《Veil of Aether》 Prelude: The Shattering In the infinite stillness before time, there was nothing but the void. Yet, in that vast emptiness, a singularity burned¡ªa point of unimaginable energy, boundless and untamed. From its eruption came creation itself: dimensions rippling outward, cascading into the infinite expanse. From this singularity, the lifeblood of existence, Aether, spread across the multiverse. Neither tangible nor intangible, it was the source of all things¡ªenergy, matter, and even the laws that governed them. And from Aether came the Forces, the cosmic principles that shaped existence. Supreme Forces such as Time, Space, and Chaos emerged first, weaving the very fabric of reality. Beneath them came Grand Forces¡ªLight, Darkness, Sound, and more¡ªcarrying their will into the physical and metaphysical worlds. Major and Minor Forces followed, fractals of power reflecting echoes of their origins. The Forces were infinite in variety yet hierarchical in design. Supreme Forces commanded the multiverse, while Minor Forces remained fragile, whispers of their greater counterparts. Together, they formed the foundation of existence, binding creation into an intricate web of cause and effect. But creation did not stop with the birth of Forces. From the fertile essence of Aether emerged life. Planets rich in Aether became cradles of growth, where beings evolved, driven to survive, adapt, and ascend. Over eons, these beings learned to harness the Aether that surrounded them, shaping their destinies in alignment with the Forces. They called this process cultivation, a path of endless refinement that turned the weak into legends and the strong into gods. Yet existence was not peaceful. The multiverse thrived on chaos, conflict, and struggle. For every civilization that rose to greatness, countless others fell into ruin. Survival was a privilege, not a right. To exist was to grow, and to grow was to fight against stagnation. And so, the System was born.
The day it began, there was no warning. 10,000 people were pulled from their lives, wrenched away by an unseen force. One moment, they were scattered across Earth, each caught in their own mundane reality. The next, they were standing on unfamiliar ground.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! The landscape was alien¡ªa series of floating landmasses, stacked like a staircase into the heavens. The lowest, where the 10,000 had gathered, was vast and sprawling, dotted with trees and open fields. The air was sharp and still, filled with an unnatural clarity that made every sound, every movement feel amplified. Above them loomed nine more landmasses, each glowing faintly, their surfaces hidden by distance and light. The steps rose higher and higher, as if ascending into infinity. Each level exuded an aura of superiority, a divine quality that seemed to call to those below. The crowd stood in stunned silence, their confusion palpable. Strangers from every corner of the world, they shared no common thread but their bewilderment. Some whispered questions to those nearest them. Others glanced around, their expressions a mixture of fear and awe. And then, a voice shattered the silence.
[Welcome to the Trials of Aether.]
It was cold, mechanical, and absolute, echoing across the landmass as though it spoke from the very air itself.
[You have been chosen. Your survival will determine the fate of your world.]
The message hung in the air, its weight impossible to ignore. People began to shift uneasily, their fear growing. No one spoke now, their breaths held as if waiting for the voice to continue.
[Ahead lies a series of challenges designed to test your worth. Through these trials, you will grow stronger, align with the Forces, and unlock the potential of Aether. Succeed, and you may ascend beyond mortal limits. Fail, and your life will end.]
The weight of the words settled heavily upon the crowd. Some began to panic, their voices rising as they demanded answers from no one in particular. Others stood frozen, paralysed by the implications. Far from the mass of people, an individual sat perched in a tree, their breaths ragged and uneven. How they had ended up there was unclear¡ªeven to them. Beneath the tree, a strange wolf-like creature prowled, its eyes glinting with curiosity and mischief. The creature¡¯s size was unnerving, far larger than anything from Earth, its movements deliberate and calculated. The person in the tree remained still, their gaze flicking downward toward the creature before returning to the sky, where the floating landmasses rose like a stairway to the unknown.
The Trials had begun, and the first whispers of the multiverse stirred. Above the chaos, beyond the confusion of Earth¡¯s chosen, the Forces waited. Unseen, the System observed, and existence itself shifted, preparing for what was to come. For these 10,000 people, the Trials would mark the end of everything they knew. And for a select few among them, it would mark the beginning of something far greater. Chapter 1 As their new, unknown reality began, everyone stood still. Their attention was drawn to the announcement providing them with vital information for what seemed to be their new life. [To help you adjust and acclimate to your new life and challenges, every participant will be granted an additional life. Be sure to use it wisely, as death will be permane¡ª] [Player XXXX is the first player to have lost their additional life. Time of death post-message: 56 seconds.] [Player XXXX earned the first announcement to display across all land masses in this expanse. Player XXXX: ¡°Hehehe, so that¡¯s how it works. That really hurt, though. Huh!? What is this screen asking me to do? Record my words? For what? Does this mean everyone can hear what I¡¯m¡ª¡±] [Player XXXX''s words will be recorded into the database. For the accomplishment of being the first to use their additional life, Player XXXX has received a hidden title.] For a moment, 9,997 people stood frozen in place, dumbfounded by what they had just heard. The words hung in the air, serving as a temporary distraction from everything they had just experienced. However, two individuals didn¡¯t seem surprised in the slightest. Instead, they took comfort in knowing that he was here. With him around, they believed they¡¯d be fine, no matter what came next. At least, that was their second thought. Their first? Hoping they might finally get rid of him for good. Were they serious? Not really¡ªbut they relished the idea for as long as they could. However, each person was certain, Player XXXX, was their leader.
But let¡¯s go back to the beginning, before the announcement. In an expanse, as if summoned there against their will, stood 10,000 participants. Unsure of their purpose in such a place, most of them shared the same thought: ¡°Who are these people?¡± If one were to take a bird¡¯s-eye view of the expanse, they would see ten distinct land masses, structured like a staircase ascending to the heavens. From the lowest land mass, each subsequent level appeared more elegant and divine, becoming increasingly aesthetically pleasing, as if the heavens themselves had designed it with purpose. Each land mass was ranked by its position: the very top, ranked 1, and the bottom, ranked 10. The significance of these rankings would soon become clear.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. As the participants acclimated to their new surroundings, challenges quickly appeared, heralded by a strange, stoic, and mechanical voice. [Welcome to your new reality. This expanse serves as your testing grounds for what lies ahead for your planet¡­ Earth.] Hearing this unexpected voice, everyone froze and looked to the air, frantically searching for its source. To an outsider, the sight of 10,000 people staring at the sky in unison would have seemed absurd. But to those same 10,000 people, their actions made perfect sense. One individual, however, wasn¡¯t just looking at the sky. He was sprawled on the ground, having clearly fallen from a height. Glancing to his side, he noticed the tree he had tumbled out of. "Uggghhhhh, that wasn¡¯t a fun fall. Thank God she wasn¡¯t here to witness my descent, or I¡¯d never be allowed near a tree again." Rather than standing up and dusting himself off, he stayed on the ground, his legs awkwardly arched behind his head, as he continued to listen to the strange voice and read the glowing words that had appeared out of nowhere. [You all have been chosen from the population of your planet to serve as guides for its inclusion into the grander multiverse.] [Here, you will be granted abilities, skills, weaponry, and other tools to aid you in this test. Rise above the challenge and serve as beacons for your planet¡¯s survival.] Although the source of the words remained unknown, everyone understood their meaning. Focused and attentive, they continued to listen. Still sprawled on the floor, the individual glanced at another screen that appeared beside him. A simple message was displayed: [Hidden Title Unlocked: He Who Denies Fate.] "Does that do anything, or do I have to figure it out, or...?" he muttered. [During your stay here, you will be afforded opportunities to advance and grow stronger for as long as you survive. In the multiverse, abstract concepts are known as forces. Each force, powered by the aether that comprises existence, governs natural elements such as water, fire, earth, and wind, as well as unnatural concepts like speed, strength, or swords. Every individual, regardless of their talent, is attuned to a specific force. Some may have the potential to become living gods, while others may be destined to grovel at the floor of existence, unworthy of even glancing at the heights above.] Everyone digested the words of the announcement. A status screen appeared in front of them, displaying their overall stats. Finally getting off the ground and dusting himself off, the individual glanced at his status screen. [Name: Kei Yuichi Title: He Who Denies Fate Class: Locked Force Alignment: Breeze Level: 0 Hp: 15/15 Aether: 30/30 Strength: 8 Dexterity: 2 Agility: 5 Constitution: 4 Intelligence: 10 Will: 10 Charisma: 10 Remaining Stat Points: 5 Skills: None Force Progression: 0% Equipment: None] Kei studied his status screen, unsure of what to make of it. He felt certain, however, that he¡¯d figure out how to optimize his stats as best as possible. But more questioningly, he stared at the final item on his status screen, [Potential: Incalculable] As Kei observed his status, the remaining participants were doing the same. Some were gleeful at the fantasy-like nature of their situation, while others were scared and mortified by the unknown, especially the realization that death here was very real. Chapter 2 As if having been afforded the time to familiarize themselves with their status screen, the system continued its explanation. In the grander realm of existence, all power stems from Forces, abstract concepts that govern the universe. These Forces dictate the very fabric of reality, influencing both natural phenomena and metaphysical constructs. They are divided into three tiers based on their scale, impact, and relevance to existence.
Supreme Forces These remain as the overarching cosmic forces, such as Chaos, Time, Space, Light, and Darkness. They transcend all others and do not require additional categories, as they encompass everything beneath them.
Grand Forces (Major Forces) Grand Forces are the broader, universal categories under which Minor Forces exist: Elemental Forces (Natural) Abstract Forces (Unnatural) Cosmic Forces (Natural/Unnatural Hybrids)
Minor Forces Minor Forces are the more specialized, localized expressions of the Grand Forces. They offer variety and adaptability, while also providing clear paths for evolution. Derived from Fire Derived from WaterA case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Derived from Wind Derived from Earth Derived from Lightning Derived from Abstract Forces Hybrid Minor Forces Hybrid Minor Forces are combinations of elements or concepts, giving rise to unique expressions:
Potential Force Evolution Path Each Minor Force has an evolutionary trajectory depending on its alignment and the wielder''s mastery: Everyone calmly took their time to digest the information just presented about Forces and Aether by the System, occasionally glancing at their own status screens as if to compare their Forces with the details provided. Following this revelation, the participants were unsure why the System chose to mention these aspects, that is, the System highlighted that some Forces are significantly more powerful than others. If these Forces were to be ranked, many participants could make an educated guess about which ones would be at the top. However, intriguingly and unbeknownst to the participants, the System chose to reveal the weakest known Force in the multiverse¡ªBreeze. As for the unfortunate individual aligned with the Breeze Force, he once again found himself perched atop a tree. The reason for his elevated position was prowling just below¡ªa wolf-like creature. It was considerably larger than any wolf found on Earth and far more mischievous than seemed necessary. Oh, but best believe, for every second Kei was up in that tree, he ran his mouth. Forget there being a language barrier between human and monster, the wolf understood the intention of every word he rattled off. Chapter 3 As if his throat had run hoarse, Kei took a moment to reflect on how he ended up in the tree. Distracted by reading through his status screen while the System was informing everyone about Forces and Aether, he had taken it upon himself to analyse his status screen and the distribution of his stat points. [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 15/15 [Aether]: 30/30 [Strength]: 8 [Dexterity]: 2 [Agility]: 5 [Constitution]: 4 [Intelligence]: 10 [Will]: 10 [Charisma]: 10 [Remaining Stat Points]: 5 [Skills]: None [Force Progression]: 0% [Equipment]: None Unfazed by the fact that Intelligence, Will, and Charisma were his highest stat points, Kei instead scrutinized the physical aspects of his status screen. Using his mental stats as a baseline for comparison, he was surprised to see that his Strength was relatively high. However, he wasn¡¯t shocked to find that he lacked agility, dexterity, and sturdiness¡ªtraits clearly reflected in his lower Dexterity, Agility, and Constitution stats. For those who knew themselves well and were honest, it became evident that their stat distribution likely reflected the quality of their lives back on Earth. Unsurprisingly, athletic individuals tended to have more physically-oriented stats, while those of intellectual or social prominence were more mentally inclined. With 10 stat points allocated to Will, Charisma, and Intelligence, it was clear what kind of person Kei had been in his previous life on Earth. Having heard the System speak about this new form of energy called Aether, Kei took a moment to try and sense it in the world around him, only to fail in the endeavour. Frustrated but curious, he turned his attention to his stat points. He wondered how allocating points would affect his mental and physical nature. To test his theory, he added 1 stat point to Dexterity.
[Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 15/15 [Aether]: 30/30 [Strength]: 8 [Dexterity]: 3 [Agility]: 5 [Constitution]: 4 [Intelligence]: 10 [Will]: 10 [Charisma]: 10 [Remaining Stat Points]: 4 [Skills]: None [Force Progression]: 0% [Equipment]: None
Almost immediately, Kei sensed subtle but noticeable changes within his body. It was as if his muscles and ligaments had become more finely tuned. His movements felt smoother, his limbs more responsive, and his posture naturally adjusted without conscious effort. He felt a newfound awareness of his body''s placement in relation to the surrounding environment¡ªa heightened proprioception, as if his mind and body were better connected. Kei experimentally flexed his fingers, noticing that they moved with slightly more precision. His sense of balance also felt improved; a minor shift in his footing caused him to instinctively stabilize himself before he even realized he was off-balance. Dexterity, it seemed, was more than just raw speed or coordination¡ªit affected how efficiently his body could respond to commands, how fluidly he could adjust to his surroundings, and how precisely he could execute movements. This newfound sense of control gave him the feeling that he was now better equipped to handle challenges requiring finesse and precision.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. While the change was subtle with just one point allocated, it left Kei wondering how much of an impact more points could have¡ªand whether this improvement would compound with further growth. Kei took a slow breath, still adjusting to the newfound sensations coursing through his body. The single point he had placed into Dexterity had granted him a subtle yet undeniable shift in control¡ªhis limbs moved with greater precision, his balance had improved, and his reflexes felt more instinctive. If such a minor change could refine his movement to this degree, then what about the other attributes? His mind turned toward the remaining physical stats: Strength, Agility, and Constitution. If each of them affected his body in a fundamental way, then their influences should be just as noticeable¡ªif not more distinct. Logically, Strength wouldn¡¯t just increase his ability to lift heavy objects or hit harder¡ªit would enhance the very foundation of his muscular system. His muscles wouldn¡¯t just be stronger; they would contract more efficiently, generating greater force with each movement. A single point might not make him look physically larger, but he imagined it would make his grip firmer, his steps heavier, and his strikes more solid. However, true strength wasn¡¯t just about power¡ªit was also about stability. He theorized that his movements would gain additional resistance against external forces, preventing him from being easily pushed or knocked back. His posture would become anchored, his steps more deliberate, and his ability to manipulate objects with force would improve. If Dexterity had made his motions more refined, Strength would make them decisive. While Dexterity granted better control, Agility would focus on raw movement speed and reaction time. His legs wouldn¡¯t just move smoother, but faster¡ªallowing him to reposition more quickly, dodge attacks with greater ease, and cover distances with less effort. More than just running speed, Agility would also impact his reaction time and acceleration. A sudden movement would require less buildup¡ªhis body would respond immediately, wasting no time between thought and action. If Dexterity made each movement precise, Agility would make them instantaneous. A higher Agility stat would likely improve his ability to weave through obstacles, pivot sharply, and change direction mid-motion without losing momentum. He imagined that, at high enough levels, Agility could make a person seem weightless, as if they were flowing rather than moving. Unlike the other stats, which focused on output, Constitution was about endurance, resilience, and durability. It wouldn¡¯t just make his body tougher¡ªit would make it last longer. His stamina would increase, allowing him to exert himself without tiring as quickly. His muscles wouldn¡¯t burn as fast, his breathing would stay steadier, and his body would recover from strain more efficiently. More than that, Constitution likely enhanced damage resistance. It wouldn¡¯t necessarily make his skin as hard as steel, but it would reduce the impact of blows, dulling pain and allowing him to withstand attacks that would normally incapacitate him. Perhaps it also improved his immune system, fortifying his internal resilience against exhaustion, sickness, or external conditions like extreme heat and cold. If Strength made him powerful, Dexterity made him precise, and Agility made him fast¡ªthen Constitution would make him enduring. Each stat seemed interconnected, their influences overlapping in ways that weren¡¯t immediately obvious. Increasing Strength without Dexterity might result in clumsy power, while raising Agility without Constitution might lead to a body that moves too fast for its own endurance. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that balance was key. A single point in any of these stats might be small on its own, but if all of them worked together? Strength making his strikes solid, Agility letting him move before an opponent could react, Dexterity ensuring every action was deliberate, and Constitution keeping him going longer than his enemies? The thought sent a chill through him. One point had barely scratched the surface. What would happen when he had dozens? Hundreds? A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He was going to find out. Chapter 4: The Fangcub’s Hunt As he paused his reflection on the nature of physical stats and their influence on the body, his gaze shifted toward his mental stats. He noted that, despite being his highest attributes, all three seemed to be capped at 10 stat points each. No longer one to be arrogant, he considered the possibility that his Will and Intelligence should have been much higher. His Charisma? That didn¡¯t matter much to him¡ªwhether he was charming or not¡­ or at least, that¡¯s what he convinced himself of. Others would have mocked his vain attempt at humility. Glancing at his four remaining stat points, he considered experimenting with Will to determine whether the cap at 10 stat points was a hard limit or simply an illusion. Just as he was about to commit, something stirred¡ªa faint sensation, as if his Breeze Force had awakened for the first time. A strange awareness settled over him, tugging his attention elsewhere. A low, guttural rumble drifted through the air, subtle at first¡ªjust a vibration beneath the silence. It was deep, steady, and laced with an unspoken warning. The sound curled around him, primal and deliberate, growing in volume with each breath, as though something just beyond his sight had finally taken notice of him. And then it stepped forward. Step by step, head hung low, as if preparing to meet its meal¡¯s gaze.
[Fangcub ¨C Level 3] A wolf barely past its pup stage.
Kei blinked. "Such a strange world this is¡­ to consider such a large beast a cub." The creature before him resembled a wolf but larger, bulkier, its fur uneven and wild, with hints of unformed strength still maturing in its frame. Despite its classification as a mere cub, it was already more imposing than any wolf he had ever seen on Earth. Still, rather than feeling fear, Kei found himself more curious. The Fangcub circled him, its growls low and deliberate, rumbling in its throat like a young predator still practicing its intimidation tactics. It was almost comical.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "Fear me, I¡¯m scary," its posture seemed to say, but Kei found it more amusing than anything else. Kei remained perfectly still, his instincts clinging to a familiar movie troupe¡ªif he didn¡¯t move, the predator might lose interest. Was that true for wolves? No. Absolutely not. Wrong as he may be, Kei still commended himself for not flinching, despite the very obvious fact that the cub was a wolf, not a dinosaur. The Fangcub, apparently entertained by its strange, unmoving prey, tilted its head in curiosity before launching forward with a burst of speed Kei wasn¡¯t ready for. Teeth met flesh. Pain flared. Kei yelped. "Jurassic Park lied to me!" The Fangcub¡¯s bite sank deep, but he managed to keep his balance, stumbling backward instead of outright collapsing. His breathing was sharp, adrenaline flooding his system as he forced himself to ignore the pain. His first real injury in this world. The Fangcub, pleased with itself, pranced lightly on its paws, as though celebrating its successful attack. Kei, however, had no intention of standing around waiting for another one. He quickly assessed his situation. Weapons? None. Armor? Also none. Options? Barely any. His only choice was the environment. As the Fangcub continued to bask in the glory of its first bite, Kei made his move¡ªturning and sprinting away, grabbing small pebbles off the ground as he ran.
[HP]: 12/15
"Three damage? Not bad," Kei noted, mentally filing the information away. Noticing his attempted escape, the Fangcub playfully bounded after him, its head bobbing up and down in an oddly gleeful rhythm. Almost as if it were singing about its meal. Kei gritted his teeth. He didn¡¯t like how unbothered it seemed. Without stopping, he hurled a pebble at its head. THWACK! The Fangcub jerked back, momentarily confused. A moment later, it turned to face him again, blinking in surprise¡ªmore puzzled than angry. Then another rock came flying. The Fangcub tilted its head, barely dodging the next pebble. Kei cursed inwardly, realizing his aim was terrible, and kept running. Rather than enraged, the Fangcub seemed entertained. This was just a game to it. Realizing he had no better option, Kei sprinted toward the nearest tree, leaping up and gripping the lowest branch for dear life. A familiar situation. A too familiar situation. For the second time since arriving in this world¡­ He was back in a damn tree.
The Fangcub plopped itself down at the base of the tree, looking up at him with gleaming, hungry eyes. Its posture was relaxed, patient¡ªbecause it knew. It had already won. It had already tasted him. Blood still dripped from its maw, staining its fangs a deeper red. It licked its lips, savouring the aftertaste, its instincts roaring with something it didn¡¯t fully understand. Something had changed. A shiver ran through the cub¡¯s small frame, a rush of something powerful thrumming in its veins. It had bitten many things before. Prey. Packmates. But never had a single bite left it feeling stronger. And yet¡­ Kei¡¯s blood was different. It was as if his very essence provided nourishment, a fortune it had never encountered before. It wasn¡¯t just prey anymore. It was a treasure. The Fangcub¡¯s eyes darkened with something new. Hunger. True hunger. Chapter 5 Glancing at the hungry cub prowling below, Kei dangled from the tree branch, his grip firm but strained. He wasn¡¯t exactly in a life-or-death panic, but he¡¯d be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t mildly concerned about the oversized wolf cub eagerly waiting for him to fall. Still, priorities. If he was going to be stuck up here, he might as well make use of the situation. Kei focused inward, drawing upon the 8 points of Strength allocated to him. He had already felt the impact of Dexterity, noting how it subtly refined his control over movement. Now, he wanted to see what Strength really did. He shifted his awareness to his muscles, paying close attention as he tightened his grip on the branch. At first, the change was hardly noticeable. It wasn¡¯t as if some divine power surged through his limbs, nor did he suddenly feel superhuman. But then¡ªhe felt it. A slight tension, a firmness in his arms and shoulders that hadn¡¯t been there before. His muscle fibers tensed and retracted, responding to his focus in a way that felt just a little more efficient than before. It wasn¡¯t dramatic, but it was there. Not much¡­ but better than nothing. From an outsider¡¯s perspective, it would have been easy to assume Kei had completely forgotten about the predator waiting below, but that wasn¡¯t true. He was fully aware of the Fangcub¡¯s presence¡ªhe had just decided to ignore it for now. With a final pull, he hauled himself onto the branch, exhaling deeply as he shifted into a more stable position. His muscles still tingled with the aftereffects of exertion, but it was far less taxing than he expected. He glanced down, half-expecting the Fangcub to have grown bored and wandered off. Instead, the cub met his gaze, its golden eyes glinting with amusement. Kei frowned. The Fangcub just sat there, staring up at him, its tail flicking lazily across the ground. If it had opposable thumbs, Kei was absolutely convinced it would have given him a thumbs-up of approval. Then, as if mocking him, the Fangcub tilted its head, licking its lips before flashing him what could only be described as a grateful expression. "Thank you for tenderizing your meat. Such a good meal."If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Kei stared. Then he sighed. "Yeah¡­ I really don¡¯t like you."
Noting the pebbles still in his pockets, Kei took inventory of them. "One to zero," he muttered. His previous failed attempts at throwing pebbles flashed through his mind. As he remained stuck in the tree, he found himself reflecting on the mechanics of throwing¡ªand more importantly, which stat would best help him take that smug pup¡¯s eye out. "Increased density in muscle fibers might help with force," he mused. "But being more aware of my body in relation to the world might improve my aim more." He thought back to his stat allocations, considering the difference between Strength and Dexterity. Strength would make his throws heavier, but Dexterity would refine them. And right now, precision mattered more than power. Glancing toward a tree a couple of meters in front of him, he picked up the first of the twenty pebbles he had collected. As a test run to judge a baseline for his accuracy, he flicked his wrist, sending the pebble toward the opposite tree¡ªonly to miss completely. The Fangcub watched his failed attempt with amusement, making its gleeful mockery obvious. Kei chose to ignore the beast, instead recounting his experience and taking mental notes of factors that were likely affecting his accuracy. Adjusting his wrist movement and accounting for various external factors, he threw another pebble. WHIRR¡ªTHUNK! The pebble struck the opposite tree. Kei grinned. "That¡¯s a start." "Awrf!" The Fangcub let out an excited bark, wagging its tail as if celebrating his success. Kei stared at it. "I don¡¯t know if I should be happy or insulted."
At this point, Kei was still stuck in the tree, the Fangcub waiting below, when the System''s voice rang out, explaining the structured hierarchy of Forces in the multiverse. As the System detailed the classification¡ªSupreme, Grand, Major, and Minor¡ªKei continued throwing pebbles at the opposing tree, gradually fine-tuning his aim. "Five to nine," he muttered. "Not a bad accuracy rate. At least I¡¯m able to fine-tune the muscles and ligaments in my wrist." Then, something caught his attention. "Supreme, Grand, Minor¡­ Breeze." He reflected on an earlier moment¡ªwhen he had felt his Force stir and become more attuned to the surrounding environment. Closing his eyes, he focused inward. Soon after, his Breeze Force stirred awake once more. "I have six pebbles left, all of varying weights. The wind is picking up around me, and it¡¯s easier to sense everything around me." He took a deep breath. If wind resistance could be manipulated, then his ability to control the force and trajectory of each pebble could be enhanced.
Kei considered the necessary force adjustments for an accurate throw under wind influence. The mass of the pebble determined how much force he needed to apply, but the wind speed and direction altered its path mid-flight. If the wind pushed from the side, he needed to adjust his release angle. Too much compensation, and the pebble would veer off course. Too little, and the wind would completely ruin his shot. Air resistance also played a role. A lighter pebble would be more affected by drag, requiring him to either throw harder or adjust his trajectory even more carefully. A heavier pebble, on the other hand, would be less influenced by the wind but required more force to reach the target accurately. "The weight of the pebble, the wind speed, and the drag¡­ I can feel them now." His Breeze Force stirred again, almost instinctively guiding his awareness. He adjusted his grip, feeling the flow of Aether around him, the subtle shifts in the wind. "This isn¡¯t just about throwing anymore. If I can understand the forces at play, I can adjust mid-throw." He lifted another pebble, exhaled, and let it fly¡ªthis time, with a calculated correction for wind resistance. WHIRR¡ªTHUNK! Dead center. Kei smiled. "Now we¡¯re getting somewhere." Chapter 6 Taking a moment to glance down at the more pressing matter at hand¡ªthe reason for his accuracy training¡ªKei felt his patience reaching its limit. Even from within the tree, he could hear the rumbling of the pup¡¯s stomach. Having taken comfort in the Fangcub¡¯s nonchalant, goofy nature, he had assumed he¡¯d have more time to train. Seems like time is no longer a luxury. "Awrf." Kei, now forced into a stalemate with the Fangcub, did what he did best¡ªrun his mouth¡­ again. He monologued, mocking the cub¡¯s persistence: "You ever heard of giving up? No? You should try it. It¡¯s great." "At this point, I¡¯m naming you Bitey. It fits." "How long do wolves even wait for food? You got, like, a patience stat or something?" The Fangcub just sat there, tail wagging, clearly enjoying the free entertainment. At some point, Kei started messing with small twigs and leaves, casually tossing them at the cub just to see how it would react. This back-and-forth continued¡­ Until the Fangcub decided it had waited long enough. It rose to its feet, eyes locked onto Kei with renewed determination. Then, it lunged at the tree, clawing at the bark, trying to shake him down. Kei gripped the branch tighter as the vibrations traveled up the trunk. "Hey! What happened to patience?! Didn¡¯t I just compliment your patience stat?!" "Listen, Bitey, I know this whole thing has been fun for you, but I¡¯d rather not be your next meal!" The tree swayed, leaves rustling around him. Kei panicked¡ªand then, something strange happened. His Breeze Force stirred.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. A sudden updraft pushed him higher into the tree, as if the wind itself had lifted him. His eyes widened. "Wait¡­ did I just¡­ float?" Instinctively, he tried to replicate it, focusing on that same sensation of lift¡ªbut nothing happened. His control was still too weak. Then, he looked down. His expression twisted. "Wait!? Am I higher in the tree?! Oh, come on!" Just as Kei tried to process what was happening, the System delivered an announcement: [First player to trigger natural resonance with their Force detected.] [Breeze Progression: 0.5% ¡ú 1%] [Hidden Potential Confirmed: Breeze Force Evolution Possible.] Kei froze. "Hold up. Did I just do something cool?!" But before he could process it¡ª
The Fangcub¡¯s persistence paid off. The tree shook violently, and with a sharp crack, the branch beneath Kei snapped. He plummeted toward the ground. The Fangcub jumped to meet him midair, jaws open, ready for a second bite. Knowing he¡¯d probably break a bone or two upon impact with his low Constitution stat, Kei braced himself. The Fangcub, tensing its muscles, coiled its legs in preparation to pounce the moment its prey hit the ground. Then¡ª The instant Kei landed, a strange glint flashed before his eyes. The Fangcub launched itself forward, ready to end the charade. Kei locked eyes with it. "Oh?" Pain shot through his left leg¡ªa sharp, piercing ache. A fracture. But Kei had no time to dwell on it. Ignoring the pain, he quickly rolled to the side and hurled a pebble at the Fangcub¡¯s leg. "Five pebbles remaining." He noted to himself, eyes locked on his target. The pebble struck true, colliding with the cub¡¯s leg mid-leap. The Fangcub winced in midair, landing unsteadily. The cub''s demeanor shifted. No longer playful. No longer amused. It was taking this seriously now. Ignoring the pain surging through his left leg, Kei held his ground. The Fangcub, with its obvious advantage in physical stats, launched itself forward again. This time, its claws slashed through the air, aiming to decapitate the human. Kei barely had time to process the attack. Then, a sudden gust of wind blew past him¡ªhis Breeze Force stirring once more. The wind pushed him back, just enough for the Fangcub¡¯s claws to miss¡ªonly managing to slice a few strands of hair from Kei¡¯s head. As that happened, Kei saw an opening. He launched another pebble upwards, this time with greater force, aiming for the Fangcub¡¯s jaw. THWACK! A sharp yelp of pain escaped the cub as it stumbled back. Kei watched it recover quickly, eyes burning with growing aggression. It looked at him differently now. Not as an easy meal. Not as an amusing plaything. But as a worthy opponent. Kei, barely able to stand on his injured leg, still stared the cub down. It was a battle of sheer strength versus adaptability. Kei smirked. "Three pebbles left." What happened to the fourth? A deep growl answered that question. The fourth pebble had already struck, landing directly in the middle of the Fangcub¡¯s head. The cub shook itself off, eyes flickering with something unreadable. Kei muttered under his breath. "Aether? Force? Breeze?" "Strange world this is." The Fangcub leaped again, its body twisting midair, claws ready. Kei threw another pebble, his last chance to turn the tide. Two figures, locked in a desperate fight. Both betting it all for survival. Chapter 7 Both launched forward¡ªthe Fangcub¡¯s speed clearly outmatching Kei¡¯s, aiming to end it all with a savage bite. Kei, knowing his reaction time wouldn¡¯t be enough to save him, made a split-second decision. He dumped all his remaining stat points into Agility.
[Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 7/15 (Fractured state: left leg) [Aether]: 20/30 [Strength]: 8 [Dexterity]: 3 [Agility]: 9 [Constitution]: 4 [Intelligence]: 10 [Will]: 10 [Charisma]: 10 [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 [Skills]: None [Force Progression]: 0% [Equipment]: None
Suddenly feeling a boost in speed, Kei used the remaining fraction of time to dive beneath the Fangcub. As he moved underneath the wolf-like creature, he rotated midair and, with all his strength, launched an upward kick into the cub¡¯s midsection. A sharp yelp echoed through the air. The Fangcub was launched upwards.
[Fangcub] [HP: 22/30]
As if to humiliate it further, Kei immediately hurled another pebble at the cub while it was still airborne. "Trick shot!" he exclaimed gleefully. Having practiced with 20 pebbles beforehand, his striking power and accuracy had steadily improved. Thwack!
[Fangcub] [HP: 20/30]
As the Fangcub landed, it immediately turned its gaze toward Kei, its stance shifting. Kei, despite the pain shooting through his fractured leg, couldn¡¯t help but grin. Now hopping and shifting his weight, he tried acclimating himself to the new sensations of his body. Tilting his head as he gazed at the wolf, he raised his left hand, two pebbles held between his fingers.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "Two more." He said it mockingly. The Aether in the air thickened¡ªthe Fangcub reinforcing itself, as if declaring its intent to get serious. "Oh?" The wind stirred, responding instinctively. Kei feinted by quickly dropping his left arm. The Fangcub flinched, only to realize nothing was coming its way. Then, in the same breath, it saw Kei dash backward at an alarming speed. Now wielding a well-sized branch, one that could serve as a makeshift staff, Kei steadied his stance. The Fangcub, now bolstered by Aether, became a near-invisible blur. Kei''s eyes failed to keep up¡ªbut the wind whispered its location to him, revealing its path and approximate arrival time. Trusting his Force, he quickly jabbed forward. As if anticipating his reaction, the Fangcub dodged to the side, its tail whipping around ferociously, aiming to cause injury. Thwack! A yelp escaped from the cub.
[Fangcub] [HP: 16/30]
Having used his left thumb to launch another pebble, Kei took advantage of the Fangcub¡¯s confusion. He unleashed a rapid series of swings and jabs, each strike reducing the cub¡¯s remaining HP.
[Fangcub] [HP: 12/30] [Kei Yuichi] [HP: 6/15]
However, relentless and determined, the Fangcub managed to land a few successful strikes as well. Both combatants now understood¡ªthis battle was about to reach its final act. At least, the Fangcub did. Kei, on the other hand¡ª Holding the remaining pebble in his left hand and the branch staff in his right, one might assume that he was near death, with all his injuries. A fractured leg, bleeding from multiple wounds¡ªand yet... He didn¡¯t seem the least bit concerned. Instead, he was stretching. Loosening his wrists, rolling his shoulders¡ªalmost as if he were warming up.
"AWRF!"
The Fangcub growled, fully enraged, charging up what appeared to be a skill. Whatever it was planning¡ªit was ready to end this fight for good. Kei glanced at it, unfazed. "Oh, you''re ready?" The Fangcub¡¯s body surged with energy, its claws crackling with force, its jaws glowing faintly with condensed Aether. It launched forward¡ª But before it could attack¡ª
"YELP!!!"
A pebble struck its eye dead-on. Kei smirked. "Bullseye. Told you I¡¯d take out your eye."
[Fangcub] [HP: 5/30]
The Fangcub collapsed, completely defenseless. Kei, using his branch staff for support, limped over to the cub. He sighed, staring down at it. "For what it¡¯s worth, you really entertained me. You also helped introduce me to combat in this world¡ªto Aether, and to Force." The Fangcub lay still, accepting its fate. But instead of delivering a final blow, Kei simply turned his back to it. "Take care of yourself¡­ and get your eye fixed. Kinda weird what happened to it." The cub barely reacted, too drained to even be annoyed by Kei''s parting words. It simply watched as he weakly walked away. Then¡ª His legs finally gave out. With a thud, Kei collapsed face-first into the ground. "You really wanted to take a bite out of me, didn¡¯t you?" Kei chuckled. As he lay there, his left leg fractured, his right leg missing a chunk of its calf, blood pooling beneath him¡ª
[Kei Yuichi] [HP: 1/15]
He let out a slow breath. "Always wondered what it was like to bleed out." And then, darkness took him. The Fangcub simply stared, more confused than it had ever been in its life. Chapter 8 – The Fangcub’s Gamble This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Chapter 9 "Died? Already?" "We''ve barely been here for ten minutes." In what seemed to be the centre of the first landmass, 9,999 participants stood scattered across the terrain, each trying to grasp their new reality. People of all races, ages, and backgrounds filled the space, their diversity evident at a single glance. Some stood frozen in shock, while others murmured among themselves, voices tinged with confusion, fear, or fascination. Then, as if to ground them further in this surreal experience, the system continued its message.
[System Message] [Here, you are afforded the opportunity to soar and rise. To train and manifest a new fate for yourself and that of your planet. Be sure to use it carefully, and don¡¯t waste the opportunity presented to you.] [Your world¡¯s fate is in your hands.] [Best of luck.]
As the system¡¯s final message rang through the air, the weight of their situation finally settled in. And then, the silence shattered. "What is happening!?" "Where are we? Why am I here!?" "Ooohhhh, the trees here are pretty." "What is this about the Earth''s fate being in our hands? We don¡¯t even have control over our own fate right now!" Chaos unfolded. Conversations overlapped, panicked voices rising and falling in waves. People desperately grasped for answers¡ªsome rationalizing, others spiralling into existential dread. Yet, amidst the confusion, a select few did not waste time panicking.
Instead of succumbing to fear, some individuals had already begun critically assessing their situation. Status screens materialized before them, glances darting toward their respective Force alignments and stat point distributions. Some immediately allocated stat points¡ªeither to minimize weaknesses or reinforce strengths. Others focused entirely on their Force alignment, trying to decipher what little information they had received from the system. A vast mixture of Force alignments emerged, derived from the variety of minor forces the system had detailed earlier. As if trying to grasp the nature of their newfound abilities, many recalled a previous system announcement.
[System Alert] [First player to trigger natural resonance with their Force detected.] [Breeze Progression: 0.5% ¡ú 1%] [Hidden Potential Confirmed: Breeze Force Evolution Possible.]
Unbeknownst to Kei, this simple announcement lit a fire in the hearts of those determined to rise. The knowledge that Force evolution was possible gave them something tangible¡ªsomething to chase. Hope. Determination. A hunger for power that hadn''t been there before. If someone had already begun advancing, then there was no reason they couldn¡¯t do the same. For the ambitious, this wasn¡¯t just a game¡ªit was an opportunity. And opportunities were not meant to be wasted.
However, while most participants focused on growth, a select few were focused on something else entirely. The death message.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Unlike the panicked majority, they weren¡¯t disturbed by the fact that someone had died so quickly. Instead, what caught their attention was the inexplicable nature of that death. There was no immediate danger around them. No creatures, no hostile forces. No visible threats. So how did one person die¡ªwithout anyone witnessing it? There was only one logical conclusion. That individual must have spawned in a different location than the rest of them. And if that were true, then it meant some of them would eventually encounter whatever killed that person. Not if. When. And when that moment arrived¡ªwould they be prepared?
Amidst the murmurs and conversation, the Aether in the air surged as Forces began to manifest. Fire, water, earth, magnetism¡ªminor forces flickered into existence, dancing in the air. Some used their newfound power playfully, experimenting like children with a new toy. Others displayed their strength, showcasing their potential to those around them. Hop. Hop. Hop. Like newborns trying to acclimate to their bodies, many tested the activation of their Forces¡ªfeeling the Aether around them, trying to grasp what once felt incomprehensible. For those taking matters seriously, this was no longer an observation period. It was time to prepare. No matter how frightened they were, no matter how difficult their challenge seemed¡ª They had no choice but to face it.
Meanwhile, in a Different Location¡­ Far away from the other participants, Kei and the Fangcub took stock of their current situation. Kei shifted, before side-eyeing his former enemy. "Are you still trying to eat me, or are we good?" The Fangcub let out a slew of wolf-like curses. "You son of a bitch, you took my eye out!" Kei scoffed. "Hey, quit yapping. You trapped me in a tree, and I did say I¡¯d do what I did. You have yourself to blame." As the two quarrelled, their hunger made itself known. Kei glanced at the carnage surrounding them¡ªovergrown hares littering the battlefield. He turned back to the wolf, eyes narrowing. "You already ate a piece of me, and you''re still hungry?" The Fangcub let out a whimper, as if protesting. "Your entire body is barely a snack¡ªdon¡¯t judge me." Still licking its maw, it suddenly felt a forceful downward tug on one of its fangs. The wolf growled in dismay, eyes locking onto Kei. Kei, completely unbothered, shrugged. "What? There¡¯s a lot of oversized bunnies here, and nothing to cut and clean them with." He paused, then thought aloud. "If we have a status screen, maybe we have an inventory." Curious, he spoke. "Inventory." A new screen appeared before him, displaying a beginner sword and basic healing potions. Kei blinked. "Would¡¯ve been nice to know five minutes ago." Meanwhile, the Fangcub, using its tongue to make sure its fang hadn¡¯t loosened, felt its injured socket reopen. "AWRF!" As if to say: "Son of a bitch, I should¡¯ve left you to die and eaten you whole." Kei rolled his eyes. "Quit whining." Before the Fangcub could retaliate, a faint, ethereal glow enveloped its injured eye. The wolf yelped in surprise, its body flinching as a soothing sensation overtook it. Kei had used one of his beginner potions. The Fangcub glared at him ruefully. Normally, it was one to be grateful¡ªbut at this moment, it made a silent vow. One day, it would pay back the human for this humiliation. Summoning his beginner sword in hand, he left the cub to grumble on its own as it made its silent vow. Swing Swing Swing ¡°Quite heavy, should suffice for decent training¡± Walking over to the felled tree, he swung the sword with all the force he could gather *THUNK Ignoring the vibrations running though his arm, he glanced the details of the sword in his hand [Beginner Sword} Durability: 19/20 Attack: 10 Description: A basic sword meant to aid beginners on their new journey ¡°Hmmm, Breath of the Wild mechanics huh¡± He murmured, commenting on the reduced durability of the sword Noting his inability to cause any major damage to the tree ¡°Time to really commit to training, looks like all this talk about sword techniques that fantasy novels and shows held some truth in it¡± He took another glance at his status screen
[Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate, Hidden title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 15/15 [Aether]: 20/30 [Strength]: 8 [Dexterity]: 3 [Agility]: 9 [Constitution]: 4 [Intelligence]: 10 [Will]: 10 [Charisma]: 10 [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Skills]: [Type]: Passive [Skill Name]: Basic Projectile Mastery [Description]: Through repeated practice and countless thrown projectiles, you have developed a fundamental sense of aim, control, and trajectory. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: [Force Progression]: 1% [Equipment]: [Beginner Sword} ¡°New additions? Interesting¡± Gleefully smiling, he made special attention to a certain line ¡°Through repeated practice and countless thrown projectiles, you have developed a fundamental sense of aim, control, and trajectory.¡± This could be fun. Chapter 10 "Oh my gosh! This is immediately terrible!" Kei cried out, staring at the felled tree before him. With no concrete plan for how to approach his training, he did what he always did¡ªimprovised. His eyes flicked toward his status screen, hoping for inspiration. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Chapter 11 Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 12 You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Chapter 13 The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Chapter 14 It had been a few days since the participants faced their first combat, and if there was anything to say, these 10,000 people had made remarkable progress. It would be hard to imagine that these were the same people who had been dragged here against their will by a mysterious force. "Bronze sword, 1 silver!" "Basic healing potions, 20 bronze each!" "Leather armlets¡ªperfect for archers! 1.5 silver!" All throughout the field¡ªthe very place where they had first arrived¡ªvoices echoed, calling out offers and promoting all sorts of goods. Weapons, armor, food, potions¡­ The air was filled with energy, excitement, and determination. The first day had been a chaotic mess. The second? A wake-up call. By the third day, everyone knew they had no choice but to survive. With that knowledge, they had cooperated, organized, and systematically gathered resources. No longer fighting blindly, people had taken stock of their strengths and weaknesses, forming better strategies to handle the monsters. The difference was clear. The battlefield was no longer a place of fear¡ªit was a place of progress. Each encounter honed their abilities, each fight a lesson in survival. The goblins, once overwhelming, were now stepping stones to strength. Through repeated battles against goblin soldiers, everyone had honed their skills, refining both hand-to-hand combat and spellcasting through experience. The goblins, once seen as nightmarish creatures, were now treated as stepping stones to improvement. "Ash Blast!" A swirling burst of flame erupted, sending a goblin screeching as its arm was seared. "Mud Bind!" A participant slammed their hands into the ground, causing thick mud to rise and ensnare two goblins, holding them in place. "Bolt Strike!" A flickering blue light surged forward, striking a goblin¡¯s club mid-swing, sending a shockwave through its body. Swords clashed against clubs. Daggers pierced through flesh. Spears skewered goblins, pinning them to the ground before a well-placed strike to the head finished the job. The goblins weren¡¯t helpless. They had learned, adapted, and fought back fiercely. One goblin soldier, its eyes filled with rage, swung its club wildly, forcing a participant to duck and roll. The club slammed into a nearby tree, splintering the wood from the sheer force of impact. "Iron Veil!" A participant aligned with Reinforced Earth raised both arms, summoning a thin, metallic sheen over their skin. The next goblin¡¯s attack crashed against them¡ªyet the participant barely flinched, their defense amplified by their Force.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Taking advantage of the moment, they punched forward, their knuckles striking with the density of hardened stone, knocking the goblin¡¯s head back with a sickening crack. A participant barely managed to parry an incoming strike, his beginner sword cracking under the sheer force of the goblin¡¯s attack. He twisted his body, pivoting to avoid a second blow, before delivering a desperate kick to the creature¡¯s ribs, knocking it off balance. "Gale Lacerate!" Another, wielding the Cutting Wind Force, swiped their dagger through the air. The movement sent out an invisible blade of pressurized wind, so sharp that it sliced clean through a goblin¡¯s club, severing the wooden weapon in two before cutting across the creature¡¯s chest. The goblin staggered, confused¡ªuntil blood gushed from the thin, precise wound. A well-trained archer, positioned on a ledge, fired a well-placed Vine Arrow, the enchanted shot sprouting tendrils mid-air before wrapping around the legs of two goblins, pinning them just long enough for her teammates to land finishing blows. Some participants had developed synergy, working in pairs or groups. A shield-bearer blocked a charging goblin, bracing against its impact. "Now!" The moment the goblin staggered, a teammate leapt in from the side, slashing its exposed throat, bringing it down in one clean motion. "Magma Coil!" A girl, her Force aligned with Molten Flow, slammed her palm against the ground. The soil beneath a cluster of goblins liquefied into bubbling magma, dragging them down as they screeched in terror. Before they could escape, the molten pit solidified mid-motion, trapping their limbs in stone bindings, rendering them helpless as the warriors struck them down. Others preferred to fight alone, darting between enemies, dodging strikes, countering with well-timed stabs, slashes, and spells. Each battle was a lesson. Each fight forged them into better warriors. Buffs were applied. Strength-boosting skills made slashing attacks more devastating. Speed-enhancing abilities allowed quicker movement, dodging goblin attacks with ease. Debuff skills weakened the enemy¡ªblinding goblins with flashes of light, sapping their strength, slowing their movements, or outright disorienting them before finishing them off. "Pale Hand!" A participant aligned with Waning Death clenched their fingers, summoning a translucent, skeletal hand that lunged toward a goblin. The moment it grasped the creature¡¯s shoulder, a sickly gray aura spread across its skin, sapping its strength. The goblin withered, its movements slowing as if its very life force was being drained. With a swift strike, a nearby swordsman ended its misery. With each defeated goblin, they became faster, stronger, and more efficient. The goblins weren¡¯t easy prey, but the participants had adapted. "Cascading Flow!" A girl aligned with Rushing Tides twirled her spear, summoning a thin but forceful jet of water around the blade. She lunged forward, thrusting her weapon through a goblin¡¯s defenses. The pressurized water pierced through its flesh like a drill, creating a clean, devastating wound. She withdrew her spear in one fluid motion, the water dispersing into a fine mist. "Crackle Net!" An archer aligned with Branching Lightning fired an arrow infused with crackling blue energy. The moment it struck a goblin¡¯s shield, the lightning detonated, sending out snapping arcs of electricity that leapt to nearby enemies, stunning them momentarily. The frontline warriors rushed in, cutting them down before they could recover. By the end of the fight, they no longer saw the goblins as overwhelming threats. They were just another obstacle¡ªone that wouldn''t hold them back. A collective silence followed. Then, notifications appeared. [Victory Achieved] [Experience Gained] [Rewards Dropped] Bronze coins and varying beginner equipment lay scattered among the fading corpses. The participants stood victorious, panting, bruised, but undeniably stronger. And the best part? They knew there was so much more room to grow. This scene had been carried out in multiple areas. Therefore, at this moment, the participants were no longer virgins to combat, simply because their circumstances didn¡¯t allow them to be. And thus, more battles commenced. More goblin soldiers were killed. More and more participants bled furiously, but their attacks, skills, and Force usage became more refined. Over the next few hours, leaders were being born. Although it was still the early stages of their journey, a few individuals had begun cementing their roles as commanders. Some had already been in leadership positions before arriving in this world, experienced in directing others. Some naturally stepped into the role. A few unexpected leaders emerged, and unsurprisingly, many were those familiar with MMORPGs¡ªthe act of carrying team battles wasn¡¯t new to them. It was just a matter of bringing that experience into real life. Others preferred to work alone, figuring things out at their own pace. One way or another, everyone was adapting. And they had only just begun. Chapter 15 As if ordained by fate, the participants were not just random individuals but a collection of professions and trades essential to running a functional society. Among them were carpenters and woodworkers, whose skills quickly became invaluable in constructing shelter. Gardeners and botanists, who once nurtured plants as a hobby or profession, were now tasked with identifying edible vegetation and cultivating food sources. Tailors and leatherworkers examined the hides of fallen creatures, already contemplating ways to craft more durable clothing and armor. Blacksmiths and metalworkers, though without forges, still possessed the knowledge to refine and shape raw materials into weapons and armor when the opportunity arose. Even those in finance¡ªaccountants, traders, and market analysts¡ªfound their place. Within days, a rudimentary barter and currency system had begun to form, with bronze and silver coins from monster loot becoming the foundation of trade. Beyond those working to establish structure and stability, there were also individuals who chose to fend for themselves, venturing into the wilderness alone. While others focused on battling goblins in groups, these lone hunters took down various low-level creatures, bringing back sources of meat that seemed both appealing and edible. Their return to the encampment was met with gratitude from the weary participants, who had spent their energy fighting and surviving. The sight of fresh meat¡ªrather than the bland rations they had been relying on¡ªwas a relief, their tired expressions brightening at the promise of a decent meal. Cooks and chefs, once confined to restaurants and home kitchens, adapted their expertise to open fires and scarce ingredients, turning the newly acquired meat into proper sustenance. Though their tools were primitive, their knowledge remained intact, seasoning and preparing food in ways that made the camp feel just a little more like home. It was as if this gathering had been designed to forge a new world from nothing, each person a crucial piece in the foundation of a civilization yet to be built. A bustling community was born. Once strangers, now allies. Rivalries formed, conflicts sparked, and guild-like structures emerged. Among those who rose to leadership were individuals who demonstrated the capability to guide others in this unfamiliar world. Various guilds specializing in different fields began to take shape¡ªsome dedicated to healing, others to direct combat and stealth. Most notably, guilds focused on professions began to rise. Though new to such trades, groups specializing in blacksmithing, armor crafting, alchemy, and more appeared. Their value and importance were evident at first glance. Blacksmithing and armor crafting ensured weapons and gear were properly maintained, while alchemy prolonged survival through healing potions and other concoctions. It was the start of something far greater than survival¡ª It was the foundation of a new civilization. Burdened with their survival, temporary alliances were forged among the guilds¡ªsome more forced than others. Regardless of ego and ambition, no one present was foolish enough to believe they alone could rule over everyone. They were well aware that they had barely scratched the surface of this world¡¯s mysteries. The atmosphere was no longer as tense as when they had first arrived. More familiar with their current circumstances, they understood that the challenges ahead would only grow more dire.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. The nine floating landmasses above them, each more breathtaking than the last, served as a stark reminder¡ªno matter the difficulties they faced on this landmass, the trials to come would be even more perilous. What was unknown was the scale of those difficulties and how much the threat would escalate. Teams constantly explored the forest¡ªtraining for combat, gaining levels, refining their attacks and movements. With each swing of their weapons, each casting of their skills, and each usage of their Force, they became stronger. New monsters were discovered. Beyond the familiar Goblin Soldiers, the forests harbored a variety of creatures, each presenting its own unique threat. Among them were Bristle Hogs¡ªstocky, boar-like creatures with hardened quills along their backs, capable of launching them in bursts when threatened. Shade Vipers slithered in the underbrush, their black-scaled bodies blending into the shadows as they struck with lightning-fast precision, injecting a mild paralyzing venom into their prey. Mossback Tortoises lurked near the rivers, their algae-covered shells camouflaging them perfectly in the water, waiting to snap at unsuspecting travelers. Razor Crows circled high above the forest canopy, swooping down with blade-like talons whenever they spotted weakened or isolated prey. And then there were Fang Wolves, their numbers far greater than expected, moving with an organized pack mentality, testing the limits of those who ventured too far into the depths of the woods. The participants learned quickly. These creatures were not just obstacles but resources¡ªsources of food, materials, and experience. Through battle after battle, they adapted, innovated, and survived. Levels rose, and among the most skilled were those who had already reached level 5, unlocking new abilities through the system. Combat styles became more apparent. If classes existed, it would only take a glance to guess what archetype each person suited. Inside a newly built structure, hastily designed to accommodate what was about to take place, heated discussions echoed off the walls. Arguments broke out. Voices clashed, debating the next course of action. With so many perspectives in one place, there was bound to be disagreement on how to approach this world. However, one particular viewpoint was shut down almost immediately. "Respect for the creatures'' lives?" One man scoffed. "They want us dead on sight! You willing to risk your life to test that theory?" No one was. Other voices called for rapid exploration. "Staying in one area will only slow us down. If we want to grow stronger, we need to move forward¡ªfast." But others were more cautious. "Rushing in blind is how people die," another countered. "We barely understand this world. If we don''t take time to study it, we¡¯re just going to get ourselves killed." The room stirred with tension. Then, a loud voice cut through the chaos. ¡°I was just trying to relieve myself when a tortoise tried to snap my best friend off me!¡± A wave of laughter rippled through the room, mostly from the men. But the point was made¡ªthis world wasn¡¯t safe, and a reckless approach could easily lead to disaster. Then, a female voice rose above the chatter, clear and commanding. ¡°We don¡¯t even know why we¡¯re here in the first place." The room quieted slightly as she continued. "Were we randomly selected? Or were we chosen for something greater? Some kind of destiny beyond what we knew back home?¡± A few murmurs spread through the crowd, but no one interrupted. ¡°Whatever the case, there¡¯s one truth we can¡¯t ignore.¡± Her gaze swept across the room. ¡°We¡¯re not going back. Not anytime soon. And if we want to make it out of this alive, if we want to thrive instead of barely scraping by, we need to get stronger. We need to master this system, these Forces we¡¯ve been gifted with, and learn to use them to our advantage.¡± A pause. "Or we wait. We sit around, pretending we have time, pretending this world isn¡¯t watching us. That it won¡¯t force our hands if we hesitate." Silence. "You think survival is the only thing we need to worry about? That we¡¯re in control of this?" Her eyes narrowed. "This world¡ªwhoever or whatever brought us here¡ªdoesn¡¯t care about us. We aren¡¯t the ones making the choices. We¡¯re just pieces on a board, and we either play to win, or we let the game swallow us whole." She exhaled sharply, scanning the room. "So you tell me¡­ What the hell are we waiting for?" A long, weighted pause followed her words. Then, one by one, gazes hardened. Nods of agreement spread through the gathered crowd. Not too far away from the settlement Hop. Hop. Hop. Soft pitter-patters of movement whispered through the trees. If one looked up, creatures dangled from above, wrapped in thick, twisting vines. It was unclear whether the sight was odd or horrifying¡ªperhaps both. Their eyes remained open, yet the life had long since drained from them. The vines pulsed. Whatever was feeding the trees above¡­ it was taking more than just their vitality. Hop. Hop. Hop. Chapter 16 It had been a full week since their arrival in this world. The bustling settlement continued to grow, with more advancements taking shape. Life surged through the settlement, its inhabitants now more capable and refined warriors than they had been seven days ago¡ªregardless of their temperament. Within the settlement, irrespective of combat styles, guild or party affiliations, professions, or personal ambitions, every person had shed blood in the forests, battling various creatures. Their levels rose. Stat points were gained and distributed in ways that suited their fighting styles. Settling into this new life had been difficult for many, but they persisted, each for their own reasons. They became stronger. They formed bonds. Rivalries bloomed. And as they pushed further into the great unknown, they carved their place into this world. Blood dripped from their bodies as creatures fell to their blades, their skills manifesting the power of their Force Alignment into reality. Despite their unwilling involvement with the system, they couldn¡¯t deny its fantastical nature. The system, as intrusive as it was, made survival far easier than it otherwise would have been. Stockholm syndrome took root in many of the participants. First, they had condemned the system for their predicament, cursing its existence. But as time passed, as they saw its usefulness in guiding them, equipping them, and making their journey out of this land possible, resentment gave way to begrudging acceptance. Clang! Slash! Huff. Huff. Huff. A swordsman wiped the sweat from his brow, steadying his breathing. His blade, chipped from repeated use, dripped with the blood of the creatures they were battling. Water surged through the air as one of his teammates struck the incoming creatures, dousing them mid-charge. [Chitter Monkeys] Level Range: 1¨C3 Hyperactive monkeys of varying sizes, covered in thin brown fur with oversized ears and twitching tails. Naturally curious, they travel in large groups, their ceaseless chittering filling the air. Their erratic, unpredictable movements made them difficult to hit, and their numbers made them a constant nuisance. The battle continued. The creatures¡¯ bodies littered the ground around them, their corpses remaining as EXP surged into the team members, each one eager at the prospect of leveling up. A knightly figure, now weary, deactivated his Crystal Force and slumped onto a nearby rock, letting out an exasperated breath. ¡°Cheeky monkeys, these guys are. Can¡¯t even call them little,¡± he joked, shaking his head. Nearby, Keira, using her Eldertide Force, moved between her teammates, soothing their wounds with her water-infused healing abilities. A cool mist enveloped the air around her hands as she passed them over cuts and bruises, each injury fading under the force¡¯s natural restorative properties.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°They weren¡¯t hard to take down,¡± she remarked, ¡°but they sure were annoying. Really hoping they don¡¯t carry rabies. A few of the bastards bit me.¡± Her Eldertide Force, a minor healing element tied to water-infused restoration, proved invaluable in prolonged skirmishes. By drawing upon water¡¯s natural purity and adaptability, she could cleanse wounds and restore vitality with relative ease. As the team took a moment to recover, the forest fell into a temporary lull. But they knew better than to relax for long. Jackson, the knightly figure, stood up and commanded, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s bring the bodies of these creatures back. The people at the settlement can decide how to make use of them.¡± He pointed to two of his teammates, instructing them to carry the corpses while the rest continued their exploration. Similar scenes like this one were taking place all over the forest. Boars, monkeys, wolves, and other creatures littered the ground, their corpses piling up as the participants cut through them. Blood from both humans and monsters seeped into the soil, marking the battlefield of this new world. Many teams returned from the forest, their arms burdened with corpses and damaged gear. The corpses were taken in one direction¡ªto be studied and dissected. The damaged equipment went another, to be repaired. Ironically, many weapons and armor pieces were smashed repeatedly with hammers as part of their restoration process. Those with backgrounds in science, zoology, or biology back on Earth were practically giddy at the opportunity to study entirely new species. The prospect of examining unfamiliar creatures, breaking down their biology, and documenting never-before-seen anatomy filled them with excitement. But there was one issue¡ª Cutting through the bodies was a nightmare. The tools they had on hand were woefully insufficient. Knives dulled quickly. Saws chipped. Even force-enhanced weapons struggled to make precise incisions without damaging sensitive parts and organs. Some took this challenge seriously, attempting to create more efficient methods for dissection. Others? They didn¡¯t care much about precision. With manic grins, they hacked away at the corpses, more interested in the thrill of discovery than any sort of professional documentation. Whether their efforts would lead to meaningful advancements or just a horrifying mess was yet to be seen. But it wasn¡¯t only the creatures¡¯ corpses that led to new discoveries. The flora of this world was equally mysterious. Mystical trees were cut down, their unique structures studied. The limits of their uses were tested, from their durability to their potential as building materials. Daily, woodworkers carved bows, arrows, and crude furniture, slowly refining their craft. Meanwhile, the discovery of ores sent waves of excitement through the settlement. New minerals¡ªones that could serve as alternatives to iron and steel¡ªwere unearthed. Some bore properties that reminded participants of the legendary metals found in comics, like Marvel¡¯s Vibranium or DC¡¯s Nth Metal. The entire settlement buzzed with discovery. Everywhere, there were new opportunities¡ªwhether in biology, alchemy, blacksmithing, or architecture. And at the center of all these discoveries, whether it was wood, ores, or even corpses, one undeniable truth stood out¡ªeverything was infused with Aether. Even food became a point of fascination. Chefs and cooks couldn¡¯t contain their excitement as they tested the limits of their ingredients. If Aether existed in everything, then surely, food could be used to enhance abilities? The idea of food providing buffs sent waves of excitement through the settlement. Of course, the unlucky recipients of these culinary experiments¡ªthe ones who volunteered (or were pressured into it)¡ªwere less than thrilled. More than a few had to run into the forest to "handle business" after tasting a dish that¡­ did not agree with them. But failure didn¡¯t stop the chefs. The hunt for edible, stat-boosting food had begun. And as the settlement continued to evolve, one thing became abundantly clear¡ª They weren¡¯t just surviving anymore. They were building something greater. Deep in the forest¡­ Creatures lay still. Some bore wounds from weapons. Others? Their bodies looked as if they had been pummeled to death by nothing but raw force. Atop the massive corpse of a wild boar, a lean but well-built man sat, his muscles taut and conditioned despite his average height. His gaze, as if filled with nothing, looked straight ahead, unfocused yet unwavering. A distortion in the air shimmered before him. He had read the details over and over again. [Grade F Dungeon] [Level Requirement: Level 5 Minimum] [Recommended Party: At Least 5 Members] [Danger Level: Moderate] Standing atop the boar, he stretched, rolling his shoulders before adjusting the leather gauntlets on his hands. The pads strapped to his arms and legs were tightened as he cracked his neck. Yawning, he hopped off the boar. His status screen flickered before him. [Level 3] He smirked. ¡°Level 5, huh? Not much of a difference. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± And with that¡ªhe stepped into the dungeon. Alone. Chapter 17 Boom. Kei''s body twisted unnaturally through the air, sent hurtling like a ragdoll. A moment later¡ª CRASH. He struck a tree, the trunk splintering on impact before his momentum tore him free, flinging him through the air once more. WHAM. The rocky face of a mountain greeted him next, the impact forcing the air from his lungs as the stone cracked beneath the force. Then¡ªanother hit. No moment to fall, no time to breathe¡ªhis body was wrenched from the rock and slammed downward. BOOM. The earth buckled. Soil blasted into the air. Trees snapped in half from the sheer force of his landing. It should have ended there. It didn¡¯t. The instant he hit the ground, a shadow loomed over him. A hand gripped his skull, yanking him up like he weighed nothing. Then¡ª BAM. His face met the ground again. Then again. And again. A relentless cycle of impact and agony, his blood painting the dirt beneath him as his vision flickered in and out of focus. His body was too battered to resist¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just being beaten; he was being toyed with. Like a predator toying with its prey, enjoying the slow, drawn-out suffering before the inevitable end. His head spun as he was lifted yet again¡ªonly this time, he wasn¡¯t thrown. This time, something pierced his abdomen. He choked. A thick, grotesque wetness spread down his torso, and it took a second for him to register¡ªhe¡¯d been impaled. His body spasmed involuntarily, pain blooming from the wound like wildfire. His breath hitched, but no sound escaped his lips. He didn¡¯t even have the strength to scream. He should have been dead by now. He wasn¡¯t.
[Kei Yuichi: Level 0] [HP: 1/15] Barely conscious, Kei remained acutely aware of how long his HP had stayed at that single, fragile point. It should have hit zero. Every blow, every strike, every time his body was tossed through the air¡ªeach one should have been the last. But more than his HP, Kei tracked something else. Every punch. Every kick. Every motion. He couldn''t move. He couldn''t fight back. He couldn''t even lift a single finger against his assailant. But he could remember. Every impact, every shift in movement, every way his body was thrown¡ªingrained deep into the fibers of his muscles. Hopeless as this situation was, he took clear stock of everything he was experiencing. Every broken bone.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Every torn muscle and ligament. The frantic movement of blood rushing to bruised areas. The rapid firing of his neurons, synapses signaling every aching sensation. The surge of hormones coursing through his veins, forcing his body to endure just a little longer. Even as he was being torn apart, Kei internalized his senses, his Will blaring at him to take note of every change and function happening in his body. Then¡ª He felt it. A presence above him. Not his attacker. The Fangcub. Its frantic efforts to save him had failed¡ªagain and again, it had lunged, bit, clawed, and attacked with everything it had, only to be swatted aside. Not even acknowledged. A nuisance. A waste of effort. The cub¡¯s once-violent growls, filled with defiance and aggression, had shifted. They were¡­ quieter. Weaker. Not out of fear. Out of despair. The wind surged around it, tossing it back¡ªa merciless gale treating it as nothing more than an inconvenience. The Fangcub fought against the force, its claws digging into the dirt as it struggled to regain footing. It tried again. And again. Every attempt to reach Kei was met with the same result¡ªflung aside, discarded, ignored. A whimper¡ªlow, pained, almost pleading. "Please don¡¯t kill him¡­ It¡¯s my fault. He was protecting me." It wanted to help. It tried to help. But its Aether was gone. Its body was spent. It had nothing left. And yet, even now¡ª It still threw itself forward. Kei''s bloodied, broken lips curled into a grin¡ªmissing a few teeth¡ªbefore he muttered hoarsely, "Hehehe¡­ don¡¯t feel bad, Bitey. This isn¡¯t your fault." His swollen eyes barely opened as he glanced at the cub¡ªhis blurry vision barely making out its trembling form. "For what it''s worth¡­ a part of me kinda feels bad for taking out your eye." Then¡ª BOOM. His body was launched again. Like a torpedo, he tore through the trees, crashing through them like they were made of paper. Each one collapsed behind him like dominoes. The Fangcub howled¡ªnot in pain, but in rage. A primal, earth-shaking howl of defiance. Its claws gleamed as it lunged¡ªone last time¡ªits razor-sharp fangs aiming for the enemy¡¯s throat. It didn¡¯t care if it would be swatted aside again. This time¡ª It was going to bite.
[Fangcub: Level 3] [Aether: 0/10] Aether surged toward the Fangcub¡ªnot to replenish its energy, but to offer it access to command the Aether in the environment. Its claws, already sharp, extended. Its fur waved through the air, taut and hardened. Its eyes glowed. Aether ready to beckon its command. It lunged forward¡ª And an astral projection conjured from raw Aether split from its body, a spectral maw surging ahead independently. "KREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" A horrific screech tore through the air. The assailant howled in pain. Its fur¡ªonce pristine, once untouched¡ªripped apart by bite marks. But the cause of the injury was still in the air¡ªstill lunging forward. A gale-force wind howled in retaliation, surging toward the Fangcub. Once, that wind had thrown it around like it was weightless. Not this time. The cub¡¯s Aether-backed claws tore through the wind, though with difficulty¡ªit lost some of its momentum. Grunting, the Fangcub forced itself forward, slashing at its enemy¡ªbarely managing to inflict damage. Suddenly, it ducked. A tail whipped through the air, aiming to twist its neck off. The Fangcub commanded the Aether towards its fangs. And¡ª Crunch. "REEEK! REEK! REEK!" The creature shrieked, its cries growing more frantic, more frenzied. Whipping its tail to the side, the creature flung the Fangcub off with sheer force. The cub twisted mid-air, instinct kicking in, landing on all fours with a dull thud. Its breath came in heavy pants, muscles twitching with exhaustion, yet its stance remained firm. Its fangs were bared, its claws digging into the dirt as Aether once again surged toward its body. The Fangcub realigned itself, eyes burning with determination. The wind howled. Power gathered within its tail, the fur bristling as latent Aether reinforced the limb with unnatural strength. The cub¡¯s muscles tensed¡ªcoiling like a spring. Then¡ª Boom. A blur. The Fangcub launched forward with explosive speed, its tail snapping outward like a whip, reinforced by sheer force. CRACK. The impact landed squarely against its opponent¡¯s ribs, sending the creature sailing backward¡ªcrashing into a tree with enough force to splinter the bark. The world trembled in response. A deep, guttural shriek tore through the air, the once-calm winds spiraling into a violent frenzy. The air vibrated, rippling outward as the environment itself seemed to react. The Fangcub¡¯s sharp eyes locked onto its foe. This wasn¡¯t an ordinary Chitter Monkey. The creature stood roughly the height of a grown man, much larger than the usual members of its kind. Its body was covered in dense, silky fur, but unlike the plain brown of its species, this one¡¯s fur was a brilliant, ethereal sky blue, shimmering under the filtered forest light. More than that¡ªits crown. Atop its head, the blue fur didn¡¯t simply sit¡ªit flowed, as though caught in an unseen breeze. The strands of hair didn¡¯t just move¡ªthey shifted, swirling like the tail of a living storm. It wasn¡¯t just fur. It was as if it crowned itself as wind incarnate. Aether pulsed through the creature¡¯s body in rapid waves, responding to its very presence. The Fangcub¡¯s stance lowered. This was no ordinary fight. Its opponent was watching now. For the first time, it recognized the Fangcub as a threat.
