The base was eerily silent.
Not the calm kind of silence. The wrong kind.
The type where even the wind seemed hesitant, as if the air itself knew something was off.
I raised a hand, signaling the team to move in formation. We exited the vehicle swiftly, boots crunching against the dirt path leading to the main entrance. The compound loomed ahead, its towering walls casting long, fractured shadows under the dim moonlight.
No guards. No movement.
"Where the hell is security?" Zach muttered.
I didn't like it. Not one bit.
"Eyes open," I said, voice low. "Something's off."
We advanced, stacking up at the entrance. I pressed a palm against the heavy door and pushed. It wasn't locked.
It creaked open, revealing a long hallway bathed in dim red emergency lighting. The metallic scent of blood hit first—thick and suffocating. Then I saw him.The clan leader.
Lying motionless at the center of the hall, crimson pooling beneath him, essence flickering weakly around his fading form.
For a second, nobody moved.
Then—
"...Shit."
Kieran's voice was quiet. Too quiet.
I turned to him, but his eyes weren't on the body. They were locked on the figures further inside the room.
Five of them.
4 of them clad in dark, sleek gear, masks obscuring all but their eyes. But the insignia stitched into their uniforms—it was unmistakable.
My stomach twisted.
This wasn't a random attack. This was them.
The Crimson Covenant.
A faction of rogue essence users whose sole purpose was to keep Level 3 an exclusive secret for the elites—and eliminate anyone who threatened that secrecy. They didn't just target lone operatives.They dismantled entire clans if necessary.
There were rumors that some of the stronger clans supported them in secret, and others claimed to have seen members of fallen ancient clans in their ranks.
And the one standing at the front?
A bingo book rogue.The Bingo Book—the universal list of the most dangerous criminals on Earth. It's one of the few things the top clans agree on.
And we also agree on one thing about them:Kill on sight.
"Vladimir the Victor," Kieran said, eyes pulsing with rage.
"Is that little Kiki I see?" Vlad said, smirking, his rugged teeth on full display.He was tall and slim, dark-skinned, with two daggers at his hips and a star-shaped scar carved across his face."I see you got a new toy."
"Oh, this thing?" Kieran smirked, hand brushing Skofnung."It's actually a reward—for breaking my last one on your face.Better question: What are you doing with these cultists, Vladdy? Did I beat your ass so bad you forgot where you're from?"
Despite the jokes, I could tell Kieran was taking this seriously. His entire posture shifted, the usual laid-back demeanor vanishing in an instant. One hand hovered over Skofnung's hilt, fingers tightening—not enough to show fear, but enough to be ready.
Then I noticed.Everyone was ready for a fight.The essence in the air twisted—thick, unstable. Domains were on the edge of activation.
Vlad exhaled slowly, rubbing the edge of his scar."Oh, quite the opposite. I was enlightened, my dear friend.Maybe speaking my true name will help you all understand a little better."
"Vladimir Cartine," I cut in."You are hereby under arrest by the Organization.Three confirmed counts o`f murder, and now, alignment with a terrorist group.Submit with your lackeys—or accept death."
"Dubose," Vladimir replied, grin widening."A little ancestry goes a long way, brat."
That name—The Dubose Clan—once one of the most powerful and most hated clans to ever exist.
They believed essence users should rule the world.That the ordinary were nothing more than tools.They went head-to-head with the Fortune Clan back in the day—until my great-uncle awakened his domain.He pushed us to the pinnacle and, in his final act, supposedly wiped them from the earth.
But one remained.
And he was standing right in front of me.
This was now personal.As a Fortune, it's my job to finish the job.But my team—They still needed a leader.
"And my new friends?" Vladimir continued, his voice calm, almost amused."They helped me realize my true potential."
He stepped forward, boots clicking on the blood-slick floor.His presence pressed against the air like a crashing wave.
Kieran tensed.
The air got heavier.
Essence thickened.
That's when we realized—His bingo file wasn't up to date.
He'd broken through.
He was Level 3.
A true elite.
And he was calm.
I steadied my breath, locking eyes with him.
The next few moments would decide everything.