THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

David blinked his eyes open, feeling his body heavy and weak as he lay in something soft. His vision slowly adjusted, revealing an unfamiliar ceiling overhead. The room around him was foreign, but what immediately caught his attention was the glowing system window hovering just above him. Sitting up, he leaned against the headboard, allowing the window to align perfectly with his gaze.

[Let's make a deal.]

[Conditional Quest: Save Angelica.]

[Conditions to save Angelica: Change her future and give her a better life.]

[Rewards: I will answer any question you have to the best of my ability.]

David exhaled deeply as he read through the quest details, feeling the weight of yet another responsibility settle on his already burdened shoulders. He didn't mind the company of the women in his life, but there was a limit. He had to admit that there was only so much of him to go around, and to be there for everyone was proving to be an impossible task.

To fulfill this new mission, he needed to change Angelica's fate and offer her a life far better than what lay ahead in her current future. However, there was a major problem—he wasn't the real David. How could he achieve this when his own identity was tangled in uncertainty?

David stroked his chin in thought, mulling over the best way to approach this quest. The old David had been shrouded in mystery ever since the moment Mark had assumed this new life. The way the old David had used the system was nothing short than staggering, as if he had control over it, like an administrator. And then there was that cryptic statement—"three in one." What did it all mean? Who or what was the old David, really?

Questions swirled endlessly in David's mind, each more complex than the last. Why had the old David been a target of assassination? And how had he, Mark, been dragged into all of this? David's eyes scanned the room around him, trying to piece things together. He could only assume that Angelica had brought him here when he had collapsed.

The room was finely furnished, with an air of luxury that spoke of wealth and status. A neat desk sat beside the bed, stacked with an array of carefully organized books. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries, and the sheets covering him were a soft, velvet-like material, dyed in a rich shade of blue.

It was comforting, yet unsettling all at once. He could feel the tension building in his chest, a pressure that seemed to mirror the growing number of questions in his head. The quest was simple on the surface—save Angelica—but the more David thought about it, the more he realized how tangled the situation had become. He needed answers, and the system or David had promised them as a reward.

But the looming question remained: Could he really save Angelica when he didn't even know the truth about himself?

David ran a hand through his hair, pushing away the lingering doubt. Whatever the truth about the old David, it didn't matter now. He had a deal to fulfill, and Angelica's future was at stake. He would save her—no matter what it took.

"Angelica… Angelica..." David muttered to himself, trying to recall her name from the novel he'd once read. It felt so familiar, but the details slipped through his mind like sand. Who was he kidding? How could he remember something so specific from so long ago? "Huh, where's the damn novel when you need it?" he sighed. His life in this world would be so much easier if he had a copy of

Trial of Valor

on hand—just to confirm certain events instead of relying on his imperfect memory.

Frustrated, he gave up on the mental struggle and turned to something more reliable. Opening his system inventory, a familiar screen greeted him.

[Inventory: This storage space exists in a separate dimension, accessible only to its user...]

[Items: 4]

[Weapons: Frostfang, Voidshaper Sleeve, Nightveil Embrace]

[Artifact: Chameleon's Charm]

David's eyes immediately focused on Nightveil Embrace, the mysterious armour he had purchased, thinking it might offer him some control over the challenges ahead. At least, that was the hope.

[Armor Description: Noctis Sovereign's very flesh, a living, breathing part of him. When he made his pact with the -//////-, he was reborn as an entity caught between worlds, no longer fully -//////-. His body became a living conduit of darkness, allowing him to wield shadow as both a weapon and a shield. His skin, once -//////-, was replaced by the ever-shifting veil of night, marking him as a force beyond -//////-.]

David rubbed his temples, feeling the mounting stress of not knowing exactly what he had gotten himself into. The blurred description was annoying. "Come on, mate, focus. Let's see what this armour can actually do," he muttered under his breath, trying to calm himself as he navigated to its abilities.

[Nightveil Embrace Enchantment: LOCKED]

His eyes widened in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me!" he groaned, realizing his money had been blown on some god-like armour that was locked behind a power level he hadn't yet reached. But just as he was about to curse his luck, a glimmer of hope caught his attention.

