The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold. In the bustling streets of Silvermist City, the morning market was already alive with merchants hawking their wares and citizens rushing to secure their daily necessities. Yet amidst this sea of humanity, one figure moved unseen – a testament to his mastery of shadows.
Kael navigated through the crowded alleys with practiced ease, his footsteps silent on the cobblestone streets. His worn leather armor and hunter's cloak blended perfectly with the early morning crowd, while his eyes scanned every face he passed. Three years had honed his survival instincts to perfection, turning him into a ghost haunting the fringes of society.
The world of Tenebrous was divided into strict hierarchies, with hunters forming the backbone of civilization. They protected humanity from the countless dangers lurking beyond the safety of walled cities – monsters born from darkness, corrupted beasts, and ancient evils that stirred in forgotten ruins. The Hunter's Guild maintained strict control over these protectors, ranking them from F-class novices to the legendary SSS-class masters who could reshape reality itself.
Kael's gaze drifted toward the towering spire of the Hunter's Guild headquarters, its peak lost in the morning clouds. His jaw clenched involuntarily as memories threatened to surface. Three years ago, he had stood among the guild's ranks as a promising E-class hunter. Now, his name was synonymous with betrayal and murder.
His thoughts were interrupted by the soft chime of a bell above a nearby stall. The vendor, an elderly woman with eyes that seemed to see right through him, offered a warm smile. "Morning, young hunter. Fresh bread, hot from the oven."
Kael forced a brief smile and purchased a loaf, the familiar ritual momentarily grounding him. As he walked away, he noticed several subtle changes in the market's dynamics. Guardsmen eyed him warily from their posts, while merchants whispered behind raised hands. His reputation preceded him – the traitorous hunter who had supposedly orchestrated the Night of Crimson Snow.
The memory threatened to overwhelm him once more, but Kael pushed it aside. He had learned to control his emotions, to channel them into fuel for his training. Every moment was dedicated to his singular purpose: revenge against those who had destroyed his clan and framed him for their murder.
As he turned a corner, a commotion erupted near the city gate. A group of novice hunters, their F-class badges gleaming proudly on their chests, surrounded a makeshift notice board. Their excited chatter carried snippets of news: a high-ranking mission had been posted, offering unprecedented rewards for brave hunters willing to challenge the recently discovered Shadowfall Ruins.
Kael's interest piqued, he pushed through the crowd to examine the posting. The reward was substantial – enough gold and resources to significantly accelerate his training. But what caught his attention wasn't the monetary compensation; it was the unique requirement listed at the bottom:
> [ Special Note: Mission open exclusively to hunters possessing the Shadow Affinity trait. ]
His heart quickened. Shadow Affinity was extremely rare, occurring in perhaps one hunter in ten thousand. It was said that those blessed with this trait could manipulate darkness itself, moving unseen and striking from the very shadows. Kael possessed this rare gift, though he had kept it hidden since his clan's destruction.
The mission posting seemed tailor-made for him – a perfect opportunity to gather resources while testing his abilities against stronger foes. He memorized the meeting location and time, his mind already racing with strategies.
As he turned to leave, a figure emerged from the crowd – a woman with piercing emerald eyes and hair as black as the night sky. Her presence was accompanied by an almost imperceptible ripple in reality, like the surface tension breaking on still water. She wore no hunter's badge, yet her aura commanded respect from even the highest-ranking guards nearby.
"You're considering the Shadowfall mission," she stated, her voice barely audible over the crowd noise. "I wouldn't recommend it."
Kael's instincts flared to life. Few people could sense his presence so easily, let alone track him through a crowded market. "And why would that be?" he asked, his hand resting casually near the dagger at his belt.
The woman's gaze never wavered. "Because you're not ready. Not yet." With that cryptic warning, she vanished into the crowd as suddenly as she appeared, leaving Kael wondering if he had imagined the entire encounter.
The sun had risen higher now, casting long shadows across the market square. Kael felt an inexplicable tingling sensation in his fingers, as if darkness itself was responding to his emotions. He knew then that he would take the mission, regardless of the risks. It was time to emerge from the shadows and begin his ascent toward true power.
Little did he know, his decision would set in motion events that would change not just his fate, but the destiny of Tenebrous itself.