ROYAL KOMBAT

The Merchant Queen and the Emperor's Tomb.

A City of Shadows – Infiltrating the Golden Pavilion

The streets of Hanseong bursts with life beneath a moonless sky. Merchants calls out deals, couriers weaved through the chaos, and the occasional Imperial enforcer patrolled the roads, searching for ghosts that shouldn't exist.

I was one of them.

Dressed in the gray robes of a wandering scholar, I moved through the crowd, my face hidden beneath a conical shaped hat. Beneath the disguise, my fingers brushed against the hidden daggers strapped to my forearms. If I was discovered here, the entire rebellion would be at risk.

> MISSION OBJECTIVE: Gain Lady Yoon Hae-Rin's Trust

✔ Infiltrate the Golden Pavilion without detection

✔ Survive the secret assassination test

✔ Unlock Merchant Black Market for rebellion funding

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The Merchant Queen's Test

Lady Yoon Hae-Rin was the unofficial ruler of Hanseong's underground trade networks. If the rebellion was to survive, we needed her gold, her connections, and her ability to smuggle weapons past Kai-Hoon's blockades.

But trust wasn't given—it had to be earned.

As I stepped into the Golden Pavilion, a pair of masked guards blocked my path.

"You seek the Queen of Commerce?" And I nodded my head.

"Then prove your worth. The test begins now." And the floor beneath me collapsed immediately.

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Stealth Challenge – The Assassins' Gauntlet

I landed in a dark chamber, my torchlight quickly flashes against polished walls. The scent of incense masked something far more sinister—fresh blood.

The walls shifted. And unseen shadows moved swiftly. Too swiftly to be precised! A word pop up in my head.nAssassins.

> SYSTEM ALERT: SURVIVE THE GOLDEN PAVILION'S TRIAL

This test determines your place in the underworld. Fail, and you won't leave alive.

From the darkness, three elite killers emerged. Each bore the insignia of the Silken Blades, Lady Yoon's personal executioners.

One moved first, and I saw a flash of silver blade, a dagger aiming straight for my throat.

> SYSTEM PROMPT: PARRY OR COUNTER-KILL?

I twisted to the side, catching his wrist at the last second. A perfect counter attack. My dagger found the way to his heart before he even registered his mistake.

The second came low, aiming for my ribs. I leaped over the attacker, kicking off the wall to gain height before driving my blade downward. The assassin choked on his own blood as he crumpled slowly to the ground.

Now, only one remained.

> SILKEN BLADE ASSASSIN (ELITE) – HEALTH: 100%

This one was different from the other. he is faster, and deadlier than the other. He circled around me with slow, measured steps, his curved sword humming with deadly energy. Then he struck.

> SYSTEM PROMPT: CHAIN DODGE TO AVOID DAMAGE!

His blade cut through empty air as I sidestepped, rolled, and slid under his next attack. His open frustration was actually my opportunity.

Quickly, I threw a smoke bomb, vanishing into the darkness.

> SPECIAL MOVE UNLOCKED: SILENT EXECUTION

Eliminate enemies instantly when attacking from stealth.

From the shadows, I drove my dagger swiftly into the base of his skull. He collapsed without a sound.

> VICTORY – GOLDEN PAVILION TRIAL PASSED

Rewards Earned:

✔ Merchant Queen's Favor (Unlocks black market weapons & funding for rebellion)

✔ Schematics: Alchemist's Explosive Powder (Allows the crafting of alchemical bombs)

✔ Golden Lotus Seal (Proof of allegiance to Lady Yoon Hae-Rin)

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Lady Yoon's Deal

When I returned to the upper floor, Lady Yoon sat in a lavish chamber lined with silk banners, and jade statues, sipping wine as if she hadn't just ordered my death.

"Impressive. Not many pass my test." She gestured to a map of the empire, marked with trade routes, and secret supply caches.

"Kai-Hoon has cut off all major weapons shipments to the rebellion. But if we strike at the right supply lines…" She tapped a location on the map—an Imperial armory hidden within the mountain appears on the map.

