There was silence in the chamber and the aftermath was heavy and unmoving.
The chamber still carried the remaining battle which was between Shadow Necromancer Havron Dros and Veyron.
Now Halven Dros was gone. The shadows that once filled the ruin had faded.
And yet the air remained tense because all attention had shifted to Veyron. He was kneeling withered with pain of absorbing the powers from the Harvon Dros.
His head was lowered. His body surrounded by dense unstable energy that pulsed like a heartbeat.
Kael stood a few steps away his gaze fixed, unblinking.
"…Hold it Veyron, I chose you among the skeleton soldiers it means you are the exceptional, talented and strongest skeleton warrior."
His voice was calm, but firm.
Veyron's fingers dug into the cracked stone beneath him.
The energy surged again and then It stopped abruptly. The pressure that filled the chamber disappeared in an instant. Like something had been sealed or completed.
For a moment nothing moved.
Then Veyron slowly raised his head. His form had changed.
He stood up after absorbing all the shadow powers and he stood steady and controlled and the power which was inside his body was no longer unstable.
His presence, aura, his power had deepened.
Before it was cold, death energy and just in the evolved form but now
Now it was heavier, more refined and more… commanding.
The faint traces of dark energy no longer leaked uncontrollably. Instead, they moved with intention. Like an extension of his will.
Rodric narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…You've have changed Veyron and stronger."
Shen Yao didn't speak. But his gaze sharpened. Observing every detail.
Kael stepped forward.
"…Status."
Veyron didn't respond verbally. But the system did.
[Status Screen – Veyron]
[Name: Veyron
Class: Death Knight – Ascended Form
New Class: Shadow Death Knight
Rarity: Ancient
Level: 273
Attributes:
Strength: High
Defense: Very High
Control: Enhanced
Authority: Increased
Newly Acquired Skills:
1. Shadow Assimilation: Absorbs residual shadow energy to strengthen body and attacks.
2. Phantom Step: Allows short-range movement through shadow surfaces.
3. Soul Anchor: Stabilizes existence by binding external energies into a controlled core.
4. Necrotic Dominion (Enhanced): Increases influence over undead and shadow-based entities within range.]
Kael's eyes lingered on the screen.
"…You absorbed all his abilities."
Shen Yao exhaled softly.
"…Not only just absorbed he has integrated with it and fused with to create something new and I can feel something ancient within him."
Rodric looked at Veyron again.
"So now you command both the undead and the shadow."
Rodric was happy for his comrade, but he was feeling envy within, he started to feel something insecure and burden to his majesty if he doesn't get strong sooner.
'I will get stronger Veyron and always be the Right-wing commander of his majesty'
Veyron spoke calmly.
"Yes, I can feel it the power within me has gotten stronger and more refined"
Kael nodded once.
"Good my subordinate has got more stronger than me, I need to catch up to them sooner."
"No my majesty you are beyond us and we are just mere summons in front of you and always be loyal to you at any time and any cost and finally thank you for choosing me and made me this stronger, using my strength ill be your sword and shield to protect you at all times"
Kael was impressed and made Veyron to get up. But that was not the end the system started to stir something up once again.
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked]
["Conqueror of the Unseen Veil"
Description: Your summon have absorbed and dominated pure shadow essence without losing his body and mind. A feat deemed impossible by natural law.
Rewards:
1. +50% Control over all shadow-based abilities
2. Immunity to Shadow Corruption
3. Fear Aura (Passive): Weaker enemies experience dread in your presence
4. Title Unlocked: "Shadow Dominator"
Title: Shadow Dominator
Classification: Legendary Title
Type: Passive (Always Active)
Description: Grants absolute authority over shadow and undead entities, causing weaker ones to submit or hesitate. Provides immunity to shadow corruption and boosts all shadow-based abilities. Enemies affected by fear take increased damage, with a chance to rise as loyal shadow servants upon death]
But that was not the end there was still more.
[Hidden Class Evolution Achieved]
[Death Knight → Shadow Reaper Knight
Classification: Hidden Ancient Class
Rarity: Ancient
Class Traits Unlocked:
1. Soul Severing Attacks: Damage affects both body and soul
2.Shadow Step Dominion: Instant movement through connected shadows
3. Reaper's Claim (Passive): Enemies killed have a chance to become shadow thralls
4. Domain of Dusk (Locked Skill): Unlock at higher mastery]
Kael was beyond shocked because of he messages popped by the system because Veyron has achieved a Hidden ancient class and the reward and the skills obtained was like a protagonist he was isekaied to a new world and with that skills he would dominate the world.
'I never thought of Ancient classes and its evolution and its all thanks to Halvon Dros, now when I think about It can Rodric get a hidden class as well and If he does and if we create a guild, we are an unstoppable force'.
After Kael seen everything about Veyron, they didn't stay long after that.
There was nothing left to see because all was achieved here and the source was gone.
The shadows had dissipated.
