《Overpowered System》 Chapter 1: The Fall Before the Rise The rain lashed against the windows of the dilapidated apartment as if the sky itself shared his misery. Axel Ravensworth, a twenty-year-old dropout with barely enough money to keep the electricity running, stared blankly at the glowing screen of his second-hand laptop. The words ¡°APPLICATION REJECTED¡± burned into his retinas, mocking him for the fifteenth time that week. The rejection email was nothing new. Jobs were scarce, and qualifications even scarcer. His family¡ªwhat was left of it¡ªhad cut him off years ago. His friends had moved on to better things. And Axel? He was stuck here in this crumbling building with no direction and no hope. ¡°Why do I even bother anymore?¡± he muttered, rubbing his temples. His reflection on the black screen stared back at him, sunken eyes framed by unkempt dark hair. His once-lean body had turned wiry from skipping meals, and he was wearing the same hoodie he had owned since high school. With a resigned sigh, Axel pushed back his chair and shuffled to the corner of the room, where a bucket collected water dripping from a crack in the ceiling. It was pathetic. His life was pathetic. He didn¡¯t even have enough money left to buy food tonight. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time to give up,¡± he whispered to himself, the words tasting like ash in his mouth. The thought had been creeping into his mind more often lately. He shook his head, as if trying to physically push the thought away. It was then, as he reached for the last bottle of water in his fridge, that a strange noise echoed through the room. A faint hum, almost like the sound of a computer booting up, but deeper, resonating through his skull. ¡°What the hell?¡± Axel froze. The sound grew louder, and then his vision blurred as an intense headache pierced through his brain. He clutched his head, dropping to his knees as the room spun around him. Suddenly, his world went dark.
When Axel¡¯s eyes fluttered open, he found himself floating in an endless void of shimmering light. His body felt weightless, and an eerie calm settled over him. ¡°What¡­ where am I?¡± he muttered, looking around. His voice echoed in the void, but there was no answer. Just as he was beginning to panic, a cold, mechanical voice reverberated through the space, sending chills down his spine. [Initializing system... Loading 1%... 5%... 25%...] ¡°What the hell is this?¡± Axel shouted, his voice cracking. He swiped at the air, but nothing changed. The disembodied voice continued as though he hadn¡¯t spoken. [Welcome, User. You have been selected as the Host for the Evolutionary System.] ¡°What the hell is an Evolutionary System? Is this some kind of prank?¡± Axel growled, trying to stand, only to realize there was no ground beneath him. [This is not a prank. This is a gift. Or perhaps... a curse.]This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Axel froze. The voice was so devoid of emotion that it made his skin crawl. ¡°Why me?¡± he asked, his voice trembling. ¡°Why would you choose someone like me?¡± [Selection criteria met. Compatibility: 97%. Potential: 0%.] ¡°Zero percent potential?¡± Axel¡¯s laugh was bitter. ¡°Yeah, that sounds about right. I¡¯m a damn loser.¡± [Incorrect.] The voice responded immediately. [Potential is determined by action. The System exists to elevate you beyond your current limits.] Before Axel could process the words, a translucent blue screen appeared in front of him, floating in midair.
Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 1 Class: Unassigned Stats: Skills: None Quests Available: None System Abilities Unlocked:
Axel blinked at the glowing panel in disbelief. ¡°This¡­ this is like something out of a game,¡± he muttered. His hands hovered over the screen, unsure whether he could touch it. ¡°Stats, inventory, skills¡­ this is insane.¡± [Correct. The Evolutionary System is a gamified interface designed to aid the Host in achieving greatness. However, failure to progress will result in system termination... and Host termination.] The blood drained from Axel¡¯s face. ¡°Wait, termination? You¡¯re telling me I die if I don¡¯t¡­ level up or something?¡± [Correct.] His chest tightened. This wasn¡¯t a game. This was real. ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± Axel said, his voice rising. ¡°I have to play your little game or die?¡± [Correct. Additionally, Host has been granted a starting quest.] Another screen appeared, this time glowing red.
Quest: Prove Your Worth Objective: Defeat one enemy within 24 hours. Reward: 100 XP, Random Item (Rank F). Penalty: System Termination. Time Remaining: 24:00:00
¡°You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me,¡± Axel groaned. ¡°An enemy? What enemy? I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m supposed to fight!¡± Before the system could respond, the void around him shattered like glass, and Axel felt himself plummeting. His screams echoed in his ears as he was hurled back into the waking world.
Axel jolted awake on the floor of his apartment, gasping for breath. His heart raced as he scrambled to his feet, his mind reeling from what just happened. But it wasn¡¯t a dream. The translucent blue panel floated in front of him, the timer on his first quest ticking down. ¡°Alright, think, Axel,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Enemy. I need to find an enemy.¡± His eyes darted to the window. The rain had stopped, and the city streets outside were eerily quiet. But something about the air felt¡­ wrong. A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively turned toward the door. A sound echoed from the hallway. Slow, shuffling footsteps. ¡°Enemy¡­¡± Axel whispered, his body tensing. He crept toward the door and peeked through the peephole. His blood ran cold. Standing in the dimly lit hallway was a creature straight out of a nightmare. Its pale, leathery skin was stretched over an emaciated frame, and its glowing red eyes locked onto the door. [Analyzing target...] [Species: Lesser Wraith] Threat Level: F Status: Aggressive] ¡°Of course,¡± Axel muttered, backing away from the door. ¡°It couldn¡¯t just be a raccoon or something. No, it has to be a freaking wraith.¡± The creature let out a guttural snarl and slammed against the door, the wood creaking under the pressure. Axel clenched his fists, adrenaline surging through his veins. He had no weapons, no skills, and no idea what he was doing. But he had twenty-four hours, and failure wasn¡¯t an option. ¡°Alright, you stupid system,¡± he muttered, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡± Chapter 2: Trial by Fire The door rattled again, the wraith''s claws scraping against the wood with a sound that made Axel¡¯s skin crawl. His breathing was shallow as he stumbled backward, eyes darting around the room for something¡ªanything¡ªhe could use to defend himself. ¡°A wraith? Really? Isn¡¯t this the kind of crap people fight after weeks of training?¡± Axel hissed. The system didn¡¯t respond, its blue screen hovering in the corner of his vision like a silent overseer. He glanced at the timer. Time Remaining: 23:47:12 The wraith let out a guttural snarl, and the doorframe splintered under its assault. Axel''s heart raced as he grabbed the only weapon-like object in the room: a broken mop handle, jagged at one end. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was better than bare hands. [Tip: Utilize the system¡¯s abilities for an advantage.] The message flashed across his vision, and Axel froze. ¡°Abilities?¡± His gaze darted back to the screen. Two options glowed faintly: ¡°Inventory? I don¡¯t even have anything to store!¡± he snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. But then a thought struck him. If the system gave him an inventory¡­ did it come pre-loaded? He focused on the option, and a new screen popped up.
