As the days turned into weeks, Dominic and Sincerity's presence within the Order grew more significant. Their bond, once a source of whispers and tension, began to inspire unity among the knights. Together, they worked to strengthen the fortress, not just physically but in spirit, forging a newfound sense of purpose within the Order.
Dominic's efforts in expanding the soul-farm had proven invaluable. The steady supply of souls gave the knights an edge, allowing them to focus on more pressing matters without scrambling to complete their daily missions. Knights who had once been sceptical of the operation now worked alongside him, their respect growing with each successful rotation.
Meanwhile, Sincerity's sharp wit and combat skills began to command attention. Though she still carried an air of detachment, her willingness to spar with the knights—and occasionally best them—earned her their admiration.
"Don't take it personally," she said after disarming one particularly burly knight during a sparring match. "I've had years of practice."
The knight, panting and bruised, managed a grin. "Remind me not to underestimate you again."
Word of their teamwork spread quickly. Stories of Dominic and Sincerity's victories during the system event became something of a legend, whispered in the barracks and hallways.
"They fought like they were one person," one knight said to another. "It was... terrifying, honestly."
"And inspiring," another replied. "Makes you wonder what we could do if we all fought like that."
One evening, Elara called Dominic to the command chamber. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the wards casting shifting patterns on the walls.
"You've proven yourself, Dominic," Elara said, her voice steady but with a hint of warmth. "The knights respect you. They look to you for guidance. It's time you took on a more formal role."
Dominic blinked, caught off guard. "A formal role? What do you mean?"
Elara gestured to the emblem on the wall behind her—the quill crossed with a sword. "The Order thrives on structure. And right now, we need leaders who can inspire, who can adapt. I'm promoting you to Knight-Lieutenant. You'll be in charge of overseeing the soul-farm and leading a squad in combat."
Dominic's chest tightened, a mixture of pride and apprehension swelling within him. "I... I don't know what to say."
"Say yes," Elara said simply. "You've earned it."
He nodded, his resolve hardening. "Yes, Commander. I'll do my best."
Sincerity, too, began to take on a larger role within the Order. While she wasn't formally inducted like Dominic, her influence was undeniable. Knights often sought her out for advice on combat techniques, and her sharp strategic mind became an asset during planning sessions.
One evening, as Dominic reviewed patrol routes with Aldrin, a group of knights approached Sincerity in the courtyard.
"Will you teach us?" one of them asked hesitantly.
Sincerity raised an eyebrow. "Teach you what?"
"How to fight like you do," another knight said. "With speed. Precision."
She smirked, crossing her arms. "You're asking me for lessons?"
The knights nodded, their expressions earnest.
Sincerity sighed dramatically but relented. "Alright. But don't cry when you can't keep up."
The impromptu lesson turned into a regular occurrence, with Sincerity training a growing group of knights in techniques that prioritised agility and adaptability.
With Dominic and Sincerity's combined influence, the Order began to feel less like a rigid military force and more like a unified community. Knights who had once kept to themselves now worked together seamlessly, inspired by the example set by the two.
During one evening meeting, Elara addressed the assembled knights.
"Unity is our strength," she said, her voice carrying through the hall. "And unity is what Dominic and Sincerity have shown us. Together, we've become stronger than ever before. Let their bond remind us of what we're fighting for—not just survival, but something greater."
The hall erupted into applause, the knights' voices echoing through the fortress.
The system itself seemed to take notice of their growing influence. One morning, as Dominic reviewed his missions, a new notification appeared.
System Update:
New Objective Added: Lead the Order of the Penitent Pilgrim.
Reward: 10,000 XP.
Dominic frowned, the words sending a shiver down his spine.
"Sincerity," he called, showing her the notification.
She read it quickly, her expression darkening. "The system's watching you," she said. "It's testing you."
Dominic nodded. "Then I'll prove it wrong. We're more than just pieces in its game."
Sincerity placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. "You've already proven that. Now let's show it what else we can do."
