The battlefield was finally silent. Kaito stood amidst the fallen direwolves, his chest heaving as he struggled to steady his breath. The pain in his body was catching up with him, the adrenaline wearing off. His fingers twitched against the hilt of his sword, but for the first time since his arrival, he was not in immediate danger.
He needed to regroup.
Kaito took a step back, settling against a tree for support. His body ached, his mind still reeling from the battle. He had fought desperately, on the verge of death multiple times, and yet he had survived. He had not just survived—he had grown stronger.
With a deep breath, he called up his status window.
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[User: Kaito Arata]
[Race: Human]
[Level: Six]
[Health: 1,272 / 2,200]
[Mana: 700 / 700]
[Stamina: 730 / 900]
[Vitality: 22]
[Intelligence: 14]
[Endurance: 18]
[Strength: 22]
[Agility: 29]
[Perception: 23]
[Titles: The System’s Chosen]
[Abilities: Predation]
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[Passive Skills]
[Adaptive Combat] – The more battles the user experiences, the more instinctively efficient their fighting becomes.
[Alpha’s Presence] – Instinctual dominance over lesser beasts. Lesser creatures may hesitate or submit in the presence of the user.
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His gaze lingered on his title. The System’s Chosen. He had not paid it much attention before, but something about it intrigued him. He focused on it, prompting a detailed description to appear.
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[The System’s Chosen] – A being capable of exponential growth based on experience. The more challenges faced, the greater the rewards. Evolution is unrestricted, allowing limitless potential.
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His breath caught. As long as he kept pushing himself, there was no limit to how strong he could become.
The thought sent a shiver through him. In his old life, limits had been clear: his skill in kendo, his knowledge as a teacher, his own mortality. But here? He could keep growing indefinitely.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
He clenched his fists. The battle against the Alpha and the scouts had been grueling, but he had survived. More than that, he had grown from it. The pain, the struggle—it had all become fuel for his strength.
His gaze then shifted to his newly acquired ability.
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[Predation] – Absorb the essence of fallen foes to gain their traits or abilities. Stronger enemies yield greater rewards.
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That explained why the scouts had submitted so easily after he used it on the Alpha. He had taken in its dominance, its authority over the pack. But could he do more with it? Could he refine its use?
His fingers twitched as he looked down at the Alpha’s corpse.
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[Further Essence Extraction is Possible. Proceed with absorption?]
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Kaito hesitated. The first time, it had been instinctual, but now he was choosing to take more. He steeled himself and confirmed.
A powerful surge of energy coursed through his body, even stronger than before. His muscles tightened, his senses expanded, and his heartbeat synchronized with a primal rhythm. A deep growl rumbled in his throat, startling him.
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[Further Essence Extraction Complete. Physical Strength and Reflexes Boosted.]
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Kaito exhaled, his breath visible in the cool air. He flexed his fingers, feeling the raw power coursing through him. This world was dangerous, but now, he had the means to survive it.
His gaze flicked to the fallen Direwolf Scouts.
Taking a deep breath, Kaito stepped toward one of the scouts, placing his hand on its cold body. The System responded.
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[Absorbing Essence.]
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[New Passive Skill Acquired: Environmental Synchronization.]
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[Effect] – Enhances the user''s ability to blend into their surroundings, reducing detection in natural environments.
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Kaito exhaled sharply. This was different from the Alpha. Instead of power and dominance, he had gained something stealth-based.
The air around him felt lighter, his body naturally adjusting as if trying to blend into the surroundings. His movements were quieter.
Encouraged, he quickly moved to another scout and activated Predation again.
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[Absorbing Essence.]
[Absorption failed. Essence has already been absorbed from this species.]
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His breath hitched.
What?
He tried again, pressing his palm against the lifeless body.
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[Absorbing Essence.]
[Absorption failed.]
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Kaito’s brows furrowed, a knot of frustration and confusion forming in his chest. Why?
He had absorbed twice from the Alpha. So why was he locked out from the scouts?
Was it because the Alpha was stronger? Or was there another factor he was not aware of?
The System was not explaining anything.
He clenched his fist, staring at the bloodstained ground. There were too many unknowns. He was just grasping at theories, but right now, all he knew was that Predation had limits.
One absorption per species.
Unless the creature was different.
The Alpha had been a higher-tier monster. Maybe that was why he had been able to extract more. Stronger enemies yield greater rewards.
Or maybe, just maybe, Predation had deeper mechanics that he had yet to unlock.
For now, there were too many questions and not enough answers.
Kaito took a steady breath. He would figure it out later. Right now, he had to survive.
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[Mission Time Remaining: Thirty-Seven Minutes]
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A deep tremor pulsed through the ground beneath him, sending a ripple through the fallen leaves. His muscles tensed as he looked around, searching for the source.
The tremors grew stronger, each one accompanied by a dull, rhythmic thud. It was not just the wind or the natural shifting of the land. Something was coming.
Kaito tightened his grip on his sword. His newly enhanced senses picked up a distant yet distinct pattern: heavy, deliberate footsteps. And they were getting closer.
The trees in the distance swayed unnaturally as something enormous moved through the forest. A deep, guttural growl rumbled through the air, vibrating in his chest. Whatever was approaching dwarfed the Direfang Alpha.
Then, through the gaps in the trees, he saw it.
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[Unique Monster Identified.]
[Forest Behemoth]
[Level: Unknown]
[Threat Level: Catastrophic]
[Status: Critically Injured]
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