Legacy of the Lost: forbidden heir

{Arrival – Emberlight Hearth}

The wind had settled by the time Jin-Seok left Elrik's home. The Safe Zone felt quieter now—less like a battlefield staging ground and more like a living town. He pulled his hood a little lower and navigated the streets with purpose.

After a few casual inquiries and one reluctant conversation with a bragging merchant, he found it.

The Emberlight Hearth.

It stood on the far end of the inner district, nestled between two specialty shops selling enchanted cookware and mobility potions. Unlike most inns, this one didn't shout for attention. It didn't need to. The silver-plated crest above the door—a flaming coin over crossed hammers—said enough.

Elite Merchant Union.

Jin-Seok raised an eyebrow.

> "Kaleon's family, huh. Didn't think the rat had luxury chains under his belt."

The inn's polished obsidian doors opened silently, revealing a soft golden interior. No noise, no crowd, no smell of sweaty climbers or burned stew. Just soft carpet, enchanted lanterns, and a scent of sandalwood.

A sharply dressed attendant greeted him with a bow.

> "Welcome to Emberlight Hearth, Sir Climber. Rooms start at fifty Tower Tokens per night. Meal service optional."

> "Room. One night. Food too."

He handed over a silver card with a flick of his wrist—his Tower Token balance etched faintly on the surface. The attendant took it with both hands, eyes widening for just a breath at the total.

> "Very well. You'll be in Room Eleven. Meal service will be sent in fifteen minutes."

---

{Scene – Room Eleven: Ember and Silence}

The room was… perfect.

Smooth stone walls with warming enchantments. A single crystal lantern casting soft light. A thick carpet that muffled every footstep. The bed was wide, the desk neatly stocked with parchment and ink. A glass window overlooked the glowing heart of the Safe Zone.

Jin-Seok didn't even glance at the bed.

Instead, he sat at the desk and carefully unwrapped the bundle in his coat.

The obsidian shard—Elrik's wall relic—gleamed faintly under the lantern. It wasn't glowing, but it pulsed. Slowly. Like it was… breathing.

Jin-Seok narrowed his eyes and activated Sage's Eye.

---

> [Inspecting…]

[Name: ???]

[Type: Fragmented Relic Shard]

[Origin: Unknown]

He leaned closer, the obsidian surface faintly pulsing like a slow heartbeat.

And then—

> "Where did you get that?"

A voice.

Familiar. Dry, velvety, and just a little smug.

Jin-Seok didn't flinch. He side-eyed the floating figure that had materialized beside him like mist caught in moonlight.

Aris Telvhan, Eternal Necromancer, floated lazily in the air—half-reclined, arms folded behind his head like he'd just woken from a nap.

> "…So you decided to speak now, huh?" Jin-Seok muttered. "Where were you when I was choosing a class?"

Aris didn't meet his eyes. Instead, he made the classic 'Luffy caught lying' face—eyes shifting, lips puffed slightly, pretending to look at the wall.

> "Probably asleep," he said casually, inspecting his fingernails. "

> "I couldn't select any class."

> "Then ask that broken system of yours. Why ask me?"

> "You know something, don't you?"

> "Don't ask me things I don't want to lie about," Aris said smoothly, then added with a grin, "Besides, whatever we do—it's all for you, isn't it?"

That earned a glare.

> "You're the worst."

Before Jin-Seok could argue further, a flicker of light blinked across his vision—

---

> [Legacy System Notification]

⏰ [It's literally the middle of the night. You should be sleeping, you gremlin.]

😒🥱🍵

Both Jin-Seok and Aris stared at the floating message.

Then, without a word, they slammed their hands into the pop-up from opposite sides.

The window crumpled like paper and vanished with a digital pop.

But before the silence could return—

---

> [DING—🎁]

[Milestone Unlocked: Floor 1 Reached – Climbing Journey Begun]

🌀 You have earned 1x Legacy Character Spin

[Spin available in System Space at your convenience.]

P.S. Stop glaring. You love this.

Jin-Seok leaned back in the chair, letting out a long, tired breath.

> "…Whatever. Can't do anything about it now—it's already over."

He rolled his neck, then slowly pushed himself up from the chair.

> "…Let's see who comes next."

He opened his hand.

The system reacted instantly.

---

> [Accessing Legacy System…]

[1x Legacy Character Spin Available]

▶ YES ◀

A swirling vortex of starlight appeared midair. Dozens of character silhouettes flickered in and out—some armored, some cloaked, others monstrous or regal. The wheel spun faster.