The system's interference began subtly, almost imperceptibly. At first, Dominic dismissed it as paranoia—an overreaction to the tension of his new responsibilities. But soon, the signs became too obvious to ignore.
Each morning, Dominic reviewed his daily missions with the same methodical focus. But over time, the objectives became... unsettling.
Daily Missions:
Acquire 10 Souls (100 XP)Ensure Sincerity's Loyalty (500 XP)Prevent a Knight from Completing Their Missions (1,000 XP)
Dominic's blood ran cold as he read the final objective. "Prevent a knight from completing their mission? What the hell is this?"
He slammed the interface shut, his heart pounding. The system had never been this direct in its attempts to manipulate him before.
When he later shared the mission with Sincerity, her reaction was immediate and fierce.
"It's trying to break you," she said, her tone sharp. "It knows you've built something here—something the system can't control. Now it's trying to turn you against the Order."
Dominic clenched his fists. "I won't let it. I'll ignore the mission."
Sincerity's expression darkened. "You can't just ignore it, Dominic. The system punishes failure. If you don't act, it'll come after you in other ways."
As the days passed, the system's interference grew more insidious. Knights who had once respected Dominic began to act differently—hesitant around him, suspicious. He overheard hushed conversations in the halls, fragments of doubt planted like seeds.
"Do you really think he's on our side?"
"He's holding too many souls. What if he turns on us?"
"And that woman, Sincerity... she's not even one of us."
Dominic tried to address the concerns directly, speaking to the knights and reaffirming his commitment to the Order. But no matter what he said, the whispers persisted.
The first sign of the system's escalation came one evening, as Dominic patrolled the fortress walls with Aldrin. A piercing cry echoed across the city, followed by a blinding light that lit up the horizon.
"Another one?" Aldrin growled, gripping his weapon tightly.
Dominic opened his interface, dread pooling in his stomach as the system's notification appeared.
Incoming Threat: Angelic Hunter.
Objective: Survive.
Reward: 5,000 XP.
The hunter descended moments later, its radiant wings casting harsh shadows across the courtyard. Unlike the previous one, this angel moved with precision and fury, its golden spear striking the ground with an earth-shaking impact.
Dominic and the knights fought fiercely, their combined strength barely enough to bring the hunter down. But no sooner had they caught their breath than another notification appeared.
Incoming Threat: Demonic Hunter.
Objective: Survive.
Reward: 5,000 XP.
This time, a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows, its grotesque form writhing as if barely contained. The battle was brutal, the knights pushing themselves to their limits as Dominic burned through his soul reserves, purchasing new abilities to keep them alive.
By the end of the night, the fortress walls were scarred, and several knights lay injured—but they had survived.
The constant attacks began to wear on the Order. Knights who had once rallied around Dominic now looked at him with unease.
"This is his fault," one knight muttered during a meeting. "The system's targeting him—and we're caught in the crossfire."
"We've lost too many resources defending him," another added. "Maybe it's time to reconsider our priorities."
Elara silenced the dissent with a glare, but even she seemed troubled. After the meeting, she pulled Dominic aside.
"You need to get this under control," she said, her tone firm. "The Order can't withstand this level of pressure forever. If the system keeps escalating, we'll be overwhelmed."
Dominic nodded grimly. "I'll find a way to stop it."
The strain began to affect Dominic and Sincerity as well. The system's insidious missions didn't stop, and one morning, Dominic found a new directive that sent a chill down his spine.
Daily Mission:
Doubt Sincerity's Loyalty. (2,000 XP)
When he told her about it, her reaction was immediate.
"It's trying to turn you against me," she said, her voice tight with anger. "It knows I'm your anchor, so it's trying to drive a wedge between us."
Dominic reached for her hand. "I won't let it. Sincerity, I trust you. Nothing the system does can change that."
But despite his words, the seeds of doubt had been planted, and both of them could feel it. Sincerity grew more distant, her sharp remarks tinged with frustration. Dominic, in turn, found himself questioning every interaction, wondering if the system's manipulations were influencing her actions—or his own.
