Lord Of The Lost

The battle had been fierce, but the rewards were equally substantial. The black magicians, despite their dark arts, had provided a significant boost in experience points. William, having fought alongside his companions, gained nearly a hundred experience points from the encounter. The Gambler, who had fought with characteristic recklessness and strength, shot up to level 8. Meanwhile, Metatron, ever the careful strategist, was on the verge of reaching level 7.

William, however, had held back deliberately during the final blows. He chose not to deliver the killing strike to the black magicians, avoiding absorbing their extraordinary characteristics. His talent, 'Killing to Prove the Way', allowed him to grow stronger by absorbing the essence of those he defeated, but he knew that there were risks involved. By not taking their lives, he avoided the burden of dealing with those powers and, as a result, didn't enhance his own three-dimensional attributes, something that gave him a pang of regret.

The quality of the three black magicians they had faced had been exceptionally high, particularly the level 17 mage. His mental strength had been overwhelming, a terrifying force to reckon with. Absorbing such powerful extraordinary characteristics would have been tempting, but William knew better. While their abilities could have given him a significant boost, absorbing those powers too quickly carried dangers he wasn't willing to face in the middle of Shadow Castle.

He wasn't certain he could fully absorb their powers without consequences. If he tried and failed, or if the powers clashed with the ones already awakening inside him, it could leave him vulnerable at the worst possible moment. And if the powers did merge with his own, he'd be forced to endure the excruciating process of stripping them away. The pain would be unbearable, and it wasn't just physical; it could lead to a period of weakness, something he could not afford in this hostile environment.

William silently cursed his talent's domineering nature. 'Killing to Prove the Way' was a powerful ability, but it came with heavy costs. The Wolf Lord of the Black Forest had agreed to help him suppress its more dangerous aspects, but creating the necessary magic items for this task would take time. He'd have to wait until the next full moon to receive the aid he needed. Until then, he would have to remain cautious, avoiding unnecessary risks.

---

Aside from the experience points, the group had also gathered several valuable items from the fallen magicians. They had collected three finely-crafted staffs, along with potions, magical trinkets, and a manuscript that caught the Forum Master's eye. Upon closer examination, he realized that the manuscript was a record of the level 15 black magician's own notes and mastery of magic. It was a detailed guide that could help beginners gain a foothold in the world of magic.

"This is a 'Book of Magical Experience'," the Forum Master explained, flipping through the manuscript. "It can help someone quickly get started with magic. A rare find."

The three magical staffs they collected were particularly valuable. Each staff could enhance the wielder's casting speed and boost the power of their spells. These weren't ordinary weapons but finely-tuned magical items, more precious than typical fine-grade weapons.

However, among the five of them, only the Forum Master had any experience with magic, having learned the 'Lightning Link' spell. The most powerful of the three staffs had belonged to the level 17 black magician, and it was agreed that the Forum Master would take it for now. The others would keep it in mind for future battles and training, but it was only practical to give it to the one who could use it to its fullest potential.

The group had made a prior agreement: all spoils would be collected and divided according to contribution once they returned to safety. This arrangement worked for everyone, allowing them to focus on survival and progress rather than squabbling over loot in the heat of battle.

As they sorted through the remnants of the battle, William reflected on the nature of black magic. In essence, black magicians were no different from traditional magicians; they both drew upon the same source of power. But black magic was different, strange and dangerous. It was often unpredictable, offering extraordinary power but at great risk. Many who ventured too far down the path of the dark arts found their lives consumed by it, ending in madness or destruction.

"Delving into the dark arts rarely ends well," William muttered, watching the burning remains of the village as the fire consumed the traces of the black magicians they had faced.

The others nodded in agreement. Black magic, with all its power, had not saved the fallen magicians from their fate today. It was a sobering reminder that no matter how powerful one became, there were always consequences for tapping into forces beyond control.

As black magicians grow in power, they often find themselves drawn deeper into forbidden knowledge; darkness, souls, and the shadowy forces of the world. The black magic they wield becomes increasingly dangerous, terrifying, and extreme. This descent into the darkest corners of magic inevitably leads to catastrophic consequences, not just for themselves, but for the entire kingdom. The chaos they unleash is so severe that the study of black magic has long been outlawed by the kingdom.

Black magicians, by their very nature, are outcasts. Their association with evil is undeniable, and their practices are so destructive that they have no place in civilized society. As a result, many of them flee to the dark world, a realm where creatures like werewolves and vampires reside. In that forsaken world, they find refuge in places like Skull Valley, a secretive and sinister base camp for black magicians. The exact location of Skull Valley is a mystery to most, but it remains a stronghold for those who have turned their back on the light.

As William, the Forum Master, and the others examined the bodies of the fallen black magicians, they noticed the emblem sewn onto their cloaks. A bloody skull, with two green flames burning in its eye sockets, stared back at them. The emblem of Skull Valley. The eerie image seemed to convey a message of its own: '"You are being watched."'

The Forum Master spoke up, his voice steady as he pieced together the situation. "These black magicians have been operating in Shadow Castle for years. The one who had been here the longest? Seven or eight years."

They had uncovered a grim truth: the black magicians weren't just passing through. They were stationed here, using Shadow Castle as a strategic outpost.