[Inventory]
¡°Thank God,¡± Axel muttered. He selected the dagger, and a burst of light materialized in his hand. The weapon was unimpressive¡ªits blade was chipped and discolored, the hilt wrapped in frayed leather¡ªbut it felt solid, real. And most importantly, sharp. The door finally gave way with a deafening crack, and the wraith lunged inside. Its emaciated body was grotesque, its claws long and jagged, its red eyes glowing with malice. A rancid stench filled the air as the creature hissed, baring yellowed teeth. Axel¡¯s hands trembled as he held the dagger out in front of him. His instincts screamed at him to run, but there was nowhere to go. The system¡¯s words echoed in his mind: ¡°Failure to progress will result in system termination¡­ and Host termination.¡± It was fight or die.
The wraith lunged, its claws swiping toward Axel¡¯s chest. He barely had time to react, stumbling to the side as the creature¡¯s attack missed him by inches. His foot caught on a loose floorboard, and he fell backward, landing hard on the ground. The wraith didn¡¯t hesitate. It screeched and pounced, its claws poised to strike. ¡°Analyze!¡± Axel shouted instinctively, and the system responded.
[Lesser Wraith]
The information flashed through Axel¡¯s mind like a lightning bolt. Weakness: the chest. He gripped the dagger tighter and rolled to the side just as the wraith¡¯s claws gouged deep into the floor where he¡¯d been lying.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Before he could second-guess himself, Axel lunged forward, driving the rusted dagger toward the creature¡¯s chest. The wraith hissed and twisted, its movements unnaturally fast, and the blade skittered across its ribcage without finding its mark. ¡°Damn it!¡± Axel growled, scrambling to his feet. The wraith turned on him, its red eyes blazing with fury. It moved like a blur, slashing at him with razor-sharp claws. Axel dodged one strike but caught the second across his shoulder. Pain exploded through his body, and he cried out, stumbling back. Blood seeped through his hoodie, warm and sticky, but there was no time to think about the injury. The wraith was already charging again. ¡°Focus!¡± Axel barked at himself, tightening his grip on the dagger. He needed to end this quickly. As the wraith lunged again, Axel ducked low, spinning to the side at the last second. He brought the dagger up with all his strength, plunging it into the creature¡¯s chest. The blade sank in deep, and the wraith let out a horrible screech, its body convulsing. For a moment, Axel thought he¡¯d won¡ªbut then the wraith¡¯s claws raked across his side in a desperate counterattack. He gasped in pain as the creature collapsed, its body crumbling into a pile of ash.
[Quest Complete: Prove Your Worth] Level Up!
Axel collapsed to his knees, the dagger slipping from his hand as he clutched his side. His breathing was ragged, and every muscle in his body felt like it was on fire. But he was alive. ¡°I¡­ I did it,¡± he panted, staring at the pile of ash that had once been the wraith. The system¡¯s notification hung in his vision, almost mocking him with its calm, emotionless tone.
[Status Updated] Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 2 Class: Unassigned Stats: Skills: New Item Acquired: Minor Health Potion (Rank F)
The new stats flickered in front of his eyes, but Axel could barely process them through the pain. The notification about the health potion caught his attention, though. ¡°Inventory,¡± he muttered, summoning the screen again. The potion¡¯s icon glowed faintly, and with a thought, he selected it. A small vial of red liquid materialized in his hand. ¡°Here goes nothing,¡± Axel said, uncorking the potion and downing it in one gulp. The taste was bitter, but a soothing warmth spread through his body almost immediately. The pain in his shoulder and side faded, and he could feel his strength returning. ¡°Okay,¡± he said, exhaling slowly. ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad.¡±
Axel sat back against the wall, the events of the last few minutes finally sinking in. He¡¯d fought a monster. An actual monster. And he¡¯d survived. But this wasn¡¯t over. The system¡¯s presence was a constant reminder that his life had changed forever. The words ¡°Level 2¡± glowed faintly in his vision, a stark contrast to the mundane life he¡¯d known just hours ago. He looked down at the rusted dagger in his hand, the blade still smeared with black ichor from the wraith. He didn¡¯t feel victorious. He felt¡­ scared. If this was just the beginning, what kind of horrors was the system going to throw at him next? The blue screen flickered again, and a new notification appeared.
[New Quest Unlocked] Time Remaining: 72:00:00
Axel groaned, letting his head fall back against the wall. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me.¡± The system wasn¡¯t kidding. Chapter 3: The Trial Begins The night air was cold against Axel¡¯s sweat-drenched skin. He leaned against the brick wall of the alleyway, sucking in deep breaths as the corpse of the Feral Mutant slowly disintegrated into black mist. His chest still burned where the creature had nearly ripped him open, and his mind raced with questions he didn¡¯t have the luxury to answer yet. The system window floated in his vision, unbothered by the chaos.
[Enemy Eliminated: Feral Mutant]
Two more. Axel wiped his forehead, ignoring the tremor in his fingers. The encounter had lasted less than a minute, but every second had been a fight for his life. This wasn¡¯t like a game. There were no respawns, no retries. If he slipped up once, he was dead. Still¡­ His eyes drifted to the rusted dagger in his grip. He could feel the adrenaline humming beneath his skin, something sharp and hungry stirring in the back of his mind. Despite the danger, a part of him¡ªa small, twisted part¡ªwanted to keep going. Axel shook his head. Not now. Focus. He forced his legs to move, stepping out of the alley and scanning the streets. The city was changing before his eyes. The eerie blue mist thickened, distorting distant buildings. Faint howls echoed through the night, alien and unnatural. There were no streetlights anymore¡ªonly the pulsing glow of crystalline fragments embedded in the asphalt. It was like reality itself was being rewritten. And Axel was right in the middle of it. Two more enemies to kill. The first mutant had been fast but dumb¡ªmore of a wild beast than anything. The next fight might not be so forgiving. He needed to be smarter. Step one: Find a better weapon. His Rusted Dagger had barely done the job, and if he ran into something stronger, he was screwed. He needed something bigger. Axel scanned the street, eyes landing on a small hardware store up ahead. The windows were already shattered, the inside dark and abandoned. ¡°Bingo,¡± he muttered. He stepped inside cautiously, keeping low as he weaved between overturned shelves and scattered tools. Analyze.
[Objects Detected]
Axel whistled lowly. His first upgrade.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. He grabbed the Hunting Knife, testing the grip. It was sharper, heavier, and far more reliable than the garbage the system had given him. For good measure, he also picked up the Steel Pipe¡ªjust in case he needed reach over precision.
New Weapons Acquired:
With his new weapons secured, Axel slipped back onto the streets. The blue mist shifted unnaturally in the distance, like it was alive. The howling grew louder. Something was out there. His grip on the knife tightened. He needed to strike first. Then, he spotted it. A silhouette moved near a collapsed taxi, its distorted limbs twitching as it sniffed the air. It was twice the size of the last mutant, hunched and sinewy, with long, razor-sharp claws that gleamed in the neon glow.
[Analyzing Target...]

