NOVEL WEB Chapter 8: Ashes of the Past
The silence after the illusion shattered was almost holy.
Calen stumbled back as the whispers grew louder. Some nobles stepped away from him, while others looked at him like a loaded crossbow.
"Riven Kael… is alive?"
"He just exposed a Duke's heir."
"What kind of magic was that illusion?!"
> [System Notification: You have shaken the core of the Empire's noble society.]
[Reputation in Eastern Provinces: +520 (Feared/Respected)]
[Warning: Hostile Targets Identified – 7 Nobles flagged you as a threat.]
But Riven didn't flinch.
The weight of attention pressed down on him like a mountain, but he welcomed it — let them know. Let the cowards feel dread.
Across the room, the Emperor's informants were already whispering into communication stones.
Calen was done.
But this was only the beginning.
---
Outside the Hall – Moonlit Garden
Riven leaned on the stone railing, staring into the flame-lit fountains.
Then came the sound of soft steps behind him.
"You're not very subtle," came a voice — smooth, sharp, familiar.
Eirya Valtros.
He turned slowly. She was dressed in dark crimson robes that shimmered under the moonlight. The same eyes that once watched him get dragged away for "treason" now studied him like a puzzle piece she couldn't place.
"You're supposed to be dead," she said.
"I was. But death was too crowded."
She smiled — dangerous, amused. "You just declared war on one of the Empire's strongest noble houses. What's your next move, Riven the Reborn?"
He didn't answer directly. Instead, the System pulsed again.
> [Optional Quest: Recruit Eirya Valtros]
[Success Chance: 41% | Risk: Emotional Damage – Past Feelings Detected]
Note: Former fiancée. Last words exchanged: "I will never forgive you."
Riven clenched his jaw.
She had chosen power over love back then. She stood silent when he was branded a traitor. And yet, here she was. Tempting. Unpredictable. Dangerous.
> "You still working for the Imperial Shadow Network?"
"And if I am?"
"Then you already know why I'm back."
---
System Message:
> [New Major Questline Unlocked: The Empire's Core Lies]
Objective: Uncover the secret experiments behind your betrayal.
Reward: ???
Warning: Enemies will now escalate their surveillance and hostility.
---
Suddenly, a flash of movement — a dagger flew toward his chest.
Riven caught it midair.
Behind the bushes, a masked assassin cursed and lunged forward.
Eirya reached for her blade, but Riven was faster.
> [Skill Activated: Chrono Step – Time Acceleration: 0.2s Burst]
Movement speed doubled for 0.2 seconds
Riven blurred forward, the world slowing around him. He slammed the assassin's throat, spun, and threw him over the balcony. The body hit the ground below with a thud.
> [Assassin Eliminated – You gained 490 EXP]
Eirya blinked.
"…That's not magic," she whispered. "That's something else."
> "You're right," Riven said quietly. "It's called… the System."
---
Moments Later
Eirya stared at him long and hard. "You're not the man I once knew."
"I buried that man in the prison they threw me in."
She looked conflicted.
"Then who are you now?"
He walked past her, heading into the shadows once again.
> "I'm the consequence of everyone's sins."
---
> [Quest Updated: First Seed of Doubt – Eirya's loyalty is wavering.]
[Passive Upgrade: Fearless Presence (Lv. 1) – Increases intimidation by 20% in social conflicts.]
[You have triggered a Shift Event – The Empire will soon respond.]