The wind howled through the twisted branches of the Forest of Black Ash, a mournful sound that adventurers likened to the wails of the damned. At the edge of this forbidding expanse, a group of knights, mages, and mercenaries gathered under the banner of the legendary hero Kael Draeven, a man hailed as the savior of the kingdom. Among them was Eren Kaelis, a frail and unremarkable young noble trailing at the back, struggling to keep up.
Eren was far from what anyone would call a hero. His dull brown hair hung limply around his gaunt face, and his skinny frame was barely supported by the weight of his travel pack. Mockery followed him like a shadow, clinging to him even here, on the brink of the kingdom's most dangerous territory.
"Hey, Eren!" called one of the knights in gleaming armor, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "If you get lost here, don't worry—we won't bother looking for you. The forest loves swallowing the weak."
Laughter rippled through the group. Eren kept his head down, gripping his tattered cloak tighter around himself, his jaw clenched. Inside, anger smoldered, but he swallowed it as always. He hadn't volunteered for this mission. His family had sent him, hoping to salvage their tarnished reputation by placing their son under the protection of the famed Kael Draeven.
But protection was the last thing he felt in the presence of these men.
The Betrayal
As night fell, the group set up camp near an ancient stone altar covered in strange runes. The flickering flames of their campfire cast long, dancing shadows that seemed alive, writhing against the gnarled trees. Eren volunteered to take the first watch, hoping for a moment of solitude away from the sneering faces of his comrades.
Hours passed. The forest seemed unnaturally silent, as if holding its breath. Eren's thoughts were interrupted by soft footsteps behind him. Before he could turn, a gloved hand clamped over his mouth, and cold steel pressed against his throat.
"You'll forgive me for this," murmured Kael Draeven, his voice devoid of emotion. His strong, shadowed features betrayed no regret. "The forest demands a sacrifice for safe passage, and you're the most… expendable."
Eren's eyes widened in shock as he saw the others standing silently in the firelight, their gazes averted. None of them protested. Some looked ashamed, others indifferent, but not a single one intervened.
"Goodbye, Eren." Kael's tone was as final as the shove that sent Eren tumbling backward into the forest.
He hit the ground hard, roots and stones tearing into his skin. His ears rang from the impact, and pain radiated from his ribs as he gasped for air. By the time he raised his head, the glow of their campfire was already fading into the distance, leaving him alone in the oppressive darkness of the forest.
The Awakening of the System
Bleeding and barely able to move, Eren crawled toward the hollow of a tree, seeking shelter. His vision blurred, and the world tilted dangerously around him. He was dying. There was no doubt in his mind.
Then, just as he was about to succumb to unconsciousness, a faint, silvery glow appeared before him, coalescing into floating words.
[Infernal Evolution System Activated][Welcome, Eren Kaelis. Your survival depends on your choices. Will you accept your first quest?]
Quest: Defeat a Deformed Crow. Reward: +10 Strength.
Eren blinked, certain he was hallucinating. Was this death playing tricks on him? The letters floated persistently in the air, waiting.
Another sound broke through the silence—a guttural, inhuman squawk that sent chills down his spine. Through the gloom, he spotted it: a monstrous bird, its form twisted and grotesque, with eyes that glowed faintly red. The Deformed Crow was perched on a branch above, staring hungrily at him.
"...Yes," Eren rasped. His voice was barely a whisper, but the moment he spoke, the glowing letters shifted.
[Quest Accepted. Good luck, survivor.]
The First Battle
The Deformed Crow swooped down, its talons gleaming in the faint moonlight. Eren grabbed the nearest branch—a crude weapon at best—and swung wildly. The bird dodged, slashing at his arm, leaving a jagged gash.
Panic surged through him, but so did adrenaline. He forced himself to focus, lunging with the branch. This time, it connected, striking the creature's wing. The crow screeched in pain, flapping wildly, and Eren seized the opportunity to drive the branch into its chest with all his remaining strength.
The creature collapsed, its glowing eyes fading as it let out one last shriek. Eren fell to his knees, panting and trembling. Then, the silver letters appeared again.
[Quest Completed. Reward Earned: +10 Strength.]
Warmth spread through his body, mending his wounds and flooding him with new energy. His arms felt sturdier, his grip stronger. For the first time in his life, Eren felt a flicker of hope.
The Transformation Begins
Days turned into weeks. Eren, guided by the strange system, fought his way through the forest, slaying spectral wolves, ghouls, and even a towering root golem. Each victory brought him strength, speed, and skill beyond anything he had ever imagined.
One fateful night, after defeating a serpent as large as a tree, the system flashed a new notification.
[Special Condition Fulfilled. Transformation Initiated.]
An unbearable heat coursed through his veins, like molten metal being poured into his very soul. He fell to the ground, writhing in pain as his body was torn apart and rebuilt. When the agony subsided, Eren stood on shaky legs and caught his reflection in a nearby pool of dark water.
His dull brown hair had turned snow-white, cascading around his shoulders like silk. His golden eyes glowed faintly, and his features, once plain and forgettable, were now impossibly sharp and beautiful—like those of an angel fallen from grace. His aura was no longer weak and pitiable. It was commanding, dangerous, and terrifying.
[Title Unlocked: Prince of Shadows.][New Abilities Acquired: Shadow Manipulation, Minor Summoning.]
Eren clenched his fists, watching the shadows around him writhe in response to his will. He was no longer the weakling they had left behind. He was something else entirely.
And he was going to make them pay.
To Be Continued…