Species: Shadow Stalker (Rank E) Threat Level: Medium Status: Hunting Weakness: Heart, Back of Neck

Axel gritted his teeth. This one was smarter. The Shadow Stalker moved in sharp, predatory motions, its glowing eyes scanning the area methodically. It wasn¡¯t just attacking at random¡ªit was searching. And it was hunting him. Axel took a slow step forward, his heart hammering. He needed to be quick. No mistakes. Then, his Luck stat (1) decided to screw him over. His foot nudged a loose soda can. Clink. The Shadow Stalker¡¯s head snapped toward him instantly. Then it charged. Axel barely had time to react before the monster leaped, claws outstretched. He threw himself backward as the creature slammed down where he had just been standing, cracking the pavement. ¡°Holy shit¡ª!¡± Axel rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding another swipe. It was way faster than the last one. He needed to land a hit now or he wouldn¡¯t get another chance. The system pulsed in his vision.
[System Combat Boost Activated]
Axel didn¡¯t question it. He moved. The Shadow Stalker lunged again, but this time, Axel anticipated it. He sidestepped at the last second, driving his Hunting Knife into the monster¡¯s neck. The creature let out a choked snarl, black ichor spraying as the blade cut deep. Axel twisted the knife, then yanked it free. The Shadow Stalker convulsed, then collapsed.
[Enemy Eliminated: Shadow Stalker]
Axel took a shaky breath, wiping the blood from his face. One more. A low, guttural snarl echoed from behind him. Axel turned. A second Shadow Stalker had appeared. Only this one was bigger. And it was already mid-air, leaping at him with murder in its eyes. His body moved before his mind could catch up. He brought up the Steel Pipe, twisting his body to absorb the impact. The monster slammed into him, sending him skidding backward, but the pipe connected¡ªcracking against its ribs. The beast howled in pain, stumbling back. Axel didn¡¯t let it recover. He surged forward, gripping his Hunting Knife tight, and plunged it straight into the creature¡¯s chest. The Shadow Stalker convulsed violently. Then it collapsed.
[Enemy Eliminated: Shadow Stalker]
A soft ding rang in his mind.
[Level Up!]
A new reward notification appeared.
[Challenge Reward: Rank E Item]
Axel collapsed onto a nearby bench, letting out a slow, relieved breath. He had done it. The first trial was complete. But deep in his gut, he knew¡ªthis was only the beginning. Chapter 4: Trial by Fire Axel slumped against the cold metal bench, still catching his breath. His hands trembled slightly, the Hunting Knife slick with black ichor from the Shadow Stalkers he¡¯d just killed. His muscles screamed in protest, but he ignored the pain. He had survived. For now. The system window floated in front of him, its glowing text an ever-present reminder that he wasn¡¯t out of the woods yet.
[Trial Challenge #1 Complete]
A dark, hooded cloak materialized before him, its fabric shimmering with a faint, smoky glow. Axel reached out, brushing his fingers against it. It felt¡­ light. Almost like it wasn¡¯t really there.
[Phantom Cloak (Rank E)]
A smirk tugged at Axel¡¯s lips. ¡°Now we¡¯re talking.¡± He threw the cloak over his shoulders, feeling an immediate difference. The weight on his movements seemed to lessen, like a subtle pressure had been lifted. Good. He¡¯d need every advantage he could get. Axel pulled up his updated status screen.
[Status] Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 3 Class: Unassigned Stats: Skills: Items:
His stats were improving, but he still had a long way to go. More importantly¡ªhe still didn¡¯t have a Class. The system had promised that completing the trials would give him one. He¡¯d cleared the first challenge, but nothing had changed. Which meant the next trial was coming. And it wouldn¡¯t be any easier. Axel exhaled, watching as the blue mist that had settled over the city shifted unnaturally in the distance. A low, guttural sound echoed from the shadows. He had a bad feeling about this. Then the system¡¯s notification appeared.
[Trial Challenge #2: Infernal Hunt]
Axel froze.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Survive until dawn? His blood ran cold as he reread the special condition. "Marked as prey." That meant¡­ A distant howl split the night air. Not human. Not even close. Axel gritted his teeth. So that¡¯s how it is.
The temperature dropped suddenly. Axel could see his breath in the air, the mist around him growing thicker, heavier. Then¡ª A presence. Axel didn¡¯t know how, but he felt it before he saw it. A heavy, oppressive aura pressed down on his shoulders, setting off every alarm in his brain. His pulse spiked. Something huge stood at the end of the street, half-hidden by the mist. Then it stepped forward. Axel¡¯s breath hitched. The creature was taller than a truck, its skeletal frame wrapped in charred, black flesh. Its limbs were long and jagged, with razor-sharp talons that dripped molten embers onto the pavement. Its head was skull-like, hollow sockets burning with deep, crimson fire. And it was staring directly at him.
[Analyzing Target...]