[Zephyr Chitter Monkey: Level 5 (Mutated)] [Force Alignment: Zephyr Force] The wind coiled around its form, no longer subtle but outright raging, twisting in chaotic spirals. Then¡ª It moved. One moment, the monkey stood amidst the rustling leaves. The next¡ª It vanished. A zephyr-force wind blasted past the Fangcub, strong enough to send debris flying. Instinct screamed at it to move, but before it could react¡ª BAM. The Fangcub was hit. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s foot slammed into its ribs, sending it skidding sideways, claws tearing trenches into the dirt in an attempt to stop itself. The moment it steadied¡ª Whoosh. The wind howled behind it. A second kick. Too late to dodge. The Fangcub took the hit¡ªsent flying into a tree with a sickening crack. It gasped, forcing itself to stand even as pain flared through its body. The monkey was already gone. The wind twisted again. A blur¡ªthen¡ª SLASH. Three deep cuts slashed across the Fangcub¡¯s side, invisible blades of compressed wind carving through its flesh. Blood sprayed into the air. The monkey wasn¡¯t just fast. It was using Zephyr Force to compress the air itself, forming razor-thin currents to carve through its enemies. The Fangcub''s mind whirled. It couldn¡¯t keep up like this. This wasn¡¯t a fight it could win through brute force. It wasn¡¯t just out-leveled¡ªit was outmatched in speed, precision, and sheer control of Aether. But that didn¡¯t mean it would run. Aether surged again, no longer focusing on claws or fangs¡ª Instead¡ª It focused on movement. A burst of force gathered beneath its paws¡ªnot wind, but an extension of its will. The moment the Zephyr Monkey vanished¡ª The Fangcub moved, too. Aether exploded beneath it, launching the cub sideways, barely avoiding the next attack. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s strike missed by an inch. It noticed. Its head snapped to follow the cub. The Fangcub¡¯s instincts screamed again¡ªbut this time, it was ready. Its tail flicked behind it. The wind twisted. It wasn¡¯t as fast¡ªbut it didn¡¯t need to be. The Zephyr Monkey was already mid-attack, body fully committed to the motion. And in that instant¡ª The Fangcub struck back. Aether surged toward its fangs, forming an invisible projection¡ªa spectral afterimage of its bite. The moment the monkey¡¯s blurred figure became solid¡ª CRUNCH. Teeth sank into flesh. A shriek unlike before erupted from the monkey¡¯s throat, its body twisting violently as it tried to escape. The Fangcub¡¯s jaw tightened. Not this time. Wind howled, slashing through the air in desperation¡ªbut the Fangcub refused to let go. Its opponent thrashed wildly. And yet¡ªeven as it fought to shake the cub off¡ª The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s gaze burned with something new. Not rage. Not hatred. Recognition. Off to the side, almost forgotten, a pair of weakly dancing feet wobbled in place. "Two, four, six, eight. Who do we appreciate? That¡¯s bbno$, he''s always up to something¡­" Using the last of his clinging awareness, Kei focused on keeping track of the cub and the monkey as they fought across the terrain, the wind whispering their movements to him. To be completely honest¡ª The wind was the only thing keeping him sane at the moment. Chapter 18 The air pulsed with the force of their battle, each impact echoing like a war drum. Aether surged through the atmosphere, raw and untamed, clashing violently against the gales that whipped through the battlefield. The wind howled in defiance, twisting and bending to the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s command, but the Fangcub refused to back down. Kei, barely clinging to awareness, felt every movement ripple through the currents of the wind. His battered body lay still, but his senses remained active, tethered to the shifting forces around him. He couldn¡¯t see the fight, but he didn¡¯t need to. He could feel it¡ªevery strike, every counter, every burst of Aether that split the air. Two creatures bared their fangs at each other. One, desperate to protect what little it had left. The other, responding to provocation, its instincts sharpened, its power absolute. The battle raged on, a blur of movement tearing across the landscape. Every strike sent tremors through the ground, each impact creating shockwaves that danced across the nearby body of water. The once-still surface shuddered under the force, distorting the reflections of the world above. The Fangcub lunged, its fangs gleaming with Aether-backed energy, but the Zephyr Monkey vanished, the wind itself parting as it reappeared behind the cub with a deafening whoosh. A sharp, invisible slash raked across the cub¡¯s back, and blood sprayed into the air, crimson droplets joining the mist that clung to the battlefield. The Fangcub staggered. It was weakening. Its muscles screamed in protest, its injuries mounting with every exchanged blow. And yet, it fought. Whimpers of pain slipped through its gritted fangs, but it did not retreat. It could not. Not while Kei lay there. Not while its friend was dying. The rippling water mirrored its struggle, each wave reflecting the fragments of its past. A distorted image flickered on the surface¡ªthe first time it had met Kei, the moment they had clashed, the strange kinship that had formed between them. Every drop of water, every ripple in the pond, carried the weight of those memories. And now, those memories threatened to wash away into nothing. The Fangcub¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps, but its stance remained firm. Its body trembled, blood seeping from fresh wounds, but its eyes burned with something unyielding. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s winds intensified, spiraling around its form like a storm, its glowing eyes fixed on the struggling cub. The air grew heavier. The ripples on the water stilled¡ªif only for a moment. Then¡ª CLASH! Ripples surged through the surface on the water. The tears of the Fangcub flew through the air, it most recent memories shown through each ripple in the water It¡¯s been a week since Kei and the cub met each other. A cheeky rivalry in the beginning, grew into the two becoming rather close [Status Screen] [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate, Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 15/15 [Aether]: 30/30 Attributes: [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Skills] [Skill Name]: Basic Projectile Mastery [Description]: Through repeated practice and countless thrown projectiles, you have developed a fundamental sense of aim, control, and trajectory. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: [Force Progression]: 1% [Equipment]: Beginner Sword [Uncommon] Kei had known from the start¡ªif he wanted to survive in this world, he had to get stronger. Much stronger. A single cub alone had pushed him to his absolute limit. As he was now, he stood no chance against the greater threats that lurked within the depths of the forest. And so, he trained. The days blurred together as he fell into a relentless routine, forcing his body to endure beyond its limits. He trained with purpose, dividing his regimen to improve each attribute¡ªstrength, dexterity, agility, and constitution. Without weights or a gym, Kei made do with what the environment provided. He scavenged for rocks¡ªtesting each for weight and balance before settling on those he could use for lifting. With some difficulty, he fashioned a crude carrying harness out of thick vines and flexible branches, allowing him to strap the heaviest stones to his back. He started small, squatting under the burden, feeling every muscle in his legs burn as he pushed against the weight. Then, he moved on to log carries, dragging fallen branches across the forest floor. Some were smooth, others jagged, but each one built endurance in his arms and back. At night, he lay exhausted, his body aching¡ªbut he had no intention of stopping. To increase his reaction speed and footwork, Kei set up makeshift obstacles around the clearing. He used fallen logs to create hurdles and tied hanging vines between trees at different heights, forcing himself to duck, weave, and roll as he sprinted through the makeshift course. At first, he stumbled often, getting caught in the vines or mistiming his jumps. But each mistake became a lesson, each fall an opportunity to adjust. He practiced throwing stones, focusing on both precision and quick reflexes. By aiming at moving leaves caught in the wind, he learned to compensate for movement, adjusting his trajectory on the fly. As the days passed, his accuracy sharpened. He could strike small, fast-moving targets without overthinking. The Fangcub, watching from the sidelines, eventually joined in¡ªdarting through the course with its own natural agility. The competition between them grew fierce, each pushing the other to move faster, react sharper.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Endurance was just as important as power. Kei forced himself through long-distance runs, weaving through the thick forest while controlling his breathing. He conditioned his body against pain by striking his forearms and legs against tree trunks, hardening his bones little by little. He bathed in the cold rivers, letting the icy water shock his system, testing how long he could last before retreating to the shore. Some days, he simply let himself be battered by the wind, standing firm as the gales howled against him. Every part of his training was rough, crude, and exhausting. But it worked. The Fangcub never let itself be left behind either. If Kei trained, the cub trained. If Kei struggled, the cub struggled beside him. At night, when exhaustion weighed heavy on their limbs, they sat together under the stars¡ªtwo fighters bound by something beyond words. Neither of them had belonged to anyone before. But now, they belonged to each other. The present crashed back as another violent ripple surged across the water¡¯s surface. The Fangcub let out a guttural growl, its body trembling from blood loss and exhaustion. The Zephyr Monkey stood firm, the wind swirling around it in acknowledgment of its command. The wind stilled. Both combatants lowered their stances. A moment of silent understanding passed between them¡ª Then¡ª They moved. Aether surged toward the Fangcub¡¯s tail, forming an ethereal projection that flickered like a ghostly appendage, mirroring its presence in the world. The translucent energy twisted and coiled, an extension of its very being, crackling with latent power. Across from it, the Zephyr Chitter Monkey crouched low, its ethereal blue fur shifting in waves, whipping through the air like a storm-touched flame. The wind bent to its will, swirling in controlled chaos. Its piercing, intelligent eyes locked onto its opponent with a predatory focus¡ªa gaze that was cold, calculating, and unshaken. A visceral growl rumbled from both creatures¡ªtwo beings standing at the precipice of battle, each with a will that refused to break. Then¡ª They clashed. Aether met wind. A violent shockwave burst outward from their impact, scattering leaves, dust, and debris in a chaotic storm. The very air howled in protest, bending to the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s will, but the Fangcub fought against it, its raw force of will acting as an immovable counter to the violent gales. Beneath them, the ripples of the past surfaced on the water¡¯s edge¡ªmemories flickering across the shimmering surface. Day of the Battle ¨C Training and Growth Before this moment, Kei¡¯s survival and training had become inseparable. When he wasn¡¯t pushing his body to its limits, he scoured the forest, searching for anything useful¡ªedible plants, herbs, and materials to aid in his survival. His Breeze Force stretched beyond his physical senses, flowing through the wind, allowing him to perceive the world not just with his eyes, but with the air itself. But Kei had always been observant. Even before arriving in this world, watching and analyzing had been second nature to him. His younger years had been filled with quiet, restless observation¡ªstudying people, animals, and patterns without realizing why. It wasn¡¯t training; it was just what he did. A way to understand the world when no one was there to explain it to him. That habit, that instinct, had become his greatest weapon. He trained his Breeze Force to remain active as long as his Aether could sustain it. The moment he neared depletion, he would switch to physical training, focusing on raw endurance and strength, only to reactivate his Force once his Aether replenished. Through this cycle, his senses sharpened. At first, his Breeze Force merely let him feel movement in the air. But soon, it became something far greater. He felt changes in the atmosphere. The density of the air. The temperature shifts. The minute disturbances caused by movement. And then¡ªhis eyes changed. His Breeze Force wasn''t just an extension of himself anymore. It became an overlay for reality, allowing him to perceive the distribution of energy within creatures. He could see the stats of enemies, recognize where their strengths lay, and understand why he struggled against certain foes. He put this to the test against the Fangcub. The cub had been his first true opponent, the first creature that pushed him to his limits. Through their skirmishes, Kei learned to read its movements, anticipate its attacks, and counter based on its strengths and weaknesses. And then, he ventured deeper into the forest. Fighting new creatures. Testing new strategies. Some creatures were brute powerhouses, slow but devastating. Some were fast, erratic, relying on agility. Some had high endurance, able to withstand repeated attacks. Kei studied them all. Each battle became a test of adaptation. And slowly¡ªhe improved. His strikes became more refined. His defenses became tighter. His reactions became faster. Kei gasped for air, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he stood over the fallen Level 2 Boar. Thud. Thud. Thud. His pulse pounded in his ears. The battle had been frustrating¡ªnot because the boar was particularly strong, but because its thick hide absorbed too much damage. Its raw endurance was overwhelming, forcing Kei to exhaust himself trying to break through its defenses. He glanced at the remains of his broken Beginner Sword¡ªthe uncommon-grade weapon split in half, shattered against the creature¡¯s tusks. A mistake. He had underestimated the durability of its defenses. [Status Screen] [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate, Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 7/15 [Aether]: 30/50 Attributes: [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Skills] [Skill Name]: Basic Projectile Mastery [Description]: Through repeated practice and countless thrown projectiles, you have developed a fundamental sense of aim, control, and trajectory. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: [Force Progression]: 5% [Equipment]: Beginner Sword [Uncommon], Tattered Cloth Hood [Uncommon], Jagged Bone Club [Uncommon] Ducking away from the boar¡¯s final charge, Kei had snatched up a small pebble, his fingers tightening around the rough stone. With precise, measured force, he hurled it. The stone whistled through the air, striking the boar directly in the eye. A pained bellow erupted from the beast. Disoriented. Staggered. Blinded. That was all the opening Kei needed. Summoning his Jagged Bone Club, Kei twisted his body, using his hips and shoulders to put his entire weight behind the swing. CRACK. The impact connected squarely against the boar¡¯s skull. A wrenching sound echoed through the air, bone splintering as the creature¡¯s body collapsed, unmoving. Huff. Huff. Huff. Kei exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his forehead. To his side, the Fangcub finished its own fight, standing over another lifeless boar. Both combatants, exhausted but victorious, turned their heads toward the true reason for their adventure. Kei had sensed something strange earlier¡ªa unique signature within the forest. It called to him through the wind, a presence that felt different from anything else. Something ancient, powerful, untouched by time. The Fangcub felt it too. At first, they explored cautiously, fighting through waves of creatures¡ªGoblins, Boars, Chitter Monkeys. Kei''s Tattered Cloth Hood came from a Goblin¡¯s remains. His Jagged Bone Club was scavenged from a fallen Boar. The closer they got to the source, the more restless the Fangcub became. And then¡ª It ran. Something in its instincts took over, a primal hunger, a desperate desire for whatever lay ahead. "BITEY! GET BACK!" Kei shouted. The cub didn¡¯t listen. It charged forward, its body surging with raw speed, lunging toward the source of the anomaly. And in that moment¡ª Kei felt it. A presence. A familiar one. A presence he had sensed before on his first day in this world. It had made itself known through the Force¡ªand then disappeared. And now, it was here again. The Fangcub''s sprinting form blurred forward, directly toward¡ª A glowing, otherworldly plant. [10,000-Year Zephyr-Blessed Ginger] At the same time, with every ounce of strength and speed he could muster, Kei hurled a barrage of pebbles toward the same target. Each stone shot through the air with unerring precision, striking true¡ªone after another¡ªagainst the ethereal, sky-blue furred Chitter Monkey. The monkey¡¯s body flinched at each impact, its wind-cloaked fur rippling like liquid air, yet none of the strikes caused significant harm. But harm wasn¡¯t Kei¡¯s intention. Distraction. For just a moment, the monkey¡¯s focus wavered¡ªthe briefest lapse in concentration as it processed the sudden, unexpected assault. And that moment was all the Fangcub needed. With unstoppable momentum, the cub¡¯s jaws clamped down on the treasure¡ªthe 10,000-Year Zephyr-Blessed Ginger¡ªand wrenched it from its resting place. The very air shuddered. Aether burst forth from the uprooted plant, a celestial wind howling through the battlefield as if the forest itself was mourning the theft of something ancient, something never meant to be disturbed. The Zephyr Chitter Monkey froze. For the first time since Kei had laid eyes on it, the creature¡¯s movements stopped completely. Its mind raced. Which was more enraging? Losing the treasure it had been guarding for so long? Or the foolish human who had dared to interfere and steal it right from under its nose? The hesitation lasted less than a heartbeat. Then¡ª Its burning gaze snapped toward Kei. A piercing shriek split the air, the sheer force of its voice causing the nearby leaves and branches to tremble. The wind around the monkey coiled in a furious cyclone, responding to its rising rage. And in that moment, Kei understood¡ª He was dead. At least, that¡¯s what the Zephyr Chitter Monkey had already decided. Still locked in Kei¡¯s vision, his battered body barely responding, he forced himself to focus. Through the haze of his Breeze Force, the weight of its presence pressed against his awareness, like a storm preparing to break. And even as the world seemed to spiral into chaos around him¡ª His gaze flicked downward, briefly catching a glimpse of the stolen treasure. [10,000-Year Zephyr-Blessed Ginger] A root bathed in Aether, woven from the essence of the wind itself. Its twisting form glowed faintly, thin tendrils of energy coiling like phantom wisps of mist around its surface. The scent it exuded was so sharp, so crisp, that even Kei, with his dulled senses, felt as if his mind had momentarily cleared. A treasure not meant for just anyone. And a treasure that had just upended the fragile balance of the battlefield. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s wrath exploded outward¡ª And Kei barely had time to brace. Chapter 19 A shift in the air. A warning too late. The Zephyr Chitter Monkey vanished. Not with a burst of speed¡ªno. It was beyond that. It moved like the wind itself¡ªflowing, folding into the currents, blurring past sight. One moment, it was there; the next, it was everywhere. Kei barely had time to register the shift before¡ª BAM. A force like a cannonball slammed into his gut. His breath vanished, ribs caving in as his body lifted from the ground. His mind barely processed the pain before¡ª CRACK! A second blow, spinning roundhouse, drove into his side, sending him hurtling like a ragdoll through the air. The Fangcub barely had time to react before the Zephyr Monkey was already in front of it. No hesitation. And then it kicked. A gale-force explosion erupted as its heel met the cub¡¯s ribs, sending it skidding backward, paws digging trenches into the dirt. A windburst followed, whipping through the air like a blade, slashing into the trees behind it. Before either could react, the monkey was moving again. Its foot barely touched the ground before it was airborne once more, spinning, pivoting, redirecting force with perfect precision. Kei barely rolled in time as a heel drop came crashing down, the impact leaving a crater where his head had been moments before. The moment his body moved, the Zephyr Monkey followed, wind coiling around its frame like a storm given form. This was different. Kei had fought Chitter Monkeys before. They were erratic, chaotic, hyperactive in their attacks. They fought in swarms, relying on numbers rather than technique. This one? It was a master. Every strike, every motion, was calculated¡ªfluid, lethal, and seamless. The Zephyr Monkey didn¡¯t just control the wind. It fought with it. It didn¡¯t need to force openings. It made them, using small, precise movements to shift its weight, redirect momentum, and strike before its opponent could react. And it was merciless. Kei barely dodged a sweeping leg kick, but the air that followed wasn¡¯t just residual force¡ªit was intentional. The displaced wind twisted into a spiraling vortex, sucking him toward the real attack¡ª A crushing elbow strike. WHAM. His head snapped backward, vision flashing white as blood sprayed from his mouth. His body lurched sideways, but before he could even hit the ground, a sharp knee slammed into his ribs, controlling his fall and ensuring he landed exactly where the Zephyr Monkey wanted him to. The Fangcub lunged, fangs flashing with Aether-backed fury, but it was fighting against the wind itself. The Zephyr Monkey leaned back¡ªnot dodging, redirecting. The wind followed its movement, pulling the Fangcub slightly off balance. And that¡¯s when the counterattack came. A spinning backfist crashed into the cub¡¯s jaw, launching it sideways. But the Zephyr Monkey wasn¡¯t done. It moved with the force of its attack, flowing into another strike before the Fangcub even hit the ground¡ª A double palm thrust, reinforced by Zephyr Force, slammed into the cub¡¯s exposed flank. The wind detonated. The Fangcub¡¯s body shot across the battlefield like a bullet, crashing through tree after tree, debris flying in all directions. Kei struggled to his feet, but his body wasn¡¯t responding fast enough. The Zephyr Monkey turned back to him, gaze cold. It raised one leg slightly, foot barely off the ground¡ª And then it disappeared. Kei barely had time to react before¡ª BOOM. A knee exploded into his sternum, lifting him into the air. A blur of blue and wind twisted around him before a palm strike hammered into his back, sending him crashing downward with devastating force. The Zephyr Monkey was still mid-air. But it didn¡¯t land. Instead, it used the burst of force from its attack to flip backward, seamlessly flowing into another technique. Wind gathered beneath its feet¡ª And it launched downward like a meteor. Kei barely managed to roll as the Zephyr Monkey drove its foot into the earth. BOOOOM. The ground exploded. The impact sent shockwaves outward, creating a miniature crater where its foot had landed. Air rippled from the force, dust and debris lifting into the atmosphere. Kei knew one thing with absolute certainty. He couldn¡¯t fight this thing. Not like this. He had fought creatures that relied on strength. He had fought creatures that relied on speed. But this?This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. This was hand-to-hand mastery at a level that shouldn¡¯t exist for a mere level 5 creature. It wasn¡¯t just strong. It wasn¡¯t just fast. It was trained. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s stance remained loose but lethal. Kei had seen similar movements before. Muay Thai. Taekwondo. Kung Fu. This thing wasn¡¯t just an animal. It was a martial artist. And that meant brute force wasn¡¯t going to cut it. His mind raced. His lungs burned. His body screamed at him to move. Wind twisted. The Zephyr Monkey shifted its stance. It was coming again. And Kei had seconds¡ªno, less¡ªto figure out how to counter it. Because if he didn¡¯t¡ª He wasn¡¯t getting out of this alive. Something shifted. Deep within Kei, something reacted. His eyes burned¡ªnot from pain, but from something else. Power surged. A pulse rippled through his status screen. For a split second, the text glitched, flickering erratically, symbols shifting into something unreadable. His Will twisted, something unseen trying to suppress it, to force it down, to shackle it before it could awaken. But Kei had no time to pay it any mind. Because in that moment¡ª The wind whispered. No¡ª It taught him. His breath hitched as the knowledge poured into him¡ªnot in words, but in feeling. The Zephyr Monkey was fast. Too fast. But its movements weren¡¯t random. It wasn¡¯t teleporting. It was riding the wind. It bent the air currents around itself, using them to reduce friction, enhance acceleration, cut through resistance. Every step, every motion, was synchronized with the flow of the wind, allowing it to move like a storm given form. Kei had felt it. The pull, the redirection, the guidance. Now, for the first time¡ª He understood it. [Force Progression: 5% ¡ú 7%] The realization struck like lightning. The Zephyr Monkey wasn¡¯t fighting against the wind. It was letting the wind carry it. And if it could do it¡ª Then so could he. The Zephyr Monkey lunged, the wind roaring to life at its command. Kei exhaled, muscles tensing. And for the first time¡ª He moved with the wind. Swoosh. The Zephyr Monkey vanished, its form barely a blur before its foot whipped through the air, extending in a perfect, devastating arc. A faint whistling followed in its wake¡ªa whisper of the wind slicing apart the very space it traveled through. [Force Progression: 7% ¡ú 10%] Kei barely ducked, missing the strike by a fraction. The wind stirred violently around him, the displaced air pressing against his skin, tingling with residual energy. He wasn¡¯t safe yet. The very same foot he narrowly dodged reversed direction instantly, folding inward as the Zephyr Monkey used the momentum of its missed strike to pivot¡ª And then¡ª Boom. An axe kick crashed down, faster than his body could react. [Force Progression: 10% ¡ú 15%] Kei¡¯s breath hitched. Too fast. His body couldn¡¯t dodge in time¡ª But his Breeze Force could. A burst of wind erupted beneath him, responding to his instinct with perfect synchronization. The sudden blast of force lifted him just enough¡ªhis weight shifting, his torso leaning millimeters away from the devastating heel that struck the ground. CRACK. The earth split beneath the impact. Fractures spread outward, dust and debris lifting into the air from the sheer force. Kei¡¯s mind raced. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s martial prowess wasn¡¯t just about raw speed. It was refined. Every movement was precise, utilizing momentum and footwork to seamlessly transition from one technique to the next. Kei¡¯s eyes burned. It was happening again. The wind whispered its movements to him, transmitting the mechanics behind its motion¡ªhow it positioned itself, how it redirected its energy, how it never wasted a single movement. The Zephyr Monkey landed, its weight perfectly distributed across its stance. It had already recovered, body loose, foot sliding backward into another pivoting motion. Kei¡¯s instincts screamed. Don¡¯t let it reset. His body reacted before his mind caught up. His foot lashed out, aiming for the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s ankle just as its weight shifted¡ªbefore it could fully regain control. A counterattack. A counter born from observation. A counter born from an innate understanding being whispered to him by the wind Would it land? Or would the wind itself betray him? A shift. A moment. An opening. Kei¡¯s foot connected, a sharp impact disrupting the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s balance just enough for him to roll away, repositioning himself for a better stance. His breath was ragged, body aching, but his mind remained sharp, calculating. The Zephyr Monkey, more annoyed than anything, let out a sharp exhale, summoning the wind around itself. Kei did the same. [Force Progression: 15% ¡ú 20%] A change. A struggle. A shift in power. The Zephyr Monkey felt its control over the wind weaken¡ªonly slightly, but enough to notice. Kei, however, felt the opposite. The wind responded to him. It bent toward him with a willingness he hadn''t fully grasped before. Both combatants readied themselves, but before they could move¡ª A roar split through the battlefield. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s sharp instincts screamed a warning from behind. The Fangcub¡ªwho had been ignored until now¡ªmade its presence known. With Howl of Resilience reinforcing its body, the cub surged forward, activating Lunging Rend. Its fangs clamped down onto the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s arm with savage force, its Aether-filled claws slashing toward the monkey¡¯s throat in the same breath. Kei, wasting no time, summoned the Jagged Bone Club. With the wind now an extension of himself, he surged forward, aiming low¡ªa precise strike toward the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s leg to cripple its movement. Neither human nor cub spoke a word, but in that moment, an unspoken trust bound them. They were both outmatched, but together, they worked in perfect synchrony. Yet, even as they attacked, something was wrong. The Fangcub¡¯s movements were sluggish, hindered by the surge of energy still struggling to settle inside its body from consuming the Zephyr-Blessed Ginger. It couldn¡¯t sit still and let Kei suffer for its greed, but every motion came with resistance, as if its body hadn¡¯t yet caught up to the power within. The Zephyr Monkey reacted instantly, instinctively reaching for its Zephyr Force to fold into the wind¡ªto disappear, escape, and counter. But then¡ª A delay. A split second of hesitation. It felt its control over Aether slip. The disruption was minuscule but present. A fraction of a second. But against two enemies acting in perfect unity, a fraction of a second was all they needed. The Fangcub¡¯s fangs bit deep. Kei¡¯s club crashed into the monkey¡¯s leg. Their attacks landed¡ª But rebounded. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s fur defense absorbed the damage. Their strikes failed to break through its natural resilience, and in the same breath, the monkey rode the wind, slipping free from their grasp. It vanished. But this time, Kei didn¡¯t lose track of it. Not anymore. [Force Progression: 20% ¡ú 25%] Even as it disappeared into the wind, Kei followed. His senses, deeply integrated with the currents of the air, picked up on everything. The Zephyr Monkey had a method¡ªa way it merged into the wind, bending the currents to carry it wherever it pleased. It wasn''t just fast. It flowed. Kei had watched, observed, and now¡ªhe understood. A flicker. A disturbance to his right. The Zephyr Monkey reappeared, perched on a branch high above, its body still radiating tension. THWACK. Its head jerked backward. A pebble. A single pebble. It had barely landed before Kei¡¯s projectile struck home, disrupting its focus just as it was about to reactivate its Zephyr Force. The monkey blinked, caught between surprise and irritation. For the first time, it failed to sense an attack. Kei exhaled, heart pounding, but a small smirk formed at the edges of his lips. Even in the midst of his imminent death, he felt something else rising within him¡ªexhilaration. The wind around him pulsed, alive, excited. It whispered to him, guiding him, weaving its presence into his movements. He was beginning to hear its voice¡ªnot with his ears, but with his very being. The Zephyr Monkey was trained in this element. It had mastered the wind. But Kei was something different. He didn''t control the wind. The wind chose him. It responded to him as if he were its rightful wielder, wrapping around him in eager anticipation. It wanted to dance at his command. And the Aether? The Aether was worse. It didn¡¯t just respond. It offered itself to him, flooding toward him with unrestrained fervor, as if desperate for his attention. That moment of realization clicked in his mind. When he disrupted the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s control over its Aether, that was not normal. Something was happening. Something he hadn¡¯t fully grasped yet. But whatever it was, the Zephyr Monkey knew. And as its gaze snapped back toward Kei, its expression darkened. The first true trace of caution flickered in its eyes. Because in that moment¡ª It realized Kei wasn¡¯t just some helpless prey. He was learning. And that made him far more dangerous than it had anticipated. Chapter 20 The trees whispered, leaves rustling with unease as the battle reached its peak. Kei stood his ground, wind swirling around him, his muscles taut, his breath coming in sharp, controlled bursts. Across from him, perched atop a broken branch, the Zephyr Chitter Monkey loomed, its eyes narrowing¡ªanalyzing, calculating. It had underestimated him once. It wouldn¡¯t make that mistake again. Neither would Kei. This was a fight against time. He could feel it¡ªthe subtle shifts in his body, the rapid growth of his Breeze Force, his connection to Aether deepening with every clash, every movement, every breath. But it was too much, too fast. His body wasn¡¯t built for this yet. And the Zephyr Monkey knew it. It exhaled slowly, and for a brief moment, the wind stilled. Then¡ª It vanished. Kei moved on instinct. His body already shifting. The air rippled to his right¡ªa feint. The real attack would come from¡ª THERE! His arm shot up to block¡ª BOOM! A spinning back kick collided with his forearm, sending a jolt of force through his bones. The impact sent him sliding backward, his heels digging trenches into the dirt. The Zephyr Monkey didn¡¯t relent. Before Kei could even stabilize, a blur of blue fur and wind closed the distance. A flurry of strikes. Palm. Fist. Elbow. Knee. Each motion flowed seamlessly into the next¡ªa hurricane of lethal precision. Kei¡¯s instincts screamed, his Breeze Force blaring warnings from all directions. He twisted his body, barely dodging a palm strike. Another strike came¡ªhe ducked. But¡ª WHAM! A knee drove into his ribs. CRACK! A palm strike crushed into his chest, sending him reeling. The world spun. Kei clenched his teeth, forcing his body to react. With a desperate swing, he lashed out with his Jagged Bone Club, aiming for the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s side. But the monkey didn¡¯t just dodge. It folded into the wind. The moment Kei¡¯s attack passed through empty space, the Zephyr Monkey reappeared¡ªabove him. Leg raised. Kei¡¯s eyes widened. Axe kick incoming. MOVE. His Breeze Force responded, a sudden gust exploding beneath him, launching him sideways¡ªjust barely avoiding the meteor-like stomp that cratered the ground beneath him. But¡ª The Zephyr Monkey was already in motion again. As Kei evaded, the monkey twisted mid-air, using the momentum from its missed attack to redirect its body¡ª A spinning heel kick. Kei saw it too late. BAM. The impact snapped his head sideways. His body was hurled across the battlefield, dirt and debris scattering in his wake. Blood dripped from his lips, his vision swimming, yet his instincts forced him to move. He couldn¡¯t afford to stop. Not now. His hands clawed at the ground, forcing himself upright. His arms trembled, but his mind burned. His will burned, a orange falme beginning to burn in his eyes An unwilling determination to learn and dominate He felt it. Every movement. Every shift in air pressure. The way the Zephyr Monkey moved with the wind, not against it. He had spent his entire life observing. And now¡ª His instincts were beginning to understand. His intelligence stat¡ªfinally breaking free from the restraints of the system¡ªannounced itself to the world. For the first time, Kei felt the limits placed upon him shatter. Whoosh. A subtle step to the side¡ªjust enough to miss the oncoming furred kick by a hair¡¯s breadth. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. In that instant, the battle transformed. The fight was no longer just between two bodies, two forces clashing in combat. It was a tug-of-war. For control over the wind. For dominance over Aether itself. And the Zephyr Monkey was on the losing side. It felt it¡ªthe shift in control, the unnatural way the wind started to resist its command. The very element it had mastered, the force it had bent to its will, was slipping away. Every movement Kei made, the wind whispered its approval. Every shift in pressure, every flicker in the air¡ªthe wind tattled. Snitching on the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s every attack. And Kei listened. [Force Progression: 20% ¡ú 35%] Aether pulsed around him, raw and eager. It surged towards him, responding with an almost childlike enthusiasm, thrilled to finally have his attention. The Zephyr Monkey felt the difference. Its seamless strikes, once undodgeable, now struggled to land. Kei wasn¡¯t just dodging¡ªhe was reading ahead. A preemptive sidestep. A slight shift in weight. A well-timed sway of the shoulders. Not flashy. Not wild. And when an opening presented itself¡ª Kei struck. WHAM. The Jagged Bone Club lashed out mid-combo, smashing toward the Zephyr Monkey. It managed to weave through the attack¡ªbut something was different. Again. Kei swung. Aether pulsed from his grip. The club hummed with an unnatural weight¡ªits presence in the air heavier than before. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s eyes narrowed. Every strike Kei delivered, his control over Aether tightened. Slowly. He was infusing. The Jagged Bone Club shuddered, its surface crackling with energy, veins of deep orange light bleeding through the weapon¡¯s surface. Suffused with Aether. Reinforced. A shift in battle was happening. The Zephyr Monkey knew it. Knowing that things were rapidly taking a turn for the worse, the Zephyr Monkey hurriedly retreated, pulling the wind around itself, desperate to maintain what little control over Aether it still had. But Kei sensed the shift. This was different. The way the Zephyr Monkey folded itself into the wind¡¯s currents, the circulation of Aether, the manipulation of flow¡ªit all clicked. His intelligence stat, now unbound from the system¡¯s restraints, burned through the calculations at inhuman speed. Every movement, every adjustment, every subtle command the monkey used to meld into the wind was processed and absorbed within seconds. Then¡ª Kei disappeared. He folded into the currents, chasing after his enemy. The Zephyr Monkey reappeared mid-air, its arm cocked back, body twisting in perfect synchronization with the wind. It launched forward, the force of its movement distorting the air itself, a razor-like storm funnel forming around its extended fist. Below, the Fangcub still struggled, its body wracked with violent tremors. The Zephyr-blessed Ginger coursed through its veins, raw, untamed power flooding every cell. It had tried to help Kei throughout the fight, tried to move, tried to fight¡ªbut its body refused to listen. It could feel it. The Aether in the environment was aiding it. The same familiar feeling it had sensed when it bit Kei before. Something in Kei¡¯s Aether was resonating with its own, pulling the surrounding energy into itself, forcefully speeding up the assimilation process. But it was still defenseless. And the Zephyr Monkey knew it. It dived. Kei reacted. Folding into the wind, Kei appeared before the Fangcub, his club held out in a desperate attempt to intercept the blow. CRACK. The Jagged Bone Club shattered. Splinters flew through the air as the sheer force of the monkey¡¯s strike obliterated the weapon on impact. The shock traveled through Kei¡¯s arms, his bones rattling from the sheer power behind the attack. But Kei¡¯s mind wasn¡¯t on the broken weapon. His eyes burned, locked onto the Fangcub. It was still struggling¡ªstill fighting against the rampant energy inside it. Kei felt it¡ªthe Aether in the air, shifting, bending, waiting. His last command¡ªno, his last plea¡ª ¡°Help it. Help it now.¡± His Will surged, blazing, no longer restrained, no longer bound by the system. The Aether responded. It rushed toward the Fangcub, pouring into its body, forcing the energy inside it to settle. Then¡ª The Fangcub¡¯s eyes snapped open. And the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s fist was still coming. You already know how this ends. BOOM. Kei''s body twisted unnaturally through the air, sent hurtling like a ragdoll. A moment later¡ª CRASH. He struck a tree, the trunk splintering on impact before his momentum tore him free, flinging him through the air once more. WHAM. The rocky face of a mountain greeted him next, the impact forcing the air from his lungs as the stone cracked beneath the force. Then¡ªanother hit. No moment to fall, no time to breathe¡ªhis body was wrenched from the rock and slammed downward. BOOM. The earth buckled. Soil blasted into the air. Trees snapped in half from the sheer force of his landing. It should have ended there. It didn¡¯t. The instant he hit the ground, a shadow loomed over him. A hand gripped his skull, yanking him up like he weighed nothing. Then¡ª BAM. His face met the ground again. Then again. And again. A relentless cycle of impact and agony, his blood painting the dirt beneath him as his vision flickered in and out of focus. His body was too battered to resist¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just being beaten; he was being toyed with. Like a predator toying with its prey, enjoying the slow, drawn-out suffering before the inevitable end. His head spun as he was lifted yet again¡ªonly this time, he wasn¡¯t thrown. This time, something pierced his abdomen. He choked. A thick, grotesque wetness spread down his torso, and it took a second for him to register¡ª He¡¯d been impaled. His body spasmed involuntarily, pain blooming from the wound like wildfire. His breath hitched, but no sound escaped his lips. He didn¡¯t even have the strength to scream. He should have been dead by now. He wasn¡¯t. And somewhere in the distance¡ª The Fangcub howled. Chapter 21: Ten The surface of the water rippled, reality bending as the present moment crashed back into focus. The Fangcub stood firm, its body heaving with exertion, yet its spirit remained unbroken. Around its tail, a spectral projection flickered¡ªa ghostly appendage of raw Aether, mirroring its presence in the world. The translucent energy twisted and coiled, crackling with latent power, a testament to the force now awakening within it. Opposite, the Zephyr Monkey crouched low, its glowing blue fur shifting in waves, moving like a living storm. Its fist cut through the air, whipping with such force that the very space around it distorted, rippled¡ªbent under its sheer command of the wind. A visceral growl rumbled from both creatures¡ªtwo beings standing at the precipice of battle, neither willing to break, neither willing to yield. They moved. They clashed. Aether met wind. A violent shockwave erupted outward, the impact splitting the earth beneath them, scattering leaves, dust, and shattered bark in a chaotic storm. The very air howled, bending to the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s will, surging like a hurricane around its body. But the Fangcub didn¡¯t falter. It refused to be swept away. It fought against the force with sheer, unrelenting will. The wind pushed. The Fangcub pushed back. The battlefield trembled. The rippling water mirrored their fight, each ripple echoing their struggle¡ªtwo forces of nature, each trying to overcome the other. Then¡ª The Fangcub¡¯s ethereal tail flared. The Aether surged, roaring like a wildfire. And for the first time¡ª The wind hesitated. As if forgotten by the two, Kei lay to the side, consuming two basic health potions in his inventory and placing the empty vials back into his storage. [Kei Yuichi: Level 0] [HP: 15/15] (Status: Bleeding) Tearing what remained of his once-white sweatshirt, he bandaged his bleeding wound, applying enough pressure to stem the bleeding for the moment. The fabric soaked through almost immediately, but it was enough to slow the blood loss. Beep Beep Beep ¡°I guess I¡¯ve been ignoring this long enough.¡± Opening his quest log, he read the message that appeared. [Emergency Quest: Galeborn Calamity] One of the five apex bosses of the Expanse has been enraged. The Zephyr Chitter Monkey, guardian of the winds, has entered a berserker state after losing its treasured 10,000-Year Zephyr Blessed Ginger. It will not stop until the thief is dead. The winds rage alongside it, warping the battlefield into a death trap. Objective: Conditions: Failure Penalty: Rewards: The winds have chosen their battlefield. Fight, or be erased. Quest Start. Watching the Fangcub and Zephyr Monkey dart across the battlefield, clashing repeatedly, Kei took his time to carefully observe the Zephyr Monkey.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. A title hung above its head. [Expanse Boss: Zephyr Monkey King] ¡°Makes sense,¡± Kei quipped. His mind processed the situation rapidly, his fingers tightening slightly around his makeshift bandage. ¡°So we had no choice but to confront this boss, huh?¡± Kei relented. ¡°Maybe if we didn''t steal its treasure, we could¡¯ve avoided this.¡± His gaze flickered back to the quest description. ¡°One of five? That means there are four more of these creatures we have to defeat. I¡¯m just hoping this monkey ranks as the strongest of them, or else we¡¯re gonna be in trouble.¡± Grunting as he got back up to his feet, he mapped out the Fangcub and Zephyr Monkey¡¯s movements, taking a moment to adjust his senses and assess the state of their fight. His Breeze Force whispered through the wind, feeding him subtle details¡ªeach gust carrying with it the impact of their attacks, the shifts in pressure, the strain in their bodies. "Even though it¡¯s obviously weaker, the Fangcub has been doing really well against the monkey." Kei observed, his eyes narrowing as he watched their battle unfold. "But what¡¯s with those ghastly-looking astral projections over its tail and claws? That¡¯s new. Seems to be filled with Aether¡­ if anything, it might just be purely Aether." He analyzed the strange energy flickering around the Fangcub¡¯s limbs. It wasn¡¯t simply reinforcement¡ªit was projection. An extension of itself, formed by sheer will and Aether concentration. Kei¡¯s grip tightened. The Fangcub rebounded off a tree, using it as a springboard to launch itself forward. Its claws slashed outward, and in perfect unison, the astral projection of its Aether-infused claw mirrored the motion, cutting through the air with lethal precision. The Zephyr Monkey moved to dodge¡ª But it was met with an astral-projected tail, whipping around in a devastating arc and slamming it straight into the ground. BOOM. The earth cracked beneath the force of impact, dust and debris scattering into the air. A deep crater formed where the Zephyr Monkey had been driven down. Its glowing eyes snapped upward, already surging to counterattack¡ª Bang! Its head violently lurched to the side. For a moment, the Zephyr Monkey froze, eyes flickering in confusion before sharply turning toward the source of the attack. Standing a few meters away, Kei grinned¡ªhis bloodied lips parting in a sharp, defiant smile, a few missing teeth leaving gaps in his expression. Both his hands were held out before him, fingers spread wide. Between them¡ªten glowing projectiles. Pebbles. Each one shimmered with an orange glow, infused with Aether, radiating a heat-like distortion around them. Kei¡¯s voice rang out, smooth and almost mocking. ¡°Ten.¡± The Fangcub landed gracefully on the opposite side of the Zephyr Monkey. Upon first seeing Kei standing again¡ªalive, grinning, and seemingly stronger¡ªit felt immense relief. Its body nearly trembled with emotion. But then¡ª It saw the ten glowing orbs between Kei¡¯s fingers. And the moment he uttered that number¡ª A bad premonition settled deep within its gut. For the first time, the Fangcub felt bad for the Zephyr Monkey. It didn¡¯t know exactly what was about to happen¡ª But it knew it wouldn¡¯t be pretty. The Zephyr Monkey, entirely over this nonsense, shrieked in raw fury. It attempted to command the winds to its will, but¡ªas it expected¡ªKei was interfering. Its control was slipping. Enough. With a violent step forward, it charged, its fists clenched so tightly that Kei could hear the joints cracking. Kei exhaled, eyes narrowing. "Help me out, buddy." The Fangcub didn''t hesitate. Lunging Rend¡ªactivated. It barreled forward with all the force it could muster, its claws gleaming with aether-backed power. Sensing the Fangcub¡¯s rapid approach from behind, the Zephyr Monkey reacted instantly. Its body twisted sharply, its weight shifting seamlessly as it pivoted on one foot. With terrifying precision, it launched a spinning back kick¡ª The air howled as the kick tore through it, aimed directly at the Fangcub¡¯s ribs, carrying enough force to send it flying. But just before impact¡ª ¡°Seven.¡± Kei whispered the number under his breath as he flicked his wrist. Bang! Bang! Bang! Three Aether-infused pebbles tore through the air. The first struck the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s ankle, still grounded from its charge¡ªmomentarily disrupting its footing. The second slammed into the back of its head, aiming precisely where Kei suspected its brainstem should be. The third pelted its elbow, just as it moved to swing. KREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! The Zephyr Monkey shrieked in agony. It had been pelted before¡ªdozens of times¡ªby Kei¡¯s annoying, relentless pebbles. But these were different. These were dangerous. It felt the damage. Through its thick fur, through the layers of natural defense, it felt pain. Kei grinned wider¡ªhis status screen flickering to the side, revealing a new surprise. [Skill Name]: Advanced Projectile Mastery [Description]: Through extensive experience and refined control, you have developed an advanced understanding of thrown weapons. By integrating Aether, you can now manipulate projectile speed, trajectory, and impact force, adapting seamlessly to environmental factors and exploiting enemy weaknesses. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: Kei chuckled, voice hoarse but filled with amusement. "Unfortunately for you¡­" **He raised his hand again¡ª**five glowing pebbles remaining. ¡°¡­this Aether stuff seems to really like me.¡± His grin widened. "The next five pebbles? Yeah. They''re gonna really hurt." Before the Zephyr Monkey could react¡ª Bang! Bang! The first pebble struck its knee, disrupting its stance. The second pebble slammed into its throat. KREEEEEEEEEEE!!! The Zephyr Monkey screeched, staggering back, rage filling its glowing eyes. It whipped its head toward Kei, intent on ripping him apart¡ª But Kei was already gone. In its moment of confusion, the Fangcub seized the opening. Aether surged. It lunged, claws stretched forward. Its target¡ª The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s ankle. Connected. The Zephyr Monkey shrieked in pain, staggering as its balance crumbled beneath it. And in that moment¡ª Kei prepared the next attack. Five pebbles left. And each one was going to count. Chapter 22 Kei silently appeared above the Zephyr Monkey, letting a pebble slip from his grip. Below¡ª Trying to regain its balance, the Zephyr Monkey felt a slight thud against its head¡ªlight, almost insignificant, as if something had randomly fallen on it. Its gaze flickered upward in confusion, but before it could even register what had happened, a voice rang out from below. "Four." The realization came too late. Kei surged forward, his form a blur as wind coiled tightly around his fist, mimicking the very technique the Zephyr Monkey had used against him. Bang! His uppercut crashed into the monkey¡¯s chin, a burst of force sending a shockwave through the battlefield. The Zephyr Monkey shrieked in pain, its body lifting slightly off the ground from the sheer impact. Crunch! Before it could react, Kei¡¯s knee drove viciously into its stomach, sending it skidding backward, its feet clawing at the dirt for stability. But there was no time to recover. A piercing pain flared in its leg. It jerked its head down¡ªonly to see nothing. From Kei¡¯s point of view, the Fangcub wasn¡¯t even close enough to bite the Zephyr Monkey¡ªso why did its leg feel like it was caught in a vice? Then¡ª Aether surged, glowing within the Fangcub¡¯s maw as it activated Lunging Rend. But unlike before, it didn¡¯t close the distance. It didn¡¯t have to. Above its open jaws, an astral projection formed¡ªan ethereal, spectral duplicate of its fangs. Aether-made teeth clamped down on the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s leg, pinning it in place. Its body flinched, pain wracking through its limb as it struggled to move¡ªbut the Fangcub wasn¡¯t done. The projection grew sharper. Stronger. The bite force increased, digging deeper into its flesh. For the first time since the fight began, the Zephyr Monkey was taking real damage. Kei, breathing hard but grinning through bloodied teeth, tightened his stance. They were overwhelming it. The tides of battle were shifting.
Truly enraged, the Zephyr Monkey shrieked, its control over the wind wavering, but its anger igniting what little it could still command. A gust of wind surged toward it, answering its desperate call. Kei tensed. Something was coming. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s eyes burned with malice as Aether surged into its hands. The winds twisted violently around them, condensing into a spinning vortex of razor-sharp Zephyr energy. Kei¡¯s instincts roared. This was bad. "Oh, oh¡ªhey, let''s talk about this for a minute." Kei let out a nervous laugh, holding up his hands. "You did some things, we did some things, you hurt us, we hurt you. How about we let bygones be bygones, huh?" KREEEEEEE!! The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s response was to unleash more wind, its rage pouring into the vortex forming between its hands. Kei gritted his teeth, his muscles coiling as he fought for control. His Breeze Force surged, orange flames surging in his eyes, fighting to disrupt the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s grip over the wind. He was winning. But not fast enough. The Zephyr Monkey still had time to launch it. Kei¡¯s gaze flickered to the Fangcub, which was already moving. Its ethereal maw, strengthened by the contract, launched forward, a spectral projection of its bite aiming straight for the monkey¡¯s hands.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Crunch! The Zephyr Monkey staggered back, its fingers snapping open involuntarily as pain shot through its nerves. The Aether-infused wind in its hands faltered, destabilizing before it could fully form the attack. A desperate shriek escaped its throat. Kei didn''t let it breathe. Bang! Bang! "Two." Two Aether-infused pebbles drilled into the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s skull, sending twin spurts of blood spraying into the air. From the side, the Fangcub turned to look at Kei, its expression unreadable¡ªbut something about it seemed to say: "You have issues. I think you''re mentally disturbed." Kei only grinned wider, his bloodied teeth bared. KREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s fury exploded. The wind screamed. A thousand blades of air burst outward, sharp, relentless, cutting through the battlefield like a storm of razors. Kei folded into the wind currents just in time, barely slipping past the first barrage. The Fangcub, moving with its heightened senses, weaved between the deadly gusts, its body twisting through the storm. Kei took a moment to catch his breath. The battle was pushing his limits, but something new was flashing in his vision. A blinking system message.
[You have formed a comradeship with a creature of this expanse. Your will is strong enough to force it upon the creature and form a contract. Please select from the options below.] Kei briefly glanced at the choices. He didn''t even hesitate.
[You have chosen to form a contract of equals with this creature. You have acknowledged the Fangcub as your equal. As a result, it benefits from your strongest stat: [Will].] [Please assign a name for the Fangcub.] Kei let out a breath, smiling. "I can¡¯t keep calling you Bitey, huh? You¡¯re not really a dog, but this should suffice."
In the same moment, the Fangcub howled. A new power surged through its body, a response to the contract now binding them. Its ethereal projections became more solid, tangible. Aether radiated from its form in raw, pulsing waves. The Zephyr Monkey, still blinded from Kei¡¯s earlier strike, shrieked in frustration. Another blade of wind shot toward the Fangcub¡ª But it never landed. The Fangcub swiped with its claw. Aether surged¡ª And its astral projection crushed the incoming attack, shattering the wind blade mid-air. Kei laughed, stepping forward, readying the last of his pebbles. "Get him, Hachi!"
The battle had truly begun. And as such, both human and Fangcub¡ªnow bound by contract¡ªlaunched a relentless assault on the Zephyr Monkey. Hachi, now surging with renewed strength through Kei¡¯s Will and temporarily bolstered by Howl of Resilience, struck with devastating precision. Each attack carried more force than before, its astral projections becoming an extension of its body, striking like tangible weapons. Its tail, no longer just a tool for balance, had become a blunt instrument of force. With a powerful swing, the Zephyr Monkey was launched straight toward Kei. Kei, benefiting from the dexterity boost granted by Hachi, felt his movements sharpen¡ªevery strike more refined, every motion smoother. Activating Aether Control. Aether and wind surged through his limbs, wrapping around his fists, knees, and elbows¡ªreinforcing every movement. He met the Zephyr Monkey mid-air. His first strike¡ªa sharp palm to the ribs¡ªforced it to twist instinctively. His second¡ªa knee to the gut¡ªdrove the air from its lungs. An elbow strike crashed into its abdomen, sending it reeling. The Zephyr Monkey, struggling to regain its footing, barely had time to react before¡ª Crunch! Fangs tore into its leg. The Zephyr Monkey shrieked, but its voice lacked its former power. Its movements were sluggish, its stance unsteady. It was losing. For the first time in its existence, it felt something foreign¡ªfear. Kei grinned through bloodied teeth, another pebble already nestled between his fingers. "One." The Zephyr Monkey flinched. Not because of pain. Because of the number. Ever since Kei had begun counting, each declaration had been followed by pain¡ªprecise, unrelenting, and inescapable. And now, only one remained. It barely stood, swaying, blood trickling from its wounds. And yet¡ª It laughed. A weak, rasping laugh. A laugh at the absurdity of losing its treasure. A laugh at being defeated by two thieves who were weaker than it just a few moments ago. Splash. A cool sensation spread across its face. Gree? Confused, the Zephyr Monkey blinked. The burning in its eyes¡ªthe searing pain¡ªwas gone. Slowly, its vision returned, clarity creeping back into the world. It looked up. Kei stood before it, holding an empty health potion vial. The monkey stared at him. Kei stared back. Hachi, watching this unfold, let out a deep huff, as if questioning Kei¡¯s sanity. Kei sighed. ¡°Now I¡¯m down to one. Gotta figure out how to make more of these.¡± Sensing the weird gaze from the Zephyr Monkey, Kei frowned. ¡°What? Don¡¯t look at me like that. You stabbed me first. Your eyes were payback.¡± The monkey kept staring. Kei exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°You were strong. Really strong. Taught me a lot about fighting with the wind.¡± He pulled up his status screen. [Force Progression: 35% ¡ú 50%] (Capped for Current Stage) The battle was over. But something had changed. The wind, once howling, had fallen still. And the Zephyr Monkey, rather than fleeing or attacking¡ª Simply sat there. Watching. Waiting. Confused, the Zephyr Monkey watched as both the Fangcub and the human no longer paid it any mind. No hostility lingered in the air. No malice. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± The Zephyr Monkey stood, truly baffled. The Fangcub, exhausted beyond words, found a spot on the ground and collapsed onto its side. Before closing its eyes, it lazily glanced at the Zephyr Monkey as if to say, Yeah, same thing happened to me¡­ and I¡¯m still here. It yawned widely, stretching its sore limbs¡ªthen promptly fell asleep. Kei, meanwhile, stood still, his eyes scanning the flashing system message before him. [Emergency Quest: Galeborn Calamity ¨C COMPLETED] Perfect Completion Achieved. Rewards Granted: The winds bow to you. Kei exhaled slowly, running a hand through his sweat-drenched hair. The battlefield had settled. The fight was over. And yet, the Zephyr Monkey still stood there, unmoving. It glanced between Kei and Hachi¡ªits former enemies¡ªnow simply resting, as if nothing had happened. The realization dawned on it. It had lost. But it was still alive. And for the first time in its existence¡­ it didn¡¯t know what to do next. Chapter 23 Hop. Hop. Huff. Huff. [Participant: ------] has successfully defeated one of the Five Expanse Apex Guardians, overcoming insurmountable odds and claiming victory against the Flood Hare, Master of the Tides. In a distant part of the Expanse, near a breathtaking lake of crystal blue and emerald, green, a girl stood, barely able to remain upright. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her body battered and torn from the battle. Before her, the Flood Hare who¡¯s fur resembled the lake lay motionless, its once-fluid, graceful form now still. The battlefield told the story of their struggle. Patches of grassland were submerged under shallow pools of water, craters littered the landscape¡ªevidence of the relentless exchange of power. Vines, thick and unruly, coiled around the fallen beast, their presence unnatural, their purpose clear. They had erupted from the earth mid-battle, constricting, piercing, tearing through the Flood Hare¡¯s defences. The girl, though victorious, swayed on her feet, exhaustion pressing down on her like an unmovable weight. It was evident¡ªshe had taken on the Apex Boss alone. And she had won. However, she was anything but pleased. Just before the announcement of her arduous victory, a similar message had echoed across the Expanse mere seconds before she landed her final strike. [GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT] Attention all participants of the Expanse. A historic event has occurred. ¡ª The first Apex Boss has fallen. ¡ª [Participant: XXXX] has successfully defeated one of the Five Expanse Apex Guardians, overcoming insurmountable odds and claiming victory against the Zephyr Monkey King, Master of the Gale. Hidden Condition Cleared: ? Defeated an Apex Boss without external assistance. ? First to defeat an Apex Boss. ? Offered mercy to an Apex Boss. [Participant: XXXX] has earned the title: [Stormbreaker] ¡ª One who stands unshaken before the wrath of the storm. The winds of the Expanse whisper his name. For those who seek strength¡ªknow this. The Apex have begun to fall. And the hunt has begun. It had been just a matter of seconds. That was all it took. She had put in everything¡ªher blood, her exhaustion, her strategy, her will. She had given everything to claim the title of the first to slay an Apex Boss. And yet, by the cruel trick of time, it had been stolen from her. Her jaw clenched as she stared at the notification.
[Flood Hare: Level 8 (Mutated)] [Force Alignment: Flood Force] [HP: 0/2000]
The spear in her hand¡ªwoven entirely of vines¡ªslowly unraveled as she collapsed onto the ground, the last of her energy finally spent. ¡°All this work¡­ just to make sure I got the first-clear achievement¡­¡± she muttered, staring blankly at the sky, her voice thick with exhaustion. Her green eyes, large and piercing beneath slightly too-big, tilted oval glasses that never quite fit right, dulled with deadpan resignation. ¡°¡­And now it''s gone to waste. Like, come the fuck on¡ª¡±
[Participant: XXXX has declined the first-clear reward for an Apex Boss. As you achieved it second, the award has been granted to you.]
Her pupils constricted. She stared at the system message. Unblinking. Expression frozen. Slowly, she adjusted her glasses with one dirtied, trembling hand, processing the turn of events. ¡°¡­That works too, I guess.¡± Her hands immediately moved to claim the reward, and in her grasp appeared a seemingly unremarkable, dark crystalline shard. A faint hum resonated from within, a pulse so subtle it was almost imperceptible¡ªalmost. To the uninformed, it was nothing but a rare mineral. A trinket. To her? It was everything. She had been trained her entire life for this. This was a key item¡ªa piece of the puzzle she had been searching for.
First Clear Reward: [Worldstone Fragment]Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Hidden Effect: A fragment of the original Worldstone, said to be a remnant of the very foundation of the Expanse itself. Holding it enhances comprehension of Force Alignments, accelerates Aether progression, and allows insight into the deeper laws governing Aether manipulation. Additional Use: Those who understand its true value can use it as a key to access a hidden dungeon, an ancient ruin, or a deeper tier of Expanse mechanics that remain locked to others.
Her fingers tightened around the shard. Her mind raced. "Who would just throw this away?" she muttered, brows furrowed in disbelief. Then, she recalled the other notification. [Participant: XXXX has successfully defeated the Zephyr Monkey King, Master of the Gale.] Her eyes widened slightly. The Zephyr Monkey King. It may not have been the strongest of the Apex Bosses, but it was, without a doubt, the most difficult. The rewards from it should have been invaluable. And yet¡ªsomeone had declined the First Clear Reward? That alone was insane. But the implications behind it? Even worse. She wasn¡¯t just a normal participant in this trial. She was born for this. Trained for this. And the probability of another one of her kind existing? Let alone on Earth of all places? "Mathematically impossible," she murmured, her mind churning with calculations. "Not just improbable¡ªimpossible." She fixed the loose scarf wrapped around her head, her fingers brushing against the fabric as she exhaled sharply. No use worrying about it now. She pulled up her Status Screen.
[Status Screen] [Name]: Silvie Nicole [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Vine [Level]: 8 [HP]: 23/150 [Aether]: 10/200 [Force Progression: 30%]
¡°That hare almost took me out,¡± Silvie sighed, shaking her head. Her eyes flickered back toward the Worldstone Fragment in her palm. She would find out who declined this. Because if they were like her¡ª Then this game had just changed. Kei sat cross-legged on the ground, deep in thought, as the Zephyr Monkey and Fangcub rested nearby. His body was still battered, but that wasn¡¯t what occupied his attention. He could feel something¡ªchanges¡ªoccurring deep within him. Not just physically, but mentally. His rewards had granted him a boost to Agility and Will. At first glance, +2 Agility seemed like a small increase. But the difference was immediately noticeable. Every movement felt sharper, quicker¡ªlike his body had shed a layer of resistance. His limbs responded the instant he willed them to move, reacting without hesitation. His reaction time had increased to a frightening degree, almost as if time itself had slowed slightly whenever he needed it to. The weight of his own body felt lighter, his footing more sure, his center of balance unshakable. The subtle shifts in the air, the wind brushing against his skin¡ªhe could track it perfectly, almost anticipate how it would move before it even did. If before, movement felt like a reaction to the world, now it felt like he was part of the flow itself. But Agility was nothing compared to the effect of his Will Stat. Kei exhaled slowly, his fingers brushing against the dirt beneath him. +2 Will. It should have been insignificant. A drop in an endless ocean. And yet¡­ For the first time, he felt it. Not just a concept, not just an abstract number on a status screen¡ªWill was something real. A weight. A presence. It was not a measure of simple determination. It was something far greater. It was the sheer force of his existence pressing into the world itself. A mental weight that didn¡¯t just reside in his mind¡ªbut extended beyond it. As if his very thoughts carried presence, as if his intent could bleed into the environment and influence it. The air felt denser around him. Not in a suffocating way, but in an aware way. As though reality itself was acknowledging him¡ªturning toward him because his Will demanded it. His eyes half-lidded, he focused inward. Will is not just resilience. It is not just strength of mind. It is the power to impose intent upon the world. The moment he understood that¡ª The air around him quivered. Not with wind. Not with Aether. With his presence. Kei clenched his fingers into a fist. His Will was layering itself onto the world¡ªa command, an imprint, a demand that reality itself listen to him. ¡°¡­So that¡¯s what it is,¡± he muttered. It felt like the world was yielding to his request. Freely offering its aid to him. Kei exhaled slowly, letting the sensation settle within him. His thoughts were clearer than ever, his body lighter, his presence more tangible¡ªas if the very air around him acknowledged his existence in a way it hadn¡¯t before. He murmured to himself, ¡°That was beneficial. Gives me a better idea of how to progress with my strength¡­¡± He sighed, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Too bad the rewards don¡¯t really seem like much.¡± Taking a moment, his gaze drifted toward the Zephyr Monkey. It was still tending to its wounds, licking its fur as it sat on a nearby rock. Kei tilted his head. ¡°I¡¯d probably have gotten more if I killed it.¡± The words were casual. Thoughtless, almost. But to the Zephyr Monkey? A full-body shiver ran down its spine. It snapped its head toward Kei, only to see his eyes¡ªglowing faintly, sharp, calculating. And for a brief moment, there was a look. A look that held nothing but pure greed. For material wealth. For progress. For growth. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s breath hitched. It nearly had a mental collapse on the spot. Had it truly survived? Or had it just delayed the inevitable? What kind of monster had it lost to? A primal fear settled in its bones as it subtly edged further away from Kei¡ªeyes wide, fur bristling, ready to flee at the slightest hint of danger. Sighing, Kei tossed a few pieces of cooked hare toward the Zephyr Monkey, the charred scent of well-seasoned meat wafting through the air. "Don''t worry about it, Zeph. I won¡¯t do anything to you." He stretched his arms behind his head, leaning back slightly. "Take it as an apology for stealing your treasure. Right, Hachi?" "Woof!" Hachi, curled up next to him, barked¡ªmore in acknowledgment than actual apology. The Zephyr Monkey eyed the offering suspiciously before hesitantly reaching out. It sniffed the meat, then took a cautious bite. Its pupils dilated. Its jaw slowed as it savored the taste. This¡­ wasn¡¯t bad. Actually, this was really good. It took another bite, its caution melting away as it devoured the food. Kei watched silently for a moment before sighing again. Then, without warning, he dug his fingers into the barely-healed wound on his arm, reopening it. Blood welled up instantly. Ignoring the dull pain, he let a few drops drip onto the remaining food. "Try this. I want to see something." As he spoke, he barely had a second to react before¡ª "DAMN IT, HACHI! GET OFF ME, YOU BASTARD!" The Fangcub lunged at him, tackling him to the ground, desperate to lick the blood dry. "Stop, stop! I wasn¡¯t talking to you!" Kei wrestled with the cub, rolling over the dirt as Hachi clawed and wriggled, trying to get another taste. Meanwhile, the Zephyr Monkey observed, eyes flicking between them and the now blood-soaked meat. Curious, it cautiously lifted the piece and took a bite¡ª KRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!! A piercing shriek echoed across the clearing. The Zephyr Monkey froze, eyes going wide, body seizing up¡ª An overwhelming sensation flooded its entire being. Power. Nothing like it had ever experienced before. The strength, the energy, the sheer potency of what it had just consumed¡ª The ginger was nothing compared to this. In an instant, it completely forgave them for stealing the treasure. Hell, if it meant getting more of this, it would¡¯ve handed over the ginger itself. Still struggling on the ground, Kei groaned, Hachi practically drooling all over him. "STOP SCREECHING AND HELP ME, DAMN IT!" Chapter 24 Back at the community of participants, tension buzzed through the air like a storm about to break. A meeting was taking place¡ªlouder, rowdier, and far more urgent than usual. "That''s two." A voice cut through the noise, frustration heavy in their tone. "Two Apex Bosses have been defeated. What the hell is happening out there?" "Who the hell is doing this?" Another voice demanded. "The system doesn''t even give us their names!" "Who is Participant: XXXX?" someone else shouted. "This is the second time their name came up. Just who are they?!" The room was a mess of raised voices, theories being thrown around, paranoia creeping into every word. Some speculated about hidden elites, others about secret groups, and a few even whispered about the possibility of outside intervention. Then¡ª "QUIET!!!" The command boomed through the hall, immediately silencing the chaos. The speaker, a broad-shouldered man with piercing eyes, stood at the center. His presence alone demanded attention. "We don¡¯t even know what Apex Bosses are. But if the system is making global announcements about them, then they sure as hell aren''t some regular monsters. That means whoever defeated them¡ªtwice¡ªis someone far beyond the rest of us." His gaze swept across the room. "They¡¯re the best among us. Whoever they are, they need to be recruited. We need them fighting on our side." A heavy silence followed, tension thick in the air. And then¡ª The planning began. As time passed, the participants adapted, fought, and built their foothold in the Expanse. While still fragmented, their collective progress had significantly evolved. Guilds & Groups have emerged, organizing systematic hunts for food and materials. Low-level creatures such as Goblin Soldiers, Chitter Monkeys, and Boar Hounds have been nearly wiped out in safe zones. Some mutated beasts (Force-Aligned creatures) still pose threats, and Apex Bosses remain undefeated in most regions. Certain skilled fighters have begun taking down Level 5¨C10 creatures alone or in small groups. Primitive weapons (clubs, spears, stone blades) gave way to early metalworking. Iron has been discovered in certain regions, leading to the forging of iron weapons and tools. Aether-forged weapons are rare but have started appearing, thanks to Blacksmiths learning to infuse energy into weapons. Rare weapon drops from high-level creatures have become prized possessions. Low-tier healing salves and anti-poison pastes have been developed from harvested plants. The first rudimentary health and stamina potions have been crafted. Experiments with Aether-infused herbs have led to enhancements such as Force Restoration Elixirs. Venom extracted from creatures like Venomfang Wolves and Shadow Vipers is being used for poisoned blades. Certain alchemists are experimenting with temporary buffs through elixirs. The first centralized marketplace has been established, where: Weapons, armor, and potions are traded. Rare beast materials and Force-enhanced items are auctioned. Blacksmiths and alchemists take commissions for custom gear. The community has gone from makeshift camps to organized settlements with wooden walls and basic fortifications. A watchtower system for early warnings against creatures or enemy groups is in place. The settlement has organized groups, including guilds, independent parties, and small factions with unique goals. Top 10 Guilds:
  1. Iron Fang ¨C Elite warrior guild focusing on combat and monster hunting.
  2. Verdant Pact ¨C Specializes in alchemy, herbalism, and natural Force Affinities.
  3. Stormbreakers ¨C A fast-moving combat guild specializing in Wind and Agility-based fighters.
  4. The Forgebound ¨C Focuses on weapon and armor crafting, known for their superior gear.
  5. The Shadow Veil ¨C A rogue-like faction, known for scouting, assassinations, and stealth-based combat.
  6. Aether Wardens ¨C A group dedicated to Force mastery and researching the Expanse¡¯s deeper mysteries.
  7. The Bloodied Tusk ¨C Mercenary-style guild, taking contracts for hunting, protection, and bounties.
  8. Dragon¡¯s Maw ¨C A powerful group of brawlers and close-combat specialists with brute strength.
  9. Zephyr Striders ¨C A nomadic group, skilled in speed, tracking, and adapting to the Expanse.
  10. The Covenant of Embers ¨C A faction of fire-aligned users, delving into elemental Force mastery.
powerful individuals or small groups that aren¡¯t affiliated with guilds but hold significant influence emerged as well.
  1. The Lone Fang (Leader: Kaito Ren) ¨C A former warrior who refuses to join any guild but is known for soloing high-level beasts.
  2. The Eclipse Sisters (Leaders: Mira & Lillian) ¨C A duo of twin Force users with unknown abilities.
  3. Ghostwalkers (Leader: Tarek Vol) ¨C A small but elite assassination party.
  4. The Silver Hunt (Leader: Valeria Eris) ¨C A group of archers and trackers who refuse to take orders from guilds.
  5. The Risen Ashes (Leader: Darius Kain) ¨C A ragtag group of survivalists focusing on scavenging and knowledge.
  6. The Dawnborn (Leader: Asha Quinn) ¨C Known for her insight into Aether manipulation, some call her an oracle.
  7. The Black Talon (Leader: Orin Graves) ¨C A ruthless group of ex-soldiers from Earth, willing to do anything for power.
With the Apex Bosses beginning to fall, the world of the Expanse was shifting. And the hunt had only just begun.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Progress surged forward as settlements solidified, forging an organized existence in this world of survival. Participants had adapted, their combat abilities refined, their understanding of Aether and Force growing. Many believed themselves to be making significant strides, particularly in their Force Progression, where the most talented had just begun to reach 5%. Yet the Expanse still held many secrets. Whispers began to spread about strange distortions in the air¡ªshimmering, translucent gateways appearing across the land. Those who approached them were greeted with an unfamiliar system message.
[System Notice: You have discovered a grade F Dungeon Gate.] [Dungeons are self-contained realms filled with structured challenges, enemy forces, and valuable rewards.] [Recommended Entry Level: 5+] [Recommended Party Size: 3-6 Participants] [Danger Level: Easy]
The discovery sent waves of excitement and unease through the participants. What lay beyond those portals? Was it an opportunity for power or a death sentence for the unprepared? Some hesitated. Others, driven by ambition, stepped forward. The first dungeon expedition was formed¡ªa team of five, all above Level 5, experienced enough to handle the dangers they assumed lay ahead. Upon stepping through the shimmering gate, the group found themselves inside a vast cave system. Unlike the open wilderness they had grown accustomed to, this place was confined¡ªtight tunnels and steep drops forcing them to stay on high alert. The environment was eerily still, yet remnants of battles from past wanderers painted the terrain. Scorched rock suggested fire-based Force users had once clashed here. Deep gashes in the walls indicated fierce blade combat. Some areas had strange, lingering energy signatures¡ªechoes of abilities once unleashed. The deeper they traveled, the more apparent the dungeon¡¯s trials became. The creatures within were not monstrous horrors but the very same beings they had faced outside¡ªBoar Hounds, Chitter Monkeys, Goblin Soldiers¡ªyet they were stronger, more aggressive, reacting as if they had adapted to this battlefield. Unlike in the wild, the dungeon forced battle after battle. There was no running. There was no rest. But the party pushed forward. After an exhausting series of engagements, the group finally reached a massive open cavern. The air was thick with tension, the silence almost deafening. Unlike the tunnels before, the battlefield before them bore the scars of conflict. The walls shimmered with traces of elemental Forces¡ªfire, wind, earth. Shattered stone, cracked ground, and long-dried blood marked the area as one where warriors had fought before. Then they saw it. At the far end of the chamber, perched upon a raised stone platform, sat the dungeon¡¯s guardian. A Grand Stonetusk Boar. The beast was massive¡ªtwice the size of an ordinary Boar Hound, its thick, iron-like hide gleaming beneath the dim cavern light. Its tusks, lined with embedded minerals, glowed faintly with residual Aether energy, proof of past battles. Its eyes locked onto them. And then¡ªit charged. The cavern erupted into chaos. The party scattered as the Grand Stonetusk Boar barreled forward, its sheer size making every movement a threat. Dust and debris shot into the air as its hooves cracked the ground beneath it. The vanguard, a shield-bearer, took the brunt of the first impact, skidding backward as his shield barely held against the monstrous force. The others launched their attacks¡ªone fighter wielding wind-enhanced strikes to counter the boar¡¯s momentum, another unleashing a barrage of arrows infused with Aether to pierce its thick hide. Each exchange tested their limits. The boar retaliated with ruthless precision. Its tusks carried an earth-aligned Force, sending ripples through the ground that shattered their footing. When wounded, it stomped, causing localized tremors that knocked them off balance. Yet, despite its overwhelming power, the group began to adapt. They coordinated. The wind-user manipulated currents to slow the boar¡¯s movements mid-charge. The ranged attacker targeted its exposed joints, forcing it to stumble. The vanguard switched from pure defense to calculated counterattacks, using his shield to deflect rather than absorb. The battle stretched on, their bodies bruised, Aether reserves drained, but their attacks grew sharper, more refined. And then¡ª One final strike. The shield-bearer baited the boar into a reckless charge, sidestepping at the last second. The beast stumbled¡ªan opening. The wind-user surged forward, their blade glowing with compressed currents. Aether-enhanced steel met flesh. The Grand Stonetusk Boar let out a final, thunderous roar before collapsing. The dungeon was cleared. The White Expanse The moment the boar fell, a bright light enveloped them. The cavern disappeared. Each of them was pulled into a vast, white expanse¡ªan endless void of stillness. No walls, no ceiling, no floor. Just nothingness. Then¡ªthe system spoke.
[System Notice: Grade F Dungeon Completion Achieved.] [Evaluating Performance¡­] [Individual Performance Grading Initiated.] [Assessing: Combat Contribution, Damage Dealt, Damage Received, Tactics, and Adaptability.] [Participant 1] [Combat Contribution: B] [Damage Dealt: C] [Damage Received: A] [Tactics & Adaptability: B+] [Overall Grade: B] [Participant 2] [Combat Contribution: A] [Damage Dealt: B+] [Damage Received: C] [Tactics & Adaptability: A] [Overall Grade: A-] [Participant 3] [Combat Contribution: C] [Damage Dealt: D] [Damage Received: B] [Tactics & Adaptability: C] [Overall Grade: C-] [Grading Complete.] [Reward Calculation Based on Individual Performance¡­] [Base Rewards for Dungeon Completion:] [Bonus Rewards Based on Grade:] Grade C-: +1 Low-Grade Aether Potion Grade B: +1 Iron-Grade Weapon (Random) Grade A-: +1 Force-Infused Weapon OR Armor Piece (Choose One) [Unique Skill Awakening Chance Based on Grade¡­] [Calculating¡­] ¡­ ¡­ [Skill Awakening Successful!] [Participant 2 has unlocked the Skill: Force Echo ¨C Allows brief afterimages of movements to linger in reality, confusing enemies and enhancing evasion.]
As the system¡¯s voice faded, reality snapped back. The group found themselves outside the dungeon¡¯s entrance, battered, exhausted, yet victorious. The rewards in their hands shimmered, a testament to their first true trial in the Expanse. And as they stood there, still catching their breath, one thing became clear. This was only the beginning. What followed next was the system announcement of a newly revealed leaderboard¡ªa ranked display of the top participants in the Expanse based on their achievements, combat prowess, and dungeon completions. Oddly enough, Kei and Silvie were nowhere to be found on the leaderboard. At the very top, holding the number one rank, was a single name: [Jin Saito] At that exact moment, the man in question was methodically adjusting his newly acquired leather gauntlets and reinforced leg guards. His movements were precise, unfazed by the glowing leaderboard hovering before him. He was alone. Despite the system¡¯s recommended party size of ten, he had cleared the dungeon by himself. Behind him, the dungeon gate flickered, its entrance shifting as if acknowledging its completion. The system announcement echoed once more.
[System Notice: Grade E Dungeon Completion Achieved.] [Evaluating Performance¡­] [Individual Performance Grading Initiated.] [Assessing: Perfect Completion.] [Danger Level: Hard.]
