The Monster’s Training Begins

Kai’s body ached. His muscles screamed in protest, his wounds barely had time to heal, but Varian didn’t care.

“Again.”

Kai barely had time to breathe before Varian’s dagger came for his throat.

He dodged, barely, the cold steel grazing his skin. But Varian was relentless—he twisted mid-attack, sweeping Kai’s legs out from under him.

Thud!

Kai hit the ground hard.

Varian crouched beside him, tapping Kai’s forehead with the flat of his blade. “Dead again. You’re slow.”

Kai gritted his teeth. This was the third time today.

Lucian, watching from the sidelines, smirked. “You wanted power, didn’t you? Then earn it.”

Kai forced himself to his feet, ignoring the pain. He wasn’t going to break. Not now. Not ever.

The Rule of the Shadows

Varian leaned against a wooden post, twirling his dagger. “You’ve got raw talent, but that’s not enough.”

He tossed the dagger at Kai. Kai caught it midair.

Varian smirked. “Good reflexes. But a real assassin doesn’t just react. He controls the fight.”

He gestured around them. The training ground was full of obstacles—wooden dummies, pillars, ropes hanging from the ceiling.

“Lesson one: The battlefield is your weapon.”

Kai’s mind worked fast. He was supposed to use his surroundings.

Noted.

Varian suddenly vanished.

Kai’s eyes widened. He’s fast—!

A whisper of air behind him.

Kai lunged forward just as a dagger slashed where his throat had been.

He spun, using a nearby wooden post to propel himself sideways—turning the terrain to his advantage.

Varian grinned. “Now you’re learning.”

But before Kai could react, Varian grabbed a hanging rope and swung around the post, landing a brutal kick to Kai’s back.

Kai stumbled but didn’t fall.

Varian landed smoothly, tilting his head. “Better. But not good enough.”

Kai clenched his fists.

I need to be faster.

The First Real Test

The next day, Kai stood before Lucian and Varian in the hideout.

Lucian tossed a parchment on the table. “Your first real mission.”

Kai’s eyes scanned the details. Target: Vance Alder. Crime Lord. Controls a key black market operation in Eldoria.

Kai narrowed his eyes. “If he’s that powerful, why send me?”

Varian smirked. “Because we don’t want him dead. We want you to send a message.”

Kai frowned. “Meaning?”

Lucian’s expression darkened. “You’re going to break him.”

Kai exhaled slowly. No clean kills this time. This was about fear.

Varian patted his shoulder. “Time to see if you’re really cut out for this.”

The Monster Awakens

Kai moved through the rooftops of Eldoria, his footsteps silent.

Vance Alder’s estate loomed ahead. Guards patrolled the perimeter, torches flickering against the night.

Kai’s system activated.

[Stealth – Lv. 4 Activated!]

He slipped past the guards like a ghost.

Inside, the scent of wine and roasted meat filled the air. Laughter echoed from a nearby chamber.

Kai crept closer. Vance Alder sat at a grand table, surrounded by his men.

Kai’s fingers tightened around his dagger.

Time to send a message.

A Warning in Blood

Crash!

The guards turned too late. Kai dropped from the ceiling, his dagger slashing one’s throat before he even hit the ground.

The second guard lunged—Kai sidestepped and drove his knee into the man’s ribs, shattering them.

The others scrambled for their weapons.

Too slow.

Kai’s dagger flashed—three more fell in seconds.

Vance staggered back, his goblet of wine slipping from his fingers.

His men were dead.

And now, Kai stood before him.

Vance trembled. "W-Wait! I can pay you!"

Kai didn’t respond.

He reached into his cloak and pulled out a single silver coin.

Vance’s eyes widened. “No… No, please—”

Kai pressed the coin against Vance’s palm.

“This is your warning.” His voice was cold. “The next time I come… you die.”

Vance collapsed, his breath ragged, fear in his eyes.

Kai turned and vanished into the darkness.

A Name is Born

By morning, rumors spread like wildfire.

A crime lord, brought to his knees in a single night. His men butchered like cattle.

And at the scene, a single silver coin left behind.

A new legend was born.

The whispers began.

"The Silver Phantom."

Lucian smirked as he read the reports. “He’s ready.”

Varian chuckled. "Not yet. But soon… he'll be a true monster."

And deep in the shadows, Kai sharpened his blade.

His mission wasn’t over.

Not until the world was his.

TO BE CONTINUED…