The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter Eleven — The Hunt Begins
Location:
Argent Blade Academy — Underground Reliquary
Time: Midnight, same day
Scene 1: Descent
The academy slept.
Celsius moved through sealed corridors.
Eridiaries: "Below lies forgotten blood."
A rusted gate opened.
Stairs spiraled down.
Celsius: "So this is where they hide."
Scene 2: First Prey
Chanting echoed.
Five hooded figures circled a summoning mark.
A small demon writhed.
Cultist: "The Shadow will answer—"
Darkness surged.
The shadows crushed the circle.
One cultist screamed.
Celsius struck silently.
Two fell before they realized.
The demon dissolved.
Silence.
Scene 3: A Choice
One cultist remained—trembling.
Cultist: "Mercy!"
Celsius hesitated.
Eridiaries: "Kill."
Celsius exhaled.
Celsius: "…No."
He knocked the man unconscious.
Celsius: "I choose."
The shadow stilled.
Scene 4: The Relic
Location: Reliquary Core
A black mirror floated.
Eridiaries: "A shard."
Celsius touched it.
Pain.
Knowledge flooded in.
System: Shadow Art unlocked — Umbral Step
Celsius vanished.
Reappeared behind a pillar.
Celsius: "Useful."
Scene 5: Alarm
A bell rang.
Eridiaries: "They sensed you."
Celsius smiled faintly.
Celsius: "Let them."
Scene 6: Watching from Above
Location: Administrative Tower
The silver-robed mage stared at a glowing map.
Mage: "Someone is purging the cult."
Her eyes narrowed.
Mage: "Interesting."