This revelation weighed heavily on the group. The gambler, frowning, broke the silence. "Do you think the black magicians have taken control of the vampire lord? Are they using him as some kind of twisted experiment?"

His words carried a sense of disbelief. Shadow Castle was, after all, part of the kingdom's territory. The idea that black magicians, essentially magical terrorists; could be hiding here for so long seemed impossible. How could they have gone unnoticed?

Metatron, his voice calm but firm, offered insight. "No. The black magicians aren't strong enough to control a vampire lord who has lived for hundreds of years. There's a relationship of cooperation between the Count and the black magicians."

His ability to glimpse into alternate futures lent his words credibility. He continued, "The collapse of the residents, the eerie events that plagued the castle, that was the work of the black magicians. They've been laying their plans for years, stirring the chaos in Shadow Castle."

When the vampire Count lost his mind, the effects rippled through the land. The ordinary residents experienced terrifying, unexplained events: people they knew and loved disappeared without a trace, crops withered in the fields, and at night, strange noises echoed from the cemeteries. Some even reported seeing decayed corpses walking the streets in broad daylight.

Fear took root. It wasn't long before evil spirits began to roam freely, spreading terror among the remaining villagers. The black magicians had taken advantage of the Count's madness, slowly unraveling the fabric of life in Shadow Castle.

Metatron's words deepened their understanding. "Some of the thieves we've encountered weren't always criminals. Many of them were once simple, honest residents, driven to desperation by the horrors around them. But becoming a 'thief' that path isn't something born just from chaos. Someone has been pushing them into this role, manipulating events from behind the scenes."

William narrowed his eyes. "If murder and destruction were all it took to make someone a thief, then we'd already qualify," he said dryly, glancing at the ruins of the village they had burned to the ground.

But it was true. Being a thief, much like following any path in this world, required more than just circumstance. There were specific conditions, rituals, or dark influences guiding those who took the thief's path. Someone, likely the black magicians; was behind this rise of lawlessness, deliberately pushing people toward a darker destiny.

The realization settled in. Shadow Castle had long been a place of darkness, but now it was clear that this evil wasn't random. It had been carefully cultivated, plotted over years by forces much darker than they had initially imagined. As they stood in the ruins of the village, the fires crackling around them, William and his companions knew that their journey into the heart of Shadow Castle was only just beginning.

The path to becoming a knight is long and grueling, requiring strict discipline, years of training, and an unwavering sense of duty. The prerequisites are harsh, and it takes an enormous amount of time and effort to mold a true knight. In stark contrast, the path of the thief is far simpler, but no less destructive. To become a thief, one must do little more than burn, kill, loot, and destroy, uprooting the established order and laws to unlock their own extraordinary characteristics.

Yet, whether one seeks to walk the path of the knight or the thief, the first step is always the same: understanding the correct ritual to initiate the path. Without this knowledge, one risks going astray, just like someone trying to develop internal power without knowing the proper secrets. The consequences of such ignorance can be disastrous.

It was clear to William and his companions that some extraordinary figure associated with the path of thieves had influenced the once-innocent residents of Shadow Castle, leading them into lives of crime and chaos.

The Forum Master, always thoughtful, broke the silence. "I recall the thieves once used a magic trap. That's not the kind of thing they would have on their own. I suspect the black magicians have been backing them."

But Metatron, with his insight into possible futures, shook his head. "No, I don't think the black magicians are the only ones at play here. There may be another force involved. Bandit groups could be influencing Shadow Castle as well."

He went on to explain that a group of thieves had infiltrated the castle, taking many residents with them, essentially forming a rogue army. "This rebellion is also the root of the bandit uprising in the border town," Metatron added.

The Gambler raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Bandits? They have enough power to lead an uprising? Didn't you say the path of thieves had no real potential?"

William, ever the strategist, shook his head. "It's not about potential the way you're thinking. Thieves multiply their strength through chaos. The more of them there are, the more harm they do, and the faster they grow in influence. Their power lies in numbers and destruction, not in individual strength."

"Exactly," Metatron agreed. "The bandit forces aren't local. They're coming from far outside the border town, from places even beyond the Snowstorm Fortress. And with the kingdom's grip on order weakening, these thieves are taking full advantage. The magical kingdom might be in worse shape than we thought."

The chaos spread by the thieves was like a wildfire. If left unchecked, it would consume the kingdom in its entirety. Though the path of a thief was considered a low-level, destructive route, their ability to spread havoc was unparalleled. While individually they might seem insignificant, en masse they could destabilize the realm.

Metatron's expression darkened. "The problem with thieves is that their growth ceiling is low because it's a path focused on destruction. At some point, all thieves will run into the greater power of the magical kingdom."

"True," the Forum Master chimed in, his voice carrying a note of caution. "But just because a path starts with low potential doesn't mean it will stay that way."

"These thieves aren't just after petty loot," William said quietly. "If they align with forces like the black magicians, or even others we haven't encountered yet, they could tear the kingdom apart from the inside."

The danger was growing, and with it, the need for action. Thieves, black magicians, and bandits weren't just local problems anymore, they were signs of a kingdom on the brink.