On a New Moon Night Beneath the Thick Fog of the Slum
On a new moon night beneath the thick fog of the slum Karthun, which was impregnated with the scent of old blood and an atmosphere filled with despair, resignation, and selfishness, the silhouette of a chained young man covered in dirt dragging his feet could be seen among the shadows of ruined buildings and mud-filled streets.
Tomas Silver, an orphaned boy, was famous in town because, even at a young age, he had managed to kill several adults when he was only eight years old. Because of this, now at twelve years old, he had earned the nickname Silver Wolf due to the shine of his grayish hair under the full moonlight and his red eyes, which showed in his gaze the ferocity he possessed, resembling more a beast than a human.
A pair of mysterious men heard about a famous beast, and their attention was drawn because they were searching for talented young individuals.
The mysterious men managed to locate Tomas because no one backed him up, making him a notorious figure in the Karthun neighborhood. They ambushed him, and Tomas was bewildered by the situation, as these men were unlike anything he had ever faced before.
Tomas (Thinking while fleeing the pursuit):
—Who are these guys?—
As Tomas got lost in his thoughts, he realized that they had managed to cut off his escape route.
Tomas understood that he had no other choice but to fight, even if he knew he wouldn't win. So, he used his surroundings to his advantage, running through buildings, but he couldn't shake off these mysterious men—or at least, that's what they thought. Tomas took advantage of the dust left by the debris of a wall he had broken through to hide and land a precise attack on one of them. At the very least, Tomas wanted to take one of them with him on his way to hell.
But Tomas' attack was predictable to those men, and so it was intercepted. They stopped both of his hands, then released them only to quickly land a direct blow to his abdomen, sending him flying through another wall. One of them approached Tomas to check his condition and take him if he was still alive. As he neared, he noticed slight movement from Tomas. Shocked to see a boy withstand such an impact, his reaction time was slower, allowing Tomas to rise and throw a direct punch with all his strength towards the man's face. The man couldn't dodge in time and took the full impact to his face before watching Tomas collapse from all the accumulated damage and exhaustion.
After that, they took Tomas into their custody, chaining him while waiting for their leader's arrival. Both men observed the slum where such a peculiar boy had grown up and noticed the stench of blood and filth, making it hard for them to believe that someone like him had managed to grow up with such fierce eyes in a place where people seemed to only await their death.
Their leader appeared, wearing a dark reddish hood and a symbol on his chest—of a red moon with a golden dagger in the middle. This was the emblem of the Order of the Blood Moon, one of the most prominent assassin organizations on the eastern continent, Kareshia.
As the leader of the men who had fought Tomas arrived, Tomas also regained consciousness. He immediately noticed a presence even more dangerous than those who had captured him. He also realized that he was chained, and instead of attempting to escape, he understood the situation—he couldn't flee with their leader watching him.
People called Tomas the Silver Wolf, but to the eyes of this new leader, Tomas was nothing more than a chained dog—a tool to be turned into nothing but a hunting hound.
Assassin 1 (Yanking the chains hard enough to make Tomas fall):
—Move, trash!—
Tomas fell heavily onto the ground, the impact shaking his already aching bones and reopening the wounds inflicted by his captors. He didn't cry. He didn't beg. He had learned from a young age that in the slums, tears only fed the predators.
Assassin 2 (Mocking as he kicked Tomas while he lay on the ground):
—So this is the famous "Silver Wolf"?—
The assassin from the Order of the Blood Moon took pleasure in kicking him and stabbing his spear into the young captive's back, further tearing his skin and widening his wounds. The warmth of his blood flowed freely, staining his captors' robes. Annoyed by the stains on his clothes, the assassin struck the boy's face repeatedly until his companion stopped him, reminding him that they needed the boy alive.
Assassin 1 (Glaring at his companion in frustration):
—Idiot! Don't overdo it. We need as many subjects as possible for the next project.—
The assassin who had been beating Tomas stopped at his companion's words and picked up the battered boy to take him to their headquarters, all while continuing to mock him.
Assassin 1 (Observing Tomas, commenting):
—Apparently, he killed five men with his bare hands at just eight years old. He'll be an interesting specimen for this project, little "Silver Wolf."—
Tomas didn't respond. His eyes, despite his state, still burned with determination as he watched the road ahead. The narrow, filthy streets of the slum district were empty, as if the world itself had turned away to avoid witnessing his humiliation. But he remembered. He remembered the day he had been hunted like an animal, the day his strength—his only advantage—had become his curse.
The assassins arrived at the meeting point with their group leader. Unlike his subordinates, he did not wear a mask. He was a tall man with a scar running across his face.