Species: Hellborn Stalker (Rank D) Threat Level: High Status: Hunting Axel Weakness: Unknown

Axel swore under his breath. A Rank D creature? Already? This wasn¡¯t like the Shadow Stalkers. If this thing caught him, he was dead. Then, it moved. And it was fast. Axel barely had time to react before the Hellborn Stalker lunged, covering twenty meters in a single bound. He threw himself to the side just as a clawed hand slammed into the pavement, carving deep gashes through the asphalt. Move. Move. MOVE. Axel sprinted down the street, dodging between abandoned cars. The Hellborn Stalker let out a low, guttural growl and gave chase. His Phantom Cloak¡¯s effect reduced his presence, but it wasn¡¯t enough to shake it off. The creature was tracking him by scent, heat, or something else entirely. Axel knew he couldn¡¯t outrun it forever. He needed a plan.
Axel skidded around a corner, nearly losing his footing. His mind raced. He had two weapons, but neither would be enough to bring down something this massive. He needed an advantage. Then he saw it. An abandoned gas station. A risky idea formed in his mind. Axel sprinted toward the station, his pulse hammering. The Hellborn Stalker barreled after him, gaining ground fast. Just before reaching the station, Axel grabbed a metal trash can lid from the sidewalk. The creature leaped. Axel spun and hurled the lid as hard as he could at the gas pump. CRASH! The lid slammed into the pump, rupturing the fragile metal casing. Gasoline spilled out, pooling onto the pavement. The Hellborn Stalker didn¡¯t stop. It lunged forward¡ª Axel ducked under its claws, pivoted, and swung the Steel Pipe with all his strength. The pipe slammed against the ground, creating a shower of sparks. The gas ignited. BOOM. The explosion ripped through the station, engulfing the creature in a fireball. Axel was blown backward, slamming into a streetlight with enough force to make his vision blur. His ears rang. His lungs burned. His body ached all over. But when the smoke cleared, the Hellborn Stalker was gone.
[Enemy Eliminated: Hellborn Stalker]
Axel wheezed out a laugh. He was still alive. And dawn was still hours away. This was only the beginning. Chapter 5: Night of the Hunt The Cost of Survival Axel sat slumped against the burnt remains of the gas station, his chest rising and falling in ragged gasps. His ears still rang from the explosion, and the acrid stench of burning flesh clung to his skin. He had won. But he wasn¡¯t safe. Not yet.
[Trial Challenge #2: Infernal Hunt]
His vision blurred for a moment. His body was beyond exhausted. His muscles ached, his lungs burned, and his hands still trembled from gripping his weapons too tightly. He had used his brains to win, but that wouldn¡¯t keep working. Eventually, something faster, smarter, or just too damn strong was going to come for him. Axel gritted his teeth. No time to rest. He pulled up his status screen again, checking his new gains.
[Status] Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 4 (+1) Class: Unassigned Stats: New Skill Gained!
Axel¡¯s eyebrows shot up. A tracking skill? His heartbeat quickened. That was huge. He could sense enemies before they found him, giving him time to set traps, avoid ambushes, or prepare an attack. "Alright," he muttered, gripping his knife tighter. "Time to test this out." He focused, activating [Predator¡¯s Instinct.] Immediately, a pulse spread through his surroundings. The city lit up in his mind like a predator¡¯s hunting ground. He could feel movement¡ªthe faint tremors of something stalking nearby. Three¡­ no, four signals. They weren¡¯t random monsters. They were hunting him. A New Threat Axel barely had time to react before the first shadow lunged. CLANG! He twisted just in time, raising his Steel Pipe to deflect a clawed strike aimed at his throat. Sparks flew as razor-sharp talons scraped against metal. Axel¡¯s eyes narrowed. New enemy. The creature crouched in front of him, hissing. It was humanoid, but wrong¡ªits limbs were too long, its skin stretched taut over wiry muscles. Jagged, bony protrusions lined its arms and shoulders, giving it the appearance of a living weapon.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
[Analyzing Target...]

Species: Night Reaver (Rank D) Threat Level: High Status: Pack Hunter Weakness: Piercing Attacks to the Skull or Spine

Axel¡¯s stomach twisted. A pack hunter. That meant¡ª THUD. A second Night Reaver dropped from a nearby rooftop, landing behind him. A third and fourth emerged from the alleyway, their glowing red eyes fixed on their prey. They were coordinating. And he was trapped. Axel swallowed hard. "Well, shit." Fighting Against the Odds The first Reaver lunged again, swiping its clawed hand at his gut. Axel dodged, rolling to the side and slashing out with his Hunting Knife. The blade sliced across its ribs, but it barely flinched. "Not deep enough," Axel muttered. Before he could react, the second Reaver pounced. Axel twisted, but not fast enough. The creature¡¯s claws raked across his back, sending searing pain through his body. He staggered forward, gritting his teeth. System Warning: HP Critical!

