The circular chamber pulsed with ancient grief. Suho stood at the edge of the mass grave, his breath visible in the chill. All around, the air shimmered with oppressive weight—not just of magic, but of unspoken promises, betrayed loyalties, and death without closure.
The others remained behind, tense.
Jinho whispered, "What is he doing?"
No one answered. They could only watch as Suho stepped toward the grave, the flickering soul swirling above the corpses, its form becoming clearer with every moment.
It coalesced into a spectral figure clad in shattered armor, its face hidden behind a dented helm. A sword floated at its side, rusted but still sharp. From its tattered cape came whispers—dozens of voices, like echoes caught in a loop.
"I waited…"
"Left behind…"
"Never broke the oath…"
Suho's voice cut through the whispering storm. "You are not forgotten."
The spectral knight stilled.
The others felt it—something ancient awakening.
[Warning: Soul Fragment Detected – "The Forgotten Vowkeeper"]
Status: Hostile | Bound by Guilt and Betrayal
Threat Level: High
Initiate Containment? → Y/N
Suho didn't respond to the prompt. Instead, he stepped forward, raising his hand in a gesture of peace.
"I know your pain," he said softly. "I walk with the dead, too."
The Vowkeeper's sword raised in warning. Its aura surged—violently.
The battle began.
The knight rushed forward with blinding speed. Suho barely dodged as the blade carved a line through the stone. His undead moved instantly—Skeletal Bladeguard blocked the next strike, only to be shattered by a reverse slash.
Flame-Eyed Archer loosed an arrow. The Vowkeeper batted it away with a swipe of his cloak, then lunged at Suho again.
Jinho yelled, "What the hell is that thing?!"
"Back off!" Suho shouted.
Three new undead joined the fight—Shadow-fang the beast, Shield-bound Golem, and Whisper-Wight. They flanked the knight with near-sentient coordination, forcing him into a defensive circle. But he wasn't slowing. If anything, he was remembering how to fight.
Suho's mind spun. The Necrosystem whispered options, tactics, and abilities. But none would truly subdue this soul.
[Option Available: Bind via Memory Sync – Risk Level: Severe]
"Let's try it," Suho muttered. He extended both hands, pushing past the wall between himself and the Vowkeeper.
The world shifted.
He stood in a different place—no longer in the Screaming Vault.
A burning palace. Soldiers were slaughtered in the courtyard. A prince's corpse, face-down in blood. The knight knelt among them, sword broken, voice cracking with grief.
"They said we betrayed them… But we followed the crown. We followed our oath…"
His name echoed faintly through the memory.
"Sir Caldran… Vael…"
Suho stepped forward, his image transparent in the scene.
"I see you, Caldran. You weren't the traitor. You were betrayed."
The knight turned, his soul flickering.
"You… remember?"
Suho extended a hand. "Join me. Stand again. Not for the king who betrayed you. But for your oath."
The knight's trembling hand reached out—
[Memory Synchronization Successful]
[Soul Fragment Bound: Sir Caldran Vael – "The Vowkeeper"]
Class: Elite Revenant | Trait: Oathbound Loyalty
Combat Capability: High
New Skill Unlocked: "Oathbound Legion" – Once per day, summon elite revenants bound by honor and memory.
Suho's eyes snapped open.
The ghostly figure knelt before him, helmet removed. Caldran Vael's face was lined with sorrow, but it was peaceful now. He bowed his head.
"My blade is yours, Monarch of the Death."
A soft glow surrounded Suho as the system updated again.
[Level Up: Kim Suho has reached Level 18]
[Stat Points +5]
[Control Limit Increased: 11 → 12]
The others stared in silence. Even Jinho had sheathed his sword.
"What… are you?" Mirae whispered.
Suho turned slowly. His eyes, glowing faintly with necrotic resonance, met theirs.
"I remember the dead. I honor their vows. And I lead them forward."
Behind him, Sir Caldran Vael stood tall, spectral blade in hand, his armor reforged with necrotic energy. He was no longer a ghost of guilt.
He was Suho's knight.
Minho murmured, "He… commands them…"
The gate trembled.
A rumble echoed from deep below as if the Vault itself had recognized a new ruler.
Suho looked to the far corridor—new tunnels revealed, deeper horrors waiting.
"Rest is over," he said quietly. "The dead have risen. And we're not done yet."