The Draconic System: Rise of To Ascendance

The mercenaries were gone. Their defeat had sent a clear message—Raizen wasn't an easy target. But House Valen wouldn't stop with just three assassins. If anything, this was only their opening move.

Standing atop the city skyline, Raizen let the wind cool his sweat-drenched skin. His knuckles still throbbed from the fight with Kael, and his shoulder ached from the minor wound he'd taken. Small prices to pay for survival.

The system pulsed.

[Mission Log Updated]

[House Valen Mercenaries Eliminated – Investigation Expected]

Raizen exhaled sharply. It was time to disappear—for now.

Ayaka's apartment was exactly as he left it—cluttered but comfortable. She lounged on the couch, casually flipping through a data slate when he walked in.

She glanced up, arching an eyebrow. "Did you kill them all?"

Raizen smirked. "Something like that."

Ayaka set the data slate down. "Well, you just pissed off some very powerful people."

"Wasn't exactly my first choice," he admitted, stretching his sore arm. "But if they think they can send mercs after me and get away with it, they're wrong."

She studied him for a moment before sighing. "House Valen won't let this slide. I heard rumors they've already started sweeping for information."

Raizen ran a hand through his hair. "They won't find anything."

"Not yet," she corrected. "But you need to be careful. Their next move won't be so predictable."

She tossed him a small, metallic drive. "This has an encrypted channel to a broker I know. He deals in information. If House Valen starts putting real pressure on the city, he'll know before anyone else."

Raizen turned the device over in his fingers before pocketing it. "Appreciate it."

Ayaka stood, stretching lazily. "You should lay low for a few days."

He exhaled. "I don't have time to lay low."

She smirked. "That's what I thought."

The system chimed again.

[New Objective: Uncover House Valen's Next Move]

Raizen knew one thing for certain—this wasn't over. He'd won this battle, but the war had just begun.