The fortress, once a bastion of unity, now felt like a powder keg waiting to explode. The system's interference was relentless, its attempts to destabilise the Order growing more creative and cruel with each passing day.
Dominic stood in the courtyard one evening, staring up at the sky as the neon glow of the city flickered above. Sincerity joined him, her expression weary but determined.
"We'll get through this," she said softly.
Dominic nodded, though his jaw was tight. "We have to. But the system isn't going to stop. Not until it breaks us—or we break it."
Sincerity placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. "Then we don't give it a chance. Whatever it throws at us, we'll face it together."
Dominic turned to her, his resolve hardening. "Together," he said. "No matter what."
The fortress was quiet as Dominic sat alone in his quarters, his interface glowing faintly before him. The system's hostility had escalated to a breaking point, its manipulations and relentless threats pushing him to act. He knew that staying here, even with the Order's protection, would only worsen the situation.
Dominic took a deep breath and opened his Player Status.
Player Status: Ashen_Soul Level: 33 Experience Points: 12,000/50,000 Souls Held: 499 Unspent Attribute Points: 80
His fingers hovered over the interface as he considered his options. The attacks from the angelic and demonic hunters had made one thing clear: balance and versatility were crucial.
Updated Attributes: Strength: 25 (+5)Agility: 30 (+10)Vitality: 28 (+10)Intelligence: 20 (+5)Charisma: 18 (+10)Luck: 19 (+20)
The moment the points were allocated, a wave of energy surged through him. His muscles felt stronger, his reflexes sharper, and his mind clearer. Even his perception of the room around him seemed to shift, as though the world itself had slowed slightly.
Dominic exhaled, closing the interface. It was time.
The command chamber was dimly lit when Dominic entered, the faint hum of the fortress wards a constant background noise. Elara stood at the far end of the room, her sharp green eyes fixed on a glowing map of the city. She turned as he approached, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"What is it, Dominic?" she asked.
He hesitated for a moment, then spoke with quiet determination. "The system is targeting me, Commander. Its interference isn't just a threat to me—it's a threat to the Order. I need to find out why."
Elara folded her arms, her gaze narrowing. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Dominic took a deep breath. "Sincerity and I need to leave the fortress for a few days. There's something out there—something the system doesn't want me to find. I think it's connected to its purpose."
Elara's expression hardened. "You're asking me to let you walk out into the open, where the system's hunters will be waiting for you. Do you realise how dangerous that is?"
"I do," Dominic said. "But staying here is just as dangerous. The system is already trying to destabilise the Order. If I don't do this, it'll keep escalating until it destroys everything we've built."
Elara was silent for a long moment, her sharp gaze studying him. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You're certain about this?"
"Yes," Dominic said firmly.
"And Sincerity? Does she agree?"
"She does," he said.
Elara nodded slowly. "Very well. But you'll take a beacon with you. If you find yourself overwhelmed, activate it, and we'll come for you."
Dominic's chest tightened with gratitude. "Thank you, Commander."
Elara stepped closer, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "Be careful, Dominic. You've become more than just a knight to the Order. If you don't come back, it won't just be your loss—it'll be ours."
Dominic found Sincerity in the courtyard, her daggers glinting faintly in the moonlight as she inspected them. She looked up as he approached, her sharp eyes softening slightly.
"Well?" she asked.
"We're good to go," Dominic said. "Elara gave us her blessing—reluctantly."
Sincerity smirked faintly. "I'm surprised she didn't try to chain you to the fortress walls."
Dominic chuckled. "She trusts us. She knows this is bigger than just me—or us."
Sincerity's expression turned serious. "Do you have a plan?"
"We follow the system's patterns," Dominic said. "It's been trying to steer me toward specific objectives—or away from them. If we can find out what it's hiding, maybe we can figure out why it's turned hostile."
Sincerity nodded, her confidence steady. "Then let's go."
