Chapter 10 – The World That Bleeds Magic
The wind howled as Aayu and Mara departed from the hidden vault beneath the Magic Tower, emerging from an abandoned sewer exit miles from the city's walls. Behind them, the rising sun cast golden light over Velaria, but Aayu felt no warmth. The truth now lay before him like a map written in fire and blood.
Twelve Demon Kings.
Twelve keys.
And a sealed gate that, if opened, would end the world.
He didn't know why he had been chosen. But the image of the silver-armored woman's warning burned in his mind like a brand. The world thought it ran on divine favor, noble bloodlines, and royal decrees. But beneath all that pomp and power, something far older beat like a war drum.
As they made camp near a quiet forest creek, Mara brewed a rough tea over a crackling flame. Aayu stared into the water's reflection, watching ripples distort his face. The silence between them lingered until Mara finally broke it.
"You should understand the world you're trying to save," she said. "Properly. Not just what the Church or the Tower teaches."
Aayu nodded. "Tell me."
She sipped the tea and began.
"There are four continents across the known world. Each one governed by power, but not in the same way. Here, in Aeskarion, kings rule through noble bloodlines, but real strength lies with factions: the Holy Church, the Magic Tower, and the Adventurer Association."
Aayu listened, taking it in.
"The Holy Church claims divine origin," she continued. "They serve a pantheon of gods—Avallion, the god of Order; Meya, goddess of Mercy; and others. But in truth? The Church has secrets. They hoard relics, silence dissent, and long ago, they hunted the bearers of Systems."
Aayu's gaze sharpened. "They know about us."
"They always have," she said. "They helped wipe out the last generation."
She didn't linger.
"The Magic Tower hoards knowledge. They classify all known magic into four branches: Elemental, Enchantment, Summoning, and Forbidden. And every mage falls into one or more Affinity Circles based on their soul's composition."
Aayu raised an eyebrow. "Circles?"
"Every living being has a Core—a pool of energy that shapes their power," Mara explained. "The stronger your core, the more Circles you unlock. Most mages in Velaria can reach Second Circle magic in their lifetime. Third is rare. Fourth? Reserved for archmages."
"And the Adventurer Association?"
"Balance keepers," Mara said. "They issue quests, regulate monster hunts, and act as a neutral party between kingdoms. They rank individuals with Bronze to Platinum licenses based on combat feats and recorded stats. Beyond Platinum is Mythic. I've only met one Mythic-ranked adventurer in my life."
Aayu processed the layers of power. But still, none of these groups could explain what he had.
"And the Systems?" he asked softly.
Mara hesitated. "The Systems don't come from gods. Or science. They're…" She struggled to find the word. "Catalysts. Anchors from another realm, maybe. Each bearer only gets one. They're built differently depending on the individual. I've only heard of six known Systems besides yours."
"Any names?"
She nodded. "There's a man in the northern republics who can rewrite time for ten seconds once a day. Another in the eastern continent who summons constructs from an alternate plane. A woman in the Ashen Isles controls probability—some say she never loses a coin toss."
Aayu leaned forward. "And me?"
Mara locked eyes with him.
"You have the Shop."
It hung in the air like a judgment.
"No one knows how deep it goes," she continued. "But they say the one with the Shop can buy destiny itself. Power, traits, even rerolls of fate—if they have the Store Points. And that makes you the most hunted man alive."
Aayu's jaw clenched.
He opened his Status Window again.
> [Status Window — Aayu]
Level: 13
Core Type: Hybrid (Mana + System)
Affinity: None detected
Store Points: 570
Traits:
– Keen Intellect (Rare)
– Danger Sense (Uncommon)
– Night Prowler (Uncommon)
– Shadow Veil (Rare)
Skills:
– Echo Sense (Uncommon)
– Silent Step (Uncommon)
– Inspect (Common)
Title: The Chosen of the Shop
Daily Missions Completed: 9
Current Shop Tier: 1
Unlock Progress: 76%
Only 76% toward the next tier.
He had to get stronger. Fast.
But the world wouldn't give him time. Demon Kings were waking. And if even one key fell into enemy hands, the Gate could break open.
Aayu exhaled.
"We need to move soon. You said the first seal is in the Scorched Wastes?"
Mara nodded grimly. "Badlands beyond the Eastern Wall. No official territory. But they say an Old King sleeps there—buried under the ash of dead cities."
Aayu stood and packed his blade.
"Then that's where we go."
Mara's voice was quiet. "If the first Demon King awakens… are you ready to fight?"
He paused.
"No," he admitted. "But I will be."
As the fire dimmed and the sun rose fully, Aayu looked east—toward the scorched horizon where fate waited. Every force in the world was moving. Churches. Towers. Systems.
And he would meet them all.
One Demon King at a time.