Jin paid the message no mind, continuing to secure his gloves with practiced ease. His dark, unkempt hair barely shifted as he moved, and his narrowed eyes scanned the surroundings with an unreadable expression. If one were to venture inside the dungeon he had just cleared, they would find something peculiar. Unlike other dungeon runs, where the aftermath bore signs of fierce battles¡ªcharred walls from fire attacks, deep gashes from swords, shattered stone from explosive strikes¡ª this dungeon showed none of that. The enemies had been defeated without any trace of Force usage. No scorch marks. No residual Aether signatures. No signs of weapons even being used. It was as if everything had been felled purely with hand-to-hand combat. The creatures had been beaten down with nothing but raw skill. And yet¡ª Jin¡¯s gear, though newly acquired, showed little damage. His breathing was steady. His stance, unshaken. It wasn¡¯t just strength that had carried him through. It was technique. And as he calmly rolled his shoulders, glancing at his first-place ranking, he merely sighed. ¡°¡­Still not enough.¡± With that, he turned, walking away from the dungeon as if none of it had been worth his time. Chapter 25 The centralized marketplace buzzed with activity, a constant flow of voices bartering, discussing trades, and planning their next ventures. Stalls lined the area, offering weapons, armor, herbs, and rare materials scavenged from the wilderness or looted from dungeons. The scent of freshly cooked meat and roasted grains wafted through the air as makeshift food vendors catered to exhausted adventurers looking for a moment of respite. But even among the lively chatter and business dealings, one topic dominated every conversation¡ª The Leaderboard. Excitement and awe filled the air as the names of the top-ranked participants spread throughout the community like wildfire. Some spoke of them with admiration, others with jealousy, and a few with quiet determination, eager to climb the ranks themselves. Many dedicated themselves to relentless training, honing their skills, sharpening their blades, and testing the limits of their Force Alignments. They sought fame, glory, power, and recognition. For most, their old lives were nothing more than distant memories. Some had been students, workers, or ordinary citizens. Now, they were forced to survive¡ªthrust into a world beyond comprehension, where monsters lurked in every shadow, and power dictated one¡¯s place in the new hierarchy. Among the thousands of participants, only twenty stood at the pinnacle. The Top 20 experienced a mix of admiration, awe, envy, and hostility. Some were revered as heroes. Others were resented. Not everyone was willing to accept their place at the bottom. Global Leaderboard ¨C Top Ranked Participants 1. Jin Saito 2. Kaito Ren 3. Mira & Lillian 4. Reinhardt Vale 5. Valeria Eris 6. Darius Kain 7. Asha Quinn 8. Orin Graves 9. Cassius Ward 10. Reina Falken 11. Ryker Voss 12. Elena Cross 13. Damian Holt 14. Lucien Graves 15. Freya Solis 16. Noah Vance 17. Zane Mercer 18. Ivy Renfield 19. Garrick Vale 20. Seraphine Rho Kaito Ren, happily selling off his spoils went to a familiar stall. The stall owner lazily yawning, leaning and resting opened one of her closed eyes, adjusted the frame of her galsses and greeted the leader of The Lone Fang ¡°Hiya, same request as before or something new this time¡± The stall was cluttered with odd trinkets, rare materials, and peculiar equipment¡ªmost of which were ignored by the general crowd. Unlike the well-established merchants dealing in weapons, armor, and potions, this particular stall attracted little attention. The owner, a girl with an air of perpetual disinterest, barely acknowledged those who passed by.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Kaito Ren, leader of the Lone Fang, made his way to her stall with a purpose. Unlike the others, he knew exactly what he was looking for¡ªa rare trinket she had found deep within the forest, an item that would be invaluable to him. A small, unassuming crystalline pendant, faintly humming with residual energy. Most dismissed it as a useless curiosity, but to Kaito, it was a boon to his Lunar Edge force¡ª Allows silent, precise combat with energy blades This trinket, if his instincts were correct, would decrease to noise of his attacks, making them sharper, faster, and deadlier. However, obtaining it came with a bizarre request. "You want what?" Kaito asked, one brow raised. "Plain clothes," the stall owner replied without opening her eyes, reclining lazily in her chair. "Oversized sweatshirt. Oversized sweatpants. Preferably baggy and comfortable." Kaito blinked. She was adamant about her request, not budging even for one of the strongest participants in the Expanse. She refused to even disclose what creature had dropped the trinket, brushing off all inquiries with the same casual disinterest she seemed to have for everything around her. For most, such a trade seemed utterly absurd¡ªexchanging a potentially rare and valuable artifact for something as mundane as clothing. Yet, Kaito got the feeling she wasn¡¯t expecting the actual clothes but rather the materials necessary to craft them. She yawned, watching the bustling life of the settlement unfold before her with complete detachment, her unassuming demeanor making it difficult to believe she had any place in combat, let alone surviving in a world as brutal as this one. Kaito sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Nothing for you yet. Maybe if I were stronger, I¡¯d be able to fight tougher creatures and get you better materials." She barely reacted, her voice drifting lazily. "Maybe." A small smirk played on Kaito¡¯s lips as he turned, waving a casual hand over his shoulder. "Maybe next time." And just like that, he was gone, leaving the mysterious merchant to her quiet existence, waiting for the right exchange. Jin casually strolled back into the settlement, his pace relaxed, his expression unreadable. He carried no urgency, despite the way every pair of eyes seemed to latch onto him the moment he arrived. His return was almost routine at this point¡ªdumping off materials and equipment he had collected from dungeon runs, some of which he had no use for, others that would fetch a decent price or be useful to crafters. As expected, people flocked to him. Admiration, curiosity, the hope of learning something from him¡ªit all blended together in the bustling voices that greeted him. Questions flooded in. ¡°Jin, how do you fight against a Venomfang Wolf alone?¡± ¡°Any advice on dealing with dungeon traps?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the best way to handle force-imbued creatures?¡± ¡°Can you take me into a dungeon run next time?¡± And Jin, as always, answered every single one of them¡ªcalmly, patiently, without a hint of arrogance. He didn¡¯t hoard knowledge, didn¡¯t act untouchable like many of the stronger participants did. His presence was magnetic, not just because of his strength, but because of his willingness to help others grow. Even the guild leaders respected him¡ªnot just for his overwhelming combat ability, but for his demeanor. Reinhardt Vale, the leader of Iron Fang, one of the strongest combat guilds in the settlement, approached with a familiar grin. ¡°Hey, Jin. We¡¯re still good for that Grade E dungeon run, right? We could really use your help.¡± Jin returned a small nod. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s fine, just let me replenish my supplies and rest for a bit.¡± Similar conversations followed¡ªrequests to assist in dungeon runs, hunt specific creatures, or offer insight on combat strategies. Despite his preference for solitude, Jin never refused those who genuinely sought his help. And that, more than anything else, made him undisputedly popular. Jin''s sharp eyes scanned the surrounding stalls, his gaze flickering over various items, assessing their worth in an instant. Unlike most participants, who sought raw power, stronger weapons, or Force-enhanced armor, his focus was entirely elsewhere. He was searching for anything¡ªequipment, materials, elixirs¡ªanything that could reinforce the mind. Specifically, gear that boosted mental attributes. Items that enhanced focus, strengthened willpower, or warded off status effects. Cursed afflictions, mind interference, hallucinations¡ªhe sought defenses against them all. It was an unusual obsession. At this stage of the trials, no one had encountered true mental warfare yet. The participants were still in the early phases of their adventure, barely grasping the deeper mysteries of the Expanse. And yet, Jin moved with urgency, as if he knew something they didn¡¯t. No one understood why the ranked number one player was so fixated on such items. But what people did know was that he had a fortune in Aether Stones and valuable loot from the dungeons he had conquered. Because of this, merchants and traders rushed to sell him anything that even remotely boosted mental stats, hoping to catch his eye and earn spirit stones¡ªa new cultivation resource that was steadily rising in value. Some sought his favor, hoping that pleasing Jin Saito would earn them future benefits. Others did it out of respect¡ªbecause Jin had helped many participants without ever asking for anything in return. Regardless of their reasons, they all contributed to his growing collection. And yet, despite accumulating all these items¡ªit was never enough. Jin moved from stall to stall, purchasing with mechanical efficiency, yet his expression never changed. His movements never hesitated. His need for mental fortification wasn¡¯t just preparation. It was desperation. And though no one knew what he was truly searching for¡ª They were willing to help him find it. Chapter 26 If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 27: Serpent Hollow ¡°When did he get on the Abyssal Fang Viper¡¯s head?¡± one of the Iron Fang members asked, eyes wide in disbelief. No one had seen him move. Not a single sound, not a single ripple in the air. One moment, he was standing at the edge of the battlefield, finishing his meal. The next¡ªhe was perched atop the viper¡¯s massive head, hands in his pockets, looking down at the apex predator as if it were nothing more than an inconvenience. Unlike them, the Abyssal Fang Viper felt it. A sensation it had never known before¡ªtrue fear. A primal instinct buried deep in its very being screamed at it to flee, to retreat, to submit. [Title: Reaper of Serpents] [Effect: +30% damage to all serpent-type creatures. Serpent-type creatures under Level 20 have a chance to experience Fear upon encountering you.] Jin sighed, shaking his head. "Didn''t even want to fight. Should¡¯ve just stayed hidden." The Abyssal Fang Viper reacted instinctively, its entire body coiling as it attempted to shake him off. Its massive form twisted, its tail whipping through the air with enough force to uproot trees and send waves crashing through the swamp. But Jin was already gone. "Everyone, attack now!" Reinhardt commanded. The Iron Fang Guild wasted no time. Taking full advantage of the Abyssal Fang Viper¡¯s moment of terror and distraction, they unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks. Swords slashed, arrows pierced through scales, and spells erupted with explosive force. The once-dominant predator, feared within the dungeon, was now overwhelmed. The viper retaliated desperately, thrashing its massive tail and hissing as it spewed venom, but the momentary lapse in its control had sealed its fate. It couldn''t fully recover. The Iron Fang Guild pressed on, capitalizing on every opening, their coordinated strikes ensuring that the creature had no chance to regain the upper hand. And then¡ªfinally¡ªthe Abyssal Fang Viper collapsed, its body coiling weakly before falling still. The moment it died, a surge of energy washed over them. [You have gained experience.] Almost all of them were now on the cusp of reaching Level 9. The tension in the air dissipated, replaced by the victorious cheers and relieved sighs of the guild members. "You just stood on its head and scared it enough to give us the opening we needed," Reinhardt said, turning toward Jin with a look of pure admiration. "Not to sound like a fan or anything, but you really are something else." "Huh? Oh, I just switched one of my titles to Reaper of Serpents, and it took effect. That¡¯s all," Jin said nonchalantly, stretching his arms like he had just woken up from a nap. "I didn¡¯t really do much." "You must have a lot of titles to casually say ''one of my titles''¡­" a guild member muttered, still in disbelief. Jin shrugged. "I¡¯ve collected a few. Just been fighting, doing dungeons, clearing quests¡ªtitles tend to pop up when you do enough of that. I just switch them around depending on the situation. I¡¯m really not as impressive as everyone makes me out to be." "If you say so," Reinhardt smirked, shaking his head. "But still, whether you think so or not, it was impressive in our eyes. Thanks for the help." Jin simply waved off the praise, turning his gaze toward the deeper part of the dungeon. "Alright, you guys done celebrating? The boss room¡¯s probably up ahead." After defeating the Abyssal Fang Viper, the group gathered their rewards. Jin took the Viper¡¯s Insight Band, reinforcing his mind against mental interference. Reinhardt claimed the Abyssal Scale Mantle, favoring its agility boost and stealth properties. The team¡¯s Aether specialists debated refining the Abyssal Core Shard for future upgrades, while the poison specialist eagerly took the Abyssal Venom Flask for experimentation. The archers and scouts vied for the Serpent¡¯s Reflex Ring, while the melee fighters divided the Abyssal Coiled Gauntlets and Abyssal Viper¡¯s Fang for enhanced combat potential. Satisfied with their gains, they prepared to move forward, their strength bolstered for whatever lay ahead. The group advanced cautiously, their eyes scanning the murky waters. They had fought their way through the dungeon, slaying countless serpents, but this¡ªthis was different. The Serpent¡¯s Hollow loomed before them, an eerie, half-submerged battlefield. The ground beneath them was treacherous, shifting between solid land and sinking marsh. Waist-deep waters pooled in different areas, hiding dangers beneath the surface. Mist curled around ancient, decayed ruins, reducing visibility to only a few meters ahead. It was the perfect hunting ground for a predator. Silence. A ripple. Then¡ªHIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! A monstrous serpent erupted from the swamp, its abyssal-green scales gleaming with a sickly sheen. Its eyes glowed like pale silver orbs, locking onto them with an eerie, calculating gaze. Water cascaded off its massive coils as it towered over them, its jagged spines bristling with energy. [Blackwater Titan Anaconda] Level: 12+ Force Alignment: Abyssal Venom It didn''t hesitate. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The beast lunged with terrifying speed, its fanged maw stretching open, large enough to swallow a person whole. CRASH! Reinhardt was already moving. He met the beast head-on, slamming his greatsword into its hide, redirecting its attack just enough to stop it from claiming a life. The impact sent a shockwave through the swamp, muddy water spraying in all directions. The battle had begun. The Iron Fang guild immediately fell into formation, their teamwork seamless. Ranged fighters took positions on whatever solid ground they could find, arrows and spells flying toward the beast. The Aether-bound archers guided their arrows through the mist, striking at its exposed underbelly. Force-aligned spellcasters channeled their abilities, launching concussive blasts and elemental strikes. The frontline warriors circled around it, hacking at its sides, trying to limit its movements. But the Titan Anaconda was unlike anything they''d faced before. It didn''t just attack. It hunted. It moved through the battlefield like a shadow, its massive bulk barely making a sound as it slid through the swamp. SPLASH! A member suddenly vanished beneath the water. "Shit! It¡¯s dragging him under!" someone shouted. Jin¡¯s eyes snapped toward the spot, and in an instant¡ªhe moved. BOOM. A single strike sent a ripple through the swamp. Jin¡¯s foot connected with the water¡¯s surface¡ªbut the impact traveled downward. A pulse of Force cracked through the swampy depths. The water exploded. The missing member was launched upward, gasping for air, freed from the serpent¡¯s coil. Jin caught him mid-air, tossing him to safety before his feet barely touched the ground. Reinhardt took the momentary distraction to call out orders. "Keep up the pressure! Don¡¯t let it control the battlefield!" The serpent was cunning. It stopped mindlessly attacking and instead began coiling around the ruins, using them as cover. The mist became its ally, concealing its movements. Each time the group thought they had it pinned, it would strike from a different angle¡ªlashing out with its venomous fangs, attempting to pull them into the abyss below. Aether-infused venom dripped from its mouth, sizzling as it hit the swamp water. It was toying with them. Reinhardt clenched his jaw. They were running out of time. "Jin." He didn''t have to say more. Jin sighed "Alright, alright." Then, with a flick of his hand, a system prompt flashed in his vision. A subtle shift occurred in the air. The very moment he equipped Title Hunter, a surge of unseen force amplified the power of his newly slotted title. The Reaper of Serpents title, already potent in its effects against snake-type creatures, now radiated a far more oppressive presence. Jin¡¯s form blurred¡ªthen vanished. The Blackwater Titan Anaconda suddenly whipped around¡ªas if sensing something. Too late. Jin was already there. A shockwave burst from where he stood as he drove his foot into the creature¡¯s side, sending it crashing into a ruin with an earth-shaking impact. The force of the blow created a crater in the waterlogged ground. The enhanced power from his Title Hunter buffed Reaper of Serpents effect severely weakened the creature, making every strike he landed inflict greater damage and resistance reduction against it. The guild didn¡¯t waste the opening. "NOW!" Reinhardt roared. The spellcasters unleashed a barrage of Force-based attacks. The archers let loose enhanced projectiles. The warriors rushed in, striking at the weakened, exposed flesh. The Titan Anaconda shrieked. It had been a predator¡ªnow, it was prey. Jin didn¡¯t stop. The more Aether he poured into his Title Hunter effect, the stronger Reaper of Serpents became. His movements were sharper, faster, more devastating. His blows struck with an executioner¡¯s finality, each one cutting away at the serpent¡¯s ability to retaliate. For the first time¡ªthe monster was afraid. And then, as it writhed in pain, Reinhardt stepped forward. His greatsword pulsed with energy, infused with his own Force Alignment. He leapt, blade raised. And with a final, devastating swing¡ª He brought the monster down. [System Notice: Blackwater Titan Anaconda Defeated!] The swamp fell into silence. The mist slowly began to clear. Their first Grade E dungeon boss had fallen. Breathing hard, Reinhardt turned to Jin, who was stretching as if this had been nothing but a warm-up. Jin gave him a lazy grin. ¡°I¡¯d say that went pretty well.¡± Then¡ªthe system spoke. [Unique Skill Awakening Chance Based on Grade¡­] [Calculating¡­] ¡­ ¡­ [Skill Awakening Successful!] [Reinhardt has unlocked the Skill: Stalwart Fang ¨C Greatly enhances defense and endurance when facing larger enemies, reducing incoming damage from creatures of greater mass.] [Jin Saito has unlocked the Skill: Abyssal Serpent¡¯s Gaze ¨C A hypnotic ocular ability inherited from the Titan Anaconda. When activated, it exerts mental pressure on targets within sight, inducing paralysis or hesitation in weaker foes. Stronger opponents may experience disrupted concentration and momentary lapses in awareness. The effect strengthens based on Jin¡¯s Will and Aether infusion.] [System Notice: Dungeon Completed.] [Teleporting Participants to Expanse¡­] A golden light enveloped them, and the next thing they knew¡ª They were back outside. The Iron Fang members collapsed to the ground, exhausted, but victorious. Jin dusted himself off, still barely looking tired. Reinhardt let out a long breath, standing tall. ¡°That,¡± he said, grinning despite his exhaustion, ¡°was a damn good fight.¡± Chapter 28: Her name is......... The Iron Fang Guild returned to the settlement, their bodies weary but their spirits high. Their first Grade E Dungeon had tested them, pushed them beyond what they thought possible, but they had emerged stronger for it. Some members immediately sought out traders and auctioneers, eager to sell their dungeon loot¡ªrare monster materials, enchanted gear, and alchemical ingredients. Others simply shared their experiences, gathering in small groups to discuss the drastic difference between Grade F and Grade E dungeons. It was no longer just about fighting monsters¡ªit was about strategy, endurance, and survival. They had barely scraped by. And they knew the dungeons would only get harder from here. The crowd listened in rapt attention, hanging onto every word. Some were eager to test their strength, while others, shaken by the difficulty, realized how unprepared they truly were. Reinhardt, as guild leader, found himself seated among the other faction leaders, recounting every detail of their dungeon run. The difficulties. The challenges. The moments they almost didn¡¯t make it back. And, of course¡ª Jin Saito. Reinhardt didn¡¯t hold back when he spoke about Jin¡¯s impact on the mission. "If not for Jin," he said plainly, "half my team wouldn¡¯t have made it out alive." Silence settled over the room as every leader took in his words. Tarek Vol, leader of the Ghostwalkers, leaned forward, tapping his fingers against the table in thought. His cold, calculating eyes sharpened as he finally spoke. "His capabilities," he mused, "they¡¯re truly that extraordinary?" Reinhardt nodded. "You¡¯ve all heard the rumors, but I saw it firsthand. His timing, his precision, his control¡ªhe knew exactly when to strike and when to hold back. It¡¯s like he¡¯s been fighting in this world for years, not weeks." Tarek¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "And yet," he continued, voice smooth but probing, "no one knows his Force Alignment. He doesn¡¯t wield weapons often. He fights with pure technique. No obvious energy surges. No signs of external buffs." He tilted his head. "Don¡¯t you find that¡­ strange?" Reinhardt exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening slightly. He already knew where this was going. "You¡¯re asking the wrong person," Reinhardt replied evenly. "Jin¡¯s secrets aren¡¯t mine to tell. If you want answers, you¡¯ll have to ask him yourself." Tarek smirked. "Oh, I intend to." The meeting continued, but the tone had shifted. With two Apex Bosses slain and dungeons being conquered, it was clear¡ª The Expanse was changing. And those who couldn¡¯t keep up would be left behind. A murmur spread through the gathered leaders. Some nodded in understanding, while others exchanged skeptical glances. The meeting continued, shifting toward plans for the future¡ªstrategies for survival, expanding the settlement, and further dungeon exploration. But one thing was clear: Jin Saito¡¯s presence loomed over the entire discussion. "Are you sure you saw them here?" Kaito Ren¡¯s sharp gaze swept across the clearing as he questioned his companion, who stood beside him, shifting uncomfortably. "I¡¯m certain," his friend replied, pointing toward the brush ahead. "I saw Hares in this area, and over there¡ªsome kind of goat-like creatures." He paused, then frowned. "Why are you so obsessed with hunting them down?" Kaito smirked, unsheathing his short sword. "Just something I need," he said simply. "A powerful item. Something that''ll make questing, dungeon diving, and survival a whole lot easier." He didn¡¯t explain further. Instead¡ªhe moved. With swift, silent efficiency, his blade carved through the creatures. Hares and wild goats alike fell before they even sensed danger, their fur and wool stripped just as quickly as their lives ended. A few creatures managed to land counterattacks, leaving bruises and shallow cuts along his arms, but he ignored them. The hunt didn¡¯t stop until he had gathered all that he needed. By the time he returned to the community, his arms were full of fur and wool. He handed the meat off to the cooks¡ªproviding food for the settlement¡ªbefore making his way to a familiar stall. The vendor behind it barely reacted to his approach, lazily yawning, her posture slouched over the counter. Kaito smirked, dropping the bundles of fur in front of her. "That should be enough for the comfortable clothes you wanted, right?" The woman cracked open one unimpressed eye. "Your head really isn¡¯t the brightest, is it?" she muttered, voice sluggish with boredom. Kaito blinked. "Huh?" Stretching her arms with an exaggerated sigh, she deadpanned, "What exactly am I supposed to do with all this? I don¡¯t make clothes." A long silence followed. Kaito grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "...Oh." The woman rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Oh." He let out an awkward chuckle, shifting on his feet. "Uh¡­ maybe we can find someone who does?" A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. She stared at him blankly, then closed her eyes and dropped her head back onto the counter. "There¡¯s no ''we'' in this," she muttered. "Just you. Good luck. You know where to find me when you¡¯re done." With that, she promptly went back to sleep. Kaito sighed, staring at the bundles of fur in frustration. "...Guess I should¡¯ve asked first." Refusing to back down despite his awkward demeanor, Kaito pressed on. ¡°You know, if you ever need help with a quest, dungeon, or just some exp farming, I¡¯m always here. Think of it as a down payment,¡± he added with a nervous laugh. The stall owner stretched lazily, adjusting her tilted glasses as she stood up. ¡°Meh, why not,¡± she muttered before turning away. Kaito blinked. ¡°Wait¡­ really?¡± His voice carried a mix of surprise and cautious excitement. ¡°You¡¯re not completely useless, I suppose,¡± she said casually, fixing her clothes as her long blonde hair fell loosely to the side. The usual laziness in her expression remained, but there was something sharper beneath it now¡ªa quiet amusement. Making sure not to lag behind, Kaito chuckled. ¡°Heh, even your hair seems lazy.¡± She glanced at him, eyes half-lidded, lips twitching slightly as she adjusted her scarf. ¡°Lazy, huh? Guess that¡¯s long overdue,¡± she mused, rolling her shoulders as if shedding an old weight. ¡°Feels nice, to be honest.¡± Kaito raised an eyebrow at that but decided not to push it. Instead, he simply grinned and followed as they made their way toward the forest. Trekking for hours, they finally arrived at their destination. Before them, chaos reigned¡ªgoblin soldiers rampaged through the area, tearing through anything in their path. Structures lay in ruins, smoke curled from scorched patches of land, and the distant screams of struggling survivors painted a grim picture of the battlefield. Kaito exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around his sword. "That''s... a lot of goblin soldiers," he muttered. His eyes scanned the battlefield, noting the sheer number of them¡ªbut something else stood out. Among the standard goblin soldiers, a different kind moved with more aggression, their armor heavier, their weapons larger, their movements refined. "And those ones... they look different. What are they?" Beside him, the stall owner barely glanced at the battlefield as she adjusted her appearance, fixing her clothes and hair with practiced ease. Her oversized glasses remained perched at an intentional tilt, framing her sharp green eyes. Despite the golden strands of her hair being pulled into a professional ponytail, there was an untamed energy about her, the frizzing strands at her temples defying her otherwise composed demeanor. Even without speaking, there was something commanding about her presence. Finally, she sighed, pushing her glasses further up the bridge of her nose. "Those are Goblin Marauders. Dangerous bastards if you ask me," she said, voice casual but laced with something unreadable. Kaito barely heard her. He was still gaping, his brain struggling to process what he was seeing. The way she carried herself now¡ªthe shift in her posture, the air of controlled authority¡ªit was nothing like the lazy shopkeeper he had spent so much time around. It was as if she had simply pulled off a mask and let her true self breathe. "M-Marauders?" he echoed dumbly, still staring. She smirked, finally turning to look at him. "Yeah. They don''t just fight¡ªthey lead. They''re the ones making sure this whole mess doesn¡¯t stop anytime soon." As if to prove her point, one of the Goblin Marauders let out a guttural roar, rallying the nearby goblin soldiers into an organized charge. Kaito swallowed hard, forcing himself back to reality. "So... how screwed are we?" She adjusted her gloves, rolling her shoulders like she was warming up. "Depends," she said with a slow, amused smile. "How fast can you run?" Her question was quickly answered. To the side, Kaito was completely overwhelmed, barely keeping up as waves of Goblin Soldiers hounded him. Their sheer numbers pressed in from all directions, forcing him on the defensive as he dodged, parried, and struck out whenever he could. Each time he cut one down, another three took its place, their relentless aggression refusing to give him a moment¡¯s respite. The Goblin Marauders, however, were occupied elsewhere¡ªlocked in a brutal dance of combat against the stall owner. And she was thriving. In her hands, a scythe larger than her own body carved through the battlefield in sweeping, fluid arcs. The absurd size of the weapon should have made it unwieldy, cumbersome¡ªbut in her hands, it was as if it held no weight at all. With each clash, with each movement, her speed grew sharper, her footwork smoother, her strikes more precise. The Kinetic Force coiled around her body like an unseen current, amplifying her every motion¡ªturning momentum into power, energy into devastation. The Goblin Marauders snarled, their brute strength crashing against her in fierce, crushing blows. But no matter how hard they struck, she never truly stopped moving. Every attack they threw at her, she redirected with seamless grace¡ªabsorbing the force of each strike, only to return it twice as strong. She danced. Her scythe was an extension of herself, weaving through the air with calculated lethality, twisting, curving, accelerating¡ªeach movement feeding into the next, an unbroken cycle of motion. And the longer she fought, the more unstoppable she became. One of the Goblin Marauders lunged, its jagged blade swiping for her midsection. She shifted. Not a dodge, not a block¡ªa redirection. Her body twisted just enough to let the attack slide past her, barely a whisper against her coat. The kinetic energy from the missed strike flowed into her scythe, causing the blade to shimmer with amplified force. She spun in place, the stored energy bursting forth as she brought the scythe around¡ª CRACK. The Marauder¡¯s torso twisted unnaturally as the scythe connected with its side, sending it hurtling across the battlefield, crashing into its own allies with bone-shattering impact. Another came from behind¡ªshe didn¡¯t turn to face it. Instead, she planted her scythe into the ground, using it as a pivot point to launch herself upward just as a massive club swung beneath her feet. In the air, she twisted, reorienting herself before¡ª WHAM. She came down hard, the full force of her descent slamming into the Marauder¡¯s shoulder, sending it collapsing into the mud beneath her. Before it could react, she landed with perfect grace, her scythe already in motion¡ª And in one seamless arc, she carved through its throat. The fight was hers. And she was just getting started. The Goblins¡­ they were slowing down. At first, it was subtle¡ªa half-step too late, a missed parry, a weaker counterattack. But with each clash, with each strike she landed, they became less stable, their movements growing more sluggish and uncoordinated. As if something was being drained from them. Their potential energy, their force¡ªthe very momentum of their own attacks¡ªwasn¡¯t just being nullified. It was being stolen. The more they fought, the weaker they became. The longer she moved, the stronger she grew. The last Goblin Marauder, the strongest among them, snarled defiantly, raising its weapon for one final desperate attack. She didn¡¯t stop it. She let it swing. Let it put every ounce of strength it had left into that one strike. And at the very last moment¡ª She redirected. Her scythe moved like a phantom, not clashing against the attack, but guiding it off-course, stealing the energy behind the blow as if plucking it from the air itself. The Goblin Marauder stumbled forward, its balance utterly destroyed¡ªits own attack now working against it. And then¡ª She struck. A single, final arc of her scythe¡ªand the last Goblin Marauder collapsed, its body falling limp among the rest. Victory. As if she hadn¡¯t just fought a grueling battle, the stall owner took a slow, casual step forward, almost a leisurely stroll. The kinetic energy still coiling through her limbs hadn¡¯t faded yet, and with a simple shift of weight¡ª She launched herself. A burst of momentum sent her rocketing forward, a blur of movement, closing the distance between herself and Kaito in an instant. Around him, dozens of bodies lay motionless¡ªGoblin Soldiers, each one felled by quick, silent strikes, their wounds clean, efficient, almost surgical in precision. ¡°You know,¡± Kaito grumbled, barely glancing at her arrival, "you could actually help instead of just watching." She tilted her head, as if considering the thought. Then¡ª "Jenny." Kaito blinked. "...Huh?" ¡°Huh?¡± Kaito blinked, barely dodging a goblin¡¯s incoming strike. ¡°My name is Jenny, not ¡®lazy stall owner,¡¯¡± she replied flatly, her voice carrying zero urgency despite the chaos around them. Kaito barely had time to register her words before¡ª BOOM. A surge of kinetic force rippled through the ground. The blade of her scythe, now buried in the dirt, trembled as energy pulsed through it¡ªthen released. Debris¡ªstone, dirt, and shattered wood¡ªlaunched into the air like artillery. A barrage of projectiles rained down upon the goblins, pelting them mercilessly, breaking their formations and throwing them off balance. A few unfortunate ones took direct hits¡ªcrushed by the sheer force, sent tumbling backward with pained shrieks. Kaito stopped mid-step, watching the display with something between admiration and disbelief. ¡°Woah¡­¡± he muttered, his tone genuine. ¡°That¡¯s actually pretty impressive.¡± Jenny simply shrugged, giving a lazy stretch, as if she hadn¡¯t just sent goblins flying like ragdolls. Kaito turned back, about to compliment her further when¡ª His eye twitched. ¡°¡­And you¡¯re asleep again.¡± There she was¡ªscythe still embedded in the ground, head tilted slightly downward, arms loosely hanging by her sides. Dozing off. Kaito let out a helpless sigh. ¡°Unbelievable¡­¡± Chapter 29 Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Kaito let out an exaggerated sigh but continued searching through the Marauders'' bodies. Eventually, he found what she was looking for¡ªa Jagged War Scythe, larger and heavier than the one she currently wielded. The blade was a dark, metallic gray, with serrated edges near the base for brutal, tearing strikes. It wasn¡¯t an ordinary weapon¡ªit had a faint residual trace of Force energy, meaning the previous owner likely had some minor Force enhancement infused into it. Kaito gave it a few test swings, feeling the weight before tossing it over to her. "Here, try this one." Jenny caught the scythe effortlessly, sitting up slightly as she examined it. The moment her fingers wrapped around the shaft, a subtle vibration ran through the weapon, reacting to her Kinetic Force Chapter 30 The next morning, Jenny woke up to the sound of a long sigh from the tent next to hers. ¡°Is that the normal way you wake up?¡± she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes as she fumbled around for her glasses. ¡°No, not really,¡± Kaito replied, his tone flat. ¡°Just that a quest I had for a while now just got completed by someone else.¡± Jenny paused mid-stretch, finally slipping on her glasses. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°I was hoping to gather enough strength to finish it myself,¡± Kaito continued, stifling a yawn. ¡°Figured I''d take my time, get a little stronger first¡­ Guess someone else beat me to it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a shame,¡± she muttered, her voice tinged with guilt as she adjusted her lenses properly. Kaito¡¯s gaze flickered toward her. ¡°Yeah. Shame, really,¡± he said, his expression unreadable. Then, tilting his head slightly, he gave her an exaggerated look of disappointment. ¡°Too bad I didn¡¯t know how strong you were, huh? Would¡¯ve been a cakewalk with you around.¡± Jenny blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise, but before she could respond, Kaito kept going. ¡°Or, you know, maybe if there was something perfectly suited for me being sold by a certain someone¡­¡± He let the words hang in the air, his voice thick with mock disappointment. Jenny¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Are you seriously blaming me for your lack of foresight?¡± she shot back, suddenly more awake than she wanted to be. Kaito gave a slow, thoughtful nod. ¡°Yup. Pretty much.¡± She groaned, rubbing her temples. ¡°You are so annoying.¡± He smirked. ¡°And you are conveniently forgetting that you never told me half the good stuff you¡¯ve been hoarding in that little stall of yours.¡± Jenny huffed, throwing a blanket over her head to block him out. ¡°Go away.¡± Kaito chuckled, standing up and stretching. ¡°Fine, fine. But next time, when you see something that screams ''Kaito,¡¯ how about you, I don¡¯t know, actually mention it?¡± She peeked out from under the blanket, eyes narrowed. ¡°Fine. But it¡¯s going to cost you extra.¡± Kaito grinned. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡± ¡°Heres some food for breakfast, consider it an apology.¡± Jenny handed him a portion of food from her inventory, freshly procured from the settlement. Kaito accepted it without hesitation, taking a bite as Jenny did the same. ¡°Must¡¯ve been a really difficult quest if our own number two had to prepare so much for it,¡± she mused, her words slightly muffled by the bread in her mouth. ¡°Offered any good rewards?¡± Kaito chewed thoughtfully before answering. ¡°Not sure I¡¯d call it difficult, but it would¡¯ve been a challenge.¡± He took another bite before continuing. ¡°The quest was to clear a settlement overrun by goblin soldiers while saving some elf-like creatures. Heck, considering the world we¡¯re in, they might¡¯ve actually been real elves.¡± Jenny raised an eyebrow at that. ¡°Huh. You¡¯re telling me we¡¯ve got elves now? That just makes this place even weirder.¡± Kaito shrugged and flicked his fingers, summoning his status screen. With a quick glance, he adjusted the display, allowing Jenny to see it clearly. [Status Screen] [Name]: Kaito Ren [Title]: Nightfall Duelist (One who dances in the moon¡¯s shadow) [Force Alignment]: Lunar Edge Force [Level]: 8 [HP]: 180/180 [Aether]: 250/250 Attributes: [Force Progression]: 3% ¡°I¡¯m doing quite well progression-wise,¡± Kaito said, scanning over his status screen. ¡°My stat points are growing steadily, and my Force progression is rising at a good pace¡ªespecially compared to most others. But dealing with the goblins while also saving the elves... I didn¡¯t have the confidence to do both without minimizing casualties. That¡¯s why I was so obsessed with that accessory you were selling.¡± Jenny sighed, rolling her eyes. ¡°If you keep talking like that, you¡¯re actually gonna make me feel bad.¡± Without warning, she tossed something toward him. ¡°Take it as payment for helping me get this scythe.¡± Kaito barely had time to react, his hand instinctively snapping up to catch the object midair. The moment his fingers closed around it, his expression shifted¡ªhis breath caught in his throat, and his grip unconsciously tightened. His reaction was immediate. Almost too strong. Jenny raised an eyebrow. ¡°Jeez, no need to be that appreciative¡ª¡± She stopped mid-sentence as Kaito''s hands trembled slightly, his eyes locked onto the accessory. Jenny¡¯s eyes widened as he went completely rigid, his face turning an unnatural shade of blue. ¡°Are you¡ªholy shit¡ªare you choking?¡± Kaito pounded his fist against the table, struggling to breathe. Jenny shot up, eyes darting around in panic before she grabbed the closest thing¡ªa waterskin¡ªand practically threw it at his face. ¡°Drink, dumbass!¡± Kaito managed to catch it, hastily gulping down water between ragged coughs. After a few agonizing moments, he finally sucked in a full breath, slamming the waterskin back onto the table. Jenny snorted. ¡°For someone so badass, you just lost a fight to bread.¡± Kaito wiped his mouth, glaring at her between gasps. ¡°Screw. You.¡± Jenny just grinned. ¡°You¡¯re welcome again.¡± Finishing his final gasps for air, Kaito let out a satisfied breath before finally asking what had been on his mind. "Are you ever going to tell me about your obsession with those oversized sweatshirts and baggy pants? Because you have to admit, they don''t have much defensive capability compared to all the armor and gear people have been picking up around here. Is this just your main fashion sense back home?" Jenny barely spared him a glance as she chewed, casually stretching before responding. "It''s not about style. And the defensive capabilities don''t matter much. It''s just something I urgently need to prevent a scenario from playing out. The longer I take securing it, the more likely something terrible is going to happen." Her tone was calm, but something about the way she said it carried weight. Kaito studied her for a moment, debating whether to press further, but ultimately let it go. He had a feeling she wouldn''t give him any real answers, and honestly, it wasn''t his place to ask. The two continued their meal in silence before eventually making their way back to the settlement, their unspoken thoughts lingering in the air between them. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Elsewhere, a few days prior to this moment¡­ Kei stood shirtless, fully drenched in sweat, his breath steady but labored. His body moved with precise, deliberate motions, transitioning seamlessly from one martial form to another. Blocks, punches, kicks¡ªall executed in rapid succession, a dance of raw instinct and disciplined control. His movements weren¡¯t limited to a single style. He flowed from one technique to another, blending strikes and forms from various martial arts. There was no hesitation, ¡ªjust a natural rhythm that felt both fluid and adaptive. His body ached. His muscles burned. But with every strike, every shift in stance, every breath that aligned with the flow of the wind¡ª Next to him, the Zephyr Monkey mirrored his motions, its ethereal blue fur flickering like wind-touched flames. It was no longer just observing Kei¡ªit was instructing him. Every movement Kei made, the monkey adjusted, demonstrating proper form, correcting his posture, even guiding his weight distribution. Kei had picked up a few things during their battle¡ªhis creativity and persistence had allowed him to mimic some of the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s techniques. But he was still completely new to real combat. His body understood what to do, but understanding and mastery were two entirely different things. And so, as if repaying him for sparing its life, as if acknowledging his potential, the Zephyr Monkey had taken it upon itself to teach him. The Zephyr Monkey quickly realized its mistake. Without the intensity of battle pushing him, Kei wasn¡¯t naturally suited for martial arts. He had argued this point before¡ªback on Earth, he had no real inclination toward fighting. He wasn¡¯t built for it. His instincts leaned toward observation, analysis, adaptation¡ªbut not raw physical combat. Unfortunately for him, in this world, he had no choice. So he persevered. The process was slow at first¡ªhis body protested, unfamiliar with the movements, his strikes lacked proper weight behind them, and his footwork felt unnatural. But as the days passed, something shifted. His body wasn¡¯t just mimicking anymore¡ªit was adjusting. Kei¡¯s understanding of motion, of force, of how the wind interacted with movement, allowed him to internalize concepts quickly. He may not have been a natural fighter, but he was a quick learner. And it was paying off. [Status Screen] [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate, Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 Attributes: [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Force Progression]: 50% On the side, Hachi had been watching closely, tail flicking in curiosity. Standing on its hind legs, the Fangcub clumsily attempted to mimic the movements it had been observing. It lifted a paw, trying to balance¡ªthen attempted a kick with its small, wolf-like hind leg. A moment later¡ª Thud. The Fangcub tumbled over sideways, landing in an awkward heap. For a few seconds, there was silence. Then¡ª "PUHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Kei bent over, holding his stomach, laughter tearing through him. The Zephyr Monkey merely shook its head, as if sighing at the absurdity of it all. Hachi, clearly offended, let out a small growl before trying again. And again. And again. Every single attempt ended in the same way¡ªfalling flat onto its side. Kei wiped a tear from his eye. "Hachi, buddy, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s how wolves are supposed to fight." Hachi huffed, standing back up, determined. It wasn¡¯t about practicality¡ªit was about proving a point. The Zephyr Monkey, watching all this, simply buried its face into its hand. To put his training to the test, Kei ventured deeper into the forest, engaging creatures in combat using only the martial arts he had been learning. His movements had become noticeably more fluid, his strikes sharper, his footwork instinctive. At first, it was a struggle. His attacks lacked the weight needed to deal significant damage, especially against creatures with thick fur and high endurance like the Boar Hounds. But through persistence, adaptation, and sheer repetition, he found ways to compensate. He learned how to target weak points¡ªjoints, pressure points, areas where armor and fur were thinnest. He refined his movements, adjusting his technique mid-fight to maximize efficiency. Every battle was another lesson, every exchange another step forward. But it wasn¡¯t just martial arts. Kei never neglected his physical training either. Strength drills, endurance runs, flexibility exercises¡ªevery day, he pushed himself. Hachi and the Zephyr Monkey joined in as well, the three of them turning their training into a daily ritual. Despite still being Level 0, the results were undeniable. Kei was getting stronger. Faster. More flexible. His body was adapting, growing beyond its limitations. His agility had sharpened, his reflexes honed. Even his endurance had drastically improved, allowing him to fight longer and harder without exhaustion overtaking him. Yet, something had become clear to him. Other than hunting for materials, food, or equipment, Kei never truly felt the need to take a life. He spared with Hachi and Zeph¡ªnot because he was lonely, not because he sought companionship, but because he simply didn''t believe he had the right to decide when something¡¯s life should end. It was a belief deeply ingrained in him. Something he had personally experienced before he could even walk. That was how Kei spent his time in the Expanse¡ªtraining his martial arts, strengthening his body, bonding with Hachi and Zeph, and, when it was safe to do so, feeding them his blood. For some reason, they were instinctively drawn to it, treating it as though it were some divine elixir they couldn¡¯t afford to miss. Their reactions amused him at first, but as he watched the rapid changes in their growth, he stored the observation away for later. During training, Kei constantly compared his strikes to the Zephyr Monkey¡¯s, analyzing every motion, every shift in weight, every use of Aether. The difference between them was clear. Though both their Forces fell under the Major Force of Wind, there was a distinct disparity between Breeze and Zephyr. When he used Breeze Force, it felt natural, effortless¡ªan extension of himself. It was everywhere yet unnoticed, present yet intangible. It was the wind that carried without demanding attention, the unseen hand that shaped the world quietly. Zephyr Force, on the other hand, was different. It was sharp, direct, forceful. A controlled storm given purpose, bending to the will of its wielder with unwavering precision. And that¡¯s why his earlier reward had confused him. Force Affinity Unlocked: [Zephyr Force] (Grants advanced control over wind-based Aether techniques.) A reward that, in essence, tried to shift his natural alignment from Breeze to Zephyr. He didn¡¯t reject Zephyr Force outright¡ªits power was undeniable, its combat potential far superior to Breeze. But that wasn¡¯t the point. To Kei, it felt unnatural. Breeze Force was his. The so-called weakest Minor Force, dismissed as insignificant¡ªbut it was his foundation, and he had no intention of abandoning it just because something stronger was handed to him. If Zephyr Force was the howling windstorm, then Breeze was the silent whisper of the wind itself¡ªunseen, unfelt, but always present. And that was what intrigued him most. Then there was the other reward. Skill Unlocked: [Tempest Step] (Allows seamless movement through wind currents, increasing speed, agility, and evasion.) A skill built upon Zephyr Force, a means to flow through combat like the wind itself. But rather than simply accept it as is, Kei studied it. He used it as a template, not to conform to Zephyr Force, but to dig deeper into the nature of Breeze. Its ability to remain unnoticed despite being everywhere. Its ability to slip past, to move unseen, to be both present and absent all at once. That was the true nature of his Force. And that was what he intended to master. It began casually¡ªjust simple steps, nothing special. Hachi and Zeph noticed at first but didn¡¯t think much of it. Kei had always been experimenting with something, so they paid him no mind. But over the next few days, something began to change. With his Force Progression at 50%, his understanding of Breeze Force deepened at an astonishing rate. It wasn¡¯t a matter of consciously activating his Force¡ªit was becoming second nature. And as his understanding grew, his movements began to shift in ways even he barely noticed. At first, Hachi and Zeph would occasionally lose track of him, only to find him again moments later. A brief lapse in attention, nothing more. But then¡ª One day, Kei casually walked back into the clearing, carrying a haul of hares and boars from his hunt. He plopped them down in front of his two companions¡ªwho immediately flinched in confusion. They hadn¡¯t noticed him leave. Not once. They hadn''t heard a single footstep, hadn''t sensed the slightest movement, hadn''t even registered his absence. He had been there¡ªthen suddenly, he was back. Zeph narrowed its eyes. Hachi let out a soft, unsure whine. Kei just grinned like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank. He had done it. Through sheer observation, experimentation, and understanding of Breeze Force, he had developed a movement technique entirely his own. One that made him present yet overlooked. A way to be there¡ªbut not be noticed. Not invisibility. Not speed. Something different. A technique that allowed his presence to be as unremarkable as the passing wind, blending seamlessly with the environment, avoiding detection not by hiding, but by simply never drawing attention in the first place. [Skill Unlocked: Phantom Breeze] Description: By embracing the nature of Breeze Force, the user moves in a way that is neither hidden nor overt¡ªsimply overlooked. This technique allows the user to blend into the environment effortlessly, making their presence as unremarkable as the passing wind. Unlike invisibility, this does not mask the body but instead influences perception, making others instinctively disregard their presence unless directly focusing on them. Effects: Additional Notes: Kei laughed to himself as he knelt down, activating Aether Control to prepare a fire. Chapter 31 A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Chapter 32 Left to their own vices, Zeph and Hachi reentered the forest, letting their primal instincts guide them. Hachi, still young and full of boundless curiosity, bounded through the underbrush with an eagerness that never seemed to fade. Mischief danced in his every step, his tail wagging as he poked his nose into burrows, leaped onto branches too thin to hold his weight, and chased after creatures too fast for him to catch. Zeph, by contrast, was disciplined¡ªhis experiences in the Expanse had tempered him. Where Hachi ran in without hesitation, Zeph paused, observing before acting. He was cautious, calculating, and watchful, always making sure Hachi¡¯s playful antics didn¡¯t get them into unnecessary trouble. A rather odd duo indeed¡ªone resembling an older sibling trying to rein in his younger, reckless counterpart before disaster inevitably struck. They moved through the forest, alternating between exploration and combat, testing their strength against whatever creatures they encountered. At times, they worked together flawlessly; at others, Hachi¡¯s excitement caused more problems than solutions. But neither of them stopped. The thrill of the unknown kept them moving, searching for anything of value¡ªbe it treasure, knowledge, or simply another challenge to overcome. Meanwhile¡ª Kei, at this very moment, was frozen in place. His expression? Wide-eyed. Deadpan. Completely unreadable. The situation? His mind hadn¡¯t yet decided how to process what was happening. His body remained still, his gaze locked forward, utterly baffled. It was the kind of expression one wore when caught in the middle of something that, while entirely innocent. He wasn''t sure whether he should be more offended that his privacy had just been obliterated¡ªor more shocked by the who standing in front of him. What could be confirmed, however, was that the people opposite him bore expressions just as confused, just as surprised, if not more so. Just before this moment, Kei had decided to venture deeper into the forest. He wanted to better understand his surroundings, learn about the creatures that inhabited this expanse, and see what secrets might be hidden within its dense, untouched wilderness. Launching himself into the treetops using his Breeze Force, he left Zeph and Hachi behind. They were more than capable of taking care of themselves, and as a precaution, he had given them a small amount of his blood before departing¡ªjust enough to satiate their growing hunger for it. After feeding Zeph and Hachi his blood for some time now, he had expected only them to gain benefits. But recently, he had started noticing subtle shifts within himself. His endurance had improved significantly. He could push himself further than before, his stamina lasting longer even after extended combat or training sessions. His body responded faster, healed minor wounds quicker than it should. Even his instincts seemed sharper, as if something within him was stirring, adapting¡ªevolving alongside them. Yet, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind for now. There were more immediate things to focus on. His Breeze Force stretched outward, threading itself into the air, guiding his awareness through the forest. Every rustling leaf, every hidden movement became part of his perception. It wasn¡¯t omniscience, but it felt like an extension of his instincts¡ªallowing him to sense before he saw, react before a threat fully emerged. He continued moving, barely disturbing the branches beneath his weight. A silent specter weaving through the trees. One of Kei¡¯s priorities during his exploration was securing ingredients to craft a healing paste, potion, or salve. Having used up all his basic healing potions, he was painfully aware that survival in this world would be impossible without a reliable method of treating injuries. Each time the wind picked up on an herb, plant, or anything that resembled a potential reagent, he dropped down from the trees to collect them. He examined their texture, smell, and consistency, committing every detail to memory before storing them away. This wasn¡¯t his first time experimenting. After countless spars with Zeph and Hachi, injuries had accumulated¡ªnot life-threatening, but enough to slow his training. In those moments, he had already started testing crude mixtures, grinding plants together, boiling extracts, and applying them to wounds. Some worked¡ªalleviating pain, stopping minor bleeding. Others¡­ less so. Still, each failure was data. His mind cataloged every ingredient he used, naming them based on their observed effects, tracking combinations that worked and those that were worthless or even harmful. A yellow, thick-stemmed plant reduced swelling. A dark green moss-like herb stopped minor bleeding but stung like hell. A red-veined leaf caused dizziness¡ªdefinitely avoid. The more he experimented, the clearer the patterns became. It was slow progress, but he was building something essential. A foundation for self-sustainability. His mind continued running calculations as he moved deeper into the forest, his focus divided between the search for more reagents and the humanoid presence he had sensed earlier. With his Beginner Sword in a broken state and his Jagged Bone Club lost, Kei had to make do with whatever was available. Sensing a presence closing in from behind, he reached into his inventory, pulling out a sturdy tree branch. Without hesitation, he folded into the currents of the wind, twisting his body as he swung out just as the presence roared and lunged. CRACK! His attack landed squarely on the front leg of his attacker, disrupting its balance and giving him the opening he needed. Before him, the system registered his opponent. [Black Bear] [Level: 4] The beast grunted in frustration, trying to regain its footing, but Kei didn''t waste a second. He launched into a flurry of attacks, each movement flowing seamlessly into the next, the branch in his hands functioning like a makeshift staff. Vibrant orange vein-like patterns flickered across the length of the branch, mirroring the glow of Kei¡¯s own Aether. He focused, channeling Aether Control to reinforce the branch, ensuring it wouldn¡¯t shatter under the impact¡ªa discovery he had refined through countless sparring sessions with Hachi and Zeph. But the bear wasn''t going down without a fight. Roaring with fury, it regained its footing and launched a relentless counterattack¡ªmassive claws swiping toward him, its sheer bulk charging forward with terrifying force. Kei dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a lethal swipe. Without hesitation, he countered¡ªhis body moving instinctively. A roundhouse kick snapped into the bear¡¯s temple, momentarily disorienting it. Taking advantage of its staggered state, Kei pressed forward¡ªhis staff striking in rapid succession, each blow landing with pinpoint precision. He mixed in martial arts techniques, targeting weak points, his attacks becoming a ruthless, fluid combination of speed, power, and efficiency. The final strike connected with a heavy thud, and the Black Bear collapsed with a final grunt, its massive body crashing against the forest floor. Kei exhaled, shaking off the tension. Even without a weapon, even without the power of high-tier Force techniques, he was still capable. Kei crouched down, inspecting the drops. "Not bad. Hide for armor, bones for weapons, claws for reinforcement... and this thing¡ª" he held up the Aether-Infused Gallbladder, inspecting the strange greenish-blue liquid swirling inside. "This could be useful." Adding the items to his inventory, he dusted himself off and looked around. One fight down. Many more indeed. Kei¡¯s exploration led him deeper into the forest, uncovering all sorts of reagents¡ªplants, roots, and rare herbs¡ªthat could be used to create healing potions and salves. Each discovery was a step toward self-sufficiency, ensuring that the next time he was injured, he wouldn¡¯t have to rely on luck or scavenged potions. Of course, his journey wasn¡¯t without resistance. The creatures of the Expanse were relentless, and battle after battle followed. He clashed with Chitter Monkeys, Boar Hounds, and even Goblins, but the snakes were the trickiest of them all. Agile, silent, and often venomous, they tested his reflexes and instincts more than anything else. His Advanced Projectile Mastery shined through in these encounters. At first, he relied on simple pebbles, but after collecting the beast bones from the creatures he defeated earlier, he realized how much sharper, deadlier, and more effective they were as projectiles. Bone shards not only pierced deeper but also held Aether more efficiently, allowing him to infuse them with more force and precision. Snakes, in particular, proved valuable. After every battle, he carefully harvested their fangs, realizing the potential of venom-infused projectiles. A single well-placed throw could deliver a toxic strike, weakening enemies before they even reached him. It became a routine¡ªdefeat, harvest, sharpen, prepare. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Although he felt somewhat guilty for harvesting their lives, Kei made it a habit to press his hands together and offer a silent prayer for each creature he felled¡ªthanking them for the experience they provided. It was a simple ritual, a moment of gratitude in a world where survival demanded brutality. That didn¡¯t stop him from mumbling a few curses under his breath, though¡ªespecially when his gear drops were nonexistent. His sweatshirt was all but shredded, his pants barely holding together, leaving only his Tattered Cloth Hood [Uncommon] as his sole remaining piece of proper clothing. "Seriously, not even a spare shirt?" he muttered, flicking away a pebble in frustration. "At this rate, I¡¯ll be running around half-naked." Taking a break near a shallow body of water, he cupped his hands and drank, letting the cool liquid soothe his parched throat. After a deep exhale, he pulled up his status screen, eyes scanning over his progress. [Status Screen] [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate | Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [HP]: 40/40 [Aether]: 80/80 [Attributes] [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Force Progression]: 50% [Skills] [Skill Name]: Advanced Projectile Mastery [Description]: Through extensive experience and refined control, you have developed an advanced understanding of thrown weapons. By integrating Aether, you can manipulate projectile speed, trajectory, and impact force, adapting seamlessly to environmental factors and exploiting enemy weaknesses. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: Skill Name: [Aether Control] Description: You have learned to harness and control the lifeblood of reality. Aether bends to your will and responds to your command. [Hidden] Potential Multiplier: Unable to calculate at this moment. [Skill Name]: Phantom Breeze] Description: By embracing the nature of Breeze Force, the user moves in a way that is neither hidden nor overt¡ªsimply overlooked. This technique allows the user to blend into the environment effortlessly, making their presence as unremarkable as the passing wind. Unlike invisibility, this does not mask the body but instead influences perception, making others instinctively disregard their presence unless directly focusing on them. Effects: Additional Notes: [Equipment] With all the fights, training, and experimentation with Aether-infused weapons, his stats had grown naturally, reinforcing his belief that leveling up wasn¡¯t his path to strength. Instead, he had found a way to push past the system¡¯s constraints, choosing to grow through raw effort and refinement rather than relying on artificial stat increases. Oddly enough, this world allowed for a choice when it came to leveling up. Every participant had control over their experience points¡ªthey could allocate them to level up, increasing their raw stats in an instant, or spend them to refine and enhance their skill proficiencies instead. For most people, leveling up was the obvious choice¡ªit provided an instant boost to survivability, increasing their base stats across the board. But for Kei? He hadn¡¯t used a single experience point yet. He had been hoarding all of it, letting his body grow through natural progression, physical training, and direct combat experience. His skills advanced through practice, his stats increased on their own, and his Force Affinity deepened the more he experimented with Breeze Force. So far, it had worked. But Kei knew that sooner or later, he¡¯d have to make a decision. Would he continue walking this unorthodox path? Or would there come a moment when he¡¯d finally cash in all that stored experience Doing a few stretches, Kei took another sip of water before pressing deeper into the forest. His movements were fluid, silent, his Breeze Force making it effortless to navigate the uneven terrain. He wasn''t moving aimlessly¡ªhe wanted to learn more about the world, and if he happened to stumble upon something useful, all the better. Before long, he came across a herd of creatures grazing lazily in a clearing. They were large, thick-bodied, their fur an off-white, almost pearlescent color that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Their faces were long and narrow, goat-like, but their horns curled inwards, more like a ram¡¯s. Their hooves were split into three sections, allowing them to traverse rough terrain with ease. Fellhorn Sheep. Highly adaptable herd animals known for their dense, reinforced wool, which could act as natural armor against predators. But what made them particularly valuable was the high Aether density in their horns, making them a sought-after resource for crafting weapons or staves. His stomach let out a soft grumble. It had been a while since he last ate. He exhaled slowly, reinforcing his hands and feet with Aether, then launched himself forward¡ªsilent, efficient, and ready to secure his next meal. It had been an arduous fight¡ªfar more troublesome than he had expected. The Fellhorn Sheep¡¯s dense wool acted as a natural layer of armor, making his attacks land with frustratingly reduced impact. And their horns¡ªthose damned curved weapons¡ªhad been particularly nasty, leaving deep bruises and forcing him to apply his latest healing paste, which helped reduce swelling and stem bleeding just enough to keep him moving. But in the end, he secured victory. And secured a prize in the process. Lifting the weapon he had looted from the fight, he examined it with growing satisfaction. A Level 5 Uncommon sword¡ªthe guard shaped like the curved horns of a Fellhorn Sheep. The blade itself was sleek yet weighted, made from a material denser than steel, likely reinforced by the Aether-infused bone of the very creatures he had fought. ¡°Nice.¡± After butchering the sheep for meat, a skill he had been forced to refine over time, he quickly seasoned and cooked his meal. The fire crackled, filling the air with the rich, savory scent of roasting meat. Just as he was about to settle in and enjoy his hard-earned meal, something caught his eye. A Fellhorn Sheep¡ªbut not like the others. Its wool was jet black, almost absorbing the light around it. But its horns¡ªpure white, polished like marble, faintly shimmering as if carrying an inner radiance. Kei''s eyes widened in an instant. ¡°A SHINNNNNYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!¡± The sheer glee that surged through him was indescribable. Without a single thought, he slashed his wrist, letting a thin trail of crimson drip down his palm. Then¡ª He barreled forward like a lunatic, grabbing the confused black-wool Fellhorn Sheep, and shoved his bleeding wrist straight into its mouth. The poor creature¡¯s eyes shot open in shock, its entire body tensing as it let out a confused, mournful bleat¡ª "BAAAAAAA!?" It tried to resist¡ªtried to wriggle away from the sudden violation of personal space¡ªbut the moment Kei¡¯s blood hit its tongue, its body shuddered violently. The resistance died instantly. Its pupils dilated, its legs wobbled, and its bleats turned from cries of protest to something far more¡­ eager. It greedily drank. Kei, still grinning like a madman, watched in pure, unfiltered joy. ¡°Yesssssssss.¡± Patting the now blissfully dazed Fellhorn Sheep on the head, he stroked its thick wool affectionately. ¡°Good sheep. Good, good sheep.¡± If the effects were anything like what had happened with Hachi and Zeph, then¡ª He could barely contain his excitement. As the Fellhorn Sheep collapsed onto the grass, now fully drunk on Aether-rich blood, Kei turned back to his meal, finished eating, and continued forward, whistling in satisfaction. Then, for the first time, he saw one. A distortion in the air. It shimmered¡ªbarely noticeable at first¡ªbut as he focused his senses, he could see it more clearly. The way the space twisted, rippled¡ªit was unnatural. His heart pounded. A Dungeon Gate. [System Notice: You have discovered a grade F Dungeon Gate.] [Dungeons are self-contained realms filled with structured challenges, enemy forces, and valuable rewards.] [Recommended Entry Level: 5+] [Recommended Party Size: 5 Participants] [Danger Level: Moderate] Staring at the distortion, Kei narrowed his eyes as he read the system prompts. Staring at the distortion, Kei narrowed his eyes as he read the system prompts. "So this is real too?" he muttered, rubbing his chin. He took a step closer, his Breeze Force rippling subtly around him as he let his presence fade. Phantom Breeze engaged naturally, making him blend into the environment as if he were never there. Despite his curiosity, he didn¡¯t immediately rush in. Instead, he observed. He had no prior knowledge of how Dungeons functioned, and he wasn¡¯t about to charge in blindly. "Should I wait? Test it somehow?" Deep in thought, he remained completely still, blending into the wind as he analyzed the distortion. Then¡ª He exhaled sharply. A more immediate need made itself known. ¡°¡­Right. First things first.¡± With no threats nearby, he turned away from the Dungeon entrance, stepping a few paces off to the side. Unzipping his pants, he let out a relieved sigh, focusing all his attention back on the swirling distortion. The subtle pull of energy, the warping of space¡ªit was fascinating. Completely absorbed in the moment, he didn¡¯t notice the soft rustling of leaves or the approaching footsteps crunching against the forest floor. "Are you sure it was around here?" a voice murmured in the distance. "Yeah," another answered, a little closer now. "I saw the Dungeon in this area. Level 5, moderate difficulty." Kei, utterly unaware, continued his business. "Sam said to go ahead. He¡¯ll meet us at the Dungeon. Let¡¯s check the entrance first and make sure everything¡¯s ready." The voices grew nearer. Kei finished, sighing in satisfaction before adjusting his clothes, he took a step toward the Dungeon, ready to take his first look inside. The four adventurers, standing just a few meters away, did the same. Neither party noticed the other. Completely unaware of Kei¡¯s presence, the four adventurers approached the distortion, their focus entirely on the dungeon ahead. Then¡ªthe unexpected happened. The moment they stepped within range, the distortion flared to life. A pulse of energy erupted outward, locking onto them as the system message appeared. [Dungeon Activation Detected.] [Recommended Party Size: 5 Participants.] [Sufficient participants detected. Dungeon initializing¡­] Their eyes widened in horror. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat?!¡± ¡°There¡¯s only four of us¡ª!¡± Before they could react, the swirling distortion expanded and dragged them all inside. Kei, who had been quietly standing near the dungeon, minding his own business and deep in thought, suddenly felt an invisible force yank him forward. "Wai¡ª" The world twisted. The forest vanished. An instant later, Kei stumbled forward, feet barely catching himself. His body locked in place as he took in his new surroundings. A rolling meadow of tall grass stretched endlessly under a sky that was an unnatural shade of blue. The air felt strangely thick, carrying a faint hum of something unseen. Behind him, four other figures hit the ground with varying levels of grace¡ªtwo landing in crouches, one falling to their knees, the last rolling haphazardly before scrambling upright. They barely had time to process their surroundings before their attention snapped forward¡ªto the lone figure standing a few feet away. Kei. Wide-eyed. Deadpan. Expression unreadable. His face held the exact look of someone who had been doing absolutely nothing wrong and had still somehow ended up in a situation beyond comprehension. The four stared at him. He stared back. No one spoke. One of them slowly leaned toward another and whispered, ¡°¡­Who the hell is that?¡± Kei blinked once. His lips parted as if to say something. Then closed. His eye twitched. "¡­Huh." Chapter 33 BAAAAAAAA BAAAAAAAA He lunged forward, his spear a blur as he impaled one sheep straight through its chest, twisting his weapon before yanking it out. The next beast reared up, aiming to slam its hooves into him. His reflexes snapped¡ªtoo fast, too sharp. He pivoted to the side, dodging the attack by a hair¡¯s breadth, then retaliated with a ruthless upward slash. His spear severed the creature¡¯s leg, sending it crashing down. Another two charged at him. He grinned. This was his battlefield. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. His fingers loosened, releasing an arrow. It didn¡¯t fly straight. Instead, it curved, as if yanked mid-air by an invisible hand. The arrow twisted around one sheep¡¯s thick fur before embedding itself perfectly into a joint¡ªwhere its leg met its body. The creature collapsed instantly, legs no longer able to support its weight. Another arrow. It veered sideways at the last second, bypassing a sheep¡¯s thick skull and piercing clean through its exposed eye. Again. And again. Every shot manipulated, redirected, altered just enough to always find its mark. He didn¡¯t fire at specific targets¡ªhe fired into the flow of battle, his force doing the rest. only to stop as if it had crashed into a mountain. Oren barely flinched. He exhaled, planting his feet deeper into the ground. The energy he absorbed from the impact surged through him, and with a single upward slash, he redirected all that force into his sword. The sheep was launched into the air from the sheer impact, flipping wildly before crashing down, motionless. Another beast lunged¡ªOren twisted his sword downward, striking the ground. The dungeon floor shook, sending a ripple of force outward. The tremor disrupted the charging sheep¡¯s balance, making it stumble just before his next swing cleaved through its throat. Every strike he landed counted. The battle raged on, the group tearing through the stampede with precision, force, and sheer grit. The dungeon echoed with the sounds of clashing weapons, cries of the beasts, and the rhythmic breathing of warriors locked in combat. watched Chapter 34 Then¡ª BAAAAAAAAAAH! "Bring it on, budd¡ªoh crap." Sam barely had time to brace before the Black Fellhorn Sheep surged forward, its marble-white horns gleaming as they barreled toward him like a battering ram. Boom! The impact was instant and brutal. His shield absorbed the brunt of the hit, but the sheer force lifted him off his feet. He felt his ribs rattle from the shockwave before his body was sent flying backward. Crash! He hit the ground hard, rolling twice before skidding to a painful stop, dirt and grass scattering around him. A sharp sting shot through his arms as he forced himself back onto one knee, wincing at the lingering pain in his shoulder. "You gotta be kidding me," he muttered, shaking out the ache in his arm. The Black Fellhorn Sheep stomped the ground, snorting aggressively as it prepared to charge again. Sam spat out a bit of dirt, gripping his sword tighter. "Alright, you fluffy little menace. Round two." This time, he was ready. Facing the provocation, the Black Fellhorn Sheep charged forward, its body a blur of motion as black and white Aether trailed behind it, swirling like a twin-colored storm. Its horns glowed ominously, crackling with latent energy, ready to strike. ¡°What the¡ª?¡± Sam barely had time to process what he was seeing before¡ª Boom! The sheep was upon him in an instant, moving far faster than before. The sudden acceleration caught him off guard, his instincts barely giving him enough time to raise his shield. Crash! The impact was violent. His feet dug into the ground, but the sheer force behind the charge sent a shockwave through his body. He gritted his teeth as his arms strained under the pressure. For a moment, it felt like his entire body might cave in under the raw power. ¡°Damn it¡ª!¡± The moment he felt the pressure ease, he pushed back, twisting his body to redirect the force rather than resist it head-on. Using the sheep''s own momentum against it, he sidestepped sharply at the last second. Screeeeech¡ª! Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. The Black Fellhorn Sheep''s hooves scraped against the ground, its massive weight making it difficult to stop as it barreled past him. Sam didn¡¯t waste a second. He lunged, his sword glowing faintly with aether as he struck out toward its exposed flank¡ª And so, the two fought. What started as a simple encounter quickly escalated into a battle for the ages¡ªa duel between sheep and human, where neither side was willing to yield. Who would prevail? Back in the Dungeon Owen stretched his arms, casually cracking his knuckles. "Wonder what Sam''s up to right now. He probably just got there and is wondering where we are." Kai shrugged, keeping his spear balanced across his shoulders as they walked. "He¡¯ll figure it out." Reese smirked. "Or he¡¯s still half-asleep and staring at the dungeon distortion like an idiot." Talia chuckled, adjusting the grip on her dagger. "Or he ran into that weird black Fellhorn Sheep we saw earlier." At that, Kei¡¯s expression shifted slightly¡ªa brief flicker of thought passing through his usually unreadable gaze. "That black sheep, huh? If it''s still there, it¡¯d be a shame not to take advantage of it¡­" He said it quietly, more to himself than anyone else, quietly sensing the changes occurring in him ever since he fed the black sheep his blood. His foot nearly slipped as he drifted dangerously close to the dungeon distortion. And then¡ªhe saw it. [Dungeon Notice: Fellhorn Labyrinth ¨C Hard Difficulty] "...What?" His mind blanked. Sam was sure it had been moderate difficulty. He had triple-checked before heading here. So why had it changed? "What the hell is happening!?" he muttered, flustered, his grip tightening around his sword. The Black Fellhorn Sheep saw its chance. With a victorious BAAAAAAAAAH!, it charged forward, its horns crackling with aether. Sam''s eyes barely widened before¡ª BANG! The force of the impact sent him flying backwards In the dungeon, the group of five stood around, staring blankly, confusion etched on their faces. ¡°I thought you guys said that quests are only supposed to be in Hard dungeons," Kei asked absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on the new system message. In truth, he didn¡¯t care much about extra tasks¡ªif anything, it just meant more rewards in the end. However, the rest of the group couldn¡¯t control their shock. ¡°What¡¯s happening?! Why is there a quest to complete?!¡± ¡°This is a moderate dungeon! Is this an exception? Or did something change?¡± They all turned to Reese, the most meticulous of the group, but even he looked utterly baffled as he re-read the system prompt. Talia exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. ¡°No. Nope. Not dealing with this. We need to figure out what¡¯s happening before something crazy happens.¡± Kai crossed his arms. ¡°Is it just me, or does this feel¡­wrong?¡± Owen, now gripping his sword even tighter, sighed. ¡°Something definitely changed. Dungeons don¡¯t just alter like this¡ªunless¡­¡± Unbeknownst to the group, the moment they entered, the dungeon''s difficulty had changed. From Moderate ¡ú Hard. And just as they were coming to terms with the new quest... A loud crash echoed from deeper inside the dungeon. Something had just entered. A massive Fellhorn Sheep stood before them, its silver-blue wool crackling with arcs of electricity, static clinging to the very air. Unlike its normal counterparts, its horns were jaggedIts eyes burned an intense whiteckering erratically, like a storm barely holding itself together. Fellhorn Stormbringer A suffocating tension filled the air, the space around them charged, every hair on their bodies standing on end. Before Reese, Talia, Kai, or Owen could process what they were looking at¡ª WHIRR. A bone projectile zipped past them, glowing aetheric orange, pumped full of energy. THUNK. It struck the Stormbringer''s foreleg, sinking into the joint with pinpoint accuracy. Baaaaaaaaaaaa! A furious, electrified bleat tore through the air as the creature reared back, stumbling from the impact. Kai¡¯s head snapped in the direction the projectile came from¡ª Kei was gone. ¡°Where the hell¡ª¡± More bone projectiles followed, hitting precise weak points¡ªthe underside of its jaw, its back leg, its exposed tendon just above the hoof. Each strike forced the Stormbringer to falter, its footing unstable. Bzzzzzt¡ªCRACK! A violent arc of lightning surged in retaliation, striking where the attacks had come from¡ª But nothing was there. Kai¡¯s grip on his spear tightened. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ everywhere.¡± Owen braced himself, grounding his stance as the Stormbringer¡¯s aura surged, static currents whipping through the air. Talia clenched her daggers. ¡°Then let¡¯s bring it down.¡± The fight had begun. Chapter 35 Perched on a tree branch, Kei observed the Stormbringer Fellhorn from above. Aether surged around the massive beast, its silver-blue wool crackling with arcs of electricity, turning the very air around it into a charged battlefield. Static energy pulsed through the wind, distorting the atmosphere, causing the ground to hum with residual charge. Kei narrowed his eyes. A gust of wind whipped past him, carrying an ominous scent of ozone. He could feel it in his bones¡ªthe way the air trembled before a strike, the way the storm called to itself. This thing wasn¡¯t just dangerous¡ªit was untouchable. The moment someone stepped within its storm¡¯s domain, they¡¯d be struck down before they could even land a hit. Unrelenting. Unforgiving. It lived up to its name. Stormbringer. His grip tightened around a sharpened bone projectile, orange aether flickering along its surface. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see just how untouchable you really are,¡± Kei murmured, then vanished¡ªfolding into the wind. Owen led the charge, his Bastion Force surging around him like an unbreakable wall of energy. Aether gathered to his form, reinforcing his body as he braced himself for impact. His blade gleamed, slicing toward the Stormbringer Fellhorn while it was still reeling from Kei¡¯s onslaught. But the Stormbringer was not so easily staggered. Electricity coursed through its wool, and in a split second, the air snapped and cracked with volatile energy. The moment Owen¡¯s blade connected, a violent discharge erupted, sending jolts of static force racing up his sword, lashing at his arms and chest. ¡°Argh!¡± Owen gritted his teeth, his movements sluggish as arcs of lightning coiled around his body, seeping into his muscles like chains of pure energy, slowing his reactions. From the backline, Reese fired off a volley of arrows. But the charged air fought against him. His Vector Force, usually precise, struggled against the shifting electrical currents. The moment his arrows entered the storm¡¯s range, they twisted off course, veering wildly¡ªsome missing entirely, others striking harmlessly against the ground. His quiver was running low. He could not afford to waste another shot. Owen was taking the brunt of the Stormbringer¡¯s power, each clash forcing him further onto the defensive, his body racked with intermittent shocks. Reese clenched his jaw. His mind raced. He needed to adapt. Then¡ª A whisper. The wind shifted, curling around him in ways he had never noticed before. It was as if the air itself was guiding him. His instincts screamed at him to trust it. He drew an arrow. He released. The arrow cut through the air, and this time¡ªit did not stray. The wind carried it. A precise, piercing strike. The Stormbringer Fellhorn staggered, bleating in rage, the arrow embedding deep into the soft space behind its front leg¡ªa perfectly placed hit. Owen took the opening, regaining his stance. Kai and Talia rushed in, weapons flashing¡ªthe real battle had just begun. The battlefield raged on, a storm of movement and deadly precision. Kai spun through the chaos, weaving in and out of Owen¡¯s defensive stance. His Adrenaline Force burned hot, driving his reflexes past their limits. Each pulse of electricity in the air only pushed his body harder, his movements sharpening with every beat of his racing heart. The Stormbringer Fellhorn lashed out, its horns sparking with crackling arcs of lightning. But Kai¡¯s spear intercepted, to redirect¡ªa deft twist of his weapon sent the force of the attack skidding past him instead of meeting it head-on. The moment Kai disengaged, Owen surged forward. He gritted his teeth, shaking off the lingering static clinging to his limbs. Bastion Force rooted him to the earth, solid as an immovable wall. He slammed his shield into the Fellhorn¡¯s side with a brutal crack, forcing the beast to stagger. Talia became a phantom. Her Mirage Force blurred, illusions flickering across the battlefield. The Stormbringer lashed out again and again¡ªeach time striking nothing but air. She struck. Quick. Efficient. But her daggers barely bit into its electrified wool. Reese stayed at range, bowstring taut, arrows firing rapidly. But the storm was against him. His Vector Force struggled. The air was thick with static, currents surging unpredictably. His arrows veered off course¡ªbut just as they seemed lost, the wind itself shifted. It guided his shots. The gusts didn¡¯t fight him. They carried his arrows forward, leading them not where he aimed, but where they needed to go. He didn¡¯t understand why¡ªbut he trusted it. And so, he fired. The Stormbringer bleated in fury, staggering as an arrow struck cleanly between its ribs. It had enough. With an enraged stomp, the Fellhorn unleashed a violent pulse of wind, sending everyone skidding back. Sparks arced. The air hummed with crackling energy. Its horns glowed ominously¡ªcharging up a devastating lightning blast. They were staggered. Exposed. The storm was about to crash down on them. Then¡ªfrom above. A shadow dropped from the sky. Kei. His foot slammed down, burying itself into the Stormbringer¡¯s skull. Crack. The Stormbringer¡¯s body lurched, the charge in its horns flickering wildly, its control over the Aether disrupted. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. But Kei wasn¡¯t finished. The instant he landed, he bent at the waist and grabbed onto the Stormbringer¡¯s horns¡ªnot to restrain it, but to pull something from it. Aether surged toward him, draining directly from the Fellhorn¡¯s core. The electricity in the air weakened. The looming storm fizzled¡ªits destructive force severely diminished. The Stormbringer¡¯s half-formed lightning blast fired¡ª But it was weak. Unstable. It crackled harmlessly through the air, mere sparks compared to the devastation it could¡¯ve unleashed. Kei somersaulted backward, landing lightly on his feet. His hands moved in a blur¡ª Arrows. Not his. Reese¡¯s. Snatched from the ground mid-motion. Aether surged through them¡ªorange veins of energy crackling along their shafts. And then¡ªhe threw. They whistled through the air, cutting through the static-charged wind as if they belonged there. The Stormbringer Fellhorn shrieked in rage as the arrows struck true, embedding deep into its thick wool, piercing its neck. Its fury was instant. The air shifted. The winds howled. Owen was the first to suffer. A storm erupted, breaking his connection to the ground. His Bastion Force faltered, severed from the stability of the earth. Before he could react¡ªbefore his footing could be reclaimed¡ª A bolt of living lightning crashed into him. The Stormbringer Fellhorn rammed forward, horns crackling, colliding with Owen midair. His sword never even reached its target. The impact was devastating¡ªhis body was hurled backward, limbs weightless, flung through the air like a ragdoll. Then¡ªgravity took hold. He crashed hard, slamming into the dungeon floor, pain exploding through his ribs. The ground embraced him once more¡ªbut not in the way he had hoped. His head spun. His body screamed in protest. But the Stormbringer wasn¡¯t finished. It leaped, muscles tensing, hooves gathering beneath it. It aimed to slam down on him¡ªcrush him completely. Its mistake? For a fraction of a second¡ªit took its eyes off the battlefield. And that was all Kei needed. In an instant, he was there. Owen barely had time to process the blur that appeared beside him before his entire world shifted. The wind folded. Kei wrapped them both into the current, vanishing. BASH! The Stormbringer Fellhorn¡¯s hooves struck nothing but stone. It bleated triumphantly, electricity crackling through the air, its Aether flaring in victory. Only¡ªthere was no body beneath it. No crushed enemy. No broken warrior. Its triumph meant nothing. Further away, Kei reappeared, already kneeling beside Owen, moving with practiced efficiency. His hands worked fast¡ª Aether-infused healing salves spread over Owen¡¯s bruised ribs, onto the worst of the bleeding wounds. Hidden in the shadows, Kei kept his presence suppressed, knowing they only had a few seconds before the battle resumed. The Stormbringer Fellhorn shrieked, its rage surging like a tempest, its gaze locking onto the remaining two. Kai was next. His Adrenaline Force had carried him well, fueling his speed, his reaction time, his instincts¡ªbut momentum was everything. And momentum was what he lost. Watching Owen nearly get crushed had thrown him off balance, even mentally. His mind stalled. His body hesitated. And in that instant¡ªthe Fellhorn struck. A crackling blur of storm-infused fury, the beast surged forward, horns sparking with devastating intent. Kai barely reacted in time¡ªor rather, he didn¡¯t. Reese did. An arrow loosed. Then another. Then two became four. Four became eight. A skill activation¡ªhis Vector Force igniting, enhancing each shot¡¯s trajectory, increasing their velocity, their piercing power. The arrows ripped through the electric winds, tearing through the distortion, bypassing the resistance that had once thrown them off course. Each impact sent jolts of pain through the Stormbringer Fellhorn. Baaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! It staggered. Kai snapped out of it. Aether surged through his body, his Adrenaline Force reigniting. His spear blurred, extending mid-strike, its attack potency increasing. He lunged¡ªhis blade carving through thick wool, shaving blood as he passed. The beast shrieked, eyes flashing¡ªbut it was already too late. Talia had already moved. Her Aether pulsed, distorting the air around her, her daggers glowing ominously. Then¡ªshe disappeared. At least, from the creature¡¯s perspective. To the Stormbringer Fellhorn, it was alone. The battlefield had emptied. Its enemies¡ªgone. It turned its head wildly, searching for its attackers¡ªonly for sharp slashes to tear through its hide. It bleated in shock, spinning¡ªbut there was nothing. Another strike. A gash on its flank. A dagger sliced through its side. Then another. Then another. Reality distorted. Its enemies were ghosts, shadows, phantoms slashing it apart, never where they seemed to be. In truth¡ªTalia was right there. But to the Stormbringer Fellhorn, she might as well have been an illusion. The relentless assault had lasted no more than two minutes. Reese, Kai, and Talia had pushed themselves to the limit, striking, dodging, adapting, pressing the Stormbringer Fellhorn into a corner. But a cornered beast¡ªis the most dangerous kind. And this one had had enough. A thunderclap rang through the air¡ªsharp, deafening, an explosion of raw energy. Electricity surged through the battlefield, bolts of lightning cracking through the air, latching onto the winds, dancing like writhing serpents. It didn¡¯t care what it was attacking anymore. If it couldn¡¯t see its enemy¡ª It would attack everything. Reese had run out of arrows. His ranged offense¡ªgone. All he had left was a knife¡ªa last resort, a weapon never meant to face something of this scale. But instinct flared. Something was about to go wrong. Without thinking¡ªhe moved. His legs burned as he surged forward, stepping in front of Talia, knife gripped tight in his hands. The Stormbringer Fellhorn howled. The winds turned violent, storm currents twisting and howling in agony. The horns of the beast gleamed with terrifying radiance, infused with aether¡ªstorm energy condensed into raw destruction. And then¡ª It bleated. A sound that rang like a death sentence. Kai and Talia froze. Instinct screamed at them¡ªthis was it. Their bodies weren¡¯t moving fast enough. Their attacks weren¡¯t strong enough. They had already given all they had. Reese didn¡¯t hesitate. He flashed forward, knife in hand, aiming for the Fellhorn¡¯s exposed flank. If he couldn¡¯t kill it¡ªhe could at least buy time. He lunged. ZAP. Lightning erupted. And Reese was gone. A blur¡ªflung backwards with terrifying speed, sent flying through the battlefield like a broken doll. Kai and Talia barely registered what happened. The storm winds roared around them, electric currents crawling through the air, numbing their limbs. They were too dazed to process what had happened. Too stunned to even check on their fallen friend. Too overwhelmed to realize¡ª Reese never hit the ground. A gust of wind¡ªa blur unseen. A figure caught him mid-air, steady hands moving swiftly. Hidden within the storm¡¯s chaos, Kei was already treating him. But the battle was far from over. The Stormbringer Fellhorn charged forward. Its horns surged with condensed lightning, the closer they came, the stronger the paralysis creeping into their bodies. It was coming. And there was no stopping it. At least, that was until Kai and Talia saw a figure appear¡ªstanding effortlessly atop the Stormbringer Fellhorn¡¯s head. For a split second, they thought they were hallucinating. Because who in their right mind could just stand there¡ªon top of a raging, lightning-infused beast¡ªlooking like they had all the time in the world? And yet¡ªKei did. One foot forward, hands gripping both horns¡ªas if casually adjusting his footing on a moving platform. Then¡ªhe moved. Aether surged, muscles coiled, and with a barely-contained grunt¡ª Kei tore the beast¡¯s momentum away, flipping the massive Fellhorn over, sending it crashing toward a tree. Bang! Bang! Bang! Mid-air, as it tumbled¡ªa barrage of bone projectiles and a stray arrow struck true, piercing into its body. Kei pumped his fist, grinning. ¡°Trick shot!¡± He cheered like a kid who just scored the winning point in a game. Kai and Talia, still standing in shock, were left completely speechless. They had just watched a massive, storm-infused creature¡ªone that had nearly wiped them out¡ªget physically thrown across the battlefield like it weighed nothing. Like it wasn¡¯t even a real threat. Like it was just another obstacle in Kei¡¯s way. Kai finally snapped out of it, shaking his head. ¡°The hell was that?¡± Kei casually dusted himself off. ¡°Oh, that? Just physics. You know, leverage and stuff.¡± Talia blinked. ¡°You¡­ threw a giant lightning monster¡­ using leverage?¡± Kei nodded sagely. ¡°Yup.¡± Kai opened his mouth to argue¡ª then stopped. Because, honestly? He wasn¡¯t even sure how to process this. Kei, still grinning, tilted his head at them. ¡°You know, the way you guys use Aether is really shoddy. It¡¯s a wonder you¡¯ve survived this long.¡± Kai, still dazed, could only respond with a dumb, ¡°Huh?¡± Kei sighed, crossing his arms. ¡°Your Aether usage. It¡¯s like you¡¯re forcing it to obey you instead of actually working with it. Like¡ªno finesse. Just ¡®Do what I say, or else¡¯ kinda vibes. If Aether had a judicial system, you¡¯d be in jail for assault and lack of consent.¡± Silence. Kai and Talia stared at him. Kei, completely unfazed, continued dusting himself off. They had no idea how to respond to what they had just heard. Or what they had just seen. ¡°¡­By the way,¡± Kei added casually, jerking his thumb toward the side of the battlefield. ¡°Your friends are over there. I patched them up a bit, but they won¡¯t be able to help us fight that thing anymore.¡± Kai and Talia followed his gaze¡ª And sure enough, Reese and Owen lay there, bandaged, barely conscious, but alive. Talia exhaled heavily. Kai ran a hand down his face, still trying to process everything. ¡°¡­So,¡± Talia finally said, turning back to Kei. ¡°You throwing around lightning monsters, healing our party, and giving us lectures about Aether usage¡­ what else should we be expecting from you?¡± Kei grinned. ¡°I make really good stew.¡± ¡°¡­Right.¡± ¡°¡­Okay.¡± ¡°¡­Let¡¯s just kill the damn thing before I have a stroke.¡± Chapter 36 Talia¡¯s condescending tone barely fazed him. ¡°Okay, Dr. Kei.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Kei responded casually. Talia blinked. ¡°¡­Wait. What do you mean ¡®yeah¡¯?¡± She squinted at him, suspicion creeping into her voice. ¡°Are you actually trying to say you¡¯re a doctor?¡± Kei tilted his head. ¡°You mean like, a PhD?¡± Talia rolled her eyes. ¡°What, you got a doctorate in physics or something?¡± Kei nodded. ¡°Physics, Biology, Chemistry¡ªoh, and surprisingly, you can get a PhD in Culinary Arts. Got one of those too. They overlooked the fact that I failed to butcher though. Also Computer Science. And more recently, Game Design. Was about to tackle Business before¡ª¡± BANG. Before he could finish, the Stormbringer Fellhorn rammed into him at full speed, sending him soaring. Kei¡¯s words cut off instantly as he flew across the battlefield like a ragdoll. Kai and Talia watched in absolute disbelief. ¡°Just who the hell did we run into?!¡± Kai finally blurted, still struggling to process. Talia, meanwhile, was fixated on a different detail. ¡°¡­He can¡¯t have that many PhDs. Right?¡± Their conversation was interrupted by the loud, echoing thud of Kei hitting the ground so hard he bounced. Then¡ªsmack. Face-first into a tree. ¡°¡­I¡¯m also a medical doctor,¡± Kei groaned as he slid down the trunk. ¡°A surgeon.¡± Talia buried her face in her hands. Kai, still staring at Kei crumpled against the tree, exhaled sharply. Appearing behind them as if he hadn¡¯t just been smacked senseless, Kei spoke casually, as though the fight was nothing more than an afterthought. "Your Aether usage¡ªfor some reason, it seems like you¡¯re not the ones actually controlling it. It¡¯s as if you¡¯re letting something else dictate how it flows, bending it forcefully rather than guiding it naturally.¡± Kai and Talia whipped around in shock, their eyes snapping to Kei. ¡°What the¡­?¡± Kai started, stunned not just by his words but by the fact that Kei had appeared behind them without a sound. The Stormbringer Fellhorn had just charged at him a second ago. And now¡­ he was standing right here. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kai asked, confusion evident in his tone. Kei shrugged. ¡°Exactly what it sounds like." Talia crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "Not like we have much input when using our skills. The system just executes it for us.¡± Kei blinked. Then tilted his head. "Wait. What do you mean by that?" He pointed at them. "You don¡¯t circulate Aether on your own when using a skill?¡± Kai scoffed. "Of course not. We activate the skill, and the system does the rest. That¡¯s how it works." Kei¡¯s expression froze. "Wait¡­ That''s possible?!" Kai stared at Kei, eyes filled with pure disbelief. "Are you saying¡­ you don¡¯t use the system to activate your skills?¡± Kei blinked, as if the answer was obvious. "Nope. I rely on my connection to my Force Alignment and guide my Aether accordingly. Aether seems more willing to help me that way.¡± Talia opened her mouth¡ªthen closed it. Reese, who had been regaining consciousness in the background, rubbed his temples. "...You make it sound like Aether is a person." Kei shrugged. "It might as well be.¡± Before they could ask further¡ª A loud crackle of electricity surged through the air. The Stormbringer Fellhorn pawed at the ground, its glowing horns sparking wildly as it prepared to charge. Kai and Talia tensed. Kei, however, exhaled calmly. "A good example¡ª" In one fluid motion, he guided Aether through the pathways in his body. Unlike the others, who relied on system-guided execution, Kei¡¯s connection with Aether was intuitive¡ªhis Breeze Force aligning naturally with his movements. Wind coiled around both of his arms, rushing toward his fingertips, sharpening¡ªrefining. Aether-formed wind Claws extended from his fingers. The Stormbringer Fellhorn charged. Kei disappeared. A gust of wind whispered past them¡ª And before the Fellhorn could react¡ª Slash! Kei reappeared mid-air, his claws slicing through the beast¡¯s legs. A sharp, agonized bleat echoed through the dungeon as the creature staggered, electric arcs flickering wildly from its wounds. Kai and Talia stood frozen. Kei landed lightly, flicking his wrist, dismissing the claws as if they were nothing. "See?" He dusted off his clothes. "Much easier when you¡¯re not forcing it." ¡°I don¡¯t even have a wind claw skill, but if you know how to work with your Force Alignment, the more creative you can be in its execution,¡± Kei stated matter-of-factly. Kai stared at him, still trying to process what he had just witnessed. ¡°How did you even reach that conclusion?¡± Kei shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s the natural conclusion, really. We¡¯re told what our Force Alignment is when we come into this world. So far, using our Force is more like replicating the natural function of the world itself. So it only makes sense to listen, follow, and be guided by the world and its energy source¡ªAether.¡± Kai barely had time to absorb that before Kei tilted his head slightly, eyes flicking toward the charging Fellhorn. ¡°Heads up¡ªit¡¯s coming back.¡± Kai barely had a moment to process Kei¡¯s words before the Stormbringer Fellhorn recovered, its silver-blue wool crackling with renewed energy. The beast pawed at the ground, a deep growl rumbling from its throat as storm-charged Aether swirled violently around its horns. Kei sighed, adjusting his stance. ¡°You still thinking? I literally just told you it¡¯s coming back.¡± Kai snapped out of his daze, gripping his spear tighter. He inhaled sharply, this time feeling his Aether¡ªas an extension of himself. His Adrenaline Force surged naturally, flowing through his body without resistance. The Fellhorn lunged. Kai didn¡¯t think¡ªhe moved. His reflexes were sharper, more instinctual. The moment the beast was upon him, he sidestepped, barely grazing past its lightning-infused horns. His spear lashed out. WHAM! The tip struck true, slicing into the creature¡¯s side just as it barrelled past him. The Fellhorn staggered slightly, bleating in fury as arcs of electricity discharged into the air. Kai wasn¡¯t done. Instead of retreating, he pressed forward. He shifted his grip, twisting his body as his Adrenaline Force synced perfectly with his movement. His spear blurred, infused with controlled Aether. It moved with him, rather than resisting his intent. The Fellhorn spun back around, static Aether surging around its horns as it prepared a devastating charge. Kai exhaled. ¡°Alright... let¡¯s try this.¡± Following Kei¡¯s instructions, he let go. Not of his weapon. Not of his stance. But of control. Instead of directing his Aether with sheer willpower, he simply let it flow. The moment the Fellhorn launched forward, he reacted before it struck. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. He spun to the side, spear shifting as his Adrenaline Force flowed through his body, free. His next strike wasn¡¯t just fast¡ªit was inevitable. CRACK! The spear connected directly with the creature¡¯s charging momentum, magnifying the force behind the impact. The sound of thunder clapped through the dungeon as the Fellhorn stumbled, its own Aether briefly thrown into disarray. Kei smirked from the side, arms crossed. ¡°See? Now that¡¯s more like it.¡± Then, he turned his gaze to Talia. ¡°What are you waiting for? He¡¯s going to die if we leave him alone.¡± Talia hesitated. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to teach me how to use Mirage Force better?¡± Kei scoffed. ¡°How would I? I don¡¯t know anything about mirages.¡± He waved a hand vaguely. ¡°Think of light, water, distortions in perception. Try different senses¡ªsight, sound, maybe even temperature. I don¡¯t know what to tell you. But the same Aether control should apply. Be creative¡ªbefore he¡¯s speared through.¡± Gritting her teeth, Talia took a deep breath and adjusted her Aether flow, relinquishing the rigid structure the system had imposed on her skills. The moment she did, her Mirage Force surged naturally into the environment, blending with the world instead of forcing itself upon it. Meanwhile, Kai was struggling. His new approach to Aether control had bought him time, but it wasn¡¯t a game-changer¡ªnot yet. He was lasting longer than before when he relied on the system alone, but it was clear the Stormbringer Fellhorn had had enough. Aether surged violently through its horns, crackling with electricity as it charged straight at Kai, intending to end the fight with a decisive blow. And then¡ªstrangely¡ªit veered off course. Kai blinked, startled. The Fellhorn sheep let out an enraged bleat, its eyes darting wildly in confusion. It swayed slightly, trying to correct itself, but its charge had already been thrown into disarray. Talia smirked. ¡°Oh¡­ that actually worked.¡± Kei grinned. ¡°See? Told you. Be creative.¡± Kei watched from a short distance, already moving to prepare something in secret while Kai and Talia fought. His Phantom Breeze skill kept him unnoticed, allowing him to work undisturbed. ¡°Now while you two do that, I¡¯ma try making something to help bring down the big guy. Be sure to not die too soon,¡± he called out, his voice light, almost teasing. Befuddled by his words, neither Kai nor Talia had time to respond. The Stormbringer Fellhorn was growing more violent, its electric current crackling with an unpredictable fury. The very air hummed with power, violent winds whipping around the battlefield, and the storm only seemed to intensify the more damage they inflicted. Kei crouched low, pulling out a bundle of plants he had gathered earlier. His eyes scanned them, sorting through the various herbs and reagents he had identified for potential uses. He had been testing different combinations to create basic healing salves¡ªbut now, it was time to do the opposite. A few of these plants had numbing properties, particularly the deep red one he had found near a riverbank. If mixed correctly, it could work as a localized anesthetic. Another plant, a sickly purple one, had mild paralytic effects¡ªenough to slow down an opponent¡¯s movements if applied directly to the bloodstream. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ numbing, paralysis¡­ yeah, that should do.¡± Kei muttered to himself, working quickly. He crushed the selected plants, mixing them together with a bit of water from his canteen, creating a paste-like substance. He needed a method of application, though. If he could coat arrows with it¡­ Perfect. Kei smeared the mixture onto the remaining arrows, infusing them with his own Aether to enhance their effectiveness. The concoction alone would take time to take effect, but if he combined it with force-infused projectiles, it could bypass the sheep¡¯s natural resistance much faster. Meanwhile, Kai and Talia were fighting with everything they had¡ªbut the battle was slipping out of their control. Talia¡¯s Mirage Force had become sharper, creating more convincing afterimages, disorienting the Stormbringer Fellhorn more effectively than before. But it wasn¡¯t enough. The chaotic, storm-infused winds disrupted her distortions, making it harder to keep them stable. She was pushing herself to the limit just to keep up. Kai, for all his newfound control, was struggling. His spear strikes were still fast and powerful, but each blow he landed barely seemed to slow the creature down. His adrenaline-fueled movements were keeping him alive, but the electric charge surging through the air was wearing him down. Then¡ª BAAAAAAAAAAA! A violent blast of wind and electricity surged outward. Kai and Talia were sent flying, crashing into the ground, unable to react in time. Sparks danced over their bodies, numbing their limbs. Their bodies twitched as the residual charge coursed through them. They weren¡¯t getting back up anytime soon. The Stormbringer Fellhorn saw its chance. It pawed at the ground, arcs of lightning crackling along its hooves. Its horns surged with power, building up for a devastating charge¡ªone that would put an end to the two downed fighters. Then¡ª The creature faltered. Its balance wavered, its legs suddenly feeling weaker. It tried to take a step forward¡ªbut staggered. The orange glow of Aether-infused arrows pulsed in its legs, embedded deep. And this time, it couldn¡¯t just ignore the damage. The numbing poison was taking effect. A slow, creeping loss of control spread through its limbs, dulling its reactions, slowing its movements. The creature let out a confused, angry bleat, its glowing white eyes narrowing as it searched for the source of this new attack. Standing on top of a broken tree trunk, Kei twirled his makeshift staff lazily, the same pulsing orange veins running through it as the arrows buried in the sheep¡¯s legs. He grinned. ¡°Figured you''d be the stubborn type,¡± he said. ¡°Would¡¯ve been easier if you just went down the first time.¡± The sheep locked onto him, electricity sparking dangerously across its wool. Kei¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°C¡¯mon then. Let¡¯s dance.¡± Beyond infuriated, the Stormbringer Fellhorn Sheep roared, its body crackling with unstable arcs of electricity as it gathered every last ounce of its strength. The air around it howled, winds surging violently as the sheep summoned a violet storm. Its horns glowed with blinding intensity, and from their tips, a spiraling mass of condensed wind and lightning began to take form¡ªa storm-born tornado, growing more destructive with every passing second. The dungeon itself trembled under the pressure of the force being unleashed. The air thickened with raw energy, and arcs of lightning lashed out from the forming vortex, scorching the surrounding trees and stone. The sheep was done playing. It had endured enough. It was ready to end everything. Then¡ª Something changed. The winds, once fully under its control, suddenly began to shift. The spiraling gusts, the raging currents¡ªthey wavered, hesitated, and then¡­ began to move unnaturally. Not towards the sheep. Towards Kei. The massive storm that had once gathered around the sheep now spiraled, drifting subtly, as if drawn by another force. The violent winds obeyed something else. Someone else. And for the first time in this entire battle¡ªthe sheep hesitated. Its glowing white eyes widened in alarm. Kei chuckled, twirling his staff lazily in his hand. ¡°Heh¡­ there¡¯s a blue monkey out there that had the same reaction on its face as the one you have now.¡± Without another word, he struck forward. The sheep barely reacted in time, sluggish from the numbing poison still coursing through its system. Its movements were forced, its steps uneven. Still, it tried to retaliate, surging its lightning outward in an effort to force Kei back. But Kei didn¡¯t stop. His staff moved fluidly, almost effortlessly, weaving through the storm-charged battlefield. Every strike landed with precision, targeting joints, weak spots, and pressure points hidden beneath the thick wool. The sheep staggered, bleating in frustration as it struggled to maintain control over the raging elements. Then, as Kei dodged another desperate blast of lightning, he shifted. Calling upon the Zephyr Force within the air, he willed the wind to gather at his fingertips. It answered him almost eagerly, forming sharp, invisible blades. Kei grinned. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he lashed out¡ª Wind Blades. The razor-sharp currents slashed through the air, blending seamlessly with the storm the sheep had summoned. They rode the creature¡¯s own wind currents, merging with its storm and turning its own power against it. The effect was immediate. The wool that had once been a powerful insulator, protecting the sheep from outside attacks, was stripped away. Sheared clean off in real time. The Stormbringer Fellhorn thrashed, its body exposed to the elements, to the very storm it had once controlled. Its strength was waning. Kei didn¡¯t let up. He moved with the wind, shifting seamlessly from one strike to the next, pushing the creature further and further into desperation. Every movement, every gust of wind, every surge of Aether bent to his will. The sheep had lost control. And it knew it. Taking inspiration from the wind blades, Zephyr Force surged around the staff in Kei¡¯s hands, shifting from an ethereal blue to a burning orange as it merged with his own Aether. The weapon vibrated with power, the fusion of forces amplifying each swing, turning what was once a simple reinforced branch into something far more dangerous. Kei¡¯s strikes became sharper, heavier¡ªevery impact carving through the Stormbringer Fellhorn¡¯s defenses with ease. The once-imposing beast, a walking tempest of wind and lightning, now found itself struggling to keep up. It was losing. And it knew it. Desperate, the sheep made a final gambit. Lightning surged through its horns, forming a dense, protective barrier around its body¡ªa last-ditch effort to deter Kei from closing in. A wall of electric fury. But there was a problem. For the first time since it had been born, the storm no longer belonged to it. The electric currents, once wild and untamed, refused to obey. It needed Aether to maintain the barrier. And Aether was leaving it. Piece by piece, its control was being stripped away. The realization struck as hard as the blows landing against its body. It wasn¡¯t Kei taking its Aether away. Aether was willingly following Kei instead. The storm it had commanded for so long had found a new master. Kei noticed the shift and smiled. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s gotta suck for you.¡± His body blurred into motion. Darting in close, he weaved through the collapsing storm barrier and drove his staff into the sheep¡¯s legs, sweeping them out from under it. The beast bleated in distress, tumbling sideways, its large form crashing onto the dungeon floor. Blood sprayed in thick arcs, staining the ground as Kei followed up with a relentless flurry of strikes, each one cutting away at its strength, breaking it down piece by piece. The sheep tried to rise. Tried to summon its storm once more. But the wind refused. The Aether refused. Kei¡¯s smirk widened as he adjusted his grip. ¡°And that¡¯s checkmate.¡± The Stormbringer Fellhorn gave one last, shuddering breath¡ª SPLASH. The sensation of thick liquid rushing down its throat caused its body to jolt in confusion. Aether flared. Its injuries stopped worsening. Its body no longer felt weak. Instead, a strange warmth spread through its limbs¡ªlike a fire sparking to life inside its core. Kei pulled back, holding up an empty vial that had once contained a healing potion. Except it wasn¡¯t potion inside. It was his blood. He rocked on his heels, hands on his hips, beaming. ¡°First the Black Fellhorn, now a Stormbringer? I really need to start keeping track.¡± Clearly, before heading out and leaving Hachi and Zeph to their own devices, Kei had learned something peculiar¡ªsomething that defied the natural order of things. Whenever a creature consumed his blood, it was as if they had ingested a heavenly elixir. Their strength surged. Their Aether aligned more naturally. Their abilities sharpened as if they had undergone years of refinement in mere moments. But that wasn¡¯t the strange part. The strange part was what Kei himself received in return. If someone had told him outright that he would benefit from feeding his blood to other creatures, he would¡¯ve laughed, called them insane, and promptly ignored the nonsense. Except¡ªhe had seen it. He had felt it. It wasn¡¯t just them changing. It was him too. And he enjoyed it. Shaking the thought away, Kei turned his attention back to Kai and Talia, quickly clearing his hands of any remaining numbing poison. He pulled out his healing salves and began tending to their injuries, working swiftly and efficiently. The Stormbringer Fellhorn lay nearby, watching him. Confused. As if itself unsure of why it was still alive. It wasn¡¯t the only one confused. The rest of the group had been watching Kei¡¯s actions in stunned silence, their minds trying to piece together the logic behind what they were witnessing. Reese broke the silence. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to kill it?¡± Kei didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°It¡¯s behaving now.¡± Talia¡¯s expression twisted in disbelief. ¡°Behaving?! Kei, it almost killed us. It took everything we had just to bring it down.¡± Kei finally glanced back at the sheep, as if considering her words. ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like it wants to fight anymore,¡± he said simply. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll cause any more trouble.¡± His casual dismissal of their concerns left the group utterly staggered. It wasn¡¯t just reckless¡ªit was absurd. And at least one person in the group wasn¡¯t about to accept it. Owen. With a grunt, Owen pushed himself to his feet, his body battered and bruised but still fueled by lingering adrenaline. He clenched his fists, his gaze dark as he reached for his sword. Aether surged. A skill activated. His blade gleamed with raw, lethal energy. Kei, now finished with his first aid, noticed. His expression did not change. FWOOSH. A bone projectile whizzed through the air, striking Owen¡¯s weapon and knocking it clean from his grasp. The metallic clang of the sword hitting the dungeon floor was the only sound in the sudden, suffocating silence. Owen whipped his head around, furious. ¡°WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOI¡ª¡± His voice cut off. His breath hitched. Because the usual easygoing, smug expression on Kei¡¯s face? Was gone. And in its place¡ª Glowing. Burning. Orange eyes bore into him. The heat of them was suffocating. They weren¡¯t filled with anger. Nor were they filled with rage. No. They were calm. Too calm. Unnaturally calm. Like a person who had already decided on something. Like a person who was simply waiting to see if you¡¯d push him far enough to act. A chill crawled up Owen¡¯s spine. He did not move. Chapter 37 Everyone was genuinely stunned by the sudden shift in Kei¡¯s demeanor. Even the sheep. It lay there, barely able to move, staring at him as if caught in the same spell of confusion that had gripped the others. They all stared at him, processing what had just happened. Why would he react so strongly over saving a creature that had been moments away from killing them all? Talia was the first to break the tense silence. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you?¡± she asked, suspicion lacing her voice. ¡°We¡¯re in a dungeon. We¡¯re supposed to kill that creature.¡± She expected a sharp retort. A reason. Something. But Kei said nothing. Even though his back was turned to her, she could feel his presence. His gaze¡ªthat piercing, unreadable weight that pressed against her, despite not looking at her directly. The hairs on her arms stood on end. Reese, seemingly the only one who had put something together, exhaled slowly. ¡°Kinda makes more sense now.¡± The group turned to him, confused. Reese adjusted his glasses, his expression neutral but thoughtful. ¡°Back then, after every creature we killed, he always did that gesture¡ªalmost like a silent prayer.¡± The realization dawned on them. Kei had been doing it this entire time. They had been so caught up in combat¡ªin survival¡ªthat they hadn¡¯t questioned it. They had assumed it was just a weird habit. A ritual of sorts. But now? Reese¡¯s tone was unreadable as he continued. ¡°I ignored it because, frankly, your reasons weren¡¯t my business. I left you to your own vices.¡± But now it was their business. Owen, still tense from the unspoken warning Kei had just given him, swallowed down his frustration and forced himself to speak. ¡°Do you understand what it is you¡¯re doing?¡± Kei still didn¡¯t answer. Owen gritted his teeth. ¡°It¡¯s either us or that creature.¡± And finally, Kei turned around. Kei repeated the secondary objective to the group, his voice calm but firm. He completely ignored the realization of his actions that had dawned on them moments ago, as well as Owen¡¯s question. Instead, he pressed forward. ¡°You barely survived against this Fellhorn. What makes you think you¡¯d survive against the boss of this dungeon?¡± His words settled over them like a cold reality check. Kai, as if coming to a sudden realization, narrowed his eyes. ¡°The relic... That¡¯s what you¡¯re after.¡± Owen, still not understanding, frowned. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Kai turned toward him, his expression serious. ¡°Remember, this was supposed to be a moderate dungeon, but something changed it to hard difficulty. That change also gave us a secondary objective¡ªto locate a relic. If we fail, we risk fighting a dungeon boss that¡¯s more difficult than it should be.¡± Owen¡¯s expression twisted as he processed what Kai was saying. ¡°Wait¡­ So other than protecting that Fellhorn¡¯s life, you¡¯re saying Kei is hoping it can lead us to the relic?¡± Kai nodded. ¡°Like he said, we barely survived against that thing.¡± He motioned toward the still-weakened Stormbringer Fellhorn. ¡°If the boss is even stronger than it should be, our deaths are more than guaranteed.¡± Silence. A heavy silence. And in the center of it, Kei stood there, watching them all. Kei returned to the sheep, placing his hand on its thick, static-charged wool. The Stormbringer Fellhorn shivered beneath his touch, instincts screaming at it to flee, but it quickly calmed as if sensing Kei¡¯s lack of hostility. The others watched cautiously, still unsure about his reasoning. Kei, however, spoke as if the sheep would understand. ¡°Hey buddy, we¡¯re looking for a relic here in this dungeon. You wouldn¡¯t happen to know where it is, would you?¡± He patted the creature gently. The Fellhorn¡¯s ears flicked, its glowing white eyes scanning Kei, then the others. It hesitated, almost as if contemplating the request. Kei crouched beside the Stormbringer Fellhorn, patting its still-trembling form as it let out another weak, mournful bleat. ¡°Huh? Oh, your body¡¯s still numb?¡± Kei blinked in mock surprise, his expression the very picture of innocence. ¡°Weird how that happened. Wonder who could¡¯ve done that.¡± The others just stared. Talia crossed her arms. ¡°You¡¯re a terrible liar.¡± Ignoring her, Kei reached into his collection of plants and herbs, pulling out a few he had marked for reducing numbness and paralysis. He quickly applied them to the sheep¡¯s legs, rubbing the mixture in while humming to himself. The Fellhorn shuddered, a faint spark of energy returning to its limbs. Its movements became steadier, its footing regained. Kei nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Word of advice from a doctor¡ªalways make sure you have a cure for the poisons you create. You never know when you¡¯ll need it.¡± The sheep stared at him, perhaps contemplating what kind of twisted lunatic would poison something and then cure it just to ask for help. Then¡ª It let out a low, resigned baaaaa and began to move. Kei¡¯s grin stretched. ¡°Oh? You do know something.¡± The rest of the group stared. Talia let out a long, suffering sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°¡­Are we seriously following a sheep?¡± Kai exhaled, running a hand down his face. ¡°This is our life now, huh?¡± Reese muttered under his breath. ¡°Strangely¡­ this feels on-brand for whatever this guy is.¡± Owen, still doubtful, lowered his guard slightly. He shot Kei a glance, then the Stormbringer Fellhorn, before finally giving in and choosing to follow. Not like there was much choice in the matter. As they followed the Fellhorn deeper into the dungeon, Kei spoke casually, as if none of this was out of the ordinary. ¡°Ever since the secondary objective popped up, I¡¯ve been using the wind to scout for the relic.¡± He gestured vaguely. ¡°I noticed a few odd areas, but before that, I saw this Fellhorn on its own¡ªwandering, as if abandoned.¡± The group listened intently, curious about what he had pieced together. ¡°While you guys were fighting it, I scouted a bit further,¡± Kei continued, ¡°and I sensed a unique Aether signature from the path it came from. I don¡¯t know much about dungeons, but I ventured a guess¡ªthat¡¯s where we should be heading. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. He turned his gaze to the Fellhorn, still grinning. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, buddy?¡± The Stormbringer Fellhorn, resigned to its fate, let out another low, tired bleat. And with that, they followed the Stormbringer Fellhorn deeper into the dungeon¡¯s depths. As they trekked through the dungeon, an eerie silence settled over them. No creatures. No ambushes. Nothing. At first, it was unsettling, but it became painfully obvious why¡ªthey had a Stormbringer Fellhorn walking alongside them. Any lesser creature would think twice before picking a fight with something that exuded enough Aether to fry a squad of adventurers. More than that, however, the group kept throwing sideways glances at Kei. Back when he mentioned sensing a unique Aether signature ahead, they had assumed it wasn¡¯t too far off. Yet here they were¡ªstill walking¡ªand the signature had yet to come into view. Just how far could this guy sense Aether? Even Reese, whose Vector Force was tied heavily to calculations and angles, found himself reevaluating everything he thought he knew about perception. Owen, still processing everything from earlier, eventually spoke. ¡°You really sensed something all the way from back there?¡± Kei nodded. ¡°Pretty sure.¡± Owen hummed, ¡°Guess it makes sense. You¡¯ve been ahead of us this whole time.¡± Kai exhaled. ¡°I don¡¯t think any of us expected you to have scouting abilities on top of everything else.¡± Even Reese, skeptical as he was, muttered, ¡°That range is insane.¡± Kei grinned. ¡°I get that a lot.¡± At the very least, the long trip gave them time to recuperate. Healing potions had been used sparingly, and their wounds had started to properly close up. Then, Reese turned to Kei, curiosity evident. ¡°Come to think of it, you used some sort of paste to treat our injuries. Why not just use healing potions?¡± Kei shrugged. ¡°I ran out.¡± Reese raised a brow. ¡°Then why not buy more?¡± Kei scratched the back of his head, looking vaguely sheepish. ¡°¡­I¡¯m broke.¡± Silence. Talia stared at him. ¡°You¡¯re telling me the guy who took down a Stormbringer Fellhorn, throws bones like a damn sniper, and apparently has god-tier Aether control¡­ is broke?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± Kei said without a hint of shame. Kai sighed, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re an anomaly.¡± Then¡ª Kei suddenly halted. The group followed suit, instantly on alert. His eyes flickered as he scanned the air around them, his Breeze Force extending outward, tasting the flow of Aether. His voice dropped. ¡°We should be getting close. Prepare yourselves.¡± The others tightened their grips on their weapons. Kei¡¯s smirk widened slightly. ¡°The Fellhorns up ahead¡­ they don¡¯t seem all that friendly.¡± As if agreeing, the Stormbringer Fellhorn let out a low, mournful bleat. A sound of sad understanding. Then¡ª The first set of glowing eyes flickered in the darkness ahead. The air was thick with tension. A herd of Fellhorns stood before them, their postures rigid, hooves scraping against the dungeon¡¯s rocky terrain. Their hostility was clear, but something about the Stormbringer Fellhorn¡¯s presence made them hesitate. A silent standoff. The Stormbringer Fellhorn took a measured step forward, crackling energy dancing along its silver-blue wool. The other Fellhorns flinched, uncertain, yet refusing to back down completely. The group stood frozen, waiting for what would happen next. Then¡ª A sharp cry. "BAAAAAA!" The sound came from behind them. The entire group turned, eyes widening at what they saw. A Shadowmane Fellhorn¡ªdistinguished by its dark grey wool, sharp, curved horns, and unnaturally silent movements¡ªwas staggering, one of its legs buckling under its own weight. Blood pooled beneath it. A bone projectile was embedded deep in the bark of a nearby tree, and a clean hole ran straight through the Fellhorn¡¯s leg. The group turned, as one, to look at Kei. Who, at that moment, was still twirling another bone projectile in his fingers. His expression? Utterly blank. ¡°¡­Huh,¡± Kei muttered, flicking the projectile into the air before catching it again. ¡°Figured that one was trying something.¡± Silence. Talia slowly inhaled, then let out a sharp exhale through her nose. ¡°¡­Trying what?¡± Kai¡¯s grip tightened around his spear. ¡°You want to explain before we all get gored to death?¡± Kei shrugged, spinning the projectile between his fingers. ¡°It was creeping up on us. Looked like it was about to lunge, so I threw something at it.¡± Reese, rubbing his temples, muttered, ¡°¡­Do you just¡­ casually notice these things?¡± Owen, now eyeing the growing hostility of the herd, kept his focus on the immediate problem. Because the Fellhorns, now seeing one of their own wounded, had just reached a very clear decision. Their bodies tensed. Their Aether surged. The hesitation they once had? Now completely gone. One of them snorted, stamping its hoof against the ground. Another lowered its head, horns crackling as Aether gathered. Then, in the span of a single breath¡ª They charged. Several sharp cracks echoed through the air¡ªa concussive symphony of precise, lethal strikes. One after another, several Fellhorns collapsed, their bodies crashing onto the dungeon¡¯s rocky floor, holes cleanly punctured through their skulls. The remaining Fellhorns froze, their anger and hostility dying just as swiftly as it had flared. The entire group turned again, their eyes snapping toward Kei. He was standing still, head slightly bowed, his hands pressed together in a silent prayer. The Stormbringer Fellhorn, despite its wounds, watched the scene unfold, its ears twitching in response to Kei¡¯s strange, almost ritualistic behavior. Kei finished his prayer with a slow, deliberate exhale. Then, lifting his gaze, he fixed his blank, unreadable stare on the remaining Fellhorns. His next words weren¡¯t loud. But in the absolute silence that followed his display of overwhelming force, they carried weight. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time to waste here.¡± His tone was calm. Matter-of-fact. And yet¡ª Every single Fellhorn in the vicinity stiffened as if it could feel something shifting in the air. Kei continued. "I don¡¯t enjoy taking a life. But one way or another, we¡¯re taking that relic. The only question is¡­¡± He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping just a fraction. ¡°Will you still be alive by the time we walk away with it?¡± The wind howled through the dungeon. And the Fellhorns shuddered. Walking past the group along with the Stormwind Fellhorn, Kei approached the relic, his gaze locked onto the Crown of the First Storm resting atop a raised stone pedestal. As his hand reached out, the Stormwind Fellhorn let out a low, mournful bleat, its body tense as if recognizing something lost to time¡ªsomething rightfully its. Then¡ª A System Notification appeared before them. Kei paused, narrowing his eyes at the last notification. "So we can¡¯t take it with us?" The rest of the group stepped closer, their eyes drawn to the Crown of the First Storm, its woven lightning pulsing with untamed energy. Even without touching it, they could feel the power humming in the air, static crackling in rhythmic surges. ¡°Figures,¡± Reese muttered, crossing his arms. ¡°A relic that lets you control an entire species? No way the system lets us just walk out with it.¡± Talia frowned, arms folding. ¡°Then what do we do? The whole point of this was to complete the dungeon.¡± Owen, now standing and fully recovered, studied the system notifications. ¡°The objective was to find the relic, not necessarily take it. Maybe just activating it is enough?¡± Before anyone could respond¡ª A deep, resounding BAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH echoed through the chamber, shaking the cavern walls. The remaining Fellhorns, the ones that had stood against them, suddenly stepped back. The tension in the air shifted. Their heads lowered¡ªnot in hostility, but in submission. The Stormwind Fellhorn stepped forward, its wool crackling with lightning¡ªbut something was different this time. The electricity that had once surged wildly through its body now pulsed in controlled waves. Kei¡¯s brows lifted. ¡°Huh.¡± Talia barely had time to process what was happening when the air in the chamber suddenly shifted. The momentary warmth from the lightning-infused Fellhorn was snuffed out, replaced by a suffocating, bone-deep chill. Then¡ª A deep, unnatural cold surged through the cavern, crystallizing the ground in a spreading wave of frost. Their breaths fogged instantly, mist escaping from their lips as the air itself seemed to freeze around them. Then¡ªit emerged. From the depths of the cavern, a colossal Fellhorn stepped forward, its entire body cloaked in ice-laced fur, glowing an eerie cerulean blue. Its massive curved horns were jagged and sharp, encased in permafrost, exuding an overwhelming cold aura that sent violent shivers through the group. Its eyes¡ªpale, glowing orbs devoid of warmth¡ª locked onto them. It exhaled¡ª A howling blizzard erupted from its maw, swallowing the chamber in a spiraling storm of ice and cutting winds. The cavern walls froze over instantly, thick layers of ice creeping outward, as if the dungeon itself was bending to its dominion. Owen staggered back, gripping his sword as the ice began to slow his movements. ¡°My legs¡ªshit, I¡¯m freezing up!¡± Kai clenched his fists, rubbing his arms as frost clung to his skin. ¡°Damn it, this is bad! If we stay here too long, we¡¯re gonna be frozen solid!¡± Reese pulled an arrow from his quiver, eyes locked on the towering Fellhorn. ¡°We hit it fast, or we¡¯re done.¡± Talia exhaled sharply, her breath escaping in wisps of frost. "Yeah, well, unless you got fire arrows in that quiver, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that simple." Kei, despite the overwhelming cold, grinned. His orange-veined staff rested loosely in his grip, his eyes flickering with an almost giddy amusement. ¡°Heh,¡± he muttered, cracking his knuckles, his breath curling into the frozen air. ¡°This is gonna be fun.¡± The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn lowered its head. Kei descended from above, his grin wide as blood already ran down his arm, dripping freely. ¡°First thing first,¡± he murmured, eyes practically glowing in excitement. Then¡ªhe pressed his bleeding hand directly onto the Frost Tyrant Fellhorn¡¯s icy mouth. A chill surged through his palm, but he didn¡¯t care. ¡°My benefits¡ªhehehehe.¡± His laughter was almost childlike, as if he were waking up on Christmas morning. ¡°Black sheep. Storm sheep.¡± He leaned in, whispering as if telling a secret. ¡°Now Frost sheep. Best. Day. Ever.¡± The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn¡¯s pale blue eyes widened as Kei¡¯s blood seeped into its system. It lurched, staggering, its icy aura flickering unsteadily, veins pulsing as the overwhelming rush of Aether flooded its body. Then¡ªits body convulsed. Aether surged violently. It reared up, letting out an earth-shaking, frenzied bleat¡ªa sound that sent splintering ice shards flying in every direction. The dungeon itself seemed to shudder. Then¡ªit flung Kei off. He was already midair, tumbling casually, as if he expected that reaction. "Alright, Storm Sheep!" Kei called out as he flipped through the air. "This is your fight! You better win since you have that relic!" The Stormwind Fellhorn, which had been stunned by Kei¡¯s earlier antics, snapped its attention back to the Frost Tyrant. Its lightning-crackling wool bristled. The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn, still reeling from the foreign Aether surge, locked eyes with the Stormwind Fellhorn. The temperature in the cavern plummeted even further. A storm of lightning and a blizzard of frost clashed in the air, raging against each other as if the dungeon itself was about to split in two. Then¡ª A bestial roar erupted from both of them. The battle of kings began. Chapter 38 The Stormwind Fellhorn and Frost Tyrant Fellhorn locked gazes, their sheer presence warping the dungeon around them. Lightning crackled. Frost surged. Aether churned violently, the air itself resisting as if unable to contain the opposing storms. Then¡ª They charged. The Stormwind Fellhorn lunged first, its horns crackling with pure lightning, arcs of electricity dancing across the air as it closed the distance in a single breath. The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn didn¡¯t retreat. Instead, it exhaled. A howling blizzard erupted from its maw, swallowing the battlefield in a raging storm of ice. The cavern walls cracked and froze, jagged spires of permafrost surging upward like a frozen wasteland coming to life. The Stormwind Fellhorn didn¡¯t stop. Its hooves slammed into the ground, its form flickering with raw speed as it rode the currents of the wind, dodging between the frozen spires. Then¡ªit struck. A devastating lightning-infused headbutt crashed directly into the Frost Tyrant¡¯s side, sending a shockwave of Aether through the chamber. The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn grunted, staggering under the impact¡ªbut it refused to yield. Its frost-coated horns pulsed, absorbing the residual electricity, turning the very shockwave meant to damage it into fuel. Then¡ªa retaliatory strike. It twisted its massive frame, its horns glowing with an eerie blue-white light, and slammed a brutal counter-headbutt into the Stormwind Fellhorn¡¯s chest. CRACK. The Stormwind Fellhorn skidded backward, its legs sinking slightly into the rapidly freezing ground. Frost spread up its hooves. [Status Effect: Frostbite Imminent] The Frost Tyrant exhaled once more, summoning another blizzard, this time laced with piercing ice spears, launching them with the force of ballista bolts. The Stormwind Fellhorn reacted instantly. With a howling cry, its horns surged with Storm Force, calling upon the winds of the tempest itself. The blizzard¡¯s trajectory twisted, the winds betraying the Frost Tyrant as its own ice spears were redirected, some shattering midair, others hurtling toward its own body. The Frost Tyrant roared in frustration, activating its Glacial Dominion. The dungeon itself seemed to obey its will, the very floor turning into a shifting glacier, trying to trap the Stormwind Fellhorn in solid ice. But the Stormwind Fellhorn had no intention of being caged. It leaped. With lightning surging through its body, it rode the very winds of the dungeon itself, escaping the frost-covered deathtrap below. Then¡ª Lightning gathered. The Stormwind Fellhorn¡¯s entire body became a living conduit, its horns glowing white-hot as it poured every ounce of its power into a single, ultimate strike. The Frost Tyrant, sensing the danger, charged its own final attack. Its glacial horns became massive jagged ice lances, an entire blizzard condensing into a single point, prepared to erase everything in its path. Then¡ª Impact. Aether exploded outward. A shockwave tore through the chamber, the very dungeon walls fracturing as raw energy rippled like a storm and a blizzard had become one. Then¡ª The shockwave rippled outward, shaking the cavern walls and forcing the group to brace themselves. Kei remained standing, his arms crossed, watching the fight unfold with an amused grin. The others weren¡¯t nearly as composed. Reese had his hood pulled up, his entire body tense as the freezing winds lashed at them. ¡°That¡¯s not normal. That¡¯s not normal at all.¡± Owen was gripping his sword, his knuckles white. ¡°Are we just supposed to stand here and¡ªhope one of them wins?¡± Kai exhaled, his breath escaping in a mist. ¡°At this point? Yeah. I don¡¯t think we¡¯re surviving if we step in.¡± Talia shuddered, hugging herself for warmth. ¡°They¡¯re not just fighting, they¡¯re warping the damn dungeon itself. If we step in there, we¡¯ll get ripped apart before we can blink.¡± Another shockwave erupted, sending out twin pulses of storm and frost, splitting the cavern in two. On one side¡ªlightning surged like a raging tempest, currents dancing chaotically as the Stormwind Fellhorn roared, its hooves crackling against the frozen ground. On the other¡ªcold crept outward in a spiraling storm of ice, jagged permafrost encasing everything in its reach, spreading like an infectious curse from the Frost Tyrant Fellhorn. They collided once more. A blur of motion. The Stormwind Fellhorn twisted midair, its body flickering between solid and lightning¡ªa living storm. Its horns gleamed with raw energy, charged beyond its limit as it prepared another strike. But the Frost Tyrant didn¡¯t waver. It lowered its body, bracing itself, horns glowing an eerie blue, freezing the very space around them. The air screeched as reality itself bent under the sheer force of the condensed Glacial Dominion. Then¡ªthey clashed. The impact tore the ground apart. Reese staggered back. ¡°Holy shit¡ª¡± Owen shielded his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not a fight¡ªthat¡¯s a war.¡± The Stormwind Fellhorn was faster¡ªit had the edge in sheer mobility, darting in and out of the battlefield, landing precise strikes before disappearing into the storm. But the Frost Tyrant was relentless. It endured. No matter how much lightning scorched its icy coat, it pressed forward. Its body regenerated, ice reforming faster than the damage it took. And then¡ªit did something unexpected. The Frost Tyrant let out a deep, guttural breath, and the blizzard around it vanished. Kei¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°?¡± The Stormwind Fellhorn hesitated. The battlefield had changed. The cold didn¡¯t disappear. It compressed. Aether twisted unnaturally as the glacial energy condensed into the Frost Tyrant¡¯s horns, becoming a swirling spear of absolute cold. The air shattered around it, space itself warping as the ice-honed power reached a singularity. The group felt it instantly. A new kind of death. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. A slow, creeping, inescapable kind. Talia¡¯s voice shook. ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s not just ice anymore.¡± Kai gritted his teeth. ¡°That¡¯s something worse.¡± Kei¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Now that¡¯s interesting.¡± The Frost Tyrant lowered its head. And then¡ª It charged. The world seemed to slow. The Stormwind Fellhorn recognized the danger. It didn¡¯t run. It didn¡¯t dodge. It met the charge head-on. Lightning and frost surged toward each other¡ª Then¡ª B O O M. The collision tore the dungeon apart. Walls fractured. The ground ruptured. The very dungeon ceiling cracked, sending shards of ice and rock tumbling downward. The group couldn¡¯t see. The sheer force of the impact blinded them, a wall of energy erupting outward, sending them staggering backward as if the dungeon itself was rejecting their presence. For a moment¡ªsilence. Then¡ªa deep rumble. The dust settled. And when the group finally regained their vision¡ª One Fellhorn remained standing. The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn wavered, a massive gash tearing across its body, frost and blood mixing together as it stumbled. It let out one final shuddering breath¡ª Then¡ª It collapsed. Silence. The Stormwind Fellhorn remained, standing tall, its horns still faintly crackling with residual electricity, its body heaving from exhaustion¡ªbut victorious. Kei clapped his hands. ¡°Well. That was fun.¡± The rest of the group just stared in a mixture of awe, exhaustion, and utter disbelief. ¡°¡­The hell did we just witness?¡± Reese finally asked. Kai exhaled. ¡°¡­I think we just saw two literal forces of nature go to war.¡± Talia rubbed her temples. ¡°We¡¯re alive. That¡¯s all that matters.¡± Owen groaned, resting against his sword. ¡°Yeah, but now what?¡± Making his way to the Stormwind Fellhorn, Kei patted its weary body, offering it a grin. ¡°I guess now you¡¯re the king of this place. Good job, buddy.¡± The Stormwind Fellhorn lifted its head weakly but proudly, letting out a soft, crackling bleat as if correcting him. Kei chuckled. ¡°Right, right. That¡¯s King Buddy to me, huh?¡± The group just stared at the exchange. Talia sighed. ¡°We¡¯re actually having a conversation with a sheep. This is our life now.¡± Kei ignored them, tossing another vial of his blood into the Stormwind Fellhorn¡¯s mouth. The creature drank it down eagerly, its wounds mending, Aether pulsing stronger within it. With that done, Kei turned his attention to the Frost Tyrant Fellhorn, still barely clinging to life. The massive beast lay collapsed on the icy floor, its breath slow, shallow. The once proud tyrant had fought until the very end, its body still radiating an aura of frozen majesty. Kei crouched beside it, placing a hand on its thick, frost-coated fur. The chill bit into his fingers, but he didn¡¯t pull away. ¡°You fought hard and well,¡± he muttered, voice quiet. ¡°Now, time to rest.¡± Then¡ªhe pulled out a final vial of his own blood. The group visibly tensed. Owen raised a hand. ¡°Kei. For the love of everything¡ªdo not.¡± But before anyone could stop him¡ªKei gently poured the blood into the Frost Tyrant¡¯s mouth. The effect was instantaneous. Aether surged. The air cracked, twisted. A violent fusion of frost and warmth pulsed through the chamber, distorting reality itself. The Frost Tyrant Fellhorn¡¯s body trembled violently. Its breathing grew heavier, its icy blue eyes fluttering open¡ªfilled not with malice, but with quiet acceptance. It let out one last breath, deep, steady. Then, slowly¡ªit lowered its head. A final exhale. Then, its massive body began to dissolve¡ªAether unraveling, fading into the dungeon itself. And then¡ªthe dungeon began to shift. Kai rubbed his face. ¡°¡­I give up trying to understand anything this guy does.¡± Talia groaned. ¡°Can we just go home now?¡± Reese sighed. ¡°I feel like asking ¡®what now?¡¯ would be a mistake.¡± Kei stretched, grinning ear to ear. Then¡ªthe system spoke. Kai glanced at Kei¡¯s status prompt, frowning slightly. ¡°S-rank? That¡¯s¡­ unexpected.¡± Talia furrowed her brows. ¡°I didn¡¯t even know there was an S-minus rank.¡± Reese examined his own rewards before shaking his head. ¡°Whatever. At least we got what we needed.¡± Owen, still stretching out his stiff limbs, muttered, ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s just take our rewards and go.¡± As the dungeon walls began to shimmer, signaling their imminent return to the outside world, Kei rolled his shoulders, inspecting his newly acquired skill. His grin widened. ¡°This was fun,¡± he muttered to himself, feeling the subtle shift in Aether as Tempest Convergence settled into his being. Then, turning to the Stormwind Fellhorn, he patted its wool. ¡°And you, King Buddy, don¡¯t go losing your throne too soon.¡± The creature let out a crackling bleat¡ªalmost in agreement¡ªbefore the world flashed white, and the dungeon vanished. They reappeared outside of the dungeon, worn and exhausted, ready to head back home. Kei, feeling that his time with this group had reached its natural conclusion, was already preparing to slip away using Phantom Breeze when something caught his attention. A truly bizarre scene played out before them. A Black Fellhorn Sheep, its marble-white horns glinting under the sunlight, was aggressively chasing a frantic man, who was running like his life depended on it. The group blinked. ¡°¡­Sam?¡± Talia said, her voice tinged with disbelief. The man, mid-sprint, turned toward them, his face twisted in pure terror. "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING? HELP ME! THIS SHEEP''S TRYING TO KILL ME!" Sam screamed, frantically dodging as the Black Fellhorn Sheep lunged at him, barely missing his legs. It was unclear whether the sheep was genuinely trying to kill him or just harass him out of pure spite. Kei, who had initially planned to leave, immediately locked on to the sheep. His entire demeanor shifted. His eyes darkened, his body tensed. The casual air around him evaporated in an instant. Without hesitation, he whipped his arm back, summoning a bone projectile, twirling it between his fingers with deadly intent. The group froze. "Kei, wait¡ª!" Talia didn''t even get to finish before Kei''s entire presence shifted into something ominous. The easygoing expression was gone. In its place, his narrowed eyes burned with purpose. His voice, usually carefree, dropped into a sharp, low growl. "What are you doing to my sheep, you bastard?" Sam, who had been too busy running for his life, didn¡¯t immediately register the words. Reese, seeing where this was going, panicked. "WAIT, WAIT, WAIT¡ªDON¡¯T SHOOT, THAT''S OUR FRIEND!" Kei didn¡¯t even glance at him. "MY SHEEP NEEDS ME." And with that, he pulled his arm back to throw the projectile. The entire group scrambled to stop him. Reese immediately tackled Kei from behind, locking his arms. Kai rushed forward, grabbing Kei¡¯s throwing hand. Owen, without hesitation, dropped his sword and held onto Kei¡¯s other arm. Talia stood off to the side, watching this entire disaster unfold, mentally debating if she wanted to intervene. "STOP HIM!" Reese grunted, struggling to hold onto Kei as the latter attempted to wrestle free. Kai was bewildered. "WHAT IS THIS STRENGTH?! WHY IS HE SO STRONG?!" Owen, barely managing to hold his grip, gritted his teeth. "HE¡¯S SERIOUSLY TRYING TO KILL HIM¡ª" Meanwhile, the Black Fellhorn Sheep and Sam had both paused, watching the chaotic wrestling match happening before them. For the first time, both of them agreed¡ªthis was strange as hell. The sheep tilted its head. Sam, still panting from running, stared at the scene before him. ¡°¡­What the actual hell am I looking at?" The group continued to struggle, their voices overlapping in chaotic desperation. "STOP MOVING!" "HE¡¯S STILL TRYING TO THROW IT¡ª" "I SWEAR TO GOD, KEI¡ª" At this point, Talia had given up. She simply sighed, rubbed her temples, and muttered, "I can''t believe I¡¯m a part of this mess." The Black Fellhorn Sheep let out a questioning baaaaah, looking at Kei as if reconsidering its choices. Sam, exhausted, waved his arms in frustration. ¡°Can someone PLEASE explain what¡¯s going on?!¡± Kei stopped struggling. His expression softened immediately. He turned to Sam, finally acknowledging him. "Oh. You¡¯re alive?" Sam¡¯s eye twitched violently. The group collectively sighed. It was going to be a long walk back home. Chapter 39 Confused by the whole thing, Sam couldn¡¯t keep his curiosity in check any longer. ¡°What the hell is happening? Where were you guys? Who¡¯s he? What¡¯s that sheep?¡± Sam¡¯s voice was an exhausted mixture of demand and exasperation. The group, knowing they owed him an explanation, took turns relaying everything that had happened. They explained how the dungeon had triggered unexpectedly due to five people being near, how they met Kei inside, and the series of brutal battles they endured. From the Stormbringer Fellhorn¡¯s emergence to the Frost Tyrant Fellhorn¡¯s overwhelming domain, they detailed every twist and turn. As they spoke, Kei¡ªwho had been standing slightly apart¡ªfelt something stir within him. Then, a system prompt flickered into view. Meanwhile, Sam was still trying to process everything. ¡°So you¡¯re telling me¡­ you fought a lightning-powered sheep, then a dungeon boss that turned the place into an ice age¡ª¡± Talia groaned, rubbing her temples. ¡°Yeah, basically.¡± Reese muttered, ¡°Strangely¡­ this feels on-brand for whatever this guy is.¡± Owen, now recovered, took a longer look at Wooloo. Unlike the Stormbringer Fellhorn, which crackled with raw, unstable lightning, this one held an eerie stillness¡ªlike the quiet before a tide shifts. Its black wool and marble-white horns gave it an otherworldly presence, its energy subtly pulsing in unseen rhythms. ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± Owen asked cautiously. Kei grinned. ¡°Meet Wooloo.¡± Unlike other Fellhorns, Wooloo embodies the push and pull of celestial and oceanic forces, shifting between calm serenity and overwhelming surges of pressure and gravity. Its horns, instead of being purely marble white, had a natural sheen, as if carved from solid stone, while its wool remained midnight black, absorbing the light around it subtly, making its form appear almost shifting in darkness. Kei, now sitting cross-legged next to Wooloo, casually tossed a bone projectile into the air and caught it between his fingers, twirling it absentmindedly. ¡°So,¡± Sam muttered, staring blankly. ¡°I almost died fighting that thing¡­ and now it¡¯s just standing there, letting him pet it?¡± ¡°Yep,¡± Reese confirmed. Owen shook his head. ¡°You get used to it.¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t think I will.¡± Kei, still focused on Wooloo, turned back to the group. ¡°Anyway! We¡¯re done here, right? Let''s head back.¡± Talia scowled. ¡°We just got out of a dungeon, and you already want to leave?¡± ¡°Do you want to sit around and watch the sheep?¡± Kei tilted his head. Talia opened her mouth, then closed it. ¡°¡­Let¡¯s go.¡± Sam crossed his arms, his expression sour. ¡°Wait a minute, don¡¯t you think you owe me an explanation for taking my dungeon spot? You should at least give me your dungeon rewards since you weren¡¯t even supposed to be there.¡± The rest of the group stiffened instantly. Reese and Kai exchanged nervous glances, already sensing something was about to go terribly wrong. Talia subtly inched away from Sam. Owen, however, did not move¡ªas if frozen in place by sheer secondhand dread. Kei stood there, motionless. His expression remained unreadable, as if he couldn¡¯t be bothered to even acknowledge Sam¡¯s complaints. And yet¡ª Kai¡¯s eyes flickered downward. A bone projectile was already twirling between Kei¡¯s fingers. A wave of pure survival instinct slammed into Kai like a freight train. He immediately stepped forward, hands raised, his voice strained with forced calm. ¡°H-Hey, Sam, buddy. You should probably just, uh¡­ let it go.¡± Sam scoffed, rolling his eyes. ¡°Why should I? This guy waltzed into our dungeon, took my spot, and now he¡¯s walking off with rewards he doesn¡¯t even need.¡± Talia took a sharp breath, glancing at Reese. Reese nodded slightly. Both of them flanked Sam, subtly positioning themselves between him and Kei. ¡°Listen, we all went through hell in there,¡± Reese said carefully. ¡°And we barely made it out alive. Maybe we should just¡ª¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The single word shattered the tension. Kei casually tossed his dungeon reward¡ªa weapon and armor set¡ªinto Sam¡¯s arms as if they were nothing more than trash. Everyone froze in shock. Even Wooloo, who had been standing nearby, let out an unimpressed bleat¡ªas if it, too, felt like Kei was being scammed. Sam blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before a wide grin spread across his face. ¡°Heh, now that¡¯s more like it.