a notification, and he couldn't help but smile despite the gravity of the situation. A system message announced the completion of the quest "A Hero's Journey (3)."

As James drove away from the abandoned building, he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that had suddenly settled in the atmosphere surrounding Lleyn. Something had changed in him, something James couldn't quite put into words. Nonetheless, he respected Lleyn's wishes and dropped him off at the desolate location, leaving him alone with the unconscious Tasha.

Lleyn watched the van disappear into the distance, his mind filled with a strange mix of emotions. He knew that what he was about to do would forever alter the course of his journey in this unfamiliar world.

Turning his attention to his status screen, Lleyn sought reassurance in the tangible rewards of his recent quests. His updated stats displayed his progress, a testament to his growth as a hero. But it was the Silver Reward Box that held his curiosity. He carefully opened it, revealing a ring with intricate patterns and an ethereal glow.

[Ring of Shadows]

Skill: Shadow Veil

Description: Activate to become invisible for up to 5 minutes. Cooldown: 20 minutes. Invisibility ends abruptly if the user attacks an enemy.

Lleyn carefully slipped the Ring of Shadows onto his finger, feeling the power it held within. He knew this newfound ability would prove invaluable in the trials that lay ahead.

However, as he prepared to test the ring's abilities, a new window appeared before him, drawing his attention away from the ring.

[Quest: A Hero's Journey (4)]

Objective: Save 10 Awakened in the tutorial.

Rewards: 20 stat points, and the Skill "A Hero’s Will"

[Skill Name: A Hero's Will]

Description: A Hero's Will is a passive skill that manifests as the user's wounds healing and their stats increasing by 20% when they are rendered unable to fight.

As Lleyn looked forward to completing the quest and receiving the skill known as A Hero's Will, he couldn't help but anticipate its potential effects. The idea of his wounds healing and his stats increasing by 20% when rendered unable to fight filled him with a sense of eager curiosity.

To him, this skill represented more than just a set of abilities; it symbolized resilience and an unyielding spirit that could be called upon in dire circumstances. It was a promise of inner strength, a hidden well of determination that he could tap into when facing the toughest challenges.

Lleyn knew that once he obtained this skill, it would become a vital part of his growth, a source of unwavering resolve that would carry him through the most challenging moments. It was a prospect that left him both excited and eager to embark on the next phase of his journey, eager to harness the potential of A Hero's Will.

The weight of this new quest pressed upon Lleyn's shoulders. It was a reminder of the path he had chosen.

But as he looked down at Tasha's unconscious body, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within him. Images of her and memories of Stella overlapped in his mind. Stella, whose powers had caused countless deaths, whose actions had led to immeasurable suffering. The memories of those he had lost and the lives she had taken weighed heavily on his heart.

In that moment, a dark glint flashed through Lleyn's eyes, and they seemed devoid of emotion. He pulled a knife from his pocket, a cold determination settling in his features. Without hesitation, he drove the blade into Tasha's heart.

Her body squirmed briefly before becoming completely still. Lleyn had made a choice—one that he believed was necessary for the greater good.

As he wiped the blood from his blade, his status screen appeared once more, its words warping in a bizarre manner.

[System Announcement]

Qualification for the Hero's Journey quest has been lost. Chained quests have been deleted.

Lleyn's actions had consequences, and the path he had been following had diverged in a way he couldn't have foreseen.

Another system announcement followed, specifying a new quest.

*NEW QUEST CREATED

[Quest: The Strongest (1)]

Objective: Come out as the highest ranking challenger in the first phase of the tutorial.

Rewards: 20 stat points, and the Skill "Eyes of the Strongest. Lv1"

[Skill Name: Eyes of the Strongest]

Description: Eyes of the Strongest is a unique skill that grants its user the ability to peer into select parts of the status window of other awakened individuals. This skill allows the user to glean valuable information about their potential allies and adversaries, providing insights that can be a game-changer in battles and interactions.

Lleyn couldn't help but feel a sense of irony in the quest's name. He had chosen a path that would make him the strongest, but the sacrifices he had made along the way were etched into his soul. As he contemplated his new quest, he knew that his journey had taken an even darker turn, and the weight of his choices would continue to shape his destiny in this enigmatic world.

As Lleyn witnessed the quest rewarding him with A Hero's Will dissipate before his eyes, a complex swirl of emotions welled up within him. There was a moment of regret, a fleeting sense of missed opportunity, but it was quickly overshadowed by a resolute determination.

With a calm demeanor, he whispered to himself, "It couldn't be helped. The path of a hero was never the one I sought to tread in the first place." His gaze shifted to the inanimate Tasha, a reminder of the choices he had made and would continue to make.

Lleyn knew that his primary objective was to safeguard those he cherished, even if it meant making difficult decisions. He was willing to go to great lengths to protect the world from those who posed a threat, no matter the personal cost.

As he wiped the blood from his blade and pondered the consequences of his actions, Lleyn remained steadfast in his commitment to do whatever was necessary to ensure the safety of the world and the people he cared about.

To ensure that no lingering evidence remained to tell the tale of his actions, Lleyn resolved to dispose of her body in a manner that would leave no trace behind. With a steady hand, he gathered crude materials from the surroundings, fashioning a makeshift fire pit. As he ignited the flames, they danced to life, casting haunting, flickering shadows on the timeworn walls.

In a moment devoid of sentiment, Lleyn gently laid Tasha's form upon the blaze. Her stillness stood in stark contrast to the voracious fire that eagerly consumed her, the scent of burning flesh a grim reminder of the unyielding determination that had led him to this point.

Lleyn's expression remained steadfast, his gaze unwavering as he watched the inferno's relentless advance. The fire held no mercy, and neither did he. It was a solemn rite, a final act of compassion and severity interwoven in the pursuit of justice and the safeguarding of a world teetering on the brink.

As the flames enveloped every trace of Tasha's existence, Lleyn knew that he was erasing not only her physical presence but also the echoes of a heavy decision. It was a duty he had shouldered, a sacrifice made in the name of a greater good, a stark reminder of the unforgiving realities that lay hidden in the shadows of heroism.

When the last ember had dwindled, leaving only the hushed whispers of the ashes, Lleyn remained in the silence. He had extinguished not just a life but also the indelible mark of his own path, a testament to the shadows one must navigate when committed to preserving the light.

Name: Lleyn

Age: 25

Level: 1

Title: Early Awakening Lv1

[Attributes:]

Strength: 24 +3

Stamina: 24

Health: 25

Agility: 25 +5

Magic Power: 10

Dexterity: 18

Perception: 11

Luck: 3

[Skills:]

Odin's Judgement (Level 1)

Lightning Infusion (Level 2) - Channels the potent power of Odin's lightning, allowing its user to infuse objects or even themselves with electrifying energy.

Clarity (Passive) - Increases the acquisition rate of skill experience by 20%.

Sword Mastery (Level 1) - Enhances swordsmanship skills, improving precision, fluidity, and reaction time in combat. Allows for advanced techniques and mental clarity. Damage with sword weapons increased by 20%

[Equipment Skills:]

Shadow Veil: Activate to become invisible for up to 5 minutes. Cooldown: 20 minutes. Invisibility ends abruptly if the user attacks an enemy.

Windblast: Allows the user to unleash a focused burst of air with a quick slash of the dagger.

[Quests:]

1. The Strongest (1)

Objective: Come out as the highest ranking challenger in the first phase of the tutorial.

Rewards: 400 Gold, 20 stat points, and the Skill "Eyes of the Strongest. Lv1"

[Inventory:]

Gold: 600

*Early Awakening Lv1: The user will receive 5 more stat points from every level up.