The cool night air caressed David's chest as it passed over the estate's stone walls, carrying with it the fresh scent of dew settling on the grass. His black shirt billowed loosely around him, open at the front, allowing the breeze to kiss his skin. The night was calm, yet the weight of the earlier gathering still hung in the air. The assembly had been dismissed, but David's mind was racing.
As the Earl had instructed, David, Ashley, and Noelle were to meet with him on a later date to claim their personal wishes. The promise lingered in the back of David's thoughts, but his focus had already shifted. The Earl had also declared that the coming-of-age trials would continue, despite the significant loss of contestants. He had vowed to personally oversee them, ensuring the safety of those who remained. The gravity of the situation hung over the estate, but for David, the future was all about power.
The trials, the gathering, the title—
—all of it was a step toward his true goal. Time was slipping through his fingers, and soon, his stay at the estate would come to an end. The night sky above was vast, the stars twinkling like diamonds, but David's eyes were on something more tangible.
With a flick of his fingers, a holographic window appeared before him, the familiar glow of the system interface bathing his face in a soft blue light. His lips curled into a broad, satisfied smile.
[Dimension Coins: 100,000,000]
The number seemed surreal, a staggering wealth that had been his reward for clearing the system's main quest. The sheer volume of coins at his disposal was a fortune beyond imagining, yet David knew better than to become complacent. This wealth wouldn't last forever, not with the way the system priced its items. He had learned long ago that the power granted by the system came at a steep cost. The best items were not only rare but exorbitantly expensive.
But now, with the title and his newfound standing, David had the means to take his strength to the next level. The Earl's recognition of him, the trials that lay ahead—none of it mattered if he wasn't prepared for what was coming next.
David's fingers glided effortlessly across the system's interface, eyes scanning the rows of sections the system had. He pondered his next move carefully. A new weapon would make carving through his enemies easier, but he'd already mastered the Frostfang daggers to a certain extent. The feel of them in his grip, the precision they offered, was second nature now.
"Maybe armour?" he mused aloud, redirecting his attention to the armour section. His eyes flicked through various sets—each more intricate than the last—until something strange caught his attention.
There it was, gleaming like an anomaly in the grid:
The armour looked alive. It wasn't just forged metal or enchanted leather. It pulsed, a dark, liquid substance that seemed to move with a will of its own. It wasn't just armor; it was as if the shadows themselves had been captured, shifting and swirling in endless patterns.
Intrigued, David focused on the name, and a small description unfurled before him:
[Armor Description: Noctis Sovereign's very flesh, a living, breathing part of him. When he made his pact with the -//////-, he was reborn as an entity caught between worlds, no longer fully -//////-. His body became a living conduit of darkness, allowing him to wield shadow as both a weapon and a shield. His skin, once -//////-, was replaced by the ever-shifting veil of night, marking him as a force beyond -//////-.]
David's jaw dropped. Armour crafted from the flesh of a god? It was hard to fathom. The sheer magnitude of that statement sent his mind into overdrive. Yet, something gnawed at the back of his thoughts—the system's description had blurred sections, vital parts of the story hidden from him. Why were the most critical details obscured? What was being withheld about Noctis Sovereign?
'I wonder if the system will reveal those missing sections if I purchase the armour?'
David thought, tempted. The allure of power was undeniable, but he fought back the urge to immediately hit the buy button. His fingers hesitated, scrolling further to see if anything else might catch his eye.
But after browsing through other armour sets, nothing came close to the
It was as if the system itself had handpicked the armour for him. The others felt… ordinary in comparison, lacking the eerie, living essence of this set.
"Why isn't it that expensive?" David muttered under his breath, suspicion creeping into his mind. Something this powerful, this otherworldly, shouldn't be so affordable costing only 80,000,000 DC. It was as though fate—or the system—was pushing him toward making this decision. The question loomed:
Was this truly a gift? Or was it a trap?
"Damn it," he cursed softly, battling his indecision.
Finally, with a resigned sigh, David focused on the buy tab. The moment he pressed it, a shimmering blue light enveloped his skin, feeling almost like liquid silk as it molded to his body. It wasn't just armour—it felt like an extension of himself, as though the shadows had embraced him, becoming part of his very essence.
The strange sensation of wearing a second skin clung to his senses, but his thoughts raced ahead. Quickly, he navigated to the [Inventory Section], eager to uncover any additional clues about the armour's origins and the obscured sections of the description.
Before David could delve into the mysterious description of the
the doors to his balcony swung open, and Luna stepped out with her signature grace. Her voice was calm yet commanding, "I have called them, Master."
David blinked, recalling that he had asked Luna to summon his partners, a request he had completely forgotten in the enigma of his new armour. Shaking off his distraction, he turned just in time to see the women stepping onto the balcony, each clad in delicate night dresses that left him momentarily breathless. The soft moonlight highlighted their elegance, captivating him more than he cared to admit.
But before David could admire them any further, Shay, always the boldest, darted forward. Without a word, she flung her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him in a tight embrace. Her familiar warmth sent a wave of comfort through him.
"Fox," Vivian muttered under her breath, casting a sharp look at Shay before making her own move. She swooped in, hugging David from the side, staking her claim with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Katrina, not one to be left behind, saw her chance to claim David's other side. But just as she was about to make her move, Seraphina beat her to it, gracefully slipping in and resting her head on his shoulder. Katrina clicked her tongue in frustration, but her competitive spirit flared as she spotted one last opening—David's back was still undefended.
Just as she stepped forward, Luna, ever vigilant, melted into the shadows and reappeared at David's back, leaning against him with an air of smug victory. "Hmph," Luna scoffed, glancing at Katrina with a triumphant smile.
Utterly defeated, Katrina threw her hands up in frustration, muttering curses under her breath. She stood there, fuming but quickly calming herself. She folded her arms, giving David a look that said she wasn't pleased but wouldn't fight over it. "So, why did you call for us?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of irritation. The frustration was evident in her tone, though she masked it well.
Seraphina, however, seemed to understand David's intentions without needing to ask. Even as she clung to him, she cast a protective veil around them, ensuring that whatever was about to be discussed would remain between them. The shimmering barrier rippled softly, sealing them off from prying eyes and ears.
David, surrounded by his women, felt a deep sense of connection. They weren't just his partners—they were his strength, each one vital to his journey. He smiled, knowing that this moment wasn't just about strategy or power. It was about trust, about the bonds they had forged through trials and triumphs. With the protective veil ensuring their privacy, David knew it was time to share his plans, and maybe, just maybe, reveal the secrets behind his real intention in this world.
As the night breeze continued to play against his skin, David finally felt ready to speak.
David took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment as all eyes remained on him. The warmth of their touch, their trust, gave him the courage to speak.
"I'm leaving the estate," he said, his voice calm yet firm.
A stunned silence fell over the group. Shay loosened her grip slightly, her eyes widening in disbelief. Vivian blinked, her usual playful expression replaced by shock. Seraphina looked up at him, her composure faltering.
"What?" Katrina whispered, her voice breaking the tense silence, echoing the confusion they all felt.