Aris, hovering nearby, watched with a half-smile.

> "Place your bets?"

Jin-Seok didn't respond.

He just stared into the storm.

The spin slowed.

And then—

A pulse.

The vortex stopped.

A single figure emerged.

A magic circle flared in front of him—deep emerald green with jagged, chaotic runes dancing across it. Sparks shot out like fireworks.

Then—

BOOOOM!!!

A toxic green explosion burst from the circle, filling the room with swirling smoke and the scent of sulfur, mint, and something suspiciously like boiled frog guts.

> "KYAAHAHAHAHA!"

A wild figure leapt out from the green mist—hair spiked in all directions, glowing goggles over his eyes, a long coat made of stitched-together creature hides flapping behind him like wings.

> "I! LIVE! AGAIN!!"

---

🧪 [Legacy Character Unlocked!]

Name: Malen Thornbrew

Class Title: The Venomblood Alchemist

Tier: Legendary

Level: ???

Race: Twisted Human (Venomblood Mutation)

Role: Potion Master | Poison Expert | Support Alchemist

Affiliation: ???

Status: Initial Sync (0%)

Personality Sync: Chaotic, Free-Spirited, Brilliant (and Slightly Unhinged)

---

Jin-Seok blinked.

> "…What in the hell."

Aris floated mid-air, arms folded, looking thoroughly unimpressed. He narrowed his glowing eyes.

> "…Who is this idiot laughing like a maniac?"

Malen spun around mid-air like a gremlin, then floated upside down.

> "Hey! Watch it, bones-for-brains. I'm a certified toxicologist, explosive enthusiast, and back-alley miracle worker!"

Aris stared.

> "…I've fought gods and dragons. But this might be the first time I feel genuinely concerned for my mental health."

Malen zipped up to Aris, poking his chibi cheek.

> "Bet you've never licked a fire newt tail for science."

Aris hovered back, visibly disturbed.

> "I don't even want to know what that sentence meant."

---

> [Legacy Sync Option: Malen Thornbrew – Available]

⚠️ Subject is unstable. Do not leave unattended in alchemy labs.

🧬 Special Trait – Mutated Venom Bloodline: Healing potions have a chance to poison enemies nearby.

---

Malen sipped from a glowing beaker, his chibi legs swinging.

> "So! When do we start making potions that melt bones?"

Aris covered his face.

> "…We're all going to die."

Jin-Seok just stared, expression unreadable.

> "…Is he really Legendary Tier?"

Aris muttered under his breath, arms crossed.

> "More like 'Legendary mistake.'"

Malen gasped theatrically.

> "I heard that, and I'm proud of it. Now—where's the cauldron? I need fire, poison, and a boiled frog."

> "…System, are you absolutely sure this guy is an Alchemist?"

Aris nodded solemnly beside him.

> "I second that. Strongly. I've seen cult leaders with more stability."

Malen spun midair, cradling a bubbling green flask in both chibi hands.

> "What's with the slander? I've perfected over twelve hundred poisons. Accidentally drank ninety. Survived seventy. That's mastery, baby!"

A soft ding echoed in the room.

---

> [Legacy System: Confirmed.]

[Designation: Alchemist – 100% Verified]

[Symbol: ☠️🧪❓]

Note: Do not ask further. System requires sleep.

The glowing interface flickered once… and promptly vanished like a ghost quitting its job.

Aris and Jin-Seok both stared at the empty space.

> "…It really ran away," Jin-Seok muttered.

Aris sighed, rubbing his temples.

> "This is what I get for thinking the next character might be sane."

Malen raised his arms like a mad conductor.

> "Alright! Let's make bombs that smell like cinnamon!"

Jin-Seok raised a hand to stop the chaos.

> "Okay, okay—you can do all that in the morning. Poison bombs, frog stew, whatever."

He stood, brushing past the still-bickering duo.

> "I've had enough insanity for one day."

He pulled off his coat, tossed it onto the bed, and collapsed face-first into the mattress.

> "Wake me up only if the room's on fire. Or if Malen drinks it."

Aris floated to the side, arms crossed, still glaring at the chibi alchemist.

> "…Sleep well. I'll be keeping an eye on the goblin grenade over here."

Malen waved cheerfully with a tiny vial in his hand.

> "Nighty night! I'll try not to explode anything before dawn!"

A muffled voice came from under the blanket:

> "No promises, huh…"

_______________________________________________

{An Original Series by Celestial Raven}