Health: 32%

Axel¡¯s breath came in sharp gasps. If he took another hit like that, he was done. Think. He had two weapons. He had speed. But he was outnumbered. Then an idea hit him. Axel gritted his teeth and ran¡ªstraight toward the alley wall. Using the Environment The Night Reavers chased immediately, their clawed feet scraping against concrete. But Axel wasn¡¯t running away. He was setting them up. As he reached the wall, he jumped, kicking off the surface with both feet. The sudden momentum sent him flipping backward¡ªright over the first Reaver¡¯s head. As he soared past, he brought the Steel Pipe down¡ªHARD. CRACK! The pipe crushed the back of the Reaver¡¯s skull. The creature shrieked, its body collapsing instantly.
[Enemy Eliminated: Night Reaver]
Axel landed in a crouch, spinning to face the others. One down. Three to go. The remaining Reavers hissed, their aggression spiking. They didn¡¯t wait this time. They rushed him all at once. Breaking the Pack Axel didn¡¯t hesitate. He grabbed a discarded beer bottle, smashed it against a car, and hurled the jagged glass into the face of the second Reaver. The creature shrieked, momentarily blinded. Axel used the opening. He lunged forward, knife in hand, and stabbed straight into its spine. The Reaver convulsed, a gurgled snarl escaping its throat, before it collapsed.
[Enemy Eliminated: Night Reaver]
Two left. Axel spun just in time to see the third Reaver leaping at him. He had no time to dodge. Instead, he dropped to one knee, raising the Steel Pipe. The creature impaled itself on the jagged end. Its own momentum drove the pipe through its throat.
[Enemy Eliminated: Night Reaver]
Final one. The last Reaver hesitated. It had seen the others die. It knew it was alone now. Axel smirked, blood dripping from his lips. "Not so tough without your pack, huh?" The Reaver hissed¡­ then turned and bolted.
[Enemy Retreated]
Axel let out a long breath. His body screamed in pain, but he was still standing. And dawn was getting closer.

[Trial Progress: Time Remaining: 5:12:40]

To Be Continued¡­ Chapter 6: The Last Hours of the Hunt Axel¡¯s breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps. He stumbled against a rusted car, gripping the dented hood for support. His body screamed in protest, muscles aching from the relentless fighting. His clothes were torn, his back still burned from the Night Reaver¡¯s claws, and blood dripped from fresh wounds across his arms. Yet, he was still standing. He pulled up his status screen, blinking away the sweat stinging his eyes.
[Status] Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 5 (+1) Class: Unassigned Stats: Skills: Trial Status:
Four hours left. Axel exhaled slowly, wiping the sweat from his forehead. It felt like an eternity. He had killed six monsters so far, but he knew the worst was yet to come. A chill crawled up his spine as his Predator¡¯s Instinct pulsed. Another enemy was nearby. And it wasn¡¯t alone. Axel gritted his teeth. No rest. No mercy. The hunt wasn¡¯t over yet.
He forced himself forward, walking down the deserted, corpse-littered streets. The city¡ª**or what was left of it¡ª**looked even more distorted than before. Whatever was happening, it wasn¡¯t just affecting him. The world itself was evolving. Axel clenched his fists. He needed answers. And he needed to survive long enough to get them. That meant facing whatever was coming next.
Axel turned a corner and froze. In the distance, two humanoid figures stood in the street. At first, he thought they were survivors. Then he saw their eyes. Pure black.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Their skin was stretched tight over their faces, like something was wearing a human body as a mask. A system notification popped up immediately.
[Analyzing Target...]

Species: Hollowborn (Rank D) Threat Level: High Status: Hunting Axel Weakness: ???

Axel tensed. Unlike the Night Reavers, these things weren¡¯t moving like mindless beasts. They were waiting. Studying him. Then, one of them smiled. A shiver ran down Axel¡¯s spine. He had fought monsters that lunged without hesitation. But these creatures? They were patient. And that made them even more dangerous.
Axel didn¡¯t wait. He charged first, gripping his Hunting Knife as he sprinted toward the closest Hollowborn. The creature reacted instantly, tilting its head before vanishing in a blur. Axel¡¯s eyes widened. What¡ª?! Pain exploded in his ribs as the Hollowborn reappeared behind him, its fist slamming into his side. Axel staggered, barely managing to stay on his feet. It was fast. Faster than anything he had fought before. No hesitation. Adapt or die. Axel gritted his teeth, activating [Predator¡¯s Instinct.] This time, he felt the second Hollowborn move before it struck. He twisted, barely dodging a clawed hand aimed at his throat. Spinning on his heel, he slammed the Steel Pipe into its skull. The Hollowborn stumbled, but didn¡¯t fall. Instead, it laughed. Axel¡¯s pulse spiked. ¡°Okay,¡± he muttered. ¡°That¡¯s disturbing.¡± Then both creatures attacked at once.
Axel dove backward, rolling across the pavement just as two sets of claws slashed through the air. Too fast. He needed an opening. Now. Axel''s mind raced. These things were fast, smart, and coordinated. That meant one thing¡ªthey relied on each other. If he could separate them, he might have a chance. His gaze flicked to an abandoned bus near the intersection. Perfect. Axel sprinted toward the bus, baiting them into pursuit. One followed. The other didn¡¯t. Exactly what he wanted. As soon as the first Hollowborn reached him, Axel grabbed a loose fire extinguisher from the ground and hurled it straight at its face. BOOM. The canister exploded into a cloud of white gas, blinding the creature for a moment. Axel didn¡¯t hesitate. He lunged forward, plunging his knife straight into its neck. The Hollowborn let out a shriek, twisting violently¡ª But Axel held firm, dragging the blade across its throat. Black ichor sprayed out. The creature collapsed.
[Enemy Eliminated: Hollowborn]
Axel barely had time to turn before the second one attacked. It was faster now. Angrier. Axel blocked a claw strike with his Steel Pipe, but the impact sent him skidding across the pavement. Too strong. He wouldn¡¯t last much longer at this rate. Then, the system window flickered.
[System Awakening Detected.]
Axel¡¯s heart pounded. Class Assignment? Skill Evolution? Finally. But first¡ªhe had to kill this thing.
Axel took a deep breath. He had one shot. The Hollowborn lunged. Axel ducked under its claws, spinning low before driving his Hunting Knife upward¡ª Straight into its skull. The creature convulsed violently before finally going still.
[Enemy Eliminated: Hollowborn]
Axel staggered back, gasping. The street fell silent. The mist began to fade. And then¡ª
[Trial Challenge #2: Complete.]
Axel collapsed to his knees, laughing weakly. He had done it. The Infernal Hunt was over. But deep in his chest, he knew¡ªthe real game was just beginning.
To Be Continued... Chapter 7: The Awakening The sun rose sluggishly over the horizon, its golden light cutting through the fading blue mist. Axel Ravensworth stood alone in the middle of the ruined street, his breath still ragged from the battle. All around him, the city was silent. No cars. No voices. No sign of normal life. It was like he had stepped into a completely different world. His clothes were tattered and soaked in blood¡ªsome of it his, most of it not. His fingers ached from gripping his knife too tightly, and every muscle in his body screamed for rest. But he wasn¡¯t thinking about any of that. His eyes were locked on the glowing system notification hovering before him.
[Trial Challenge #2: Infernal Hunt ¨C Complete]
Axel exhaled sharply. The moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived. His Class Selection. The system had promised him power, and now he would find out exactly what that meant.
Before Axel could access his class, the system flickered again.
[Skill Evolution Unlocked.]
A new menu appeared, displaying his current skills.
Available Skills for Evolution:
  1. [Analyze] (Rank F) ¡ú [Enhanced Analyze] (Rank E) ¨C Improved identification of enemies, objects, and weaknesses.
  2. [Predator¡¯s Instinct] (Rank E) ¡ú [Hunter¡¯s Domain] (Rank D) ¨C Expands threat detection range to 200 meters. Grants minor combat prediction.
Axel didn¡¯t hesitate. Hunter¡¯s Domain. His instinct had saved his life multiple times. Making it stronger was a no-brainer.
[Predator¡¯s Instinct] ¡ú [Hunter¡¯s Domain] (Rank D) Selected.
Axel felt the change immediately. A cold pulse spread through his mind, his senses sharpening to an unnatural degree. He could hear the faintest movements, sense disturbances in the air, and even feel the lingering presence of creatures that had been nearby. This was next-level awareness. And now, it was his. But that was just the beginning.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
The system shifted again, its blue glow intensifying.
[Class Awakening Initiated.]
Axel exhaled slowly. This was it. The three options appeared.