Group Leader (In a calm and indifferent tone):
—Don't get your hopes up, kid—
—To the Order, you are nothing more than a tool. And tools, when they break, are discarded.—
Tomas clenched his fists, feeling the chains bite into his flesh. He wasn't a philosopher, nor a dreamer. He knew his life was worth no more than the mud beneath his feet. But he also knew something else: even mangy dogs bite when they're cornered.
The assassins gathered all the captured youths and took Tomas through an underground tunnel beneath the slums, leading to one of the Order's headquarters. As Tomas entered the hideout, he noticed a great number of symbols on the walls glowing red. These were runes that served as illumination and surveillance. At the same time, the air carried a peculiar scent of herbs and burnt metal. In the center of it all, at the highest point, he could see a dark banner depicting a bleeding moon with a dagger in the center, seemingly responsible for the wound.
Seeing all this, Tomas realized that this organization wasn't just a group of assassins—it was an organized cult with hierarchies and rituals.
From the top of a tower, a silhouette could be seen. The assassins who had dragged Tomas like a stray dog looked at the figure with both fear and respect, kneeling as they awaited its slow descent.
When the figure finally reached the level where the captured youths and the assassins stood, they all addressed him with the utmost reverence.
Group Leader (Still standing, his gaze lowered, avoiding eye contact):
—Master Crescens Rutilus, Lord of the Crescent Moon. It is an honor to be in your presence.—
Crescens Rutilus (Looking at them with disdain):
He spoke in a disinterested tone, letting out a small sigh before releasing his Rei—a form of energy based on the soul. A powerful pressure filled the air, causing many of the young captives to immediately lose consciousness. Even the assassins who had brought them struggled to breathe.
Group Leader (Taken aback by the overwhelming presence):
—Ugh...—
He let out a strained breath. In the scene, the only ones still standing were Crescens, the group leaders, and the assassins under their command. The rest—every single youth—lay on the ground. Out of thousands, only a few hundred remained conscious.
As everyone struggled to regain their breath, Crescens observed them all with disappointment. His gaze landed on the group leaders, and the atmosphere became even more tense.
Crescens Rutilus (In a calm, icy tone):
—Take those who lost consciousness to the ritual chambers. The rest—move them to the training zone. We will begin immediately.—
Tomas watched as the unconscious were dragged away, his body growing tense upon hearing that they were being taken to the ritual chambers. He knew he would have to endure whatever this organization had planned, even if he despised them, in order to survive.
Tomas Silver (Thinking):
—That man, Crescens... his aura was too heavy, too powerful. But I don't think he's the leader of this order. What kind of leader would bother coming here just to observe a few kids? That means someone even more powerful is above him...—
As he walked toward the training area, his movements were sluggish due to the lingering effects of Crescens' pressure. Along the way, the air carried an increasingly intense, sharp odor.
Before reaching his destination, Tomas spotted a peculiar and ominous five-story tower, enveloped in a sinister energy. His instincts screamed at him to stay away, but in his current state—and given the circumstances—he knew he had no choice. What surprised him even more was the sight of a dark elf wearing an outfit of higher rank than those who had captured him. However, the most unsettling part was the elf's eerie, mocking smile.
Squad Leader 1 (With a mocking tone):
—Welcome! Looks like you all got a warm welcome from Master Crescens. Hahaha...—
After laughing, the dark elf introduced himself.
—Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lyrion, squad leader. My mission is to oversee this project.—
As he spoke, he scanned the crowd of survivors. Though his smile remained, his eyes revealed a chilling indifference to their situation.
—You will all be part of Master Erebos Lunargenta's latest project. The Lord of the Full Moon seeks to create the finest assassins for our cause.—
Lyrion (Pointing toward the imposing five-story tower):
—Your training will take place inside that tower. Survival is your only goal.—
His tone grew more serious as he began explaining the first floor of the tower.
—The first floor has gravity twice as strong as normal, deadly traps, and only a third of the oxygen found outside. Other than the provisions you'll receive, there won't be much food available.—
Sensing the tension in the air, Lyrion attempted to lighten the mood with a laugh.
—Hahaha... Don't worry, though! There will still be plenty of rats and insects to eat.—
Returning to a serious tone, he continued.
—However, in order to advance to the next level, you will need to pass a little test.—
After his explanation, Lyrion allowed them a short period of rest before the group leaders escorted them toward the tower. As soon as they crossed the entrance, they were immediately struck by the increase in gravity. Tomas felt the weight press down on him, but compared to Crescens' pressure, this was nothing.
