Sera didn't argue, but she did appear doubtful. She approached Dain first, drawing out a coil of magical rope. This time, the prince did not object. But there was still fire in his eyes.
Kael could already hear footsteps approaching from a distance as he turned toward the exit.
More security.
The whole fortress would be swarming in a matter of minutes.
———
[DING!!!]
[QUEST TAB UNLOCKED]
———
Kael froze as the holographic screen of the system flickered into view.
———
[SYSTEM QUEST: Trial of Morality]
Quest Type: Trial Quest
Difficulty: F+
Objective: Decide the fate of the captive royals and clear the third level of the dungeon.
*
*
OPTION 1: Break the Chains, Break the Cycle
Action: Rescue the royals and expose the conspiracy, dismantling the war's foundation.
Outcome: The war may end, but you and your allies will become enemies of both kingdoms.
Rewards:
Title: "Oathbreaker of Tyranny" (Increases persuasion against corrupt leaders below Lvl 15)
Skill: "Tactician's Instinct" (Boosts battle awareness and strategy execution)
Item: "Shadowcloak" (Reduces enemy detection when infiltrating hostile zones)
*
*
OPTION 2: Let the War Burn
Action: Leave the royals imprisoned and manipulate the war to your advantage.
Outcome: The conflict continues, but you gain an increase in strength.
Rewards:
Title: "The Warborn" (Increases reputation among warriors and mercenaries)
Skill: "Master of Lies" (Enhances deception and information gathering)
Item: "War Council Sigil" (Boosts chances of secret dealings with faction leaders)
*
*
OPTION 3: Blood for Peace
Action: Execute the royals to sever the war's justification, forcing both kingdoms to negotiate a peace treaty.
Outcome: The war may shift toward peace but at the cost of your morality and public perception.
Rewards:
Title: "The Silent Blade" (Increases assassination efficiency by 20% against opponents twenty levels above you)
Skill: "Merciless Resolve" (Boosts damage against high-ranking enemies)
Item: "Obsidian Knife Set" (A cursed set of five throwing knives that deals stacking poison damage)
SYSTEM WARNING: To be completed within 2 hours after selecting an option. And keep in mind, "There is no true justice—only the justice you create. Choose wisely."
Selection time frame ends in: 00:59:58]
———
Kael gazed at the holographic screen that was blazing before him. The words burned into his head as the system interface flickered dimly.
"A Quest."
It was his first since reincarnating.
Despite everything being chaotic—the far-off clash of swords, the stomping footsteps of oncoming guards—Kael experienced a chilly silence.
He took a long breath and his silver eyes scanned the options once again.
The first option is meant to free the royals and expose the conspiracy behind the war. It was the righteous choice, but it would turn him into a fugitive. Both kingdoms would hunt him and his team down within a specific time frame.
The second option suggests that he leave them here and use the war to his advantage. It meant gaining power by leveling up with the war and increasing his influence within the adventurer's cycle. But it also meant more bloodshed—and those who died in the crossfire wouldn't be enemies alone.
The third option meant literally that, to spill blood for peace. To erase the reason for war itself. No heirs. No leaders. No justification to keep fighting. A clean end. But it would paint his reputation in a darkness that would never wash away.
Kael flexed his fingers around his dagger. His mind swirled, but his heart stayed calm.
"Now, what option do I choose? The rewards are also a bit too enticing for a Lvl 5 Awakened like me." he pondered.
"Kael"
A harsh whisper interrupted his thoughts.
"This is not something we have time for," Mira said.
She was standing near the exit while holding her staff defensively as Sera finished tying up the last of the royals. Her stormy eyes flicked to the blue screen—though she couldn't see it.
All she could see was Kael frozen in place, motionless.
"Kael?"
He made himself concentrate.
One hour.
He only had that much time to decide on this. In actuality, however, he had only a few minutes until this whole fortress crashed upon them with raging guards from the two nations.
He closed the screen for the moment and took a sharp breath. The quest for the system would wait. He had to keep them alive right now.
BANG!
At the end of the hall, the huge doors exploded open. Soldiers from the Fire Kingdom poured in.
Kael moved on instinct.
He lunged, his dagger glittering in the faint torchlight. Before the closest soldier could react, Kael's sword found the vulnerable spot between his armor plates, delivering a swift and lethal strike to the throat.
The stone floor was splattered with squirts of blood.
Mira's primal energy crackled as she pushed her staff forward, sending a lightning strike through the hallway.
The blue destructive energy arced between the enemies, causing their bodies to convulse before collapsing into smoldering armor piles.
Sera made precise movements. Her bowstring hummed, and three arrows found their marks—neck, chest, and eye.
Three soldiers fell before they could raise their weapons. But there was more on the way.
Kael cursed under his breath. "We can't hold this position for long."
Mira nodded. "Then we run?"
Kael's eyes flicked to the tied-up royals. They weren't resisting, but they weren't exactly eager to follow either. Especially not the hardheaded Elira.
She looked on with her large eyes, curious to know what he would do.
Kael clicked his tongue hatefully. "Get moving!"
They took off running.
Stone corridors blurred past them. Kael led the way, his mind calculating routes faster than his feet moved.
The fortress was designed to be a prison as much as a stronghold—there were high walls, limited exits, and traps meant to keep people in.
He needed an escape route.
The alarm bells shrieked behind them. Shouts reverberated against the stone as more soldiers arrived from all sides.
Kael gritted his teeth. They were getting boxed in.
Sera fired arrows mid-stride, taking down the soldiers who got too close. Mira unleashed another wave of lightning, frying the enemy's torches and plunging half the halls into darkness.