1. Shadowblade (Stealth Combat) ¨C Rank D+

2. Reaver (Berserker Combat) ¨C Rank D+

3. Voidwalker (Hybrid Adaptation) ¨C Rank C

Axel stared at the options, his heart pounding. Each one was incredibly strong. The Shadowblade meant he could become an unseen assassin, eliminating enemies before they even knew he was there. The Reaver meant he could become a relentless force of destruction, shrugging off damage and overpowering anything in his way. But the Voidwalker¡­ That one was different. It was higher-ranked, meaning it had greater long-term potential. And that skill¡ªVoid Resonance. "Absorbing traits from defeated enemies¡­?" Axel muttered. His mind raced. That meant that every enemy he killed wouldn¡¯t just make him stronger through XP. He could take their abilities. Their strengths, their powers, their evolution. A shiver ran down his spine. That was broken. Axel grinned. "I¡¯ll take Voidwalker."
[Class Selection Confirmed: Voidwalker (Rank C)]
A wave of energy surged through Axel¡¯s body, sending him staggering back. His vision darkened, his heartbeat thundering in his chest. He felt something inside him shift¡ªlike a door had been opened to a deeper power.
New Skill Unlocked:
Axel¡¯s breath hitched. This¡­ this was something else. His eyes snapped open, and for a brief moment, the world looked different. He could see the lingering energy left behind by his fallen enemies. A faint essence, hovering in the air. And he knew¡ªhe could take it. Axel extended his hand, focusing on the remains of the Hollowborn.
[Void Resonance Activated.]
A cold pulse ran through his body. And then¡ªhe vanished. Axel looked down at his hands. They were gone. Or rather¡ªthey were there, but completely cloaked in shadow. His heart pounded. He had absorbed the Hollowborn¡¯s stealth ability. And it worked. A slow grin spread across his face. "This¡­ is insane."
As Axel adjusted to his new power, the system flickered again.
[WARNING: System Integration at 30%]
Axel exhaled, rolling his shoulders. He had survived two trials. And he had come out stronger. But the next challenge was coming. And this time, he wouldn¡¯t just be surviving. He would be hunting.
To Be Continued... Chapter 8: The Hunt Begins Axel stood in the middle of the ruined street, his breath steady as he took in his new abilities. His class¡ªVoidwalker¡ªwasn¡¯t just an upgrade. It was a fundamental shift in how he fought. He pulled up his status screen.
[Status] Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 6 (+1) Class: Voidwalker (Rank C) Stats: Skills:

System Integration: 30%

Axel clenched his fists, feeling raw power thrumming through his veins. Hunter¡¯s Domain let him sense everything around him. Shadow Veil gave him stealth at will. And Void Resonance¡­ He glanced at the scattered remains of the Hollowborn he had killed. Every battle would make him stronger. This wasn¡¯t just about leveling up anymore. He was evolving.
Axel took his first steps down the empty street, scanning his surroundings. Axel narrowed his eyes. This wasn¡¯t normal. His gaze flicked to one of the floating energy shards. Analyze.
[Object Detected: System Fragment]
Axel exhaled. So the system itself was changing the world. And these fragments¡­ they were a part of it. He reached out and touched the nearest shard.
[Absorbing System Fragment¡­]
A wave of energy pulsed through him, subtle but noticeable.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. His fingers twitched. So he could absorb these to grow stronger, too? A slow grin spread across his face. Good.
Axel moved quickly, using Hunter¡¯s Domain to scan the city. He felt it immediately¡ªa new presence. And it was watching him. He turned his head sharply, locking onto a rooftop in the distance. There, crouched in the shadows, was a figure. Not a monster. A human. No¡ªnot human. His Predator¡¯s Instinct screamed a warning.
[Analyzing Target...]

Species: Altered Human (Rank C) Threat Level: Extreme Status: Observing Axel Weakness: ???

