Chapter 72: Sin Crown Rising
Kael stood alone in the center of the now-silent battlefield, his breaths slow and deep. Flames no longer swirled violently around him—instead, they pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat, echoing his own. Each thrum of heat seemed to confirm what his soul already knew: he had risen.
[System Notification: You have been recognized by the Vault of Sin. New system branch unlocked.]
[Sin Crown Interface Active]
[Sin Point Accumulation Enhanced — All future kills yield 20% more Sin Points.]
[Sin Point Tier: Initiate Rank — Progress: 0 / 10,000,000]
A red sigil flared into existence above his head, marking his authority in a language lost to time. Kael raised his hand and the vault responded—black flames coiling around his fingers like loyal serpents.
"So this is the true path of Sin," he murmured. "Not destruction… but dominion."
Behind him, the vault shimmered—and from the walls burst forth dozens of new enemies. These were no longer fragmented spirits or elemental beasts. They were refined, forged directly by the vault's core itself: constructs of flame, bone, and cursed will.
Kael grinned. "Perfect."
[Monster Wave Incoming: 437 Entities Detected]
[EXP Value per Monster: 500,000]
[Sin Points per Monster: 20,000]
He drew his sword once more, divine flame coating its edges. "Let's see how far this fire can take me."
Outside the Vault — Selene's Departure
Selene, now fully recovered from her earlier deep cultivation, took a step toward the dimensional rift. She exhaled slowly. "I'll return shortly. Kael's aura is changing too rapidly. I need to understand why."
Thalaria frowned. "You sure it's safe to go back in? He's... not exactly predictable in there."
Valeria gently placed a hand on Selene's shoulder. "Just don't interfere. He needs this. But if it gets too much..."
"I know." Selene nodded. "That's why I'm going."
With a shimmer of shadow and moonlight, she passed through the rift—unrestricted, her status as the Vault's Inheritor granting her free passage.
Elsewhere: Evelyne's Watch
Evelyne remained in the outer chamber, her eyes half-closed as she sensed Kael's ongoing battle through their bond.
"He's burning faster than ever," she whispered.
A low hum responded beside her.
"I know," Thalaria said. "That's what scares me. He might not even realize it."
Nysera, appearing from the far side, added with a smirk, "And yet… he's enjoying every second of it."
Valeria looked up at the sky. "He always was the storm chasing the lightning."
Inside the Vault — A Blaze Unleashed
Kael moved like a whirlwind incarnate.
Every slash of his sword reduced monsters to ash. Explosions painted the inner sanctum in red and gold.
[EXP Gained: +500,000]
[Sin Points Gained: +20,000]
[EXP Gained: +500,000]
[Sin Points Gained: +20,000]
One by one, the monsters fell, but Kael's fury only intensified. It wasn't bloodlust—it was purpose.
His attacks began to synchronize with a deeper rhythm, like he was dancing with the vault itself. The Sin Crown sigil above his head gleamed brighter.
[Current Kill Count: 178 / 437]
[EXP: 199,600,000 / 245,760,000]
[Sin Points: 9,532,000 / 10,000,000]
Kael wiped blood from his brow, only to pause.
The air shifted.
A new presence.
He turned—and there she stood.
"Selene?"
Her gaze was fixed on him, wide with awe and subtle alarm. "Kael… what are you becoming?"
He lowered his sword, flame retreating slightly. "Stronger. For all of you."
She stepped closer, eyes never leaving his. "Don't lose yourself to the fire, Kael. Not when we just found each other."
Kael smiled. "Then remind me. When this wave ends, stay with me. Let me return to you—fully."
STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN
System Level: 34
EXP: 199,600,000 / 245,760,000
Realm: Moonglade Realm — Tier 6/9
HP: 45,000 / 45,000
Mana: 52,800 / 52,800
Stats (with buffs):
Strength: 765 × 2.1 × 2 = 3,213
Endurance: 728 × 2.1 = 1,528
Willpower: 740 × 2.1 = 1,554
Charm: 828 × 2.1 = 1,738
Intellect: 640 × 2.1 = 1,344
Dexterity: 712 × 2.1 × 2 = 2,989
Sin Points: 9,532,000 / 10,000,000
Sin Tier: Initiate Rank
Bonded Wives:
Selene — Skyshatter 9/9 (Moon/Shadow)
Evelyne — Moonglade 8/9 (Ice/Lunar Flame)
Thalaria — Sunbound 3/9 (Lightning)
Nysera — Skyshatter 1/9 (Blood/Curse)
Valeria — Skyshatter 3/9 (Nature/Wind)
Pet Panel:
Emberfang — Flame Tiger Cub (Tier 3)
Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2)
Cultivation Realms:
Initiate
Essence Drawn
Veinwoven
Soulroot
Starforged
Sunbound
Moonglade ← Current
Skyshatter
Worldpiercer
Heaven's Echo
Celestiaflame
Worldbreaker
Eternal Crown
Primordial Ascendant
15–18. Origin Flame (Locked)
Next: Chapter 73 — The Sin Crown Awakens