Restart: the ultimate system

A Growing Threat

Kai stood over the dead assassin, the blood pooling at his feet. The note in his hand felt heavier than it should.

"You should have died the first time."

Someone knew.

Not just about the assassination attempts—but about his return.

A slow, cold anger settled in his chest.

This wasn't just a noble's political maneuver anymore. This was something bigger.

And whoever was behind it had resources.

Kai crouched, searching the assassin's body for anything useful. No house crest, no distinguishing marks. Whoever sent them had erased all traces of identity.

But there was one clue.

Tucked beneath the assassin's collar was a small, silver insignia. A coiled serpent biting its own tail.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

He knew that symbol.

The Ouroboros Order.

The Ouroboros Order

A secretive faction that operated in the shadows of noble society. Assassins, spies, informants—they worked for the highest bidder, but they had their own agenda.

And if they were involved?

It meant this wasn't just a contract killing.

It was a cover-up.

Kai clenched his jaw. Someone had hired the Ouroboros Order to ensure he didn't exist. To erase him from history.

Which meant his return had already disrupted something.

Something important.

And now, the real enemy was moving.

No More Running

Kai rose to his feet, slipping the silver insignia into his pocket. The nobles were no longer his only concern.

He had two enemies now.

One hiding behind the power of a noble house.

The other lurking in the shadows, working to erase him.

And he had less than 48 hours before the next move was made.

Kai took a slow breath, his resolve hardening.

If they wanted him gone, they would have to do better than this.

Because he wasn't going to run.

He was going to hunt them first.

Hunting Shadows

The Assassin's Secret

Kai stood over the assassin's body, his mind racing. The Ouroboros Order—an organization that didn't just kill for money, but for control. They only moved when something threatened the balance of power.

And now, they were after him.

He examined the insignia again, running his fingers over the coiled serpent. This wasn't just proof of their involvement—it was a message.

They wanted him to know.

A warning. A taunt.

They didn't think he could stop them.

Kai exhaled slowly, his thoughts sharpening. He needed to strike first. But where? The Ouroboros Order didn't have a public face, but… he knew someone who might have answers.

Elias Crowne.

The information broker had his fingers in every secret within the capital. If anyone knew how to track the Order's movements, it was him.

A Deal in the Underbelly

The next night, Kai slipped into Duskwatch Alley, the seedy underbelly of the capital. The streets here were lined with dimly lit gambling dens, shadowy figures whispering in corners. It was the kind of place where power wasn't dictated by bloodline, but by gold and secrets.

And Elias Crowne thrived on both.

Kai found him in his usual haunt—a private lounge, guarded by two heavily armed men. The moment he entered, Elias grinned.

"Kai," he drawled. "Back so soon? I take it my information was useful?"

Kai dropped the Ouroboros insignia onto the table between them. "I need to know everything about them."

Elias's smile flickered. He picked up the insignia, inspecting it carefully.

"Well," he murmured, "you don't ask for small favors, do you?"

Kai folded his arms. "You owe me."

Elias chuckled. "True. But the Ouroboros Order isn't like the noble houses. They don't leave loose ends." His gaze sharpened. "If they're after you, it means you've already disrupted something big."

Kai leaned in slightly. "Then tell me what."

Elias studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Alright. But this information won't come cheap."

Kai already expected that. "Name your price."

Elias smirked. "You'll owe me a favor. One I'll collect at my choosing."

A dangerous offer. But Kai needed these answers.

"…Fine."

Elias's grin widened. "Then listen carefully."

The Ouroboros Order's True Purpose

"The Ouroboros Order isn't just an assassin's guild," Elias said, leaning back. "They deal in secrets—controlling what is known, and more importantly, what is forgotten."

Kai's fingers tightened. Forgotten.

Elias continued, "They don't just kill people. They erase them. Their goal is to keep the kingdom's history… clean. They make sure no one remembers things that should stay buried."

A slow chill crept down Kai's spine.

They weren't just trying to kill him. They were trying to erase the very fact that he ever existed.

Which meant his return wasn't just an inconvenience to them—it was a violation of their control.

Elias tapped the insignia. "And if they've already sent an assassin after you? It means someone powerful gave the order. Someone with enough influence to rewrite history."

Kai's jaw clenched.

A noble.

A high-ranking noble.

Maybe even someone close to the throne.

The Next Target

Elias studied him. "So, now that you know… what will you do?"

Kai exhaled slowly. He had two enemies now.

The noble who placed the contract.

And the Ouroboros Order, who wanted him wiped from existence.

He had no intention of letting either succeed.

He picked up the insignia, slipping it into his pocket. Then he met Elias's gaze.

"I'm going to make them regret ever coming after me."

Elias chuckled. "Now that… I'd like to see."

Kai turned to leave.

His first target?

House Ravencourt.

If Selene wasn't the one who gave the order, then someone else in her house did.

And by the time he was done…

They would all know exactly what it meant to fear the dead.