Malachi's confident smile remained as he held out the Fragments of Aetherium Crystal for all to see. The inn's atmosphere shifted from one of amusement to one of intrigue and curiosity as patrons whispered and pointed at the valuable crystals. Some even wondered why this kid was brave enough to bring those crystals all alone.Monkey Monk's expression changed from one of dismissive arrogance to one of apprehension. He knew the worth of those crystals, and the stakes had just been raised far higher than he had anticipated. Malachi took a step closer to the table where Monkey Monk presided. "Can I play now?”Monkey Monk hesitated, glancing around at the expectant faces of the inn's patrons. He couldn't afford to back down now; his reputation as a fearless gambler was at stake. "Very well," he said with forced confidence. "But only if you're willing to match my bet with those crystals." Malachi nodded, his eyes never leaving Monkey Monk's. He placed the Fragments of Aetherium Crystal o
Under the bridge of a dirty slum. A man lie dead on the side of the river. His blood made their way down to the stream and washed away. The man died an unfortunate death. His limbs were twisted with some of the bones crushed and jolted out of the skin. His teeth was no more, and one of his eye balls were gone. It was a gruesome sight, enough to keep naughty children to never go out at night ever again.There was the sound of footsteps approaching. Walking out of the darkness, Malachi appeared and confirmed that Monkey Monk was truly death. “This man has faked his own death many times before,” Malachi said.“Well, I don’t think he can fake his own death anymore,” Seraphina replied.Malachi turned around and smiled. “You did a great job.” He reached out his hand and a massive head approached.Malachi rubbed the undead’s head like it was a dog. Suddenly, coughing sound was heard.Malachi and everyone else turned around to see the body on the pavement actually moved. Monkey Monk cou
After Killing Thomassin, Malachi exited the carriage and saw corpses lying around with most of the carriages already shattered and broken.The two pleasure women that entertained Thomassin were also among the corpses.Colborn stood there, among the corpses, waiting for his next order. “Did you let anyone escape?” Malachi asked.Colborn grunted and shook his head.“Good.” Malachi raised his hand, and easily, souls came out of the corpses and flew around in the air. Most of them tried to run away, but a mysterious force manipulated their trajectory.[You have obtained 75 soul points]“Since you did a good job, I will reward you with 20 soul points.”Twenty pitiful souls were then pulled away. Colborn opened his mouth and the souls went in, wailing in desperation for freedom.After gulping the souls, Colborn underwent a small change in his form. The amount of souls weren’t enough to transform him to something else, but his strength did increase.Malachi was satisfied with his first unde
After the man revealed the elixir in hand, Malachi asked: “Before we make this deal, may I know your name?”“My name is Nick Gil. You probably won’t remember that name.”Malachi shrugged. “Perhaps, I won’t. But it’s courtesy to one each other’s names before we make a deal. My name is Malachi.”“Hm,” Nick Gil could care less about the courtesy. “Now give me the vial.”“You haven’t give me the elixir.”“You give the vial to me first, then I will hand you the elixir.”“No. What if you cheat me?”Nick Gil glared at him. “You think I am a liar?”‘You are,’ Malachi thought. “Alright, but you will need water to drink this vial. It’s very thick and heavy.”“I got a bottle of liquor with me.”With a sigh, Malachi threw the vial at him. “Now give me the elixir.”“Wait. I need to make sure this vial is legit.” Nick Gil downed the vial. Sure enough, it was quite thick and heavy. It felt like he was eating a mouthful of creamy porridge.He raised his liquor and drank it, making it easier for him
A cloaked figure at the end of the hall, obscured in darkness, acknowledged Malachi's presence. The figure, presumably one of the higher-ups in the syndicate, gestured for him to approach.Malachi walked with an air of confidence, his every step echoing in the cavernous space. Seraphina trailed gracefully beside him, her ethereal form adding an eerie ambiance to the surroundings.The cloaked figure spoke in a low, raspy voice. "Malachi, you have returned. Report your mission outcome."Malachi didn't waste words. He recounted the encounter with Thomassin and that he was confirmed dead.Right after that, Malachi went straight to the Shadowcraft Academy. There was actually no reason for Malachi to come here again, since he was basically a formal member now, although that was not official yet.But, the workshop here cost much cheaper than other places, and it was a very safe place for Malachi to do his experimentation. Entering the academy, Malachi navigated through dimly lit corridors
Malachi uncorked the enhanced elixir, revealing the mesmerizing glow within the crystalline liquid. Seraphina watched the elixir intensely.He raised the vial to his lips, his gloved hand steady. With a determined expression, he downed the elixir in a single gulp. As the elixir entered his system, an immediate surge of dark energy coursed through Malachi's veins. It was as if shadows themselves were awakening within him, swirling and coalescing around his essence. The magical effects began to manifest, both internally and externally. Seraphina’s eyes glittered. ‘The elixir has a very potent dark energy. How is he processing it without destroying his body?’Internally, Malachi felt a profound transformation. The dark energy infused every fiber of his being, intertwining with his own magical prowess. It resonated with his core, amplifying his innate abilities and drawing upon the latent power within him. His senses heightened, and he could perceive the ebb and flow of magic around hi
