The Mortal Realm’s Chains: Soulforger

Karen, a young soul-forger from the underground, is forced to accept a dangerous job from Ilana, a black-market information broker, to save his sister Lila, who suffers from "soul decay": steal a "Corruption Core" from the Inquisition. During the operation, they are pursued by Valerius, the Chief Inquisitor. They narrowly escape, but are declared wanted throughout the city.

* While repairing the Core, Karen accidentally discovers a shocking conspiracy: the ruling class, the Holy Light Council, has deliberately caused "soul decay" to harvest the souls of commoners. After learning that his parents were also killed as a result, Karen's personal goal of saving his sister grows into a social mission to take revenge on the entire system. With help from an old acquaintance known as "Hammer," he masters the forbidden technology of "Soul Resonance," which can broadcast memories.

Karen and Ilana's feelings deepen through their life-and-death trials. They devise an ultimate plan: infiltrate the ruling heart of the Upper City, the "Holy Light Prism," and make the evidence public. At the top of the Prism, they face off against Valerius in a final battle. After a clash of ideals and power, Karen resolves to sacrifice himself and successfully activates "Soul Resonance."

The truth spreads across the city through the "Resonance Network," igniting a revolutionary tide that seeks to overthrow the old order. Valerius's faith crumbles, and he is defeated. Karen falls into a coma from soul exhaustion, his fate uncertain, though an unknown transformation seems to be taking place deep within his core. In the chaos before dawn, Ilana disappears with Karen and his sister, leaving the future of Aethergard and the next installment in suspense.