¡± The group stared in sheer disbelief. Then Kei spoke again. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that.¡± His voice was as calm as ever, but there was a laziness to it¡ªlike he was explaining something that should¡¯ve been obvious. ¡°You saw what I was able to do with just a tree branch and bones. If some trash wants to rely on gear he didn¡¯t earn just to stay alive, who am I to be selfish?¡± ¡°He clearly needs it more than me.¡± The silence was suffocating. Kai swallowed hard. Sam, however, was still completely oblivious. He smirked, fastening the armor onto himself. ¡°Hah, that¡¯s right. Better gear makes all the difference¡ª¡± CRACK. A bone projectile whizzed past Sam¡¯s face, embedding itself into the tree behind him. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. His breath hitched. A second later¡ª Another bone projectile grazed his ear, burying itself deep into the dirt. Sam froze. Kei, still twirling a third projectile, tilted his head slightly. His eyes¡ªburning orange with aether¡ªlocked onto Sam. ¡°Let¡¯s get one thing straight.¡± His voice was quiet, but it carried weight. ¡°I didn¡¯t give you that because I had to. I gave you that because it means nothing to me.¡± The air itself felt heavier. ¡°I don¡¯t need armor. I don¡¯t need weapons.¡± Kei¡¯s voice was eerily calm, as if he were stating a simple fact. ¡°I could kill you with a stick. Or maybe just my hands.¡± The third projectile flipped into the air, spinning before Kei effortlessly caught it. ¡°So don¡¯t assume you¡¯ve taken anything from me.¡± A chilling wind swept through the clearing. Even Wooloo stood perfectly still, its glowing horns flickering subtly as if acknowledging the shift in the atmosphere. Sam, now visibly sweating, took a slow step back. ¡°¡­R-Right. Uh. Thanks¡­ for the gear.¡± Kei let out a mockingly friendly hum. ¡°No problem. Enjoy.¡± Sam¡ªsensing his own mortality¡ªswiftly turned and walked away, doing his best to pretend he wasn¡¯t about to have a heart attack. Reese exhaled, rubbing his temples. ¡°That could¡¯ve gone so much worse.¡± Talia shook her head. ¡°No, you don¡¯t get it. The fact that Kei let him live? That¡¯s worse.¡± Kai muttered, ¡°I don¡¯t even think it¡¯s about letting him live. I think Sam was so beneath his concern that he didn¡¯t even see the point.¡± The entire group turned to look at Kei. He was already petting Wooloo, acting as if the entire interaction never even happened. Kei stretched his arms, letting out a yawn before casually turning to leave, Wooloo trailing behind him. Reese, however, narrowed his eyes, something not sitting right with him. ¡°Hey, wait. Where are you going? The settlement is back that way.¡± Kei paused mid-step, blinking as if caught off guard. ¡°Huh?¡± His gaze flickered toward them before he scratched his cheek, clearly trying to come up with an excuse. ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m just gonna go explore a bit. Rest. Collect more plants for medicine and stuff.¡± Talia frowned. ¡°You¡¯re not coming back with us?¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Kei waved a hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m not good with crowds.¡± That was enough for most of them to accept, but Sam¡ªwho was still trying to shake off the earlier near-death experience¡ªcouldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°Wait a second. Have we ever seen this guy at the settlement?¡± That gave everyone pause. A beat of silence passed as they all thought about it. Now that it had been brought up¡ªnone of them had ever seen Kei around. Not once. Despite the fact that the settlement had at least 10,000 people, someone as absurdly strong as Kei should¡¯ve at least been heard of. And yet¡ª ¡°¡­That¡¯s really odd,¡± Talia muttered, a chill creeping down her spine. ¡°Even if we¡¯ve never met him, we¡¯d at least see him in passing. And knowing what he¡¯s capable of, people would be talking about him.¡± Kai crossed his arms, brow furrowed. ¡°And yet, no one has.¡± Reese looked toward where Kei was walking away, something nagging at him. ¡°Just who the hell is he?¡± Before they could discuss further¡ª A breeze picked up, soft but noticeable. Then¡ª Kei¡¯s voice carried through the wind, perfectly clear despite the growing distance. ¡°Oh, and do me a favor,¡± he called out casually. ¡°Don¡¯t mention anything about what happened today. Or that you saw me.¡± The way he said it wasn¡¯t a request. It was a statement. ¡°I like to stay lowkey. I hate attention.¡± The group froze. For a brief second, it almost felt as if Kei was standing right next to them, despite being far away. Sam gulped, nodding instinctively despite Kei not being there to see it. ¡°Y-Yeah, sure.¡± Kai, Reese, Talia, and Owen exchanged looks. Then, as if coming to a silent agreement, they all nodded. ¡°¡­Yeah,¡± Kai finally said. ¡°We never saw him.¡± And with that¡ªKei disappeared into the forest, Wooloo at his side. ¡°Wait, what happen to your shirt?¡± Sam shot owen a confused look As Kei strolled through the dense forest alongside Wooloo, he absentmindedly scrolled through his Status Screen, glancing over his attributes and skills. The quiet rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of his footsteps were the only sounds in the otherwise tranquil atmosphere. Wooloo, now accustomed to its new not-master-but-definitely-influencer, trotted beside him, its marble-white horns glinting under the dappled sunlight. Kei hummed in thought, closing the screen. ¡°You know, Wooly, this Charisma stuff is actually pretty useful. Seems to give my Aether a kinda¡­ charming influence. Like, it makes Aether more willing to listen to me, and it even seems to have some sort of infatuating effect when I use it.¡± He tilted his head, considering the implications. ¡°Really cool.¡± Wooloo let out a low, lazy bleat, seemingly uninterested in the deeper mysteries of Aether manipulation. Kei, however, glanced again at his mental stats. Each one¡ªIntelligence, Will, Charisma¡ªcapped at 20. He exhaled through his nose. ¡°Kinda a shame, though.¡± Wooloo flicked an ear in his direction. ¡°My real mental capabilities aren¡¯t even displayed. Would be nice to actually see what they¡¯re really like¡­¡± His fingers drifted over the numbers, knowing full well that if the system actually reflected them properly, he¡¯d likely be looking at values beyond what it could measure. His voice dropped slightly, turning distant. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why those people from my childhood were always so hesitant around me.¡± Kei tapped his fingers against the side of his status screen. ¡°Maybe they knew this Aether stuff existed¡­ Maybe that¡¯s why they tried to keep me in the dark.¡± His gaze sharpened, but the smirk remained. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m not the type to let things slide.¡± He let the status screen fade away, flexing his hand as if already feeling the weight of future retribution. "I¡¯ll get my revenge though. I promise them that." Wooloo, sensing the shift in energy, let out a small, confused bleat. Kei glanced down at his new companion and smirked, the intensity in his eyes fading into something far more amused. ¡°Relax, buddy. That¡¯s for later.¡± The two of them continued forward, disappearing into the depths of the forest¡ªone man, one sheep, and a future that had no idea what was coming. Chapter 40 Making his way back to his clearing, Kei was greeted by the sight of Hachi and Zeph training, their movements sharp and full of determination. The two had been relentlessly honing their abilities, eager to prove themselves against each other and grow stronger. As Kei approached, he smirked at their display¡ªZeph¡¯s martial movements fluid yet aggressive, Hachi¡¯s wild energy tempered by instinct and growing skill. Then¡ª Baaaaa. The two immediately halted, their attention snapping toward the unexpected sound. Their gazes landed on the black-wool Fellhorn with marble-white horns standing beside Kei, walking with a casual air of confidence, as if it had always belonged here. Hachi simply tilted his head, sniffing the air, as if assessing this new presence. Zeph, however, had a far more direct approach. He pointed at the fire pit they used for cooking, then looked back at Kei. His meaning? Crystal clear. "Is that our next meal?" Wooloo froze, then slowly turned its head toward Zeph. Their eyes met. The realization dawned. The fury ignited. With a vengeful bleat, Wooloo charged straight at Zeph, hooves kicking up dirt as it barreled toward the smug Zephyr Monkey. Zeph, not one to back down, grinned and braced himself, eyes gleaming with mischief as he met the charge head-on. And just like that¡ª A fight broke out. Kei? Kei just threw his head back and laughed. Kei leaned back, letting out a slow exhale as he reopened the quest notification that had appeared on their way back. A sudden emergency quest. Kei narrowed his eyes. Why would the system care so much about these elves? And what exactly were the goblins doing with them? Twirling a bone projectile between his fingers, Kei pondered the implications. The system wasn''t typically so hands-on unless something was significant. If it was emphasizing the importance of saving all of them, then there had to be a deeper reason. He sighed, slipping the thoughts away for later. Nearby, Wooloo and Zeph were still fighting it out, their respective Eclipse Force and Zephyr Force clashing mid-air as sparks of their aether surged against each other. They looked like two titans battling, even though it was just a sheep and a monkey trying to assert dominance. Kei turned his head¡ª And saw Hachi. The Fangcub was rolling around in the grass, happily chasing his own tail. Kei blinked. "...Hey, buddy." Hachi perked up, ears twitching at Kei¡¯s voice. Kei gestured toward Wooloo and Zeph, then manipulated the air currents around his fingers to give a visual demonstration. ¡°What¡¯s your Force Alignment?¡± Hachi¡¯s ears flicked back. His playful rolling halted as his golden eyes lowered slightly, as if Kei had asked a question that he didn¡¯t want to answer. Then¡ª A low, almost hesitant growl escaped his throat. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know.¡± Kei¡¯s fingers stopped twirling the projectile. For the first time, Hachi actually sounded ashamed. Kei watched Hachi carefully. Ever since the mischievous cub had tricked him into getting stuck up a tree, their bond had been unshakable. But even with their friendship, Kei had noticed one very peculiar thing¡ª Hachi never used Force Manipulation. At first, Kei assumed that the astral projections Hachi summoned were tied to his Force Alignment. After all, it was an impressive ability, one that let him form and launch spectral constructs seemingly at will. But then¡ªZeph started doing it. And now? Even Wooloo had begun to display traces of the same ability. Kei clicked his tongue, connecting the dots. So it wasn¡¯t Hachi¡¯s innate power. It was something that came from me. Ever since Zeph and Wooloo had consumed Kei¡¯s blood, they had both started using similar astral projections. And now, as he observed closely, he could even feel aether shifting subtly around them, as if they were unconsciously commanding the energy in the environment. That meant¡­ His blood was acting as a conduit for external aether. Whether it was tied to his Will or maybe even his Charisma stat, Kei wasn¡¯t sure. But what was clear was that his blood carried an ability that enabled those who consumed it to manipulate aether in a way that wasn''t natural to them before. He made a mental note to test this theory later. For now¡ª It made one thing obvious. Hachi had never truly used his own Force Alignment. Curious about what it might be, Kei patted the cub on the head and gently pulled him closer. "Hey, buddy," he murmured, directing Hachi¡¯s gaze toward Zeph and Wooloo still going at it. ¡°Let¡¯s sit back and watch them beat the hell out of each other.¡± Hachi¡¯s tail wagged slightly, but there was still a shadow of uncertainty in his golden eyes. Kei gave him an easygoing grin. ¡°Who knows? You might learn something.¡± Hachi slowly padded over to Kei, settling down beside him and resting his head on Kei¡¯s lap. Kei chuckled, ruffling the cub¡¯s fur. ¡°Hey buddy, take a look at how the aether in the environment responds to them.¡± Hachi¡¯s golden eyes followed Kei¡¯s gesture toward the fight. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°See Zeph? He¡¯s using Zephyr Force to control the wind. He¡¯s moving around like a blur, letting the wind carry him, and using those quick bursts of force to form blades of air and other wind-based techniques.¡± Hachi¡¯s ears perked up slightly, following Zeph¡¯s swift movements as he carved through the air with sheer agility and precision. ¡°And then there¡¯s Wooloo,¡± Kei continued, voice calm yet instructive. ¡°See how he¡¯s countering? It¡¯s not just brute force¡ªhe¡¯s using his own force to push back. That¡¯s his Ebb & Flow Force.¡± Hachi blinked, looking closer as Wooloo¡¯s energy fluctuated between two states. Kei smirked, breaking it down. ¡°When Wooloo is passive, his wool takes on that soft, moonlit shimmer. His presence exudes a gentle, soothing aura¡ªkind of like a calming tide. That energy lets him lightly regenerate and stabilize the aether of allies nearby.¡± Hachi¡¯s tail flicked slightly, intrigued. ¡°But¡­¡± Kei¡¯s eyes gleamed as he nodded toward Wooloo, whose entire aura suddenly shifted. ¡°When he gets agitated or goes into battle, his wool surges like crashing waves.¡± At that moment, Wooloo let out a fierce bleat, his energy pulsing outward in a raw, pressurized burst. The air around him twisted and compressed, sending a sudden, crushing force straight into Zeph¡¯s midsection. Zeph barely managed to recover, flipping midair before retaliating with a blade of wind. Kei grinned. ¡°When that happens, his energy shifts into pure force¡ªcapable of battering, crushing, or eroding anything in its way. It¡¯s like an unstoppable tide.¡± Hachi¡¯s eyes gleamed as he took in every word. Kei smirked. ¡°See, buddy? This is what happens when you understand your force and how to use it properly.¡± The cub¡¯s ears twitched, his focus unwavering. Kei continued lecturing, breaking down every movement, analyzing their aether usage, pointing out techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. Hachi listened with rapt attention, absorbing every bit of information. For the first time, the cub wasn¡¯t just watching a fight. He was learning. Kei let Hachi observe from the sidelines as the other two clashed, studying each other in ways only those attuned to battle could. Zeph, ever the agile fighter, flitted through the air with Zephyr Force, his movements effortless as he weaved between Wooloo¡¯s lunges. The Zephyr Monkey¡¯s body seemed to blur with the currents, each step light as a feather yet sharp with intent. Wooloo, however, was an entirely different presence. Unlike Zeph¡¯s flickering speed, the Ardent Eclipse Fellhorn exuded a shifting pressure, its Ebb & Flow Force oscillating between tranquil control and raw, unrelenting destruction. The moment it steadied itself, a calming aura radiated outward, pulling in the surrounding energy as if drawing breath. But in the next instant, a pulse of condensed force erupted from its hooves, the ground beneath it cracking from the sudden shift to an overwhelming offensive surge. Kei let them test each other, allowing their instincts and abilities to speak for themselves. Meanwhile, he busied himself with preparing a meal. With Wooloo now among them, his portions had to be adjusted, though that was a minor concern. As always, before serving, he separated his own food and then infused the rest with a splash of his blood¡ªan act that had become second nature by now. A thunderous impact shattered the relative peace of the clearing. A shockwave rippled outward, leaves and dust scattering into the air. Both Zeph and Wooloo had disengaged, now locked in a silent stare-down, neither willing to back down first. Zeph¡¯s fur bristled, his tail flicking as he balanced effortlessly on his knuckles, while Wooloo lowered its stance, exuding a gravitational weight that warped the air around it. Kei exhaled sharply. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Come eat.¡± Neither moved at first, their competitive spirits still burning, but the promise of a meal laced with aether-rich sustenance was enough to break the standoff. They turned away from each other, finally joining Kei and Hachi for their well-earned food. After a proper introduction for Wooloo and some much-needed rest, the night passed without incident. ¡ª By the time the next day arrived, Kei found himself perched atop a thick tree branch, his sharp gaze locked on the sight before him. Nestled beyond the treeline was a goblin settlement. Clusters of crude wooden huts sprawled across the uneven terrain, interwoven with sharpened barricades and makeshift watchtowers. Fires burned in scattered pits, thin columns of smoke rising into the sky. Kei could make out figures moving between the structures¡ªsmall, wiry bodies, their greenish skin blending into the dim morning light. His expression remained unreadable as he observed the scene. The emergency quest had led him here. Now, it was time to see just what he was dealing with. Kei¡¯s Breeze Force unfurled around him, the wind becoming an extension of his senses¡ªhis eyes, ears, and even his nose. Air currents slithered through the settlement below, weaving between crude wooden huts, slipping past watchtowers, and brushing against the skin of every creature in its path. Through them, Kei gathered a complete layout of the area in mere moments, every gust whispering information back to him. The goblin settlement was crude but structured, with makeshift barricades forming a jagged perimeter. Smoke curled from scattered fire pits, filling the air with the scent of burning wood and charred meat. Patrols were lazy, their movements disorganized, but their numbers weren¡¯t small. More importantly, his wind slipped past a particularly reinforced hut, where he sensed a group of captives. The elves. Their presence was weak, their breathing uneven. Even without seeing them directly, Kei could tell they were in a ragged state¡ªmalnourished, wounded, and possibly on the brink of collapse. He remained still, perched atop the thick tree branch, gaze unwavering as he took in every detail. Yet, while he scouted, his mind was also focused elsewhere¡ªon his new skill. When utilized in combat, this skill amplifies projectile-based attacks, increasing their precision, speed, and impact force depending on surrounding wind conditions. Kei narrowed his eyes slightly. The description was straightforward, but what intrigued him most was the first part: ¡°Harnesses wind currents and external aether flow.¡± He had already a solid understanding manipulating the wind, but this skill suggested something more¡ªa deeper synchronization, a state beyond mere control. Not just bending the wind to his will, but becoming part of it. For hours, he remained still, not just observing the goblin settlement but focusing inward. He extended his awareness, letting his Breeze Force stretch out, to listen. The air moved naturally, chaotic yet purposeful. It flowed, shaped by unseen forces, shifting between pressure changes, temperature shifts, and the invisible pulses of external aether that drifted through the world. Kei let himself fall into that current. The shift was subtle. His body remained solid, unmoving, yet something within him unmoored from his physical form. His presence blurred¡ªnot just in a stealth-based sense, but in a way that made him feel lighter, almost indistinct. He wasn¡¯t just using the wind¡ªhe was within it, part of it. A stray breeze wrapped around him, and for the briefest moment, it felt as though the wind carried not just movement, but thought¡ªan instinctual connection between himself and the unseen currents threading through the world. Kei exhaled slowly. This¡­ This is different. It wasn¡¯t just an upgrade to his speed or agility. Tempest Convergence wasn¡¯t simply a technique¡ªit was a state of being. And that surface, he put into action. For the past few hours, Kei had been understanding Tempest Convergence¡ªits intricacies, its limits, and the depth of its connection to Breeze Force. He hadn¡¯t just been watching the goblin settlement. He had been weaving himself into it. The true nature of Breeze Force came into play¡ªnot in bursts of violent wind, not in bladed gusts cutting through the air, but in its unnoticed nature. Kei was silent, unseen, yet his influence spread like an invisible thread, gradually altering the very air that surrounded his enemies. Deep within the settlement, a goblin soldier sitting alone in its hut suddenly slumped forward. No noise. No struggle. Just¡­ stillness. And no one was there to witness it. Elsewhere, the same scene played out. A patrolling goblin¡¯s steps faltered, its head growing heavy, its breath shallow. It blinked sluggishly before collapsing against a wooden post. Another fell face-first into a half-eaten meal, never to lift its head again. None of them screamed. None of them realized. The air itself had turned against them. Kei remained cross-legged on his perch, far from their sight, his breathing steady, his presence nearly indistinct. He wasn¡¯t forcing the air from their lungs¡ªno, that would be too noticeable. Instead, he had subtly altered the balance. At first, it was imperceptible. More air was entering the settlement than leaving. A faint shift, so small it went unnoticed. But gradually, he reversed the flow. More air was leaving than returning. The change was gradual, measured. Oxygen drained ever so slightly faster than it could be replenished. The goblins'' bodies adjusted at first, dismissing the lightheadedness as fatigue. But then the drowsiness set in. Their limbs grew heavier, their thoughts sluggish. Some leaned against walls, intending to rest for only a moment. Others yawned, thinking nothing of it as their vision blurred. Then, they stopped moving altogether. Kei¡¯s method was cunning, ruthless, and completely untraceable. The very thing they had relied on¡ªthe simple act of breathing¡ªhad betrayed them, treating their lungs no differently than a gentle breeze. Unnoticed. Ignored. Forgotten. And as more of them fell into permanent slumber, the cause of their silent demise remained still, high in the trees, watching, waiting. It wasn¡¯t until the next day that Kaito Ren received the notification: Someone had finished it before he even had the chance to act. Unbeknownst to them, that very person was still fast asleep, nestled in the branches of a tree. Within the goblin settlement, not a single creature stirred. The bodies of every goblin lay motionless, scattered across the ground, their lives snuffed out in utter silence. Meanwhile, the elves¡ªhuddled together in their crude prison¡ªfound the air unnervingly quiet. At first, they thought little of it. The usual sounds of goblin chatter and movement had simply¡­ stopped. When they peeked beyond the barred openings of their shelter, they noticed a few guards slumped over, seemingly asleep at their posts. It wasn¡¯t an uncommon sight. Goblins were lazy, undisciplined. But then¡­ time stretched on. They sat there. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting even longer. Their daily food never came. Their daily torture never came. The guards outside never stirred, their bodies unnervingly still. Hours passed, yet not a single goblin came to check on them. A creeping realization settled over the captives. Finally, a young elf¡ªbarely past adolescence¡ªbroke the silence, staring at the unmoving goblins. "Yup, they¡¯re dead." They spoke matter-of-factly, as if stating the weather. A few others stiffened. One swallowed hard. "So¡­ what now?" someone else muttered. Meanwhile, Kei remained deep in slumber, his body undisturbed atop his perch. Floating before his closed eyes, his system notification continued to blink, the soft beeping persistent yet ignored. Custom Weapon ¨C Windpiercer Needles Chapter 41: Redistribute Back at the settlement, tension ran high as guild and group leaders finalized their plans. This was the biggest ordeal since arriving in this world. They had discovered an Apex Boss, one that had remained hidden until now. Among those gathered were the most capable leaders, each representing their faction: It was one of Black Talon¡¯s scouts who first spotted it¡ªa colossal boar, standing nearly twice the size of a warhorse. A living fortress of hardened earth. Its hide was layered with jagged, stone-like plating, fused to its flesh after prolonged exposure to Earthen Might. Blades would be useless. Impact attacks would barely make it flinch. It was built for destruction¡ªunstoppable, relentless, and impossible to take head-on. But its tusks¡­ those were the real danger. Massive, serrated, and reinforced with mineral deposits, they looked capable of tearing through rock as if it were nothing more than loose soil. Realizing the magnitude of her discovery, the scout wasted no time. She reported everything to Orin Graves. And Graves, recognizing an opportunity¡ªor a disaster¡ªimmediately brought the news to the rest of the leaders. Their response was swift. Scouting parties were dispatched. No one doubted what they had found. The name carried weight¡ªa name spoken in whispers by survivors who had fled its territory, a name tied to ruined landscapes and shattered bones. It was the Ironsworn Ravager. The Apex Boss of Earth. Apex Boss ¨C Ironsworn Ravager Species: Titanfang Boar (Apex Variant) Force Alignment: Earthen Might (Minor Force ¨C Earth Affinity) Level: 8 Among the leaders present, the leader of the Iron Fangs Guild put forth a proposal¡ªrecruit Jin Saito to serve as the vanguard for this operation. Without his involvement, taking down the Ironsworn Ravager without heavy casualties seemed near impossible. This was an Apex Boss, not something they could afford to take lightly. And in a world they had no choice in joining, none of them were in a position to recklessly risk lives. But not everyone agreed. Darius Hallowbrand, the battle-worn leader of The Bloodied Tusk, scoffed at the suggestion. "He¡¯s his own free person. We can¡¯t always rely on a single person to push us forward¡ªwhether it¡¯s dungeons, quests, or Apex Bosses. If we don¡¯t learn to handle these things on our own, we¡¯re just setting ourselves up for failure." His words carried weight. Jin Saito had already proven himself in past battles, but leaning on one person too often was a dangerous precedent. Some nodded in agreement. Others remained silent, weighing the risks. Because whether they liked it or not, without him, this fight could turn into a bloodbath. A voice cut through the rising tension. "A group of my members just returned from a Fellhorn dungeon," came the deep, commanding tone of Orrin Dragbane, leader of Dragon¡¯s Maw. The room quieted slightly as he continued. "Inside, they encountered someone¡ªsomeone whose name they refuse to disclose. Not out of secrecy, but out of what I can only describe as¡­ fear. Almost as if they¡¯re petrified to even speak it aloud." Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. His words carried weight, and for a brief moment, uncertainty flickered across the gathered leaders¡¯ faces. Nobody knew where this was going, but they continued to listen. "For whatever reason, this unnamed individual chose to instruct them¡ªtaught them how to use Aether more efficiently, how to rely less on the system to dictate their Force Alignment. Instead of being shackled to predefined limits, they learned to harness their abilities on a deeper level, beyond what the system normally allows." There was a shift in the room now. Silent curiosity. A few exchanged glances. "Because of this advice, they¡¯ve become stronger, faster, and far more capable than they were before. What was once an average group of fighters has now become an invaluable force." Orrin leaned forward, his arms crossed as he eyed the room. "Due to the nature of this encounter, I¡¯m more than willing to have them impart the same knowledge they received. If a mere conversation could elevate my warriors so drastically, then it stands to reason that it could do the same for the rest of us. And we¡¯re going to need every advantage we can get if we want to take down this Apex Boss." Murmurs spread through the room. Some intrigued, others skeptical. But one thing was clear¡ªwhoever this unnamed individual was, their influence was undeniable. That same unnamed individual, having just woken up in a tree with his new rewards beeping relentlessly in his face, let out a groggy sigh. Blinking away the last traces of sleep, he finally descended from his perch, landing effortlessly on the forest floor. For the first time since arriving in this world, Kei decided to visit the settlement. To be around others¡­ Though, of course, he remained unseen. With Phantom Breeze activated, he moved like a ghost, like a thief, weaving through the settlement unnoticed. The first signs of his presence manifested in the marketplace. Murmurs turned into complaints. Vendors frowned as they discovered missing items¡ªfresh produce gone, bundles of herbs misplaced, entire crates of dried meat mysteriously vanishing. In the settlement¡¯s communal kitchen, a chef gawked at the empty shelves. "Where the hell did all the seasonings go?!" Meanwhile, Kei had already moved on. He stood inside a blacksmith¡¯s forge, his eyes scanning the neatly arranged tools. "Finally. Tools for crafting. I can make some decent equipment for myself now¡­ one in particular I¡¯ve been meaning to get my hands on." As he inspected the various materials, the forge¡¯s owner walked in. "Where¡¯s my hammer?" Another blacksmith called out from the other side of the shop. "Who took my axe?" A third voice joined in, more frustrated than the rest. "Where the hell are my crafting tools?!" Kei, expression neutral beneath his hood, silently slipped away. As he wandered the settlement, he listened to the conversations around him, absorbing the atmosphere, gauging the state of things. Then, he overheard something interesting. A meeting of the guild leaders. "Apex Boss?" Kei mused, tilting his head slightly. "There¡¯s another one out there besides Zeph? Eh, they should be fine." His interest waned almost immediately. He continued his stroll, stopping at a small stall where the vendor was dead asleep, oblivious to the world. Kei took his time examining the wares, plucking only the items that interested him. At another stall, Jenny lay slumped over her counter, arms folded as she dozed without a care. She didn¡¯t notice. She didn¡¯t react. She didn¡¯t even stir. Yet, somehow, she was missing a few items. Not long after, Kaito Ren walked up to her stall, fresh from the meeting. "Hey, Jenny, I¡¯m here to buy those items you were holding for me. Where are they?" Jenny yawned, stretching lazily. "Just put the money down and take ¡®em." Kaito frowned. "But¡­ they¡¯re not there?" Jenny blinked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Huh?" She looked at the now empty space where the goods had once been. Silence. Then¡ª "OI! WHO THE HELL STOLE FROM ME?!" Unbothered by the growing chaos he had left in his wake, Kei finally undid Phantom Breeze, allowing his presence to return. He tugged his Tattered Cloth Hood [Uncommon] a little lower over his face, ensuring his identity remained concealed. With his hands now filled with new supplies, he continued exploring the settlement¡ªcalm, unhurried, and completely indifferent to the confusion trailing behind him. Jin Saito, sprawled across his bed, had been enjoying a peaceful sleep until the shouting outside shattered his rest. With a groggy sigh, he sat up, running a hand through his hair as he listened to the chaos unfolding outside his hut. The entire settlement was in uproar. Vendors were complaining about missing goods, blacksmiths were arguing over stolen tools, and the kitchen staff was baffled by the sudden disappearance of seasonings and ingredients. Jenny¡¯s voice, loud and furious, carried across the settlement as she raged about her missing stock. Jin blinked, still groggy. What the hell was going on? Meanwhile, Talia, Reese, Kai, and Owen sat nearby, quietly taking in the scene. They had heard everything. And they knew exactly who the culprit was. There was only one person who could move through the settlement completely unseen, take whatever he wanted, and vanish without a trace. Kei. But with him still around, they weren¡¯t about to say anything. They weren¡¯t exactly eager to get impaled by bone projectiles for snitching. So instead, they kept their expressions neutral, pretending to be just as confused as everyone else. Jin, however, wasn¡¯t fooled. He noticed the slight tension in their bodies. The way they glanced at each other but said nothing. Something was off. Then, his status screen flickered. And something strange happened. The moment he activated his Force Alignment, his status screen reacted. His stat points were shifting. His physical stats¡ªstrength, agility, dexterity, constitution¡ªall dropped back down to their base values. At the same time, his Will stat surged. It was something he had done manually. Focusing inward, he pushed his expanded Will outward, stretching his senses across the settlement, searching for anything unusual. Elsewhere, Kei had come across a contest stall. After reading the rules, he picked up a set of pebbles provided for the challenge. A simple target-hitting contest. For most, hitting the targets required patience and precision. For Kei? It was barely an afterthought. With a flick of his wrist, the pebbles shot forward like sniper rounds, each one striking dead center on its respective target with unerring accuracy. The event host stood frozen in disbelief. A perfect score. With no reason to refuse, they reluctantly handed Kei his reward. Kei inspected the weapon as he walked away, completely satisfied. His prize? A long, thin sword with no hilt. The entire weapon, from guard to blade, was a single continuous piece¡ªsleek, polished, and oddly flat-tipped instead of pointed. A strange design. But for Kei, it was exactly what he wanted. Feeling like he had seen enough of the people in the settlement, Kei decided it was time to leave. He had no reason to stay. With that, he turned and began making his way back to his clearing. Until¡ª A voice cut through the noise. At least, to him and one other person. "Jin, can you come in here, please? We¡¯d like your help with something." The moment the words reached him, Jin¡¯s focus wavered. His search abruptly ended, his extended senses cutting off just as they passed over Kei. Without hesitation, he turned and made his way toward Reinhardt. The favor they asked for? He readily agreed. Jin Saito was going to be the vanguard for the Apex Boss hunt. Meanwhile, back in the marketplace, Jenny was still complaining about her missing items. As she grumbled, Kaito Ren leaned against her stall, arms crossed. "So, what do you think? You¡¯re really strong¡ªthink you can help us?" he asked casually. "And as a bonus, they¡¯ll share some knowledge on using Aether more efficiently. You¡¯ll also learn how to improve your Force Alignment without relying so much on the system." Jenny barely registered Kaito¡¯s words. Her mind was elsewhere. She wasn¡¯t sure if she should accept or not. Finally, after a long pause, she let out a tired groan. "It¡¯d eat into my time to sleep¡­ nap¡­ and rest¡­" she whined. Kaito sighed. This was going to take some convincing. Chapter 42 News of the Apex Boss spread quickly throughout the settlement. Guilds and independent groups alike took the threat seriously, instructing their members to train relentlessly and prepare themselves for the impending battle. Among the chaos of preparation, Talia, Reese, Kai, and Owen took it upon themselves to share the knowledge they had gained from Kei¡ªthe methods of Aether manipulation and Force alignment he had taught them. However, to the disappointment of the leaders, very few people were able to grasp or apply those teachings effectively. The problem became apparent quickly. For too long, people had become overly reliant on the system, letting it dictate everything¡ªfrom the way they manipulated Aether, to how they channeled Force when activating skills. Without the system¡¯s assistance and structure, most found themselves completely lost. Was it due to a lack of understanding? Or perhaps an inability to instinctively control Aether and Force on their own? Whatever the reason, the majority failed to adapt. Instead of pushing forward and refining their abilities, people fell back into old habits¡ªchoosing to embrace the system¡¯s convenience rather than struggle with something unfamiliar. It wasn¡¯t long before opposition grew. Many openly dismissed the idea of bypassing the system altogether, arguing that the system¡¯s guidance was far more reliable than the vague advice of some nameless individual who refused to even reveal his identity. And so, the majority clung to the system. For better or worse, they chose comfort over growth. Even the leaders themselves had to admit the difficulty of Kei¡¯s methods. Despite their experience and skill, many found it incredibly challenging to break away from their reliance on the system¡¯s structured guidance. Of the people who had been taught and trained, only a few truly grasped the natural approach to Aether manipulation and Force alignment. Among them, Kaito Ren, Jenny, and Jin Saito stood out. They took to the methods almost instinctively, adapting far faster than anyone else. Their performances in combat spoke for themselves¡ªespecially Jin and Jenny, who quickly became powerhouses in their own right. Jenny, however, preferred to remain hidden, avoiding attention while quietly honing her newfound abilities. As time passed, a division formed within the settlement. Two factions emerged¡ªthose who embraced the natural method of harnessing Aether and Force, and those who continued to rely on the system for their strength. The System Faction quickly became the overwhelming majority, boasting more than 9,600 members. For them, the system¡¯s structured guidance, reliability, and accessibility far outweighed the effort required to master control over Aether and Force on their own. Meanwhile, the Natural Faction was a mere fraction in comparison. Though many supported the idea of self-reliance, very few were actually capable of putting it into practice. Even among its members, most found themselves reluctantly relying on the system for stability, unable to fully break free from its grasp. The divide was clear. And whether they realized it or not, this division would shape the future of power in this world. And the source of this divide? It could be traced back to one person. "Hey, I heard you do custom crafts. Can you make something for me?" The blacksmith-turned-craftsman glanced up from her workbench, eyeing the newcomer. "Sure. What is it?" She blinked when she saw the design Kei handed over. "A... calligraphy brush? That''s an odd request, but okay, I guess. Shouldn''t be too expensive¡ªabout 50 Bronze should do." Kei hummed in thought, then casually opened his inventory. "Here you go." He handed over the payment without hesitation. The craftswoman nodded, taking out her woodworking tools and quickly getting to work. Kei, standing nearby, watched closely. His eyes flicked to the chisel in her hands, studying the way she worked with the wood harvested from the Expanse. He observed every movement, committing them to memory. After a moment, he spoke. "Is the wood here more difficult to work with than the ones back on Earth?" The craftswoman let out a short laugh. "Very much so. Took a while to get used to, but it requires a lot more effort. The density, the grain¡ªeverything about it is just... tougher." Kei hummed again. Then, after a pause¡ª "Can I see that woodworking tool?" She hesitated, then shrugged. "Um? Sure?" She handed him the chisel. The moment it touched Kei¡¯s hands, something changed. Aether surged through the tool, causing it to glow faintly with an orange hue. The craftswoman¡¯s eyes widened. Before she could say anything, Kei picked up a piece of the same wood she had been struggling with and effortlessly chiseled away a perfect slice. The movement was smooth, precise¡ªflawless. "Wow..." the craftswoman muttered, her voice filled with disbelief. Then she shook her head with a small laugh. "You''re one of those ¡®Natural¡¯ supporters, huh? Gotta admit, that¡¯s really useful." She wasn¡¯t wrong. "Natural?" Kei echoed, tilting his head slightly. He considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess. If you¡¯re interested, I could teach you. It¡¯d make your work a lot easier." The craftswoman¡¯s eyes lit up with interest. "That¡¯d be great! Thanks." Without hesitation, Kei began guiding her through the process. He showed her how to circulate Aether more efficiently, following the predestined paths within her body, ensuring a smoother flow and allowing it to manifest externally with far less effort. With each step, she felt the difference¡ªthe resistance fading, the control increasing. And just like that, another person had stepped onto the path of the Natural Faction. Now, in her hands, the tools she worked with glowed¡ªa faint but noticeable pinkish tint of Aether radiating from them. Excited to test out her newfound control, she returned to Kei¡¯s request, eager to see the difference. And immediately ruined it. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. She had completely misjudged how much easier the work had become, her tools cutting through the wood too smoothly, too effortlessly. The brush handle splintered in her hands. Silence. Kei gave her a placid look, his expression practically saying: "Really?" She let out a sheepish laugh, rubbing the back of her head. "Uh¡­ it¡¯s free?" she offered awkwardly. Kei shrugged. "Sounds good. I¡¯ll walk around and check things out for a bit¡ª" She barely registered his words, already focused on redoing her work, excitement gleaming in her eyes as she looked forward to using her tools properly this time. Kei, watching her enthusiasm, sighed internally. Before leaving, he added: "By the way, do you know where I could buy calligraphy scrolls? Or maybe have them made?" Without even looking up, she waved him off. "I can make those too. Free, of course." Kei paused. Free? He wasn¡¯t about to argue. With that settled, Kei left the craftswoman to her work, letting her experiment with her newfound control over Aether. As he stepped away, something caught his ear. A few people were discussing a variant hare they had encountered in the forest. Intrigued, Kei erased his presence, blending into the surroundings as he silently followed them. They spoke about its unusual speed and the difficulty of tracking it. As they prepared themselves to handle the creature, Kei memorized the coordinates they shared. The moment he had what he needed, he was gone. Kei moved swiftly through the settlement, heading toward the marked location. With Zephyr Wind aiding his steps, he pushed forward at full speed, his 18 Agility points put to absolute use. If anyone saw him move, they¡¯d never believe his agility was only 18. To them, it would seem impossible. As if he had dumped every single stat point into agility. If he ever revealed the truth, that he had barely invested stat points into agility and instead had grown his physical abilities naturally, they¡¯d sooner call him a liar than believe what they were seeing. But that was fine. Kei had no interest in proving himself to them. All that mattered was getting to the hare first. And that he did. Kei arrived at the location faster than the others, his presence erased, his steps silent. And there it was. A massive hare, far larger than any ordinary one. Its fur was a deep storm-gray, faint streaks of crackling electricity running along its limbs with every twitch of movement. The air around it hummed with residual energy, as if the creature itself was a living conduit for lightning. Kei narrowed his eyes, relying on his observation to gauge its strength. His gaze flicked over its stance, the way its muscles coiled like compressed springs, the static flickering between its paws. The others hadn¡¯t arrived yet. Kei had time. And so, he made his move. Kei pulled out his Windpiercer Needles, grasping them between his fingers as he prepared to strike. Then¡ª A thunderclap. A blur of motion. Before he could react, his world spun violently. CRASH. Branches snapped, leaves scattered, and pain erupted through his chest as he found himself buried in a tangled mess of trees. His breath hitched. His ribs ached. A notification flickered across his vision. [Kei Yuichi] [HP]: 30/40 "Ugh¡­ that really hurt." Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to sit up, his right arm screaming in pain. It was fractured, blood seeping from torn skin. Kei let out a slow exhale, already making a mental note. "Note to self: teach myself to be ambidextrous." His mind refocused immediately. He turned his gaze toward where the Stormclaw Hare had been. It wasn¡¯t there anymore. Movement. Kei¡¯s Breeze Force surged, wind currents sharpening his senses. Above. He reacted instinctively. Flipping backward just in time, he dodged as the Hare¡¯s charged foot slammed into the ground, sending a burst of electricity rippling through the dirt. Before he even landed, Kei let his needles fly. They streaked through the air, slicing forward with deadly precision¡ª Targeting the joints of the Stormclaw Hare. A sudden jolt of pain shot through the Stormclaw Hare¡¯s body. It flinched, confused, unable to immediately register what had struck it. Then, it noticed. Its movements were sluggish, its limbs stiff and unresponsive. Kei had left the Windpiercer Needles buried in its joints, restricting its mobility¡ªand he had no intention of letting up. He moved. Launching himself forward, Kei closed the distance, his body twisting mid-air. Using the force of his momentum, he drove the needles deeper with a series of precise, brutal kicks. His right arm was useless, fractured and barely able to move. So he adjusted. Instead of punches, he switched entirely to kicks, delivering a relentless flurry of strikes from various martial arts styles. Each impact forced the needles in further, locking the hare¡¯s joints, further disrupting its movement. But the Stormclaw Hare wasn¡¯t finished. Though hindered, Suddenly¡ª Lightning surged. Bolts of static energy exploded outward, rippling through the air in chaotic bursts. Kei gritted his teeth. The electricity alone was dangerous, but there was something even worse. With every burst, a thunderclap followed, deafening and disorienting. It wasn¡¯t just the force of the lightning keeping him at bay. The sound itself was disrupting his focus, making it harder to track the hare¡¯s movements, harder to push forward. For the first time since the fight started¡ª Kei was being forced back. As if a magnetic field had suddenly formed around the Stormclaw Hare, the Windpiercer Needles began to forcefully eject from its body. The static bursts of lightning crackled through the air, repelling the metallic projectiles like polarized forces rejecting one another. Kei narrowed his eyes, recalling the needles to his grasp. Metallic structures don¡¯t mix well with charged fields. That was a problem. But it wasn¡¯t his only option. Without hesitation, Kei launched himself forward, twisting mid-air in a ballet of kicks, each movement fluid, sharp, and precise. His form was impeccable, a testament to the acrobatic techniques he had learned from Zeph. Each kick was infused with Aether, his feet glowing with a faint orange hue, enhancing both speed and impact. Despite the relentless static pulses, he kept up the pressure, his strikes forcing the Hare back step by step. But it wasn¡¯t enough. The constant bursts of lightning made closing the distance dangerous, every attack becoming riskier as the pulses threatened to throw off his rhythm. With a quick leap backward, Kei adjusted his approach. Zephyr Wind surged. From his left hand, blades of wind lashed out, razor-sharp currents cutting into the Stormclaw Hare¡¯s flesh. The beast recoiled, its movements faltering as fresh wounds opened across its body. But it wasn¡¯t finished. Snarling, the Stormclaw Hare gathered power in its hind legs, preparing to spring forward and deliver a punishing kick. But then¡ª Its muscles locked up. Its limbs twitched uncontrollably. It tried to leap¡ªand failed. Confusion flickered in its glowing eyes as its own body betrayed it. Kei landed lightly, watching as realization dawned on the beast. His grin was sharp, amused. "Finally¡­ those nerve toxins I put on the Windpiercer Needles are kicking in." Activating Tempest Convergence, Kei merged with the wind. His speed skyrocketed. A sickening crunch echoed through the forest as his left fist slammed into the Stormclaw Hare¡¯s head, the impact launching it backward with tremendous force. Bang. Bang. Two sudden splurts of blood erupted from the hare¡¯s eyes. Kei exhaled, shaking out his fist. "Haven¡¯t done that in a while." The Hare landed hard, but this time, it wasn¡¯t just hurt¡ªit was enraged. Its entire body trembled, not from injury, but from the sheer amount of power it was about to unleash. The surrounding air thickened with tension as it summoned every last drop of its strength. volatile energy arced across its fur, static discharges igniting the ground beneath its feet. It wasn¡¯t planning to just attack Kei anymore. It was going to level everything in the area¡ªKei included. Kei¡¯s eyes narrowed. "I guess it¡¯s time to try this." He raised his arm, positioning his hand into a familiar shape¡ªmimicking the head of a sheep. The moment the form was made, a shift occurred. It was as if his Force Alignment had suddenly changed. Ebb and Flow Force surged through his hand. The air around him distorted, rippling with unseen energy. Aether coalesced¡ªtaking shape. A spectral, jet-black sheep¡¯s head manifested over Kei¡¯s outstretched hand. Its marble-white horns curled elegantly, glistening under the storm-lit sky. The Stormclaw Hare froze. It sensed it. A pulling force¡ªan unnatural, inescapable gravitational weight forcing it to acknowledge its opponent. And then, it felt something even worse. An immense surge of Aether gathering, drawn toward Kei¡ªno, toward his hand in particular. "I knew it was a smart idea to make friends with Wooloo." Kei grinned. Then¡ª The astral sheep projection launched forward, propelled by an immense force of Aether. The black ram-like projection crashed into the Stormclaw Hare, disrupting the massive attack it had been charging¡ª Forcing it to a complete stop. Witnessing the destruction his astral projection had caused, Kei whistled in amusement and mild shock. "Much stronger than I thought it was going to be, if I¡¯m being honest." His eyes flicked back to the Stormclaw Hare, its body motionless on the battlefield. But he wasn¡¯t fooled. "Come on now, I know you''re not dead. Shake off the neurotoxins and get up." The Hare twitched. It had hoped to play dead and wait for an opening to escape, but now that its deception had been called out, it slowly lifted its head and glared fiercely at Kei. Kei smirked. "Alright, alright, don¡¯t look at me like that. Here you go." Without hesitation, he shoved his broken right arm into its mouth. The Hare stiffened at first, but then¡ª Its entire body shuddered with bliss. A surge of unfiltered Aether coursed through its system, revitalizing it in an instant. "Hehehe¡­ thunder rabbit, I wonder how cool that¡¯ll be." Kei grinned gleefully, like a child waiting for a grand reveal. Then, his expression shifted as he glanced toward the distant treeline. "Alright, you better get going. There are people coming to kill you." The Hare¡¯s ears flicked, its gaze lingering on Kei for a moment before it obeyed, hopping away into the depths of the forest. Kei exhaled, then erased his presence, slipping into the shadows of the trees. Minutes later, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the area. "What the hell happened here?" "Where¡¯s the Hare? It was just here not too long ago!" "No clue. Looks like a fight took place¡­ but against what? This whole area is wrecked." Kei remained hidden on a high tree branch, silently committing each person''s face to memory. Once he was satisfied, he left¡ªreturning to the settlement. Kei made his way back to the craftswoman¡¯s shop, stepping inside. "Hi there," he greeted casually. The craftswoman glanced up and smiled. "Just in time. Here¡¯s your calligraphy brush and scrolls." Kei inspected the items. The craftsmanship was excellent¡ªprecise and sturdy. "These look great. Thanks again." Then, his gaze shifted toward the wood carving tools nearby. "Also, can I buy those wood carving tools from you?" The craftswoman waved him off with a grin. "Treat it as a gift for the lesson. Besides, looks like you could use some good luck¡ªwhat happened to your arm? It looks really banged up." Kei shrugged. "It¡¯ll be fine." Pocketing his new tools, he waved goodbye. "Take care, and thanks again." With that, he left the shop, already thinking about his next move. "Odd fellow." Lisa, the craftswoman, murmured to herself as she watched Kei leave. Just then, the shop door swung open again. "Hey Lisa, that¡¯s a nice glowing pink tool in your hand. Looks like you¡¯ve shifted to the Natural side, huh?" Jenny strolled in casually, her gaze flicking toward Lisa¡¯s Aether-infused tools as she greeted her. Lisa shrugged. "Yeah, some guy came in asking for a calligraphy brush and scrolls, then just casually taught me how to circulate Aether properly. Weird day, to be honest." Jenny smirked, tilting her head. "But you¡¯re always weird, though." She raised an eyebrow playfully. Lisa let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her head. "Yeah, yeah¡­ guess I walked into that one." Chapter 43 Yawning, a brown-skinned girl, her features reminiscent of Middle Eastern heritage, casually strolled through the Expanse. Her long, curly, frizzy hair bounced slightly with each step, an oversized scarf loosely draped over her head, barely staying in place. Her glasses, far too large for her face, tilted slightly, threatening to slip down her nose. She complained the entire trip to her destination, grumbling under her breath as she trudged along. Finally, she arrived at a hidden cave, tucked away in the landscape, its entrance partially obscured by twisted roots and overgrown foliage. Just as she was about to step inside¡ª The Worldstone Fragment in her hand pulsed, reacting to the cave¡¯s presence. She groaned, rolling her eyes. "Uggghh, those people never told me I¡¯d have to walk this far." She adjusted her glasses and scarf, muttering curses under her breath. Then, gripping the Worldstone Fragment, she sneered. "Wait till I reach my full potential¡ªI''m turning their houses into trees. Let¡¯s see how they like that." Her fingers tightened around the fragment, eyes flickering with irritation. "They better hope I¡¯m kind enough not to poison them." She sighed, shaking her head as she stepped forward into the cave, still mumbling complaints. An almost systemic voice echoed throughout the cave, responding to her presence. ¡°Hmmmm? Detected a¡­........¡± It never got the chance to finish. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," Silvie interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. Her voice was flat, dripping with exhaustion. "I¡¯m the God Spark of Nature, blah blah blah¡ªuntold potential, most capable being in existence to become the Supreme God of Nature, blah blah blah." She cut off the voice mid-announcement, too tired to care. With a dramatic sigh, she pulled the Worldstone Fragment from her pocket and tossed it forward. "Here. Do what you have to do. My feet are killing me." With that, she collapsed onto her knees, rummaging through her bag and pulling out a water flask. She took a deep sip, mumbling under her breath. "This better be worth it." As if judging the tone of her voice, the mysterious entity spoke once more. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, young one, but your Force progression is not the highest among the participants of your trial in this Expanse.¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ Silvie stared blankly into the air, her mind seemingly unable to process what she had just heard. Then¡ª "WHAAAAATTTTTTT?!?!?!" Her furious shout echoed through the cave, her entire body tensing as pure outrage surged through her. "I¡¯m already at 30% in Force progression for Vine Force! Who the hell surpassed me?!" Her voice rose with frustration, hands gripping her scarf in disbelief. "I¡¯ve been training this since I was a kid! The moment they found me, they told me I was a once-in-a-generation talent! Now you¡¯re telling me I¡¯m SECOND PLACE?!" The voice responded with mocking amusement. "You still look like a kid. Barely a teenager." Silvie snapped her head upward, shooting the air a fierce glare as if that would make a difference. The voice giggled in response. "I¡¯m sorry, young one, but someone has already reached the cap in Force progression for those below the 1st Realm. Got to admit, that¡¯s pretty impressive." Silvie¡¯s eye twitched. "Impressive?! I thought I was making legendary, untold progress in the multiverse by reaching 30%! And you¡¯re telling me SOMEONE¡¯S ALREADY AT 50%?!" She gasped in sheer disbelief, gripping the Worldstone Fragment as if shaking it would somehow change reality. "Same thing I said, kid." The voice sounded way too entertained by her frustration. "Anyway, I¡¯m sorry, but you won¡¯t be able to acquire the item you came here for. You¡¯ll have to choose something else." The moment the words registered¡ª A fierce screech tore from Silvie¡¯s mouth, her frustration manifesting as nature itself twisted in response. Vines curled along the cave walls, leaves quivered, and even the air felt tense, as if the world itself understood her tantrum. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Then¡ªjust as suddenly¡ªshe plopped onto the floor, flopping like a defeated child. "I wanna go hooooome to my mommy¡­!" she whined, kicking her feet against the dirt, voice dripping with dramatic misery. The voice, ever the opportunist, saw its chance. "Come on now, we both know you don¡¯t have a mommy." Silence. Absolute silence. Silvie¡¯s mouth hung open, completely gobsmacked, unable to come up with a response. The pure audacity left her stunned. Back on Earth A meeting was taking place in a hidden location, nestled deep within the heart of a bustling city. To the unknowing public, the structure housing the gathering was nothing more than a well-known organization, a seemingly mundane institution lost among the thousands that dictated society¡¯s daily operations. But beneath the surface, behind its carefully curated image, it harbored one of the greatest secrets in human history. This organization was more than just a covert group. It was humanity¡¯s last line of preparation¡ªthe force working in the shadows to ensure Earth¡¯s survival in the vast multiverse. Their true purpose was simple but monumental: to prepare humanity for the inevitable. The organization had existed for as long as Earth itself, passed down through generations, its existence concealed from the eyes of the uninitiated. While the world carried on, blissfully unaware of the cosmic stage it had yet to step onto, they had been watching, waiting. They possessed knowledge far beyond what any nation or governing body could fathom¡ªrecords, calculations, and ancient texts detailing everything necessary to endure within the multiverse. The System, cultivation techniques, Force Alignments, and the Expanse¡ªthese were not myths or theories to them. They were facts. And they had studied them extensively. The Expanse was not just some anomaly; it was a trial, a rite of passage for worlds seeking integration into the multiverse. Earth¡¯s turn was coming, and the organization knew that when the time arrived, the planet¡¯s people would be woefully unprepared. That was why they existed¡ªto change that. They were not soldiers in the conventional sense, nor were they scholars confined to theoretical knowledge. Their members had been trained since childhood, conditioned in martial arts, discipline, and survival. Despite never having direct access to Aether, they studied and memorized every documented instance of its use, their understanding rivaling even those born with it. They had pioneered scientific breakthroughs that shaped humanity¡¯s greatest achievements, all under the guise of innovation when, in truth, every advancement had been a stepping stone toward comprehending the forces that governed the wider cosmos. Physics, engineering, medicine¡ªevery field of study had been meticulously examined through the lens of cultivation, Aether, and Force. Science, for them, was not just a means of advancement but a method of deciphering the hidden truths embedded within reality. If they could not wield Aether, they would learn its structure. If they could not cultivate like those in the multiverse, they would understand its principles so deeply that mastery would be inevitable once the opportunity arose. For centuries, they had waited in the shadows, quietly observing, shaping humanity¡¯s trajectory where they could. Their influence could be found in the foundations of history¡¯s greatest civilizations, their hands guiding the creation of ideas that seemed ahead of their time. They knew the day would come when Earth would no longer be an isolated world¡ªwhen it would be forced to take its place among countless others. And when that moment arrived, they would already be ten steps ahead. "It¡¯s been more than a month since Silvie entered the Expanse," a young man muttered, sweat dripping from his brow as he struck the training dummy again. His muscles ached, but he barely paid attention, too focused on his thoughts. "Hopefully, she¡¯s gotten what she needed from the First Expanse by now. I don¡¯t even want to think about what happens if she fails." His strikes became heavier, frustration bleeding into his movements. A young woman nearby scoffed as she finished her own drills. "For the leader of this organization, you sure don¡¯t have much faith in our greatest asset." The young man let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Greatest asset? That¡¯s the biggest understatement in the history of Earth." He turned to face her, arms crossed. "The idea of Silvie failing is bad enough. But someone like Silvie? You could search every world, every civilization in the multiverse, and you wouldn¡¯t find another like her." His expression darkened slightly, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "How she ended up on Earth? I don¡¯t care. What matters is that she gives us something no other world has¡ªa real chance to rise to the top." He exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he readjusted his stance. "And we¡¯d be idiots to let that slip away." "A God Spark, huh?" The woman laughed, shaking her head. "I¡¯ve read the teachings left behind so many times, but their existence still feels unfair." Her fingers absently traced the edge of a nearby training post, lost in thought. "Beings born with untold, unmatchable potential in their Grand Force Alignment¡­ able to surpass every living thing and claim the title of Supreme God of their Force. And only one can ever exist." The young leader nodded, arms crossed. "Supreme Gods¡­ the only beings who can claim to have the greatest understanding of their Grand Force in all of existence. One for each Grand Force. No rivals. No competition." He let out a slow breath. "And Silvie¡­ she reached 30% in her Force progression before even stepping into the First Realm. The others in the Expanse will be lucky if they leave with 2%. Even geniuses from other worlds barely break 5% before their first breakthrough." His gaze flickered toward the ceiling as if thinking aloud. "With that kind of advantage, there shouldn¡¯t be anyone in the Expanse capable of stopping her from getting what she wants. The only question is whether she actually gets it or not." A heavy silence lingered before the woman sighed, rubbing her temples. "And if she doesn¡¯t¡­" She shuddered. "May God help us, because her tantrum might just level this place completely." The thought of a rampaging, barely teenage Silvie tearing through their organization sent a chill down her spine. "Alright, get dressed. We have a meeting with those people¡ªwe need to plan for when the trial takers return." The leader¡¯s tone left no room for argument. The woman groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Do we really have to? They¡¯re weird." "Yeah, but what choice do we have? Would you rather discuss these events with the global leaders?" he shot back. She clicked her tongue. "Whatever. Let¡¯s just get this over with."
Entering the meeting room, they found the seats already filled, waiting for the leader and his secretary to take their places. A sturdy-looking man leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his gaze unimpressed. "Took you long enough to arrive." Ren Sui ignored him completely and got straight to the point. "As you all know, the Expanse trial has been ongoing for a month now. 10,000 participants were chosen, including a few of our own, and most importantly¡ªSilvie Nicole." His tone was steady, but there was an underlying weight to his words. "At this point, assuming everything goes well, Silvie should be well on her way to claiming the prize for defeating the First Apex Boss of the Expanse¡­" A scoff interrupted him. "You really trust a preteen to accomplish something like that?" The same sturdy fellow from before spoke up again, his disbelief practically dripping from his voice. Ren didn¡¯t so much as blink. His gaze turned ice cold as he addressed the man directly. "How about you get above 2% Force progression before speaking? You have a lot to say about a little girl who could kill you without even noticing your existence." Silence. The man grumbled under his breath but didn¡¯t press the issue. "Whatever." Ren smoothly resumed the meeting. "As of right now, our priority is preparing the world for what¡¯s to come. News of 10,000 people vanishing has finally started spreading across the globe. But right now, any mention of Force, Aether, or the multiverse would only make us sound like conspiracy theorists." He leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "We wait for their return before we make our move. That will be the moment we set everything into motion. It¡¯s taken millions of years, but it looks like our generation will be the one to finally accomplish the goals set for this organization." His gaze swept over everyone in the room, cold and unwavering. "I expect no failure. You know what to do. Dismissed."
Back in the Expanse¡­ The environment was a chaotic mess¡ªthe landscape upended, torn apart as if nature itself had been flipped upside down. A voice echoed through the destruction. "You know, for someone attuned to Nature Force, you sure do destroy nature a lot." Silvie twitched. Her patience had already been hanging by a thread. Hearing that? That thread snapped. Chapter 44 Back on Earth In the heart of Japan, a massive cherry tree stood tall¡ªso colossal that it dwarfed even the Eiffel Tower in sheer size. Its presence was a spectacle, a breathtaking marvel that quickly became one of Japan¡¯s most famous tourist attractions. People flocked from all over the world, their heads tilted all the way back as they gazed upon the endless canopy of Sakura blossoms. Delicate petals drifted gently to the ground, carried by the wind, painting the landscape in shades of soft pink and white. Over time, a tradition emerged. Visitors began making wishes upon the fallen petals. Strangely, these wishes were never for greed or personal gain. Instead, they always seemed to align with something greater. It was as if the tree itself inspired hope beyond selfish desires. This unspoken sentiment only grew stronger when an organization formed around the tree, dedicated to preserving its mystery and purpose. The world knew it as Cherry Tree Inc. Cherry Tree Inc. was known as the greatest powerhouse company in history. No matter the industry they entered, they inevitably became number one, setting the standard for progress and success on a global scale. They led advancements in every major field¡ªentertainment, agriculture, finance, scientific research, technology, and most notably, healthcare. Their contributions to medicine and biotechnology were nothing short of revolutionary. Diseases that had plagued humanity for centuries¡ªcancer, Alzheimer¡¯s, even genetic disorders once thought untreatable¡ªwere either eradicated or rendered completely manageable. Their breakthroughs in regenerative medicine allowed the regrowth of lost limbs and organs, fundamentally reshaping what was once thought possible in the medical world. Their most astonishing achievements, however, came in the realm of technology, particularly artificial intelligence. It wasn¡¯t long ago that they propelled AI development so far ahead that even the greatest minds in the field were left in disbelief. Where others believed true self-learning, near-sentient AI was something that wouldn¡¯t be seen for centuries, Cherry Tree Inc. made it a reality in a matter of years. Even the most visionary experts had once assumed such progress was something their great-grandchildren wouldn¡¯t live to see. Yet, Cherry Tree Inc. made the impossible seem effortless. But their business success paled in comparison to their global contributions. For every dollar that poured into Cherry Tree Inc., just as much¡ªif not more¡ªflowed back out into the world. Their financial power wasn¡¯t hoarded for greed or status; it was used to reshape lives. They funded healthcare for those in need, covering treatments and surgeries that otherwise would have been impossible. They sponsored students, giving them access to education they could have never afforded. They backed aid relief in conflict zones, ensuring food, medical supplies, and shelter reached those suffering the most. The list of their charitable efforts was so vast that it became an accepted fact¡ªif Cherry Tree Inc. had the resources to solve every crisis on Earth, they wouldn¡¯t hesitate to do it. But unfortunately, there were limits to what even the greatest company could achieve. Yet, despite those limits, millions of people across the world could personally attest to how Cherry Tree Inc. had changed their lives for the better. The company¡¯s symbol¡ªonce just a corporate logo¡ªbecame something more. It became a cherished emblem within Japan¡¯s culture, a mark of hope and generosity. Oddly enough, the person who founded the company wasn¡¯t even Japanese. He hailed from the Caribbean, a place where cherry trees didn¡¯t naturally grow. Yet, when asked about the name, he insisted on it, saying it came from his lifelong fascination with Sakura blossoms. As Cherry Tree Inc.¡¯s global influence grew, it wasn¡¯t long before the leaders of the world took notice. Some saw their contributions as a blessing, a beacon of progress that benefited humanity as a whole. Others, however, saw it as a threat. Certain governments and political figures sought to restrict and dictate the company¡¯s actions, attempting to limit their reach through carefully crafted laws and regulations. Bills were drafted, not out of necessity, but to hamper their independence¡ªan effort to place Cherry Tree Inc. under governmental control. Some officials even pushed for direct involvement, lobbying to secure key positions within the company under the guise of corporate oversight. But their intentions were obvious. It wasn¡¯t about regulation. It was about power, control, and greed. Other corporations, envious of Cherry Tree Inc.''s unmatched assets, innovation, and wealth, joined the effort. They saw an opportunity to weaken their greatest competitor, funnelling money into lobbying efforts so blatantly corrupt that they didn¡¯t even bother to hide it from the public. Their arrogance proved to be a fatal mistake. Public outrage erupted on a global scale. The people had seen the good Cherry Tree Inc. had done. They had benefited from its actions firsthand. And when they realized that politicians and corporate executives were attempting to hinder the very company that had improved millions of lives, their fury was unstoppable. Protests broke out worldwide. Some corrupt corporations collapsed overnight, unable to withstand the boycotts and financial backlash. Government officials who had pushed the hardest found themselves under fire from the very citizens they claimed to represent. The anger ran so deep that in certain parts of the world, people even called for the execution of the executives and lawmakers responsible. To the public, this wasn¡¯t just about business and regulation. It was about protecting a company that had become a symbol of hope. And they weren¡¯t about to let greed destroy it. And throughout all the chaos, debates, and public outrage, despite being the very center of it all, Cherry Tree Inc. continued as usual. They refused to let politicians, corporations, or any external force disrupt their mission. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Nothing changed. No speeches. No official responses. No defensive statements. Even the Founder, the very figure responsible for it all, remained completely silent. Or rather¡ªhe was nowhere to be seen.
A lone figure moved through the heart of Cherry Tree Inc., his footsteps quiet as he passed through various security checkpoints, scanning his keycard at every door. After navigating through several sections of the company, he finally arrived at a seemingly unremarkable location¡ªthe cleaning facilities. With practiced ease, he gathered his supplies, securing everything he needed before heading out to begin his work.
As he walked the halls, various employees greeted him as they did every day. "Hi, Sui Ren! How are you?" a female colleague called out with a friendly wave. "Same thing, different day, really. Hope you have a great one," he replied with a warm smile before continuing his rounds. Sui Ren¡ªor rather, Ren Sui¡ªwas nothing more than a janitor at Cherry Tree Inc. At least, that¡¯s what everyone thought. Cleaning the halls, maintaining the offices, ensuring everything remained spotless¡ªthis was his day-to-day job. But in reality, he had deliberately placed himself here. A man who belonged to an ancient organization, a leader who had spent his life preparing for Earth¡¯s inevitable integration into the multiverse, now posed as nothing more than an unassuming worker. Cherry Tree Inc. had taken everyone by surprise. Even his organization, despite centuries of preparation, centuries of studying forces beyond Earth, had never predicted the rise of a company so powerful, so untouchable, that it could reshape the world in mere years. And yet, here it was. A force that not even the world¡¯s greatest powers could fully control.
As Ren wiped down the surface of a large mahogany desk, the accountant sitting inside glanced up from his paperwork. "Hey, Sui, did you hear about the recent arrests in the United States?" Ren paused for a brief moment, then resumed cleaning. "No, I haven¡¯t. What happened?" "Members of Congress and different government sectors kept pushing for a forceful takeover of Cherry Tree Inc. Some wanted tighter restrictions, others outright demanded we be seized and brought under their control." "Hell, some even whispered about military intervention, like brute force was enough to bring us to heel." "But before they could even act on it¡ªbefore a single plan could take shape¡ªthose same officials were arrested and stripped of their positions." "If that¡¯s not a warning, I don¡¯t know what is." "Cherry Tree Inc. isn¡¯t some company you can threaten and walk away from."
Ren barely reacted to the news as he continued methodically wiping down a desk. His tone was casual¡ªjust another janitor making small talk. "In all fairness, it¡¯s not really a surprise," Ren replied, his voice even as he continued cleaning. "It seems like some people would rather start a war with us than let us exist in peace." The accountant sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, but you¡¯d think after everything Cherry Tree Inc. has done, people would have enough sense to leave it alone." A scientist from the research division, passing by, scoffed before jumping into the conversation. "What¡¯s even more surprising is that someone like her actually got elected into the House of Representatives." His tone was laced with disbelief. "Even after reading the audits about our advancements in technology, even after being warned that we are in a greater position to defend ourselves¡ªespecially with our capabilities to create warfare¡ªshe still went on and on with her nonsense." He shook his head, muttering under his breath. "I swear, some people don¡¯t understand how close they are to making a mistake they can¡¯t undo." The accountant chuckled dryly. "I think they assume we¡¯ll just sit here and take it, that we¡¯re all too charitable and kind to do anything. They really haven¡¯t met our CEO, have they?" Ren smirked slightly at that. "Not too surprising. We could put him in broad daylight, and no one would assume he¡¯s the CEO and founder." That much was true. The public image of Cherry Tree Inc. was one of progress and benevolence, and their leader? Most wouldn¡¯t even recognize him if he walked right past them. But Ren knew better. His expression shifted, his voice taking on a more serious edge. "But even I have to admit¡ªwhen his bottom line is crossed, even I¡¯m scared of him. It¡¯s like he becomes an entirely different person." "Anyway, guys, I¡¯m off. More cleaning to do. Have a good day." Ren waved them off and continued down the hall, disappearing into one of the most secured areas of Cherry Tree Inc. Most people assumed this was the CEO¡¯s office, a grand space where the company¡¯s greatest decisions were made. Ren, however, entered with nothing but his cleaning supplies.
