Kael spent the night in the Azure League safehouse, his sleep restless despite his exhaustion. Dreams of the Void mixed with memories of combat, and twice he woke in cold sweat, his Void markings blazing with purple light as his subconscious activated his powers.
By morning, he felt physically recovered but mentally on edge. Today was the day Marcus Stone would arrive. The Breaker. A Tier 3 cultivator sent specifically to determine if Kael was a threat that needed elimination.
Level 22 minimum, possibly as high as 25. Specialized in hunting System users like Kael.
Even with his dungeon gains, Kael was still outmatched on paper. But he'd learned something important over the past week—levels weren't everything. Tactics mattered. Adaptability mattered. And most importantly, the will to survive mattered more than raw statistics.
Lyra found him on the safehouse roof around mid-morning, watching the city wake up beneath the twin suns. The gang war in the lower districts had calmed somewhat—either they'd reached temporary truces or simply run out of people willing to fight.
"He's here," Lyra said quietly. "Marcus Stone arrived at the northern gate an hour ago. He's at the city guard headquarters now, reviewing reports and interviewing witnesses about what happened at the Silk Serpent."
Kael nodded, not taking his eyes off the horizon. "How long until he comes looking for me?"
"Noon, probably. He's thorough—likes to gather all the information before making a move. But he knows you're staying here. The Azure League has official recognition, so he can't just break in. He'll request a formal meeting."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then he'll assume you have something to hide and act accordingly." Lyra moved to stand beside him. "Kael, I need to be honest with you. The Breaker has killed seventeen System users in the last five years. All of them were evaluated as threats to regional stability. He doesn't lose fights."
"Everyone loses eventually," Kael said.
"Not him. Not yet." She handed him a file folder. "Shadow compiled everything we could find on his combat style. Study it. Maybe you'll see something that gives you an edge."
Kael took the folder and read through it quickly. Marcus Stone, age thirty-eight, former imperial soldier who'd discovered his anti-System abilities during a war against rogue cultivators. His power was unique—he could sense and suppress System abilities within a certain range, making System users fight like normal people while he retained his full strength.
Basically, he was Kael's perfect counter. The Void System gave Kael all his advantages. Take that away, and he was just a street thug with some stolen combat skills.
"Any weaknesses?" Kael asked.
"He's overconfident. Believes absolutely in his mission and his abilities. That's made him predictable in some ways—he always offers a chance to surrender peacefully before attacking. And he fights honorably. No cheap shots, no attacking from ambush."
"So I should attack him dishonorably?"
"I'm saying you should use every advantage you have, because he certainly will." Lyra checked a pocket watch. "Two hours until he's likely to arrive here. What's your plan?"
Kael thought about it. He could run—leave Valdris, disappear into the wilderness. But Marcus would track him down eventually, and then Kael would be fighting on unfamiliar ground without allies or resources.
Better to face him here, now, while Kael still had some control over the situation.
"I'll meet with him," Kael decided. "Talk first, if he's willing. If it comes to a fight..." he looked at his hands, at the Void markings that covered his skin, "I'll do what I have to."
At exactly noon, a runner arrived at the safehouse with a formal message. Marcus Stone requested a meeting with Kael Draven in the neutral ground of the city's central plaza. Public location. Witnesses. Official and proper.
Kael read the message and smiled grimly. The Breaker wanted an audience. Wanted people to see him evaluate the threat. It was a power play—showing that he represented legitimate authority while Kael was just a rogue element to be judged.
Fine. Kael could play that game too.
He arrived at the central plaza ten minutes early, Lyra accompanying him as a witness. The plaza was a large open space surrounded by merchant buildings and government offices. Fountains decorated the center, and on a normal day it would be packed with people.
Today, it was nearly empty. Word had spread that something important was happening. Most civilians had wisely decided to be elsewhere.
Marcus Stone was already waiting.
He stood by the central fountain, arms crossed, looking every bit the imperial enforcer. He was tall—over six feet—with a military bearing that showed in his straight back and squared shoulders. His hair was cut short in military fashion, showing streaks of gray at the temples. He wore simple but high-quality clothing—reinforced traveling clothes that allowed movement while providing some protection.
But what drew Kael's attention were his eyes. Cold, calculating, utterly certain. The eyes of a man who'd never questioned whether his cause was just.
[Marcus Stone - The Breaker][Level: 24][Class: System Null (Unique)][Threat Level: EXTREME][Warning: All System abilities suppressed within 20 meters of target]
Level 24. Three levels higher than Kael. And that suppression ability was exactly as dangerous as the reports suggested.
Marcus studied Kael as he approached, his expression unreadable. When Kael stopped about thirty feet away—just outside the suppression range if the estimates were accurate—Marcus spoke.
