ROYAL KOMBAT

> TACTICAL CHOICES UNLOCKED:

✔ Strike at Kai-Hoon's economy – Sabotage supply routes to weaken his forces.

✔ Spread false rumors – Create paranoia within his inner circle.

✔ Infiltrate the palace archives – Uncover evidence of his treachery.

The rebellion wasn't just about brute force. It was about outplaying the enemy, using every weakness against him, and that is exactly what I am going to do.

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First Move – Breaking the Ghost Legion's Hold

I decided to target the Ghost Legion's secret prison first. If I could expose their atrocities, I could win General Baek Joon to my side.

So, under the cover of night, my trained assassin squad, and I moved through the slums, where rumors spoke of prisoners vanishing without a trace.

> STEALTH MISSION OBJECTIVE:

✓ Locate the Ghost Legion's Hidden Prison

✓Find, and expose the illegal prison camps without being detected.

> MISSION ACCEPTED

The streets were heavily patrolled, but I had three infiltration options:

1. The Rooftop Path: Risky, but perfect for an aerial approach.

2. Bribing a Merchant: Gain access through a secret tunnel in the market.

3. Disguising as a Ghost Legion Recruit: A direct but dangerous method.

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Infiltration Begins

> SELECTED METHOD: Disguise as a Ghost Legion Recruit

I donned the black armor of the Ghost Legion, its sigil etched with blood-red runes. A stolen identity, and it's a dangerous gamble.

I walked through the prison gates, my plans hidden, but my once steady heartbeat was beginning to race.

The deeper I went, the more horrors I uncovered. Starved prisoners, bodies marked with brutal torture. It seems Kai-Hoon didn't just kill his enemies. He broke them. He dealt with their souls.

At the heart of it all, I found the evidence I needed. It is a secret ledger detailing the executions ordered by Kai-Hoon himself.

>A Blade in the Dark

>The Ghost Legion's Prison – A Deadly Encounter

The prison smells of blood, and desperation of the shackled prisoners, who barely stirred in the darkness, their bodies worn thin from starvation, and endless torture. General Baek Joon's men were among them, their once-proud armor now rusted with neglect.

I clutched the execution ledger tighter. Proof of Kai-Hoon's brutality. This was the key to breaking Baek Joon's loyalty. But before I could leave, something else unplanned for, happened.

> SYSTEM ALERT: ELITE GHOST LEGION CAPTAIN DETECTED

A powerful enemy stands between you, and escape.

The captain's blade gleamed under the torchlight. A mini-boss fight was about to begin.

NEXT MISSION: Escape the Ghost Legion's Prison, and Recruit the First Ally

From the far end of the corridor, Captain Seo Ryang emerged. His armor was thicker than the others, marked with the crimson sigil of the Ghost Legion. His curved twin sabers glowed faintly under the dim torchlight like enchanted blades, capable of slicing through steel like paper. His gaze locked onto me.

"So, a recruit who doesn't belong, showed himself? The rats are really growing bold!." He sneered at me. He unsheathed his sabers in one fluid motion, the air suddenly tensed up with death. Now, there was no talking my way out of this.

> BOSS FIGHT INITIATED – CAPTAIN SEO RYANG, THE GHOST HUNTER

✓Boss Fight – Captain Seo Ryang

Phase 1: Duel of Shadows

> SYSTEM MESSAGE:

✔ Dodge Seo Ryang's rapid slashes!

✔ Counter with Assassin's Requiem for bonus damage!.

I barely dodged his first strike, a lightning-fast horizontal slash meant to take my head clean off. His second blade came for my ribs, forcing me into a desperate backflip to avoid the killing blow.

Then i lunged forward, striking with my assassin's dagger, but he deflected it with ease. His movements were like flowing water, smooth, yet unrelenting.

Seo Ryang wasn't just a brute, he was a master of the dual blade arts.

> SPECIAL MECHANIC UNLOCKED: CLASH SYSTEM

✓When the two blades meet, press the right timing to overpower your opponent!.

We clashed again, sparks erupted as my dagger locked against his saber. I pressed forward, forcing him back. Seized a weak moment's opening of his, then I twisted my wrist, and sliced across his arm.