"You¡¯re still acting as the interim CEO, huh?" Ren quipped humorously as he stepped inside. Before he could take another step, a stapler came flying toward his head. He tilted slightly, letting it whizz past his ear and clatter against the wall. "Don¡¯t make me gut you." The threat came from the woman behind the desk, her tone flat yet unmistakably sharp. Ren sighed, shaking his head. "Hey, stop making more work for me. You know I have to clean that up, right?" The CEO leaned back in her chair, unimpressed. "Sui, you really like to get on my nerves, don¡¯t you?" Ren flashed a grin, completely unfazed. "Yes. I. Do." "Haven¡¯t they heard anything about when that guy¡¯s coming back?" she moaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Unfortunately, no." Ren leaned against the wall, watching her with mild amusement. "Seems like our CEO was one of those people who disappeared." She let out an exaggerated groan, slumping forward onto her desk. "Ughhh, why me? Why do I¡ª" Ren, never one to let her finish a complaint, cut in smoothly. "Guess fate doesn¡¯t like you. Which, honestly, makes sense." He flashed her a grin, completely unapologetic. A second later, something heavy flew past his head, barely missing him. Outside the office, employees walked by as the sounds of an all-out war echoed through the walls. The crashing of objects, the sharp exchange of insults, and the occasional thud of what could only be furniture colliding with something solid had become a daily occurrence. At this point, no one even bothered reacting. In fact, the cleaning budget had been permanently increased to account for the sheer amount of damage that took place in this one room alone. And the reason? Those two. "Huff¡­ Huff¡­ Huff¡­" Taking deep breaths, Lia collapsed onto the floor, arms sprawled out as she tried to catch her breath. Ren stood over her, shaking his head with an amused chuckle. "I keep telling you to take care of your body. Look at you¡ªalready exhausted. Kinda sad, to be honest, Lia." She barely had the energy to glare at him. "I¡¯m too tired to even try killing you for that," she muttered, still resting on the floor. Ren smirked. "Too bad Jin isn¡¯t here. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d whip you into shape in no time. Then again, he disappeared along with everyone else." Lia sighed, taking a long sip of water before giving him a curious look. "Why are you so adamant about training? Always pushing fitness, mental sharpness¡­ Not to talk down on you for being a janitor, but you¡¯ve proven you¡¯re way too smart and capable for this job. You could land any high-level position here in any department. Do you know something we don¡¯t?" Ren shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I don¡¯t know about that. I just like being low-key. And honestly? This job pays really well, so I don¡¯t mind it." Lia grinned, a sense of pride evident in her expression. "That¡¯s Cherry Tree for you. Making sure its own people never have to worry about anything before looking after the rest of the world." She said it with genuine admiration, as if she truly believed in the company¡¯s mission. Ren grinned. "Well, for us to keep being that way, you better make sure you don¡¯t ruin us. Don¡¯t make me homeless, lady." Before she could process his words, he burst out laughing and bolted for the door. Lia barely hesitated before launching a half-empty water bottle at his retreating figure. Staring at the lone umbrella resting in the corner of the room, Lia sighed. Her thoughts drifted to the CEO, wondering when¡ªor if¡ªhe would return. Wherever he was, she just hoped he was okay. She ran a hand through her hair before groaning. "Ughhh, even the secretary is gone too?" Another complaint added to the ever-growing list. After a few minutes of grumbling to herself, she finally composed herself, cleaning up and straightening her posture. The tired, frustrated woman from moments ago disappeared. By the time she stepped out, she carried herself with the poise and authority of Cherry Tree¡¯s interim leader. As she passed Ren, he leaned lazily against the wall, flashing her an easygoing grin. "Go get ''em, tiger." Lia raised an eyebrow, her confidence returning in full force as she smirked at him. Without breaking stride, she tossed him a pastry from the meeting room. "You know I will, Lion." Ren caught it effortlessly, shaking his head. "God, you¡¯re so corny." Back to the Expanse In a quiet corner of the settlement, Kei sat mindlessly carving his branch staff, the soft rhythm of his blade against the wood filling the air. His Aether had already etched intricate designs into the surface, and now he was carefully accentuating them by hand, ensuring every detail stood out. Happily working away with his woodcrafting tools, he barely noticed the gentle breeze carrying a familiar scent toward him. "Hey, guys," he greeted cheerfully, not even looking up as he continued his carving. "You¡¯re a woodcrafter too?" Reese asked, stepping closer, clearly amazed by the intricate patterns forming along Kei¡¯s staff. "Yeah," Kei responded casually. "I got bored back on Earth. Used to model designs for engineering with wood before finishing them on computers." He still hadn''t lifted his eyes from his work, completely absorbed in his task. "Ignoring the fact that there seems to be nothing you can¡¯t do," Talia cut in with an amused scoff, "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard about the plans to tackle the Apex Boss. Are you joining?" Kei blinked, finally looking up. "Apex Boss? Haven¡¯t heard about it." His brows furrowed in genuine confusion before a sudden realization hit him. "Oh¡­ I forgot there are other Apex Bosses besides the blue mon¡ª" He froze mid-sentence. As if realizing he¡¯d just said something he absolutely shouldn¡¯t have, Kei¡¯s carving knife hovered in place. Slowly, he looked up and found himself met with four wide-eyed stares. "You¡¯re saying you defeated one of the two Apex Bosses?" Kai muttered in shock. Kei hesitated for a long moment. Then, with a completely straight face¡ª "Ummmm¡­ I plead the Fifth." Chapter 45 A staring contest began between the two sides. One insisted on his innocence. The other, knowing exactly what he was capable of, found it hard to believe. There was a very good chance that one of the unknown individuals who had taken down an Apex Boss was sitting right in front of them. Their gazes locked. Neither blinked. Neither backed down. One side refused to admit the truth. The other refused to accept the lie. The silence stretched until¡ª "And he looks at them, and they look at him, and he looks at them, and they look at¡ªah, crap." Talia launched herself at Kei, tackling him to the ground with frightening speed. Her hands clamped around his neck, tightening with increasing pressure. "You just revealed something important, and you¡¯re out here singing R. Kelly? You stupid imbecile! I¡¯m gonna strangle you to death!" "Help! She¡¯s killing me!" Kei gasped, flailing as Talia shook him like a ragdoll. Meanwhile, Kai, Owen, and Reese¡ªthe supposed friends who should¡¯ve been helping¡ªlooked the other way. "Nice weather, huh?" Kai said, pretending not to hear Kei¡¯s strangled cries. "Yeah, birds chirping, trees swaying... really nice day for a picnic," Reese added, nodding sagely. "That staff he¡¯s carving looks really good," Owen noted casually. "Like two branches twirling around each other." They steadfastly refused to involve themselves in whatever mess Kei had gotten himself into. Meanwhile, Talia¡¯s grip tightened further, her voice rising to a frenzied scream. "IT¡¯S A GOOD THING YOU HAVE A SECOND LIFE BECAUSE I¡¯M GOING TO THROTTLE THE FIRST ONE OUT OF YOU!" Kei frantically waved his arms, tears welling up in his eyes. "This is the only one I have! Please don¡¯t kill me!" The moment the words left his mouth, the entire group froze. A heavy silence followed. Owen was the first to break it. "You¡¯re the guy who died in our first few seconds here." Talia paused mid-strangle, eyes wide in realization. Kei wheezed, finally catching a few precious breaths of air. Which turned out to be extremely useful¡ªbecause a second later, she started choking him again. It took all three guys¡ªKai, Owen, and Reese¡ªto pry Talia off Kei. And even then, it was a struggle. They weren¡¯t just fighting her grip; she had surged her Mirage Force to its absolute limit, making her illusions sharper, more real¡ªmore deceptive¡ªthan the last time Kei had seen them. Before anyone could act, copies of herself and Kei appeared, throwing the entire scene into disarray. Reese, Kai, and Owen hesitated. Logic told them that the Kei and Talia they had just seen grappling had to be the real ones. Except¡­ they weren¡¯t. Kei himself was momentarily confused, trying to yell for them¡ª Only for his copies to do the same. The area was filled with identical voices, identical movements. It was chaos. Kei had to quickly guide the three using wind currents, subtly pushing them toward the real Talia, allowing them to rip her off him before she crushed his windpipe for good. Coughing between words, Kei rubbed his sore throat. "Wow¡­ you really improved your Force. Even I had a hard time finding the real us." Owen, using his Bastion Force, planted himself on top of Talia, keeping her firmly restrained as she thrashed beneath him. "Yeah, she just advanced to 2% Force progression¡ªthe first among us to do so." Kei raised an eyebrow, genuinely impressed. "Not bad." Reese, arms crossed, hesitated before speaking. "I know it¡¯s not really our place to ask, and don¡¯t feel like you have to tell us if you don¡¯t want to¡­ but how did someone as strong as you die so quickly?" Talia still struggled beneath Owen, but even she paused slightly, waiting for an answer. Kei shrugged. "Not much of a thrilling story, to be honest. Just got my head bitten off by a Fangcub." Silence. They all stared at him. Blankly. "Wait¡­ what?" Kei saw their faces, then sighed. "Yeah, when I first got here, I landed in a tree in the middle of the forest. Fell out, system announcements started playing, and a Fangcub found me." He gestured vaguely with his hands. "We fought, it took a couple bites out of me, I won¡ªbut then I passed out. When I woke up, I realized it had been protecting me from Hares." Noticing they were actually following along, he continued. "Then the system announced the free life thing, so I asked the cub to kill me so I could reset with a fully functioning body." He finished with a casual shrug. "And¡­ that¡¯s pretty much it." The stunned silence only deepened. "And also, before coming here, I wasn¡¯t strong at all," Kei added, stretching his sore neck. "I couldn¡¯t even do five push-ups if you put a gun to my head. But I used my points to get a better feel for my body and trained." This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. He leaned back, rubbing his chin as he recalled his first real battle. "Then I met Zeph. He ragdolled me around during our fight, but I learned martial arts from him in the middle of it. Wrestled wind and Aether out of his control, pelted him with pebbles, and somehow won." He sighed, shaking his head. "Truly a miracle even I don¡¯t understand, but oh well." Talia, still pinned beneath Owen, groaned. "Zeph¡­ the blue monkey, I¡¯m guessing? And it¡¯s still alive?" Kei grinned. "Basically." "You¡¯re really an enigmatic fellow, aren¡¯t you?" Kai mused, watching Kei with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Got to admit, you¡¯re one of the most impressive people I¡¯ve met since coming here." Kei glanced up briefly. "Oh, thanks." He returned to carving his staff, barely reacting to the compliment before tilting his head slightly. "So, this Apex Boss you guys are hunting¡­ why do you need my help? You know I¡¯m not one for violence unless I need to be." Owen spoke up first. "It¡¯s not like anyone¡¯s forcing you or anything. The settlement just wants to take it down¡ªprobably to prove themselves, get stronger, and earn some rewards." "They¡¯ve been in an uproar ever since two Apex Bosses were defeated," he added, shaking his head. Reese chimed in, his tone casual. "We just figured it wouldn¡¯t hurt to ask since you¡¯re so strong, but it¡¯s fine¡ªwe should manage without your help." Talia sighed, shifting slightly under Owen¡¯s weight. "It¡¯s just¡­ we need new equipment, and we don¡¯t have enough money for anything decent. My daggers are worn out, too expensive to fix, and honestly, I¡¯m starting to outgrow them." Plop. The group barely had time to process what had happened before piles of equipment and materials suddenly dropped onto the ground in front of them. Kei, still focused on carving his staff, didn¡¯t even look up. "Feel free to take what¡¯s helpful and sell what¡¯s not." The others just stared at the pile. Then at Kei. Then back at the pile. Kai mimicked Kei¡¯s earlier words in a mocking, exaggerated tone, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "YoU kNoW i¡¯M nOt OnE fOr ViOlEnCe UnLeSs I nEeD tO bE." Then he gestured wildly at the piles of equipment and materials on the ground. "What the hell is all of this!?" Kei shrugged lazily, still carving at his staff. "Meh, I trained and ate, really. Food¡¯s gotta come from somewhere. And some creatures were way too insistent on trying to kill me, so they can¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn them." Reese eyed the pile, then Kei. "So why don¡¯t you use any of this stuff?" Talia, meanwhile, had completely tuned them out. Her eyes shined with greed as she eagerly shifted through the equipment, inspecting anything that caught her interest. "I know you like your comfort, so full armor is out, but these pads, gauntlets, and accessories are really good. Not to mention the weapons too." Kei rolled his shoulders, shifting the branch staff in his hands. "Honestly, I just like using this staff. And I¡¯ve noticed the more I run my Aether through it, the better it becomes¡ªkinda makes all these weapons redundant." Their gazes fell onto the staff, taking a closer look. A faint, natural glow radiated from the wood, subtle yet undeniably present. Their first thought? It had to be a high-quality weapon¡ªsomething Kei must have received from a dungeon, a quest, or even from defeating an Apex Boss. Owen frowned, curiosity piqued. "What rank is that staff?" Kei hummed, tilting his head as if trying to recall something. Then, as if prompted by his thoughts, system text appeared before him. A small flicker of surprise crossed his face as he read it. [Windblade Staff] [Ranking: Bronze] [Crafted by Kei Yuichi, blessed with pristine-quality Aether.] A uniquely crafted staff, its design resembling two intertwining branches, seamlessly spiraling around each other. This natural formation creates open channels that allow wind to flow freely through its structure, enhancing its interaction with Breeze Force. When infused with Aether, the staff naturally captures and redirects air currents, enabling the wielder to unleash sharp wind blades, concentrated bursts of wind, or seamless momentum shifts in combat. Due to its organic nature and continued exposure to Aether, the staff seems to refine itself over time, growing stronger the more it is used. He stared at the ranking. Huh. That¡¯s¡­ new. "Says it''s a Bronze rank," Kei muttered, his tone laced with confusion. Reese raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Must¡¯ve defeated a really strong creature for that." "Nope, just got it from a tree." Kei admitted casually. As if to demonstrate, his Aether surged through the staff, wind coalescing along its twisting branches before forming a razor-sharp wind blade. "I¡¯ve just been running my Aether through it to fight. Then you guys showed up and saw me chipping away at it. Kept refining the shape, and now, all of a sudden, it says Bronze rank." Their genuine reaction? "Oh." And that was that. Reese scratched his head. "What does it mean by ¡®pristine-quality Aether¡¯ though?" Kei shrugged, already feeling sleepy. "I don¡¯t know. I just want to nap." "So, that staff the only weapon you have?" Reese pressed. Kei yawned, lazily pointing toward his hair. "Oh, I have these Windpiercer Needles too. System says they¡¯re a ¡®Unique Craft.¡¯" The group followed his gesture, eyes landing on several thin metallic needles, discreetly woven into his bun¡ªblending seamlessly with his hair. "I got these from a quest¡ªcompleted it perfectly." Kei grinned, holding up the Windpiercer Needles. Kai leaned in, eyes narrowing slightly in admiration. "I¡¯m gonna guess¡­ you throw those too?" "Yeah! And they return too¡ªit¡¯s so cool!" Kei¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement, like a kid showing off his new Christmas toys. For a brief moment¡ªeven Talia paused her rummaging to take in the scene. Despite all his weirdness, Kei had an innocence to him that was oddly endearing. Of course, that moment lasted about half a second. "Ooooh, these boots are cute! And the stats are great! It¡¯s even Common rank!" Talia cheered, immediately resuming her search through the pile. But before anyone could continue their casual conversation, an obnoxious voice rang through the air. "That¡¯s some nice equipment there. Thank you for your gracious donation to us." A small group of arrogant-looking individuals stepped forward, greed dripping from their expressions. They didn¡¯t even bother hiding their intentions. Owen groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Ugh, you idiots." Kai and Reese, on the other hand? They wisely stayed quiet. Ready to be entertained. Talia didn¡¯t even spare the newcomers a glance. The same grating voice continued. "What? Just because you guys improved a little, you think you¡¯re too good for us? Heh, you¡¯re still just tr¡ª" "Damn, you¡¯re ugly." Kei cut in, his tone genuinely disgusted. The guy stumbled over his words. Kei didn¡¯t stop. "You really walk around in broad daylight with a face looking like that?" The group stood there, caught off guard. "Looks like you got shitted out instead of being given birth to." Kai choked. Reese turned away, shoulders shaking. "I don¡¯t know what sins your parents committed, but you¡¯re clearly God¡¯s way of punishing them¡ªforcing them to wake up every day and see that grotesque smile." Kei clicked his tongue. "Damn¡­ that¡¯s mean, even for me." The newcomers stood frozen, unable to process the verbal devastation unfolding before them. Kei sighed, shaking his head. "Hey, fix your face, seriously. If you keep looking at me like that, I might actually throw up." He squinted. "Matter of fact¡­ nah, no fixing that. You need a whole refund on your genetics, my guy." Reese snorted loudly, unable to hold back his laughter anymore. Kai finally spoke, wiping a tear from his eye. "Bro, that was brutal." Kei shrugged. "I call it how I see it." The guy who had spoken first stood frozen, his entire existence seemingly shattered by the barrage of insults that had targeted every insecurity he had ever tried to suppress. He opened his mouth once¡ªthen closed it. No words came out. Instead, another of the idiots stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation. "How dare you insult us¡ª" And then, the world froze. Even Talia, Owen, Kai, and Reese¡ªwho had been more than entertained just moments ago¡ªdidn¡¯t know what to make of what they had just witnessed. Because the second guy was now clutching his eye, screaming. "GAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Sticking directly out of his eye was a Windpiercer Needle. A needle that Kei had casually stabbed into his face mid-sentence. Kei tilted his head, watching the guy writhe in agony. "Huh. You actually felt that? I thought I coated it with paralyzing poison." His voice was filled with genuine confusion. Then, he paused. His fingers twitched slightly. Oh. His hand was starting to go numb. Kei let out a small chuckle. "Hehe, silly me. I used the wrong end." The others just stared. Talia''s brain short-circuited. "What the¡­?" Owen blinked slowly. Reese and Kai? No words. Just silence. Kei, meanwhile, wasn¡¯t even remotely concerned. "What? You guys never wondered what would happen if you paralyzed someone''s eye before?" His tone was scientifically curious, completely ignoring the guy still screaming in the background. The guy finally collapsed, hyperventilating as his body shook violently. Kei sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Man, you''re noisy." With that, he casually retrieved the needle from the guy¡¯s eye. The injured man barely had a moment to process the relief of the needle no longer being lodged in his socket¡ª Because before he could even finish exhaling, Kei ran the needle through his hair again, passing it through a hidden groove in the bun he had crafted specifically to soak his needles in different poisons. This time, he made sure it was coated in a neurotoxin. Satisfied, Kei ran the needle straight into the guy¡¯s throat. His eyes widened in pure terror, unable to react in time as the Windpiercer Needle sank deep. Kei, on the other hand? He was absolutely fascinated. "Ooooh, now this one I really wanna see." The guy, unfortunately, did not share his excitement. Chapter 46 The moment Kei drove the needle into the guy¡¯s throat, everything shifted. At first, the man clutched at his neck in confusion. Then, the realization hit him¡ªsomething was wrong. His breath hitched. His body jerked. The neurotoxin spread instantly. His limbs locked up, muscles spasming violently as his throat refused to work properly. He tried to scream¡ªbut only a strained gurgle escaped. Kei watched with deep fascination, tilting his head slightly as if studying an experiment. "Hmm. Paralysis took effect faster than expected. Maybe the bloodstream absorbed it quicker since the throat is highly vascularized?" Owen, Kai, and Reese exchanged looks. Talia¡¯s grip on her new boots tightened. Something about this felt... off. Kei snapped his fingers. "Oh! Wait¡ªwill it stop his heart first, or shut down his lungs? That¡¯s the real question." The paralyzed man convulsed violently, eyes rolling back. Kei leaned closer, eyes practically glowing with excitement. "Kei." Owen¡¯s voice cut through the moment, sharp and serious. Kei blinked, as if just now noticing them. "Huh?" Owen exhaled heavily, his usual relaxed posture tense. "What are you even doing?" Kei gestured at the man, completely unfazed. "Science?" No one laughed. Kai, who usually found Kei¡¯s antics entertaining, felt a strange sense of unease. Reese shifted uncomfortably, his arms crossed tightly. Even Talia, who had tried to kill Kei just an hour ago, now found herself watching him with an expression she couldn''t quite place. Kei, oblivious to their reactions, sighed dramatically as if someone had asked him to take out the trash. "Fine, fine. I¡¯ll make it quick." He retrieved another Windpiercer Needle, this one coated in a different substance. The man¡¯s remaining allies¡ªwho had been frozen in fear¡ªfinally snapped out of it. "W-Wait! You don¡¯t have to¡ª" Kei ignored them. Thud. The needle pierced clean through the man¡¯s temple. His body stiffened instantly, then went completely still. Silence. Kei stood up, brushing himself off. "Well, that was interesting." The rest of the wannabe thieves took a slow step backward, their faces drained of all color. Kai, Reese, and Owen weren¡¯t much different. This wasn¡¯t a fight. This wasn¡¯t self-defense. And Kei? Kei had never looked more relaxed. Finally, one of the remaining men gathered his courage, stepping forward with clenched fists. "You think we¡¯re just gonna let you get away with this?" Kei tilted his head. Then, he grinned. Not his usual lazy, carefree grin. Something colder. Something that made even Talia take an instinctive step back. "I think," Kei said, stepping forward so his shadow loomed over them, "you should worry less about letting me get away with something¡­ and more about whether I¡¯ll let you leave at all." The men didn¡¯t need another warning. They ran. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Kai let out a breath he didn¡¯t realize he was holding. Talia, for once, wasn¡¯t sure what to say. Owen and Reese simply watched Kei carefully, as if seeing him for the first time. Kei glanced down at the man he had stabbed twice. Then, in a completely casual tone, he muttered: "Oh, by the way, that last needle was the antidote." Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen whipped their heads toward him. "What?!" Kei shrugged, already turning away. "Yeah. The neurotoxin will wear off in about¡­ I dunno, five minutes?" The four stared at him. Stared at the ''corpse'' on the ground. Then stared back at Kei. Kai ran a hand down his face. "You couldn¡¯t have told us that before you made it look like you just straight-up executed a guy?" Kei yawned. "Didn¡¯t think it mattered. It¡¯s not like he¡¯s gonna remember much of it anyway." Talia squinted at him. "¡­You enjoyed that, didn¡¯t you?" Kei just smiled. And for the first time, it was impossible to tell if it was a joke or not. Who definitely weren¡¯t smiling were the guys who had just run away. They hadn¡¯t made it far when a voice cut them off. "Hey, have you guys seen Owen and the others?" The voice belonged to someone who wasn¡¯t supposed to be an enemy. Someone they could maybe¡ªhopefully¡ªtrust. But the voice noticed something immediately. The rampant fear in their eyes. Their ragged breathing. The way they kept glancing over their shoulders as if expecting something¡ªor someone¡ªto appear out of nowhere. "What happened to you guys?" One of them practically lunged forward, grabbing onto the new arrival in pure desperation. "Please, you have to help us! There¡¯s an insane person trying to kill us! He¡ªhe executed Paul in cold blood!" "What!?" Meanwhile, back at the scene of the supposed "execution"¡­ Kei had heard every word. He had been trying to listen¡ªhis Breeze Force naturally carried the sound to him. He saw everything. Heard everything. And ignored it all the same. Owen, on the other hand, sensed the shift in tension within their own group. And he didn¡¯t like it. Kei might have been acting normal, but after everything that had just happened¡­ Owen wasn¡¯t so sure anymore. So, rather than let the atmosphere sit in uneasy silence, he made a decision. Stepping forward, he suddenly clapped a hand on Kei¡¯s shoulder. "Now that I think about it," Owen said, keeping his tone casual, almost lighthearted, "I have a quest I received a while ago. Would you be able to help me with it?" Kei blinked, clearly caught off guard. The tense energy lurking beneath the surface was momentarily interrupted. Kei tilted his head, rubbing his chin. "Quest, huh?" Owen nodded. "Yeah. You interested?" There was a pause. Then, finally¡ª Kei grinned. "Sure. Why not?" And just like that, the conversation shifted gears. But the others? Talia, Kai, and Reese? They weren¡¯t so sure Owen¡¯s distraction had actually helped. Because while Kei agreed to the quest, none of them could shake the feeling that¡­ Something had changed. Kei sighed, but there was an unmistakable glint of excitement in his eyes. "Seems like we should¡¯ve left yesterday. At least you guys, anyway." Kai frowned. "Huh? What do you mean¡ª" "Hold it right there!" A sharp voice cut through the air. Talia¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Wait a second¡­ Didn¡¯t they just leave?" Reese¡¯s head snapped toward the source of the voice, his brow furrowing. "What are they doing back here?" The group from before¡ªthe ones who had run away terrified¡ªwere now standing right in front of them again. But something was different. They didn¡¯t look frightened anymore. If anything¡­ they looked determined. And that? That didn¡¯t make sense. Kai¡¯s voice dropped lower. "Don¡¯t they learn?" Reese shifted slightly, eyes scanning them. "Why do they seem like they¡¯re not scared anymore?" Kei grinned. "That¡¯s the fun part. Let¡¯s find out." "You must be the reason they aren¡¯t scared." Kei¡¯s grin widened, but the new arrival ignored him completely. "I¡¯ve been told you stole my members¡¯ equipment and materials." Kei barely had time to respond before Owen scoffed, stepping forward. "What? No, we didn¡¯t. They tried to claim our stuff as theirs, talking about ¡®generous donations¡¯ and all that nonsense." The man¡ªOrin Graves, leader of the Black Talon group¡ªlet his gaze slowly drift to the pile of equipment on the ground. His brow arched as he caught sight of the boots in Talia¡¯s hands. "Then explain this." His voice was cold. "And while you¡¯re at it, tell me why one of my men is lying on the ground, looking very much dead." Talia clicked her tongue. "Graves, you seriously believe your guys were capable of securing equipment like this? It¡¯s not theirs. It was given to us." Orin¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. If anything, his eyes darkened. "And what, you think your little improvement is enough to secure all of this?" His gaze swept over them, filled with condescension. "And you said ¡®donated¡¯? If you¡¯re going to lie, at least have the decency to tell the whole truth." Then, his voice dropped lower. "Because if you don¡¯t, I can promise you¡ªnot even Dragbane could protect you." And then¡ª He unleashed his presence. A wave of pure pressure crashed over them. Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen all faltered, their bodies instinctively locking up. Their breathing grew shallow. Their muscles tensed. For the first time in a long while, they felt small. Orin Graves wasn¡¯t just strong. He was terrifying. Kei, on the other hand, was staring at his status screen, tapping his chin curiously. "Hmmm. My skill must¡¯ve advanced if this moron completely ignored me¡­ but it doesn¡¯t seem like it changed at all. Really strange." His voice cut through the suffocating tension, breaking the oppressive weight Orin Graves had unleashed. His friends took the moment to breathe again. One of the Black Talon members who had fled earlier pointed straight at Kei, voice shaking but determined. "Leader Graves, it was him! He¡¯s the one responsible for Paul!" Orin¡¯s sharp gaze flicked toward Kei. "Him?" The other members nodded furiously. "He attacked us first!" "We were just minding our business, and he went crazy!" "Paul tried to stop him, but he¡ªhe just killed him without hesitation!" Kei blinked. Then blinked again. "That¡¯s not even remotely what happened, but okay." Orin¡¯s expression darkened. "So you¡¯re admitting you had something to do with this?" Kei sighed theatrically. "No, I¡¯m admitting these guys have zero creativity. Come on, at least make up a better story if you¡¯re gonna lie. ¡®We were just minding our business¡¯¡ªreally? What business? Did you get lost on the way to the market?" The Black Talon members stiffened. "You¡ª!" Kei yawned. "Oh, don¡¯t get all worked up. I¡¯m just saying, if you¡¯re gonna frame me, at least make it entertaining." Orin¡¯s voice dropped lower. "You better answer me honestly. Why did you kill my member?" Kei tilted his head. "Killed? Now that¡¯s a serious accusation to throw around." He stretched before suddenly hopping on the balls of his feet, as if prepping for a marathon. Orin¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Do you take me for a fool?" Kei¡¯s grin widened. "Yes, very much so. Am I supposed to take you as someone who has any sense?" A dangerous glint flashed in Orin¡¯s eyes. "Do you dare?" Kei let out a mock gasp. "Wow. That¡¯s so clich¨¦." Then, before Orin could react, he added, "But since you¡¯re asking, I dare get your mom pregnant¡ªthat¡¯s what I dare." Silence. Orin¡¯s entire body tensed. "You¡¯ll answer for that." Kei waved a hand dismissively. "Don¡¯t threaten your stepdad. Go to your room." Chapter 47: Five A charged silence stretched between Kei and Orin Graves. Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen kept their stances tense, unsure of what would happen next. The Black Talon leader¡¯s presence pressed down on them, his sheer strength alone making their bodies instinctively want to step back. But Kei? Kei just stood there, grinning. Orin¡¯s teeth clenched. His voice came out slow, deliberate, seething. "Since everything is a joke to you, I¡¯ll make sure your death is a comedy." The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Then something changed. Kei¡¯s grin faded. Not into a frown. Not into anger. Just¡­ gone. A raised eyebrow. A dead, calm stare. No amusement. No reaction. Just silence. Reese, standing nearby, suddenly felt the wind shift. It didn¡¯t grow stronger. It didn¡¯t howl. But it felt¡­ sharper. His eyes flicked downward, and¡ª He froze. There, etched cleanly into the grass beneath Kei¡¯s feet, was a single, unmistakable symbol. ¤ª¤Ã£¿ (O?) A simple questioning "Oh?" It hadn¡¯t been there before. When did that appear? Reese swallowed, the whisper of the wind pressing against his skin. Kei hadn¡¯t moved. Hadn¡¯t bent down. Hadn¡¯t carved anything. And yet¡ª The ground said otherwise. Orin¡¯s hands glowed with a sickly green light, his Aether surging as he made his move. A claw strike cut through the air, heading straight for Kei¡¯s neck. "Watch out! Don¡¯t let that skeletal hand touch you!" Kai shouted, urgency clear in his voice. Kei¡¯s body shifted effortlessly. As Orin¡¯s claw neared, Kei dropped low, his body moving with the attack instead of against it. The strike passed harmlessly over his head. And then¡ª His palm shot forward, driving into Orin¡¯s ribs. The impact forced Orin to stagger back, his footing momentarily unstable. Kei exhaled calmly, eyes locked on his opponent. "Two months in this world." His fingers flexed, his stance light yet unshakable. "I¡¯ve fought all kinds of creatures¡ªmonsters, beasts, things that shouldn¡¯t even exist." His gaze flicked toward Orin, watching as he steadied himself. "But I¡¯ve never fought a human before." A grin tugged at the corner of Kei¡¯s lips, his fingers shifting into position. "Seems like I can finally put what I¡¯ve learned to full use." Orin adjusted his stance, his hands still glowing with that eerie green light. His claw shot forward¡ªaimed straight for Kei¡¯s chest. But as it came¡ª Kei didn¡¯t block. He simply turned his body, letting the attack slide past him. Like a breeze through the trees. Orin¡¯s claw struck nothing but air, its momentum dragging him forward. Then¡ª Kei¡¯s palm shot out, not to strike, but to guide. With the slightest push to Orin¡¯s wrist, Kei redirected the force of the attack away¡ªso smoothly, so effortlessly, it looked like Orin had intended to miss. Orin stumbled forward, twisting awkwardly from his own strength before quickly regaining balance and spinning to face Kei again. His eyes narrowed, irritation flashing across his face. Without hesitation, Orin snapped his leg up, aiming a powerful kick at Kei¡¯s ribs. Kei moved first. His foot came down¡ªhard¡ªon Orin¡¯s knee before the kick could even start. The movement was subtle. But it completely killed the attack before it could happen. Orin¡¯s body tensed, the force he had gathered for his strike going nowhere. Kei¡¯s elbow snapped up, landing squarely against the side of Orin¡¯s head. Orin staggered, his balance breaking for the first time. His vision blurred for a moment, but before he could fully recover, Kei¡¯s voice cut through the haze. "Come on now. You¡¯re a so-called leader. Put more effort in." Kei¡¯s tone was light, almost teasing. "I¡¯d rather not embarrass you in front of your little fan club." Orin¡¯s eyes darkened, burning with frustration. This was different. He was used to people meeting him with either fear or pure strength. But this guy? Kei wasn¡¯t blocking. Wasn¡¯t tanking. Wasn¡¯t even trading blows. He was flowing. Moving as if he already knew where each attack was going. And shutting them down before they could even begin. Orin gritted his teeth and surged forward, launching another attack. His palm shot out, aimed directly for Kei¡¯s throat. But just as it was about to connect¡ª Kei¡¯s hand brushed lightly against Orin¡¯s forearm, guiding it aside. The motion was barely noticeable¡ªsubtle, effortless. Orin¡¯s strike went wide. And then¡ª Kei¡¯s fingers pressed against the side of Orin¡¯s elbow joint. A small touch. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. But it stopped Orin¡¯s arm mid-motion, his entire stance crumbling for a split second. That was all Kei needed. His palm shot forward, striking Orin¡¯s chest with a precise, devastating push. Orin flew back, his feet leaving the ground before he slammed into the dirt. A heavy silence fell over the crowd. Eyes widened. Breaths held. No one spoke. Kei simply exhaled, rolling his shoulders. As if it was nothing. The Black Talon members stood frozen, still processing what had just happened. Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen¡­ They had known Kei was strong. But this? This was different. For the first time, they truly understood what it meant to fight like the wind. Orin, breathing heavily, finally stopped moving. His gaze stayed locked onto Kei. But this time, it wasn¡¯t reckless. Kei tilted his head. "Done?" Orin exhaled slowly. And then¡ª He laughed. It was low, more amused than angry. "So that¡¯s how it is." He rolled his shoulders, loosening the tension from his body. "I see now why those idiots didn¡¯t stand a chance against you." Kei smirked. "I mean, I tried to warn them. But you know how it is¡ªpeople don¡¯t like listening." Orin¡¯s lips twitched, caught between irritation and something else. Talia just stared at Kei. And for the first time since they met¡­ She actually felt a little scared of him. Then¡ª From his inventory, Orin pulled out a greatsword. The massive blade emerged in his hands with a low, echoing hum, its jagged black edge etched with faint, sickly green veins of Aether. The moment it left his inventory, the air around it grew heavier. Kei¡¯s eyes flicked to the weapon. He exhaled. "Oh? You¡¯re still going?" Orin gripped the hilt tightly, the glow of Waning Death flickering along the blade¡¯s edge. "You think I was taking you seriously before?" Kei¡¯s grin returned. "Oh? Then by all means¡ªlet¡¯s see what happens when you do." As if prompted by Kei¡¯s request, Orin took in a deep breath, his chest expanding unnaturally. Then¡ª He exhaled, spewing forth a thick, decaying mist that seeped into the air around him. Kei¡¯s nose wrinkled. ¡°That¡¯s disgusting.¡± He quickly moved back, avoiding the spreading haze. Glancing down at the grass beneath his feet, he noticed something alarming¡ªthe vibrant green shriveling into blackened husks where the mist touched. Decay. Orin chuckled darkly. "What¡¯s wrong? Not so funny now, huh?" He tilted his head, his expression twisted in amusement. "Weren¡¯t you so eager to stay close to me just a second ago?" Without waiting for an answer, Orin surged forward, his greatsword cleaving through the air. Kei¡¯s body reacted instinctively, his form blurring as he leapt backward. But the mist clung to Orin like a barrier, swirling around him. A layer of decay protecting him. Orin¡¯s grin widened. "Now you only know how to run? You seemed so brave a moment ago. Now you¡¯re just a coward." He pressed the attack, swinging relentlessly. Kei weaved between the strikes, redirecting the force of each one just before they could fully connect. But Orin¡¯s onslaught didn¡¯t let up. A sudden shift in momentum¡ª Orin¡¯s blade came down faster than expected, catching Kei just out of position. With no time to fully dodge, Kei¡¯s foot lashed out, kicking the flat side of the greatsword mid-swing. The force redirected the weapon, knocking it slightly off course¡ª But the impact sent Kei flying. He barely had time to recover before¡ª A skeletal hand shot toward him. Kei¡¯s body twisted midair, barely managing to avoid its grasp. But something felt off. His movements weren¡¯t as sharp. His body felt slower. Heavier. A sinking feeling crawled up his spine. His eyes flicked toward his status screen. A notification blinked in front of him. [Status: Sluggish (Agility reduced by 15%)] Kei clicked his tongue. "Tch. That¡¯s annoying." Orin¡¯s grin stretched wider as he saw Kei¡¯s realization. "Oh? Finally noticed?" He rolled his shoulders, the mist still lingering around him. Orin¡¯s grin widened, confidence bleeding into his tone. "Let me explain¡ª That sword you so bravely touched?" He dragged the flat of the blade along his palm, the eerie green glow of Waning Death pulsing along its jagged edge. "It¡¯s coated by a skill of mine that reduces your agility. But that¡¯s not all¡­" Kei¡¯s eyes flicked to his status screen again. The sluggishness in his movements wasn¡¯t just from the strike¡ªit was something deeper, something anchoring his energy. [Skill Name]: Gravebind [Description]: By making physical contact, Orin can anchor a portion of an opponent¡¯s energy to him, forcing their movements to become sluggish. [Effects]: Orin laughed, watching Kei test his slowed movement. "See, you got lucky that time¡ªjust a glancing hit. But if I land another one?" He lifted his sword, the mist swirling thicker around him. "I¡¯ll bleed your speed dry. And after that¡­ your Aether¡¯s next." Kei rolled his shoulders, adjusting his stance, feeling out the sluggishness. Then, despite the situation¡ª He smiled. "Well¡­ that just makes things more interesting." Orin¡¯s mocking tone carried through the decayed mist. "Trying to be brave? Keep at it, might do you some good¡ª Up until you die." He raised his hand, and translucent skeletal hands burst forth, clawing through the air, reaching for Kei. Their sickly green glow pulsed ominously, the very air around them growing heavy as they surged toward him. Kei groaned. "You know, that¡¯s really starting to get annoying." The ghostly limbs lunged, seeking to grasp onto him, their presence already sapping energy from the air itself. But Kei folded into the wind¡ªvanishing. His presence melted into the currents, his body blurring out of the mist¡¯s reach, as if he had never been there to begin with. Orin¡¯s eyes snapped around, his skeletal hands still grasping at empty air. A moment later, Kei reappeared, crouched low near where his weapon had fallen. His fingers wrapped around the Windblade Staff, lifting it with ease. Then, he stood, pointing the staff directly at Orin. "Alright. Let¡¯s see what this can really do." Kei¡¯s Aether surged, but this time, he didn¡¯t just rely on Breeze Force. Instead¡ª Something deeper stirred inside him. Something dormant. Untamed. The power of the Stormwind Fellhorn. The Windblade Staff reacted immediately, the twin-branch design channeling energy through its spiraled form. Not just any wind¡ª Storm Wind. The air around him crackled, charged with raw intensity, as if a storm was coiling in his hands. Kei¡¯s grip tightened, and the staff hummed, glowing with a faint silver sheen, wind spiraling along its length. Then¡ª He thrust it forward. The gathered wind compressed, forming into tight, invisible projectiles¡ª And then they fired. A barrage of storm-charged wind bullets ripped through the air, each one infused with the unpredictable force of a raging tempest. Unlike normal wind attacks, these weren¡¯t just sharp¡ª They carried momentum, force, and impact, the same way a hurricane could bend steel. Orin barely had time to react before the first one slammed into him, his body jerking back from the force. Another followed. Then another. Each hit pounded against his defenses, forcing him to retreat step by step. His skeletal hands crumbled into mist, unable to maintain their form under the chaotic bursts of storm-infused wind. The swirling decay around him wavered, struggling to hold against the sheer power of nature¡¯s wrath. Kei grinned. "Not so fun when you¡¯re the one being pressured, huh?" Kei vanished into the wind, his body dissolving into the currents. A fraction of a second later¡ª He reappeared directly in front of Orin. Orin¡¯s eyes narrowed, unfazed. "Tsk. An idiot you are." Without hesitation, he swung his greatsword, expecting the mist around him to decay anything in its reach. But¡ª The mist didn¡¯t cling to Kei. It didn¡¯t corrode his skin. Instead¡ª It refused to touch him. Orin¡¯s brow furrowed. The mist around his sword wavered¡ª No. It was being pushed away. Kei¡¯s Aether surged as he instinctively wrapped himself in Breeze Force, creating an armor of wind that redirected the decay just as easily as he had redirected Orin¡¯s attacks. A soft, unseen barrier of moving air surrounded him, gently but persistently pushing the mist aside¡ªa constant stream of motion that made it impossible for the decay to cling to him. Orin¡¯s expression darkened. Orin glanced at his skills, quickly analysing his abilities. [Skills] [Skill Name]: Pale Hand [Description]: Manifests a translucent skeletal hand that grasps the target, draining vitality on contact. The longer the grip is maintained, the more stamina, energy, and minor physical attributes are sapped. [Effects]: [Skill Name]: Gravebind [Description]: By making physical contact, Orin can anchor a portion of an opponent¡¯s energy to him, forcing their movements to become sluggish. [Effects]: [Skill Name]: Death¡¯s Breath [Description]: Releases a decaying mist in a small radius that corrodes organic matter and weakens durability. [Effects]: Orin¡¯s eyes flickered with realization. Nothing was working. His mist was useless. His skeletal hands couldn¡¯t reach him. His attacks were being guided away. That left him with one last option. His best chance¡ª Gravebind. Orin lunged forward, feinting with his sword, then swiping at Kei with his free hand. Kei raised his arm to deflect¡ª Contact. The moment Orin¡¯s hand touched Kei¡¯s arm, a dark surge of Aether pulsed between them. A connection formed. Kei felt it immediately. His Aether was being pulled away. Orin¡¯s body shuddered as a euphoric sensation washed over him, his own energy swelling as Kei¡¯s was siphoned into him. "Hahahaha!" Orin laughed, his voice dripping with exhilaration. His muscles tensed with new power, his stance firmer, stronger. "You¡¯re not so tough now, huh?" Kei, however¡ª Didn¡¯t share the sentiment. All he could hear¡ª All he could feel¡ª Was the Aether crying. A desperate plea. A sadness that dug deep into his bones. It wasn¡¯t just energy being drained. It was being ripped away. "Let''s see how you handle being weakened." Orin sneered. The Black Talon members erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the clearing. They watched their leader winning, overpowering his opponent, and they relished it. They chanted. They praised. They taunted Kei, mocking his struggle as Orin continued draining him, leeching away his Aether like a parasite. To them, this fight was already over. But¡ª Talia, Reese, Owen, and Kai weren¡¯t cheering. They weren¡¯t taunting. They weren¡¯t smiling. Because this fight felt different. Because Kei felt different. From the moment this battle started, the Kei they knew¡ªthe one who joked, who teased, who laughed through every fight¡ª Wasn¡¯t here. This Kei was something else. There was no carefree attitude. No playfulness. No silly remarks. No smirking confidence. This Kei felt like he was out for blood. And worse¡ª He was enjoying it. Then¡ª They saw it. In Kei¡¯s hand. A glint of white. Bone. The bone projectiles. And when they looked at his face, at his unblinking, empty gaze, they saw something else. His eyes. They burned. Not with Aether. Not with force. But with an eerie, unnatural orange glow. And then¡ª They heard it. A single word. Spoken flatly. Calmly. "Five." Their stomachs turned. And for the first time since this fight began¡ª They were worried about Orin¡¯s safety. Chapter 48 A pin-drop silence fell over the area. The Black Talon members, who had been jeering and celebrating just moments ago, suddenly hesitated. They couldn¡¯t explain it¡ª But something about the way Kei said that word sent a chill up their spines. Even Orin stiffened slightly, though he didn¡¯t loosen his grip. "What?" he sneered, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling creeping into his bones. Kei didn''t answer. Instead¡ª He moved. And for the first time since the fight began¡ª Orin felt like he had made a mistake. [Skill Name]: Tempest Convergence [Description]: Harnesses wind currents and external Aether flow, allowing the user to momentarily merge with natural storm phenomena, enhancing movement speed, agility, and environmental adaptability. [Additional Effect]: Kei darted backward, the wind whispering around him¡ªthen roaring as it carried him away. To everyone watching, it was like he had vanished. He simply wasn¡¯t there anymore. Orin¡¯s eyes snapped around, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. "Where did he¡ª?" Owen¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He hadn¡¯t seen it. He hadn¡¯t even felt the moment Kei moved. One second he was standing there. The next¡ª Gone. And then¡ª The wind howled. It wasn¡¯t just noise. It carried something¡ªsomething unnatural. Something intentional. For a moment, Orin lost all sense of Kei¡¯s presence. No matter where he looked, no matter how hard he focused, Kei wasn¡¯t there. Then¡ª A forceful gust pressed against his wrist. A warning. Orin¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Four.¡± Bang! "ARGHHH!" A sharp cry tore from Orin¡¯s throat as pain exploded in his wrist. His greatsword slipped from his fingers, hitting the ground with a heavy clang. His gaze snapped downward. Blood. Pooling. Embedded deep in his wrist¡ªa white projectile. A bone projectile. Kei¡¯s friends watched in stunned silence. Eyes wide. Mouths slightly agape. Not because Kei had landed an attack¡ª But because of what they just saw. Or rather¡ª What they didn¡¯t see. To them, Kei had simply jumped backward. And yet¡ª When he threw the projectile¡ª Orin¡¯s eyes had passed over Kei multiple times. But it was as if he never registered him. Orin reeled, his wrist throbbing. But before he could process the pain¡ª He felt it again. The wind. Pressing against his left shoulder. By now, he realized¡ª It was a warning. A signal for where Kei was about to strike. "Three." Orin reacted immediately. He threw himself to the side, hoping to dodge. Bang! Pain. Again. "Arrghhh!" Orin gasped, certain he had dodged. Certain the moment he heard Kei¡¯s voice, he had moved fast enough. And yet¡ª The projectile still found him. His left shoulder throbbed, another bone projectile lodged deep into his flesh. He couldn¡¯t understand. How? He was fast. He had reacted immediately. And yet¡ª Kei still hit him. Kai, watching from the sidelines, shuddered. The air felt thick. Heavy. As if Kei¡¯s mere presence was pressing down on them. He forced himself to swallow. "It looks like Kei is playing with him¡­" Kai muttered, voice quiet. "Like he''s trying to cause mental torture." He shivered. Even though he wasn¡¯t the enemy¡ª Even though Kei wasn¡¯t aiming at him¡ª A feeling of dread crawled up his spine. He didn¡¯t dare move. Because for the first time¡ª He genuinely wasn¡¯t sure if Kei would stop. The Black Talon members panicked as they watched their leader get injured. Their earlier cheers had turned into shouts of desperation. "Stop hiding, you coward!" "You''re only capable of these cheap tricks! If you''re a man, stop hiding!" Then¡ª "One." Bang. Bang. The two who had just spoken suddenly felt something pierce their kneecaps. Sharp. Deep. Their bodies collapsed, falling to their knees¡ª Burying the projectiles even deeper into their joints. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. An agony unlike anything they had ever felt surged through their bodies. Their knees throbbed, twisted, and refused to bend properly. Their breath came in ragged gasps, the pain overwhelming. But just as their minds processed the injury¡ª Kei appeared behind them. As if he had always been there. His broken beginner sword in hand. The other Black Talon members saw him¡ª Their eyes widened in horror. "Wai¡ª" Slash. Slash. Two clean, effortless cuts. Their Achilles tendons severed. A pain far worse than the knee injuries coursed through their bodies, sending them crashing face-first into the dirt. A brutal realization sank in. Unless they used their first life¡ª Unless they chose to reset¡ª They would never walk again. Orin watched it all unfold. He watched as Kei moved behind his members. Watched as their screams filled the air. Watched as Kei walked forward casually, as if he had never disappeared in the first place. As if he had been there the whole time. His presence was suffocating. The air felt thicker. He couldn''t understand what was happening. His breath caught in his throat. His thoughts spiraled into chaos. "What the hell is happening?" he shouted in his mind, a frantic panic creeping into his chest. Then¡ª Kei¡¯s voice broke through the suffocating silence. Cold. Emotionless. "You better thank these two." He slowly turned his burning orange gaze back to Orin. "Now I have less projectiles to torture you with." A shiver crawled down Orin¡¯s spine. For the first time¡ª Orin felt afraid. For the first time in this fight, for the first time since arriving in this world¡ª He felt genuine, soul-crushing fear. But he couldn¡¯t afford to show it. He forced himself to stand. He tried to breathe past the tightness in his chest, past the way his body screamed at him to run. Then¡ª Kei¡¯s voice cut through the air, flat and empty. "Weren¡¯t you so proud of your sword just now?" Orin¡¯s fingers twitched. "You said you¡¯d kill me and treat it like a comedy." His legs wobbled slightly as he tried to ground himself. Kei¡¯s gaze bore into him, unblinking. Mocking. Measuring. Judging. Letting his rationality take over, Orin forced himself upright, his feet shifting toward his fallen sword. His right wrist throbbed, the bone projectile still embedded. His left shoulder screamed in protest, barely allowing his arm to function properly. But still¡ª He needed his sword. He lunged for it¡ª "Your legs still seem to be working." Kei¡¯s words froze him mid-movement. "Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know how to throw a kick with all that talking you were doing." Orin¡¯s breathing grew heavier. Kei didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t rush him. He just watched. Waiting. Daring. "Why don¡¯t you use those skills you¡¯re so proud of?" Kei tilted his head, eyes still glowing that unnatural, burning orange. "Your mouth still works. Can¡¯t you use them?" Orin¡¯s jaw clenched. Mockery. It was mockery. But not the kind meant to provoke a fight. This was different. This was a condemnation. A judgment being passed down. Kei¡¯s tone didn¡¯t carry anger. Didn¡¯t carry rage. It was just cold. Unfeeling. "So pathetic." The words felt like nails hammered into Orin¡¯s pride. "You¡¯ve been here for so long, thinking you were strong." Kei¡¯s fingers tightened around the bone projectiles in his hand. "You named your group after your Pale Hand skill." "You taunted others, thinking your Gravebind was invincible." "You paraded your strength like it meant something." Orin¡¯s body shook. From the growing weight in the air. Then¡ª Kei¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. Soft. Barely audible. "And after all of that¡­" The world responded. The wind died. The air thinned. The temperature plummeted. So cold¡ª That everyone''s breath became visible. The Black Talon members shuddered violently, clutching themselves from the unnatural drop in warmth. Owen, Kai, Talia, and Reese felt every hair on their bodies stand on end. Like prey caught in the eyes of a predator. Like they weren¡¯t supposed to be here witnessing this. Orin¡¯s knees buckled slightly. He couldn¡¯t look away. Kei¡¯s glowing orange gaze pierced through him. Empty. Hollow. And yet¡ª So full of something he couldn''t understand. Then¡ª Kei spoke again. Quiet. Weak. But unmistakable. "A trash excuse for life¡­ dares to steal my Aether away from me¡­ and make it cry?" Orin¡¯s blood ran cold. There was no hatred in those words. Just a simple¡ª Undeniable. Statement. The weight in Orin¡¯s chest grew unbearable. His heart pounded. His breathing hitched. And for the first time¡ª He felt like he was going to die. Then he felt it again. The wind pressed against him. Like a phantom touch, unseen hands pressing into his body. A firm weight against his wrists. A whisper against his ribs. A pressure at his throat. Warnings. Orin sucked in a breath. Kei wasn¡¯t attacking. Not yet. But the wind told him exactly where the next strikes would land. It was taunting him. A silent promise. The next move was already decided. Orin looked down. His gaze locked onto Kei¡¯s hands. One projectile. Only one left. The realization sank in. Kei was playing with him. This wasn¡¯t a fight. It was an execution drawn out for amusement. And that¡ª That alone crushed him. The contrast between Kei¡¯s casual, teasing nature and the calculated way he was pressing into his mind was unbearable. It was as if he was watching two completely different people at once. One part lighthearted, almost playful. The other¡ª Emotionless. A face devoid of any warmth, any humanity. To Kei, Orin wasn¡¯t an opponent. He was a toy. Something to play with, to pull apart piece by piece. Orin¡¯s breathing came short. His legs stiffened. His body locked up. Anyone watching him could tell¡ª He was breaking. Kei¡¯s friends said nothing. They had been worried Kei would lose control. But now¡ª Now they just pitied Orin. This wasn¡¯t a battle anymore. It was a slow, deliberate dismantling. And then¡ª A thought clicked in Orin¡¯s mind. The ones who started this. His own members. The ones who had lied. The ones who had claimed the equipment and materials were donated to them. And him? He had blindly believed them. Had foolishly thought himself in control. Had questioned Kei¡¯s strength. Had mocked him. Had threatened his life. That was¡­ Funny. No. Hilarious. His body still trembling, his blood still dripping onto the ground¡ª Orin threw his head back¡ª And laughed. Hysterically. Kei¡¯s eyes narrowed. He stood still, his expression unreadable¡ª Then, without a single motion, the wind answered his command. Zephyr Wind surged. The air compressed, sharpened, condensed into invisible blades that sliced through Orin¡¯s body relentlessly. Not in a single devastating strike. Not to end it quickly. But in small, precise cuts. Bit by bit. Orin¡¯s body bled, his already dwindling HP ticking down further. And yet¡ª His laughter only grew louder. More unhinged. More broken. He wasn¡¯t even mad at Kei. He was mad at himself. Because now¡ª Even he had to agree. Had someone tried to take what was his¡ª Had someone mocked his strength¡ª Had someone looked down on him¡ª He would have done the same. He would have destroyed them. He would have erased them from existence. So¡ª How could he blame Kei? It was his own arrogance. His own blindness. His own downfall. With the last of his sanity, he activated Death¡¯s Breath. A thick, decaying mist erupted from his mouth¡ª But not toward Kei. Not toward his opponent. But toward¡ª His own people. "Wait¡ªwhat are you doing?!" "Please, no! Don¡¯t do this!" Panic. Screams. His own members¡¯ faces twisted in horror as the mist engulfed them. Their skin corroded. Their armor rusted, cracking apart. Their bodies decayed before their very eyes. And for the first time since this started¡ª Orin felt at peace. Watching their terror. Watching their pain. Watching them suffer. It brought him pleasure. "Consider this your expulsion from the group." Orin grinned through the pain, his voice still laced with hysterical amusement as he watched his own members writhe and decay. "And pray I never see you again¡ª" His eyes burned with cruelty. "Or I''ll make you walking skeletons." His twisted laughter echoed, his body trembling from the sheer madness consuming him. Kei wasn''t amused. He wasn''t even watching. With calm, steady steps, he walked toward Orin, his presence cold and unyielding. Orin, still kneeling on the ground, barely noticed until Kei was right in front of him. Then¡ª Kei spoke. Flat. Emotionless. "In your next life, whether it be in this expanse¡­ or our world¡­" Kei¡¯s gaze met his. "Pray you have better judgment." Orin¡¯s laughter died. Abruptly. As if the very words had ripped the air from his lungs. His mind scrambled. Trying to process. Trying to understand. Then¡ª It clicked."Next life¡­ from this expanse¡­ from our world?" His body froze. His pupils shrank. Kei wasn''t just talking about killing him here. He was promising him a permanent death. A death beyond the free life granted by the system. A death that meant¡ª No return. No second chances. No resurrection. Kei didn¡¯t give him time to react. With one swift motion, he shoved his hand into Orin¡¯s mouth. The Black Talon leader barely had time to register the sensation before¡ª "Zero." Kei¡¯s muscles tensed. A forceful, brutal tug downward. Flesh tore. Bone cracked. A sickening rip. Kei ripped Orin¡¯s lower jaw clean from his skull. Orin choked. Or he would have. If his deformed, mutilated head could still make a sound. His body convulsed, blood pouring down his exposed throat, his eyes rolling back in horror. His mind still understood what was happening. But his body was already failing him. His vision blurred. The last thing he saw¡ª Was Kei. Kei never looked back. Never once acknowledged the enraged voice behind him. As if Orin had already ceased to exist. Then¡ª Bang. A deafening crack split through the air. Kei fired behind him. A bone projectile cut through the wind, slicing toward the unseen threat with terrifying speed¡ª Clang! The air shook as the projectile was intercepted mid-flight, colliding against an unseen force. A blade. A hurried figure, breathing heavily from an obvious full-speed sprint, had arrived just in time. His sword recoiled violently, the impact from Kei¡¯s projectile far heavier than expected. The force rattled his arm, sending a sting up his wrist. He had barely stopped it. But before he could recover¡ª He saw it. The scene before him. Orin. A mangled husk of a man, twitching, his jaw missing, his body leaking blood. His own Black Talon members, rotting where they stood, their decayed screams still frozen in the air. The suffocating weight of death still clung to the battlefield. And Kei. Standing calmly amidst it all. Expression blank. Eyes burning. As if none of this mattered. His presence was still. And unshaken. Then¡ª The figure moved. Aether rushed to his blade. A silent crescent slash tore through the air. [Skill Name]: Phantom Crescent] [Description]: Harnessing the essence of Lunar Edge Force, this technique allows the user to unleash an invisible crescent-shaped slash from their blade. The attack travels silently, blending into the shadows, making it impossible to see or predict. The Phantom Crescent cuts before an opponent even realizes an attack has been launched. [Effects]: The silent slash raced forward, invisible to the naked eye. It should have been impossible to react to. But¡ª The wind shifted. Kei tilted his body ever so slightly. And the Phantom Crescent passed mere inches from his form, dispersing harmlessly. Before the figure had time to react¡ª He moved again. His body flickered. Closing the distance in an instant. [Skill Name]: Crescent Step] [Description]: A movement skill unique to those wielding Lunar Force, allowing for sudden burst movements and seamless repositioning mid-combat. [Effects]: His form blurred forward. Once. Twice. Then again. His Aether burned, but he didn¡¯t care. His blade was raised. His breath was ragged. His mind screamed¡ª Stop this. Before it went any further. Before he saw something he couldn''t take back. His blade flashed¡ª The moment before he struck¡ª Kei¡¯s gaze met his. Not alarmed. Not surprised. Just¡­ bored. As if he¡¯d already decided this wasn¡¯t a threat. Then¡ª He spoke. Flat. Emotionless. "Who the hell are you?" The figure froze mid-strike. For a single second¡ª Just a single second¡ª His brain lagged. And then¡ª His rage exploded. "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE?!" Yelled Kaito Ren. Chapter 49 As if answering his own question, Kei casually gestured toward the aftermath surrounding him. "I crippled those two on the ground, yanked this guy¡¯s jaw off, and¡­ hmm." He tapped his chin, glancing at another body. "Oh yeah, I forgot I poisoned that guy over there." He pointed at each one as if he were listing off errands. Then, as if the whole thing was an inconvenience¡ª "Those two? Not my doing. But honestly, the jawless guy did him a favor. You wouldn¡¯t believe how ugly he was." Kei sighed, shaking his head. "Let¡¯s hope his face gets fixed when he comes back."
Kaito¡¯s breath hitched. His fingers clenched around his sword. His eyes darted across the battlefield. Bodies lay rotting, their flesh eaten away, bones starting to poke through deteriorating skin. A leader¡ª someone of his own rank¡ª reduced to a gurgling mess, his jaw completely torn away. And a man bleeding from his temple, motionless. Maybe alive. Maybe dead. The stench of decay was suffocating. But worse¡ª The one responsible for it all? Kei stood there, unfazed. No guilt. No hesitation. Not even a hint of satisfaction. Just mild irritation, like this whole thing was an annoying delay in his day. Like none of it mattered. Kaito felt his stomach twist. His grip tightened. Not from shock. Not from fear. But from pure, seething anger. "You''re a psychopath" ¡°Well, that¡¯s not the official diagnosis I¡¯ve received. At least, not the main one anyway,¡± Kei corrected, finally laughing for the first time. "They were mostly concerned about the others."
"YOU THINK THIS IS A JOKE?!" Kaito¡¯s voice thundered, his patience snapping. Kei tilted his head. "I don¡¯t know, man. I was minding my business, then all of this started. Not sure what you want me to say."
Kaito¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. "Why did you have to go so far to kill them? You could ha¡ª" "Him," Kei corrected without hesitation. Kaito blinked. "Does it make a difference?" Kei arched a brow. "Of course, it does. You''re giving me more bodies than I can take credit for." Then, with a casual shrug¡ª "Unless you¡¯re handing me a Call of Duty killstreak as well, I¡¯d rather not be falsely accused." Taking a stance and raising his sword, Kaito¡¯s presence shifted. For a split second¡ª It was as if he was barely there. The air around him darkened, the faint shimmer of Lunar Force bending perception itself. His voice was calm. Steady. "I don¡¯t care what happened. You¡¯re coming with me, and you¡¯ll answer for this."
Kei¡¯s eyes narrowed. "You seem like you''ll be much more difficult to deal with." His hands shifted. Fingers curled into shapes¡ªtwo serpents baring their fangs. Aether surged¡ªsplitting into two conflicting forces. His left arm froze over. A chilling mist coiled around his skin, ice creeping along his forearm like a growing frost. His right arm smoldered. Ash curled from his fingertips, ember-like veins glowing beneath the skin. A force of opposing destruction and preservation. Kei exhaled. "I''ve been taken against my will before." His voice was low. His stance unshaken. "Back when I didn¡¯t have the capabilities to change my fate." His fingers flexed. Power coiled around him. The winds stirred. "If you''re going to take me in¡ª" His gaze met Kaito¡¯s. Cold. Unyielding. "You''ll have to prove you''re capable of it." "WAIT!" A desperate shout rang out. Talia. Everything happened so fast. They were just minding their own business when trouble found them. It really was as Kei said¡ª He had been minding his own business when his property was nearly stolen from him. Now¡ª Somehow¡ª He was dragged into back-to-back fights. And these weren¡¯t just any opponents. Orin Graves was formidable on his own. But Kaito Ren? A completely different level. This was a man known for soloing creatures others avoided. A man considered second only to Jin Saito. A man who should not be taken lightly. "Kaito, don¡¯t! It¡¯s not his fault!" A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Talia¡¯s voice cracked with urgency. "They started it! He was defending himself and his belongings!" "That¡¯s right! They tried to steal from him!" "Orin wouldn¡¯t listen to us!" Their pleas fell on deaf ears. Kaito had already moved.
[Skill Name]: Lunar Reaver] A high-speed slashing technique utilizing Lunar Edge Force to unleash an almost imperceptible cut. The blade moves faster than the eye can follow, the motion so smooth and seamless that opponents only register the pain after the attack has already landed. [Effects]: Additional Notes:
Clang! A metallic impact shattered the air. At the same time, Kei felt the wind shift. He moved. His frosted arm surged forward to block¡ª Only for a sharp layer of ice to be shaved clean off. He was pushed back. Darting forward, he pushed his perception into full blast. The world slowed. He could feel everything. The subtle breath of those watching. The faintest shift in Kaito¡¯s stance. He didn''t hesitate. His ember-ash arm shot forward. A quick jab. Closing the distance instantly. Kaito¡¯s sword intercepted. A blur¡ª He pulled his scabbard up in the same motion¡ª Clang! The collision sent both of them skidding apart. Two forces. Two fighters. Neither backing down. And like that¡ª A flurry of blows erupted between them. Steel clashed against frozen skin. Fists met blade. Winds roared, colliding with Lunar Force. Each exchange was precise, brutal, and unrelenting. Kei found himself cut. Several times. Some of them bled profusely, staining his tattered clothes. Kaito, however¡ª Wasn¡¯t unscathed. Frost crept along his limbs. Ash seared across his skin. Each attack left behind lasting damage. And then¡ª A sudden shift. Kaito moved to slash¡ª But before he could react¡ª A foot slammed into his chin. Lifting him off his feet. "What¡ª?!" His brain barely had time to register the hit¡ª Before a burning pain exploded in his gut. A punch. Launched him backward. He gasped, disoriented. His body ached. Something felt wrong. His eyes snapped up to Kei. The attacks he just took¡­ He didn¡¯t see them. It was as if¡ª They had never existed until the moment they landed. Kei stood there, post-punch. His breath ragged. His HP dangerously low¡ªalready reduced by a third. A notification flickered in the corner of his vision. [Status: Bleeding] ¨C HP will continue to decrease over time. Clicking his tongue, Kei quickly pulled out a healing salve, rubbing it over his wounds to stem the bleeding. His gaze sharpened. "This guy¡¯s attacks are more annoying than my own." His hands clenched. His breathing slowed. "I can¡¯t keep this up." Unfortunately for him¡ª It wasn¡¯t his decision when the fight would end. The wind shifted. It split apart. Something was coming. Kei felt it before he saw it. A razor-thin edge¡ª A silent blade traveling through the air. Kaito had already launched his next attack.
Thinking fast¡ª Kei fired a volley of bone projectiles. Each one shot out like bullets, colliding mid-air with the incoming slash. Bang. Bang. Bang. The force clashed, dispersing the attack¡ª But only barely. He leapt backwards, summoning the Windblade Staff.
Aether flared. His left arm pulsed with cold, frost creeping along his skin. His right arm burned, embers running through his veins. He channeled both. Stormwind coiled around the frost¡ª A swirling vortex of piercing cold and cutting wind. He swung¡ª Three blasts of Frosted Stormwind fired forward. Each one howled like a raging blizzard¡ª Each one was deflected. Kaito weaved between them effortlessly, his sword slicing through the wind as if it were solid. Kei clicked his tongue. He shifted tactics. Frost vanished. Flames surged. Ash-ember replaced the cold, mixing with the Stormwind. The air crackled, charged with energy. Kei compressed it. He formed a blade. A blade of roaring wind and ember smoke.
He dashed forward. Kaito met him head-on. His foot pushed off the ground. Crescent Step activated. A blur of movement. Kei''s eyes barely tracked him¡ª But he was already slashing out. Kaito¡¯s blade struck first. Kei parried¡ªredirected the force¡ª But the moment he did¡ª Another slash came. And another. And another.
A storm of steel and wind. The clashes rang out like thunder. Each impact sent shockwaves through the air. Kaito¡¯s swordplay was relentless. Each slash flowed into the next, seamlessly, with no wasted movement. Kei¡¯s feet slid backward. He was being pushed. His stance threatened to break. Each step back¡ª Another cut opened. Another wound bled. Kaito wasn¡¯t just fast. He was unrelenting. And Kei was running out of time. Folding into the wind¡ª Kei vanished. Then¡ª Reappeared behind Kaito. His frosted arm lashed out. A serpentine shape formed from the cold¡ª A Frost Viper. It lunged forward. Striking Kaito¡¯s leg.
Crack! Ice snapped into place, freezing Kaito¡¯s foot where he stood. "Wha¡ª?!" His instincts flared¡ª But before he could react¡ª Another serpent shot forth. This time, fire. A writhing Ember Ash Viper surged from Kei¡¯s other arm. Aimed directly for Kaito¡¯s throat. His blade moved¡ª Just in time. The sword blocked the burning strike¡ª But¡ª With his leg frozen¡ª His body jerked back. Pressure strained his stance. The uneven weight pulled at his muscles. "Man, I really love those vipers I met a while ago." Kei¡¯s voice rang out, far too casual for the situation. "Frostbane Viper and Ember Ash Viper¡ªsuch good friends." He giggled.
Watching from the side¡ª Talia, Owen, Reese, and Kai were gobsmacked. This fight¡ª Didn¡¯t feel human. It was like watching forces of nature collide. And Kei¡ª Kei was terrifying. Not because of his strength¡ª But because of his shift. This wasn¡¯t the carefree Kei they had come to know. The Kei who gave away materials without a second thought. The Kei who laughed too much and helped too often. This Kei¡ª Was something else. Something cold. For the first time¡ª They felt guilty. Because this fight¡ª This whole mess¡ª Had happened because of his kindness. And now¡ª Now he was laughing again. But this time¡ª It wasn¡¯t chilling. It wasn¡¯t the eerie, lifeless laugh from before. It was his usual tone. Like he was actually having fun.
"Kaito, this is a big misunderstanding¡ªplease stop!" Owen¡¯s voice finally cut through the air. "Tsk, I¡¯m getting tired of this. Time to end this farce¡ªwhether you live or not is up to you." Kaito ignored Kei¡¯s friends. His sword pulsed, charging with power. In that moment¡ª The moonlight shone brighter. His blade glowed with Lunar Force. His stance shifted. Phantom Crescent¡ªfully prepared. A strike that would truly represent the lunar light.
"I''m getting tired too, so I want to end this." Kei¡¯s voice cut through the air. His arms twisted, hands clasping. A viper''s fangs taking shape. Then¡ª Aether flared. A projection formed above him. A serpentine head¡ªhalf frost, half ember ash. It expanded, growing larger by the second. The surrounding shuddered. The very air rippled from Kei¡¯s control over Aether. It was a display of sheer mastery¡ª A level of control that shouldn''t be possible for someone at Level 0.
Kaito¡¯s eyes narrowed. But¡ª He didn¡¯t back down. Both sides braced for their final strike. Tension crackled in the air. And then¡ª
BOOM! A roaring dragon''s head¡ªformed from fire¡ª Blasted down between them. The ground trembled. The impact sent waves of heat crashing outward. Both Kei and Kaito instinctively retreated. A voice thundered through the battlefield.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!"
Seeing the newcomer¡ª Talia and the rest felt a breath of relief. It was their guild leader. Orrin Dragbane. "Guild leader, quickly stop them!" Reese shouted, desperation lacing his voice. Dragbane''s gaze snapped toward the fight, his presence alone radiating authority. "Kaito. Put your blade down. Now." His voice was unwavering. Absolute. "And you¡ªdisperse your skill immediately." It wasn¡¯t a request. It was a command. A warning. Any sign of defiance would be met with force.
Kaito didn''t hesitate. His sword lowered. His aether withdrew. The Lunar Edge Force around him vanished.
Kei¡¯s viper projection also faded. But¡ª Not by his own will. His brows furrowed. The frost withdrew. The ember ash receded. His connection to them¡ª Gone. His voice dropped into a whisper. "What the hell¡­?" Elsewhere in the Forest A figure stood next to two slain beasts. One¡ª A massive frost viper. The other¡ª A serpent wreathed in ember ash. Their bodies lay lifeless on the forest floor. Blood seeped into the ground. The figure tilted their head, looking down at the corpses. "Damn. Those two were a pain to deal with." He rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. "Even the ''Reaper of Serpents'' title wasn¡¯t enough. Had to equip ''Title Hunter'' too." He sighed. "At least it was a good warm-up." Back to Kei Something felt¡­ missing. Something felt wrong. His gaze fell on his hands. He flexed his fingers, but the sensation wasn¡¯t there anymore. The bond¡ª Severed. Dragbane took in the scene, scanning the faces of everyone present. His expression darkened. "Someone better start talking. The whole truth. Not a single word left out." His tone left no room for excuses. Talia spoke first. She recounted everything. From the moment they met Kei¡ª How he offered them equipment. How the Black Talon members tried to rob them. Orin antagonizing Kei. The fight escalating. Kaito arriving and sentencing Kei without question.
Hearing it all¡ª Dragbane and Kaito furrowed their brows. Silence lingered. Then¡ª "And you chose to sentence that man guilty without any questioning?" Dragbane¡¯s voice was sharp as steel, cutting through Kaito like a blade. Kaito opened his mouth¡ª But he never got the chance to explain. Because Kei¡¯s voice cut through first. And this time¡ª There was no teasing. No playfulness. Only sadness. Kei¡¯s fingers tightened into fists. His eyes dimmed. His aether felt hollow. "Who killed my vipers?" The weight of his words hung in the air. And for some reason¡ª Hearing him like that¡ª Talia almost cried. Because Kei¡¯s sadness¡­ It almost felt like it was manifesting. Chapter 50 Walking up to him, Talia placed a hand on Kei¡¯s shoulder. Her touch was gentle, hesitant. "Hey... are you okay?" Her eyes shone with nothing but concern. Owen, Reese, and Kai soon followed, their expressions mirroring the same worry. "Hey, man, is everything alright?" Owen asked cautiously. "Did you break any bones or take a bad hit?" Reese added. Kai, stayed quiet¡ªwatching Kei¡¯s face closely. They weren¡¯t sure what exactly caused the shift in his mood this time. Sure, he had just fought back-to-back battles. Sure, he had been antagonized, accused, and forced to defend himself against Kaito Ren. But¡­ this felt different. They hadn¡¯t known him for long. In fact, this was only the second time they had met him. The first time was chaotic, but it spoke for itself. A random stranger, thrown into a situation with them. But instead of being cold or distant, he turned out to be genuinely kind. A bit odd, sure. Teasing, carefree¡ªbut a good person. Strong. Protective. Willing to help. And now? This second encounter? He offered them so much. And what did he get in return? People trying to take from him. People antagonizing him. All because they saw something that wasn¡¯t theirs and decided it should be. Kei hadn¡¯t answered yet. He just stood there. His hands¡ªclenched into fists. His breathing¡ªshallow, controlled. But his eyes... His eyes weren¡¯t the same. Kei clasped his hands together, his fingers pressing lightly against each other. His eyes lowered. And in the quiet, he murmured a silent prayer. "Thank you." His voice was low, steady. "Your abilities and friendship¡­ really helped me." The wind stirred around him as if listening. As if carrying his words to the two fallen vipers. As if they could still hear him, even in death. Watching the scene unfold, Kaito felt guilt settle deep in his chest. He had been so sure, so convinced he was right. But hearing what actually happened¡ª He realized he had jumped to conclusions. Slowly, he stepped forward. Then¡ª He lowered himself onto one knee. His head bowed. His voice steady, but sincere. "I¡¯m sorry." Kei glanced at him, his expression unreadable. Kaito continued. "I shouldn¡¯t have been so quick to act. I let my assumptions cloud my judgment. Thanks to Orrin, it seemed like you were the one wronged¡­ now I see that you were only defending yourself." His hands curled into fists. "I¡¯m not asking for your forgiveness. That¡¯s for you to decide. But I do hope we can reconcile. If not today, then maybe one day. If you don¡¯t want to, I¡¯ll understand." Kei just stared at him. One brow slowly raising. Then¡ª He glanced at Owen. Then at Orin¡¯s motionless body. Then at Draggbane. Then back at Kaito. His lips twitched. "Owen, Orin, Orrin¡ª" He counted them off on his fingers. "Am I the only one noticing this?" Draggbane blinked. Kaito stayed kneeling, face blank. The others¡­ Just sighed. This man. Moments ago, he had prayed for his lost friends. Had been on the verge of manifesting his sadness. And now? Now he was fixated on a weird name pattern. Draggbane exhaled. "This is really the guy who just slaughtered Orin?" Kaito, still kneeling, begged internally. "Please. Just let this end. I just want to leave." Draggbane mumbled under his breath, rubbing his temples. "That¡¯s it. I¡¯m changing my name to Draco. Just call me Draggbane for now." Kei¡¯s eyes narrowed, his lips twitching. "Draco Draggbane? Who shoots fire dragon heads? Wears dragon armor? Leads Dragon¡¯s Maw?" He tilted his head. "Isn¡¯t that a bit too much?" Whack! A firm slap landed on the back of Kei¡¯s head. "Would you be quiet for once?" Talia¡¯s voice held no patience. Kei rubbed the spot, grumbling. "Alright, alright¡ª" And then¡ª "AGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!! OOOOOHHH FUCK!!!" His entire body jerked, his voice breaking into a sudden, agonized scream. Everyone froze. Talia blinked, startled. For a brief second, she felt proud of herself. Did she really hit him that hard? Owen took a cautious step back. "Uh¡­ did she just knock a piece of your soul out?" Kei hopped frantically on one leg, his face twisted in sheer agony. His right foot bled profusely, crimson dripping onto the ground with each bounce. "AGGGHHH¡ª!! WHAT THE FUCK!?!" His voice shook the air, but no one had a single clue what was happening. Talia, Owen, Reese, Kai, Kaito, and Dragbane¡­ Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. They all just stared. "Uhhhhh¡­ What exactly happened?" Owen asked, confusion painted all over his face. Kei kept hopping, his right foot refusing to touch the ground. The others watched in stunned silence as he unleashed a rainbow flurry of curses, each one more colorful than the last. His words didn¡¯t even make sense anymore. "Mother of shit-stained blasphemous goatfucking bastards¡ª!!" No one could even react. Even Draggbane, who had been dealing with Kei¡¯s antics, looked completely lost. Then¡ª Kei collapsed onto his ass. He didn¡¯t even hesitate. Ripping out his healing salves, he slapped them onto his foot, the pain still sharp and unbearable. The relief had barely started settling in when¡ª "AGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH MY ASS CHEEK!!!" Everyone flinched. "What now!?" Kai blurted, his voice genuinely panicked. Kei twisted around, gripping his left cheek, blood seeping through his pants. Talia¡¯s eye twitched. "Did you just get¡­ stabbed¡­ in the ass?" Kei shrieked. "WHAT''S BITING ME!?!!" Owen took a hesitant step forward. "...Are you cursed?" Kaito, despite everything, looked mildly disturbed. "I¡ª I have so many questions." But none of them had an answer. Because they were all too distracted by the sheer absurdity of the moment¡­ To notice something important. Orin Graves and the former Black Talon members¡ª Had already finished resurrecting. Kei had been bitten a few more times. And at this point¡ª He was done. His expression darkened, his patience completely gone. A deep, foreign connection was forming through his blood. Something was trying to bond with him. He didn¡¯t care. Breeze Force surged. Aether roared to life as Kei pushed his perception to the absolute limit. If this damn thing was in contact with the ground¡ª Then the wind would find it. Every single opening. Every crack. Every speck of dirt. Wind rushed through the terrain like an invasive current. Kei stared. Waiting. Searching. Nothing. There was no presence. Nothing in the ground. Nothing in the air. Nothing anywhere. Kei mentally broke down. He fell to his knees. And then¡ª He started crying. "I¡¯M DONE WITH THIS!! OI!!" His shout boomed across the area. Everyone¡ª Even the newly resurrected Black Talon members¡ª Just stood there. Baffled. Reese, trying to make sense of the situation, glanced down at the ground. And froze. Kanji had been cut into the grass. "Oi." Reese blinked. "¡­That¡¯s weird." Then¡ªhe glanced back at Kei, who was still dramatically grieving over his suffering. "¡­He¡¯s even weirder." Orin, having just been revived, took in the scene. Kei was on the ground, screaming at the heavens. His former subordinates were too terrified to speak. Kaito Ren and Orrin Draggbane were just standing there. He had no idea what was happening. But seeing Kaito and Draggbane present¡­ It at least gave him the courage to finally step forward. He cleared his throat. "Uh¡­what¡¯s happening?" No one had an answer. Hearing the question, Talia and the others reacted instantly. "GET HIM!" Kei barely had a second to register before he was tackled to the ground. Owen, being overly dramatic, launched himself at Kei like a human boulder, his Bastion Force surging to its maximum output. Kai, filled with pure terror, had his Adrenaline Force working in overdrive, pushing his body past its limits as he grabbed onto Kei¡¯s arm. Talia¡¯s Mirage Force and Reese¡¯s Vector Force worked in perfect tandem, warping Kei¡¯s perception¡ªmisdirecting his senses so completely that he couldn¡¯t even tell up from down, left from right. It was absolute chaos. Kei wrestled against them, thrashing, his strength still monstrous even while bleeding. Watching all of this unfold, Kaito and Draggbane just¡­ stood there. Confused. Silent. Staring at the dogpile that was now forming on the ground. Kaito rubbed his temple. "¡­What the hell am I looking at?" Draggbane sighed. "I don¡¯t know, but it looks like they were friends¡ª" "And now they¡¯re trying to kill each other." They both turned to Orin. But¡ª Orin¡¯s soul had seemingly left his body. His legs had given out. He was staring into the void, numb to everything. Kaito¡¯s eyes suddenly caught something in Kei¡¯s hands. "¡­Were those always there?" Draggbane followed his gaze. "What are those?" Kaito¡¯s expression changed. "I don¡¯t know, but they had a lot of force behind them when we fought. Look like they¡¯re made from¡­ bones? Where the hell would he get projectiles like that?" On the ground¡ª Kei snapped. "GET OFF ME!!" "NO!" "YOU¡¯RE GONNA TRY TO KILL HIM AGAIN!" "BEHAVE YOURSELF FOR ONCE!" "EVEN WITH BLOOD LOSS, YOU¡¯RE STILL FREAKISHLY STRONG¡ª!" The struggle continued. Kei kept thrashing. His friends kept holding him down. And everyone else just watched. Completely. Dumbfounded. Leaving them to deal with¡­ whatever that was, Draggbane and Kaito turned their attention to Orin. The man sat frozen, pale, trembling, his breath shaky as he stared ahead¡ªstaring at Kei. Or more specifically, at Kei still fighting to kill him. Pinned to the ground by his own so-called friends, thrashing and cursing, Kei still had his bone projectiles in hand, still writhing and raging to finish what he started. And Orin? Orin had never felt such pure, undiluted fear in his life. He had already died. Felt his jaw ripped from his head. Felt the agonizing void swallowing him whole. And yet¡ªhe was back. And Kei was still trying to make good on his promise. "You¡­ you insane monster¡­" Orin¡¯s voice came out in a whisper, cracking under the weight of his horror. Kei¡¯s head snapped toward him, golden-orange eyes burning bright, fangs bared in sheer frustration¡ª And Orin screamed. "HOLD HIM DOWN!" Talia shrieked, throwing all her Mirage Force into distorting Kei¡¯s senses. Owen, Reese, and Kai nearly piled on him in full force. Still, Kei fought against them. Still, he struggled to lunge for Orin. Still, he clawed at the ground trying to reach him. Orin scrambled backward on his hands and knees, practically convulsing in terror. He didn¡¯t even have a lower jaw a few minutes ago. And now¡ªnow Kei was trying to take his second life, too. This was real. Kei wasn¡¯t joking. Kei wasn¡¯t done. And the worst part? Orin knew¡ª Knew that if Talia and the others weren¡¯t holding him back¡ª Kei would¡¯ve already finished the job. Draggbane watched the scene unfold, his expression darkening. With a cold finality, he turned back to Orin¡ªthe same man who had been so arrogant before. Now? Orin was shaking. His once-proud posture was gone. His spirit? Crushed. Even now, he couldn¡¯t stop staring at Kei. Even now, he kept flinching every time Kei so much as twitched. Draggbane¡¯s voice rang out, low and commanding. "You and your people have caused enough problems." Orin flinched violently. But Draggbane didn¡¯t even spare him a glance as he continued. "You are exiled." Orin barely reacted. His body was too busy shaking. His mind too busy breaking. Draggbane continued, his words deliberate and final. "Step foot anywhere near this settlement again¡ª And I will let him finish what he started." Orin didn''t need to ask who ''he'' was. His entire body convulsed at the mere thought. Then¡ªwithout a single word¡ª Orin turned¡ª And ran. The remaining former members of Black Talon followed, scrambling after him, disappearing into the wilderness. And for the first time¡­ Kei finally stopped struggling. Finally taking a deep breath, relieved that everything seemed to have settled, Kaito Ren broke the silence. "You know¡­ you''re really strong." He admitted, still nursing the minor burns and frostbite Kei had left on him. "How come I¡¯ve never heard of you?" Kei shrugged, cracking his neck. "I usually keep to my own corner, away from people." Draggbane, arms crossed, studied him carefully before speaking. "What¡¯s your name, if you don¡¯t mind me asking?" Kei rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Umm¡­ rather not say. You almost blasted me apart, and he almost cut me in half." He gestured lazily between the two of them. "Not exactly the best way to start an introduction, you know?" Kaito raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Kei added, in a voice barely above a whisper, "Besides¡­ I stole from that lady¡¯s stall while you were both asleep." Kaito blinked. "Huh?" "Nothing." Kei looked away, whistling as if he hadn''t just confessed to theft. Deciding to move past that, Kaito leaned in, curiosity getting the better of him. "Still, you¡¯re really strong. I was actually struggling against you. What¡¯s your stat allocation like?" Kei tilted his head, confused for a moment¡ªthen snapped his fingers as if remembering something important. "Oh! I haven¡¯t really used much. Only the five I got when I arrived. Still got three extra from a hidden reward." Silence. Everyone just¡­ stared at him. Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen had known that Kei was still Level 0, hoarding his experience points. But even they hadn¡¯t expected this. He had barely touched his stats. Draggbane¡¯s fingers twitched slightly, processing the ridiculousness of what he just heard. Kaito¡¯s eye twitched. "You¡­ only used five stat points. And you''re fighting like that?" Kei shrugged. "I mean, yeah? I don¡¯t really see the point of spending them yet." Reese groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is getting ridiculous." Owen let out a tired chuckle. "He¡¯s either a genius or an idiot. Maybe both." Before anyone could say anything else¡ª [Congratulations to the first participant to reach Level 10, unlocking the ability to advance and achieve a class of their own. This participant will receive a progression reward for being the first to do so.] Everyone turned toward the system notification. Kei blinked. "Huh. Good for them." The announcement continued: [Classes will act as a means of progression, affording untold power and opportunity to everyone. Classes are ranked, and your potential will dictate how many options are afforded to you and the ranks available.] [As the first participant to reach Level 10, the participant will be afforded 3 additional class options, and their rank will increase by one level.] [Classes will act as a means of progression, affording untold power and opportunity to all participants. Classes are ranked based on potential and compatibility, determining the strength of the abilities granted.] [The Class Ranks are as follows:] Murmurs spread through the onlookers. Kaito and Dragbane¡¯s expressions grew serious. "Classes¡­" Draggbane muttered. "This is big. This changes everything." Then, the final part of the announcement came through. [The First-Class Advancement has been initiated.] [The first participant to undergo this process has chosen their path.] The name of the participant remained hidden. Everyone froze. Who was it? The first to reach Level 10. The first to gain access to a class. A silent tension filled the air. Kaito¡¯s fists clenched. "Whoever it is¡­ they just took the first true step toward becoming a powerhouse." Draggbane¡¯s expression changed. "We need to find out who it is before they get too far ahead." Kei, on the other hand, just raised an eyebrow. As the others were distracted by the system announcement, he turned his focus inward. A new connection. Something unfamiliar, yet... fitting. He flexed his fingers, rolling his wrist as if testing out the sensation of something else flowing through him. "Interesting... really, really interesting," he murmured under his breath. But before he could fully process it¡ª "AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH, FUCKING HELLL NOT AGAIN!" Kei screamed in agony, doubling over as pain shot through his body. His friends immediately panicked. That drama once again unfolded. Elsewhere... Jin Saito grunted, struggling to carve into the massive vipers he had just killed. Their scales were tough as hell, refusing to give in even under repeated attempts. "I really should invest in a sword or something sharp," he muttered, half-annoyed, half-amused as he kept hacking away. "These damn vipers are a headache to cut into." As he worked, the lingering system announcement rang in his ears. [Congratulations to the first participant to reach Level 10...] He paused for a moment, wiping sweat from his brow. "Level 10 and classes, huh? Congrats to whoever pulled it off first." He smirked. "I wonder what¡¯s gonna be available to me." With that, he resumed his dissection, completely unfazed by what was undoubtedly a world-changing moment for the rest of the participants. Back in the Settlement... "Hmmm?" A lazy yawn escaped Jenny¡¯s lips as she stretched, still half-asleep at her market stall. "Classes?" she mumbled, barely processing the announcement. "Sounds like more work." She shifted slightly, adjusting the cloth under her head as if she intended to sleep through the entire evolution of the system itself. Then, as if remembering something, her eyebrows twitched. "Wait." Her eyes snapped open. "Where¡¯s that idiot?" Her expression soured instantly, the grogginess in her voice replaced by mild irritation. "I knew I couldn¡¯t trust him. I¡¯m gonna launch him into a boulder the next time I see him." Despite the threat, she didn¡¯t move¡ªjust let out a deep sigh, rolling over, still refusing to get up. Chapter 51 "Anyway, seems like I overstayed my welcome. I need to get these wounds treated¡ªyou really hit hard, for Christ¡¯s sake," Kaito muttered, rolling his shoulder as he prepared to leave. Just then¡ª A groggy moan broke through the air. ¡°Ughhh¡­ my head is killing me¡­¡± The group turned toward the source. Paul, somehow still alive, groaned as he sat up, rubbing his temple. He winced when his fingers brushed the still-healing wound on his head. His bleary eyes darted around, finally taking in the destruction surrounding him. ¡°What the hell happened¡­?¡± Kei, despite everything, immediately seized the moment. ¡°See? Told you I didn¡¯t kill him.¡± He gestured at Paul, his tone smug despite his own clear suffering. No one reacted. Paul, still clueless, continued looking around. The ground was torn apart¡ªburn marks, ice fractures, deep gouges from blades and projectiles. Scorched trees. Cratered earth. Then, he noticed the two barely conscious figures beside him. His expression hardened. ¡°What happened to you two? Why are your feet¡ª¡± His eyes widened when he saw the deep slashes across their Achilles tendons. Blood pooled beneath them, and both of them were still twitching in pain. Paul¡¯s face twisted in rage as he shot to his feet, wobbling slightly. His gaze snapped to Kei. ¡°You¡­! This was you, wasn¡¯t it!?¡± His finger jabbed toward Kei, his voice rising in anger. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this! Just you wait until our leader, Orin Graves, finds out¡ª¡± Hearing Paul¡¯s words, the entire group stared at him blankly. After everything that had just happened¡ªafter the carnage, the chaos, the absolute disaster that had unfolded¡ªthey found it hard to believe they were hearing this man issue a threat. Talia, Kai, Reese, Owen, Kaito, and Dragbane exchanged glances. Kei, still wincing from the pain in his foot, glanced up. Then he looked at Paul. Then at the absolute wreckage around them. Then back at Paul. Then at everyone else. Finally, he sighed as if this was the most exhausting moment of his entire day. "So¡­ uh¡­ is it okay if I, you know¡ª" he pointed lazily at Paul "¡ªkill him? Just checking." Talia groaned into her hands. Kai tilted his head toward the sky like he was questioning the heavens. Reese pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something about migraines. Owen just let out a deep sigh. Kaito and Dragbane, meanwhile, stared at Kei like he was the insane one. Kei blinked at them. "What?" "You¡ªif you know what¡¯s good for you, you''d leave right now," Dragbane ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. Paul scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m not a member of your guild, you don¡¯t boss me around. Just wait until Graves¡ª¡± ¡°Orin?¡± Kaito cut in flatly. ¡°The guy who was already killed once by him?¡± He nodded toward Kei, who was still inspecting his wounds, seemingly disinterested. ¡°That guy already sent Orin to his grave¡ªliterally¡ªand when he resurrected, he ran away scared.¡± Paul froze. Kaito took a slow step forward, his presence pressing down on him. ¡°And, unless I missed something, I think you and your little friends are no longer members of the Black Talon group anyway.¡± Paul visibly swallowed. Kaito¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°If you dare think I¡¯m lying, I¡¯d be more than happy to finish his job.¡± That was all it took. Paul turned and bolted. "But what are we going to do with these two?" Dragbane asked, gesturing toward the former Black Talon members who lay motionless on the ground. Kei barely spared them a glance as he continued inspecting his own wounds, still irritated by the strange bites he kept receiving. "My official diagnosis?" he mused. "It''s probably best if they just reset." Talia and the others blinked. "Reset?" Kei nodded, his tone completely matter-of-fact. "Not only is there no blood available for a transfusion, but this site is nowhere near sterile enough to keep them from getting infected. Even if we had the right conditions, I don¡¯t have surgical tools or anything remotely close to performing reconstructive procedures." He gestured vaguely toward their mangled legs. "I mean, I may have figured out how to regrow limbs, but there''s a limit to what I can do. This? This is beyond me." Dragbane crossed his arms, considering the situation. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying it¡¯s better for them to die and resurrect with their bodies intact?¡± Kei shrugged. "I¡¯m saying that¡¯s their best shot at walking again. But, hey, if they want to crawl for the rest of their time here, who am I to judge?" They heard every word. Lying face down on the ground, their bodies wrecked, their strength all but gone¡ªthey were conscious enough to understand the reality of their situation. The blood loss alone made it a battle just to keep their eyes open. Their ruined knees? They had already lost all sensation below them. And now, the choice was being laid before them. A choice they never imagined they¡¯d have to make. They had stepped into this world believing they were special. The system had granted them abilities straight out of comics and light novels¡ªthings they had once only dreamed of. They thought they were untouchable. That they could take what they wanted, impose their will, and carve out their own power without consequence. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. But they were wrong. They were foolish. Foolish enough to forget that everyone in this expanse had been given the same opportunities. That power alone didn¡¯t make them invincible. And now, they had learned a lesson¡ªone they never wanted to learn. A brutal, inescapable truth had been beaten into them. If they could go back, they would be different. They swore they would be different. But for now¡ª All they could do was lie there and let the tears fall. Sighing, Dragbane shook his head. ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the only option left to them, then that¡¯s what it is. I¡¯ll trust you to deal with them how you like.¡± He turned to his own members, fixing them with a sharp gaze. ¡°I trust you all know better than ever to behave and treat him properly. If you piss him off, it¡¯s your funeral.¡± With that, he turned and walked away, clearly done with the situation. ¡°Time for me to get going too,¡± Kaito added with an exhausted sigh. ¡°Once again, I¡¯m really sorry about everything.¡± He gave Kei a short wave before dashing off, leaving the scene behind him. The two still on the ground finally accepted their fate. ¡°You know,¡± one of them rasped weakly, ¡°my force is healing-aligned, and I still can¡¯t use it to save myself.¡± He laughed bitterly before turning his head toward his companion. ¡°Hey, how about you crawl over? Maybe I can at least fix your Achilles tendons. I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll work on your knee or restore the blood we lost, but maybe I can get you patched up enough to walk to someone who can.¡± Kei, who had been watching the entire exchange, suddenly frowned. ¡°...Now I feel bad.¡± Kai sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°Well, I guess it¡¯s too late for them to learn their lesson, but at least with a second life, maybe they¡¯ll be different from now on.¡± "Hmmmmm, I wonder if this would work with humans too," Kei muttered to himself, deep in thought. Without hesitation, he made a small cut on his finger, letting a few drops of blood bead up. He crouched down and placed his bleeding finger in front of the guy still lying on the ground. ¡°Try this.¡± The injured man blinked in confusion. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Just try it,¡± Kei repeated, his tone casual, as if this wasn¡¯t a completely insane suggestion. The guy hesitated. At this point, with his body barely functioning and his options nonexistent, he figured it wouldn¡¯t make a difference. What more could go wrong? So, ignoring the strange circumstances, he leaned forward slightly and¡ªhesitantly¡ªsucked on Kei¡¯s finger. Kei felt it immediately. A connection. Like a tether forming, like something unseen but deeply familiar threading between them. Aether reacted. Not just within Kei¡ªbut in the area itself. The air trembled. The ground pulsed with faint energy. Something shifted. Focusing on the newfound connection, Kei honed in with everything he had. His perception dug deep, reaching into the unfamiliar link between his aether and the man who had just ingested his blood. Slowly, his aether shifted. It responded. It carried something new. Kei watched as his hands became bathed in an unfamiliar glow¡ªnot just the usual Breeze Force swirling around him, but something deeper. Something warmer. Healing. A smirk twitched at his lips. ¡°Interesting.¡± Without hesitation, he walked over to the other injured man and placed his hands over his destroyed Achilles tendon. The moment his palms made contact¡ªhis aether flowed. The effect was immediate. The torn flesh began knitting itself back together. The man twitched, his face contorting with an almost overwhelming sense of relief as feeling returned to his foot. Kei¡¯s eyes burned with curiosity. His Observation pulsed to its absolute limit. He took in every detail¡ªthe way the wound closed, the speed at which the flesh mended, the residual aether still lingering in the affected area. He committed everything to memory. Soon, the injury was completely patched up. Kei leaned back, fascinated, his mind already racing with possibilities. "If this is how it works, then..." He trailed off, glancing at the surrounding settlement, thinking about the thousands of other participants. His eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°There¡¯s more than 9,000 people here. That should be enough.¡± He turned to his friends with a grin. ¡°Hey guys, wanna be part of a science study?¡± Reese took several steps back, gripping his bow tightly. ¡°I will shove an arrow in your eye¡ªstay away!¡± The others weren¡¯t far behind him, all collectively retreating as if Kei had suddenly become more terrifying than any Apex Boss. Kei¡¯s face fell into a genuine pout. ¡°Betrayal. Deep. Utter. Betrayal.¡± He sighed dramatically, clutching his chest as if he had been mortally wounded. Then¡ªhis expression shifted. Something clicked. ¡°Wait.¡± Without hesitation, he summoned the sword he had won earlier, its flat, hiltless blade appearing in his grasp. The guy he had just healed, still testing out his newly mended foot, barely had a second to process the sudden shift before¡ª Flip. Kei grabbed him and flipped him onto his back. ¡°Wha¡ª?¡± Before he could even ask¡ª Schlick. Kei stabbed straight down into his previously injured knee. "AGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!" The scream ripped through the air, sheer agony flooding the man''s expression as he thrashed on the ground. Kei, on the other hand? He simply turned his head, looking at the others with the most innocent expression imaginable. ¡°Do you guys have any healing potions?¡± Silence. Talia, Reese, Owen, and Kai just stared. Blank. Empty. Disbelieving. As if they had just witnessed the single most unhinged act they had ever seen. As they stared in sheer disbelief, Kei calmly used his thin, hiltless blade to pry out the bone projectile still lodged in the guy¡¯s knee. The poor victim gritted his teeth, trembling as he fought the pain, while everyone else just stood there, watching this insanity unfold. Owen, finally realizing what Kei was doing, hesitantly reached into his inventory and pulled out a healing potion. Wordlessly, he handed it over. SPLASH. Kei dumped the entire bottle directly onto the gaping wound. The guy screamed, twitched, and then¡ª His knee mended itself instantly, the torn tissue stitching back together as if the injury had never happened. Kei watched, fascinated. "This world is really useful," he muttered, eyes practically sparkling as he turned toward the other guy. The second Black Talon survivor saw the glint in Kei¡¯s eyes¡ªthe sheer curiosity¡ªand immediately panicked. He scrambled backward, hands frantically pulling out bottles from his inventory. "WAIT! TAKE THEM! TAKE ALL MY HEALING POTIONS!" He practically threw them at Kei''s feet, desperate to avoid becoming the next test subject. Kei''s eyes gleamed with the twisted amusement of a scientist on the verge of discovery. "In the advancement of science, some people don¡¯t get a say in whether they¡¯re test subjects or not." The poor guy, face pale with dread, stammered, "S-Since when?!" Kei¡¯s grin widened. "Since today, my idiot. Now shut up." Without waiting for permission, Kei dumped a healing potion directly onto the Achilles tendon he had previously shredded. The guy screamed as the raw, exposed injury fizzed and bubbled, the healing properties slowly repairing the torn tissue. Kei watched intently, nodding to himself. "Hmmm... not as effective as my aether. Works slower, requires more potion, but still effective." Before the poor man could plead for mercy, another sharp agony shot through him¡ªKei had yanked out the projectile lodged in his knee and poured another healing potion over it. "AGGHHHHH!" Kei ignored the screaming, completely focused on his analysis. "Although the healing process is slower, these potions do have the potential to repair bones. Interesting." The guy twitched, his breathing ragged, looking at Kei with pure terror. Too much noise. Kei¡¯s fist shot out, striking him squarely in the jaw. Silence. Knocked out. He sighed in satisfaction and stood up, rolling his shoulder. Talia, having watched the entire ordeal with a look of disbelief, finally spoke. "Ignoring the fact that you just punched that guy unconscious... you must¡¯ve been a deranged surgeon back home." Kei stretched, completely unfazed. "I got results. If anything, the world seemed better off for it." He closed his eyes for a moment, mentally committing every observation to memory, already calculating how he could refine the process further. Kei clapped his hands together. ¡°Alright, you spoke about a quest. What are we doing, buddy?¡± Owen blinked as if he had forgotten all about it. ¡°Oh yeah¡­ it¡¯s just to fight a bear¡ªan Earth Force one. I was hoping you could give me some tips on Force manipulation while I fought it. Figured observing would help me learn better.¡± Kei tilted his head. ¡°Hmm. Bear meat is kinda stinky and tough to cook, but okay.¡± ¡°I said fight, not kill!¡± Owen protested. ¡°But I¡¯m hungry,¡± Kei whined. ¡°Its life is worth sustaining mine.¡± Ignoring his complaints, Owen glanced at the quest details again. ¡°Hmm, the rewards for killing it are really good, but the ones for capturing it seem more worth it. What are the chances we can pull that off?¡± Kei shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ll have to see when we get there.¡± Just then, the guy he had healed stepped forward hesitantly. ¡°Umm¡­ thank you for helping us. There¡¯s no excuse for what we did before, but I promise we¡¯ll change our ways and work harder to be better.¡± Kei waved it off. ¡°No problem. Just strive to have a positive purpose in this world. Would be a shame to live a life with no meaning, don¡¯t you think?¡± He flashed a genuine smile, looking relaxed¡ªalmost like he hadn¡¯t just tortured the guy and knocked his friend unconscious. The man swallowed hard, clearly unsettled by how quickly Kei could switch between warmth and cruelty. Kei turned to leave but then paused, glancing back over his shoulder with that same wide grin. ¡°Leave him be. He¡¯ll wake up soon.¡± His tone was lighthearted, but then¡ªwithout changing expression¡ªhe added, ¡°Also, I¡¯m assuming you¡¯re smart enough not to reveal what you just saw me do with healing you.¡± The smile remained, but the threat was crystal clear. The man stiffened, his throat dry. ¡°Uh¡­ thanks,¡± he said quickly before grabbing his unconscious friend and hurrying away. Kei chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head. ¡°Make sure you eat something nutritious! You¡¯re low on blood!¡± he shouted after him. Chapter 52 As they traveled toward the location of Owen¡¯s quest, the group ran together for what felt like hours. The journey wasn¡¯t just about covering ground¡ªKei made sure to throw in some training techniques he had found useful for building constitution and agility. By the time they finally decided to take a break, everyone was exhausted and more than ready to refuel. Kei rummaged through his inventory and pulled out food and water. ¡°Here you go, guys. I still have some leftovers from when I was back at my clearing.¡± They took the food with grateful nods, their stomachs too empty to resist. Kai bit into a piece of cooked meat and his eyes widened. ¡°Hmmm¡­ so good. You said you have a PhD in cooking?¡± Kei laughed. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been told my mom¡¯s cooking was really good, but I never really got the chance to meet her before she passed. So, since I had the time, I figured I may as well learn to cook.¡± The casual way he said it caught them off guard. He never met his mom? Talia, Owen, Reese, and Kai exchanged subtle glances, their expressions softening. Noticing, Kei waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t look so sad for me¡ªit¡¯s okay. It was out of my parents¡¯ control, but I used to hear faint whispers of her voice every so often. I knew she was always around, trying to get close to me, but what happened, happened. No point feeling sad about it.¡± He grinned and kept eating. There wasn¡¯t much they could say after that, so they chose to respect his privacy and quietly continued their meal. After some time, Reese let out a groan, stretching out his legs. ¡°Man, that was a really long run. How far away is this quest location, Owen?¡± Owen sighed, rubbing his sore legs. ¡°Honestly? We might still have a while to go.¡± Kei stretched his arms, bouncing lightly on his feet as he spoke. ¡°It gave me some time to train my agility and constitution. I¡¯ve been in the settlement for a while, so I haven¡¯t had a chance to train. Even my constitution and agility went up by a point.¡± He glanced at his status screen while lightly hopping around, testing the changes in his body. [Status Screen] [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate | Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [Attributes]: [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Force Progression]: 50% ¡°What do you mean?¡± Reese asked, staring at him. ¡°Are you saying your stat points went up?¡± Kei blinked. ¡°Yeah? Training raises your stats. That¡¯s how I¡¯ve been improving all this time. Why do you think I don¡¯t mind staying Level 0 for so long?¡± Silence. Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen froze. Owen¡¯s voice came out weak. ¡°Wait¡­ so you¡¯re saying physical training actually increases our stats?¡± Kei raised an eyebrow. ¡°Uh¡­ yeah. I thought that was obvious?¡± It wasn¡¯t. Not to them. Not to anyone. Their expressions twisted as the reality of what they just learned sank in. They had rushed through levels, carefully allocating their stat points with each level up, never questioning if there was another way. Talia grabbed Kei by the collar and shook him violently. ¡°WHY DIDN¡¯T YOU TELL US THIS SOONER!?¡± ¡°GAH¡ª!! STOP¡ª!! YOU NEVER ASKED!!¡± Kei flailed, his voice strangled. Kai collapsed to the ground, his hands shaking. ¡°I could¡¯ve had¡­ so much more strength.¡± Reese clutched his head. ¡°We¡¯ve been doing this wrong.¡± Owen just fell onto his back, his face blank with despair. ¡°I could¡¯ve been faster, stronger, more durable.¡± Kei, still being shaken like a ragdoll, threw up his hands in frustration. ¡°STOP ACTING LIKE THIS IS MY FAULT!!¡± After having shaken all the contents out of Kei¡¯s stomach, Talia finally vented all of her frustration. Reese crossed his arms. ¡°But how did you figure all of this out on your own?¡± Kei wiped his mouth, still a little pale from the aggressive shaking. ¡°When we first got here, I noticed my base stat allocation and figured the system was quantifying my body¡¯s physical and mental capabilities.¡± He took a breath, still feeling queasy. ¡°I was curious about stat points and wondered how the body would be affected, so I used them and felt the changes happen.¡± He clenched and unclenched his fists, remembering. ¡°And from there, I just tried to replicate that same sensation through training.¡± The group stared at him. Talia twitched. ¡°You¡­ just figured it out? Like that?¡± Kei shrugged. ¡°I mean¡­ yeah?¡± ¡°I have to admit,¡± he continued, stretching his arms to shake off the dizziness, ¡°I¡¯m not some fitness expert or anything. But I was harassed so much back home to exercise that I remembered a bunch of workouts drilled into me.¡± He scratched his head. ¡°I modified them until I could replicate those same sensations I got from spending stat points. Then, I just kept pushing past my limits.¡± A heavy silence followed. Kai clenched his fists. ¡°So you¡¯re telling me¡­ all we had to do was train, and we could have been stronger naturally?¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Owen stared up at the sky, dead inside. ¡°So you¡¯re saying¡­ I didn¡¯t have to waste all my points on constitution?¡± Reese dragged a hand down his face. ¡°And we never knew.¡± Talia just stared at Kei like she wanted to strangle him again. Kei narrowed his eyes. ¡°DON¡¯T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT! I WASN¡¯T HIDING ANYTHING! YOU NEVER ASKED!¡± Reese scoffed. ¡°Who the hell asks if running around makes your stats go up?¡± ¡°People who think, Reese!¡± Kei snapped back. ¡°And also,¡± Kei continued, crossing his arms, ¡°we just met not too long ago. Everything you guys did? That all happened before you even knew me.¡± The group fell silent. Damn. They really couldn¡¯t blame him. Talia sighed, rubbing her temples. ¡°Fine. Fine. But still¡ª¡± Kei cut her off. ¡°By the way, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s weird?¡± Kai raised a brow. ¡°What¡¯s weird?¡± ¡°You allocate a stat point, and suddenly your body changes? Like, where¡¯s the mass increase? The improved density? The neurological rewiring? In physics, matter can¡¯t be created from nothing. So where the hell are these changes coming from?¡± That made them pause. ¡°¡­Okay, that¡¯s actually a good question,¡± Owen admitted. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about this for a long time,¡± Kei continued, his voice picking up momentum. ¡°Back home, I got into game design in my free time. And¡­¡± He hesitated for a second before sighing. ¡°Okay, I got way too obsessed with this exact topic. It¡¯s easy to program a character getting stronger with stat points, but I started wondering¡ªhow would that even work? What¡¯s the actual mechanic behind it?¡± Kei¡¯s eyes gleamed with curiosity. ¡°Like, in an RPG, you put a point into strength, and suddenly you¡¯re lifting boulders. But if that happened in reality, how does your body physically adapt? Are your muscles reinforced? Is there a change at the cellular level? Does your nervous system evolve to handle the strain?¡± Owen blinked. ¡°Kei, you sound like a mad scientist.¡± Kei ignored him. ¡°And another thing¡ªwhy does nobody question it? It¡¯s like everyone just blindly accepts it! No one asks where the hell the power comes from.¡± He threw up his hands. ¡°That bothers me, okay?¡± "And that bothered me," Kei continued, shaking his head. "Like, it really bothered me. So I figured¡ªwhy rely on something I don¡¯t understand?" He stretched his arms behind his head, sighing. "That¡¯s why I just trained instead." The others watched him with mixed expressions¡ªpart admiration, part confusion. "But here¡¯s the weirdest part." Kei¡¯s tone shifted, his brows furrowing slightly. "Stat points gained from training? They feel way stronger than the ones you get from just allocating points. And I don¡¯t mean a small difference¡ªI mean a lot." Kai frowned. "What do you mean?" Kei rolled his shoulder, as if testing something. "I mean, when I put in actual work and raise my agility or constitution naturally, it feels like my entire body adjusts. Like my reflexes, my endurance¡ªeverything shifts with it." He tapped his chest. "But when I just add a stat point? It¡¯s more like¡­ a quick upgrade. My body changes, sure, but not in a way that feels integrated. It¡¯s like installing a new software update instead of actually learning how to do something." Reese crossed his arms, intrigued. "So what? You¡¯re saying training gives better stats than just leveling?" Kei grinned. "Exactly." Kei''s grin stayed, but something about it shifted¡ªjust slightly. "And also¡ª" his voice turned light, casual¡ªtoo casual. "Don¡¯t go spreading my research." The air around them changed. "I don¡¯t like you guys that much." The grin remained, but now it felt colder. Sharper. Kai, Reese, Owen, and Talia all tensed¡ªinstinctively feeling the shift in atmosphere. It wasn''t a threat. Not exactly. But the weight of Kei''s words made it clear. This wasn¡¯t something they should ever repeat. ¡°Anyway, mind if we make a slight detour? It should be on the way.¡± They continued their journey, eventually arriving at Kei¡¯s clearing. ¡°Hmm¡­ seems like they¡¯re not here,¡± Kei muttered, gripping his sword. ¡°Wanted to shear Wooloo a bit.¡± Talia glanced around, recognizing the area. ¡°This is where you stay?¡± ¡°Yeah. Good spot, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kei said, scanning the surroundings. But Kai, still thinking about something, folded his arms. ¡°Speaking of the Fellhorn¡­ your blood.¡± Kei looked up, raising an eyebrow. Kai continued, ¡°You said your force is Breeze Force, but I saw you use Stormwind¡ªjust like that Stormwind Fellhorn in the dungeon. Then you used Frost and Fire Forces too.¡± The others nodded, remembering the fight with Orin and Kaito. Reese crossed his arms. ¡°So¡­ the real reason you feed creatures¡ªand I guess in this case, humans¡ªyour blood¡­ is because it lets you use their Force?¡± Kei let out a small chuckle. ¡°Basically.¡± At their expressions, he shrugged. ¡°At first, when that pup bit me, I noticed it really enjoyed my blood. So I figured it wouldn¡¯t hurt to give it some from time to time.¡± Then he grew thoughtful. ¡°Then I started feeling connections forming.¡± He tapped his chin. ¡°After Zeph came close to killing me¡ªand I defeated him¡ªI noticed he was the same way too.¡± As if to give them an example, Kei raised his hand, forming it into the shape of a sheep¡¯s head. Aether surged¡ªEbb & Flow Force manifested, a spectral image of Wooloo¡¯s horns appearing faintly around his arm. The ground beneath them shifted. Small rocks and pebbles trembled, rolling toward Kei as if pulled by an unseen tide. Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen watched in stunned silence. ¡°Through that connection, my aether changes accordingly,¡± Kei explained, watching the effect closely. ¡°It takes on the characteristics of their forces.¡± He flexed his fingers, releasing the energy. ¡°I don¡¯t know why it works like this. But if it works, then I have nothing to complain about.¡± Owen, still staring at the ground, finally spoke. ¡°And the Stormwind Fellhorn¡ªyou weren¡¯t using its Force directly, were you?¡± Kei shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not using the Stormwind Fellhorn¡¯s Force per se. We¡¯re both minor Forces of Wind.¡± Seeing their confusion, he elaborated. ¡°The entire Force of Wind encompasses Breeze and Stormwind. It only makes sense that the more we progress, the more we¡¯ll be able to access other minor forces under the same umbrella.¡± Reese muttered, ¡°So, if someone had, let¡¯s say¡­ Flame Force, they could eventually learn other fire-based Forces too?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Kei admitted. ¡°At least, if they push their progression far enough.¡± ¡°Anyway, since they¡¯re not here, we should continue with the quest. Sorry for the detour.¡± Kei shrugged, motioning for them to keep moving. As they resumed their journey, Kai spoke up. ¡°So, what exercises are particularly useful for training stats?¡± Kei hummed in thought. ¡°I don¡¯t know if there¡¯s a universal method. Each person should be different, I believe. It¡¯s up to you to figure out what¡¯s best for you.¡± He kicked a loose pebble along the trail as he continued, ¡°I¡¯m still fine-tuning my own training. Think of it like a diet. Sure, we can all eat the same food, but it affects us differently. At least, that¡¯s my belief. No sound conclusion yet, though.¡± They kept running, covering more ground, until¡ª ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± Owen came to a stop, gesturing ahead. Up ahead, a massive creature lumbered through the forest, its powerful form shifting as it dug through the ground in search of food. Its fur wasn¡¯t normal¡ªit looked like layered plates of hardened earth, flexible yet incredibly durable.
