The Academy loomed on the horizon, its towers gilded in the soft hues of dusk.
Sang-hoon walked through the sprawling grounds, his mind a storm of revelations. The trial had been grueling, and the knowledge imparted by Count Arvendale's legacy was both a boon and a burden.
Fragmented memories from centuries past lingered at the edges of his consciousness, whispering of ancient wars and betrayal.
Kaelith perched on his shoulder, his small form tense and his gaze darting around nervously.
The little dragon, usually exuberant after a victory, seemed unsettled—a sentiment Sang-hoon shared. Something was amiss.
As Sang-hoon approached the dormitories, a sharp, metallic chime echoed in his mind, halting him in his tracks.
[Main Quest Triggered: The Vault's Gambit]
Objective: Uncover and thwart the planned heist of the Academy's Vault. Failure will result in catastrophic consequences.
Time Remaining: 05:43:21.
Sang-hoon's heart raced as the timer materialized in the corner of his vision.
The Vault—the most secure location in the Academy—was a storied legend. It housed weapons of unspeakable power, artifacts imbued with divine blessings, and the petrified remains of legendary beasts subdued by the gods.
This event shouldn't happen yet.
Sang-hoon clenched his fists, recalling every fragment of his gaming knowledge. In the game, The Vault's Gambit marked a pivotal point, signaling the descent of chaos into the Academy.
But it was supposed to occur later—months into the storyline.
"The timeline's accelerating," he muttered, his breath visible in the cooling night air.
He sprinted toward his dormitory, Kaelith clutching his shoulder tightly.
Inside his room, Sang-hoon hastily reviewed the details imprinted in his mind by Arvendale's memories.
The Vault was safeguarded by layers of enchantments, traps, and guardians. However, those protections could be bypassed with insider knowledge—a chilling thought given the timer counting down.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he summoned the system interface.
[Mission Insight Unlocked]
The Vault's defenses are compromised. Investigate key personnel for signs of betrayal.
A list of potential suspects appeared, with one name flashing ominously at the top: Darien Velstrom.
Darien.
Sang-hoon gritted his teeth.
The man had always seemed too polished, his easy smiles masking a layer of calculation.
In the game, Darien wasn't just a combat instructor—he was a spy. His real identity: Serath Kain, a devoted follower of the Shadow Reaver, Jhaedros, the warrior who had once defied the gods with his menagerie of cursed beasts.
This event hadn't taken place during Sang-hoon's original runs, so Darien's involvement was peripheral at best. But now, with the timeline in chaos, the man's role had become central.
"This wasn't supposed to happen yet," Sang-hoon murmured. His gaze hardened.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the depths of the Academy, Darien—no, Serath Kain—moved with calculated ease through the labyrinthine halls.
His attire, pristine and professional, betrayed no hint of the chaos brewing beneath his calm demeanor.
He stopped at a sealed door, etched with glowing runes. With a flick of his wrist, a shadowy blade materialized in his hand.
He pressed the weapon against the door, and the runes flared violently before shattering into specks of light.
"Done," a voice hissed from the shadows.
Serath turned to face a robed figure, their face obscured by a deep hood.
"The preparations are complete. Once the Vault is breached, the Academy will crumble."
The robed figure nodded. "The Shadow Reaver's will shall be done."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sang-hoon moved quickly through the Academy, avoiding the gaze of passing students and faculty, his leather boots echoing against the polished marble floor.
His first stop was Mira.
She was sparring in one of the training fields, her twin daggers flashing like silver streaks in the sunlight. Her movements were precise, her strikes deadly—a testament to her years of rigorous training.
"Mira!" Sang-hoon called, earning a sharp glare as she parried a final strike from her sparring partner and stepped back.
"Elyska?" she asked, wiping sweat from her brow.
"I need your help. Something big is about to happen, and if we don't act now, the entire academy will be in danger."
Mira's gaze narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "Danger? What are you talking about?"
Sang-hoon hesitated, carefully choosing his words.
"There's going to be an attack—a coordinated one. Darien is involved."
"Darien?" Mira's tone was skeptical. "The instructor? Are you out of your mind?"
"Listen," he said, stepping closer, lowering his voice. "I can't explain everything right now. But you trust me, don't you? I'm not making this up."
Mira studied him for a long moment before sighing. "If this is a waste of time, you'll owe me."
"It won't be," Sang-hoon promised.
Next, he sought out Seraphina in the library.
The half-elf healer was engrossed in a massive tome, her delicate fingers trailing over lines of text as if committing them to memory.
Her presence radiated calm, but Sang-hoon knew she could be fierce when it mattered.
"Seraphina," he said, approaching cautiously.
She glanced up, her emerald eyes filled with curiosity. "Elyska? You look... agitated."
"I need your help. The academy is in danger."
Seraphina frowned. "What kind of danger?"
"It's complicated, but there's going to be an attack. I can't explain how I know, but it's happening tonight. Darien is involved."
Seraphina closed her book, her expression pensive. "Those are serious accusations. Do you have proof?"
"No," Sang-hoon admitted. "Not the kind you'd call solid. But I'm not wrong. You've seen Darien—how he's always avoiding certain questions, how he's overly strict with students who challenge him."
Seraphina sighed. "I'll pray for the academy's safety, but I'm not sure I can help you directly. Healing and fighting are different skills, Elyska."
"I understand," he said, disappointed but not deterred.
For a moment he thought about going after Arden, but the thought disappeared as fast as it came into his mind.
His final stop was Elena, his senior and mentor in the art of the luminous spear. She was in the training grounds, her golden spear blazing with mana as she practiced.
"Elena!" Sang-hoon called.
She halted her movements, spinning her spear with practiced ease before resting it on the ground. "What's wrong, Elyska? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Worse," he said. "There's going to be an attack tonight. The academy's barriers will fall, and Darien is involved."
Elena frowned, crossing her arms. "That's a bold claim. How do you know this?"
"I can't explain everything," he said, exasperated. "But I'm not lying. Darien isn't who he says he is. He's part of a group targeting the Vault."
Elena's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the Vault, but she quickly masked her surprise. "And you think I can help?"
"You're one of the strongest people I know," Sang-hoon said earnestly. "If anyone can help stop this, it's you."
Elena studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But if this turns out to be a wild goose chase, you'll owe me more than a training session."
"Deal," Sang-hoon said, relief washing over him.
An eerie silence settled over the academy.
Then, a deafening crack split the air as the mana barrier shattered, shards of blue light raining down like broken glass.
Chaos erupted as shadowy figures swarmed the grounds, their movements swift and precise.
Instructors and guards engaged the invaders, their shouts and the clash of steel filling the night.
Beasts were roaming the academy's fields.
Sang-hoon drew his spear, Kaelith perched on his shoulder, growling.
"Mira, get to the students!" he yelled. "Elena, we need to help secure the Vault!"
Elena nodded, her luminous spear igniting as she charged into the fray.
Sang-hoon's heart pounded. The Vault was their target, but getting there would mean fighting through an army of shadows.
And Darien was still out there, watching, waiting.
This was only the beginning.