A crisp chime rang in Kenji's ear.
[System Notice: Kingdom Reputation requirement met.][Customization Shop unlocked in Hollowbrook.]
So the whispers on the forums had been right—cosmetic customization wasn't free. It was a privilege earned through standing. Only those acknowledged by the Kingdom could reshape their avatars.
Kenji smirked faintly. Cosmetics as privilege, not purchase. Clever.
But all eyes were already on him.
The First Legendary Quest had changed everything. There wasn't a single player in Ashwood Frontier who didn't know the name GrayWolf.
He and Skarlie stood alone at Level 9. The third place player lagged at Level 6, and the gap wasn't just wide—it was despair-inducing.
A notification blinked across his vision.
[Friend Request Received: Skarlie]
He accepted.
Her message arrived instantly.
Skarlie:"About that dungeon location… want to look together? It'll be safer."
Even her words carried charm. There was something disarming about the way she phrased things—neither pushy nor over-eager, simply warm and inviting, as though cooperation was the natural order of things.
Kenji typed back with cold efficiency.
GrayWolf:"No need. I already have it. I'll send you a message when I'm ready. Gather more—we'll need five."
For a moment, no reply. Then—
Skarlie:"Understood. Then I'll prepare a team. I'll make sure we're ready for you."
Her tone was simple, but there was an underlying grace to it—like she was used to people following her lead.
Kenji closed the chat window. A healer with presence. Useful, for now.
The Envoy approached then, expression no longer cold, but measured.
"I am Veyra, Envoy of Brackmar."
From his cloak, he produced a finely carved insignia of dark wood, etched in the shape of demon wings. The single word Recruit gleamed across its surface.
"Bring this to Brackmar's recruitment hall in the Regional Capital City," Veyra said. "They will recognize you."
Kenji turned the insignia in his palm. Beautiful, heavy, humming faintly with magic. This was no trinket—this was a door.
Before he could ask more, a falcon swooped down, landing neatly on the Envoy's arm. A scroll was tied to its leg.
Veyra broke the seal, read swiftly, and his voice hardened.
"Another regional boss. The frontier burns fast."
He withdrew a black stone, runes pulsing faintly, and crushed it in his hand. Mana exploded outward.
And in the next breath—he was gone.
Kenji exhaled once, then drew Eclipse Fang.
The first target appeared quickly: an elite Ashfang Wolf.
[Eclipse Rend — Activated]
The strike was a blur, a critical arc exploding into light.
-4,812 HP! (Critical Hit!)
The wolf died instantly.
Kenji froze for a moment, then allowed himself a thin smile. One shot… an elite.
This wasn't power. This was dominance.
His return to Hollowbrook was carnage. Monsters fell by the dozen, his movements too fast for most players to even follow. Wolves, boars, elites—every encounter ended in seconds.
Groups of players paused mid-fight to gape.
"Was that… GrayWolf?!""He's one-shotting elites!""What in the world is that weapon?!"
Clips spread like wildfire:
[Video: Phantom Blades slays Elite in one strike!][Thread: Eclipse Online's First Blessed Legendary?][Tag trending: #GrayWolf #OneShotKing]
By the time Kenji stepped through Hollowbrook's gates, his name wasn't just a regional legend anymore.
It was a storm sweeping across the entire world.