My Dark Devil System

System Reminder: 652 days remaining until your soul is claimed.

Nightmare Gauge: 53%

SP Total: 76

Watcher Entities Alerted: 1

Chapter 10 – The Eyes in the Ash

Smoke still drifted in wisps from Kael's cloak as he and Tenn emerged from the Vault of Heirlock. The flame-mark on Kael's neck pulsed faintly—icy to the touch, yet burning beneath the skin.

System Alert: External force detected.

Scanning...

Then the world paused.

Not literally—but a tension snapped into place, like the sky holding its breath. Even Tenn felt it, spinning to look at the empty path they'd just left.

"Kael," he muttered. "We're being watched."

Kael didn't respond. He didn't need to.

Because he could see it—a figure cloaked in void, leaning against a distant stone pillar, faceless, without aura or emotion. A Watcher.

System Notification – Interference Detected

You have breached the First Flame and awakened a Sub-System.

Contract Host is now under passive surveillance.

Watcher Entity: Umbriel, Warden of Lost Systems

Affiliation: ???

Threat Level: Unclassified

A voice followed—not from the figure, but from within Kael's own mind.

"You tamper with strings that fray the tapestry, Oathbreaker."

Kael's fist clenched. "Speak plainly, shadow."

"You break your chains not to be free, but to become a better warden. Interesting."

The figure vanished in a blink. No flash. No smoke. Just gone.

System Message:

A hidden quest has been initiated.

🕯️ Quest: The Hidden Chains

Objective: Learn the nature of the Watcher Umbriel. Discover who created your system—and why.

Reward: ???

Risk: ???

Scene – The Return to Ashvale

Tenn was silent the entire walk back. He didn't ask questions. Kael didn't offer answers. But the boy's eyes lingered on Kael's back longer now, his steps more cautious.

By the time they reached the outskirts of Ashvale, smoke was already in the air—but not from Kael.

Ashvale Village – Under Attack

The scent of burning wood and panic drifted on the wind. Kael's lips curled into a grim smile.

"Looks like sin walks before I do."

They crested a hill overlooking the town—and saw three figures wreathed in flames, armor cracked and inhuman, moving like devils in metal skin.

Tenn gasped. "That's the Inquisition. Tier-2 Purifiers."

System Note: These enemies specialize in purging corrupted entities. Their abilities are specifically dangerous to system holders and pact-bearers.

Kael's eye flared red with system light. "Good. I need the SP."

Mini-Boss Encounter – Tier-2 Purifiers (3x)

HP: 14,000 each

Abilities:

Purging Spear: Burns system-enhanced tissue.

Soul Brand: Interrupts devil transformations.

Holy Seal Barrage: Slows time for nearby corrupted beings.

Kael didn't wait.

[Infernal Surge] – A trail of fire followed as he blitzed into the middle of the Purifiers, flames coiling from his fists.

[Blazing Dominion] – The ground erupted into cursed flame, trapping one of them in a burning circle.

Tenn took cover but watched intently—learning.

The first purifier swung with a spear of light—only to hit nothing.

[Echo Step]

Kael appeared behind him and drove his palm into the back of the man's head.

[Hellfire Pulse Lv.2]

Critical Hit – 9,700 Damage

Burn Status Applied

Another purifier yelled, casting Soul Brand—a glowing symbol forming midair.

Kael snarled. His [Seething Core] charged. He didn't even dodge.

He took the hit—let his HP drop—and then:

[Fury Meter Activated – x1.5 Damage Boost]

[Blazing Ruin Fist: Oathbreaker Variant]

"You're not purging anything today."

His punch shattered the man's ribcage—devil flame burning even holy protection.

System Update: Mini-Bosses Defeated

+30 SP

Special Drop: Inquisitor's Flamebrand

Special Note: Killing Purifiers increases corruption but grants bonus SP

Alignment Shift: Slightly toward Damnation

Nightmare Gauge: +6% → 59%

Scene – Aftermath and Reflection

The villagers peeked from behind rubble. They didn't cheer. They didn't run.

They stared.

At the boy who slaughtered the Inquisition's chosen. At the blood-soaked figure cloaked in smoke.

One of them whispered the name like a curse:

"Vireth…"

Kael didn't correct them.

He just turned to Tenn. "We move at dusk."

"Where to now?" Tenn asked.

Kael looked beyond the hills—toward the dark, mountainous ruins of the Obsidian Scar.

"To find others like me. Forgotten. Abandoned. Those ready to sign their souls for a better lie."

📜 System Summary – Chapter 10

SP Gained: +30 (Total: 106)

Abilities Used: Hellfire Pulse Lv.2, Infernal Surge, Blazing Dominion, Echo Step, Blazing Ruin Fist, Seething Core

New Weapon: Inquisitor's Flamebrand (can be corrupted or reforged)

Alignment Drift: Slight Damnation

Nightmare Gauge: 59%

New Quest: The Hidden Chains (Track Umbriel)

Watcher Alert Level: 1

Days Remaining: 652

End of Chapter 10