Thunder cracked across the ashen sky.
Rain fell in cold, thin sheets over the Sky Pillar Rift, where a lone figure knelt in chains at the center of the execution platform. His once-immaculate white robe of the Radiant Lotus Temple was torn and stained with blood. His long, black hair clung to his face. The brand of shame—a red lotus burned into his chest—still sizzled faintly.
Lucien Graves, once a proud inner disciple, now stood condemned.
A crowd of disciples and elders had gathered, yet none dared to speak. Even the wind held its breath as the sect master's voice rang out.
"Lucien Graves, you are hereby sentenced to death for stealing forbidden techniques from the Sacred Scroll Hall and violating the Heavenly Law."
He said nothing.
His fists clenched behind his back, nails digging into his palms. His gaze swept the crowd, searching. There—Elder Marius, his own master, looked away with guilt in his eyes. Further back stood Selene Virelith, the one he once loved, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.
No one spoke in his defense.
Not one.
"By the decree of the Radiant Lotus Temple," said Sect Master Myra Langley, stepping forward in resplendent robes, her golden eyes devoid of warmth, "you are to be executed and cast into the Sky Pillar Rift. May the heavens erase your soul."
A masked executor raised a gleaming sword, etched with runes of silence.
Lucien's heart was steady, his voice clear as he met the crowd with calm eyes.
"I never stole anything. You all know it."
No one moved. No one dared.
"Then may your guilt follow you to the grave," he whispered.
The sword flashed.
His world went black.
〓〓〓
He expected nothingness.
Instead, Lucien's soul fell through an endless void of stars and screaming echoes. Chains of gold and shadow spiraled around him, binding and breaking, rebuilding and twisting.
He saw pieces of memory, flickering in the dark:
—Selene handing him a forbidden scroll in secret.—A blade hidden in his room.—Elder Marius whispering, "We'll protect you, I promise."
Lies.
All of it.
And then—light.
A radiant, burning symbol formed above him: the image of judgment scales, surrounded by rings of karmic fire.
A voice, deep and ancient, echoed through the void.
"Lucien Graves."
"You were condemned unjustly. The laws are broken. The heavens are silent."
"Thus, you have been chosen."
"You shall become the sword of retribution—the Heavenly Executioner."
Lucien opened his mouth to scream—but fire engulfed him.
Not fire of pain. Fire of purpose. Fire of divine wrath.
[Heavenly Executioner System Initializing…]
[Syncing Host Soul…]
[Temporal Regression Commencing: You have 7 days before your execution.]
"Use them well."
〓〓〓
Lucien gasped awake.
Sweat poured down his back as he sat bolt upright in his bed.
He looked around, heart racing. He was in his quarters at the Radiant Lotus Temple. The morning sun spilled through the window. Disciples trained outside, laughing and shouting. Birds chirped.
Alive.
Young.
Whole.
He stumbled to the mirror. A familiar reflection stared back—no scars, no blood, no execution mark on his chest.
His hands trembled.
"This is… seven days ago," he whispered.
A soft ding rang out, and a glowing panel of golden light floated before his eyes.
┌───────────────────────────────┐
│ Heavenly Executioner System │
├───────────────────────────────┤
│ Karma Balance: +210 │
│ Verdict Slots: 0 │
│ Execution Points: 0 EP │
│ Skill Tree: Locked │
└───────────────────────────────┘
Another ding.
[New Skill Unlocked: Eye of Judgment]
Lucien blinked. His gaze sharpened—and suddenly, numbers floated above his own head in the mirror: +210 in soft blue.
He turned to the door. Footsteps outside.
He opened it and stepped into the courtyard.
More numbers hovered over other disciples' heads: +40, +10, -15.
A young man bumped into him—arrogant, sneering. Lucien glanced above his head: -180 Karma.
The man chuckled. "Watch your step, trash."
Lucien didn't reply.
Not yet.
Later that day, he walked through the gardens and passed a cloaked figure—Elder Marius.
Lucien froze.
Above Marius' head, in glowing crimson numbers: [-640 Karma]
Lucien's eyes narrowed. His chest burned—not with fear, but with clarity.
"You… knew I was innocent. You let them kill me."
The system chimed again.
[Judgment Target: Eligible]
[Execution Permission: Locked]
[Verdict Slot Required to proceed.]
Lucien's fist tightened.
He turned and walked away, eyes burning with a light not seen before.
"You thought you could erase me."
"But I've returned."
"And this time, I'll judge you all."