[Boulder Veined Bear] [Level 7]
Kei muttered under his breath, reading the displayed information. Owen raised an eyebrow. ¡°Wait¡­ you can see that info too?¡± Kei just nodded, brushing the question aside. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan, Owen? That thing is huge.¡± Owen grinned, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Heh, you¡¯re not the only one among us that¡¯s strong. Just watch.¡± Drawing his Fellhorn Sword and Shield, Owen focused on his connection to the earth. Aether stirred. Bastion Force roared. The ground beneath him seemed to settle, as if recognizing his presence. Then¡ª [Skill Name]: Gaia¡¯s Silent Prayer [Description]: By channeling Bastion Force, the user attunes themselves to the earth¡¯s natural rhythm, reinforcing their body with the silent resilience of stone. This skill passively strengthens defenses while providing a stable foundation for combat, making the user an unshakable presence on the battlefield. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: As Owen activated Gaia¡¯s Silent Prayer, the very air around him shifted. The earth seemed to recognize him. Aether rose from below, flowing through his body like a steady current. His stance solidified, his movements measured and rooted. He walked toward the bear, his heavy footsteps echoing in rhythm with the steady pulse of his Bastion Force. The Boulder Veined Bear lifted its head, noticing him. It snorted, stomping its front paws¡ªthen let out a deep, guttural roar. It wasn¡¯t just a warning. It was an acknowledgment. The bear saw him as prey. And it was about to claim its meal. Kei stood at the back, observing. ¡°You know¡­¡± he mused, glancing at Owen. ¡°You¡¯re both earth-based. You¡¯d probably learn more from the bear than me.¡± His grin widened. ¡°Just pay careful attention.¡± Chapter 53 With a forceful step, Owen surged forward, his Bastion Force reinforcing his body as he delivered a wrathful slash at the Boulder Veined Bear. His connection to the earth granted him unwavering stability, his stance unshaken by the pressure of battle. The bear roared, defiant. A massive paw, thick and jagged like a living boulder, swung toward the incoming blade. Clang! The impact rang out as the bear¡¯s raw power clashed against Owen¡¯s sword, forcing the steel back. But Owen did not yield. The ground beneath him held firm. His feet pressed deeper into the soil, his body an immovable bulwark. BANG! Owen¡¯s shield slammed into the bear¡¯s side, a forceful counter-strike that rippled through the beast¡¯s frame. The blow¡ªit carried the weight of the earth itself. The bear stumbled slightly, its footing disrupted for a mere second. A second was all Owen needed. He drove forward again, sword raised, ready to follow up before the beast could fully recover. As Owen advanced, the earth convulsed beneath him. A jagged spike of stone erupted from the ground¡ªaimed directly for his head. His instincts screamed. He halted his charge mid-step, twisting his body just in time to dodge. But before he could fully regain his footing¡ª A massive jaws snapped toward him. The Boulder Veined Bear had anticipated his movement. The creature¡¯s craggy fangs lunged for his exposed side, intending to finish what the earth had failed to do. CLANG! Owen threw up his shield, the reinforced steel meeting the beast¡¯s crushing bite. His feet slid across the ground, his arms trembling from the sheer force behind the attack. But he pressed on. Using the momentum, he pivoted to the side, narrowly escaping the beast¡¯s grasp. His sword lashed out in quick precision slashes, striking the bear¡¯s flank. SCRAPE¡ªSCRAPE¡ªSCRAPE The steel met resistance¡ªlike trying to cut into solid stone. His attacks barely grazed the beast, leaving only shallow marks on its thick, rock-layered hide. Owen¡¯s grip tightened. ¡°This is gonna take more than brute strength¡­¡± he muttered, adjusting his stance, analyzing the beast''s movements. The group stood on the sidelines, observing the battle unfold, ready to jump in if things took a turn for the worse. ¡°He¡¯s really going at it,¡± Kai noted, arms crossed. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s improved a little.¡± ¡°But that bear is ridiculous,¡± Reese muttered. ¡°Its fur is like armor. Unless Owen figures out how to bypass its defenses, this is gonna drag out.¡± Kei stood among them, watching silently. His eyes flicked between Owen and the bear, absorbing every detail. ¡°Both of them are using Earth Force¡­ but in different ways,¡± he mused aloud. Owen¡¯s Bastion Force was about endurance, forming a direct connection to the earth, reinforcing his body, granting him stability and resilience. The Boulder Veined Bear, however, commanded the earth itself¡ªshaping it, weaponizing it. Owen had the foundation, but the bear had mastery. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Reese looked back at Kei, still stunned by what he held in his hand. "You just made this?" he repeated, his tone filled with admiration. Kei tilted his head. "Yeah? Why?" Reese exhaled in disbelief, turning the arrow over in his hand. "This is probably better than any arrow I¡¯ve ever used¡­ and you made it right here." Owen, who was still catching his breath from his earlier attempt at manipulating the earth, looked at the glowing wood carving tool Kei was holding. ¡°You infuse your tools with aether while using them?¡± he asked curiously. Kei nodded. "Yeah, it makes things easier. The blade stays sharper, and it cuts cleaner. Why?" The group exchanged looks. "That¡¯s¡­ really useful," Talia said, intrigued. "I never thought to do that." Kai tested channeling his aether into his own weapon, watching how the blade subtly shifted in response. "That¡­ might explain why your attacks always seem so sharp. You¡¯re reinforcing them without even thinking about it." "You guys should try it," Kei suggested. "Makes a huge difference." Reese continued to inspect the arrow, still impressed. "With arrows like these, I don¡¯t even want to waste them. This is insane." Owen, shaking his head with a slight grin, chuckled. "Every time I think I¡¯m starting to catch up, you just casually drop something like this." Kei shrugged, smiling. "I¡¯m just messing around with what works." Kai raised an eyebrow. "And why do you tell us your secrets so casually, especially since you don¡¯t want us to spread them?" Talia followed up. "Yeah, better yet, why don¡¯t you want us to spread them?" Kei shrugged, still twirling his wood-carving tool in his fingers. "Well, I need more data. If I just rely on myself, then I can¡¯t exactly say what works better or not. Testing things on multiple people makes for a better study." They gave him a look, but he continued. "And besides," he added, "we were just regular people. Now we have the chance to command the laws of the world, to do things that were only ever imagined in comic books or written in stories. Back on Earth, I barely trusted people without powers, so there¡¯s no chance I¡¯m going to start trusting people with them now." His voice took on a sharper edge. "What do you think is going to happen when we go back home? How many new powers are going to rise? How many idiots are going to think they should rule just because they got stronger? How many people are going to fight over control, try to claim the world as their own, or make their own little kingdoms?" Talia and the others fell silent. "I don¡¯t know about you guys, but I don¡¯t plan on making delusional people even stronger." Kei''s eyes darkened slightly. "If you¡¯d just let me kill Orin Graves, that would¡¯ve been one less headache we¡¯d have to deal with later." They had no words for that. And before they could even think of a response¡ª A forceful, guttural roar shook the ground beneath them. The bear was back. Larger. Stronger. Angrier. Deep red aether bled from its massive form, flickering like fire along its stone-like fur. Kei¡¯s eyes scanned its status screen. His brows twitched. "Oh, shit." His voice snapped through the air. "IT¡¯S IN A BERSERK STATE¡ªOWEN, RUN!!!" [Additional Notes]: With Kai¡¯s Sparrow¡¯s Dance activating, his spear flashed forward, his movements becoming lighter as each second passed. The battlefield shifted¡ªhe was no longer just attacking; he was flowing, building speed and power with every motion. Kai¡¯s spear struck true, his movements fueled by adrenaline, each attack faster than the last. The force of his Spearow¡¯s Dance skill built momentum, his strikes accelerating with every motion, landing in rapid succession. The Boulder Veined Bear faltered under the relentless assault, its red berserk aether flaring wildly as it struggled to react. That was the opening Talia needed. ¡ªand in an instant, three identical copies of her shimmered into existence, perfectly mimicking her stance and movements. The bear¡¯s primal instincts clashed with confusion. Its heavy breaths became ragged as its glowing red eyes darted between the shifting mirages. It swiped at one¡ªonly for its claws to phase through mist. A guttural roar of frustration erupted from its throat as it turned toward another, only for that one to blur out of existence the moment it struck. "Now¡¯s our chance!" Talia shouted, her voice seeming to come from all directions at once. Chapter 54 The Boulder Veined Bear met a barrage of attacks¡ªKai''s spear, Talia''s daggers, and Owen¡¯s sword, each trying to pierce through its defenses. The beast roared, meeting the attacks head-on, barely suffering any damage. ¡°Tsk, he¡¯s tough," Owen gritted his teeth, sidestepping a swipe from the bear¡¯s massive claws. "His defense is going to be a problem to break through.¡± From a distance, Reese nocked his new arrow, feeling the weight of the crafted projectile in his fingers. Kei''s craftsmanship had given it higher attack power and enhanced penetration¡ªbut now, it was time to test it in action. He drew back his bowstring, Aether surging into his grip. "Alright, let¡¯s see how much damage this can do." Activating his skill¡ª [Skill Name]: Vector¡¯s Barrage] [Description]: A skill that manipulates the trajectory of a projectile by continuously redirecting it mid-air. The arrow weaves unpredictably, striking multiple times in succession before losing momentum. The length and number of redirections are dictated by the user''s Aether reserves and control. [Effects]: Additional Notes: The arrow shot forward, striking the Boulder Veined Bear¡¯s armored hide¡ªand then vanished in a blur. A split second later¡ªBANG. The arrow reappeared at another angle, slamming into the beast¡¯s side. BANG. Then from above. BANG. Then from below. Reese grinned as Vector¡¯s Barrage activated at full force, the arrow ricocheting unpredictably, striking over and over. Each impact grew sharper, chipping at the bear¡¯s thick fur-lined armor as the force multiplied. The Boulder Veined Bear roared, thrashing violently, trying to swat at the blurry streak of death carving into its body¡ªbut it couldn¡¯t react fast enough. Kei¡¯s eyes flickered with intrigue. "Huh. Now that¡¯s pretty useful." Reese was stunned by the results¡ªso were his friends. Even with the Boulder Veined Bear still raging before them, they each took a second¡ªrisking being swatted into oblivion¡ªto glance at Kei greedily. Their intentions were clear. They wanted his crafted weapons. Kei, catching their expressions, grinned. ¡°Alright, my little test subjects, if you want one¡ªyou better make sure that bear doesn¡¯t kill you first." He waved his carving tool like a professor handing out an impossible assignment. "So, work hard and make papa proud.¡± They groaned, but none of them denied their obvious desire for more of his creations. ¡°Also, Reese," Kei continued, "you might want to retrieve that arrow. I only made one, and it looks like it can be used again.¡± Before Kei even finished his sentence, Reese had already beaten him to it¡ªwilling the arrow back to him with his vector control, plucking it from midair as it returned. Placing it away for later, he switched back to his regular arrows, knowing he¡¯d save the special one for a more crucial moment. As of now, besides Owen¡¯s earth attack, the arrow Kei crafted for Reese had been the most effective at penetrating the bear¡¯s defenses. Curious, Kei decided to test something. He reached into his inventory and pulled out a handful of bone projectiles. Three regular. Two coated in Aether. With a flick of his wrist¡ªhe sent them flying. Thud. Thud. Thud. The non-coated projectiles shattered on impact, completely ineffective against the Boulder Veined Bear¡¯s rigid defenses. Then¡ª Pchh. Pchh. The Aether-coated projectiles hit harder, managing to pierce the hide, drawing a small spurt of blood¡ªbut even they broke apart on impact. Kei clicked his tongue. ¡°Seems like I¡¯ll need better projectiles. These bone ones are getting obsolete.¡± Those attacks did well to distract the bear for a moment, giving Talia just enough time to reposition. With a surge of Mirage Force, she conjured multiple illusions, causing the Boulder Veined Bear to lash out at a false target. The massive paw swiped through empty air. Owen saw his chance. Slamming his foot into the ground, he surged forward with his shield, tackling the bear head-on and forcing it to stagger back from the unexpected impact. Reese¡¯s arrows followed immediately after, firing in quick succession to provide cover fire¡ªforcing the bear to stay defensive. In that moment¡ª Kai leaped high into the air, spear in hand, his Adrenaline Force fueling his strength. He swung down with all his might, aiming to drive the spear deep into the bear¡¯s back. Then¡ª CRACK. A sickening snap rang through the battlefield. Kai¡¯s spear¡ªsplit clean in half. ¡°What the¡ª¡± His eyes widened in shock, gripping the broken weapon mid-air as he fell back to the ground. Before the Boulder Veined Bear¡¯s massive claw could swat Kai like an insect, a sudden gust of wind blasted him backward, just enough to dodge the incoming attack. Kai stumbled, regaining his footing, staring at the two broken halves of his spear in disbelief. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Tsk¡­ That was my only spear,¡± he groaned, frustration clear in his voice. Kei, standing a distance away, simply shrugged. ¡°You still have your hands and feet, don¡¯t you?¡± he said, twirling a bone projectile in his fingers. ¡°Last I checked, you had Adrenaline Force, not Spear Force¡ªso quit whining and get to it.¡± Kai gritted his teeth, but he knew Kei was right. Weapon or not¡ªhe still had a fight to finish. "Don''t be frustrated," Kei lectured, watching Kai with a smirk. "You should be stressed and agitated by now¡ªyour fight or flight should be kicking in." Kai rolled his shoulders, shaking off the last of his hesitation as his Adrenaline Force pulsed through him. "Use that to your advantage, hormone boy," Kei continued. "Adrenaline is nothing but a hormone that kicks your body into overdrive¡ªthat means it helps unlock the potential of your body." Kai''s breathing steadied, his heartbeat pounding in his ears, his muscles burning with energy. "The better you understand your body, the better you should be able to fight¡ªor at least, that''s my guess." Kei flashed a grin. "And swinging a stick around wouldn¡¯t help you much with that." Kai¡¯s fists clenched as his body thrummed with energy. "Fine then," he muttered. No weapon? No problem. His fight wasn¡¯t over yet. Watching his friends struggle against the bear, Kai knew he had to come up with something. "If you''d like, I know a monkey that can train you in hand-to-hand combat. It¡¯s a really good teacher¡ªtaught me how to fight," Kei said, throwing a few casual punches and kicks. "...A monkey?" Kai blinked. "Yeah, real strict, though. Likes to ragdoll its students if they mess up," Kei added, a nostalgic grin on his face. Kai was still trying to process that sentence when Kei¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Actually¡ªkeep your eyes open and pay careful attention.¡± Something was coming. Kai furrowed his brows but followed Kei¡¯s gaze. At that moment, the Boulder Veined Bear raised its massive paws, the earth trembling in response. Reese and Talia tensed, readying their counterattacks. Then¡ª The bear lifted into the air. Its massive frame jerked upward, as if gravity had suddenly flipped. "What the¡ª?" Reese started, eyes widening. Confused glances shot between them, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Then¡ª BAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! A piercing bleat rang out, cutting through the battlefield. A black sheep with marble-white horns, gleaming like polished stone, appeared in midair¡ªbarreling down like a comet. Its horns shone with an intense, blinding white glow. And then¡ª CRASH! The bear slammed back down to the ground with explosive force. The earth shattered beneath it, sending dust, debris, and stone flying. The bear roared in shock and pain, its body twisting, struggling, but it was completely disoriented. Kai¡¯s jaw nearly hit the floor. ¡°What the actual hell was that!?¡± Kei just stood there, grinning proudly. "That," he said, hands on his hips, "is my Wooloo." A fierce battle broke, sheep vs bear, large claws vs horns, thick wool vs earthen fur,it was the battle of the ages whou would who would prevail, next time in the world of this expanse That¡¯s what kei monologue in his head, excited to wtiness a clash amongst beast ¡°thts the black sheep from before¡± ¡°its really strong¡± ¡°I guess its not so bad kei befriended it¡± ¡°lets go wooloo you can do it¡± ¡°you named it after a pokemon? Looks more like Dubwool¡± Without giving the Boulder Veined Bear a chance to orient itself, Wooloo spun around, delivering a fierce double kick. ¡°Ooh, Double Kick against a Rock-type? That should be super effective!¡± Kei mused, thoroughly entertained. The attack landed cleanly, powered by Ebb & Flow Force and Lunar Force, a forceful push erupting outward and sending the bear skidding back. Not letting up, Wooloo kept its momentum, its horns shining brilliantly as it barreled forward for a tackle. The bear retaliated, swinging a massive paw downward to meet the charge head-on. Horn vs. Claw. At first, Wooloo was on the losing side, its hooves digging into the ground. But then¡ª Astral projections of its white horns flickered into existence, ghostly echoes of its real ones. With a sharp tug of its head, Wooloo¡¯s force exerted a pulling effect, shifting the bear off-balance for just a moment. And in that moment¡ª It unleashed its pushing force. The bear stumbled backward, struggling to keep its footing. And just like that, the battle continued¡ªsheep and bear clashing again and again. Kei, however, had something on his mind. ¡°When you hear Lunar and Tidal, what do you guys think of?¡± The others were too engrossed in the action to acknowledge the question, but Owen absently responded, ¡°Mostly water. Why?¡± ¡°Just wondering,¡± Kei hummed, watching Wooloo¡¯s shifting energies. ¡°You¡¯ve got Bastion Force but can use Earth. Wooloo has Ebb & Flow, Lunar and Tidal¡ªmoon-like forces. Was just thinking¡­ what if water was in the cards for Wooloo?¡± Owen frowned slightly, considering it. ¡°¡­That¡¯s a good question.¡± As if to answer that very question, Wooloo leaped backward, its movements suddenly fluid¡ªlike water shifting with the tides. In midair, another astral projection came to life, but this time¡ª Its form flowed differently. Water-like ripples coursed through the spectral horns, and as Wooloo moved, a sound echoed¡ª The receding tide. Then¡ª The astral horns surged forward, carried by an invisible current. And as they struck¡ª The crashing of waves. A fierce tide-like force slammed into the bear, its body overwhelmed by the sudden shift in momentum. The ground beneath it cracked, debris flying as the weight of the impact drove it backward. Kei''s eyes lit up. ¡°Well. That answers that.¡± The berserk bear, clearly damaged, became even more frenzied. Its strength skyrocketed. Each movement now carried explosive force, sending out shockwaves that forced Talia, Reese, and Owen backward. They couldn¡¯t approach. The sheer power radiating from the beast made it impossible. Kei glanced at Owen. ¡°You still want to capture it?¡± he asked casually. Owen hesitated. ¡°Uh¡­?¡± That was all he could manage. ¡°Alright, Zeph!¡± Kei called out, sensing Owen¡¯s conflicted thoughts. ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t kill it.¡± A shriek echoed through the area¡ªsharp, wild, almost unnatural. A massive gale-like palm materialized in the air, formed from pure wind, and like a spectral hand of judgment¡ª It slammed down. BOOM. The earth caved in. The bear was driven into the crater, its massive body struggling against the overwhelming force pinning it down. The others could only stare. Frozen. Shocked. ¡°Hey Zeph,¡± Kei continued, far too casually, ¡°he wants to learn martial arts¡ªyour new student.¡± He pointed at Kai. But nobody heard him. They were too busy staring. They remembered. What Kei said before. The blue monkey. An Apex Boss. And now¡­ They were in its presence. And it made them feel like they were suffocating. ¡°What the¡­?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like¡­a calamity.¡± ¡°This is what an Apex Boss is like?¡± ¡°How the hell did Kei defeat this thing¡­ and he calls it a friend?¡± What the hell? Zeph gave Kai a casual glance, then pointed at the others with a questioning look. Kei tilted his head, then grinned. "Hmm? Why not?" He gestured toward Talia, Owen, Reese, and Kai. "They could learn how to fight too. You¡¯ve got four new students." Zeph raised four fingers. The meaning was obvious. "Four vials of blood?" Kei sighed. "That¡¯s all I have left¡­ but fine. I might make myself dizzy getting more for Wooloo and Hachi." The others still hadn¡¯t fully processed what was happening when Kei turned to them. "Hey guys, that¡¯s your new teacher." They barely had time to react. The earth roared. Craters formed. Jagged spikes of stone erupted from the ground, careening toward them. ¡°Hey Zeph, look what I learned!¡± Kei brought his hands together, palms pressed as a sharp wind began to gather. Zephyr Wind surged, his Tempest Convergence activating¡ª The wind around him amplified. It latched onto his intentions, spiraling into a pointed form. Aether swirled. A blade-like arrowhead of pure wind took shape in his hands, thrumming with power. The additional effect of Tempest Convergence kicked in¡ª Projectile-based attacks enhanced. Precision increased. Speed amplified. Impact force multiplied. Kei¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. Then¡ª He fired. The wind arrow rocketed forward. It pierced through the air¡ª tearing through all the earthen contructs. And nearly went clean through the bear. "Whoops." Kei blinked. "Too much." He scratched his head, guilt creeping in as he realized he almost killed the target of Owen¡¯s quest. Zeph, on the other hand¡ª His eyes lit up. A new application of Zephyr Force. And he wanted to learn it. Almost at death¡¯s door, the Boulder Veined Bear made a desperate attempt to flee. Its massive body swayed, dragging itself away from the battlefield, using the very earth it commanded to pull itself forward. Everyone watched in tense silence. ¡°Oh no, the earth is shifting¡ªit¡¯s trying to escape!¡± Reese, Talia, Owen, and Kai all moved at once, rushing to cut off its path¡ª Then¡ª A giant spectral maw appeared out of nowhere. CLAMP. The bear¡¯s final roar echoed out¡ª Weak. Defeated. It stopped struggling. ¡°Be careful, Hachi! Don¡¯t kill it!¡± Kei called out. A low woof of understanding echoed in response. From above, the Fangcub landed gracefully, its ethereal fangs dispersing as it released its grip on the bear. The quest notification appeared before Owen¡¯s eyes¡ª [Quest Complete: Subduing the Boulder Veined Bear!] Before he could react, a blur of movement rushed past him¡ª Zeph. Wooloo. Hachi. They tackled Kei to the ground, causing a puff of dust to rise. Kei laughed, struggling to sit up as all three creatures voiced their excitement. "Alright, alright, I get it¡ªI missed you guys too!" Owen, Talia, Kai, and Reese stared blankly. At this point, they¡¯d come to terms with how absurd Kei was¡ª But seeing three insanely powerful creatures affectionately cuddling him was... Too much. And then it hit them. ¡°Wait¡ªwhat do you mean, ¡®four new students¡¯?!¡± Kei glanced at them, still half-buried under his companions. ¡°You guys are too weak.¡± His words were casual. Blunt. But they carried a harsh truth. ¡°You almost lost it the second a friendly Apex Boss showed up." He stared at them, his golden-orange eyes sharp. "What do you think will happen when you''re in front of one that actually wants to kill you?" Then¡ª ¡°Dammit, Hachi, that hurts! ARGH, Wooloo, don¡¯t learn from him!¡± The Fangcub chomped onto Kei¡¯s sleeve. Wooloo, not wanting to be left out, lightly headbutted his chest. Kei groaned. His friends stood there, watching the ridiculous scene unfold¡ª At a complete loss for words. Chapter 55 Owen scrolled through his quest rewards, skimming over the options. Meanwhile, the others stood around the fallen Boulder Veined Bear, contemplating what to do next. They exchanged glances. Then¡ª They looked at Kei. Then at his beast companions. Then back at the bear. Kei, sensing their silent questions, raised a hand. "Don¡¯t look at me." He stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as if physically exhausted. "I¡¯m feeling bloated from the connections I have already. With the vipers gone, I have some relief, but..." He waved a hand dismissively. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯m capable of forming another connection right now." Silence fell. They looked at the heavily injured bear, its chest rising and falling weakly. ¡°So what do we do with it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s still alive, but it¡¯s in bad shape.¡± ¡°We could try healing potions¡­ but I¡¯m out.¡± Kei said, patting his belt. ¡°Would it even be worth it?¡± Kai muttered. ¡°This thing has been trying to kill us.¡± Talia crossed her arms. ¡°We antagonized it first, to be fair.¡± That made them pause. Slowly, they all turned to Owen. He had been quietly listening, but now he looked up, meeting their gazes. Kei tilted his head, his golden-orange eyes flickering with interest. Then¡ª He stared at Owen¡¯s wrist. ¡°Your veins are really veiny.¡± Owen blinked. ¡°...What?¡± Kei grinned. ¡°Wanna try something?¡± The rest of the group immediately froze. Their minds clicked into place, quickly realizing what Kei meant. He wasn¡¯t talking about healing the bear. He was talking about connecting with it. Using his blood. Just like he did with Wooloo. Talia, Reese, and Kai all took a half step back, watching for Owen¡¯s reaction. The weight of the decision settled in the air. ¡°Might as well try. If it works, you might get a really powerful tank bear. You saw how it whooped you around, and you struggled to deal with it,¡± Kei said casually. There was truth in Kei¡¯s words, which made Owen hesitate for a moment before making his decision. He was about to slit his wrist when Kei suddenly grabbed his arm. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t know if you¡¯ll get an infection or not from its mouth. Just pour your blood into this vial,¡± Kei instructed, handing him a small container. Owen raised a brow. ¡°You shove your hand into creatures¡¯ mouths all the time.¡± Kei shrugged. ¡°Didn¡¯t have a choice the first time. But hey, I seem to be doing okay¡ªno odd diseases or infections yet. And using a vial works just fine, so why risk it?¡± Owen sighed, then filled the vial with his blood. Carefully, he approached the wounded bear and held the vial out. The bear sniffed the air. Then it leaned in, nose wrinkling, and turned its head away like it had just smelled rotten food. Owen stared at it. Then at the vial. Then back at the bear. The look on its face was clear: ¡°I¡¯d rather die than drink that.¡± A beat of silence passed. Owen¡¯s shoulders slumped. Kei stared. The others tried¡ªvery poorly¡ªto hide their amusement. Owen wasn¡¯t sure if he should be offended, insulted, or just dig his own grave out of pure embarrassment. ¡°That¡¯s weird.¡± Kei casually slit his wrist and extended his hand toward the bear. The creature growled, clearly recognizing the person who nearly pierced it through earlier. But then¡ª The scent of Kei¡¯s blood reached its nose. The hostility in its eyes vanished instantly. Instead, its expression turned almost desperate, its massive jaws parting as if it wanted to consume his entire wrist. Kei didn¡¯t let it. Taking advantage of the open mouth, he swiftly grabbed Owen¡¯s vial and poured its contents straight into the bear¡¯s throat. The bear flinched. Owen blinked. ¡°Uh¡ªwhat just happened?¡± Kei turned to him expectantly. ¡°So? Do you feel anything?¡± Owen hesitated. ¡°What exactly am I supposed to feel?¡± Kei tilted his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. You¡¯d just know. It¡¯s kinda like when your stomach starts feeling weird right before you gotta run to the bathroom.¡± Owen waited. A few seconds passed. A minute. Nothing. He frowned. ¡°¡­I got nothing.¡± ¡°Really a weird world we live in, but it makes sense when you think about it.¡± Kei analyzed, tapping his chin. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Owen asked, still a little disappointed. ¡°Well, my body is more suited for wind forces. Kai''s hormones probably influence his speed and reaction time. Reese can manipulate vectors, Talia can trick the senses, and you¡ªyour connection is with earth. The fact that our bodies are fundamentally different isn¡¯t really surprising, let alone the way our blood interacts with other beings. That¡¯s my best guess.¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Owen sighed. ¡°Kinda a shame I don¡¯t get a tank bear.¡± The others patted his back, offering a bit of comfort¡ª Until Owen suddenly grinned smugly. ¡°Guess it¡¯s useful that I got this scroll.¡± In his hand¡ª A Beast Companion Scroll. A rare item that allowed someone to subjugate a defeated creature and form a contract. ¡°You had help defeating a bear and got a scroll. I suffocated an entire village of goblins and all I got were some needles. That seems unfair,¡± Kei mumbled, arms crossed, clearly jealous. ¡°...You did what?¡± Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen all turned to him. Kei¡¯s eyes darted to the side. ¡°Zeph, buddy! Your new students¡ªtrain them well for me, okay?¡± He deflected with complete innocence, ignoring their reactions. Owen, desperate to change the subject, pulled out another reward from his inventory. ¡°I didn¡¯t just get this scroll. I also got these ores. Says here they¡¯re really suitable for beginner crafters.¡± Kei¡¯s eyes immediately locked onto the ores. ¡°Ooooohhh! That¡¯s my payment for helping you. Thank you!¡± He snatched the ores without hesitation, examining them with a greedy glint in his eye. Then, he clapped Owen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°And Zeph¡ªtrain him extra well.¡± Owen¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°And the bear too,¡± Kei added. Owen used his scroll on the bear, forming a master contract over the creature. With the bond established, he nursed it back to health using the last of his healing potions. The bear groaned lowly but didn''t lash out, already adjusting to its new connection. Kei stretched. ¡°Alright, how about we head back to my clearing? I can make a crucible there and see if there¡¯s anything I can craft. Might even have to set up a blacksmithing forge like the one back in the settlement.¡± ¡°You know how to blacksmith?¡± Reese asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Never done it before,¡± Kei admitted. ¡°But I¡¯m an engineer. How hard can it be?¡± They returned to Kei¡¯s clearing, mentally preparing for the intense training that awaited them under Zeph¡¯s guidance. Meanwhile, Kei went off collecting a few more suitable branches to carve from. After surveying the land, he nodded to himself. ¡°The ground here is perfect. Should be able to make a forge.¡± And just like that, his next project began. Using water to soften the earth into clay, Kei shaped the material into a crucible, ensuring it could withstand the high temperatures needed for smelting. He also began crafting molds for future weapons, carefully designing each one to match the specifications he had in mind. Testing the ores Owen had given him, Kei experimented to determine their melting points, adjusting the crucible accordingly to ensure the heat produced was sufficient. Satisfied with his progress, he gathered sand from the nearby bodies of water, intending to create glass instruments¡ªtools that would refine his crafting process even further. The foundation for his blacksmithing forge was steadily coming together. Kei used the branches he collected to construct makeshift wooden sleds, securing them with ropes crafted from nearby trees. These sleds were designed for Hachi and Wooloo to pull, allowing them to transport rocks, boulders, and logs with greater efficiency. Venturing into the forest, Kei cut down a few trees with his sword. However, the sheer effort required quickly drained him. Recognizing the inefficiency, he experimented with coating his blade in wind, refining the technique until it sharpened his strikes, making the process far easier. With the logs gathered, he processed them into planks, steadily constructing the framework of his blacksmithing station. His makeshift forge slowly took shape, an impressive display of resourcefulness that left the others watching in awe. "He''s weird, but he really works hard," Kai muttered, shaking his head. Kei, wiping sweat from his brow, stretched. "Whew, I¡¯m gonna clean up." He pointed to a small pool of water nearby. "Use that to wash up. I''ll make a proper bathhouse with a sewage system later, so just don¡¯t think about it too much for now." He tossed them bundles of rope. "Here, hang your clothes to dry. Also, take some soap¡ªI made it with the plants around here. Smells really nice." Talia sniffed the soap and blinked in surprise. "How did you even make this?" "Animal fat and plants. Not too hard," Kei answered casually as he walked off. Feeling like there were proper amenities in place, the group mentally braced themselves for what was coming. Because standing before them¡ªwas a calamity in the form of a blue-furred monster. Zeph stared them down, its piercing eyes carrying an almost amused glint, as if deciding how much suffering to put them through. And then¡ªKei¡¯s final words echoed in their heads. "Don¡¯t kill them, buddy. They¡¯re more useful alive. Also, no serious injuries¡­" For a brief second, relief washed over them¡ªuntil Kei kept talking. "Actually, scratch that¡ªI need to test the efficiency of my healing salves. Maybe even experiment with some other plants too." A deep, primal dread settled in their stomachs. And like that¡ª Their torture began. They launched their salvo of attacks¡ªarrows whistling through the air, swords slashing, shields bracing, and daggers dancing between flickering mirages. Without his spear, Kai had no choice but to rely on his hands and feet, his Adrenaline Force roaring to life, fueling his movements. For what it was worth, they really tried. They were knocked down, tossed around like ragdolls, but they gritted their teeth, pushing through the exhaustion, standing back up again and again. But Zeph¡¯s wind was relentless. It was clear he wasn¡¯t trying to seriously injure them¡ªbut that didn¡¯t mean he was holding back either. Having assessed their capabilities, Zeph eventually gave them a break, already formulating a training regimen in his mind. Like Kei said, they were too weak. The very idea of them standing against an Apex Boss right now would be a joke. While the others huffed and gasped for air, barely holding themselves together, Kei was off to the side, completely in his own world. He carefully examined several glass instruments, each resembling something out of a chemistry lab. "Not made properly, but better than nothing. With this, I can move on from just salves to actual potions¡­ just need to better understand how they work." His eyes gleamed with anticipation¡ªhis next project already in motion. Having built his makeshift forge, Kei began practicing tempering the ores, carefully feeling out the best method to maximize their potential. Back in the settlement, he had spent countless hours watching the blacksmiths at work¡ªstudying their every move, memorizing the process of tempering metal, hammering it into shape, and quenching it in water to cool. And now, he reproduced those same steps. He heated the ores, watching intently as they glowed red-hot, waiting for the perfect moment before pulling them out. The clang of metal against metal echoed through his clearing as he hammered away, flattening, shaping, and hardening the material. Each strike was measured, each decision calculated¡ªhe wasn''t just copying what he saw. He was experimenting, refining, and adapting the process to suit his own needs. His mind raced with possibilities. "What kind of weapons will these ores make? How can I enhance their properties? What forces can be fused into them?" His forge burned hotter, his hands steadier¡ªhis first true step into blacksmithing had begun. In a twisted yet beautiful scene, the rhythmic hammering of Kei¡¯s forge became the backdrop to the others¡¯ training. The clang of metal against metal, Thang, Thing, Thag, synchronized with Zeph¡¯s guiding motions¡ªteaching them how to punch properly, adjust their stances, and flow through their movements. The hiss of steam from Kei¡¯s forge masked their silhouettes, their figures moving in fluid strikes and kicks, learning to strike efficiently and effectively. Time passed. Kei failed repeatedly, nearly exhausting the ores Owen had given him. His muscles ached, his hands were burned from handling hot metal without proper protective gear¡ªbut he pressed on. Eventually, he picked up a wooden sword he had carved¡ªshaped similarly to the one he had won, inspecting its balance. "Funnily enough, this aether-infused wooden sword has better stats than this actual metal sword." Curious, he wielded both, one in each hand. Then, he called out to Wooloo and Hachi¡ªand, while he was at it, he beckoned the bear to join, despite its visible reluctance. Before starting, Kei glanced at his status screen, observing the results of his work.
[Status Screen] [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate | Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) [Class]: Locked [Force Alignment]: Breeze [Level]: 0 [Attributes]: [Remaining Stat Points]: 0 + 3 (rewarded for gaining a hidden title) [Force Progression]: 50%
[Weapon Name]: Gale Fang [Weapon Type]: Wooden Sword [Rank]: Bronze [Crafter]: Kei Yuichi (Infused with Pristine Aether) [Description]: A masterfully carved wooden sword designed with a thin slit through its blade, allowing wind to flow and compress. Infused with Pristine Aether, this weapon surpasses ordinary craftsmanship, offering capabilities that rival metal weaponry. Its lightweight nature and force compatibility make it highly effective for fast, precise strikes. [Effects]: [Additional Notes]: This wooden sword¡ªcrafted almost as an experiment¡ªhas unexpectedly become a weapon far more powerful than Kei initially intended. And like that, two separate groups underwent their own grueling training. Kei, for the first time, took weapon training seriously, finding himself barraged on all sides. Struggling to grasp the fundamentals of wielding a sword with even one hand, let alone two, he focused on refining his left hand to become ambidextrous. Each misstep was met with punishment¡ªclaws, horns, and earthbound attacks forcing him to adapt quickly. His instincts carried him far, but instincts alone weren¡¯t enough to make up for a lack of form. Meanwhile, the others were drilled relentlessly by Zeph. Punches and strikes became more refined, their movements sharper as the monkey forced them through repetition after repetition. Each mistake was met with swift correction, a firm push, or an unexpected knock to the ground. Their bruises multiplied, but so did their resolve. Complaints were few, and their determination surged as they committed themselves to the training. They had all realized one simple truth¡ªif they wanted to survive in this world, they had no choice but to get stronger. Chapter 56 In a Hard-grade Dungeon, a figure darted through the shadows, daggers flashing as they cut through the oversized jaguar-type creatures prowling the depths. One after another, the beasts fell beneath his blades, their bodies collapsing before they even registered the fatal strikes. His figure flickered, shifting in and out of the darkness, making him impossible for his prey to track. Every step, every attack, was calculated¡ªdisorienting his enemies while ensuring they never saw where the next strike would come from. Soon, he arrived at the final chamber. There, standing atop a jagged rock formation, was the Shadowbane Leopard¡ªthe dungeon¡¯s boss. Its deep black fur shimmered unnaturally, its body half-melded into the shadows around it. Unlike the lesser creatures, this one exuded danger, its piercing eyes locked onto the intruder with a predatory gleam. Nyx, leader of Shadow Veil, rolled his shoulders, twirling his daggers between his fingers as he sized up the beast. ¡°Tsk,¡± he clicked his tongue, already seeing the difficulty ahead. A dungeon boss wasn¡¯t an opponent to be taken lightly¡ª And this one had definitely earned its title. ¡°Tsk,¡± the figure clicked his tongue in frustration, forced to cancel his attack mid-motion as a massive claw swiped at where he had just been. He barely managed to twist his body in time, slipping into the shadows once again¡ªhis form vanishing as if he had never been there. For what felt like the hundredth time, he reappeared at a new angle, daggers poised to strike¡ªonly for the Shadowbane Leopard to react with terrifying speed. Unlike the lesser creatures he had effortlessly cut down before, this boss was different. Its body merged seamlessly with the darkness, shifting unpredictably. It didn¡¯t just move through the shadows¡ªit was the shadows. Nyx, leader of Shadow Veil, had been locked in this battle for over an hour. And still, neither side had found a clear advantage. On the sidelines, two pairs of eyes gleamed with amusement as they observed the battle unfold. The two figures sat casually, feet dangling over the edge of a rocky outcrop, swinging back and forth as if they weren¡¯t in the presence of a dungeon boss capable of ripping through shadows and flesh alike. Each clash of blades and claws was met with their lazy commentary. ¡°Clang, clang. Swipe, swipe.¡± The first one mimicked the sounds of the battle, their voice playful and detached. ¡°Do you think he¡¯ll die?¡± the second asked, tilting their head as if genuinely considering the possibility. ¡°Maybe,¡± the first replied, shrugging. ¡°He did beg us to come here and help him.¡± ¡°Do you think his body would be in good enough condition to loot if he does?¡± ¡°Depends. If he gets torn apart, we¡¯ll have to scrape up the pieces. But if he just bleeds out, it shouldn¡¯t be too bad¡ª¡± ¡°Can you two be quiet and stop making plans on what to do with my corpse!?¡± andforce alignments remained unknown, shrouded in mystery, yet their presence alone exuded an eerie confidence. To them, this was nothing more than a man struggling to tame his oversized kitty¡ªa particularly violent and shadow-infused one, at that. As Nyx darted around, his movements flickering between darkness and steel, the sisters continued their casual commentary. ¡°Ah, there he goes again, trying so hard.¡± Mira smirked, tilting her head in mock sympathy. ¡°Poor thing,¡± Lillian added, feigning pity. ¡°I think the kitty¡¯s winning.¡± Nyx ignored them, his frustration mounting. He channeled his Aether, his daggers absorbing the surrounding shadows as he activated his skill. The darkness swirled, coating his blades in a dense, writhing mass of Shadow Aether. With a burst of speed, he slashed out. For the first time since the fight began¡ª Blood spilled. The Shadowbane Leopard snarled, a deep wound marking its side. The Eclipse Sisters¡¯ smiles widened. ¡°Ooooh~ he actually hit it.¡± ¡°Maybe he won¡¯t die after all.¡± Nyx gritted his teeth, barely holding back a curse. Those two were more annoying than the damn dungeon boss. But what left Nyx truly unsettled wasn¡¯t just their casual mockery or eerie smiles¡ªit was the way they spoke. Each sentence seemed divided between them, yet not in the way most people with a strong connection might finish each other¡¯s thoughts. No, this was something far stranger¡ªalmost unnatural. One sister would say one word of a sentence. The other would say the next word. Then they would alternate, back and forth¡ªseamlessly, fluidly, as if they shared the same mind and voice. It was the kind of speech that shouldn¡¯t feel natural. Yet for them, it did. Nyx shivered, dodging another shadowy swipe from the Shadowbane Leopard. He had fought against creatures that lurked in the dark, assassins who could kill with a breath¡¯s notice, and dungeon bosses with monstrous power. But somehow¡ª Those two creeped him out more. breaking through the Shadow Bane Leopard¡¯s natural affinity. But that belief crumbled in an instant. A single mistake¡ªa miscalculated movement too deep into the leopard¡¯s attack range¡ªwas all it took. With shadow claws the size of boulders, the dungeon boss struck down with crushing force. Nyx barely had time to react¡ªhis form flickered in and out of the shadows, but the attack was already set in motion. The massive claw landed squarely¡ªan execution. And just like that¡ª His body was torn apart, severed cleanly into multiple pieces. The Leopard snarled, satisfied at finally ending its relentless prey. But¡ª The Eclipse Sisters just laughed. And Nyx¡ª His voice was laughing with them. From the shredded remains of his body¡ª A shadow peeled away. And just like that¡ª He was standing perfectly fine, untouched, right behind the dungeon boss. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Damn,¡± Nyx muttered. ¡°That almost felt real.¡± The Leopard¡¯s ears flattened. Because to it¡ª It had been real. It still saw the corpse. It still smelled the blood. It still felt the sensation of claws carving through flesh. But the body in front of it¡ª That was an illusion. An illusion of its own making. The Eclipse Sisters had rewritten reality before the Leopard even realized it. They didn¡¯t just trick the eyes¡ª They tricked the mind. And now, the boss monster wasn¡¯t sure which reality was real. Nyx grinned. ¡°That¡¯s one hell of a way to keep me alive.¡± Mira and Lillian tilted their heads in unison. ¡°You asked for our help,¡± they spoke in that eerie alternating voice, one word after the other, finishing each other¡¯s sentences. ¡°We are only ensuring,¡± Mira began. ¡°That you will not die,¡± Lillian finished. The Leopard hesitated. For the first time¡ª It felt like it was the one being hunted. And the real fight finally began. perception wavered, enemies struggling to tell what was real and what was deception. These two seemingly harmless girls turned out to be the most dangerous beings he had met in this new world. "Monsters¡­ truly utter monsters," Nyx thought to himself, a cold chill creeping down his spine. If he ever got on their bad side, he wouldn¡¯t even know how he died¡ªliterally speaking. Back at Kei¡¯s clearing, a loud thud echoed through the space as Talia crashed onto the ground, her breath leaving her in a sharp gasp. The impact sent a few loosened bandages unraveling, a clear sign of how merciless Zeph¡¯s training had become. On the side, Kei sat comfortably with several labeled healing salves lined up beside him. Each container was carefully marked with crude etchings, categorizing the effectiveness and properties of his latest concoctions. Some infused with herbal extracts, others tested with Wooloo¡¯s wool for improved absorption. Despite their injuries, Talia, Kai, Reese, and Owen forced themselves up, refusing to give in. They resumed their sparring, but it was all too familiar of a sight¡ªnone of them could even touch Zeph, let alone land a solid hit. The Zephyr Monkey moved effortlessly, redirecting every strike, each attack flowing past him like wind through the trees. Watching the struggle, Kei absently dabbed fresh salve onto his own bruised arm, muttering, "Still not as good as potions, but at least it¡¯s something." He glanced down at his handwritten notes, comparing the healing rate of different plant-infused mixtures against pure Wooloo-wool compresses. His curiosity burned. But the amusement of watching their suffering burned just a little brighter. ¡°Hey, you guys are doing great. Keep it up.¡± Kei grinned, as another thud rang out¡ªthis time with Kai rolling across the clearing. Zeph, ever composed, tilted his head, waiting for them to get back up. Kei wasn¡¯t sure who he pitied more¡ªhimself, for once willingly training under Zeph, or them, for being stuck in this mess now. As they continued to suffer under Zeph¡¯s relentless training, Kei forced himself to do everything with his left hand. Every action, every motion¡ªhe refused to rely on his dominant hand. Beside him, a newly carved wooden sword rested on the ground. Unlike his Gale Fang, this sword was completely plain. No special effects. No system upgrades. Not even a description. Just a wooden sword¡ªas basic as it could be. Kei had realized something while training. For all the advantages Gale Fang gave him¡ªthe sharpness, the wind-enhancing properties, the slight attack boost¡ªit wasn¡¯t him swinging the sword. The effects helped guide his strikes, subtly correcting his form even when he wasn¡¯t aware. And if he wanted to truly learn how to wield a sword, he needed to start from zero. No external aid. No shortcuts. When he carved this sword, he made sure not to let his aether interfere. Unlike Gale Fang and his Windblade Staff, he used only his hands and his wood carving tools, stripping away every ounce of pristine aether that usually seeped into his creations. Of course, that also meant his first few attempts were complete failures. Crude shapes. Poor balance. Some broke before he could even finish carving them. The clearing was littered with discarded wooden swords¡ªfractured, chipped, snapped in half from a single swing. But after days of trial and error, he finally got the hang of it. Now, sitting in front of him was a simple, balanced wooden sword, made entirely from raw effort. It had no attack power bonus. No sharp edges or hidden abilities. Just a sword¡ªnothing more, nothing less. "This is how it should be," Kei thought, flipping the wooden blade in his hand, testing the weight. If he was going to learn how to use a sword, he needed to start from the ground up. No system assistance. No enhancements. Just his own two hands, or just his left hand in this case. Making sure to check on Talia, Kei carefully applied medical aid to her injuries before returning his gaze to Hachi, Wooloo, and the bear to resume his training. These past few days had been invaluable for Reese, Owen, Kai, and Talia. Their abilities had steadily improved, their forms became more refined, and their attacks sharper and more precise. But Kei? Kei had been on a completely different level. His technique with the sword had been evolving at a terrifying pace, his movements growing more fluid, his ability to adapt in combat sharpening with every passing moment. Having fought Kaito and observed Owen''s fighting style, he used them as references¡ªpoints of study to understand how others used their blades. But their way of fighting wasn''t his way. Kei had no plans to replicate their styles¡ªit wouldn''t suit him. Instead, he focused on his own approach, one that flowed with the battle rather than forcing his way through it. The bear charged forward, its massive body barreling toward him like a boulder tumbling downhill. Kei stepped into the motion, shifting his stance, aiming to redirect the bear¡¯s force rather than meeting it head-on. The same principle applied to Hachi and Wooloo, though he failed more often than not. But that was fine. With how fragile his wooden sword was, he had no choice but to avoid clashing directly, forcing himself to refine his movements rather than relying on brute force. And on top of that¡ªhe was still using his left hand. If he could master this, then switching back to his dominant hand would make everything effortless. Still, he grimaced as his fingers tightened around the hilt. "I really don¡¯t want to go through the effort of making another damn sword." As the thought came to his head, Kei was suddenly yanked forward by an invisible force, his body jerked off balance before he had time to react. The only thing he saw? White marble horns¡ªgleaming in the sunlight¡ªrushing straight at him. ¡°Wooloo, you BITCH¡ª!¡± His voice barely made it out before¡ª BANG! Kei was launched several meters away, flipping through the air like a discarded ragdoll before crashing into the dirt. But even as he tumbled, his onslaught of curses never stopped. He raged about Wooloo¡¯s existence, about the sheep¡¯s entire bloodline, and even cursed its ancestors for birthing such a menace. Finally skidding to a stop, face-first in the dirt, he groaned in pain. And then, through gritted teeth¡ª "You know what they do where I was born?¡± Kei growled, spitting dust out of his mouth. ¡°They cook you in curry sauce¡ªand now I don¡¯t blame them!" His words rang out, echoing through the clearing. For a second, everyone froze. Zeph. Owen. Reese. Kai. Talia. They all turned to Kei in stunned silence, blinking at his outburst. Meanwhile¡ª Wooloo stood victorious. Proud. Triumphant. Completely unbothered by Kei¡¯s rant. Because, quite frankly¡ª It couldn''t understand a damn word. Not wanting to lose out, Kei folded into the wind, his body merging with the currents as he activated Wooloo¡¯s Ebb & Flow Force. A pulling force erupted, dragging Wooloo in full force toward him. But this time¡ª Kei focused on the Tidal and Lunar properties of the force. A swirling mass of water coiled around his wooden sword, its presence surging like an encroaching tide. As he slashed forward, the water crashed into Wooloo like an unforgiving wave, soaking the battlefield and turning the ground slick and treacherous beneath them. Success. But before he could even take a second to relish the moment¡ª WHOOSH. His instincts screamed as a barrage of needle-like projectiles shot toward him at blinding speeds. His feet moved instinctively, weaving through the storm of projectiles, but¡ª BANG. A jagged, needle-like tail slammed into his ribs, the sheer force sending him soaring backward¡ª Even further than Wooloo had. His body shot past Kai and the others, their eyes tracking him in shock. Then¡ª THUD. CRACK. He collided violently with the terrain, smashing through trees before finally slamming into a rocky wall with brutal impact. His feet barely managed to plant against the surface, his body tensing to absorb the force as he gritted his teeth in pain. He hadn¡¯t even had the chance to glance at his status screen when¡ª A system prompt flashed before Kei¡¯s eyes. Kei blinked. "Huh? I don¡¯t want to do no dungeon." His confusion deepened. But then¡ª Kei stared at the Yes and No options floating in front of him, his eye twitching. "First, I got forcefully dragged into this expanse when I was just minding my business. Then this same system gave me a ''choice'' to venture into a new world, only to dump me in a tree¡ªwhich, by the way, I fell out of. And now you¡¯re trying to pull this nonsense again?" He narrowed his eyes at the prompt, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What¡¯s the point of asking me if I wanna do something if you''re just gonna force me anyway?" With an exaggerated sigh, he tapped ''No,'' fully expecting to be yanked into the dungeon regardless. The screen lingered for a moment. Kei stared blankly at the screen. Then¡ª Slow, approving claps. "Now that''s how you respect consent. Good for you, system." He nodded to himself, genuinely impressed. Then¡ª The pain hit. "AGGGHHH¡ªFUCK, MY LEGS. I THINK I HAVE HAIRLINE FRACTURES." The others¡ªalong with the creatures¡ªhad been watching in stunned silence. They saw him get slammed into a wall, stay completely motionless, then suddenly clap like an idiot before¡ª Screaming in pain. They nodded in unison. Yep. That reaction made way more sense. Chapter 57 This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Chapter 58 At the settlement, final preparations were underway to face the Apex Boss ¡ª the Ironsworn Ravager. Species: Titanfang Boar (Apex Variant) Force Alignment: Earthen Might (Minor Force ¨C Earth Affinity) Level: 11 Recent scouting confirmed the worst ¡ª the Ironsworn Ravager had leveled up. Its territory had expanded, and the frequency of its tremor-inducing roars was a sign that time was running out. If left unchecked, it would eventually wander closer to the settlement¡­ and wipe it off the map. Ever since the system broadcast announcing the first participant to reach Level 10, many had pushed themselves to catch up. A handful had succeeded and, in doing so, obtained their first classes ¡ª titles that marked their entry into true combatants of the Expanse. Among the newly advanced were: Each had carved their own path, forged through blood and survival, and now their strength would be tested against a calamity given form. Present Leaders at the Settlement Gathering:
  1. The Iron Fang ¨C Reinhardt Vale A steadfast warrior known for facing high-level beasts solo.
  2. The Eclipse Sisters ¨C Mira & Lillian A mysterious twin duo with unknown Force abilities tied to celestial phenomena.
  3. Ghostwalkers ¨C Tarek Vol An elite assassination guild operating in the shadows.
  4. The Silver Hunt ¨C Valeria Eris Independent archers and trackers who operate outside guild control.
  5. The Risen Ashes ¨C Darius Kain A survivalist faction focused on scavenging, knowledge, and adaptability.
  6. The Dawnborn ¨C Asha Quinn A calm mystic revered for her understanding of Aether manipulation.
  7. The Black Talon ¨C Orin Graves A brutal group of ex-soldiers seeking power at any cost.
  8. Verdant Pact ¨C Eldrin Mossvale A druidic herbalist rumored to commune with the Expanse itself.
  9. Stormbreakers ¨C Gale Veyron A speed-focused force user who leads with precision and storm-like efficiency.
  10. The Forgebound ¨C Varek Ironholt A legendary blacksmith whose weapons have earned renown.
  11. The Shadow Veil ¨C Nyx Everhollow A master of stealth and deception, leading the deadliest covert operatives.
  12. Aether Wardens ¨C Selene Ardentis A scholar determined to unlock the deepest secrets of the Aether.
  13. The Bloodied Tusk ¨C Darius Hallowbrand A mercenary leader with a reputation for brutality and battlefield contracts.
  14. Dragon¡¯s Maw ¨C Orrin Dragbane (Now Dracco Dragbane) A raw-force warrior who commands authority through sheer might.
  15. Zephyr Striders ¨C Tahlis Windsong A wilderness tracker who leads with instinct and silence.
  16. The Covenant of Embers ¨C Ignis Vaelthorn A fire-aligned zealot chasing transcendence through flame.
  17. The Lone Fang ¨C Kaito Ren A powerful solo adventurer who refuses to join any group, known for taking on impossible odds.
