I Can Extract Game Items

Kyle froze instantly.

His hand tightened around the phone as he turned slowly. "You again?"

A figure stepped out of the shadows draped in a trench coat that swayed slightly with his movements. His expression was calm, but his piercing gaze didn't waver. "I knew you'd show up here. You always find the trouble before I do."

Kyle snorted, shoving the phone into his pocket. "Don't you have some paperwork to fill out, Detective? Or are you just here to hand out lectures?"

Detective Wright smirked. "I'm here to propose something, actually. Something that might finally get you to stop punching first and asking questions never."

Kyle's posture radiated defiance as he crossed his arms. "Not interested."

"You don't even know what I'm offering," Wright replied smoothly. "I'm putting together a team. A team of supernatural players like you, people who can handle the kind of chaos the Oni and their ilk are spreading."

Kyle tilted his head slightly. "A team, huh? Sounds like the setup for a bad movie. Let me guess, we all get matching costumes and a cool headquarters?"

"This isn't a joke, Kyle," Wright voiced with a firm tone. "You've seen what's happening out there. The Oni are growing bolder. They're not the only ones, either. Rogue players with supernatural abilities like the ones you just took down put entire cities at risk. This isn't something one person can handle alone."

Kyle's eyes glinted behind the mask. "Good thing I'm not one person. I've been doing just fine without a team."

Wright stepped closer as his tone dropped to a more serious register. "And how long do you think you'll last, going solo? One day, someone stronger is going to show up. Someone you can't beat on your own."

Kyle's smirk faded, and his voice turned cold. "Let me make this simple for you, Wright. I don't do groups. I ride solo. Always have, always will."

Wright studied him for a moment. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But the world doesn't revolve around your rules, Kyle. You've got power, skill, and experience—things this world desperately needs. But your ego? That's going to get you killed."

Kyle shrugged. "Then I die on my terms."

They stood in tense silence for a moment as the sound of distant sirens faintly reached their ears.

Wright finally sighed, shaking his head. "You know where to find me if you change your mind. I hope you do. For all our sakes."

Kyle turned on his heel and slowly disappeared into the shadows. "Don't hold your breath, Detective. And my identity better remains a secret or the Oni won't be your only problem..."

With that, he disappeared.

Wright stood alone in the wrecked warehouse with an unreadable expression.

"Why are supernatural players always too cocky" Wright muttered as he recalled a certain Ice Queen.

He pulled out his phone and dialed his team. "Clean-up needed at the 211A warehouse. And no, I didn't convince him. Not yet."

He hung up as his eyes peered into the distance where Kyle vanished in. "Perhaps it's time to give that Aleman person a try..."

...

...

(( Enders Light ))

The assassin's proving grounds were unlike the Mage trials, designed to test the very essence of what made an assassin.

The terrain was a maze of shadowed ruins, moving traps, and deadly obstacles. The air was heavy with tension and hidden mechanisms added to the ominous atmosphere.

August crouched low behind a crumbled wall while scanning the area for the next set of traps. This was the first stage of his Tier 2 qualification, testing his speed, agility, and stealth. It wasn't just a challenge—it was a gauntlet meant to push him to his limits.

System Notification:

[ Tier 2 Qualification Test – Assassin: Stage 1. Objective: Navigate the course without detection. Time Limit: 20 minutes. ] Find exclusive stories on empire

August let out a slow breath. "No pressure," he muttered, activating Stealth. His form shimmered briefly before fading into the shadows.

---

The ruins came alive as he moved through them. Pressure plates triggered arrows from hidden alcoves, walls slid open to reveal spinning blades, and roaming constructs patrolled with glowing red eyes.

August did his best to weave through the obstacles, rolling under blades and scaling crumbling walls with ease.

A construct whirred loudly, scanning the area with its piercing gaze. August froze mid-step, pressing himself against a shadowed wall. The glowing eye passed over his position but didn't detect him.

"Hehehe Enders Light really is the best thrill one could ask for," he whispered.

As he neared the end of the course, a series of swinging pendulum traps blocked his path. His eyes narrowed as he calculated their timing.

System Notification:

[ Skill Activated: Dash ]

In a blur, August darted through the pendulums, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp edges. He landed gracefully on the other side while steadying his breathing.

---n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

System Notification:

[ Stage 1 Complete. Time Remaining: 2 minutes. ]

August exhaled in relief as the ruins around him shimmered, transporting him to the next trial.

"Let's see what else they've got," he muttered.

---

Meanwhile, the streets of Tagharium were in chaos. A thick tension hung in the air as knights marched in droves toward the outskirts of the kingdom.

Their armor gleamed under the sunlight, and their banners flapped in the wind, bearing the crest of the royal guard. Leading them was a towering warrior clad in silver armor.

His presence was immensely commanding.

His level—80— was displayed prominently above his head making it clear he was no ordinary NPC.

"Move aside!" one of the knights barked at the gathering crowd. "This is royal business. All civilians and players are to stay out of the way!"

The crowd buzzed with speculation. Players and NPCs alike murmured amongst themselves with faces of curiosity.

"What's going on?" a player in mage robes questioned as her staff glowed faintly.

"Something big," replied another player. "Look at the knights. They're bringing out the elites. This isn't some random patrol."

Suddenly, a ripple of notifications spread across the player base.

---

System Notification:

[ Urgent Mission Issued: Stop the Dark Force ]

[ Details: A dark sorcerer, Malrik, has been identified at the outskirts of Tagharium. He is using a monolith to gather power and summon a weapon of immense destruction. The kingdom has issued a call to arms to all players and adventurers. ]