"Kael Draven. Age twenty-two. Former enforcer for the Crimson Hand criminal organization. Four days ago, you killed Captain Vorcen and destroyed the Silk Serpent, eliminating the entire leadership structure of the largest gang in Valdris." His voice was deep, controlled, without anger or judgment. Just stating facts. "The Continental Council has tasked me with determining whether you represent a threat to regional stability."
"And how do you make that determination?" Kael asked, keeping his own voice calm despite his racing heart.
"Conversation first. I ask questions, you answer honestly. If I'm satisfied that you're not a danger, I file a favorable report and leave. If I'm not satisfied..." Marcus's hand moved to rest on the sword at his hip, "then we settle it the old way."
Kael noticed the sword was ordinary steel. No magical enhancement, no special properties. Marcus didn't need them. His anti-System ability was enough.
"Ask your questions," Kael said.
Marcus nodded. "Why did you kill Captain Vorcen?"
"He killed me first. I came back, and I wanted revenge."
"Revenge is understandable. But you didn't stop with Vorcen. You destroyed six safehouses, killed or incapacitated over forty Crimson Hand members, and created a power vacuum that's resulted in twelve additional deaths so far. Was that all revenge?"
"That was removing a threat. Vorcen wouldn't have stopped after one failed murder. I had to dismantle his entire operation to be safe."
"And now that the Crimson Hand is gone, what are your plans? Will you take over their territory? Establish your own criminal empire?"
"No. I'm not interested in running gangs or controlling territory."
"Then what do you want, Kael Draven? What does a man with your power—power that grows every day—actually want?"
That was the real question, wasn't it? What did he want?
A week ago, the answer would have been simple: revenge and survival. But now? After gaining power that most people couldn't imagine? After realizing he could shape the world around him?
"I want to be strong enough that no one can hurt me again," Kael said honestly. "I want to never be at someone else's mercy. And I want to protect the people who matter to me."
"Noble sentiments. But power corrupts. I've seen it happen seventeen times before. System users start with good intentions, but the power changes them. Makes them see normal people as insects, as obstacles. Eventually, they all become threats." Marcus took a step forward. "How do I know you'll be different?"
"You don't," Kael admitted. "You have to make a judgment call based on incomplete information. But I can tell you this—I've already had chances to become a tyrant. To rule through fear. I chose not to. That has to count for something."
Marcus was quiet for a long moment, studying Kael with those cold analytical eyes. The plaza was silent except for the fountains and distant city sounds.
"The problem," Marcus finally said, "is that you're growing too fast. Level 21 after just one week. That's unprecedented. At this rate, you'll be Tier 3 within a month. Tier 4 in six months. That kind of power concentrated in one person, with no checks or balances... it scares people. It scares me."
"So what's your recommendation?"
"I have three options," Marcus said, holding up fingers. "One: I determine you're an active threat and eliminate you now. Two: I determine you're a potential threat and place you under Continental Council supervision. You'd be monitored, restricted in your movements, required to report regularly. Three: I determine you're not a threat and file a favorable report, but this is the hardest to justify given your rapid growth."
"And what happens if I don't accept option two?"
"Then it becomes option one." Marcus's hand tightened on his sword hilt. "I don't want to fight you, Kael. You're young, powerful, and you've already done some genuine good by removing a criminal organization. But I have a duty to protect people from System users who might become threats. I take that duty very seriously."
Kael understood the position Marcus was in. The man genuinely believed he was doing the right thing, protecting society from dangerous individuals. And from his perspective, Kael looked exactly like the kind of threat that needed to be contained or eliminated.
But Kael also knew he couldn't accept option two. Being monitored, restricted, controlled—that was just another prison. He hadn't fought this hard for freedom only to accept new chains.
Which left option one or option three. And Marcus clearly wasn't leaning toward three.
"I can't accept supervision," Kael said. "I won't be controlled or caged again."
Marcus's expression didn't change, but Kael saw the subtle shift in his stance. The Breaker was preparing for combat.
"Then I'm sorry, but you leave me no choice. Kael Draven, by the authority of the Continental Council, I'm authorized to use lethal force to neutralize the threat you represent. Do you have any final words?"
Kael activated his Spectral Cloak, going partially incorporeal. His Void markings blazed with light as he channeled energy. Around them, the few remaining civilians fled, sensing violence about to erupt.
"Yeah. I have one thing to say." Kael created twin Void blades, the weapons humming with dark power. "You're about to find out what happens when you threaten someone who's already died once. Spoiler: they don't scare easy."
Marcus drew his sword in one smooth motion. "So be it. Let's see if your power is enough to overcome experience and skill."
The two combatants faced each other across the plaza, the moment stretching like a drawn bowstring.
Then they both moved at once.