The ruin was just a ruin again.
As they stepped out the forest no longer felt oppressive. The cold presence had vanished.
Even the air felt lighter.
Rodric glanced around.
"…It's over."
Kael looked toward the distant eastern village.
"No."
"…Not yet."
By the time they returned word had already spread. The villagers who once hid behind locked doors now stood outside. At the beginning they were cautious, uncertain but were watching for Kael's return
Kael walked forward towards the village and other than Veyron and Rodric there were no guards in front of him and there was no display of force, just the presence was enough to create the confidence around.
The same old man from before stepped forward.
"…The monster It's gone?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
Silence, the man looked at him for a long moment.
Then he bowed slowly, not out of fear but out of respect to Kael and his subordinates.
Others followed one by one. The tension that had gripped the village for so long finally broke.
Relief spread all over the village like a wave.
Shen Yao watched quietly.
"…You didn't just remove the threat. You restored their trust."
Kael acknowledged about what his master said and moved towards somewhere important.
Before leaving the region, they made one final stop that was the mayor's residence.
It was Halven's former base but now It had been abandoned and quiet.
Inside everything remained untouched. The Documents, reports, records.
Kael walked through the room slowly. He was scanning and Observing for any important piece to solve everything.
Rodric picked up one of the files.
"…Requests for aid for his daughter."
And the response for it "…Denied."
Shen Yao flipped through multiple documents.
"…Repeated patterns."
"…This wasn't sudden."
Kael stopped.
Looking at a particular report.
"…He did try but all was denied."
And they also found his research papers regarding the shadow necromancer, but how did he find it and from where?.
Rodric remained silent. Because the truth was clear. Halven had not started as a monster. He had become one, slowly, step by step through failure, through neglect, through desperation.
Kael closed the document.
"…That doesn't justify it."
Shen Yao nodded.
"But it explains everything about him and the eastern sector."
Kael turned.
"That's enough."
The journey back was quiet which was not tense and tired from the journey. The feeling of resolved from the journey that's made the journey peaceful.
The eastern region no longer felt broken. The fear had lifted.
The system had been satisfied.
But Kael knew this wasn't just about completing a task. It was about control, responsibility and consequences.
By the time they reached the royal castle everything was already in motion.
Reports came in messengers arrived. Updates confirmed stability.
The eastern region was recovering.
Kael didn't rest, he didn't delay. He sat in the throne room once more.
But this time not as someone unfamiliar with the role but as someone who understood it.
"Report."
Officials stepped forward one by one. Kael listened carefully to every issue, detail of every problem of eastern region and the problems left behind by Halvan Dros.
Then he began by giving orders which was clear, direct, effective.
Kael redistributed the resources, Deployed protection units to the eastern region, He Replaced of corrupt officials who spread the rumours about his daughter and trying to make benefits for themselves, establishment of monitoring systems and also awareness about the curses and knowledge about the diseases where every diseases is not a curse and treat every human being as one.
Rodric handled military execution. Veyron maintained control over remaining shadow disturbances.
Shen Yao Observed everything and occasionally smiled.
"…You've adapted faster than expected in your role as a king."
Kael looked at him.
"I don't understand the role of the king yet and I'm not fit for it yet, but I'll try my best"
Days passed.
Then change followed. The eastern region is stabilized. Villages reopened. Trade resumed. People returned to normal life. Laughter replaced silence. Movement replaced fear.
And slowly the kingdom returned to balance.
Kael stood on the balcony overlooking the city which was quiet and he was watching in a relaxed manner
Shen Yao stepped beside him.
"…That's one problem solved for this floor and I think this is the end."
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
"…What's next?"
As if answering him the system activated.
[26th Floor – Kingdom Trial Completed]
[Objective Achieved: Kingdom Stabilized]
[Result: SUCCESS]
A brief silence followed.
Then new notifications appeared.
[Rewards Granted:
Authority Increased
Strategic Insight Enhanced
Command Influence Expanded]
Kael's eyes scanned the messages.
Then another one appeared.
[Transition Initiated]
[Next Phase: 27th Floor Challenge]
The atmosphere shifted around him physically and also perceptibly.
Something had changed.
The trial for the next floor is going to begin
Shen Yao exhaled softly.
"…So it continues."
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"…Of course it does that's what the system says."
The throne room remained the same. The kingdom remained intact. But the feeling was different.
He could sense it the next problem would not be the same. Would not be simple. Would not be contained.
Rodric stepped forward.
"Awaiting orders my majesty."
Veyron stood silently beside him stronger than before.
Shen Yao watched he was curious, interested on what next.
Kael turned looking at all of them, he was proud of himself of seeing hi master who guide him every time and his summons where they get stronger every time and it reminds him to get catch up to them quickly.
Then he spoke calmy like a king with an aura emitting from him
"…We prepare."
"…Because whatever comes next…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…won't be this easy."
The system remained silent.
But the challenge had already begun.