NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Aurora Regality
Raven leaned against the wall of his quarters, his mind still on the month-long grind he had endured. His body ached, but his efforts had borne fruit—he had achieved the peak of mortal human performance. The system had acknowledged his success with a tantalizing promise: a cultivation technique. Now, standing in the quiet stillness of his room, he was ready to claim his reward.
DING
Quest Reward Unlocked: Choose Your Cultivation Technique
A shimmering blue interface appeared before him, glowing faintly in the dim light. The system presented a list of cultivation techniques, each radiating a sense of power and mystery.
Available TechniquesFlame Sovereign Art – Harness the raging inferno to incinerate enemies. Specializes in destructive attacks and fire-based cultivation.Azure Flow Technique – Draw upon the power of water to flow through battles with resilience and healing.Aurora Regality – Merge the strength of the stars with the depth of shadows, becoming one with the night. Focused on stealth, precision, and power.Iron Titan Scripture – Forge an unbreakable body, capable of overwhelming strength and defensive prowess.Skybreaker Path – Wield the power of the winds to dominate with speed and sharpness, slicing through enemies effortlessly.
Raven read through the descriptions, his gaze lingering on each one. The Flame Sovereign Art promised explosive power, but it seemed unsubtle. The Azure Flow Technique was appealing in its adaptability, but it lacked the offensive edge he wanted.
When his eyes fell upon Aurora Regality, his decision was made. The technique's emphasis on merging the might of the stars with the shadows struck a chord. It promised power that fit perfectly with his identity as a leader of the Moonlit Hitman Agency—a balance of light and darkness, strength and stealth.
"I choose Aurora Regality," he said firmly.
DING
Cultivation Technique Acquired: Aurora Regality
Initializing Integration...
The Cosmic Connection
A surge of energy exploded within Raven's body, bringing him to his knees. His vision blurred, and his breathing became erratic as the technique's framework etched itself into his mind. He closed his eyes, and a vivid diagram formed—constellations linked by luminous threads, representing nodes of power he would need to unlock.
The system's voice echoed in his head.
"Begin by meditating under starlight. Absorb celestial energy and awaken the first stage of cultivation."
Raven stumbled to his feet, the intensity of the moment leaving him breathless. "Meditate under starlight," he muttered, heading for the roof of the agency.
Beneath the Stars
Night had fallen, casting a serene glow over the surrounding forest. Raven sat cross-legged on the agency's roof, the stars twinkling like scattered diamonds across the dark sky. He closed his eyes and let his breathing steady.
The monocle he wore activated, analyzing the stars above. Information flooded his mind, details about their energy, positioning, and influence. It was as if he could feel their power resonating with him.
As he focused, a faint glow began to radiate from his body. The stars seemed to pulse in rhythm with his breathing, their energy cascading down and enveloping him in a cocoon of light. Shadows around him writhed as though alive, drawn to the celestial force he exuded.
Hours passed, and Raven remained still, completely absorbed in the process. With each passing moment, he felt himself grow stronger. The first stage of Aurora Regality was about understanding balance—the union of light and darkness, celestial power, and shadowy finesse.
Alina's Mission on Reuzia
While Raven was lost in cultivation, Alina was halfway across the planet Reuzia, carrying out the agency's first official hit. Her target was a bandit leader who had terrorized a small village for years.
The client, a desperate merchant, had stumbled into the agency's blood-red door. His request was simple yet heart-wrenching: to avenge his family and ensure the bandits never harmed anyone again.
Alina moved through the dense jungle like a specter, her movements silent and precise. The monocle she wore scanned her surroundings, highlighting traps, patrol routes, and even the hidden bandit camp.
"Tsk," she muttered, unimpressed. "Such sloppy security."
She dispatched the guards with surgical efficiency, her blade striking swiftly and silently. By the time she reached the bandit leader's tent, the entire camp was in chaos.
The leader—a towering man with a scar running down his face—barely had time to draw his weapon before Alina was upon him.
"You're the reason a man lost everything and begged for revenge," she said coldly. "Let's see if you beg just as much."
The fight was short-lived. Alina's precision and speed overwhelmed the bandit, leaving him gasping on the ground. With a single strike, she ended his life, her expression unflinching.
She pulled out the blood-red token she had brought, holding it up as it absorbed the energy of the completed mission. The glow of the token confirmed her success.
"Another job well done," she said, slipping back into the shadows.
...
Back at the agency, Raven's meditation was interrupted by the sound of the simulation chamber's door opening. He turned to see Alina walking out, her usual smirk in place.
"Mission accomplished," she announced, tossing the glowing token toward him. "Told you messy is my specialty."
Raven caught the token and placed it in a slot on the system interface. The screen flashed:
Mission Complete
Reward: 1,000 Moonlit Coins
"Well done," Raven said, rising to his feet. "This is just the beginning. The Moonlit Hitman Agency will become a legend, one spoken of in fear."
Alina chuckled, glancing at him. "Looks like you've been busy stargazing while I did the hard work. Don't tell me you're going soft already."
Raven smirked, feeling the cosmic energy coursing through him. "Stargazing? No. I've been reaching for them. No worries, soon I will be far stronger than you."
With their first mission behind them and new power at his fingertips, Raven felt the weight of possibility. The agency was growing, and with it, so was he. The stars and shadows would guide him on this journey, one step closer to reclaiming the Moonlit Hitman Agency's forgotten legacy.