The air still reeked of blood as Aric loomed over the lifeless murderer. The hit had been sharp, one—the kind of punch that wasn't from a madman, but one delivered with a message by a player-in-the-know.
A person who held influence.
And now Aric had to track them down before they took another life.
He squatted down, ruffling the assassin's cloak. High-end—gear for no ordinary hitman to be sporting.
He ran his fingers over an emblem embroidered into the cloak. Serpent wrapped about dagger.
Aric's face clouded.
House Vorthem.
One of the high-born noble families who had maintained their neutrality—until now.
The System erupted in his brain.
[ New Lead Acquired: House Vorthem suspected. ]
[ Suggesting next step: Infiltration or Confrontation? ]
Aric drew in a slow breath.
If House Vorthem had commissioned this attack, there would have been a motive.
And that indicated he had leverage over them.
Through the lunch hour, Aric lingered within the grounds of House Vorthem.
He did not arrive as an enemy—not yet. Rather, he played his part: a polite formality on matters of the court.
Lady Selene Vorthem greeted him in the grand hall. She was gorgeous, elegant, and deadly.
Her smile did not touch her eyes.
She knew.
And she was waiting for him to make a move.
So he did.
Aric stepped forward, voice calm. "A strange thing happened last night, Lady Vorthem. Someone tried to kill me."
Her expression didn't change. "How unfortunate. The court is full of dangers."
He smiled. "Yes, and yet the assassin bore your family's mark."
For the first time, Selene's mask cracked—just slightly.
"You're mistaken," she said smoothly. "House Vorthem has no quarrel with you."
A lie.
The System whispered inside his head.
[ Deception detected. ]
[ Selene Vorthem is concealing something. ]
Aric stood up. "Then you'll not protest if I pursue this a bit more?"
Selene's fists knotted, then relaxed. She was walking on thin ice.
Testing whether or not she could play the game one last time.
But Aric wasn't playing.
He stepped forward. "Tell me, Lady Vorthem, is this a misunderstanding… or a declaration of war?"
There was quiet between them.
Then—she took a breath.
"I see now why Montclair lost to you," she whispered.
A sly, slow smile crept over her lips.
"Very well, Lord Aric. If you seek answers… you'll have to face the real mastermind."
Selene led him to a secluded room, away from prying ears.
She filled him a glass of wine and sat opposite him, her face stern.
"There's a faction in the court," she told him. "One that's been there a lot longer than any of us. They control who gets up and who gets knocked down."
Aric remained silent.
"They witnessed what you did to Montclair," she went on. "And now, they've noticed you."
She set down her glass.
"They had the assassin arranged."
Aric's jaw set.
A secret society. A hidden hand dictating the court.
And now, they wanted him murdered.
Selene's tone grew serious.
"If you wish to stop them, you need to kill the man who ordered it."
She stepped closer.
"His name is Lord Damaris."
The System activated.
[ Target Acquired: Lord Damaris. ]
[ Kill him, and you damage the faction's power.]
Aric's grip hardened.
Finally, a true enemy to assail.
He stood, eyes blazing with determination.
Selene observed him closely. "So… what are you going to do now, Lord Aric?"
His smile was cold.
"I'm going to send them a message."