Varian felt a slight fear, and his hair stood on end for a moment when he saw Malachi's abyssal gaze. He quickly shook the thought away, attributing it to mere illusion or his own overactive imagination. After all, a young boy like him couldn't possibly possess any power that could unsettle a seasoned warrior like Varian. Ignoring the brief unease, Varian turned away and joined the rest of the team. The group gathered in a huddle as Quest Master provided details about the mission. "Miriella and her team decided to infiltrate the church upon hearing rumors about a powerful artifact hidden within," Quest Master revealed. "In her last communication, she mentioned uncovering crucial information but was subsequently ambushed. Our intelligence now suggests that the church in Peiros is a front for this item. Your mission remains to infiltrate the church, rescue Miriella, and retrieve any valuable information she might have obtained." “Using the church as a place to keep an item,” Lysand
Aldric, along with the two other priests, entered the chamber with an air of authority. The trio wore intricate white robes adorned with religious symbols, their expressions shifting from surprise to a subtle acknowledgment of the situation. “Who are you people?”Aldric's eyes locked onto Malachi, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Well, well, if it isn't Malachi. What brings you to our sacred chambers?" His tone dripped with sarcasm. Varian looked at Malachi weirdly, wondering how the priest knew him.Malachi, despite the dire circumstances, maintained his calm demeanor. "Just passing through, Aldric. It seems you've been busy." He gestured towards the fallen church members on the floor. The other two priests exchanged uneasy glances, clearly not expecting outsiders in their secret chamber. They clutched onto their holy symbols, their expressions a mix of suspicion and concern. Miriella, now freed from her chains, stepped forward. "Hehe. I did not expect you keep something l
After the unsettling events of the evening, Malachi made his way back to his room within the estate, his footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit corridors. Upon entering, he gracefully sank onto the bed, exhaling a calculated sigh of feigned exhaustion. He sprawled there, his posture a picture of weariness, yet his mind was anything but at rest. Malachi was acutely aware of the ever-watchful eyes that monitored his every move, invisible threads of scrutiny woven throughout the noble’s domain.No sooner had he settled than the door creaked open, revealing a maid pushing a cart laden with refreshments: a pitcher of fresh orange juice, an assortment of fruits, and an array of snacks. She approached with a quiet efficiency, placing the cart beside him with a deferential bow before turning to leave, her movements practiced and unobtrusive.Malachi’s gaze followed her departure, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, appreciating the predictable routine of hospitality—or perhaps, su
In the moonlit garden of the estate, an air of anticipation and amusement filled the air as Malachi and the tall, blonde nobleman faced each other. The gathering of nobles, drawn by the prospect of a light sparring session between the renowned Malachi and one of their own, stood around in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright glee.The nobleman, his rapier hanging elegantly at his waist, introduced himself with a flourish. “I am Lord Edric, a humble practitioner of the blade,” he said, his voice carrying a note of pride. He offered Malachi a slight nod, the gesture a subtle acknowledgment of respect typically given to a commoner by a noble.Malachi, understanding the nuances of the gesture, responded in kind. He bent his knees slightly and bowed his head, maintaining eye contact with Lord Edric. This posture indicated his respect for the noble’s status, yet it also conveyed his readiness to engage fully in the spar.As they prepared to begin, another nobl
As Malachi stepped into the grand hall of the estate, he was immediately struck by the opulence that surrounded him. The room was a dazzling array of colors and lights, filled with beautiful women in flowing gowns and handsome nobles in their finest attire. Each person there held a tall standing, rulers of their own territories, their power and influence palpable in the air.Surveying the room, Malachi couldn’t help but think that this gathering was much more significant than he had initially anticipated. The small, relatively poor town he had been staying in seemed an unlikely place to draw the attention of such high-ranking nobility. His reputation, it seemed, had spread far and wide, or perhaps these nobles were facing a threat so grave that they were willing to use any means to increase their odds of survival.As he mingled through the crowd, a noble approached him. The man carried himself with an air of authority and grace, his eyes sharp and assessing.“Master Malachi, it’s a