As they stepped out of the fortress gates, the neon glow of the city loomed in the distance, casting long shadows across the wasteland. The air was cool and heavy, the hum of distant machinery a constant backdrop.
Dominic glanced at Sincerity, her sharp features illuminated by the faint light. "You ready for this?"
She smirked, her daggers spinning deftly in her hands. "I was born ready."
Dominic smiled, his resolve hardening. Together, they ventured into the unknown, the system's ominous presence lingering like a shadow at their backs.
The city stretched out before them, a sprawling maze of neon and shadows. Skyscrapers adorned with glowing signs pierced the smog-filled sky, their lights casting eerie patterns on the streets below. Dominic and Sincerity moved cautiously, weaving through alleys and side streets to avoid the watchful eyes of the system's hunters.
Their goal was clear: to uncover the system's true purpose. What they discovered, however, would change everything.
Their journey began at a sprawling market near the city's edge, a chaotic hub of activity where traders shouted over one another, hawking everything from salvaged tech to glowing vials of liquid souls.
Dominic approached an elderly trader with a collection of strange, rune-etched tablets. "We're looking for information about the system," he said, his voice low but firm.
The trader glanced at him sharply, his milky eyes narrowing. "The system? Dangerous topic, that."
"We can handle it," Sincerity added, her tone sharp.
The trader hesitated, then leaned closer. "They say the system's been here longer than the city itself. Some believe it's a tool of the gods, others a punishment. But one thing's certain—it's not random. The blood games, the hunters... it's all connected."
"Connected how?" Dominic pressed.
The trader shook his head. "I don't know. But if you're looking for answers, talk to Liora. She's a historian—lives in the Highspire district."
Liora's home was a stark contrast to the chaos of the market. Perched atop one of the city's tallest towers, her library was a sanctuary of quiet and order. Shelves lined with ancient books and glowing tablets filled the space, and the faint hum of machinery echoed in the background.
Liora herself was a regal woman, her silver hair pulled into a tight bun and her piercing eyes filled with intelligence. She listened intently as Dominic explained their quest.
"The system," she said finally, her voice measured. "It's not just a tool or a punishment. It's a crucible."
Dominic frowned. "A crucible for what?"
"For finding the chosen one," Liora replied. "The system exists to separate the strong from the weak, the worthy from the unworthy. It's a test—a series of blood games designed to identify the next messiah."
Sincerity stiffened. "Messiah?"
Liora nodded. "Long ago, humanity faced extinction. The gods—or whatever forces control this world—intervened, creating the system to preserve humanity's essence. They encoded the souls of the survivors, creating what you now call the bloodlines."
Dominic's chest tightened. "And these bloodlines... they're connected?"
"Intimately," Liora said. "Everyone within the system shares a common ancestor. The games are designed to find the one who will rise above the rest—the one destined to lead humanity into its next chapter."
Dominic exchanged a glance with Sincerity, his mind racing. "Why hasn't anyone succeeded?"
Liora's expression darkened. "Because the system is merciless. The chosen must be perfect—physically, mentally and morally. Any deviation, any failure, and the system eliminates them. It has been centuries since anyone has even come close."
As they left Liora's tower, the weight of her words hung heavily over them. The streets below felt colder, the neon lights harsher.
"A common ancestor," Dominic murmured. "That means... everyone here is family, in a way."
Sincerity nodded, her expression grim. "And the blood game pits us against each other anyway. It's sick."
Dominic clenched his fists. "The system isn't just testing us—it's breaking us. And for what? To find some mythical saviour"
Sincerity placed a hand on his arm, her touch grounding him. "We'll figure it out, Dominic. We always do."
He nodded, though the doubt lingered in his chest.
As they delved deeper into the city, speaking with others who had survived the system's trials, a darker truth began to emerge. Many believed the system wasn't just testing for a messiah—it was feeding on the souls of those who failed, using their energy to sustain itself.
