After years of studying forbidden magic, he reached that moment, searching for the secret to living forever. He thought he had found the answer—a dark and evil ritual that required the sacrifice of an innocent life. His hands shook as he held the ritual knife, its shiny blade reflecting the dim light.

  The baby, wrapped in a soft cloth, lay peacefully on the altar, not knowing what was about to happen. Isaac felt the heavy weight of his choice, but he was determined to live forever, even if it meant paying a great price.

  If only he could find a woman to share the glory and immortality he desired, especially if he could have a daughter. Even a son would do—he’d be willing to bear a child for eternity. He would sacrifice himself for the good of humanity. But no matter what he gave up, it still wouldn’t be enough. Isaac took a deep breath. He hated what he had to do, but there was no other choice. He drew the sacrificial knife, ready to do what was necessary.

  As he raised the knife, painful memories of his past filled his mind. He grew up poor, with his family always struggling. He saw the suffering and decay of human life, which made him obsessed with the idea of immortality. He wanted to escape the endless cycle of birth, aging, and death. This desire took over his thoughts, making him ignore the consequences of his actions. But as the blade came close to the innocent child, dark forces began to attack him. Their presence was real, a wicked energy that made the air feel heavy and full of darkness.

  The first force, a shadowy figure with glowing red eyes, attacked, swiping its sharp claws through the air at Isaac.

  The second force, a spinning cloud of black smoke, surrounded Isaac, wrapping him in its ghostly tendrils and choking him.

  The third force, a huge creature with twisted horns and sharp teeth, charged at him, its deafening roar shaking the ground.

  The fourth force, a haunting ghost with a sorrowful wail, appeared next to the baby, protecting him from danger.

  The fifth force, a swarm of angry spirits, swirled around Isaac, their haunting whispers filling his ears and driving him toward madness.

  The sixth force, a burst of dark energy, slammed into Isaac with such power that it knocked him to the ground.

  From the shadows, the seventh force emerged as a massive figure wrapped in darkness. Its eyes glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light. It raised its hand and unleashed a powerful blast of energy that knocked the knife from Isaac’s grasp, sending it clattering to the ground. The figure stepped back, giving Isaac the chance to unsteadily rise to his feet. It pulled something small and metallic from thin air and held it out toward Isaac. Terrified, Isaac took a step back. He reached for the discarded knife, but the figure stopped him with a simple wave of its hand. A glowing shield appeared, surrounding both Isaac and the figure, creating an impenetrable barrier that blocked his escape.

  As the seven dark forces relentlessly attacked, Isaac felt his strength drain away, his body weakening with every passing second. Desperation spread across his face as he realized how much he had underestimated their power. The dark forces invaded his body, entering through his nose and causing damage to his brain. Black veins quickly spread throughout his body, and the vibrant energy that once filled him began to fade. Fear gripped him as he understood the severity of his situation. The damage to his brain left him helpless, unable to fight back as the forces slowly consumed him from the inside. He could never have imagined that the very dark forces he had sacrificed so much for were now going to take his life.

  The black veins continued to grow, spreading like dark tendrils through his veins. Each moment brought him closer to death, and the fear that had first taken hold of him grew stronger, turning into a paralyzing terror. His mind became a battlefield, torn between hopelessness and desperation. He wished for someone to save him from this nightmare, but the reality of his situation pressed down on him. Death felt certain, and the thought of surrendering to its icy grip filled him with a deep, bone-chilling dread.

  As Isaac's body grew weaker, his senses began to distort, and he was plunged into a world of vivid hallucinations. Shadows moved around him, whispering eerie words of doom. The familiar room he had once known turned into a twisted maze, with every corner hiding a new terror that seemed ready to strike.

  In the depths of his hopelessness, Isaac’s mind became a warzone, torn between the pull of life and the looming shadow of death. Fear gripped him tightly, but there was a faint, flickering hope inside, a last desperate wish for survival. Yet, as the dark forces continued to close in, his hope began to fade, and the certainty of his fate grew clearer. He had no strength left to fight back.

  With one final, agonizing cry, the seven dark forces withdrew, retreating from the room and leaving the baby unharmed. Their mission complete, the forces dissolved into the night, their presence vanishing like a distant nightmare. The child was left alone in the empty house, untouched by the dark forces that had come and gone.

