The metallic scent of blood lingered heavily in the air.
Five corpses lay scattered across the chamber, their lifeless eyes frozen in terror. The once-quiet room of the Third Prince had turned into a silent execution ground.
Arian stood in the center.
Still.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Behind him, Kael—the Demon of the Abyss—remained motionless like a shadow carved from darkness. His crimson eyes glowed faintly, scanning the surroundings with predatory patience.
Outside the chamber, footsteps echoed again.
More guards.
More enemies.
Arian closed his eyes for a brief moment.
In his previous life, this would have been the moment he panicked.
The moment he begged for help.
The moment he died.
But now—
He opened his eyes.
Cold.
Sharp.
In control.
"Kael," Arian said quietly.
The demon bowed his head slightly.
"Command me, my lord."
"Hide your presence."
A brief pause.
Then Kael's form dissolved into shadows, merging with the darkness behind Arian like he had never existed.
Only the faintest chill in the air remained.
Arian walked toward the bed and sat down slowly.
He deliberately slowed his breathing.
Weakened his posture.
Let his shoulders slump.
In an instant—
The terrifying aura around him disappeared.
Once again…
He became the fragile, sickly Third Prince.
Just as—
The door burst open.
A larger group of guards rushed in, led by a middle-aged man dressed in elegant robes.
Steward Halric.
The "loyal" servant of the royal family.
The spider at the center of the web.
Halric's sharp eyes scanned the room.
They stopped at the bodies.
For a split second—
Shock flashed across his face.
But it vanished just as quickly.
Replaced by concern.
"Your Highness!" Halric exclaimed, rushing forward. "Are you alright?!"
Arian looked up slowly, as if struggling to stay conscious.
"I… I don't know…" he said weakly.
Halric's gaze flickered.
His eyes darted toward the corpses again.
Then back to Arian.
"Who did this?" he asked.
Arian coughed lightly.
"I… I was resting… then they suddenly came in…"
His voice trembled perfectly.
"I thought… I was going to die…"
Halric narrowed his eyes slightly.
He stepped closer.
"Did you see anything unusual?" he asked carefully.
Arian hesitated.
Then slowly shook his head.
"No…"
Silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
Halric studied him.
Looking for cracks.
Looking for lies.
But Arian's expression was flawless.
Weak.
Confused.
Terrified.
Exactly like the prince Halric believed him to be.
"…I see," Halric finally said.
He turned to the guards.
"Secure the area. No one enters or leaves without my permission."
"Yes, Steward!"
The guards immediately began moving the bodies.
Arian watched quietly.
Inside…
He was smiling.
"Still playing your game, Halric?" he thought.
"Good."
"I'll play along."
Halric turned back to Arian.
"Your Highness, this is a serious matter. Someone dared to attack a royal prince inside the palace…"
His tone was heavy.
Grave.
"Don't worry. I will personally investigate this."
Arian lowered his gaze.
"…Thank you," he whispered.
Halric nodded.
Then—
He leaned closer.
Very slightly.
And whispered:
"You should be more careful, Your Highness."
Arian's eyes flickered.
Just for a moment.
A warning.
A threat.
A test.
Halric straightened and smiled politely.
"Rest well, Your Highness."
Then he turned and walked out.
The guards followed.
The door closed.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Arian sat still for several seconds.
Then—
He laughed.
Softly.
"Heh…"
Then louder.
"Hahaha…"
The weak, trembling prince was gone.
His posture straightened.
His eyes turned sharp again.
"What a perfect actor," he muttered.
From the shadows—
Kael emerged once more.
"Shall I kill him?" the demon asked.
Arian shook his head.
"Not yet."
He stood up slowly.
"Halric is not just a pawn."
"He's a bridge."
Kael tilted his head.
"A bridge?"
"To Lucien," Arian replied.
His eyes darkened.
"If I kill him now, Lucien will hide deeper."
"And I…"
"…want him to feel safe."
A dangerous smile spread across his lips.
"Safe enough to make mistakes."
[System Notification]
[New Mission Available]
Arian's gaze shifted.
"Show me."
[Mission: Expose the Traitor]
[Objective: Gather evidence against Steward Halric]
[Reward: Intermediate Summon Ticket + Skill Unlock]
Arian raised an eyebrow.
"Evidence?"
That was… unexpected.
"You want me to play politics," he murmured.
[Correction: You must dominate all fields—power, intelligence, and influence]
Arian smirked.
"Fair enough."
He walked toward the unconscious maid.
She was still breathing.
Barely.
"Wake her," Arian said.
Kael stepped forward and placed a hand above her.
A faint dark energy seeped into her body.
Moments later—
She gasped and woke up.
Her eyes widened in terror as soon as she saw Arian.
"Y-Your Highness! P-Please don't kill me!"
Arian crouched in front of her.
His expression calm.
Cold.
"I won't kill you," he said.
Her crying slowed slightly.
"R-Really…?"
Arian nodded.
"But you will work for me."
She froze.
"W-Work… for you?"
"Yes."
Arian's voice dropped.
"From now on, you will report everything Halric does."
Her face turned pale.
"I… I can't… he'll kill me!"
Arian leaned closer.
His eyes locking onto hers.
"He will kill you anyway."
Silence.
Her lips trembled.
Arian continued:
"But I can protect you."
"And your family."
Her breathing stopped.
"My… family…?"
Arian nodded.
"I know where they are."
A lie.
But a convincing one.
"And I can make sure they live."
Tears filled her eyes again.
This time—
Not just from fear.
But from hope.
"W-What do you want me to do…?" she whispered.
Arian stood up.
"Simple."
"Listen."
"Watch."
"Report."
He turned away.
"And don't betray me."
The air around him turned cold.
"Because I don't forgive twice."
The maid nodded rapidly.
"I understand! I understand!"
Arian walked toward the window.
The burning city from his memories was no longer there.
Everything looked peaceful.
Normal.
But he knew the truth.
This peace…
Was fragile.
Temporary.
Built on lies.
"Seven days…" he murmured.
"That's all it takes for everything to collapse."
Kael stood behind him silently.
Arian clenched his fists.
"This time…"
"I will be ready."
[Hidden Condition Met]
[Reward Granted: Skill – "Demonic Insight"]
Arian blinked.
"A skill?"
[Demonic Insight: Allows Host to sense lies, killing intent, and hidden emotions]
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Now that…"
"…is useful."
His eyes gleamed with dangerous excitement.
"Halric…"
"Lucien…"
"Let's see how long you can keep lying to me."
Outside, dark clouds began to gather.
A storm was coming.
And inside the palace—
Something far more dangerous had awakened.