Axel¡¯s heart pounded. Altered Human? That meant he wasn¡¯t the only one who had changed. And if this guy was ranked C, he was just as strong as Axel¡ªor stronger. The figure finally stood, stepping into the morning light. He was tall and lean, his body wrapped in a black combat suit. His eyes glowed violet, and strange, shifting markings ran down his arms. And when he spoke, his voice was amused. ¡°So, you¡¯re the other one.¡± Axel tensed. ¡°Other one?¡± The man tilted his head. ¡°The other Survivor. The System chose you, too.¡± Axel¡¯s mind raced. He wasn¡¯t the only one with a system? Before he could respond, the man vanished. Not ran. Vanished. Axel¡¯s instincts screamed at him¡ª MOVE! He jumped back just as a blade sliced through the space where he had been standing. The man reappeared behind him, smirking. Fast. Too fast. Axel skidded to a stop, gripping his knife. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is?¡± The man chuckled. ¡°I need to see what you¡¯re worth.¡± Then he attacked again.
The man moved like a ghost, phasing in and out of visibility. Axel barely dodged the next strike, twisting mid-air and activating Shadow Veil. For a brief moment, he vanished. The man¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Oh? You have something like that too?¡± Axel reappeared behind him, slashing with his knife. The man parried effortlessly, knocking Axel¡¯s weapon aside. Then he counterattacked, aiming a kick at Axel¡¯s ribs. Axel barely blocked, skidding across the pavement. His arms ached. This guy wasn¡¯t just strong¡ªhe was precise. Axel needed to turn the fight in his favor.
Axel activated Hunter¡¯s Domain. The instant the man moved, Axel felt it. A fraction of a second warning. Axel dodged left just as a strike came from behind. The man¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Interesting.¡± Axel grinned. ¡°Yeah? Try this.¡± He lunged forward, feinting with his knife¡ªthen switched weapons mid-motion, grabbing his Steel Pipe. The man miscalculated. The Steel Pipe slammed into his ribs. For the first time, the man stumbled. Axel pressed the advantage, swinging again. But before the blow could land, the man vanished. Then¡ª A cold blade pressed against Axel¡¯s throat. Axel froze. The man stood behind him, his knife barely touching Axel¡¯s skin. ¡°¡­Well done,¡± the man murmured. Then he lowered his weapon. ¡°You¡¯re not bad.¡± Axel let out a slow breath, stepping back. The fight was over. For now.
The man sheathed his blade. ¡°The name¡¯s Kael.¡± Axel studied him cautiously. ¡°You have a system too?¡± Kael smirked. ¡°Not quite like yours, but close enough.¡± Axel¡¯s mind whirled. So the system wasn¡¯t just evolving monsters¡ªit was changing people too. Kael¡¯s violet eyes glowed. ¡°This world is breaking, Axel. And only the strongest will survive.¡± Axel exhaled sharply. He had felt that truth from the beginning. And now, he had proof. Kael tilted his head. ¡°I¡¯ll be watching you. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re worthy of keeping up.¡± Then, he vanished. Axel stared at the empty space where Kael had stood. His knuckles tightened. He wasn¡¯t alone in this anymore. And that meant one thing. The real battle was only beginning.
To Be Continued¡­ Chapter 9: Evolution鈥檚 Price Axel stood in the empty street, watching the spot where Kael had disappeared. His muscles still burned from the fight. His pulse was just now settling. Kael was fast, precise, and ruthless. If they had fought to the death, Axel wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯d still be standing. But the thing that unsettled him the most? Kael had let him live. That meant one of two things. Either Kael thought Axel wasn¡¯t a threat. Or he wanted to see what Axel would become. Axel gritted his teeth. ¡°Fine,¡± he muttered. ¡°Then I¡¯ll make sure I¡¯m worth watching.¡± He pulled up his status screen, scanning his stats.
[Status] Name: Axel Ravensworth Level: 7 (+1) Class: Voidwalker (Rank C) Stats: Skills:

System Integration: 35%

He was getting stronger. But not fast enough. Kael had pushed him to his limit. And there were worse things than Kael out there. Axel turned, scanning the ruined city. The world had changed¡ªand it wasn¡¯t done yet. If he wanted to survive, he needed to push further. And that meant finding his next challenge.
Axel moved quickly through the city, keeping low and using Shadow Veil to slip past unknown threats. The further he traveled, the worse things got. Something big was coming. And Axel wasn¡¯t the only one who felt it. His Hunter¡¯s Domain pulsed¡ªwarning him of movement ahead. Not just one. Dozens.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Axel crouched behind an abandoned truck, scanning the street. His breath caught. A group of twenty figures stood in formation, their bodies covered in black armor, their eyes glowing red. Not monsters. Humans. Or at least, they had been human once.
[Analyzing Target...]

Species: Corrupted Soldiers (Rank C) Threat Level: Extreme Status: Hunting for Survivors Weakness: Limited Intelligence

Axel¡¯s stomach tightened. They weren¡¯t just monsters. They were organized. And they were searching for something. Or someone. He knew one thing for sure. If they found him, it wouldn¡¯t be a fight¡ªit would be execution.
Axel was about to sneak away when his Hunter¡¯s Domain pulsed violently. A new presence. One that dwarfed the soldiers. Something¡­ unnatural. Axel slowly turned his head toward a nearby rooftop. And there it was. A towering figure loomed above, wrapped in shifting shadows. Seven feet tall. Broad shoulders. A flowing black coat made of shifting energy. Its face was hidden beneath a smooth, featureless mask. But Axel could feel its gaze pierce straight through him. Then, the system flickered violently.
[WARNING: High-Level Entity Detected]

Species: Abyssal Revenant (Rank B) Threat Level: Mortal Status: ??? Weakness: Unknown