"The system isn't just a crucible," one informant said, their voice hushed. "It's a predator. And we're its prey."
Dominic's stomach turned. The souls he'd gathered, the hunters sent after him... it all began to make a horrifying kind of sense.
Sincerity's expression hardened. "If the system's been feeding on us, then it's not divine—it's a parasite."
Dominic nodded, his resolve solidifying. "Then it's time we find a way to fight back."
The journey back to the Order was tense and gruelling. Dominic and Sincerity moved through the neon-lit shadows of the city with purpose, every step measured, every decision deliberate. The system's hunters lurked on the periphery, their presence felt even when they weren't seen.
By the time they reached the fortress gates, exhaustion weighed heavily on them both. The knights guarding the entrance stiffened at the sight of Dominic and Sincerity, their weapons raised cautiously.
"Stand down," Dominic said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension.
One of the guards stepped forward, lowering his spear. "Knight-Lieutenant Ashen-Soul," he said, his tone formal but relieved. "Commander Elara has been expecting you."
Dominic nodded, exchanging a glance with Sincerity. "Let's not keep her waiting."
The command chamber was quiet as Dominic and Sincerity stood before Elara. The room's faint golden glow bathed the walls, the hum of the fortress wards providing a constant backdrop. Elara stood with her arms crossed, her sharp green eyes studying them intently.
"You're late," she said, her tone curt but not unkind. "I trust you have a good reason."
"We do," Dominic replied, his voice steady. "But it's not one you're going to like."
Elara raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue.
Dominic took a deep breath, his mind racing to organise the information they'd gathered. "The system isn't what we thought it was. It's not just a tool, and it's not divine. It's a parasite."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "A parasite?"
Sincerity stepped in, her tone sharp. "It feeds on us—on our souls. The blood games, the hunters, all of it... they're not just tests. They're a way for the system to cull the weak and harvest their energy."
Elara's expression darkened, her jaw tightening. "And the chosen one? The Messiah?"
"A lie," Dominic said bitterly. "Or worse—a lure. The system pits us against each other, making us think there's a higher purpose. But all it's doing is perpetuating its own existence."
The room fell silent as Elara processed their words. Her gaze flicked between Dominic and Sincerity, her expression unreadable.
"This is... a lot to take in," she said finally. "Do you have proof?"
"We spoke to people across the city," Dominic said. "Historians, survivors, traders. They all pointed to the same conclusion. The system is older than the city itself, and it's been feeding on us for centuries."
"And the common ancestor?" Elara asked.
"Everyone here shares one," Sincerity said. "The system encoded the souls of the survivors into what we call the bloodlines. That's why it's so focused on us—it sees us as resources."
Elara turned away, her hands gripping the edge of the table. For a moment, she said nothing, the tension in the room thick enough to cut.
Finally, she turned back to them, her expression fierce. "If what you're saying is true, then everything we've built—everything the Order stands for—has been a lie."
"No," Dominic said firmly. "The Order stands for balance, protection, and unity. Those things are real. But the system's manipulation doesn't change our values—it just gives us a new enemy to fight."
Elara's gaze softened slightly. "You really believe that?"
"I do," Dominic said. "And I think the Order is our best chance of fighting back."
Later that evening, Elara called a meeting in the grand hall. The knights gathered in tense silence, their armour gleaming in the flickering light of the fortress wards.
Dominic and Sincerity stood at Elara's side as she addressed the assembly.
"Knights of the Penitent Pilgrim," she began, her voice carrying through the hall. "Today, we face a truth that shakes the very foundation of our Order. The system we've served, the games we've endured—they are not what we believed in. They are not tests of divinity or worthiness. They are tools of oppression. Out of control."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but Elara raised a hand, silencing them.
"But this revelation does not diminish who we are. It does not strip us of our purpose. If anything, it strengthens it. We are knights of balance and protection, and now, more than ever, we must stand together against the true enemy—the system itself."
The room erupted into applause, the knights' voices echoing through the hall.
