Morning arrived, but for Baron Grant, it felt like the beginning of the end.
He hadn't slept. Every shadow in his estate felt like a pair of eyes watching him. Every whisper from his servants sounded like a conspiracy against him. He had tried to reach out to his allies—only to be met with silence.
Lucien had abandoned him.
His merchants had cut ties.
And now, the final blow would come.
🔺 [ QUEST OBJECTIVE: ENSURE BARON GRANT IS PUBLICLY HUMILIATED ]🔺 [ REWARD: UNIQUE SKILL – SOUL FRACTURE ]
The grand Royal Court Hall was bustling with noble activity. Lords and ladies gathered, dressed in their finest silks and adorned with jewels. Today, an important announcement was expected—a shift in power within the noble council.
Baron Grant forced himself to walk in with his head held high, despite the weight of paranoia crushing him.
Kieran was already there, hidden among the nobles, watching.
He had chosen this moment carefully.
Grant, in his desperation, would try to salvage his reputation. He would make some kind of excuse, spin some kind of lie—but none of it would matter.
🔺 [ SYSTEM UPDATE: ACTIVATING WHISPERS OF DECEPTION ]
As Grant moved through the crowd, the nobles around him began murmuring.
🔹 "Have you heard?"🔹 "Baron Grant is finished."🔹 "They say he's been stealing from his own people!"🔹 "The royal treasury might be investigating him soon…"
The whispers slithered through the air, spreading like wildfire. Kieran smirked from his position in the crowd.
Grant's steps faltered. His face paled. He could hear it.
He spun toward one noble. "That's a lie!" he barked. "I have done nothing wrong!"
The noble—a Countess known for her sharp tongue—simply raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why are you shaking, Baron Grant?"
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Grant's fingers twitched. He was losing control.
🔺 [ SYSTEM UPDATE: FEAR METER RISING – TARGET: BARON GRANT ]🔺 [ 70% – Paranoia Taking Hold ]
And then came the final nail in the coffin.
A messenger, dressed in royal colors, entered the court and handed a sealed document to the High Chancellor.
The entire room went silent.
The High Chancellor, a man known for his fairness and authority, cleared his throat and read the document aloud.
"By order of His Majesty's treasury office, Baron Grant is hereby stripped of his financial duties until an official investigation is completed into his economic dealings."
Gasps. Shocked whispers. Disdainful laughter.
Grant's legs nearly gave out.
The King himself had turned his attention to him.
This wasn't just an accusation anymore—this was the beginning of his complete collapse.
Kieran stepped forward, finally making his presence known.
"Baron Grant," he said smoothly, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "What an unfortunate turn of events. You wouldn't happen to have anything to say in your defense, would you?"
Grant's eyes snapped to Kieran—and for a moment, there was something deep, primal, and terrified in them.
Because at that moment, he realized.
Kieran wasn't the broken man they had cast aside.
He was the one who had orchestrated everything.
🔺 [ SYSTEM UPDATE: TARGET'S PSYCHOLOGICAL STATE – BROKEN. ]🔺 [ PAIN-POWER INCREASED: +800 ]
Grant opened his mouth, trying to find some excuse, some explanation—
But no words came out.
The court erupted in laughter.
A once-powerful noble, standing there humiliated, disgraced, and utterly ruined.
🔺 [ QUEST COMPLETE: BARON GRANT IS FINISHED. ]🔺 [ REWARD: UNIQUE SKILL – SOUL FRACTURE ]
Kieran took one last glance at the broken man before him.
This was only the beginning.
There were still 99 more enemies to go.
"One down. Many more to suffer."
🔻 [ SYSTEM UPDATE: NEW SKILL UNLOCKED ] 🔻
🔥 Soul Fracture – Inflicts irreversible mental torment on a target. Their fears, regrets, and guilt will replay endlessly in their mind.
🔺 The greater their sins, the worse the suffering.
🔺 Can be activated at any time.
🔺 [ NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: CHOOSING THE NEXT TARGET ]💀 Remaining Enemies: 99
🔻 Options:
A noble who stood by and laughed at his downfall.A knight who once swore loyalty, then betrayed him.A merchant who profited from Kieran's suffering.
Kieran smirked. Who would be next?