My Kombat System: Tomb Riders (Shadow Prince)

Gameplay: Infiltrating the Secret Meeting

A new lead emerged—a hidden courier delivering secret messages between Kai-Hoon's inner circle, and the rebel spies.

☰ Gameplay Options: How Do We Infiltrate?

✔ Disguise as the Courier & Take Their Place. (Infiltration route—high-risk, direct approach.)

✔ Follow the Courier to the Meeting Spot. (Stealth route—safer but slower.)

✔ Capture & Torture the Courier for Information. (Brutal, direct, but causes unrest.)

I donned the courier's robes, slipping into the shadows. Disguise mechanics activated.

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The Hidden Spy Revealed

The meeting point was a rundown tea house, its backroom filled with masked figures. I remained silent, letting the spies talk.

"The attack on Phoenix River is a lie," one muttered. "Bae Kae is hunting us."

I remained still, listening as they listed all their inside men within the rebellion.

☰ Gameplay Decision: Strike or Wait?

✔ Kill them all now & send a message. (Violent, final, but could alert others.)

✔ Follow them back to their higher contacts. (Deeper infiltration but riskier.)

✔ Capture & Interrogate one while letting the rest go. (Balanced approach—get information without spooking others.)

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The Greater Conspiracy

By the end of the night, I had uncovered three more spies—high-ranking officers among my forces.

And the worse is that… the true mastermind wasn't among them.

☰ Next Objective: The Mastermind's Identity Remains Unknown.

☰ New Gameplay Unlocks:

✔ Palace Infiltration Mechanics: Disguise, bribe, or fight your way inside.

✔ New Combat Style: Duel the Empire's deadliest warriors in single combat.

✔ Expanded Spy War: Counter-intelligence mechanics to prevent future betrayals.

Opening Cutscene: A Ghost in the Palace

A crescent moon hung low over the Imperial City, its light glinting off the gilded rooftops of the palace. From my perch atop a pagoda, I watched the guards patrol the gates below, their movements disciplined, and their eyes sharp.

Inside these walls, the mastermind of the spy network awaited. But to reach them, I needed to become a shadow.

☰ Mission Update: Infiltrate the Imperial Palace

✔ Objective: Identify the true leader of the spy ring.

✔ Gameplay Mechanics:

Disguise & Deception: Steal uniforms, forge documents, or bribe officials.

Silent Takedowns: Eliminate threats without raising alarms.

Eavesdropping Quests: Gather intelligence from court officials.

Mastermind Tracker: Narrow down potential suspects through choices

Gameplay: The Palace Gates

☰ Entry Options:

✔ Option 1: Disguise as a palace servant and sneak in. (Low risk but limited access.)

✔ Option 2: Scale the outer walls and infiltrate via the rooftops. (High risk, high mobility.)

✔ Option 3: Force an entry as an Imperial envoy. (Direct confrontation but offers prestige.)

I chose Option 2—Rooftop Infiltration.

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The Assassin's Path

The hook blade I carried along found a secured place against the lacquered wood, and I hoisted myself up. Below, a group of palace guards patrolled, their torches illuminating the stone pathways.

☰ Gameplay Choice: Stay silent or take out key sentries?

✔ Stealth Path: Move undetected, using shadows, and terrain.

✔ Elimination Path: Quietly remove key guards, creating safe routes.

I moved like the wind—unseen, unheard. Ghost Mode activated.

And i eavesdrop on the enemy while perched above a private chamber, I overheard whispers:

"Bae Kae is getting too close," a voice muttered. "If he uncovers the Emperor's tomb, it's over."

My pulse quickened. The Emperor's tomb? Why would a spy ring care about the tomb of a dead ruler?

☰ New Objective Unlocked: Investigate the Tomb's Secrets.

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A Duel In The Shadows

Before I could retreat, a sudden voice cut through the night air—low, steady, and far too close.

"I knew you'd come."

A masked figure emerged from the shadows, a curved twin-blade gleaming under the moonlight.

☰ BOSS BATTLE: IMPERIAL SHADOW GUARD – THE BLACK LOTUS

✔ Fast, dual-wield combat.

✔ Counter-based battle system—punish openings.

✔ Environmental takedowns—use surroundings.

Blades suddenly clashed in rapid succession with words, the ringing steel echoing through the silent courtyard. I ran, dodge, and strike. Every movement had to be precise—one mistake meant death.

