Chapter 3 The First Glimpse of the World

Akira’s thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of shuffling feet. He turned, expecting to see one of his thralls returning from their assigned tasks, but what he saw instead froze him in place.

At the edge of the graveyard, where the mist thickened and the moonlight barely reached, two figures had emerged.

One was tall and broad-shouldered, moving with purpose. The other was smaller, more jittery, eyes darting back and forth. They were both cloaked, their faces hidden in shadow. But the air around them felt tense, charged. They were here for something.

Akira’s first instinct was to retreat into the shadows, but the thrill of curiosity held him in place. He couldn’t afford to be seen—not yet, at least. If these people were from the world outside this graveyard, they might have answers. Or they might be threats.

His eyes flicked to his thralls, who had now returned to stand behind him like obedient statues. He quickly weighed his options. Could they help? He didn’t think so—not yet. They were far too weak. But they could be used to buy him time or act as a distraction.

He barely breathed, watching the figures as they drew closer, their footsteps slow but deliberate.

“What do you think?” the smaller man whispered to the other.

“Keep moving. We don’t have all night,” the taller man growled, his voice deep and commanding. He was clearly the leader.

Akira felt a small spark of annoyance. They don’t even know I’m here, yet they’re already treating the place like it’s their domain.

He clenched his fists and quickly assessed his position. He could make a run for it, but the graveyard was vast and filled with twisting paths and gravestones. If they had already entered it, there was no guarantee he’d find a safe exit without drawing attention.

His mind spun, weighing the risks and benefits. He could approach them, confront them directly and demand answers—or he could use the thralls. But if they were as powerful as they seemed, using the undead could be too risky.

The taller man’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Get the lantern closer. We’re almost there.”

The lantern swung low, casting a faint glow on the fog-draped ground. The air grew even thicker, the mist swirling unnaturally around them, almost as if it had a life of its own. Akira narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss.

Then, with a jolt, the first figure stopped.

“What is that?” The tall man’s voice was low, alert.

Akira’s pulse quickened. They had seen something—his thralls.

The smaller man hesitated, then pointed to the dark figures in the distance. “There. They’re not moving like normal people.”

The taller man’s grip tightened on the knife at his side. “Stay behind me.”

Akira cursed under his breath. The last thing he needed was to be discovered by two strangers who were clearly prepared for trouble. But if they were already aware of his thralls, there was little he could do to avoid their attention now.

The time for running was over.

With a deep breath, Akira stepped forward, his voice carrying through the mist. “What are you doing here?”

The two men froze, their heads snapping in his direction. The tall one squinted, the light from the lantern glinting off his knife. “Who’s there?” he demanded.

Akira’s heart pounded in his chest, but he stood his ground. The System had given him power. And if these men were going to threaten him, he was prepared to use it.

“Come out and show yourself,” the tall man repeated, his voice sharp.

Akira took a step forward, allowing the mist to part just enough for his figure to become visible. The lantern light caught the edges of his silhouette. “I am the one asking questions here. What business do you have in my domain?”

The taller man’s eyes narrowed. “Your domain?” He looked to his companion. “Is this some kind of joke?”

The smaller man shifted nervously, glancing at the thralls standing motionless in the background. “They… they’re just standing there. Do you think they’re…” He trailed off, fear creeping into his voice.

Akira smirked, allowing a hint of amusement to show. “They are nothing more than my servants. And if you don’t answer me, I’ll make sure you join them.”

The taller man gripped his knife more tightly, stepping forward. “I don’t know who you are or what you think you’re doing here, but this is not your territory.”

The air between them thickened, tension building.

Akira’s gaze hardened. “Then you’ll regret stepping into it.”

Before he could finish the thought, the taller man lunged.

In that split second, Akira’s instincts flared. Without thinking, he raised his hand.

“Stop him.”

The first thrall, the fresher one

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