William lay on a bed draped in crisp white sheets. On either side stood night tables, each holding a lamp glowing faintly with magic stones. A basket of fruit sat neatly on the left one. The window was ajar, and the curtains danced gently in the wind, as if the breeze itself sought entry. Guards stood poised and alert outside the room.
William was absorbed in a book—perhaps a story—when a knock interrupted him.
"Who is it?" he asked, his tone commanding.
"I've brought the books you requested, young master," came the reply from beyond the door.
"Come in," William said without looking up.
The guards opened the door, gave the visitor a swift check for hidden weapons, and allowed him in. As the door clicked shut behind him, William finally lifted his gaze. The servant's hair shimmered under the magic light, purple streaks glowing faintly.
"Place them on the study table by the window. And close it. It's cold," William instructed.
The servant walked silently across the room, placed the books down, then shut the window and drew the curtains. His movements were smooth—too smooth.
William observed him closely, then set the book aside. He picked up an apple and a knife, whispering, "First skill: Levitation."
The apple rose. William leapt from the bed, blade ready to strike—
But the servant's eyes lit up purple.
"Second skill: Dome of Shadow!" he shouted.
A dome of dark energy erupted, deflecting William midair and pushing him back.
William landed on his feet, sliding into a battle stance.
"How did he know?" the servant thought, eyes narrowed.
[WHAT'S GOING ON!?] Wiz shouted, waking from his nap inside William's mind.
"Well, looks like we've got a special guest," William said, a grin slowly forming.
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Seven
• Essence Level: 15
• Race: Human
• Essence Type: Shadow
• Age: 24
Stats
• HP: 150/150
• Essence: 2100/2250
• Strength: 148
• Agility: 156
• Intelligence: 115
• Durability: 149
Skills
• Shadow Dagger (Mastery 45%)
• ShadowDome (Mastery 30%)
William activated his Third Eye the moment the man entered. Now he could see everything.
"Seven… quite the name." William observed. _"Shadow Essence. That signature belongs to the Saya Viscounty. They sent a level 15 mystic to kill a level 9. They must think very highly of me."
[THE SAYA FAMILY? NEVER HEARD OF THEM.]
"They're not mentioned much in the main story," William muttered. "But behind the scenes, they control the underworld—assassinations, kidnapping, smuggling. Everything shady flows through them. Not one of the top three noble families, but easily the fourth strongest in the capital."
His gaze sharpened. "And if their reach extends into this room… it's deeper than I expected."
Seven sneered. "What are you thinking? Praying someone will come save you? Don't bother. The walls are soundproof. No one's hearing a thing."
William concentrated his essence into the knife. It glowed cyan.
"How about a deal, assassin? Work for House Medici. We'll pay more than whoever hired you."
"Afraid to die, young master?" Seven mocked.
William's expression darkened. "I see. No negotiation then."
He tightened his grip on the knife.
"The martial arts I learned in my past life might not be built for essence combat, but I can still use them."
"Don't worry. I'll go easy on you—just one hand," Seven said smugly. Shadow daggers materialized in his grasp.
In an instant, he dashed forward, aiming a slash at William's throat. But William ducked, mimicking a boxer's weave, and countered with a punch to the liver, followed by an upward slash.
Blocked. The dagger clashed against shadow armor.
Seven retaliated with a kick to William's gut, sending him flying.
William barely recovered in time to see the assassin rushing again.
He dodged with a roll, but Seven pivoted and tried to kick his head. William raised his arm in defense and slid back to avoid further blows.
"His agility's a problem," William noted. _"Time to even the odds."
"First skill: Levitation!"
William's body glowed cyan. With a flash, he was airborne. He feinted a roundhouse to the head, baiting Seven's defense, then elbowed him twice—first from the front, then spinning into a second strike.
Seven stumbled back, but William gave him no space, driving a knee into his nose.
Though smaller, William used Levitation to amplify his power.
Still, no damage.
"Ouch. That stung. You dance well, young master," Seven taunted. "But it's not enough."
William adjusted. Seven came again, blades flashing. William deflected the strikes, targeting wrist and elbow with precise moves from kali arnis.
But Seven retreated swiftly and summoned a second dagger.
"Isn't that breaking the rules?" William asked calmly.
"All's fair in war."
Their blades clashed again. William dodged with calculated finesse, but a kick to the chest shattered his ribs and sent him tumbling.
He staggered upright.
Seven's eyes flashed violet as he erased the distance between them in a single step.
FirstCut: A shadow dagger licked out—right arm. Blood streaked William's sleeve before he could react.
SecondCut: A reverse slash—left arm. Deeper this time. William gritted his teeth as crimson splattered the floor.
TheKick: Seven pivoted, driving his heel into William's gut. The boy folded around the blow, then hurtled backward, crashing into the study table. Books avalanched to the floor.
Seven didn't let him breathe.
TheStab: The assassin lunged, dagger aimed for William's heart—
—William twisted, but not enough. The blade skewered his shoulder instead, pinning him to the wall.
TheFinisher: Seven yanked the dagger free, swinging for William's throat—
—William ducked, feeling the blade whisper past his hair.
ThePunishment: Seven's knee smashed into his jaw. Teeth clacked together. William's vision blurred as he crumpled to one knee.
"I didn't want to use this… but I have no choice. Essence of Corruption."
[ARE YOU SURE!? YOU DON'T KNOW THE SIDE EFFECTS!]
"It won't kill me. I'll manage."
William's eyes burned red.
"Essence of Corruption."
A blood-red aura engulfed him. The air thickened.
Seven faltered, unnerved. "What… what is this aura? Why do I feel dread?"
He stepped back.
William advanced. Seven swung a dagger—William touched it.
It disintegrated.
Sweat broke across Seven's brow. He leapt back. William followed with terrifying speed.
Seven raised a Shadow Dome—
But William's knife cut through it like paper, slicing his side.
[IS HE DEAD?]
"Not yet. I have questions."
William looked at the dagger—it crumbled to dust.
[ESSENCE OF CORRUPTION IS THE OPPOSITE OF REGULAR ESSENCE, LIKE DEATH TO LIFE,] Wiz explained. [WHEN THEY COLLIDE, THE NORMAL ESSENCE DISINTEGRATES. EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD IS BASED ON ESSENCE...]
Before he could finish, William's skin cracked like shattered glass.
William quickly activated the bracelet Jack had given him. Light enveloped him, and the cracks sealed.
"Didn't expect Essence Sickness to hit so fast," he muttered.
[HA! IT'S CALLED CORRUPTION FOR A REASON.]
[OH, AND YOUR RIBS! DID THAT HURT?]
"It stung a little."
[HA HA! YOU MONSTER!]
William looked at the unconscious assassin. A soft smile played on his lips.