Chapter 1 Before the World Ends

Adrian Chapman slammed a dying man against a wet wall in a narrow London alley. The rain was coming down hard mixing with the blood on the ground. Adrians body felt weak not like the person he used to be in the Black Tower.. His mind was still sharp from all the bad things he had been through. Marcus Hale, the man he was holding was not a person now but one day he would be a leader in the Golden Vanguard and try to hurt Adrian. Not this time, though.

"You were supposed to be my friend " Adrian said, his voice. Steady. He held Marcuss throat tight. "I know what you will do in the future."

Marcus was. His eyes were wide with fear. "I do not know you! Let me go!"

Adrian used a power he had taken from a bad artifact. Black smoke went around his arm and into Marcuss chest.

Sin Authority. Devour activated.

Adrian felt a rush of power. He saw memories of people betraying him and got some skills. His rank went up.

Rank increased: F to E. Mana capacity +15%. Shadow manipulation unlocked at level.

Marcuss body. Then he went still. Adrian let him go and wiped his hands on his coat. He did not feel bad. Being kind had hurt him before. This time he would get stronger by getting rid of people who were weak. The Black Tower would appear in three days. He wanted to be the strongest when it did.

As he turned to leave he heard footsteps behind him. Adrian spun around ready to fight. A tall strong young man stood at the alley entrance wet from the rain. It was Tobias Ohon, a person who would be very good at fighting in the Tower. In the past Tobias had been a fighter but he had also failed to help people. Now he looked at the body.

"You killed him without feeling anything " Tobias said, his voice firm. "I can smell the power on you. That was not a fight."

Adrian looked at Tobias quickly. Tobias was a person who believed in justice and was very strong. He could be an ally if Adrian could teach him. "The man was going to be a problem. The Tower is. People like him will hold us back. I got rid of a weakness."

Tobias took a step forward his fists clenched. "There are still laws. You cannot decide who lives or dies."

"The laws will not matter when the Tower comes " Adrian said. "I have seen it. I know what we need to do to survive. Join me. Stay out of my way. We could use your skills as brothers in this fight."

Tobias hesitated. He wanted to do what was right. He also saw how strong Adrian was. "Brothers? After what I saw? Prove you are not a killer."

A siren was heard in the distance as the rain kept falling. Adrian nodded. "I will prove it with my actions. The Tower will be here soon.. Watch. Learn about the power system that will change everything."

They left the alley together starting a partnership that was necessary for survival. Tobias followed Adrian watching his power. Adrian explained how the rankings worked.

"Everyone starts at the bottom. We get stronger by killing monsters or taking their power. My special ability lets me take skills and power. It is the key to getting stronger."

Tobias. Asked questions about how the power worked. "My instincts make me stronger after I kill. Like a predator getting better."

"That is good " Adrian said. "We will get stronger together. We cannot be weak."

They went to a hidden warehouse where Adrian had stored supplies. Adrian showed Tobias how to fight with his power. Each hit made Adrian a little stronger. Tobias joined in. Got stronger too.

At the end of the training they got a message.

Temporary party formed. Shared experience gain increased by 10%.

Tobias wiped the sweat from his face. "You fight like someone who has been through a lot. I will watch you brother. If you lead us right I will stand with you against the Tower."

Adrian nodded, respecting Tobias. Their partnership felt strong, like metal between warriors. They parted ways as the night fell, with Tobias promising to meet at the Tower entrance.

Later Adrian looked at his status.

Name: Adrian Chapman

Rank: E

Class: Shadow Initiate (evolving toward Abyss Tyrant)

Skills: Sin Authority. Devour (Basic) Minor Shadow Manipulation

Stats: Strength 28 Agility 35 Mana 42

Deep down Adrian knew there would be surprises. The Tower chose its challenges carefully. He would become the person it needed.

Adrian moved through Londons streets the day the Ring of Minor Eclipse in his possession. The artifact made his shadow skills better.

Skill upgrade: Minor Shadow Manipulation to Intermediate. Mana efficiency +25%. Rank progress: E to high E.

He tested it by hiding in shadows to sneak security at an old research facility. Inside he found Thomas Riddler, a genius scholar working on relics.

"You understand how cursed things work " Adrian said. "Join us. We will get stronger with forbidden power."

Thomass eyes lit up with excitement. "Your Devour ability could help my experiments. Let us be partners in this."

They formed an alliance quickly. Tobias arrived soon tracking Adrians power. "Brother there is activity in the city. People with powers are gathering."

Together they cleared a nest of monsters that had come through early cracks in the dimensions. Adrian took the power of five monsters getting stronger and more resistant to curses. Tobiass senses got sharper letting him predict the monsters movements.

Tobias Rank: F, to E. Shared party bonus applied.