He also noticed the numerous runes embedded within the tower's interior. They formed a vast network of formations, and as he advanced, he realized that the inside of the tower was far larger than it appeared from the outside. As he continued forward, he gradually adapted to the lower oxygen levels and increased gravity.
Taking his first steps, Tomas felt a strange sense of danger—it was one of the traps that Lyrion had mentioned.
Time passed, and Tomas gradually adapted to the environment on the first floor of the tower. After exhausting his rations, he survived by eating the rats and insects he encountered along the way, all while avoiding the countless traps.
His original clothes had long since deteriorated. To cope, he scavenged clothing from other youths who had already perished—selecting those with a similar build to his own. He lived purely for survival, adapting to this new environment.
Four months had passed since Tomas and the other youths entered the tower. At last, he caught sight of a staircase leading to the upper level. But as he approached, he noticed a massive red wolf, about the size of a rhinoceros, carrying the corpse of a young boy in its mouth.
Tomas realized that his only chance of defeating such a monstrous beast was to attack while it was feeding.
He leaped toward the wolf's blind spot, striking from behind, but the beast dodged instinctively. It dropped its prey, sensing that the one before it was dangerous.
Tomas (Thinking):
—Damn, I thought I had it with that attack. I have to be even faster.—
Tomas didn't have time to get lost in thought—he had to stay focused on the battle. Meanwhile, the wolf locked eyes with him, seeing him as new prey but remaining cautious.
Wolf (Howling at Tomas to assert its dominance as a hunter):
—Awoooo!—
Tomas remained alert, carefully observing the movement of the wolf's front legs to predict the direction of its attack. It worked—he dodged to the right just in time, flinging dirt into the wolf's eyes as he evaded. The wolf, sensing danger, tried to flee, but Tomas used his momentum to leap onto its back.
The beast thrashed wildly, desperate to shake him off. Tomas gripped its fur tightly, holding on with all his strength. They struggled for what felt like an eternity until the wolf finally succumbed to exhaustion. Tomas, also drained, forced his arms toward the wolf's head, and with his last ounce of strength, he twisted its neck, bringing down the mighty red wolf.
Utterly exhausted, Tomas collapsed. Before losing consciousness, he crawled toward the wolf's carcass and used its body as a makeshift blanket to rest.
Upon waking, the first thing he did was skin the wolf, preparing its hide and meat for the challenges ahead on the next floor.
All of this was being watched by Lyrion, who was left astonished by what he witnessed. He had expected the first-floor trial to last at least a year, but Tomas had already reached the second level in just four months.
As a result, surveillance on Tomas was intensified. The Order now saw potential in him—not just as a mere assassin, but as a future squad leader, or even a member of the council (A Moon), like Crescens or Erebos.
As Tomas climbed the steps to the next floor, he felt his body growing heavier, and his breathing became labored. Upon stepping into the second floor, a voice suddenly echoed around him—it was Lyrion, entertained by the situation.
Lyrion (Cheerfully):
—Well, kid, you've made it past the first floor. That deserves a reward.—
He continued in a mocking tone, explaining what awaited Tomas on the second floor.
—Here, the gravity is five times stronger than normal. The oxygen level remains the same as the first floor. There are no traps, but your survival will depend on how well you fight the beasts that inhabit this place—and on your ability to distinguish poisonous plants from edible ones.—
After the explanation, Tomas continued forward, determined to adapt to the new conditions.
Weeks passed. Through trial and error, Tomas developed a resistance to poisons by consuming various plants. He ate whatever he could, even creatures with venomous properties. His strength and agility increased at an incredible rate.
Months later, he finally located the stairs leading to the third floor. But upon arriving, he noticed that others had reached the spot before him. A group of survivors was locked in battle with a colossal beast—an enormous boar, its tusks already impaled through the bodies of some of the fighters.
The battle was fierce. In the end, only two members of the group survived, though both collapsed from exhaustion.
Tomas, unfazed, skinned the beast, taking its hide and meat. He then carried the unconscious survivors on his back as he ascended to the next floor. The moment the increased gravity weighed on them, they stirred awake.
Though surprised to find themselves being carried by a stranger, they were too weak to resist.
Young Survivor 1 (In a tired voice):
—Wh... Who are you?—
Tomas responded casually.
Tomas (Relaxed):
—Don't worry. Think of this trip as my way of paying for a good show.—
Young Survivor 2 (Somewhat confused):
—You watched our fight? And you didn't do anything?—
Tomas (Calmly):
—That's right. Don't take it personally, but I had no reason to interfere.—
The first survivor signaled to his companion to drop the subject. Though they disliked their current situation, they lacked the strength to do anything about it. It was best to accept Tomas' aid and make it to the third floor.