"Steal their war supplies, and I will fully fund your revolution." It was a heist, then. But it was my specialty.

> NEW MISSION UNLOCKED – RAID THE IMPERIAL ARMORY

Steal weapons, sabotage Kai-Hoon's war efforts, and unlock rebellion upgrades.

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The Emperor's Tomb – A Forbidden Truth

But first, there was another matter—one even more dangerous.

Beneath the Forbidden Palace lay the Emperor's Tomb, guarded by ancient wards, and forgotten knowledge. The Monk Wu-Ji, an exiled priest, was the only one who knew its secrets. If I was to stop Kai-Hoon's Rebirth Ceremony, I needed that knowledge.

> MISSION OBJECTIVE: FIND MONK WU-JI

✔ Uncover the secrets of the Emperor's Tomb

✔ Prevent Kai-Hoon's ascension to godhood

At midnight, I slipped into the backstreets of Hanseong, heading toward the ruined temple where Wu-Ji was said to dwell. praying I don't get caught.

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The Forbidden Temple – An Unexpected Betrayal

The temple ruins were eerily quiet. Statues of long-forgotten gods stood half-buried in the overgrown courtyard. No guards. No traps. Too easy.

Then—

> SYSTEM WARNING: IT'S A TRAP!

Quickly, the temple doors suddenly slammed shut behind me. Torches started flashing bright at me, revealing Imperial assassins hidden in the rafters.

And standing in the center, smiling coldly, was someone I had not expected—

> MONK WU-JI: "You are too late, Shadow Prince. The future belongs to Kai-Hoon."

This is betrayal. Of course.

Then the assassins moved in, blades gleaming in the dark.

Then I realized that this wasn't just a meeting. It was an ambush.

> NEXT CHAPTER: ESCAPE THE TEMPLE AND UNCOVER KAI-HOON'S FINAL PLAN

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Strategic Choices Moving Forward:

✓Raid the Imperial Armory first to arm the rebellion, or deal with Wu-Ji's betrayal immediately?

✓Focus on recruiting more allies, or strike before Kai-Hoon can finish his Rebirth Ceremony?

✓Upgrade the Hidden Base for a prolonged war, or risk everything in a direct attack?

>The Emperor's Arsenal and the Betrayal of Wu-Ji

Monk Wu-Ji, once believed to be an ally, had lured me into a trap?.

> Wu-Ji: "Kai-Hoon's destiny cannot be stopped. You were a fool to believe otherwise."

Since the temple doors were locked, the dark walls lined with Imperial assassins, cloaked in black, and a dozen blades flashed in the dim torchlight. Just for my death? Then I need to settle this score of silent betrayal.

> SYSTEM PROMPT: FIGHT OR FLEE?

I chose fight. I screamed loudly before rushing towards them myself. Climbing the dark walls like a trained assassin, and they did the same..Suddenly, and swiftly, the battle became a whirlwind of steel, and armed shadows. I weaved through attacks, daggers cutting through throats before my enemies could scream. Truly, the assassins were fast—but I was faster.

> SPECIAL MOVE UNLOCKED: SHADOW REQUIEM

Chain-kill multiple enemies in rapid succession.

Daggers flashes in the dark as more bodies collapses after screaming out their pain. More blood stained the temple floors. Wu-Ji stumbled backward, hint of fear in his eyes.

> Wu-Ji: "Wait! I can still be useful—"

"Nah! I don't have a use for traitors in my den" I drove my blade into his heart.

"You chose your side. Now die with it." I said before pulling my dagger out from his heart. Blood gushes out, his eyes wide open while he slowly falls to the ground.

> VICTORY – MONK WU-JI ELIMINATED

Rewards Earned:

✔ Secret Scroll: Emperor's Tomb Map (Reveals hidden paths to Kai-Hoon's final stronghold)

✔ Mystic Artefact: Dragon's Tear (Enhances stealth and assassination abilities)

✔ Rebellion Morale Boost (Allies more willing to join the cause