Rael sat in the dim light of his apartment, one hand resting over a glowing crystal orb. On the surface danced fragments of his clone's memory—Aeris's face, her hesitation, the name she had spoken:
"Commander Vale."
> [Memory Sync Complete]
[Priority Target List Updated]
[Revenge Progress: 1/7 Identified]
Rael's eyes, glowing faintly violet, narrowed.
"They've started to move."
Selene, lounging by the open window, tilted her head. "Will you wait for them to come?"
"No."
He stood, pulling on his coat.
"I'm going hunting."
---
Location: Black Fang Underground Auction – Restricted District
The auction was a mask for scum—smugglers, information brokers, and ex-Tower mercenaries. And tonight, one particular guest had Rael's interest:
Venn Kalor.
Former support mage. Tower climber. One of the first to stab Rael in the back during the betrayal. Word was, he'd sold out to Crimson Dawn after leaving the Tower.
> [Clone No.3 Deployed – Disguise Enabled]
Inside, Rael's clone moved through the crowd with a casual grace, wrapped in illusion magic. His eyes scanned for mana signatures and aura patterns.
Then he found him.
Venn, now dressed in noble silks, surrounded by guards, laughing like he hadn't once been a coward with blood on his hands.
Rael took a seat across from him.
"You're in my spot," Venn snapped, not recognizing him.
Rael smiled.
"I think this is exactly where I belong."
---
Ten seconds later, the guards were unconscious.
Venn's face turned pale. "W-wait—who—"
Rael dropped the illusion.
Venn's eyes widened.
"You—no, no, you're dead—"
"I was."
Rael's voice was calm. Quiet. Terrifying.
"But you weren't worth staying dead for."
> [Skill Activated: Shadow Bind]
[Target Restrained – Movement Locked for 30 seconds]
He leaned forward, face inches away from Venn's.
"Tell me where Vale is hiding. Or I'll make sure your last thoughts are regrets."
Venn whimpered. "I don't know! I swear—Vale vanished after the Tower collapsed! Only a few of us know how to reach him!"
Rael's eyes glowed.
"You'll write those names down. Now."
---
Ten Minutes Later – Rooftop
Rael stood in the rain, holding a list of names.
Six in total.
One of them: Kael Sorrin, the swordsman who delivered the killing blow.
Another: Valeria, the healer who smiled while Rael bled.
His grip tightened.
> [Target List Updated: 3/7 Confirmed]
[Revenge Progress: 43%]
Selene appeared beside him, her cloak blending into the mist.
"Did he beg?" she asked.
Rael nodded once.
"Good," she whispered. "Then the past is remembering you."
---
Back at Base – Hours Later
Rael pulled a black notebook from under the floorboards.
Inside were sketches. Floor maps. Kill patterns. Traps.
Plans.
Not just for revenge… but for war.
He circled two names.
Tomorrow, he'd begin Phase Two.
Let them come.
Let them remember.
The Phantom is hunting.