The Manor of Shadows was no place for ordinary mortals.
Here, every stone, every curtain, every chamber held its secrets.
There were no coincidences—only consequences.
Right after awakening, I was taken to the main ritual hall—a space so vast that sound was swallowed by its vaulted ceiling.
At its center lay a circle of black obsidian, gleaming like still water despite the absence of light.
And there he stood—The Archmaster of Shadow.
A figure cloaked in a long hooded robe, his face hidden in darkness.
His voice echoed like a dirge from a forgotten grave:
"You are a Son of the Family. But blood alone is not enough. Pass through the Gate. Prove that the Shadow has accepted you."
I stepped toward the obsidian circle.
The System flashed before me:
> [New Quest: Pass Through the First Gate]
Reward: Unlock "Foundations of Shadow" | +10 to Intuition | New Skill: Intent Recognition
> [System Introduction: Active Stats]
Strength: 12
Agility: 14
Intelligence: 18
Intuition: 10
Magic: 20
Willpower: 17
> Skills:
Shadow Cultivation [Level 1]
Perfect Memory [Active]
Lie Sense [Passive]
I didn't even have time to prepare—
The world around me exploded into darkness.
I collapsed inward, my body dissolving into shadow.
I found myself in something that resembled an infinite labyrinth of memories.
Every memory I had—every trauma, every guilt, every shameful thought—came back to me in the most brutal way.
It was the Gate of the Mind.
The System whispered in my ear:
> [Mental Challenge: Reject Your Former Self]
I saw myself—mortal, fragile, disappointed.
The words that had hurt me.
The faces of those I had let down.
I was forced to relive my worst memories, one after another.
There was no escape.
I had to face them.
But I was no longer that person.
I clenched my fists.
I focused on the shadows stirring within me.
I didn't run.
I let myself fall deeper.
And then, in absolute silence—something broke.
> [Quest Complete: First Gate Passed]
+10 Intuition | Intent Recognition Unlocked
I opened my eyes.
I was back in the obsidian circle.
The Archmaster looked at me without a word,
but I knew—I had been accepted.
I was now officially the Heir of Shadow.
"Remember," he said, "The First Gate is only the beginning. Nine more await you. Each harder than the last. But each… will make you more than human."
And so, my path began.
The Path of Shadow.
Cultivation had only just begun.