In the heart of the city, amidst the bustling training grounds, Malachi was deeply engaged in instructing a group of new recruits. His methods were unconventional, yet highly effective, drawing a crowd of onlookers who watched in awe. The children he had trained stood by, observing and learning from his every move.As Malachi demonstrated a complex maneuver, a soldier approached him, navigating through the crowd with a sense of purpose. The soldier, clad in the city’s guard uniform, carried himself with a respectful demeanor.“Master Malachi,” the soldier called out, drawing Malachi’s attention. The recruits paused, turning to witness the interaction.Malachi turned, his expression calm and inquisitive. “What is it?” he asked, his tone neither welcoming nor dismissive.The soldier bowed slightly, a sign of deep respect. “I bring a message for you, sir,” he said, extending his hand to present a magnificent letter. The envelope was adorned with gold embellishments, its craftsmanship ind
As Garrick, driven by a mix of rage and desperation, charged towards Malachi, the air around them seemed to crackle with tension. Malachi, his expression unchanging, calmly assessed his adversary. He knew the bandit leader was no match for him, but he also understood the importance of making a statement.In a fluid, almost effortless motion, Malachi extended his hand, summoning the shadows around him. A bolt of dark energy, pulsating with malevolent power, coalesced in his palm. With a flick of his wrist, he released the Dark Bolt, directing it straight at Garrick.The bolt tore through the air with a hiss, striking Garrick squarely in the chest. The impact was devastating, the dark energy consuming him in an instant. Garrick’s body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, a look of shock forever etched on his face.As Garrick fell, a notification flashed.[You have killed a bandit].[You have received 20 soul points]. These acknowledgments of his deed were mere formalities to Malachi, insi
The aftermath of the raid was a scene of chilling efficiency. The bandits, with ruthless precision, gathered the trembling women and herded them back to their camp. The night air was heavy with a mix of fear and resignation as the captives shuffled along, their futures uncertain.At the camp, the bandits, with a twisted sense of hospitality, allowed their captives to clean themselves. The women, still in shock, moved robotically, their minds numbed by the night’s horrors.As the women bathed under the watchful eyes of their captors, Malachi observed them with a detached curiosity. His gaze was analytical, searching for any sign of rebellion or escape plans. But all he saw were broken spirits and defeated bodies.Later, as the bandits gathered around a roaring fire, the leader, a burly man named Garrick, made his appearance. His eyes, dark and calculating, scanned the captives with a predatory gaze. “Well done, boys,” he praised his men. “A fine haul tonight.”Malachi, still in his dis
The city, usually bustling with the everyday clamor of its inhabitants, was blissfully unaware of the new threat lurking within its walls. A group of bandits, cunningly disguised as merchants, made their way through the city gates. The guards, diligent but unsuspecting, waved them through without a second glance. But the keen eyes of the street children, who had learned to notice the unusual in their daily struggle for survival, immediately sensed something amiss.Eli, one of the children who had recently started training under Malachi, narrowed his eyes as he watched the carriage trundle through the streets. “Something’s not right about them,” he muttered to his companions. The group of children, their curiosity piqued, decided to follow the disguised bandits at a safe distance.The carriage, instead of heading towards the bustling market square as one would expect from merchants, stopped at a restaurant near the military barracks. The bandits chose a table outside, ostensibly to enj
The following day dawned with a new challenge for the children under Malachi’s tutelage. As the sun rose, casting its golden rays over the barracks, Malachi led them into the dense forest where the soldiers were already engaged in a hunt. The soldiers, formidable and seasoned, moved with precision and confidence, hunting giant bears, wolves, and other fearsome beasts.“Watch closely,” Malachi instructed the children. “Observe their tactics, their coordination. There is much to learn from them.”The soldiers, aware of their young audience, seemed to take pride in their prowess. They displayed extravagant moves, working in pairs to efficiently track and take down their targets. Each move was a blend of strength and strategy, a dance between predator and prey.The children, wide-eyed with amazement, whispered among themselves, pointing out the soldiers’ techniques and the fluidity of their actions. They were particularly impressed by how even in the face of danger, the soldiers maintaine
After the refreshing bath in the lake, Malachi's demeanor shifted from nurturing to demanding. "Now, we run," he announced, his tone leaving no room for debate. The children, still catching their breath from the earlier exercise, exchanged weary glances but dutifully followed as Malachi set off at a steady pace.The run was grueling. Malachi led them over several kilometers of undulating hills, each ascent more challenging than the last. Then, without warning, he veered off towards a mountainous terrain. The children's legs burned with fatigue, their breaths shallow and rapid. The sun, now high in the sky, beat down mercilessly, adding to their exhaustion.Some of the children began to falter, their steps slowing, bodies slumping towards the ground. Voices of protest rose among them, pleading for a respite. Malachi, however, was unyielding. "Keep going," he commanded. "True warriors find strength even in their weakest moments. This training is not for the faint-hearted."His words, t