Upon arrival, Lyrion's voice echoed once more, explaining the new conditions.
—On the third floor, gravity increases to ten times the normal level. Oxygen levels return to normal, but sudden, extreme temperature changes will be your greatest challenge. The beasts here are far more dangerous as well.—
Tomas, having grown used to these trials, adapted more quickly than the others. After leaving behind the boar's skin and meat for the two survivors, he went his separate way.
Night after night, the sudden temperature shifts tormented him even more than the gravity increase. The icy winds cut like blades, forcing him to use the hides of the creatures he hunted as makeshift protection.
When the intense heat waves hit, he had to be cautious with his limited supply of fluids. He stored the blood of his prey and collected stagnant water whenever he could.
By now, he saw the beasts as nothing more than food. He even consumed some of the poisonous plants, further increasing his resistance. He endured the third floor for a year and a half before finally locating the stairs to the fourth floor.
Expecting another massive beast guarding the entrance, he was surprised to find a lone figure instead—an assassin from the Order.
Approaching cautiously, Tomas reached a certain distance when suddenly, the ground beneath him lit up with runes. In an instant, he and the assassin were teleported to a different area.
A familiar voice rang out from the distance.
Lyrion (Excited):
—From now on, all survivors will face the same test.—
Lyrion took a breath before continuing.
—You must kill the assassin standing before you. I hope you're stronger now, boy.—
As Lyrion finished speaking, the assassin before Tomas began moving slowly, removing his mask.
Assassin 2 (Confidently):
—The little mutt came back for more? This time, I won't hold back.—
Tomas instantly recognized his opponent's voice and, for the first time since entering the tower, a smile formed on his face. His body, now covered in scars, tensed as he played with the bone-crafted dagger in his hand.
The assassin smirked, mocking him.
—Maybe I should introduce myself properly. A hunter should always give his prey his name, don't you think, little stray?—
As the assassin continued taunting, Tomas remained focused, studying his movements.
—Remember this well, mutt. The name of your executioner is Drakar.—
Immediately after introducing himself, Drakar launched a series of throwing daggers. Tomas dodged most of them, though a few left minor cuts.
Drakar (Laughing as he mocked him):
—You're still the same pathetic orphan!—
Tomas wiped the blood from one of his wounds with his finger and muttered under his breath.
—Funny to hear that from someone who fights at a distance...—
Drakar grew more confident as the battle progressed. Tomas continued accumulating wounds, his blood staining the ground. But something was off—Drakar began to notice that his attacks were being dodged more frequently as time went on.
Tomas was learning.
Step by step, he was closing the distance, adapting to Drakar's movements. And then, in an unexpected turn, Tomas retrieved one of the daggers Drakar had thrown earlier and used it against him—imitating his own technique. The dagger found its mark, cutting into Drakar.
Drakar's mind flashed back to the words of his squad leader.
Squad Leader (Memory):
—Drakar, an assassin must not rely only on their weapons and abilities. You must use your mind as well.—
A cold sweat broke out on Drakar's forehead. His breathing became unsteady. The words of his leader rang in his ears as impatience crept in.
Gripping his dual blades, he decided to go for close combat. Tomas, recognizing the change in tactics, stepped back, creating distance. He suddenly threw one of his daggers straight at Drakar.
Drakar reacted quickly, using his Rei to coat his arm in energy—there was no time to dodge completely, so he had to take the hit. But he had failed to notice something crucial.
Tomas had inscribed a rune onto the dagger.
The moment it made contact, a small explosion erupted, not enough to deal major damage but enough to leave Drakar disoriented.
That moment was all Tomas needed.
Without hesitation, Tomas retrieved one of Drakar's own daggers that had been embedded in the ground earlier. In a swift motion, he drove it straight through Drakar's throat.
Tomas (Whispering):
—Tears only feed the predators... Thank you for the lesson.—
Exhaling deeply, Tomas finally felt a weight lift from his shoulders. More than a test or a revenge match, this fight had been something else—proof to himself that he had control over his own fate.
Catching his breath, he knelt down and rummaged through Drakar's belongings, searching for any healing potions or medicine to tend to his wounds. He found a small vial, drank it, and slowly felt his body recover.
Then, Lyrion's voice echoed through the darkness.
