Recap:
Kael Vire has boldly claimed his title as the sovereign of the forsaken, forming the first Hollow Bond with Elric and standing firm against the Hero Guild's recon agent, Vex. Now, Kael's gaze is set on the deserted marketplace—a relic of lost aspirations. It's time to carve out the first piece of his realm: the Hollow Court.
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The sun didn't quite rise in Draewyn's Verge.
At least, not completely.
The towering walls of Upper Draewyn cast long shadows that smothered the dawn.
But for Kael, it was just right.
"Stay close," he instructed Elric.
The boy gripped the edge of Kael's coat, his eyes flitting between the cracked stone walls and the rusted vendor stalls that lined the marketplace.
Remnants of a bygone civilization.
Once, this place had thrived—traders, system hunters, even those peddling illegal skills.
But then the Guild arrived.
With them came borders, licenses, and a ruthless purge.
Now, it lay empty.
Haunted.
Yet Kael envisioned a throne waiting to be established.
[Sovereign Domain Expansion Quest Activated]
Objective: Establish control of the Market of Bones.
Progress: 0%
Requirements:
- Cleanse Hostile Presence
- Claim Sovereign Anchor
- Place First Hollow Sigil
As they ventured deeper into the ruined plaza, a chill crept through the cracks of shattered marble.
The buildings around them creaked with age, as if they resented the silence.
Kael halted.
"Elric," he said in a steady voice, "get behind me."
The boy complied without hesitation.
A metallic clang rang out across the market, followed by low, wet growls—inhuman and unsettling.
From the shadows of a collapsed tavern, grotesque figures began to emerge.
Bonegnashers.
Twisted, semi-corporeal creatures born from discarded system fragments.
When the Guild failed to cleanse a zone properly, these beings sprang forth from residual code and despair.
[Enemies Detected: 6x Bonegnashers - Level 4-6]
Weakness: Sovereign-based abilities. Vulnerable to Fear-based status effects.
Danger Level: Moderate.
Kael stood his ground, not even flinching. "Good. Let them come."
His fists tightened as System runes danced around his wrists.
[Skill Activated: Echo Field]
Effect: Enemies within 10 meters suffer -15% Initiative and -10% Coordination. Minor Panic chance.
As soon as they crossed the invisible line, the Bonegnashers hissed and snarled, stumbling in their approach.
One of them twitched mid-lunge and crashed into a broken cart, while another froze, its jaws clicking out of sync.
Kael stepped forward, shadows swirling around him to form the silhouette of a jagged crown.
[Skill Upgrade Triggered: Broken Crown - Rank II]
New Effect: Can summon temporary weapon constructs from memories of pain. Duration: 30 seconds.
Cooldown: 2 minutes.
A weapon materialized in his hand—black, jagged, and resembling a whip's handle.
A memory flashed in his mind:
Joran striking him repeatedly with a belt. Now, that pain had become his weapon.
Kael cracked the shadow-whip forward, and it lashed out like liquid agony, striking a Bonegnasher across the chest.
The creature screamed as its body began to dissolve, system residue shattering like glass.
Two more charged at him.
With surprising calm, Kael ducked under the first, wrapped the whip around its neck, and yanked.
It disintegrated in a storm of pixel dust.
The last four hesitated, then turned and fled.
[Combat Complete: Market Perimeter Clear - 1/3 Zones Claimed]
Bonus: Fear Aura increased by +5 meters while inside sovereign domain.
Kael let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Elric emerged from his hiding spot, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You... you didn't even get scratched."
"I won't always win," Kael replied flatly.
"But I'll never kneel again."
He walked to the center of the plaza, where a rusted fountain lay choked with vines.
With a quick cut from his finger, Kael drew a symbol across the stone.
It shimmered in black and crimson.
[Hollow Sigil Placed: Market of Bones Registered as Sub-Domain]
Effect: +10% regeneration to bonded followers within zone. Reduces unauthorized system scans.
Domain Progress: 33%
The air shifted around him.
This place had come to recognize him.
In the stillness that followed, Kael picked up on new whispers—not from the System, but from something much older.
Something that was watching.
Something... amused.
"So, the boy plants his flag... Let's see how long he can hold it."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Was this a new enemy?
Or perhaps an ancient ally?
Regardless, he didn't look away.
"I'll carve my name into the bones of this world," he murmured, the sigil glowing behind him.
"And even the gods will regret turning their backs on me."
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End of Chapter 4