  [Character Status]

  [System Level: 7/12]

  [Power Level: 850,000/100,000]

  [Beast Type: Unknown]

  [Name: Isaac Whitaker]

  [Age: 48]

  [Clan: Outcast]

  [Race: Unknown]

  [Blood Type: Verdant]

  [Blood Color: Green]

  [Resurrection Options]

  [Reset System]

  [Confirm reset?[

  [This will revert all state points and skills to the beginning.]

  [Yes or No]

  [Revive Character]

  [Cost: 5,000 EXP]

  [Cooldown: 24 hours]

  [Choose one]:

  [Confirm Revive]

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  [No, do not revive]

  [Beast Status: Unknown]

  [Assign new beast]

  [Background: Mysterious member]

  [Tragic Fate: Defeated by the Seven Dark Forces, yearned for immortality]

  [Abilities and Skills]:

  [Shadow Cloak: Temporary invisibility (Cooldown: 12 seconds)]

  [Abyssal Grasp: Dark tendrils to ensnare enemies (Cooldown: 15 seconds)]

  [Veil of Whispers: Increased evasion through enemy insight (Cooldown: 10 seconds)]

  [System Notifications]

  [Warning: Resetting your system will erase all progress.]

  [Alert: Whispers of power linger, quest for immortality continues.]

  [The System Repeats again]:

  [Resetting your system will erase all progress].

  .

  .

  .

  .

  [Resetting your system will erase all progress].

  Orion arrived for the baby, riding his Kun Peng, which let out a sound as it soared through the air, its wings flapping gently and creating a breeze that rustled the leaves of the nearby trees.

  He landed gracefully in front of Isaac's house, causing the ground to shake slightly. Dismounting quickly, he rushed inside. There, he found the baby lying alone in the crib, unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded around him. Isaac’s lifeless body lay nearby, his empty eyes staring at nothing. Orion’s heart sank as he realized the full extent of what had happened.

  With deep sorrow, Orion gently lifted the baby, cradling him in his arms. The child stirred, sensing the presence of someone unfamiliar. Orion whispered soft, comforting words, trying to bring some peace to the little one in the midst of all the chaos. As he held the baby, Orion noticed a reddish-orange light glowing from the infant’s tiny hand, like someone had placed a hot stone in his grip. Quickly, he opened the baby’s fist and removed the burning stone, which had left a painful mark on the child’s hand.

  [Dragon West Hall, Imperial Jade Palace]

  Emperor William and Empress Hannah sat upon his grand throne, a massive white chair decorated with detailed carvings and fine embellishments. The back of the throne was adorned with both small and large diamonds, their golden glow shimmering in the light. The gems sparkled brilliantly, casting a warm, radiant glow across the entire hall.

  The hall itself was vast, with high ceilings and tall, ornate pillars lining the walls. The walls were decorated with images of important moments in history, celebrating the emperor's power and achievements. The polished marble floor reflected the grandeur of the room.

  At the front of the hall, a raised platform held the throne, making it the focal point and placing the emperor above all others. The platform was covered with luxurious carpets, intricately woven with vibrant colors and detailed patterns, adding to the room's regal atmosphere. The Dragon West Hall was a place reserved for important discussions, where matters of war and other significant affairs were decided.

  Emperor William sat with his head bowed, lost in deep thought. Suddenly, a voice came from behind the door, prompting the two guards to open it and allow someone inside. As the emperor raised his head, his sharp gaze met the eyes of his most trusted advisor, Harald, who was accompanied by Edward. They walked through the hall and approached the emperor, bowing respectfully before him. After a brief silence, the emperor spoke.

  "Harald," Emperor William began, his voice heavy with sorrow, "Did you lay him to rest?"

  Harald glanced briefly at Empress Hannah before responding, "Yes, your highness. We buried him quietly in the depths of the forest."

  The emperor sighed deeply, his hands falling to cover his face once again. "He was our only son, Harald," he whispered, his voice breaking with grief. "Our only hope for the future of our dynasty, taken from us before he even drew his first breath."

  Empress Hannah reached out with a trembling hand to touch her husband's shoulder, tears streaming down her face. "We must remain strong, my love," she whispered softly. "Though our son is gone, we still have each other, and we will find a way to honor his memory."

  Harald, the emperor’s most trusted advisor, bowed his head in deep respect. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that his memory lives on, Your Highness," he promised. "We will build a monument in his honor, a symbol of the love and loss we endured." Edward noticed that Harald’s gaze was fixed entirely on the emperor and empress, his eyes focused on them with unwavering loyalty.