Lyrion (Amused):
—Did you like my little gift? I knew you'd be the first to reach this point, so I made sure Drakar was your opponent. Tell me, how did it feel to kill him?—
Tomas heard Lyrion's voice but ignored him. He turned away and advanced toward the next floor. After the fight, he had been teleported back to the original location, and now, the fourth floor awaited him.
Stepping forward, Tomas immediately sensed a drastic change. The gravity was even stronger than on the third floor, but there was something far worse—he could see nothing.
A thick, oppressive darkness engulfed the entire area. Unlike the previous floors, Lyrion's voice did not come to explain what awaited him.
Tomas' senses felt off. The air itself was dense, filled with a strange fog carrying an unusual scent. As he moved forward, he kept bumping into unseen walls. The layout was like a labyrinth.
Tomas (Cautious):
—This is strange...—
He could not trust his senses. Sounds echoed from multiple directions at once, confusing his perception. And with the overwhelming darkness, his vision was useless.
Meanwhile, Lyrion observed everything from above. Unlike Tomas, Lyrion had the ability to see through the darkness, and he found great amusement in watching the boy struggle—crashing into walls, stumbling into simple traps, disoriented and vulnerable.
Months passed.
Then, one day, Tomas turned a corner and saw something unusual—a small light in the distance. Without hesitation, he moved toward it, only to find himself inside a chamber filled with mirrors.
The moment he stepped inside, the fog thickened, pressing down on him like an invisible force. The runes on the mirrors glowed, and suddenly, visions appeared before his eyes.
Illusions of his past.
Scenes of him stealing food just to survive. Memories of being caught and beaten mercilessly. The faces of children who had died from starvation or sickness in the slums—children he had been powerless to help.
The images then shifted.
They showed the first time he killed—two drunken men who had attacked him. They showed his slow descent into violence, attacking anyone who looked down on him.
Doubt began to creep into his mind.
Was he really any different from these assassins?
Tomas (Internal Thoughts):
—Am I really any different from them? Why did I kill Drakar? Was it because I wanted to... or because of the test?—
As Tomas was consumed by these thoughts, Lyrion watched in fascination. But then, something unexpected happened.
Despite being in his most vulnerable mental state, Tomas suddenly let out a deep breath—then released his Rei in a powerful burst.
The sheer force of his energy created a shockwave, dispersing the surrounding mist.
Regaining his composure, Tomas advanced forward. Though doubt still lingered, he continued moving toward the stairs leading to the final floor of the tower.
Lyrion was speechless.
Seeing Tomas, in such a fragile mental state, exude his Rei in a controlled wave was astonishing. Now he understood why Tomas had lasted so long against Drakar. Most assassins of the Order could barely manifest their Rei, yet this boy—who wasn't even fifteen years old—had just overpowered a psychological trap meant to break him.
Sitting up from his chair, Lyrion sighed.
He was growing tired of being just a spectator.
It was time to prepare the final trial of the tower.
As he walked, he absentmindedly toyed with a pendant hanging from his neck. Inside was a small lock of hair—slightly burned at the tips.
Lyrion (Thinking):
—Maybe I can use this kid to accomplish my goal...—
Meanwhile, in the Order of the Blood Moon's main headquarters...
At the highest chamber of the stronghold stood the leader of the Order, Luminis Umbra.
He was an imposing vampire, his back adorned with a tattoo of a Lunar Eclipse, symbolizing his desire to cast the world into darkness. Draped in a deep crimson cloak, he moved toward a silver-framed mirror.
The glass suddenly turned pitch black.
A sinister voice emanated from within.
A demon.
Xalghur (Cautiously):
—Mortal. The fact that you initiated this contact yourself must mean you've decided to accept the deal.—
The vampire smirked.
Luminis (With confidence):
—Preparations are already underway. Your conditions will be met.—
Xalghur (Arrogantly):
—Excellent!—
The demon's tone suddenly shifted, growing more intense.
—Then follow through, mortal! The moment the conditions are fulfilled, my brethren and I will grant you our power! You will claim the dominion you so desire!—
His voice roared, filled with dark energy.
—Tear down the seals that separate our world from yours!—
Luminis remained silent, unaffected by the demon's outburst.
Then, with a calm smile, he simply responded:
Luminis (Serenely):
—Consider it done.—
As the children in the tower fought for survival, they remained unaware of the true purpose of the Order's experiments.
They were pawns. Disposable tools for a greater scheme.
Their suffering would become the spark that ignited a catastrophe unlike any before.
And Tomas...
Tomas walked forward, driven only by his will to survive.
He never looked back.
Above, in the chamber of Luminis Umbra, the night sky was dark.
Not a single star.
Not even the moon.