☰ Gameplay Mechanic: "Duel of the Fates"

✔ Time attacks perfectly to break the enemy's guard.

✔ Choose to kill or spare for future consequences.

I disarmed him with a well-placed feint, my dagger pressed against his throat.

☰ Choice:

✔ Kill him and send a message. (Instills fear but increases future resistance.)

✔ Spare him for information. (Risky, but could reveal secrets.)

I chose to spare him.

"I serve only the highest bidder," he smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "And right now, someone else is paying more for your head."

And a name slipped from his lips—Minister Zhao.

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Uncovering the Mastermind

Minister Zhao. A man of the Emperor's court. A loyalist to Kai-Hoon.

He was the final piece in the puzzle. The one orchestrating the rebellion's downfall from within.

☰ Mission Update: Confront Minister Zhao at the Emperor's Tomb.

But before I could move—an alarm rang out. The palace was on high alert. The hunt for me had begun.

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Next Mission Preview: The Secrets of the Emperor's Tomb

✓Escapes the palace, while being hunted by the Black Lotus Assassins.

✓The Imperial Tomb hides a secret that could change the war.

✓Minister Zhao's final trap is already in motion.

☰ New Gameplay Unlocks:

✔ Expanded Combat Techniques: Unlock dual-weapon mastery.

✔ New Stealth Challenges: Evade patrols in high-alert mode.

✔ The Imperial Tomb Dungeon: Solve traps and fight the tomb's guardians.

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The Hunt Through the Imperial City

Opening Cutscene: The Alarm Sounds

The palace bells tolled more and more, their loud ringing piercing the silent night. Torchlight flooded the courtyards, and armored guards surged through the gates, searching for me.

☰ Mission Update: Escape the Imperial Palace

✔ Objective: Evade the pursuing guards and reach the hidden passage leading to the Emperor's Tomb.

✔ Gameplay Mechanics:

Parkour Chase System: Run, climb, and vault over obstacles.

Stealth Routes: Hide in shadows or blend into crowds.

Enemy Alert System: Guards become increasingly aggressive if spotted.

Ambush Encounters: Avoid or fight through elite assassins blocking the way.

Gameplay: The Chase Begins

Guards flooded the palace halls, their heavy boots pounding against stone as they spread out in search of me.

☰ Escape Paths:

✔ Option 1: Sprint across the rooftops. (Faster but riskier.)

✔ Option 2: Use the underground servant tunnels. (Slower but stealthier.)

✔ Option 3: Blend into a group of palace officials. (Requires a disguise.)

I chose Option 1—Rooftop Escape.

The wind whipped through my hair as I jumped over wooden railings, and landed lightly on a tiled roof. And a crossbow bolt suddenly whizzed past my ear—they had archers.

☰ Gameplay Mechanic: Chase Combat

✔ Deflect incoming projectiles mid-air.

✔ Use smoke bombs to break line of sight.

✔ Parkour-based takedowns to disable enemies.

I pulled out a throwing knife, and sent it spinning into the nearest archer's bowstring, snapping it in half just as he aimed. He cursed as his weapon fell apart.

But just as I reached the outer walls—the real trap was sprung.

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Ambush at the City Gates

A line of black-robed warriors stood blocking the exit—Kai-Hoon's elite personal guard. The Midnight Talons.

☰ BOSS ENCOUNTER: MIDNIGHT TALONS – THE FIVE SHADOWS

✔ Group combat mechanics—enemies fight as a coordinated unit.

✔ Each warrior has a unique fighting style requiring different counters.

✔ Use terrain and mobility to separate them.

They moved in perfect union. A curved blade slashed toward my ribs,and I twisted swiftly from his reach, fighting with my hook blade, and retaliating with a swift elbow strike. Another warrior lunged low, aiming to sweep my legs—I jumped over him, landing a kick to his shoulder.

One mistake meant death.

☰ Combat Strategies:

✔ Disarm one to steal their weapon. (Gains an advantage.)

✔ Use smoke bombs to isolate enemies. (Breaks their formation.)

✔ Deflect and counter to stagger them. (Opens them up to finishing moves.)

I activated Ghost Mode. Time slowed. I sidestepped an incoming thrust, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and wrenched the sword from his grip. Spinning, I used it to impale another warrior mid-charge.

One down. Four to go.