Dominic felt a surge of hope as he glanced at Sincerity, who gave him a small, approving nod. They had taken the first step in uniting the Order against the parasite.
After the meeting, Elara pulled Dominic and Sincerity aside.
"This changes everything," she said. "If the system truly is a parasite, then we'll need more than just strength to fight it. We'll need knowledge—and allies."
"Where do we start?" Dominic asked.
Elara's gaze was resolute. "We start by finding its source. If the system has been here for centuries, there must be a way to trace it back to its origin. And when we do, we'll destroy it."
Dominic nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll do whatever it takes."
The library was quiet, save for the faint hum of the fortress wards and the occasional rustle of pages as Dominic and Sincerity pored over ancient texts. The room was dimly lit, the golden glow of the wards casting shifting shadows on the high shelves lined with crumbling tomes and glowing data tablets.
For hours, they had searched, following fragmentary clues left behind by those who had questioned the system before them. The answers they sought seemed maddeningly close, just beyond their grasp.
Sincerity leaned over a battered scroll, her sharp eyes scanning the faded text. "This is ridiculous," she muttered. "Who writes instructions in riddles?"
Dominic chuckled softly, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from her face. "Probably someone who didn't want the system to notice."
She looked up at him, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "Lucky for us, they didn't count on having a stubborn idiot like you digging through their secrets."
"Or someone as brilliant as you," Dominic countered, his voice warm.
For a moment, their shared determination gave way to something deeper. Sincerity's gaze softened, and Dominic felt his chest tighten at the intensity of her expression.
"What?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
"Nothing," Dominic said, his lips curling into a small smile. "Just... you. Us. Everything."
Sincerity rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"And you love it," Dominic replied.
Before she could retort, he leaned in and kissed her, his hand cupping her cheek. She froze for a moment, then melted into him, her hands gripping his shirt as if anchoring herself to the moment.
The kiss was brief but charged with passion, a flicker of light in the darkness of their mission. When they pulled apart, Sincerity rested her forehead against his, her breath warm against his lips.
"We should... get back to work," she murmured, though there was no urgency in her tone.
"Probably," Dominic agreed, though he made no move to pull away.
Moments later, their focus returned to the task at hand. Sincerity pointed to a passage etched into the tablet she had been reading, her voice tinged with excitement.
"Here," she said. "It talks about the throne."
Dominic leaned closer, his eyes scanning the glowing text.
"The throne is the key, and the crown of thorns its seal. To ascend is to bear the weight of all who came before, and to sacrifice all for the sake of balance. Only then shall the system relinquish its hold, surrendering its power to the one it deems worthy to lead."
"The crown of thorns," Dominic murmured, his mind racing. "That's the final test. If someone completes all the system's objectives and ascends to the throne, they can shut it down and take control."
"But at what cost?" Sincerity asked, her voice cautious. "That passage... it doesn't sound like the system gives up its power lightly."
Dominic nodded, the weight of the revelation sinking in. "It's a trap," he said. "The system makes it almost impossible to succeed, and even if someone does, they have to take on everything—the crown, the throne, the responsibility. That's why no one's done it before."
Sincerity's expression darkened. "And if the system decides you're not worthy?"
"You're destroyed," Dominic said grimly.
They exchanged a look, the enormity of the task settling over them.
"It's the only way," Dominic said finally. "If we don't stop the system, it'll keep feeding on us—on everyone. We can't let that happen."
Sincerity's hand found his, her grip firm. "Then we'll do it together," she said. "Whatever it takes."
Dominic smiled faintly, squeezing her hand. "Together."
With their path clear, Dominic and Sincerity gathered their notes and prepared to share the revelation with Elara and the knights. The road ahead would be treacherous, filled with impossible objectives and the constant threat of the system's hunters. But for the first time, they had a way forward—a chance to end the system's reign once and for all.
As they left the library, Dominic glanced at Sincerity, her determined expression a mirror of his own. The crown of thorns awaited, and with it, the fate of their world.