  Both Edward and Harald bowed before the emperor and empress before leaving the Dragon West Hall. As they stepped out, Edward felt a growing sense of confusion. He tried to catch up with Harald, hoping to ask him something, but Harald ignored his questioning gaze and continued walking toward the other side of the palace. Edward stood still, watching him go, when suddenly, he felt something cold and sharp hit his back. He spun around quickly, searching for what it was.

  The grief within the palace walls deepened, casting a heavy shadow over everything. The Emperor and Empress withdrew from the public eye, their hearts weighed down by the immense sorrow of their loss. The palace, once full of life, now echoed with an eerie silence, as if the very walls mourned alongside the devastated parents.

  Harald, however, refused to be consumed by despair. He sought out the physician from Mistwood village, hoping to find some way to ease the royal couple’s suffering. During one of his visits, he overheard an ancient legend spoken in hushed tones among the villagers.

  "I know the Emperor and Empress have been broken by their grief," Harald told the physician. "They need a magical potion for relief, but I don’t know where to find it."

  The physician stroked his beard thoughtfully, then spoke, "Ah, the magical potion. It’s said to be incredibly rare, and can only be found in Krystalforge city. This potion has the power to heal even the deepest wounds of the heart, bringing comfort to those who suffer. However, the journey to Krystalforge is fraught with danger, and many have attempted to obtain the potion—but none have succeeded."

  The physician’s voice grew solemn as he continued, "Child, the path to Krystalforge is not an easy one. But remember, true strength lies within. Trust your instincts and never lose hope." Harald nodded respectfully, absorbing the wise words. With a determined heart, he bowed to the physician and left the pharmacy, believing that the potion could bring the relief the emperor and empress so desperately needed.

  Meanwhile, Edward arrived at a house in haste, his brow furrowed with concern. "Why did you call me here in such a hurry?" he asked Orion, his voice anxious. "You knew it was difficult to leave because of senior Quentin’s death."

  "It was necessary," Orion replied quickly, pulling Edward inside the house.

  "This... This is Isaac's house," Edward exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise as he looked around. He turned to see Orion locking the door behind them, his expression unreadable.

  "Yes, this was Isaac’s house, but there is something more important," Orion replied, leading Edward toward a room. However, when they stepped inside, they both paused. Isaac’s lifeless body lay in the center of the room, the space around him vast and eerily still.

  Edward wasted no time. He immediately knelt beside Isaac, tearing open the clothing to examine the black veins creeping across the skin. His hands trembled as he tried to make sense of the markings, his brow furrowing in concern. Orion stood silently nearby, his stoic demeanor only broken by the faint sadness in his eyes.

  Looking up at Orion, Edward’s voice was filled with shock and disbelief. "What happened, Orion? How did this happen to Isaac?"

  Orion let out a heavy sigh, his eyes shadowed with uncertainty. "I don’t have all the details yet, but it seems that seven dark forces were involved. Isaac became entangled in something dangerous—something beyond our understanding."

  "And... and was this the Emperor's son? How did he end up here?" Edward exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. "We left him in the forest, thinking he was dead. But... but... this." His words faltered, struggling to make sense of what he was seeing.

  "That's why I brought you here," Orion replied, his gaze steady, meeting Edward's astonished eyes. "Only Amelia from the Scorpion system knew he was alive. By now, the other three clans must have found out."

  Edward's confusion deepened as he stared at the child. "So, what did you need my help with?" he asked, still fixated on the baby.

  Orion cradled the child gently in his arms, his expression serious. "Only one person can save him now," he said quietly. "The Imperial Jade Palace. You must take him back to the Palace, to the Emperor."

  Edward shook his head vehemently. "No, he wasn't safe there either."

  "Not safe there either? But why?" Orion asked, taken aback.

  "Because the Shadowmoon Clan plans to attack the Ironhart Clan in retaliation for Senior Quentin's death," Edward explained. "And the Stormwatch Clan and Flamecrest Clan are supporting the Shadowmoon Clan in this."

  Orion’s brows furrowed in confusion. "But the Ironhart Clan didn’t kill Senior Quentin," he said, expressing his belief in their innocence.

  "I know," Edward replied, his voice strained. "But..." He was cut off by a loud noise from outside. Both of them rushed to the window, their eyes scanning the dark night sky. A yellow light flickered for a moment, then disappeared into the darkness.