Axel¡¯s blood ran cold. Rank B. That was a full tier above him. And the worst part? It was looking right at him.
The Abyssal Revenant moved. Not with speed. With certainty. It stepped off the rooftop¡ª And descended like gravity didn¡¯t apply to it. Axel¡¯s instincts screamed at him to move. But before he could, the Corrupted Soldiers turned as well. The entire squad snapped to attention, their weapons shifting into blackened rifles. Then, the Revenant spoke. Its voice was not human. It was a whisper laced with raw power. ¡°Target confirmed.¡± The soldiers opened fire.
Axel threw himself behind the truck as bullets tore through the air. The pavement exploded around him, shrapnel slicing into his arm. He clenched his teeth. Think. He couldn¡¯t fight twenty soldiers AND a Rank B monster. He needed an opening. He glanced at the nearby alleyway. Narrow. Cramped. Good for limiting enemy numbers. Axel activated Shadow Veil and bolted. Bullets whizzed past, but the soldiers had lost their target. He slipped into the alley, using Hunter¡¯s Domain to detect any enemies ahead. No hostiles. Good. But the Revenant¡­ He could feel it. It wasn¡¯t losing him. It was following. Slowly. Deliberately. Like it had all the time in the world. Axel¡¯s heartbeat pounded. This wasn¡¯t just a monster. This was a hunter. And it was treating him like prey.
Axel skidded to a stop inside an abandoned warehouse, taking deep breaths. His mind raced. Running wouldn¡¯t work forever. And fighting head-on? Suicide. But maybe¡­ Maybe he could turn the tables. He scanned the warehouse. Weak points. Axel¡¯s lips curled into a dangerous grin. If he couldn¡¯t overpower it¡­ He¡¯d bury it instead.
Axel moved fast, setting up the warehouse as a trap. Then, he waited. And sure enough¡­ The Abyssal Revenant stepped through the entrance. It didn¡¯t rush. It walked. Like it already knew how this would end. Axel raised his knife, smirking. ¡°Alright, big guy.¡± He cracked his neck. ¡°Let¡¯s dance.¡±
To Be Continued¡­ Chapter 10: The Revenant鈥檚 Fall Axel stood inside the abandoned warehouse, his body coiled like a spring. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind was sharp, focused. Outside, he had been the hunted. But here, in this rusting metal graveyard, he had the advantage. The Abyssal Revenant (Rank B) stood at the entrance, its form wreathed in shifting shadows. It hadn''t rushed after him. It had walked. Because it didn¡¯t need to hurry. To it, Axel was already dead. Axel¡¯s grip tightened around his Hunting Knife. ¡°Let¡¯s see if I can prove you wrong.¡± The trap was set. All he had to do was make it walk into its own grave.
The Revenant took a step forward. Then another. Each step sent a faint echo through the warehouse, a slow, measured rhythm. Axel didn¡¯t move. He barely breathed. Hunter¡¯s Domain pulsed. He could feel the monster¡¯s presence¡ª a massive, oppressive force that warped the space around it. His instincts screamed: RUN. But Axel ignored them. This wasn¡¯t a fight he could win head-on. This was a game of patience. And he was willing to wait. The Revenant tilted its head slightly. Then it spoke. ¡°Hiding will not save you.¡± Its voice was empty, devoid of anything resembling emotion. But Axel heard the certainty in it. It truly believed he had no chance. And that? That pissed him off. Axel exhaled slowly. ¡°Yeah? Then come get me.¡±
The moment he spoke, he moved.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Axel darted left, sliding behind a towering stack of metal crates. The Revenant reacted immediately. BOOM. A wave of force slammed into the crates, sending them crashing down where Axel had been standing a second ago. He rolled, barely avoiding being crushed to death. Fast. And it wasn¡¯t just physical strength. The Revenant had some kind of unseen force, something that let it crush objects with a gesture. Axel¡¯s mind raced. How many abilities did this thing have? The Revenant moved again, stepping deeper into the warehouse. Exactly what Axel wanted. He activated [Shadow Veil], vanishing from sight for five seconds. The Revenant froze. Its head tilted slightly, as if scanning the air itself. Axel used the moment to reposition, slipping behind one of the weakened support beams. This was it. He only had one shot.
Axel waited. The Revenant took another step forward. Right into position. Axel exhaled. Then he moved. In a single motion, he kicked the support beam¡ªHARD. CRACK. The metal groaned. A second later¡ªthe ceiling collapsed. BOOM. Tons of steel and concrete rained down, crashing onto the Revenant. Axel didn¡¯t stop to check. He was already moving, sprinting toward the exposed gas pipes. He grabbed the flare gun from his belt. Aimed. And fired. FWOOSH. The flare hit the gas. A second later¡ª EXPLOSION. A shockwave ripped through the warehouse, flames consuming everything in sight. The force slammed into Axel, sending him flying backward into a metal beam. His vision blurred. Pain exploded through his ribs. But when the smoke began to clear¡­ The Revenant was gone.
A faint ringing echoed in Axel¡¯s ears. His vision swam as the system flickered.
[Enemy Eliminated: Abyssal Revenant (Rank B)]
Axel exhaled shakily. He had won. Barely. He pulled himself to his feet, ignoring the throbbing pain in his ribs. Now for the real prize. His eyes locked onto the Revenant¡¯s remains¡ªa swirling mass of dark energy. And the system offered him a choice.
Available Traits for Absorption:
  1. [Abyssal Step (Rank B)] ¨C Short-range teleportation through shadows.
  2. [Force Crush (Rank B)] ¨C Apply telekinetic pressure to objects and enemies.
  3. [Abyssal Endurance (Rank B)] ¨C Reduces incoming damage and increases regeneration.
Axel stared at the choices. Each one was insane. But one, in particular, stood out. His fight with Kael had proven one thing. Speed was everything. And if Axel wanted to keep up? He needed to move faster than anyone else. He selected [Abyssal Step].
[Void Resonance Activated: Abyssal Step Acquired.]
A cold pulse ran through his body. For a moment, the world shifted. Then¡ª He moved. Not ran. Jumped. One moment he was standing still. The next¡ªhe was ten meters away. Axel¡¯s breath hitched. It worked. And just like that¡­ He had taken his first step toward something greater.
Axel stepped out of the wreckage, his body still aching but his mind sharper than ever. The sun had risen further, though the sky was still warped. The world was changing. And he was changing with it. His first Rank B kill. His first true evolution. And something told him¡­ It wouldn¡¯t be his last.
To Be Continued¡­