First Summon, Hero of Despair
As Arkanos issued the command, the system interface flickered briefly before a new message appeared:
〘 ⋄ Hero Summon Initiating... ⋄ 〙
〘 ⋄ Allocating resources... ⋄ 〙
〘 ⋄ Summoning... ⋄ 〙
The air around Arkanos grew dense with mana. The emerald glow of the system interface illuminated the chamber, and the faint sound of chiming bells echoed softly, gradually increasing in intensity.
In the center of the chamber, a swirling vortex of light began to form. It started small but rapidly expanded, the colors blending into a radiant spectrum. The vortex spun faster, and the hum of magic filled the air.
Arkanos leaned back in his chair, watching intently. "So this is how gacha pulls look up close, how peculiar."
Then, with a final pulse of light, the vortex burst outward, leaving a figure standing in its place. The lingering energy crackled like static before fading into silence.
Standing before him was a man who gave off a deadly, almost ghost like aura. His tall, lean frame was clad in small simple black and crimson armor, crafted for both stealth and durability.
His silver hair glinted faintly in the dim light, falling loosely over his face, but it was his eyes that drew immediate attention, piercing red orbs that seemed to burn with an Inferno within them.
The lower half of his face was obscured by a dark mask, A long, curved blade hung from his back, and twin daggers rested at his sides.
The system interface appeared again.
〘 ⋄ Hero Summoned: SSS Rank ⋄ 〙
〘 ⋄ Name: Ivan, the Deathwalker ⋄ 〙
〘 ⋄ Title: Hero of Despair 〙
〘 ⋄ Class: Abyssal Shadowblade 〙
〘 ⋄ Specialization: Silent Execution, Fear Manipulation 〙
The system then displayed Ivan's full status screen.
---
Name: Ivan, the Deathwalker
Class: Abyssal Shadowblade〘 Assassin 〙
Rank: SSS
Title: Hero of Despair
Affiliation: Arkanos Bloodbane
Level: 500
Loyalty: Absolute (won't drop)
Base Attributes:
- Strength: 10,200
- Agility: 12,500
- Vitality: 9,800
- Intelligence: 10,000
- Endurance: 10,100
- Perception: 11,700
- Luck: 10,300
Abilities and Skills:
1. Unique Skill – Veil of Oblivion
- Effect: Erases all traces of presence from existence, rendering Ivan undetectable by neither mortal nor divine means. Upon reappearance, enemies within range are afflicted with Terror (reduces movement speed and defense by 90%).
- Cooldown: 2 minutes.
2. Unique Skill – Despair's Edge
- Effect: Attacks against enemies under Fear effects deal 550% critical damage. If the target's HP falls below 30%, triggers Execution Mode, bypassing all resistances for the finishing strike.
3. Active Skill – Phantom Chains
- Effect: Binds up to 50 enemies within a 80-meter radius with unbreakable ethereal chains, immobilizing them for 50 seconds. Enemies under Fear are immobilized for an additional 30 seconds.
- Cooldown: 1 minute.
4. Passive Skill – Abyss Walker
- Effect: Increases movement speed and stealth effectiveness by 100% in darkness or shadowed areas.
5. Passive Skill – Fearmonger's Aura
- Effect: Nearby enemies have reduced morale and accuracy. Radius: 150 meters.
Equipment:
- Shadow Reaver (Curved Blade): A weapon forged in the abyss, grants +15% critical hit chance and 20% bonus damage against fear-afflicted enemies.
- Voidstrider Armor: Reinforced leather and plate, offers +10% evasion and nullifies all magical attacks, as for Catastrophe class magic, damage is dropped by 50%.
- Phantom Cloak: Grants 15% bonus to stealth-based actions.
—
Character bio:
______
Ivan, the Deathwalker, was once a fallen hero consumed by despair after the collapse of his homeland. Cast into the abyss by his enemies, he clawed his way back, forging his powers in the darkness and emerging as a master of shadows and fear.
With his new power, he got his revenge on those who wronged him, bringing their nation to ruin in a single night.
Though feared across countless realms as a bringer of despair, Ivan owes an unpayable debt to Emperor Arkanos Bloodbane, who saved him from eternal damnation and offered him a purpose. Now, Ivan wields his blades for Arkanos, determined to repay his debt through unflinching loyalty and bloodshed.
________
Looking at all this information Arkanos couldn't help but be amazed, 'Forget being an assassin, he is an absolute weapon of destruction.'
'Armor that reduces the damage of Catastrophe class class magic by 50%? Isn't that the highest class of magic in the game?'
'Isint's he basically broken?'
'Another reason why too many upgrade points broke the game.'
He smiled, 'Not my problem though, since then it was a game, now it is my reality.'
'And this bio involving me saving him… yeah I remembered this has something to do with players wanting a logical reason for their summons being absolutely loyal.'
Ivan took a step forward, his crimson eyes locked onto Arkanos. He knelt, bowing his head.
"Ivan, the Deathwalker, answers your call," his voice was deep, muffled slightly by the mask. "You saved me from the abyss, Your Majesty. My life is yours to command."
Arkanos smirked, stepping closer. "An assassin of your caliber... and with such loyalty. I have high expectations for you, Ivan."
Ivan, while still on his knees, spoke up, "I'm proud to serve, your Majesty."
"If there are those who trouble you, those who dare to oppose your reign... all you need do is utter their names, and I shall erase their existence from this world. No soul, no force, no sanctum can protect them from my blade."
Arkanos raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. The promise of utter annihilation radiating from Ivan's words carried such confidence… such sincerity... It was as fascinating as it was intimidating.
He stepped closer, his emerald eyes gazing at the assassin with curiosity and a touch of excitement.
"You're quite the bold one, Ivan," Arkanos said. "But tell me, what makes you so certain no one can escape your blade?"
Ivan didn't hesitate. "Because I am no mere man. I am despair incarnate, the shadow that stalks even the gods. Wherever they hide, I will find them. Whoever they are, I will cut them down. You saved me from the abyss, and in turn, I will ensure your enemies shall be plunged into it."
Arkanos placed his hand under his jaw thoughtfully as he spoke, "Tempting… a truly tempting offer… but alas, I currently have no desire for destruction."
"Not now at least… What I require is for you to watch the activities of certain nobles. Root out their secrets, follow their schemes, and bring me undeniable proof of their treachery."
Ivan narrowed his eyes, the red glow intensifying. "As you command…"
"Give me their names, Your Majesty, and I shall be the shadow that follows them to the ends of the earth. They will never see me coming, nor know I was ever there."
Arkanos felt satisfied with Ivan's response. "Excellent."
Arkanos glanced back at the same table he had noticed earlier and saw a small parchment and quill resting on it. He walked over, picked up the quill, and began writing a list of names along with their respective territories. Once finished, he handed the parchment to Ivan.
"These nobles believe they can conspire in the dark corners of my empire, free of consequence. You will be my eyes in the shadows, my knife poised at their throats. Failure is not an option."
Ivan dropped to one knee again, his head bowed low. "Failure is not in my nature, Your Majesty. Consider it done."
With that he vanished in a small wave of black smoke.
Arkanos then turned around to look at the moon trough the window, "Now we play the waiting game." he smiled.