The old West District train station was nearly abandoned, its once-bustling platforms now lifeless under the dim glow of flickering streetlights.
The air was thick with a mix of dust and decay, and the faint echo of a distant train horn only added to the eerie atmosphere.
I stood at the entrance, hands in my pockets, as I scanned the area.
"System, any updates on the target?" I murmured.
[Phantom Stalker last seen in this area. Unconfirmed if human or supernatural entity. Proceed with caution.]
I smirked. "Caution? Never heard of it."
Taking slow steps forward, I let my enhanced perception take over. My senses sharpened, my ears picking up the faintest sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant hum of a streetlamp, the rhythmic sound of my own breathing.
Then… a presence.
A shadow moved at the edge of my vision.
"There you are."
I turned sharply, but whatever it was had already disappeared into the darkness.
Interesting.
I walked deeper onto the platform, the silence feeling heavier with each step. Then, without warning—a whisper.
"You don't belong here…"
I froze.
The voice was distorted, unnatural, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"Oh? Finally making an appearance?" I said casually, my smirk never fading.
The shadows around me seemed to shift. A faint mist rolled in, covering the ground like a creeping fog. Then, just ahead, a figure emerged from the darkness.
Dressed in a tattered black coat, face hidden under the shadow of a hood, the Phantom Stalker stood motionless.
"Interesting outfit," I said, taking a step closer. "You trying to be a horror movie villain, or is this just your aesthetic?"
The figure didn't respond. Instead, it vanished.
A whisper brushed past my ear—"Leave."
Then, something lunged at me from behind.
I twisted instinctively, barely dodging as a clawed hand swiped where my neck had been just a second ago.
"Tsk. Sneaky."
I spun, delivering a sharp kick to its ribs. My foot connected, but instead of feeling solid flesh and bone, it was like kicking through smoke. The figure dispersed into black mist before reforming a few feet away.
I narrowed my eyes. "So you're not entirely human, huh?"
The Phantom Stalker tilted its head, studying me before speaking in a hollow, distorted voice.
"You should not be here. You disrupt the balance."
I smirked. "Funny. I was just about to say the same thing about you."
Without warning, the Stalker shot forward with inhuman speed, its clawed hands swiping at me in rapid succession. I weaved through the attacks, my body moving on pure instinct.
"Ashura Martial Arts—First Form."
My fist shot forward, enhanced by pure willpower, colliding with its chest. This time, it felt solid. The creature staggered back, hissing in pain.
"Looks like you can be hit after all."
It let out a guttural snarl before vanishing once more.
I exhaled sharply, my eyes scanning the darkness. "Alright, let's finish this."
Closing my eyes for a brief second, I activated Shadow Walk, my body blending into the surrounding darkness. If it wanted to play in the shadows, then fine—I'd beat it at its own game.
Another whisper.
Another shift in the mist.
This time, I was ready.
As soon as the Stalker materialized behind me, I spun, delivering a precise palm strike to its chest, followed by a devastating roundhouse kick. The impact sent it crashing against the rusted remains of a bench.
The creature let out a choked sound before its body began disintegrating into black mist.
"You... do not belong..." it whispered one last time before completely fading away.
A second later, the System notification appeared.
[Sub-Quest Completed: Phantom Stalker Defeated]
[Rewards: Shadow Walk Upgrade +3 Agility]
I smirked, rolling my shoulders. "Well, that was fun."
Checking My Status – The Evolution of Power
As I walked through the silent streets toward Abigail's villa, the cool night air carried the lingering scent of rain. My body still buzzed from the fight with the Phantom Stalker, the rush of combat making my blood run hot.
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders, then muttered, "System, show me the status window."
The familiar blue screen flashed before my eyes.
[Player Status]
Name: Samuel Gebb
Possessed By: Heavenly Demon
Level: 7 (Increased after Phantom Stalker defeat)
Strength: 90 (+20 from Martial Arts Mastery)
Agility: 85 (+3 from Phantom Stalker Reward)
Endurance: 80
Intelligence: 98
Charisma: 92
Abilities Unlocked:
Ashura Martial Arts (Advanced Level) – A legendary martial art that strengthens based on willpower. Each form unlocks as the user grows stronger.
Enhanced Perception – Detects micro-expressions, hidden movements, and small details others miss.
Combat Adaptation – Instantly adjusts fighting style based on enemy strength and movements.
Shadow Walk (Upgraded) – Moves undetected in low-light environments. Now allows for short-distance teleportation within shadows.
New Quest: Defeat the High-Rank Demon (Morgrath) – 4 Days Remaining
I grinned, my fingers flexing as I processed my growth.
"Shadow teleportation, huh? Now that's interesting."
The system chimed in.
[As your strength increases, so do the challenges. Stronger enemies will now be drawn to your presence.]
I smirked, unbothered. "Good. I was getting bored anyway."
Taking another look at my stats, my gaze lingered on my Charisma score. 92. It explained why people were suddenly looking at me differently, why even Abigail had started hesitating in my presence.
"System, is my charisma affecting Abigail?" I asked curiously.
[Affirmative. Your transformation has altered the psychological perception of those who once saw you as weak. They now experience a subconscious shift in power dynamics.]
I chuckled, shaking my head. "So, even she feels it, huh? No wonder she's been acting weird."
A ding echoed in my head, and a new notification popped up.
[New Hidden Quest Unlocked: Break Abigail's Control Completely]
Objective: Force Abigail to realize she no longer holds power over you. Make her regret her actions.
Reward: ??? (Hidden)
I let out a low laugh. "Looks like this is going to be more fun than I thought."
As I approached the villa, I tucked my hands into my pockets, a devilish smirk forming on my lips.
"Abigail, your game is over. Now, it's my turn to play."