“They said I was too weak to survive. So they left me to die.”

In a world scarred by dimensional rifts, humanity’s only hope lies in Veilwalkers—elite hunters gifted with power by ancient relics. But not everyone is chosen.
Kael Verin wasn’t.

Labeled a failure. Mocked. Dragged through every dungeon as nothing more than bait.

Until one day, his own team—people he trusted—left him bleeding on the floor of a cursed ruin.

That should have been the end.

But something buried deep in the darkness heard him. And it offered a choice.

Not salvation.

Rebirth.

Now bound to an ancient and forbidden relic, Kael rises—not as a hero, not as a savior—but as the first Shadow Ranker, walking a path carved by pain, vengeance, and a power no human was ever meant to wield.

They took everything from him.

Now, he’ll take everything back.

Even if he becomes the monster they always feared he would.

The city of Velhara stood tall under twilight—its golden towers gleaming like polished blades. On the surface, it was clean, orderly… sacred.


A walled-off slum buried under the capital.


A no-man's land for cursed Class users, rejected guild projects, and discarded experiments.


And it was where the first trail of Lior led.


Kael and Roan stood at a rusted entrance gate, guarded by sentinels who'd long stopped caring.


> "No weapons," one barked, eyes glazed.


The Codex, hidden under his skin, pulsed faintly.


> "Word is, the Thorn Crown Guild used Underzone for failed fusion trials."


> "The kind that stitch together monsters… and people."


The gate opened with a loud groan. The air immediately turned thick—choked with smog, alchemy smoke, and unfiltered mana. People walked with hoods low and voices lower. Even children had scars on their faces.


Kael tried to walk normal, but the Codex twitched.


> Location Signature: Forbidden Aura Detected.


> Classification: Hybrid-Class Entity nearby.


They followed the pulse to a makeshift arena carved into old sewer stone.


Crowds cheered wildly as something emerged into the center ring:


A man, shirtless, body stitched like patchwork. He had three eyes—one clearly artificial—and his back was burned with a fresh Black Serpent sigil.


> "This one's… just another failed experiment," Roan whispered.


> "But that mark means your brother's involved."


Before Kael could answer, the mutant raised his arm—and pointed directly at Kael.


As Kael stepped into the pit, the mutant charged, its limbs stretching unnaturally.


Kael dodged low, sliding across blood-slick stone. He summoned his Codex:


> "Codex Umbra—Technique 07: Shadow Vein Dissection!"


Black tendrils burst from his arms, latching onto the mutant's joints. He twisted—breaking the creature mid-swing.


The crowd screamed in delight. Bets were placed. Mana flared like fireworks.


The monster laughed—a wet, broken sound.


> "He made us. He left us. He'll kill you soon…"


And from the crowd… a child ran forward. Pale. Empty-eyed. Holding something.


The handwriting was sharp. Clean. And unmistakably familiar.


If you've made it here, you're stronger than I expected. Good.


Keep going. You're not ready to face me yet. But you're getting close.


> "Then it's time we break into the Guild itself."


Chapter 10 - "The Underzone"