Mikhael leaned against the wall of his dimly lit shelter, his crimson eyes flickering with faint light from the single torch mounted on the crumbling wall. In his hand, the insignia of a mid-tier bronze rank glinted—a tangible marker of his entry into the Bloodhound Syndicate. The journey to this point had been fraught with challenges, but Mikhael was acutely aware that the real work was just beginning.
The guild wasn't merely an organization of bounty hunters; it was a web of influence and resources. Each rank represented more than just combat skill; it denoted access, authority, and power. For Mikhael, the bronze rank was a stepping stone, one that would position him to climb the ladder and infiltrate the guild's upper echelons. To do that, he needed to weave his presence into the syndicate's threads carefully, invisibly, until his hand was on its heart.
A New Mission
A soft knock on the door broke Mikhael's thoughts. Jin Sparrow stepped inside, his coat trailing as he approached with a casual stride.
"Got your first assignment," Jin said, tossing a scroll onto the rickety table in the corner. "Bronze-ranked job. Standard stuff."
Mikhael walked over, unrolling the scroll and scanning its contents. The job was straightforward: track down and eliminate a rogue demon who had stolen a shipment of enchanted weapons meant for one of the guild's clients. The target was reportedly hiding in the outer districts of the slums.
"Easy enough," Mikhael muttered, though his mind was already calculating how he could use this mission to his advantage.
Jin smirked. "Oh, and one more thing. The higher-ups will be watching. Don't screw it up."
The Outer Districts
The outer districts of the slums were a desolate wasteland compared to the more populated areas Mikhael had grown accustomed to. Here, the air was heavier, thick with the acrid scent of decay, and the buildings leaned precariously against one another like tired old men. It was the perfect place for outlaws and fugitives to disappear—dark, forgotten, and full of shadows.
Mikhael's target was said to be hiding in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of the district. The rogue demon had chosen his refuge well; the warehouse was a labyrinth of collapsed beams and rusting machinery, a fortress of debris.
As Mikhael approached the warehouse, he activated Mana Sense, his awareness sharpening as he reached out for any magical presences nearby. Almost immediately, he felt a faint flicker of energy deep within the structure. The rogue was here.
He stepped inside, his movements silent as he navigated the maze of broken equipment and crumbling walls. The target was clever, using the terrain to his advantage. But Mikhael was better.
The Encounter
The rogue demon, a wiry figure with jagged horns and glowing yellow eyes, appeared from the shadows, wielding a short blade that crackled with dark energy. His voice was a low growl as he sized Mikhael up.
"You guild dogs don't waste time, do you?" the rogue sneered.
Mikhael said nothing, his expression calm as he assessed the opponent's stance. The demon was strong, certainly, but his movements were hasty, his grip on the blade too tight. Mikhael's system revealed his stats:
[Target: Rogue Demon]
Level: 11
Strength: 28
Durability: 25
Agility: 22
Wisdom: 16
Intelligence: 15
Mikhael smirked. The rogue was strong for his level, but nothing he couldn't handle. With a quick step forward, Mikhael activated Dash, his agility spiking as he closed the gap between them in an instant. The rogue's eyes widened in surprise as Mikhael's fist connected with his chest, sending him staggering back into a pile of debris.
The rogue recovered quickly, lunging at Mikhael with the crackling blade. Mikhael dodged effortlessly, activating Shadow Step to vanish into the shadows and reappear behind his opponent. With Charge building his power, Mikhael struck again, a heavy blow to the rogue's shoulder that caused him to drop the blade.
"You're quick," the rogue admitted, a bead of sweat running down his face. "But I'm not done yet."
The demon's body glowed faintly as he drew on some hidden reserve of power, his aura intensifying. Mikhael watched carefully, noting the rogue's rising desperation. It was time to end this.
With a flick of his wrist, Mikhael unleashed Dark Pulse, the concentrated energy slamming into the rogue and sending him crashing into the wall. As the demon struggled to rise, Mikhael moved in, placing his hand on the rogue's chest and activating Gluttony. Dark tendrils of energy swirled around them as Mikhael drained the demon's essence, his body absorbing the power.
[You have absorbed the essence of a demon.]
Experience Gained: 35
Bronze Guild Assignment Complete: Target Eliminated.
The rogue slumped to the ground, lifeless. Mikhael straightened, his body humming with the newly absorbed energy. The mission was a success, but more importantly, he had left a subtle mark on the guild with his efficiency.
The Report
Back at the guildhall, Mikhael delivered his report to the bronze-ranked overseer, a stocky demon with thick arms and a perpetual scowl. The overseer listened carefully, his eyes narrowing as Mikhael recounted the details of the mission.
"Not bad for your first job," the overseer grunted. "The higher-ups might take notice if you keep this up."
Mikhael nodded, feigning humility, though his mind was already working on his next steps. Gaining the notice of the guild's leaders was precisely what he needed. The faster he rose through the ranks, the closer he would be to the power that lay at the heart of the Bloodhound Syndicate.
A New Opportunity
As Mikhael was preparing to leave, a figure approached him from the shadows of the guildhall. The man was tall and lean, with sharp features and an unsettling smile. His gold rank insignia gleamed faintly on his chest.
"You handled that mission well," the gold-ranked hunter said, his voice smooth. "But if you want to rise in the guild, you'll need more than raw skill."
"And what would you suggest?" Mikhael asked, keeping his tone neutral.
The gold-ranked hunter chuckled. "Connections, my friend. Alliances. The higher-ups don't just reward strength; they reward loyalty. Prove that you can be trusted, and you'll go far."
Mikhael nodded, though inwardly, he knew loyalty was a tool, not a virtue. He would build alliances where necessary, but his ultimate loyalty was to himself—and his plans.
The gold-ranked hunter handed Mikhael a new scroll. "Here's your next assignment. Do well, and you might catch the eye of someone important."
A Web of Intrigue
As Mikhael returned to his shelter, he unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the details of the mission. It was more complex than his first—a retrieval job involving a stolen artifact. The target was said to be holed up in a heavily fortified compound, and the guild wanted it handled discreetly.
Mikhael's lips curled into a faint smile. This was no simple task, but that was precisely what made it interesting. He needed to keep proving himself, not just through combat but through his ability to outthink and outmaneuver his opponents.
He glanced at Jin, who was lounging nearby. "Looks like we've got more work to do."
Jin smirked, tipping his hat. "You know I'm always ready."
The two of them began planning, the dim light of the shelter casting long shadows on the walls. Mikhael's entry into the guild had been a success, but it was only the beginning. The Bloodhound Syndicate was a web of power and ambition, and Mikhael intended to weave himself into its very center.
The slums belonged to those who knew how to take them, and Mikhael was determined to take it all.