Daniel strolled confidently through the dense forest surrounding the [Novice Village].
His every step exuded dominance, the ground beneath him seeming to quake slightly as if acknowledging his power.
The creatures lurking nearby dared not approach him.
Even the forest’s fiercest predators had learned the hard way that their claws and teeth couldn’t scratch him.
Daniel was a walking nightmare, and nothing in this world could stand against him.
His [Hatred Claws] shimmered faintly in the low light, shadowy tendrils wrapping around his fingers like living entities.
Each claw radiated a dark energy capable of slicing through the toughest defenses.
They were a gift from the [Hatred Demon], an Artifact Skill of unparalleled might.
Ahead, Daniel spotted his targets: a small party of four players, clearly new to the game.
They were huddled together, discussing strategies, their voices carrying in the still air.
“Well, I better get this task over with quickly,” he mumbled.
Without hesitation, he surged forward, covering the distance in mere seconds.
The first victim, a mage wearing simple robes, barely had time to turn before Daniel’s claws tore through him.
The sheer force of the attack shattered the mage’s defensive barrier instantly.
Blood sprayed into the air as the claws tore through flesh and bone, ending the player’s life in an instant.
[You have killed “FrostWhisper.”]
The rest of the party froze in terror.
“Run!” one of them screamed, but there was no escaping Daniel.
He dashed toward the second player, a swordsman who raised his weapon in a futile attempt to defend himself.
Daniel’s claws clashed with the sword, slicing through it as if it were paper.
The man’s eyes widened in horror before Daniel struck again, his claws ripping through the swordsman’s chest.
[You have killed “FortnightSky”]
The remaining two players, a healer and an archer, tried to flee.
Daniel smirked. “Pathetic.”
With a flick of his wrist, he raised his staff, summoning a [Fire Meteor] to hit the healer, who died instantly, crushed by the spell.
[You have killed “LightBloom.”]
The archer managed to fire a single arrow.
It bounced harmlessly off Daniel’s armor, and in the blink of an eye, Daniel was upon him.
The claws slashed horizontally, and the archer’s body crumpled to the ground in pieces.
[You have killed “ShadowWing.”]
Four kills in less than a minute. Daniel grinned as he watched their bodies dissolve into pixels.
“Too easy,” he muttered, flexing his claws.
The dark energy surrounding them pulsed as though alive, eager for more blood.
‘Can they sense other peoples?’ the aura was almost guiding him to his other target, or maybe it was just imagination.
His theory was proven right shortly after, because as he turned to leave, he heard the faint rustling of leaves behind him.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted another figure emerging from the shadows.
A tall, muscular man stepped into view, his face immediately recognizable.
“George?” Daniel’s voice was filled with surprise, though his expression remained cold.
“Daniel?!” The man’s voice was a mixture of shock and disbelief. “It’s been ages! I didn’t expect to see you here, man—”
Before George could finish, Daniel’s figure blurred.
In an instant, he appeared behind him, his claws poised.
“Wha—” George’s words were cut off as Daniel’s claws pierced through his back, gripping his heart.
“What the hell are you doing?!” George gasped, struggling to break free, but it was useless.
Daniel’s claws pulsed with dark energy as he crushed his heart, and a moment later, George’s body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
[You have permanently killed “CuriousGeorge.”]
[You have destroyed “CuriousGeorge”‘s soul, meaning permanent death.]
Daniel’s grin widened.
The thrill of killing someone he knew sent a rush of adrenaline through his veins.
[Good job :).]
The [Hatred Demon]’s voice echoed in his mind, its tone brimming with dark satisfaction.
Ding!
[You have completed your second of the three “Hatred Quests.”]
[One more, and you may ascend to become stronger.]
“Give it to me!” Daniel demanded, his voice dripping with anticipation.
[Calm down, child,] the demon replied, its sinister chuckle resonating in Daniel’s ears.
A crimson aura materialized before him, forming into the shape of the [Hatred Demon].
Its body was a swirling mass of red energy, its grin wide and unsettling.
[Before you accept your final quest, take these rewards,] the demon said, snapping its fingers.
Three items emerged from a glowing portal.
The first was a suit of armor, its surface covered in jagged, crimson runes that pulsed with power.
[Hatred Armor (Divine)]
[+100,000 Strength, +100,000 Magical Resistance.]
Daniel equiped the armor without hesitation, feeling an immediate surge of strength.
The second item floated into his hands: a long, intricately carved staff.
[Staff of Hatred (Divine)]
[+100,000 Spirit, reduces cooldown for all spells by 30%.]
“W-wow…” Daniel muttered.
He couldn’t believe that he was given these rewards simply for completing a quest as easy as this.
But even he wasn’t that stupid: he knew that this [Hatred Demon] would probably never let him go, and that there were some harsh conditions to this “alliance”.
[As long as you don’t get out of line and know your place, everything will be fine, human,] the demon smiled.
“Alright,” Daniel grinned in return, “What about the third item?”
[This one… I’m sure you will love it…]
A last snap of its fingers, and from the portal appeared the last item.
As it floated toward him, Daniel’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“No way…”
[Hatred Compass (Artifact)]
[Description: Think of a player or person, and the power of the compass will guide you to their location.]
“This…” Daniel whispered, clutching the compass tightly.
[Go on,] the demon urged, its grin widening.
Daniel channeled his mana into the compass.
“FateBreaker,” he commanded.
The compass’s needle spun wildly before locking in a direction.
[FateBreaker is currently in the Fox Tribe Village.]
Daniel’s grin turned feral, “So, that’s where you’re hiding…”
[Remember,] the demon warned, [you can accept the final quest whenever you’re ready. But take your time. Enjoy the power you’ve earned.]
The demon’s form faded, merging back into Daniel’s body, but its laughter lingered in the air.
“Show me Aurelia’s location,” Daniel commanded the compass again.
Once more, the arrow pointed toward the same destination.
[Aurelia is currently in the Fox Tribe Village.]
Daniel’s grin faltered for a moment before transforming into a twisted smile.
“FateBreaker, Aurelia… you’re both in the same place? How convenient.”
Activating a [Star City Teleportation Crystal], Daniel vanished, reappearing in the bustling city.
Without wasting time, he followed the compass’s arrow, his steps filled with purpose.
Today, he would end them both.
But right as he was about to leave the city, he received a message.
[Dawn: You have time? The families have contacted you, we’re trying to discuss what comes next.]
“…”
[Dawn: Also there’s apparently gonna be some sort of festival in Star City in less than a week, that’s what the chairman of the academy said at least.]
“Oh?” Daniel stopped in his tracks, “Well, I’m sure he’s gonna participate, so I guess I can take a small break…”
He had a guild to take care of and a lot of important matters to discuss.
Plus, he had FateBreaker’s location on full display whenever he wanted.
He would definitely attack him when he expected it the least though.