> CAPTAIN SEO RYANG – HEALTH: 85%

He grunted from my sudden attack, but didn't seems to be tired yet. Quickly, he stance shifted. I knew right there that I have to initiate phase 2, if I am to win.

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Phase 2: Phantom Blade Technique

> SYSTEM WARNING: Seo Ryang activates Phantom Blade!.

His sabers now move with such swift afterimage slashes, that makes his attacks harder to dodge.

His sabers became a blur. I weaved between strikes, feeling the wind of death brush past my skin. Just one little mistake from my end, and I'd be cut apart.

Quickly, I reached into my utility pouch, there is no more room for honor here. A smoke bomb exploded between us, buying me a second's advantage.

> NEW MOVE UNLOCKED: SHADOW FANG STRIKE

A counter-attack dealing massive critical damage if used after a smoke bomb.

"My turn!" I grinned before appearing behind him, and i struck him hard. My blade plunged between his ribs, piercing through his hard armor.

> CAPTAIN SEO RYANG – HEALTH: 25%

He staggered slightly, but he wasn't finished. Time for phase 3.

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Phase 3: Unleashing the Death Waltz

Blood dripped from his mouth. His stance shifted one last time. And he initiated final attack.

> SYSTEM MESSAGE: Seo Ryang activates DEATH WALTZ!

A rapid five-strike combo with no openings. Can only be evaded with perfect timing.

I inhaled heavily, I am getting tired now. Quickly, I focused the moment his blades moved.

> ✔ Press 1 – First Dodge Success

✔ Press 5 – Second Dodge Success

✔ Press Circle – Third Dodge Success

✔ Press Square – Fourth Dodge Success

✔ FINAL QUICK-TIME EVENT – Parry at the right time!

"CLANG!" I caught his final strike with my dagger. And he was wide open.

> FINISHING MOVE ACTIVATED – SHADOW'S REQUIEM

I delivered a final killing blow in a swift but precise way by driving my blade into his throat, ending him instantly. His body fell to the ground, his sabers clattering besides him onto the stone floor.

> VICTORY – CAPTAIN SEO RYANG DEFEATED

Rewards Earned:

✔ Phantom Blades (Twin Sabers – Legendary Tier)

✔ Imperial Execution Ledger (Key Item for General Baek Joon's Trust)

✔ Ghost Hunter's Cloak (Increases Stealth +20%)

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Escape and Alliance

I didn't waste time. I freed the imprisoned soldiers, leading them through the underground passageways before reinforcements could arrive.

By dawn, I stood before General Baek Joon, tossing the execution ledger at his feet. His face darkened as he read the truth.

"So this is what Kai-Hoon's empire has become…" A long silence followed. Then, he met my gaze.

"I will not serve a tyrant. My blade is yours, Shadow Prince." He said and I smirked.

> SYSTEM MESSAGE:

✔ ALLY RECRUITED – GENERAL BAEK JOON

He will now provide tactical support, and lead rebellion forces in battle.

With Baek Joon's army, I now had the strength to challenge Kai-Hoon's rule.

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Next Moves: Strategy Before the Forbidden Palace. With one key ally secured, it was time to focus on:

1. Winning Lady Yoon Hae-Rin's Support

She controlled the merchant network. If I gained her trust, I could cut off Kai-Hoon's supplies, and finance the rebellion.

2. Convincing Monk Wu-Ji

The Keeper of the Emperor's Tomb knew the ancient secrets of the Rebirth Ceremony. His knowledge was key to stopping Kai-Hoon's ascension.

3. Upgrading the Hidden Base for the Final Battle

Forge stronger weapons at the Assassin's Forge, and then train my personal assassin squad for high-risk missions. Before we sabotage the imperial palace from within.

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Final Preparations Before the Forbidden Palace Infiltration

Kai-Hoon's Rebirth Ceremony was approaching fast. The moment he ascended, he would be unstoppable. But the pieces were falling into place, and the rebellion was no longer just a dream of mine.

But the only question was who would strike first? Me, or Kai-Hoon?.

> NEXT MISSION: Winning the Merchant Queen, and the Secrets of the Emperor's Tomb.