[Enchantments Available: Living Shadow Fabric:

The Nightveil Embrace is composed of a material known as nightsilk, a substance that moves like liquid shadow. It flows across the wearer's body, covering them in a seamless, jet-black armor that is both flexible and impenetrable. The armour has no solid seams or visible joints, giving it an otherworldly, ethereal look.] Experience tales at m v|l e'm,p| y- r

"Now, that's handy," David thought, his interest piqued. He continued reading, intrigued by what else this armour had in store.

[Wraithblade:

The armour can manifest weapons out of pure shadow, which dissolves back into darkness after use. These weapons, known as Wraithblades, are lightweight and can be conjured in an instant. They are ideal for silent, swift strikes, leaving no trace of blood or damage after the kill.]

A rush of excitement shot through him. The thought of being able to summon shadow weapons at will was thrilling. He didn't know how powerful they'd be, but the idea of having a versatile arsenal made him feel far more prepared for whatever fights lay ahead.

"I wonder if I can make a gun," he mused with a smirk. The idea of pulling out a shadow-formed shotgun in the heat of battle was too entertaining. He could hardly wait to try it out. As he scrolled to the final feature, however, he nearly fell off the bed in shock.

[Shared Legacy:

The true power of the Nightveil Embrace lies in its ability to be shared with others. The Wielder of the Nightveil, the armour's primary owner, can extend the shadows to grant their allies temporary versions of the armour. These duplicates allow others to share the wearer's shadow abilities, such as Living Shadow Fabric and Wraithblade.]

David's mind raced. The armour was almost sentient, protecting him from both hidden and visible threats. But this feature? This took it to another level. He could extend its powers to others—his allies, his companions...his lovers.

A slow grin crept across his face. He could already imagine it—the possibilities of outfitting those closest to him with armour of living shadow, turning them into formidable warriors in their own right. Nightveil Embrace wasn't just a tool for himself—it could be a game-changer for everyone around him.

David stared at the screen, the weight of what he had in his possession sinking in. This was no ordinary armour. This was a weapon, a shield, and maybe—just maybe—the key to keeping everyone he cared about safe.

Before David had the chance to summon Nightveil Embrace, the door creaked open, its heavy wooden frame groaning as a figure stepped into the room. His gaze immediately shifted from his thoughts to the unexpected visitor. There, standing at the threshold, was a woman whose presence commanded attention.

She wore an intricately tailored outfit, blending elegance and a fierce practicality that made it clear she was no stranger to battle. Her corset, dark and form-fitting, accentuated her slender frame, laced with silver chains and ornate buckles, giving her an air of authority and precision. Beneath the high-cut shorts, sheathed knives and hidden pouches hinted at her readiness for combat, even in the most unexpected of moments. A flowing cape, draped over her shoulders, was made of a rich black fabric, catching the dim light of the room, with silver embroideries etched into the edges.

Her boots clicked softly against the wooden floor, the sharp heels adding to her tall, commanding stature. They reached just below her knees, blending seamlessly with the dark stockings that added a subtle but undeniable sense of allure to her already striking appearance. The ensemble was completed by a belt with sheathed weapons, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice, resting effortlessly on her hip.

But it wasn't just her attire that drew David's eyes—it was the way she held herself. Her raven-black hair, tousled yet refined, cascaded in waves, framing a face that was sharp and delicate all at once. Her deep blue eyes, which glistened like the calm before a storm, locked with David's. For a moment, neither of them moved.

Her lips parted, as if she had something prepared to say—words she had meticulously thought over for such an occasion—but those words seemed to evaporate the moment their gazes met. Her confidence faltered, a rare crack in her otherwise stoic demeanour. The woman who had entered with such assured poise now stood rooted to the spot, as if frozen by the weight of the moment.

David, still propped against the headboard, felt the air in the room shift.

The silence stretched between them. Her eyes darted from David's face to the floor below. She merely stood there, gathering herself. The poise she exuded on the battlefield faltered here, in this quiet moment, as though something about seeing David in this vulnerable state shook the foundations of the armour she wore—both literally and figuratively.