¡°Time is of the essence. If we are to succeed in defeating this Apex Boss, we must act soon,¡± Reinhardt commanded, his voice steady and authoritative. ¡°You have until next week to prepare. Get your equipment checked, potions stocked, and any other plans finalized. No excuses.¡± Before him stood a full gathering of participants¡ªsome eager and fired up for the challenge, others visibly tense, fully aware of the danger that lay ahead. Their enemy was no ordinary foe. The Apex Boss loomed like an impossible wall, and only the best stood a chance of scaling it. In the midst of the crowd stood Reese, Talia, Owen, and Kai, freshly returned from Kei¡¯s clearing. All of them had reached Level 10, though none had yet chosen a class. Their growth was evident, but still incomplete. Standing beside them was Kei. Draped in all black, he blended into the edge of the gathering like a living shadow. His attire, crafted entirely from Wooloo¡¯s wool, resembled the sleek outfit of a traditional ninja¡ªpractical, silent, and built for freedom of movement. It hugged his form comfortably, reinforced in subtle places, allowing him to flow through the battlefield without restriction. There was no metal, no excessive armor¡ªjust clean functionality wrapped in purpose. Having seen his members now returned, Draggbane raised an eyebrow¡ªwordless, but questioning. Have you improved? His meaning was clear. In response, Kai gave a firm nod while the others offered casual thumbs up. Draggbane¡¯s other brow lifted¡ªhe wasn¡¯t asking if they were fine. He was asking if they were ready. His silent expectation hung in the air¡­ until Kai casually pointed off to the side, as if to say, You¡¯re missing someone. Draggbane followed the motion with a confused frown, seeing no one. Then¡ªjust for a brief moment¡ªKei¡¯s presence flickered into reality. It was subtle. Barely noticeable. But the shift in wind, the gentle distortion in the air, was just enough for Draggbane¡¯s eyes to widen slightly in realization. He¡¯s here. Kaito picked up on it too, his gaze locking to the faint spot where Kei had momentarily stood. His instincts kicked in faster than most, trained to pick up disturbances like this. He didn¡¯t say anything, just smirked to himself. Further back, Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed as he followed their line of sight. At first, he saw nothing. Then he calmly redirected his stat points into Will, his gaze sharpening, scanning the area with deliberate focus. Still nothing. But he felt it¡ªthe static in the air, the soft pull of presence hidden just out of reach. ¡°Impressive,¡± Jin muttered. His voice held no surprise or irritation, only passing intrigue. Whatever was hidden¡­ wasn¡¯t his concern. Not yet. Kei, as usual, remained on the edge of attention¡ªseen only when he allowed it. Draggbane, already reading the situation, pointed off to the side, signaling for them to gather. Kaito fell into step beside him, arms crossed, expression calm but curious. Owen and Reese were doing their best to drag Kei along¡ªquite literally¡ªropes looped around his torso as he leaned forward like a bloodhound, his gaze locked onto Orin Graves with such intensity it was surprising the man hadn¡¯t combusted on the spot. Kei¡¯s eyes were practically glowing with fury, locked so hard onto Orin it was as if he was trying to drag the man¡¯s soul out of his body through eye contact alone. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Orin, feeling the death glare pierce into the back of his skull, stiffened like he¡¯d stepped into a blizzard. Sweat poured down his face as he broke into a shaky sprint, legs wobbling and nearly giving out beneath him. He didn¡¯t dare look back. If he did, he might actually collapse. Kei strained forward, practically dragging both Owen and Reese with him. ¡°LET ME GO. I CAN STILL SMELL HIM.¡± ¡°WOULD YOU QUIT IT?!¡± Kai barked, pulling him back. ¡°He¡¯s long gone!¡± Draggbane blinked once, calmly ignoring the chaos. ¡°You have anything to report about your progress?¡± Kai quickly composed himself, stepping forward. ¡°Yes. Under Kei¡¯s guidance, we¡¯ve made remarkable progress. As of now, we can clear Grade F dungeons on Hard difficulty with little to no effort. We¡¯ve also reached level 10, but haven¡¯t chosen our classes yet¡ª¡± ¡°LET ME JUST CRACK ONE OF HIS BONES¡ª¡± ¡°NO.¡± Reese, still holding onto the rope like his life depended on it, tightened the slack. Draggbane raised an eyebrow. ¡°You must¡¯ve had your hands full¡­ and why is he dressed like a ninja?¡± At that, Kei paused his bloodlust for a moment, adjusting the cloth wrapped around the lower half of his face and speaking proudly. ¡°Oh, well, I made this neck wrap to stop her from strangling me¡ª¡± he pointed at Talia without shame, ¡°¡ªand when I pulled it up to cover my face, I liked the aesthetic. Then I made these arm wraps to store throwing stuff and added weights to them for stronger strikes. So I figured, hey, may as well go full ninja.¡± He gave a half-spin like he was showing off a new outfit on a fashion runway. Kaito blinked slowly. ¡°You can craft?¡± Kei nodded. ¡°Yup. Forge, tools, chemistry, tailoring. You want something made, I¡¯ll figure it out.¡± Draggbane muttered under his breath. ¡°A walking death threat and a tailor¡­¡± ¡°Better than being strangled again,¡± Kei replied cheerfully, pulling his mask back up. Kei casually tossed the Gale Fang sword over to Kaito, who caught it and gave it a curious once-over. Draggbane leaned in, equally intrigued, and the moment their eyes scanned the weapon¡¯s details, both of them froze. ¡°This¡­ this is a Bronze-grade weapon?¡± Draggbane muttered in disbelief. ¡°It looks like a plain wooden sword.¡± ¡°Hold up,¡± Kaito added, tilting the blade in the light. ¡°This thing is reinforced with Breeze Force? But it¡¯s a wooden sword! How the hell¡ª¡± Draggbane continued, now visibly stunned. ¡°Do you know how difficult it is for blacksmiths to even craft Uncommon grade gear? For a handmade Bronze-grade piece? That¡¯s a feat. This is remarkable. Truly remar¡ª" THUD. The loud crash cut him off mid-praise. Heads turned just in time to see Kei collapse face-first into the dirt, Owen standing over him, shield still raised like he was ready for a second strike. ¡°He also crafted this shield,¡± Owen said proudly, like he hadn¡¯t just knocked out the person he was praising. ¡°¡­You knocked him out.¡± ¡°He was acting up again,¡± Owen replied with a shrug. ¡°Trust me. He¡¯ll be fine in five minutes.¡± Kaito blinked, still holding the sword. ¡°Why does it say Breeze Force, though? That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s supposed to be one of the weakest forces, right? But I could¡¯ve sworn he froze me and burned me during our fight. Just who¡ªor what¡ªis he?¡± He looked up, expecting an answer. Silence. ¡°¡­Um?¡± He turned his head, only now realizing Kei was out cold on the ground, dirt in his mouth and a small twitch in his leg. ¡°¡­Okay then.¡± As Kei lay unconscious¡ªface still half-buried in the dirt thanks to Owen''s trusty shield slam¡ªthe others laid out the gear he had crafted for them like prized relics on display. Reese¡¯s spiraled bowstring, Owen¡¯s earthen shield, Kai¡¯s adrenaline-tuned spear, and even Talia¡¯s mirage-reactive daggers¡ªall crafted with ridiculous attention to detail and precision. Draggbane blinked. ¡°An exceptional fighter,¡± he said slowly, arms crossed. ¡°But probably an even better craftsman. This is genuinely impressive.¡± Kaito held up his spear, inspecting the craftsmanship. ¡°Do you think he¡¯d craft me a longsword? Maybe a short sword too.¡± ¡°I could use new gauntlets,¡± Draggbane added. ¡°And a greatsword. My current gear doesn¡¯t even compare to this.¡± Kaito scratched his chin. ¡°Actually¡­ I¡¯d need a scythe crafted too. I know someone who''s outgrown her old one.¡± They all looked down at Kei, still twitching slightly in his dirt nap, mumbling something about sheep curry and betrayal. ¡°Think he takes custom orders?¡± Draggbane asked. ¡°He might,¡± Owen replied. ¡°But you¡¯ll probably need to wait until he regains consciousness... or at least stops frothing.¡± ¡°Should we heal him?¡± ¡°¡­Nah. Give him a minute.¡± Further recounting their time training with Kei, the group was careful to omit anything regarding his creatures¡ªespecially Zeph¡ªand the strange yet terrifyingly effective way Kei used his own blood to train and form connections. Owen did mention his successful contract with a powerful earth-aligned bear, noting that he used a proper Beast Companion Scroll to form the bond. He left out the part where the bear initially rejected his blood and only tolerated him after Kei¡¯s intervention, choosing instead to frame the success around the contract itself. More importantly, they stayed silent on the natural training methods Kei drilled into them¡ªmethods that broke their bodies down and rebuilt them stronger than any stat point ever could. Not because of Kei¡¯s veiled threat (though that definitely lingered in their minds), but because they had experienced the struggle and the reward firsthand. Kei had a theory he shared with them: the more stat points one added through the system, the harder it became to grow naturally. According to him, the system¡¯s boost wasn¡¯t just supplementary¡ªit altered how your body adapted. He himself had only used the five starter points and regretted it. Since then, the three bonus points he earned had remained untouched, and he had no intention of ever spending them. ¡°Better to let my body grow the way it''s meant to,¡± he told them once. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be shaped by the system. I want to shape myself.¡± And after everything they¡¯d endured and gained, they couldn¡¯t disagree. In the midst of their debrief, Draggbane seemed satisfied with the team¡¯s progress¡ªespecially once Kei finally came to. No sooner had he regained consciousness than Kaito and Draggbane bombarded him with crafting requests. Kei agreed readily, only asking for precise measurements from each of them. To his credit, Draggbane didn¡¯t overreach. Despite being a guild leader, he only requested equipment for himself, stating, ¡°You already trained four of mine. That¡¯s more than enough. I won¡¯t ask you to outfit an entire guild¡ªyou don¡¯t owe me that.¡± Kaito, on the other hand, rattled off the specs for both a longsword and a short sword before rushing off, muttering something about grabbing a scythe for reference. ¡°While you¡¯re at it,¡± Draggbane added, ¡°mind crafting a pair of leather arm and leg guards? He¡¯ll definitely need them. No point having our strongest member running around under-geared.¡± With that, Kei made his way toward the settlement¡¯s blacksmithing forge to borrow the space and tools. Kaito eventually caught up, scythe in hand and one ear still ringing. ¡°For someone so lazy, she really can be bossy and loud,¡± he mumbled. He entered the forge¡ªonly to stop dead in his tracks. Every blacksmith inside was unconscious, slumped over their workbenches and anvil tables. His eyes locked onto the only person still standing. ¡°What... happened?¡± Kaito asked, bewildered. The figure didn¡¯t even glance back. ¡°What? I like peace and quiet. Their hammering was too noisy.¡± ¡°You couldn¡¯t just ask them to let you work alone?¡± ¡°Would you leave a stranger alone with your forge?¡± he replied nonchalantly. ¡°Besides, I only drew the air out of their lungs¡ªjust enough to knock them out. They''re still breathing.¡± Kaito sighed, staring blankly at Kei. ¡°Please stop talking. If you say anything else, I might become an accessory.¡± ¡°But quick question,¡± Kaito asked, ¡°why don¡¯t you just use the forge you normally work at? If you¡¯re a stranger here, then you didn¡¯t craft all that gear in this place, right?¡± Kei froze mid-step, turning slowly as realization dawned. ¡°Oh yeah¡­ you¡¯re right.¡± Without a hint of shame, he turned on his heel and walked straight out the door. Kaito blinked. ¡°Wait¡ªseriously?¡± As they walked, Kaito glanced over. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hot wearing that outfit in this heat?¡± ¡°This?¡± Kei tugged at his ninja-styled attire. ¡°I designed it for forging. Breathable, lightweight, and the lining has an aether-threaded weave that circulates a steady breeze around me. Keeps me cool even next to the furnace.¡± ¡°That¡¯s... actually pretty brilliant,¡± Kaito muttered, mildly jealous. ¡°Oh, also¡ªDraggbane told me to ask if you could design the arm and leg guards with a concept in mind. Something like¡­ stat point redistribution during combat. I know it¡¯s a stretch, but he figured it wouldn¡¯t hurt to ask.¡± Kei paused mid-stride. ¡°Redistribution of stat points mid-combat? That¡¯s an actual ability?¡± His eyes narrowed in thought. ¡°Huh... interesting. I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡± He continued walking toward his clearing to get started on the orders when he casually called back over his shoulder, ¡°By the way, what are you guys paying me for all this?¡± Kaito stumbled. ¡°What!?¡± Kei didn¡¯t even turn around. ¡°I don¡¯t remember agreeing to work for free.¡± Chapter 59 As Kaito set off to figure out his payment plans, Kei made a beeline for the woodworker he¡¯d met a while back. Slipping through the settlement, he found her as always¡ªfocused, calm, hands carving away with rhythmic ease. His eyes wandered to the crafts she had on display around the shop: delicate animal carvings, ornate weapon hilts, and decorative plaques with flowing patterns. ¡°Really is amazing,¡± Kei muttered to himself, too quiet for anyone to hear¡ªor so he thought. ¡°This kind of artistry should be up in the Louvre. Do they even take wood carvings? Meh, if I buy the place, I¡¯ll just make them display it myself.¡± ¡°You¡¯d really do that for me? Aww, you¡¯re such a sweet kid,¡± the woodworker chimed without missing a beat, clearly amused. Kei jolted, eyes wide. ¡°Wait, you can see me!?¡± His head whipped around in confusion. ¡°Is Phantom Breeze not working anymore?¡± He spiraled into a mini meltdown, mumbling to himself while the woodworker tried not to laugh too loudly at the strange, stealthy ninja that just walked into her shop. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, you¡¯re playing make-believe ninja in your cute little pajamas,¡± she said, flashing him a teasing grin without even looking up from her carving. ¡°Gotta admit though, it¡¯s really cool how you just appeared out of nowhere. If I couldn¡¯t hear, I¡¯d have never known you were here.¡± Kei opened his mouth to retort, but¡ª ¡°Wait, wait¡ªare you a peeping tom or something?¡± she added with mock suspicion, smirking now as she side-eyed him. Kei almost tripped over his own feet. ¡°WHAT!? No! I came here for wood!¡± he blurted out, then paused, realizing how that sounded. ¡°No, not like that¡ªI meant actual wood. Materials. Carving! Crafting!¡± She couldn¡¯t help but laugh now, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Mhm, sure. Ninja pajamas, sneaky entrances, now talking about wood. This whole encounter sounds super wholesome.¡± Kei looked like he was about to combust. ¡°You¡¯re messing with me on purpose, aren¡¯t you?¡± She finally turned toward him, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°And you make it so easy.¡± Almost near blushing, Kei fumbled over his words. ¡°Um¡­ I had an idea for a weapon I wanted to make, but before I go into crafting it for real, I wanted to test a wooden model first. Just, you know¡­ for testing purposes.¡± She gave him a long look, raising a skeptical eyebrow. ¡°Hmm mm, I¡¯ll believe you for now. So let¡¯s see what you¡¯re working on.¡± Kei quickly unfurled a scroll ¡ª one he had actually gotten from her shop earlier ¡ª and laid out the design he had sketched across it. The weapon was oddly shaped, unlike any traditional blade or bow. It had curves and compartments, etchings for airflow, and strange mechanical joints. She gave it a side-eye glance. ¡°I really can¡¯t imagine this being used as a weapon¡­ but it¡¯s definitely creative.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m wind force aligned, so you never know how useful it could be,¡± Kei said with a grin. ¡°And the compartments in here,¡± she pointed out, tapping a section of the scroll. ¡°You plan on storing something in them?¡± ¡°Yeah. Needles,¡± Kei replied with a too-wide smile. ¡°Kind of a fun surprise, hehe.¡± She gave him a look. ¡°Sounded a bit evil when you said it like that.¡± Kei shrugged innocently. ¡°It¡¯s just practical.¡± She rolled her eyes with a half-smile. ¡°Sure, sure. Alright, I can help you make this. It¡¯ll be fun working on something this weird.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s great!¡± Kei said, lighting up. ¡°This¡¯ll make fighting so much more entertaining.¡± ¡°By the way, what are you paying me for all this?¡± she asked casually, arms folded with a playful smirk. Kei stumbled, caught completely off guard. ¡°What!?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember agreeing to work for free,¡± she said, mimicking his exact tone from earlier¡ªright down to the feigned innocence and tilted head. ¡°You heard me from all the way down there? You¡¯re a bit mean, don¡¯t you think?¡± Kei said, scratching his cheek sheepishly. ¡°Gets boring in here from time to time,¡± she replied with a casual shrug, then grinned. ¡°But I was just kidding. That aether control you taught me has actually been really helpful.¡± She lit up her woodcarving tool, a gentle glow pulsing from it as she demonstrated various degrees of mastery. The lines of light shifted fluidly with her precision, the energy responding like it was part of her hand. ¡°Aether Control, huh? A really interesting skill I got from this¡ªraised it to advanced mastery too,¡± she said proudly. ¡°I¡¯m sure you managed to train yours this high too. The value of this skill is worth more than anything you can teach me.¡± ¡°You actually learned the skill too?¡± Kei blinked, impressed. ¡°The others haven¡¯t even unlocked it yet. Good job.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a fast learner, quite talented I should dare say for myself,¡± she said smugly, smiling as she leaned forward with one hand on her cheek. The other hand twirled the aether-glowing carving tool between her fingers with a lazy sort of flair. ¡°My name is Lisa, by the way.¡± ¡°Lisa?¡± Kei repeated, then muttered just loud enough to be heard, ¡°Lisa Yuichi¡­ hmm, I like the way that sounds.¡± ¡°Oh, cheeky, aren¡¯t you?¡± she smirked, eyes narrowing in amusement. ¡°I don¡¯t remember changing my last name to Yuichi. You planning to marry me in those ninja pajamas you¡¯re wearing?¡± ¡°Why not, you seem to be fascinated with them. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d chuckle when I get into our bed with them on,¡± Kei said, equally amused, his tone laced with playful confidence. A light smile played on Lisa¡¯s lips, clearly entertained. ¡°Also,¡± Kei continued, tugging slightly at the fabric, ¡°wouldn¡¯t you like to see the actual details of these pajamas?¡± She opened her mouth, ready to volley back another teasing remark¡ªuntil her eyes landed on the outfit''s stitching and craftsmanship. Her words caught in her throat. The moment she focused, she noticed the subtle layering of Wooloo¡¯s wool, reinforced with compressed wind channels carefully woven into the seams. The fabric wasn¡¯t just decorative¡ªit was expertly designed to channel Breeze Force, enhance aerodynamics, reduce drag during movement, and allow airflow regulation. Hidden compartments were subtly tucked within the sleeves and waist, optimized for concealed tools or weapons. Every stitch, fold, and panel had been tailored for mobility, flexibility, and function without sacrificing style. ¡°¡­You designed this?¡± she asked, blinking in genuine surprise. Kei just gave her a cocky grin. ¡°Still think they¡¯re pajamas?¡± [Item Name]: Silent Gale Hood Type: Headgear Grade: Bronze Crafted By: Kei Yuichi, blessed with pristine-quality Aether. Description: A soft, close-fitting hood made from refined Wooloo wool, designed to muffle sound and mask presence. When pulled up, the hood covers the lower face, aiding in aether concealment and silent movement. Effects:
[Item Name]: Windstep Trousers Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Type: Legwear Grade: Bronze Crafted By: Kei Yuichi, blessed with pristine-quality Aether. Description: Tailored for high agility and fluid movement, these light yet durable trousers resist snags and dampen sound, ideal for darting through terrain or slipping past enemies unnoticed. Effects:
[Item Name]: Veilgrip Bands Type: Arm Guards Grade: Bronze Crafted By: Kei Yuichi, blessed with pristine-quality Aether. Description: A pair of fitted sleeves reaching from wrist to biceps. Hidden compartments allow storage of small tools and throwing needles. Reinforced weave enhances throwing strength and stability. Effects: [Item Name]: Whisperweave Tunic Type: Chest Armor Grade: Broze Crafted By: Kei Yuichi, blessed with pristine-quality Aether. Description: A lightweight, tightly woven tunic that hugs the upper body without restricting movement. Its specialized weave channels aether across the torso, enhancing evasiveness while providing low-profile protection. Aether-responsive threads subtly reinforce the fabric against impact while remaining flexible. Effects:
[Item Name]: Whisperstep Wraps Type: Footgear Grade: Bronze Crafted By: Kei Yuichi, blessed with pristine-quality Aether. Description: Thin, custom-wrapped footwear designed to mute sound and grip terrain silently. The soles are padded with compressed wool fibers that dampen noise and absorb shock during movement or sudden landings. Effects: ¡°Impressive, but your fashion sense is childish, no? I can¡¯t let my husband prance around dressed like this,¡± Lisa teased, her eyes flicking up with a sly smile. ¡°How old are you anyway?¡± ¡°This looks so cool, what do you mean childish!?¡± Kei puffed his cheeks in protest. ¡°And I just turned fifteen, I¡¯ll have you know.¡± ¡°Super adorable,¡± Lisa cooed, immediately reaching over to pinch his cheeks. ¡°But you¡¯re still a baby. I don¡¯t think the law would approve of me being with you.¡± ¡°We¡¯re in a new world,¡± Kei grinned, smugly straightening his ninja-like outfit. ¡°We make the laws.¡± Lisa leaned back, laughing with a helpless shrug. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be a cheeky pain, huh.¡± ¡°Woe is a husband¡¯s purpose in his fair maiden¡¯s life. It¡¯s just the way things work. If you¡¯re not ashamed of me, am I really doing my husbandly duties?¡± Kei said with a shrug. ¡°Oh gosh, you¡¯re gonna be the death of me, aren¡¯t you?¡± Lisa sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Before I even get to making your weapon, let¡¯s design you another outfit. I¡¯m thinking of adding an oversized overcoat.¡± ¡°Oh, you mean I¡¯m gonna be Hokage?¡± Kei¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Wait¡ªI¡¯m wind-aligned, that makes me Kazekage. So cool!¡± ¡°Where do I go to file for divorce?¡± Lisa muttered, exasperated. Kei¡¯s gaze shifted. ¡°Hey, why do you have so much Fellhorn wool stacked over there?¡± ¡°That?¡± Lisa pointed lazily. ¡°A friend of mine wanted to make an oversized hoodie and sweatpants for some reason. Actually... it¡¯s the same lady whose stall I heard you stole from.¡± ¡°Uhhhh, you heard that?¡± ¡°And saw,¡± she added with a smirk. ¡°Echo Location is fun to use sometimes. You should¡¯ve seen her¡ªalmost felt bad for Kaito, he had to calm her down before she launched him into orbit.¡± Kei looked away in shame, but Lisa continued, ¡°But yeah, she¡¯s really adamant about making that outfit. Said it was of vital importance. I think... she wants to gift it to someone.¡± Tugging at his attire like it was slightly too snug, Kei muttered, ¡°A gift, huh? That¡¯d be nice.¡± ¡°So, Sound¡ªthat¡¯s your Force, right?¡± he asked. ¡°Pretty much,¡± Lisa nodded. ¡°I think it¡¯s rather useful, but if I¡¯m being honest, I haven¡¯t even left the settlement yet or gotten into any fights. I¡¯ve just been here this whole time.¡± ¡°Really? So¡­ have you used your stat points?¡± ¡°Odd question. You trying to see if I¡¯ll end up stronger than you?¡± Lisa smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let anything happen to the baby.¡± She made exaggerated baby talk noises at him before continuing. ¡°But nah, I haven¡¯t touched them. Since I got here, I¡¯ve basically just focused on this.¡± She motioned to her woodshop. ¡°I was a bit scared at first, but this was something my grandma taught me. Calmed me down. So I kept at it.¡± She leaned in slightly. ¡°Can I tell you a secret¡ªsince you¡¯re my husband and all?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Even though I haven¡¯t fought or used my stat points, I noticed my Dexterity and Agility have gone up just from carving wood all the time. It¡¯s made everything a lot smoother.¡± ¡°Oh, you figured that out too,¡± Kei nodded. ¡°Makes things a lot easier. Don¡¯t use your stat points.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°¡­Really? That¡¯s it?¡± ¡°If I can¡¯t trust my husband, who in the world can I trust?¡± ¡°I really like hearing you call me your husband,¡± Kei said, smiling wide. ¡°Technically, we¡¯re not married yet,¡± Lisa said, holding up her hand to show an empty ring finger. ¡°Also, you¡¯d have to wait a few years ¡®til you¡¯re at least my age¡ªeighteen.¡± She wiped an imaginary tear with a theatrical sniff. ¡°Tragic, really.¡± ¡°Our kids are really going to be something, huh? Better start preparing ourselves,¡± Kei said with a grin. ¡°Kids!? WHAT¡ª!¡± Lisa practically exploded, her composure cracking for the first time as her voice pitched up in shock. Kei burst out laughing, doubling over as her reaction played out exactly as he hoped. ¡°If you want to train, I can help you,¡± he offered proudly, straightening up with his usual confidence. ¡°I¡¯m stronger than I look, you know.¡± Taking a second to slow her racing heartbeat, Lisa exhaled. ¡°How about this¡ªdefeat an Apex Boss on your own, and then I¡¯ll let you train me.¡± She held out her hand, eyes narrowing playfully. ¡°Deal?¡± Kei stared at her hand for a moment before cracking a grin. ¡°Hmmmm¡­ see you tomorrow.¡± He took her hand and shook it firmly. ¡°¡­Wait, what?¡± she blinked. ¡°Did you really just¡ª?!¡± ¡°First aether control, now defeating an Apex Boss. My husband is really impressive,¡± she muttered in disbelief, trying to keep her cool. ¡°And he can make cool pajamas too!¡± Kei said with a flourish, striking a pose and modeling his ninja-style outfit with flair, arms spread and one foot forward. Lisa stared at him for a moment. ¡°¡­You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re cute.¡± ¡°And this cutie patootie will do you a favor and make you a weapon,¡± Kei said, handing her the Gale Fang with an exaggerated wink. Lisa took it with mild surprise, inspecting the blade. ¡°Another Bronze-grade weapon¡­ and this one¡¯s carved from wood?¡± Her brow lifted as she flipped it in her hand. ¡°Your carving technique¡¯s a bit rough, but weirdly enough¡ªevery piece you¡¯ve made registers as crafted with pristine aether. I thought I was the only one who had that. Good to know I¡¯m not alone.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Kei tilted his head. ¡°What¡¯s your Charisma stat like?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ basically thirty points since I got here,¡± Lisa replied casually. Kei blinked. ¡°Even higher than mine in a sense. What about your Will?¡± ¡°About the same,¡± she said with a shrug. ¡°High charisma and will are kind of my thing.¡± ¡°Besides me, you''re the only person I¡¯ve seen with that kind of stat combo,¡± Kei said, leaning in just slightly. ¡°You really trust me?¡± Lisa smiled faintly. ¡°You seem harmless. And I¡¯ve been having fun, so¡­ why not?¡± ¡°¡­I might need a bit of your blood,¡± Kei said bluntly. ¡°Come with me¡ªI want to test something.¡± Lisa blinked once. Then twice. ¡°¡­Honestly? That¡¯s the least creepy request I¡¯ve gotten from a guy. Lead the way, husband.¡± Making it out of the settlement and far enough from any prying eyes, Kei stretched his arms over his head. ¡°Alright¡­ let¡¯s start your training,¡± he said, taking off into a steady, controlled jog. His breathing was measured, precise¡ªeach inhale and exhale calibrated to train endurance efficiently. To his surprise, Lisa kept up effortlessly behind him. Not only did she match his pace, but she mimicked his breathing technique and posture without ever being told what to do. They ran for hours, weaving through woods, hopping over fallen logs, and ducking under low-hanging branches. Eventually, Kei staggered to a stop, leaning over with his hands on his knees, sweat dripping and legs trembling. ¡°Haa¡­ haaa¡­ okay¡­ time for a break.¡± Lisa, on the other hand, calmly checked her pulse with a light touch to her neck. Not a drop of sweat on her face. She twirled her carving tool between her fingers like a baton, not even winded. Kei peeked up at her from his hunched posture, groaning. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me¡­¡± Lisa offered a smug little smile, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, husband? You didn¡¯t say this was my training.¡± In front of them, a tiger emerged from the treeline, its eyes locked onto them as it silently scouted its prey. ¡°All I¡¯m gonna do is cut you a little to make you bleed, trust me, okay?¡± Kei said casually, already unsheathing a blade. Lisa blinked. ¡°That¡¯s the least comforting thing anyone¡¯s said to me before drawing blood.¡± With a shallow slice, Kei caused a steady stream of blood to run from Lisa¡¯s wrist. The tiger, curious, slowly trotted forward, sniffed at the scent, then began lapping up the blood with a low, content growl. Kei watched closely, scanning for changes in the air, the aether, or anything that would indicate a link. ¡°Do you feel anything? Like¡­ a connection forming?¡± he asked. Lisa calmly petted the tiger¡¯s head as it licked her wrist. ¡°Am I supposed to? ¡®Cause it just feels like I¡¯m feeding a really large, really friendly cat. Nothing special.¡± Kei frowned. ¡°Huh. So even with your high Charisma, no connection is forming. Guess it might not be as important as I thought. It is reacting to your blood, though. So maybe charisma makes your blood more¡­ appealing? But not connection-worthy.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ maybe. But when I use aether, I don¡¯t really feel any resistance,¡± Lisa replied, lifting her fingers. With a quick snap, a ripple of sound burst outward like a soft pulse, causing nearby leaves to tremble. Kei raised an eyebrow. ¡°No resistance at all?¡± ¡°Nope. It flows naturally. Actually¡­ almost too naturally. Like it wants to listen.¡± Now that caught Kei¡¯s attention. Chapter 60: The Fallen Cherry Tree After several rounds of experimentation with the future Mrs. Yuichi¡ªa title Lisa never formally agreed to¡ªKei finally began to narrow down the elusive mechanics behind the Charisma stat. Despite what people might assume, it had absolutely nothing to do with appearance or how attractive others found you. At least, not in the way most expected. Its real value¡­ was with aether. Kei had long wondered why manipulating ambient aether came so naturally to him¡ªwhy he could wrest control of it from others, override skills, and shape it to his will with no system aid. Now, he had a theory: high Charisma was the key. That said, Lisa¡ªwhose Charisma was even higher than his¡ªwasn¡¯t able to achieve the same feats. Her aether control was impressive, sure. Like him, she didn¡¯t rely on system-provided skills to guide it. She could tap into the environment, feel the flow of it around her, and even weaponize it without much effort. But even so, there was a gap. Her Force Progression lagged far behind Kei¡¯s, and it showed. The things she could do with raw aether, he could do better. Faster. Stronger. It wasn¡¯t just about Charisma, it seemed. It was about how Charisma interacted with your force progression¡ªhow attuned you were to the energy in your body and the world. Charisma may have opened the door¡­ but Force Progression decided how far you could walk through it. Even then, Kei was left slack-jawed. ¡°A monster¡­¡± he muttered, watching her fluid movements and the way she adapted on the fly. It hadn¡¯t even been a full day of training¡ªand yet Lisa had matched weeks of his progress like it was a casual stroll. ¡°If you keep this up, people are going to think I married you because I¡¯m a masochist,¡± Kei groaned, staring into the distance as if re-evaluating every decision that led him here. At this rate, one snap of her fingers might be all it took to rattle his soul straight out of his body if he ever pissed her off. His future? Looking grim. His judgment? Questionable. His wife? Terrifying. And somehow¡­ that only made her cooler. ¡°You know, this isn¡¯t so bad. I don¡¯t know why I was so scared before,¡± Lisa said, flexing her fingers and examining her hands. ¡°My Intelligence even ticked up a little¡­ Strength and Endurance too. So¡ªwhat do you think I should use my stat points on?¡± ¡°Oi! No stat points!¡± Kei immediately barked. ¡°Geez, bossy much?¡± Lisa rolled her eyes. ¡°You better know a good marriage therapist or we¡¯re not gonna last long.¡± She idly tossed a small orb of compressed sound between her hands, the vibrations subtly humming with potential. Curious, she flicked it toward an encroaching creature. The sphere struck dead center¡ªand the beast spasmed violently before collapsing. A system notification chimed in her mind. The thing was dead. ¡°So¡­ what should I do with the exp?¡± she asked casually, turning around¡ªonly to find Kei completely still, hands clasped together in prayer. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry for what she did,¡± he said solemnly, eyes locked on the fallen boar. ¡°She¡¯s kind of reckless sometimes.¡± Lisa raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to be offended or concerned. Kei finally looked up, his expression distant. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s sad? To live a life with no purpose by the time you die? Like¡­ what if the world was actually better off without you in it? Worse¡ªwhat if it would¡¯ve been better if you were never born at all?¡± He let the silence linger, eyes softening as they rested on the boar¡¯s still form. ¡°¡­Don¡¯t worry. Your life won¡¯t be wasted. You¡¯ll be sustenance¡ªand that means your existence had meaning. I¡¯ll make sure of that,¡± Kei said, voice low but steady. Lisa blinked. ¡°¡­You¡¯re a weird little husband, you know that?¡± Kei just gave a small smile. ¡°Yeah. But I¡¯m your weird little husband.¡± Using aether control to spark a flame, Kei calmly tended to the fire as the smell of roasting boar filled the air. Lisa sat nearby, quietly watching him move¡ªprecise, practiced. It was calming, in a strange way. She broke the silence. ¡°Is that something you¡¯re afraid of? Dying without ever having had a purpose?¡± Kei didn¡¯t flinch at the question. He stared into the fire, absentmindedly rotating the boar on the spit. ¡°I spent over 3,650 days of my life being told exactly that,¡± he said, voice low. ¡°After a while¡­ I wished they¡¯d just kill me and get it over with.¡± Lisa blinked but didn¡¯t interrupt. ¡°I was alone,¡± he continued. ¡°Completely. The only voices I ever heard were ones wishing I¡¯d never been born. After a while¡­ I started to believe them.¡± He paused, flipping the boar again, the flames licking just beneath the surface. ¡°I guess some people would say I went a little far to make sure I was never alone again.¡± He gave a bitter chuckle. ¡°But there was this guy. A janitor. Old man. He came around sometimes¡ªtalked to me. Said I looked too bored for a kid.¡± Kei¡¯s mouth tugged into a faint smile. ¡°One day he smuggled in a laptop. Showed me games. Said if I was going to be locked in a place like that, I might as well enjoy a fake world instead of the real one.¡± Lisa listened, her arms hugging her knees. ¡°He introduced me to programming,¡± Kei said, voice quiet but steady. ¡°Even taught me math, science, literature¡ªeverything he could think of. Said a kid should at least have an education, even if the world decided he weren¡¯t worth it.¡± He gave a small laugh, though his eyes didn¡¯t leave the fire. ¡°Eventually he started scolding me for learning too fast. Told me I was cheating. Not in a bad way, more like¡­ he couldn¡¯t wrap his head around how I could study multiple topics at once and keep it all straight. Said it wasn¡¯t fair. That most people struggled through school one subject at a time, but I just... jumped between them and retained it all. He said I was breaking the rules of learning or something¡ª¡®technical violations of the academic code,¡¯ he joked.¡± The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Kei chuckled again, softer this time. And then he went still. The laughter lingered on his lips, but his eyes were glazed over, locked on the dancing flames. A long pause followed¡ªtoo long¡ªand only then did he realize his cheeks were wet. He blinked, touched his face like he didn¡¯t believe it, then gave a sheepish smile. ¡°¡­Guess I¡¯m crying. Huh.¡± He wiped at his eyes half-heartedly. ¡°Sorry. Didn¡¯t mean to trauma dump in the middle of making dinner.¡± ¡°At least ten years of your life... alone. That must¡¯ve meant¡ª¡± ¡°They died,¡± Kei cut in quietly. ¡°I never got to see my parents. From what I¡¯ve been told, I was taken the moment I was born. I wasn¡¯t breastfed, never held by my mom¡ªnot that I know of, anyway.¡± He stared into the fire, its warmth contrasting the cold weight in his chest. ¡°There were voices¡­ the ones that reminded me I wasn¡¯t wanted. But sometimes,¡± he paused, ¡°I¡¯d hear another voice. It was soft, almost too quiet to make out. A woman. She¡¯d sing to me from outside. I think¡­ I think it was my mother.¡± Kei¡¯s grip tightened around the stick he was using to turn the boar meat. ¡°The old man, the janitor, he used to joke about her. Said she was tenacious. That somehow, she found out where I was being kept. That she sang outside every day, even if no one would let her in. She only had the clothes on her back¡ªa dress covered in cherry blossom patterns. Said the guards felt so bad, they stopped trying to chase her off. Figured she couldn¡¯t do anything anyway.¡± He went quiet. ¡°Then one day¡­ her voice stopped.¡± His lips thinned, his voice brittle. ¡°But a single cherry tree leaf made its way through the vent in my room, like it had come to say goodbye.¡± Kei exhaled through his nose. ¡°And just like that, I knew. She wasn¡¯t in this world anymore.¡± Taking the food handed to her, Lisa bit into it, savoring the flavor. ¡°Lisa Sakura Yuichi,¡± she repeated, testing the name aloud with a soft smile. ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound so bad, huh? Kinda has a ring to it. And funnily enough¡­ my aether¡¯s pinkish, like cherry blossoms.¡± She laughed quietly, then looked toward the fire. ¡°Your mom sounded like a really good woman. I think I would¡¯ve liked my mother-in-law. She¡¯d definitely be bragging about her son¡¯s cooking¡ªthis is honestly one of the best meals I¡¯ve ever had.¡± Kei chuckled, a bit of warmth returning to his voice. ¡°Your inventory keeps food preserved really well, no spoilage or flavor loss. So stock up, take as much as you want. And if you need more¡­¡± he leaned back, flashing a grin, ¡°your future husband happens to be a pretty decent chef. I¡¯ll cook you something even better next time.¡± Lisa gave him a playful side-eye. ¡°See? That¡¯s husband material right there.¡± ¡°We should probably head back,¡± Lisa said, storing the rest of the boar in her inventory. ¡°I¡¯ve been gone for a few hours, and if I¡¯m not back soon, that stall lady might raze my entire shop down.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Kei nodded. ¡°Want to try out a few movement techniques on the way back? Could help us get there faster¡ªand double as more training.¡± Lisa grinned. ¡°I¡¯m game.¡± The two broke into a steady run, but it wasn¡¯t just about speed anymore. During their earlier training, Kei had picked up on something¡ªLisa¡¯s sound-based aether had a unique reflective property, one that interacted with the environment in interesting ways. As they moved, they experimented. Lisa began refining the way her aether bounced off nearby surfaces¡ªtrees, rocks, the ground itself¡ªtiming each pulse to create bursts of propulsion. With Kei¡¯s guidance and her natural affinity for control, it wasn¡¯t long before she was practically gliding between steps, short bursts of compressed sound launching her forward like shockwaves underfoot. What started as a run turned into a sprint, then a blur of movement that cracked through the air like muffled thunder. By the time the settlement came into view, Lisa¡¯s eyes were lit with excitement. ¡°I think I¡¯m onto something,¡± she said, breathless but exhilarated. Kei smiled. ¡°Told you your aether had potential. That might just be your first real movement skill.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve got some weapons to craft for their big Apex Boss adventure. I should probably get started.¡± ¡°You¡¯re heading out of the settlement again?¡± Lisa asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You noticed, huh?¡± ¡°I notice everything. I listen to everyone¡ªand their¡­ activities¡ªand you¡¯re always coming and going. Never settling.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Kei grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll show you our makeshift home next time. It¡¯s a bit rough, and there¡¯s a couple of freeloaders hanging around, but I think you¡¯ll like them.¡± ¡°Hehehe, I better,¡± Lisa teased. ¡°So, what kind of armor and weapon would you like? You¡¯re really good with that carving tool¡ªI¡¯d like to try and match that with something custom.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll trust you with it,¡± she said with a playful wink. ¡°And I¡¯ll get to work on that weapon design of yours.¡± Back in her shop, Lisa hunched over the workbench, completely focused as she began sketching out the schematics for Kei¡¯s weapon design. To her own surprise, she found herself giving it her all¡ªmore than she ever had on any project. As she worked, a light, melodic hum escaped her lips, filling the shop with a soft tune. That hum greeted Jenny as she shuffled in, messy-haired and mid-yawn. ¡°Why are you so happy?¡± Jenny mumbled, stretching. ¡°Just in a good mood, I guess,¡± Lisa replied cheerfully, glancing up. ¡°Better question¡ªare you just now waking up?¡± ¡°Yeh,¡± Jenny yawned. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been gone for hours, and you didn¡¯t even notice?¡± Lisa teased. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing I found a husband to take care of me. I¡¯d probably starve to death in your care.¡± She slid over a wrapped portion of food Kei had cooked. ¡°You got married and I wasn¡¯t even the maid of honor? Wasn¡¯t even invited?¡± Jenny said through a bite, eyebrows rising as the flavor hit. ¡°Some friend you are. Who¡¯s this so-called husband anyway?¡± ¡°Not telling,¡± Lisa said with a smirk. ¡°That¡¯ll teach you to stop being so lazy.¡± ¡°Blah, blah, blah¡­ wait¡ªwhat is this?¡± Jenny¡¯s eyes locked onto the schematics spread across the table. Her brows furrowed, head tilting slightly. ¡°This looks familiar¡­¡± ¡°Also,¡± Lisa said casually, summoning a compact ball of sound into her hand, ¡°I think I¡¯ll join that Apex raid after all.¡± She tossed the sound orb into the air¡ªit bounced from wall to wall, growing louder and more ethereal with each impact. Catching it mid-flight, Jenny absorbed the kinetic energy effortlessly, a glint of curiosity lighting up her face. ¡°What changed your mind?¡± ¡°I need to get stronger,¡± Lisa said, her voice softer, but full of intent. ¡°There¡¯s something I just realized I need to protect.¡± Her smile widened slightly. ¡°Plus, this whole aether thing? It¡¯s actually pretty fun.¡± As if to prove her point, she clenched her fist¡ªsound pulsed out in a controlled echo, rebounding with increasing strength, the hum turning crystalline. Jenny¡¯s eyes flickered with energy. ¡°Well¡­ I was told I¡¯d get a new scythe if I joined. So there¡¯s that.¡± She grinned, her usual sleepy expression sharpened into excitement. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll go together. It''ll be fun.¡± Back at his clearing, Kei dashed straight to his forge, his focus razor-sharp. The others were already there, waiting for him. ¡°Draggbane and Kaito offered these ores as payment,¡± Talia said, gesturing to a collection of vibrant, exotic materials she laid out in front of the forge. ¡°We figured you¡¯d have fun experimenting with them.¡± The moment Kei laid eyes on the ores, he froze. His pupils dilated, and he slowly knelt to examine them. One by one, he flipped each with the tip of his finger, reading their descriptions. ¡°These two¡­ they¡¯ll work perfectly,¡± he muttered, stars practically shining in his eyes. Without another word, he tossed the selected ores into the forge. The heat roared to life, flames swirling with aether-rich air. Sparks flew as he began crafting a mold, and the rhythmic clang of hammer on metal rang out soon after. The others watched for a few moments before quietly excusing themselves¡ªjudging from the excitement radiating off him, this was going to take all night. And it did. By the time morning arrived, the clearing had been bathed in a surreal glow. Aether flowed like streams of color across the air, swirling toward Kei¡¯s forge as if drawn by some unseen magnet. The others woke to the otherworldly sight, the atmosphere pulsing with unnatural energy like an aurora borealis dancing just overhead. Then the sound stopped. A heavy sssss echoed as Kei quenched the creation. Steam hissed out around him, and for a moment, all was quiet. The others, finally unable to contain their curiosity, stepped forward. Kei turned to face them, holding a weapon in his hands. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ definitely unique,¡± Kai said slowly, unsure if he should be impressed or concerned. ¡°Honestly¡­ I have no idea what you plan on using that for,¡± Reese added. THANG. Without warning, Kei tested the weapon by casually swinging it into the side of Owen¡¯s head. The poor guy collapsed with a thud. Talia winced. ¡°Well¡­ effective. No doubt about that.¡± Kei beamed, admiring the weapon like a proud parent. ¡°This is gonna be fun.¡± Chapter 61: Clairvoyance The day before the Apex Boss raid, Draggbane and Kaito sat in front of Kei, their heads severely swollen. They said nothing. Not a word. They sat in perfect silence, backs straight like schoolchildren awaiting judgment, accepting every scolding word Kei fired off without protest or excuse. In front of them, neatly displayed, was the full set of equipment they had requested: a longsword, a short sword, a greatsword, a pair of gauntlets, a shield, a custom-forged scythe, and matching arm and leg guards. All bronze-grade, all reinforced with pristine aether, all crafted by Kei¡¯s hands. And that was the problem. As they moved to take their new gear, Kei stopped them cold. ¡°You think that was the deal?¡± he asked, his voice soft ¡ª too soft. Before either could answer, a blur of motion cut through the air. THANG. THANG. THANG. A heavy blow slammed into both their skulls. Kaito and Draggbane collapsed to their knees, reeling from the force, eyes wide in disbelief. ¡°YOU THINK YOUR ORES COUNT AS FULL PAYMENT?¡± Kei shouted, each word accompanied by another impact. ¡°DO I LOOK LIKE SOME DAMN VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP TO YOU?!¡± They couldn¡¯t even raise their voices to explain. It wasn¡¯t just the pain ¡ª it was the weight behind each strike, not just in force, but in meaning. Kei wasn¡¯t angry over the materials. He was furious over the assumption. ¡°You see all this?¡± he growled, gesturing to the gear laid out before them. ¡°Every piece took planning, testing, trial and error. It¡¯s craft, not charity. Do you have any idea how many times I had to correct alloy ratios? How much aether it cost me? How many burns I got from working around the clock?¡± His weapon ¡ª whatever it was ¡ª remained hidden beneath the edge of his sleeve. Neither Kaito nor Draggbane saw it clearly, only felt it when it struck. It wasn''t heavy, but it landed like it carried justice itself. ¡°You don¡¯t offer materials and call it even. That¡¯s commissioning. You pay a proper craftsman what he¡¯s worth.¡± He let the last strike ring out, then lowered his hand. The two sat there, holding their heads, not daring to speak. Behind him, the rest of the camp observed from afar, frozen in place. ¡°Payment,¡± Kei said, voice now calm. ¡°Get it right. Or next time I¡¯ll add interest.¡± No one asked what the weapon was. No one dared. In an odd, cruel display of twisted generosity, Kei channeled healing force aether between each strike¡ªrestoring just enough to keep them conscious. Each blow was followed by a brief pulse of healing, just enough to repair the damage before another strike landed, as if the suffering was meant to be endured in full. ¡°We¡¯re s-sowrry¡­¡± they mumbled, their swollen lips distorting every word. Their faces were unrecognizable¡ªeyes puffed shut, tear ducts so swollen they couldn¡¯t even cry. Owen and the others watched the scene unfold with pure horror. Not wasting a second, they scrambled to empty their inventories¡ªpiling every bronze coin, scrap, trinket, and item they had onto the ground in offering. The panic was so bad, the guys even started fumbling with their waistbands, ready to throw in their underwear if it might add a sliver of value. Kei finally turned to them, blinking as if caught off guard. ¡°Oh no, you guys are fine,¡± he said sweetly, his voice light and casual. ¡°You¡¯re my precious test subjects. Don¡¯t worry.¡± His eyes gleamed with a wicked light that sent shivers through every spine in the vicinity. Talia took one look at that expression¡ªand dropped unconscious on the spot. Healing them just enough to remove the bruises, swelling, and any visible injuries, Kei made sure Kaito and Draggbane were presentable to the public. Once their faces no longer resembled swollen vegetables, both men bowed repeatedly, thanking him more times than necessary. They finally offered proper payment for their crafted equipment¡ªeven pledging their aid to Kei should he ever call for it. Without delay, they rushed back to their lodgings, eager to familiarize themselves with the new gear and hand over the pieces they had requested for others. Kaito lingered for a moment, glancing at Kei from the corner of his eye. Frost¡­ fire¡­ healing¡­ He gave up trying to understand the boy and simply accepted it with a shake of his head. Satisfied, Kei dusted off his hands. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re mean,¡± came a soft voice¡ªclear and playful, carried directly into his ear despite no one being near him. His eyes widened slightly. Aether sound transmission? ¡°Look what I learned to do~¡± the voice said sweetly, followed by a giggle, ¡°I figured out how to send my voice through the wind with aether.¡± Kei couldn¡¯t help but smile, recognizing the voice of his lovely Mrs. (still self-declared, pending legal status). Without hesitation, he sprinted through the settlement toward her workshop. In his hands, he carried the armor and the special weapon-carving tool he had made for her. Lisa¡¯s new gear was a striking blend of function and beauty¡ªflowing, pale-pink and white garments that resembled a soft, modernized robe with hints of athletic wear. Despite the elegance, it allowed for full freedom of movement, hugging her frame comfortably with insulated protection. She slipped into the outfit with a soft whistle. ¡°If you keep spoiling me like this, I might never be able to repay you,¡± she teased with a wink. Kei grinned. ¡°I accept payment in kisses.¡± Lisa tilted her head. ¡°Denied.¡± ¡°Damn. Worth a shot.¡± After his allotted ¡°nuisance allowance¡± expired, Lisa updated him on the progress with his weapon schematics. Kei left her workshop quite satisfied with the results, a rare grin tugging at his lips. During their conversation, Lisa had casually asked whether he planned to join the Apex Boss raid. Kei simply replied that he¡¯d had his fill of Apex encounters¡ªthat this was a chance for others to display their growth and rise through adversity. But when she revealed she¡¯d be participating as well, something shifted. Kei didn¡¯t argue. He just said he¡¯d be there¡ªunseen, hidden in the wind¡ªready to step in if things went wrong. Later that evening, while wandering through the inner edges of the settlement with Phantom Breeze active, Kei walked along rooftops and narrow alleys, content to remain unnoticed as he fine-tuned the movement of his cloak and how it flowed with the wind. His steps were light, his presence a near ghost, and his thoughts wandered lazily over forge plans and experimental designs. Then it hit him. A sensation slammed into his core like a hook wrenched from beneath his ribs. Every inch of his body locked up. What the hell is this...? The wind in the settlement shifted¡ªwrong. Twisted. Unnatural. It wasn¡¯t loud or violent¡ªit was subtle, as if a new pressure had pressed into reality itself. But his instincts screamed louder than ever before. The fine-tuned edges of Phantom Breeze began to flicker. Kei¡¯s knees bent instinctively, his hand reaching toward a throwing needle¡ªbut his senses¡­ failed him. He could feel something near him. Someone. But not a single detection worked. Then¡ªhe heard it. A playful snicker. ¡°Cute.¡± That word alone sent a shiver down his spine. Kei spun around sharply¡ªonly to see a figure already walking away. A tall, lean silhouette dressed plainly, hands in his coat pockets. His features unreadable, but the second their eyes met¡ª Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Everything dropped. Kei¡¯s concealment flickered and broke. Phantom Breeze collapsed completely. People nearby blinked in surprise, now suddenly aware of his presence as if he had just appeared from thin air. The mysterious figure gave a slow, knowing glance back at Kei, then smiled¡ª,with the confidence of someone who saw through everything. And then he kept walking. Kei didn¡¯t chase. He didn¡¯t move. He couldn¡¯t. ¡°¡­what the hell¡­¡± he whispered again, a cold sweat drenching the inside of his ninja cloth. For the first time in ages, he had no idea what¡ªor who¡ªhe just encountered. But they saw him. They saw through him. Walking back toward the others, Kei¡¯s steps were unsteady¡ªeach one leaving a damp print as sweat poured from his body, soaking into the earth beneath him. His breathing was shallow, his face pale, and his usually sharp eyes were glazed and distant. His vision flickered, his surroundings warping and twisting as if the world itself had lost focus. Reese noticed him first. ¡°Kei?¡± he called out, concerned. But there was no response. To them, Kei looked like a man who had stared into something beyond comprehension¡ªsomething far worse than death. ¡°Kei!¡± Reese called again, picking up his pace, with Talia, Kai and Owen following close behind. He didn¡¯t react. His gaze remained unfocused, distant. His hands hung loosely at his sides, and his steps were slow, unsteady¡ªdragging forward like the weight of the world had latched onto him. They trailed him quietly, exchanging glances as he led them his clearing. The air there felt heavier somehow¡ªcharged with something they couldn¡¯t name. Then, without warning¡ª BLARRRGGHHHH. A guttural retch tore from Kei¡¯s throat as he doubled over, vomiting violently onto the ground. His entire body shook, shivers wracking him like he¡¯d just been dropped in the middle of a frozen tundra. Cold air clung to his skin despite the warmth of the Expanse. He clutched his sides, trembling, trying to calm his erratic breathing. ¡°W-What the hell¡­ was that?¡± he muttered. His voice was quiet. Broken. Fragile. He stared at the ground, wide-eyed, sweat still dripping off his chin. ¡°Who was he¡­?¡± As if fate hadn¡¯t already shaken him enough, another wave of dread surged through Kei¡ªthis time not external, but internal. A sick, festering sensation writhed in his core like acid bubbling beneath his skin. His breath hitched. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ poisoned?¡± he gasped, voice hoarse with disbelief. Immediately, his instincts turned inward. He focused sharply on every sensation in his body, scrutinizing the pain, the sluggishness, the heat building beneath his skin. He knew his body¡ªevery cell, every twitch, every rhythm. Something foreign was moving inside him. Something toxic. Without delay, Kei summoned his Healing Force Aether, forcing it into maximum output. It surged through his veins like a tidal wave of light, flushing every inch of his being. Pain screamed through him as the force clashed with the invasive presence, burning it away cell by cell. Sensing his desperation, the surrounding aether responded. It crashed into him from all sides, raw and wild, pulled uncontrollably by instinct. It didn¡¯t just follow his command¡ªit mirrored it, mimicking the properties of his Healing Force. Together, the flood of energy amplified his purge, replicating his aether¡¯s regenerative function, flushing out the toxins, repairing what had been damaged. The others watched helplessly as panic twisted across Kei¡¯s face. His skin pale, his limbs shaking violently. Hachi barked wildly, eyes wide in terror, pressing against Zeph¡¯s side. Wooloo pawed at the ground anxiously, while Zeph stood rigid¡ªtense, alert, helpless. Hachi¡¯s howls grew frantic, threatening to throw himself into a frenzy to save his master. Then¡ªeverything stopped. Kei¡¯s body exhaled all at once. The aether stilled. The unnatural color faded from his skin. His breath began to steady. His trembling eased. The sheen of sweat evaporated slowly as life returned to his eyes. Kei dropped to one knee, hand pressed against the dirt as he caught his breath. That near-death fear lingered behind his eyes. Whatever had just tried to take him out¡ªit hadn¡¯t been normal. And someone had done it silently. Lodged in her own quiet corner of the settlement, far from Kei¡¯s clearing, Silvie felt the frantic surge of aether pulse through the air. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she didn¡¯t move from the comfort of her bed. ¡°That¡¯s weird... wonder what¡¯s going on,¡± she murmured, more curious than concerned. But even that oddity couldn¡¯t distract her from the weight of her recent failure. In her hand, she toyed with the worldstone fragment¡ªthe key reward for the Exalted Dungeon she''d fought so hard to participate in. ¡°An Exalted Dungeon¡­ and I can''t even earn the highest-tier reward,¡± she muttered. ¡°I can still claim the leftover rewards, but the main prize¡­ someone else won the chance for it. I just hope they understand the opportunity they¡¯re holding. That thing might be the key to Earth¡¯s survival.¡± She exhaled sharply, frustration lining every word. A gentle pulse of green flickered around her fingers as she tested her newly acquired Nature-aligned force¡ªan addition to her already powerful Vine Force. She¡¯d chosen it to round out her capabilities, aiming to cover more ground for what was to come. ¡°If I just had better equipment back when I fought that Flood Hare Apex Boss¡­ just a few seconds faster and I would¡¯ve met the qualification threshold,¡± she muttered bitterly. ¡°I didn¡¯t even expect someone out there would already be at 50% force progression before reaching the first cultivation realm. That¡¯s insane.¡± Her mind turned to Ren Sui, her contact on Earth. ¡°Always rambling on about Fate Force and how the First Expanse would hold Earth¡¯s salvation during the Multiversal Integration. He¡¯s probably right¡ªbut that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m gonna let him off easy for not giving me more to work with.¡± She rose, her decision already made. ¡°I¡¯ll join that Apex Boss raid tomorrow. Even if it¡¯s just loot drops, I¡¯ll take anything that can give me a leg up for the Second Expanse. But when I get back to Earth¡­¡± She cracked her knuckles. ¡°Ren Sui better be ready for a lecture.¡± she said, staring at a set of equipment that she obtained from the Flood Hare Apex Boss: [Item Name]: Verdant Pulse Circlet Type: Headgear Grade: Mythic Description: A crown-like circlet grown from the Flood Hare''s own regenerative core. Pulses with vibrant life energy and enhances the user¡¯s connection to all things plant-based. Effects: [Item Name]: Bloomstrider Treads Type: Footwear Grade: Mythic Description: Boots woven from water-infused plant fiber hardened under lunar tides. They grant exceptional speed and silent steps when moving through vegetation. Effects: [Item Name]: Wildsap Coil Type: Weapon ¨C Flexible Whip-Vine Grade: Mythic Description: A sentient vine whip infused with liquid aether from the Flood Hare. It reacts to intent, adjusting length and stiffness as needed. Effects: A new day dawned, one destined to be carved into the memory of all who stood ready at the heart of the settlement. A small army had assembled¡ªequipment polished to perfection, minds sharpened by anticipation, and spirits steeled for the greatest endeavor they had yet faced. After a final round of tactical discussion and a speech meant to ignite their resolve, the expedition force set out. Among them marched Owen, Kai, Reese, and Talia¡ªeach flanked by members of their respective guilds, eyes focused ahead. Leading the vanguard was Jin Saito, the new arm and leg guards Kei had crafted fitted seamlessly into his movements. Every time his eyes caught the engraved description, a small smile formed on his lips. That quiet sense of assurance coursed through him like a second heartbeat. Just behind him walked Lisa and Jenny, both fully equipped and prepared. Jenny¡¯s lips curved into a similar smile as she glanced at her gear, the same engraved description seemingly offering her silent encouragement. Lisa, noticing but not understanding the reason for Jenny¡¯s sudden grin, looked forward, curious¡ªbut said nothing. Her thoughts were elsewhere. Lisa¡¯s steps had rhythm. She was training as they marched¡ªrefining her Sound Force in silence, tuning into every subtle frequency: each footstep, every heartbeat, the ambient vibrations in the air. She didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t need to. Her progress pulsed beneath the surface, invisible to everyone else¡ªbut not to one person. Above them, hidden among the trees, Kei moved like a shadow on the wind. Phantom Breeze cloaked his presence from all but a chosen few. Only Lisa could truly sense him¡ªshe could feel the slight shift in pressure and sound, an intentional tell he left behind so she¡¯d know he was near. He did the same for Kai and the others¡ªa quiet signal, subtle yet comforting. Their march continued until finally, they stopped. In the distance, it emerged. A beast carved from the bones of the earth itself, its body etched with jagged veins of stone and iron. Its tusks glowed faintly with dormant energy, and the ground beneath it seemed to pulse with latent might. [Apex Boss ¨C Ironsworn Ravager] [Species: Titanfang Boar] [Force Alignment: Earthen Might] [Level: 11] The raid party stared up at the beast¡ªmassive, brutal, unmoving as a mountain. The battle for survival had begun. Jin stood at the vanguard¡ªunyielding and resolute¡ªhis gaze locked onto the colossal boar ahead. With the new gear strapped to his arms and legs, he felt more than prepared. Today, he would prove his worth. Today, he would accomplish the task laid upon him without hesitation. [Name]: Jin Saito [Title]: Title Hunter [Class]: ??? (Ancient) [Force Alignment]: Clairvoyance [Level]: 10 [HP]: 110/110 [Aether]: 60/60 Strength: 24 Dexterity: 32 Agility: 35 Constitution: 20 Intelligence: 14 Will: 13 Charisma: 12 [Force Progression]: 5% Jin stared down at the boar, eyes narrowing slightly as the faint glimmer of system text hovered in his vision. Without hesitation, he equipped a second title: [Martial Artist]. The moment it locked into place beside [Title Hunter], something shifted. His stance refined, balance sharper, movements quieter¡ªas if the very act of equipping it reminded his body of every technique etched into muscle memory. No words were spoken. No dramatic flourish. Just a quiet readiness. The others stood nearby, weapons drawn and stances tight. The Ironsworn Ravager let out a thunderous roar, its voice a deep, belting bellow that reverberated through the battlefield. The shockwave rippled outward in a violent ring, threatening to knock everyone off their feet. Stones cracked, dust kicked up in thick plumes, and the earth itself shifted¡ªheaving and twisting in reaction to the Apex Beast¡¯s presence. From a distance, high within the branches of a weathered tree, Kei watched in silence. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp¡ªtracking every movement, every exchange. He hadn¡¯t come to interfere. Not yet. This was their trial. He was here to see how far they¡¯d come¡ªand just how much progress they¡¯d made. Chapter 62 The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Stone shattered. Earth cracked. Dust billowed. The raid party didn¡¯t stop to celebrate. They surged forward. Using the remaining kinetic energy she had absorbed, Jenny was the first to arrive above the downed Ravager. Her scythe gleamed in her hands, held behind her like a guillotine waiting to fall. She smiled sweetly at the massive creature below, her expression calm¡ªalmost playful¡ªas she activated the effect of her new weapon. When Kaito first requested a custom scythe built around the concept of kinetic energy, Kei had been intrigued. The creative potential lit a spark in his mind. He poured himself into the project¡ªtesting, refining, and experimenting¡ªuntil he forged a weapon unlike any other. Jenny¡¯s scythe wasn¡¯t just a tool for delivering stored power. It was a recorder. A mimic. A teacher. Descending like a reaper cloaked in flame, Jenny twisted mid-air, her body spinning with perfect form as she brought the scythe down in a vicious arc. SHNK. The blade pierced through the Ravager''s side, burying deep into muscle and stone-plated hide. The beast let out a guttural, enraged bellow¡ª But that wasn¡¯t all. Smoke erupted violently from the wound, not from the cut itself¡ªbut from within. The scythe still impaled in the Ravager had begun to glow, crimson light pulsing at its core. The weapon''s effect had activated¡ªnot simply releasing stored energy, but recreating it. Kei¡¯s design was deceptively simple: the weapon recorded the kinetic frequency of anything it absorbed. The last thing Jenny had absorbed? Draggbane¡¯s flames. The feedback loop synced with her Kinetic Force, and Jenny¡ªbrilliant in her own strange way¡ªmimicked the flame¡¯s kinetic frequency with uncanny precision. She didn''t just copy it¡ªshe recreated it from within, the fire taking shape from motion and memory. The Ravager thrashed wildly, the smoke turning into bursts of internal flame. Jenny flipped off its back in a graceful arc, landing lightly several meters away. And then the blade of her scythe ignited. A curved inferno traced the edge of her weapon, a vibrant crimson flame licking along the steel, shaped not by aether, but by sheer kinetic mastery. She tilted her head, eyes gleaming. ¡°Guess it worked,¡± she said, twirling the weapon once. The battlefield paused for half a breath. The Ravager was wounded¡ªdeeply, visibly, and enraged. Those with healing capabilities took the opportunity to move in, swiftly aiding the injured and stabilizing anyone who had been clipped during the last exchange. The frontline held firm. Kai, Draggbane, Talia, Reinhardt, and Reese kept up the onslaught, refusing to let the Ironsworn Ravager catch its breath. Its wounds still pulsed with residual flame and kinetic backlash, slowing it just enough to buy time. At the center of the assault, Reinhardt¡¯s Bastion Paragon class ran hot¡ªhis Reinforcement Force pushing his armor and weapons beyond their limits. His shield met tusks with seismic clangs, while his massive axe slammed down with punishing weight, striking the boar again and again. To his side, Kaito moved like a shadow under moonlight. His Lunar Reaver class shimmered with soft glow, crescent-shaped sword strikes trailing behind him like ghostly echoes. Each step flowed into the next¡ªone moment a blur, the next a burst of silver light as his blade sliced cleanly across the Ravager¡¯s hide. High above, nestled in the upper canopy of a distant tree, Kei observed everything. Arms folded, presence cloaked by Phantom Breeze, he kept a mental map of the battlefield. So far, they were holding better than he expected. A few close calls, sure¡ªbut their coordination had improved, and the gear he¡¯d crafted was being put to good use. Still, he didn¡¯t watch everyone equally. He kept close track of his own¡ªthose he¡¯d equipped or bonded with directly. But his eyes also lingered on a select few Wind-aligned force users, quietly tracking their movement, rhythm, and how they manipulated their aether. Like a craftsman scanning through raw material, Kei studied them¡ªnot judging, but searching. Shopping for inspiration. One of them, in particular, caught his attention. A violent roar ripped through the battlefield¡ªraw, primal, and loud enough to rupture organs or outright kill those too close to its epicenter. The shockwaves that followed weren¡¯t just noise; they were weapons, slicing through the air with force potent enough to throw bodies like ragdolls. Sensing the danger, Lisa reacted instantly. Her Sound Force surged outward in a pulse of harmonic frequency, warping and diffusing the roar before it could reach lethal levels. The raw decibel force was bent and broken, its edges dulled. It was still deafening¡ªbut now survivable. Beside her, Jenny took a different approach. She extended her scythe toward the shockwave and absorbed it. The kinetic energy that tore through the air funneled into her weapon like a storm bottled at the edge of a blade. Thanks to their combined efforts, the party remained upright¡ªshaken, but not broken. And then they saw it. The Ravager stood tall, its body steadily mending beneath the weight of their combined assault. Chunks of flesh regrew. Cracks sealed. Even the deeper wounds began knitting together before their eyes. Its Constitution wasn¡¯t just high¡ªit was monstrous. But worse than the healing¡­ was the change. Massive slabs of stone slammed into the Ravager¡¯s body from all sides, pulled from the earth and compacted by its will. They collided and locked into place with brutal finality, encasing the creature in a jagged, armor-like shell. It no longer resembled a beast. It looked like a siege weapon¡ªan earthbound tank with tusks that could pierce mountains. High in his perch, Kei narrowed his eyes. ¡°After spending so much time with Zeph,¡± he muttered, ¡°I¡¯ve come to understand why they¡¯re called Apex Creatures. Honestly¡­ if I wasn¡¯t suppressing Zeph¡¯s growth with wind and aether control, he¡¯d be twenty times more horrifying.¡± He exhaled slowly. ¡°And now¡­ this is Earth¡¯s Apex.¡± It was starting to show its true might. Down below, Jin stood tall, chest rising and falling from his earlier onslaught. He was still recovering¡ªbut his eyes never wavered. Silver rings spun faintly in his gaze, paths unfolding across his vision like layered maps of what was, what is, and what could be. To his side, Jenny landed silently. Her scythe pulsed with heat, the kinetic energy she¡¯d just absorbed reinforcing its frame. The flaming edge hissed in the shifting wind, licking at the ground as she stood beside him. The Martial Artist and the Dancer stood together¡ªscorched, winded, but unshaken. The Ravager roared again, stomping forward with thunderous weight. And they didn¡¯t move an inch. They were ready. Chapter 63 Kei locked onto the presence of the minor Wind Force that had piqued his interest and adjusted his posture, settling cross-legged on the branch. The position helped him stabilize his breathing and narrow his focus. From this vantage point, he studied the user¡¯s movements carefully, tracing the way their wind-aether flowed with their steps. Each motion had purpose. Small adjustments to airflow, subtle pivots, footwork timed with pressure changes. The technique relied on flow more than force, threading movement through the environment instead of pushing against it. Kei absorbed every detail, silently storing it away for later use. Below, the Apex Boss raid had entered a new phase. In front of the Ravager, Jin and Jenny stood ready at the frontline. Kei''s eyes settled on Jenny. Her scythe no longer flared with energy, and from her posture, he could tell her kinetic reserves had been spent. He leaned slightly forward, lips pressed in thought, then sent out a silent offering. A strong breeze rose from the forest¡¯s edge, funneling around Jenny like a spiral drawn by instinct. The wind formed a small cyclone centered on her, controlled and channeled by Kei¡¯s guidance from above. Jenny adjusted her glasses, immediately sensing the shift in air pressure. A controlled cyclone spiraled around her¡ªwind drawn in from the forest¡¯s edge, guided by Kei¡¯s influence from above. She didn¡¯t question its origin. Instead, she raised her scythe, the tip angled into the center of the storm. She didn¡¯t look up, but Kei could tell¡ªshe understood. She accepted. Aether pulsed through the weapon. The cyclone compressed, and the wind vanished into the blade. Unlike before, when her kinetic force could only be stored in her own body for one-time use, her scythe¡ªcrafted by Kei¡ªallowed her to preserve signatures. Not just raw energy, but qualities of motion. Essence. The stormwind joined the crimson fire she¡¯d taken earlier, both now encoded within the scythe¡¯s matrix. She could draw from them at any time. Again and again. Permanent additions to her arsenal. As the winds died down, she placed her hand lightly against her chest. The lingering force from the Ravager¡¯s earlier roar still hung in the air¡ªviolent, pressure-heavy, the remnants of a world-shaking bellow. This one she stored in herself. The kinetic shockwave was folded inward, pressed into her body¡¯s temporary reserve. A tool to be used once, burned entirely in a single motion when the moment came. Her stance shifted. The scythe thrummed with contained power. Crimson flame. Stormwind. And one sealed burst of force coiled in her core. Everything was in place. Jin gently tapped the ground with the ball of his foot. Aether pulsed faintly through the leg guards, activating their internal anchoring effect. The distribution in his lower body locked into place¡ªagility, balance, and control stabilized in perfect sync with his intent. He gave Jenny a subtle glance. That was all she needed. Leaping, Jin soared over her. In one seamless motion, Jenny rotated her scythe, shifting the weapon to expose the flat of the blade. Jin landed on it without a single wobble¡ªhis balance unshaken, his weight perfectly centered thanks to the leg guards. Jenny smiled. Boom. The stored shockwave kinetic energy in her core detonated, firing upward through the scythe like a coiled spring let loose. The force launched Jin at breakneck speed¡ªa silver blur ripping through the air. To most of the raid party, he vanished. To the Ravager, he arrived. Mid-flight, Jin''s eyes narrowed. The silver rings spun faster around his irises. His vision locked onto the weakest point in the Ravager¡¯s new earthen armor, just above the shoulder joint. With the leg guards still active, Jin¡¯s posture held firm midair. His body remained aligned¡ªstreamlined and controlled¡ªhis core locked into the precise configuration needed for the strike. Then, with a sudden push¡ª The air screamed. So did the Ravager. Fractures spiderwebbed across its newly formed armor, thin cracks spreading from the point of impact like stress lines through shattered stone. Jin didn¡¯t hesitate. He unleashed a flurry of kicks in rapid succession, each one driving deeper into the Ravager¡¯s defenses. The second effect of his leg guards activated¡ªupon chaining combos, his locked stat distribution received a slight amplification. The longer the combo continued, the sharper his movements became. Kick. Strike. Pivot. Kick again. Each blow landed harder than the last, battering the beast¡¯s armored frame with unrelenting rhythm. The final strike came in the form of a devastating axe kick, Jin¡¯s leg cutting down like a falling blade. The impact drove the Ravager¡¯s head downward¡ªand in the space that opened, Jin flipped away. And just as the beast looked up¡ª A half-moon arc flashed through the air. Kaito¡¯s shortsword descended in silence, carving cleanly through the already-damaged plating. Before the Ravager could react, his longsword followed the same curved path, slashing deeper into the open wound. A burst of blood sprayed from the gash, staining the broken ground below. The Ravager howled, buckling from the twin assault. By the time it turned to retaliate, Jin had already landed, crouched at a safe distance¡ªbreathing calm, eyes focused. Kaito was gone. His steps left no trace. The Lunar Reaver had already vanished into the shifting shadows of the battlefield. And with that, the Ravager¡¯s wounds began to heal¡ªvisibly, unnaturally fast. Flesh knitted. Cracked armor shifted back into place. Its rage intensified with each second, shaking the air with low, rumbling growls. More furious than ever, the Apex Beast prepared to retaliate. Leading the next assault was Tarek Vol¡ªhis Stormborne Juggernaut class on full display as he charged forward like a wind-armored tank. Each step shattered stone beneath his boots, momentum building with aether-infused force as he slammed into the Ravager head-on, drawing its aggro through sheer presence and impact. Above and to the right, Gale Veyron, the Typhoon Dancer, raised his arms in a sweeping motion. Dozens of curved wind blades spiraled into being, each one sharpened by cyclone pressure. They surged forward in a rapid flurry, carving across the Ravager¡¯s rock-plated hide in staggered waves, chipping through the armor with relentless tempo. To the rear, Darius Hallowbrand, the Flame Warden, stepped forward with a calm chant. Rings of fire bloomed around the Ravager like ritual brands. With a single snap of his fingers, the symbols ignited, unleashing a torrent of fire that engulfed the beast in a roaring inferno. Watching the scene unfold, Lisa narrowed her eyes. She reached deep into her Sound Force, her aether control slipping beneath the surface of the flame. Her perception stretched thin, fine-tuning the vibration patterns within the fire itself¡ªits rhythm, its crackle, the heartbeat of combustion. Then she shifted it. She amplified the resonant frequency of the flames, syncing it with the Ravager¡¯s armor and flesh. The fire roared higher, hotter. The heat intensified with pinpoint precision, searing through even the hardened rock plating. The Ravager buckled, briefly¡ªbut its fury only grew. Opening one eye from his cultivation, watching the boar be bombared Kei started to feel bad for it ¡°its just getting ganged up on, poor guy was minding it business being all destructive¡­¡­¡­¡­.. all right we couldn¡¯t let continue but still¡± With a fierce stomp, the Ironsworn Ravager unleashed chaos. The earth split beneath it¡ªmultiple earthquakes rippled outward as jagged spikes erupted from the cracked terrain. The ground became a killing field, rupturing in chaotic bursts, tearing through stone and soil alike. The battlefield turned into a bloody nightmare. Like a charging siege engine, the Ravager barreled forward¡ªits focus locked onto Jin and Jenny. They had only seconds to react. But someone else moved first. Lisa''s aether control surged. Her Sound Force pulsed beneath the charging beast¡¯s feet in a cascade of harmonic disruptions. Bursts of sonic pressure triggered beneath its limbs, throwing its momentum off. One particularly focused blast struck the Ravager¡¯s right leg, forcing it upward, disrupting its balance mid-charge. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Seizing the opportunity, Lisa reached for the carving tool Kei had made her¡ªone tuned specifically for channeling sound. She flooded it with aether. A deep resonance built at its edge¡ªthen with a swift slice, she released it. A massive sound blade tore forward, crashing into the Ravager¡¯s exposed underbelly. The outer shell cracked, but the true damage happened inside. Vibrations from the attack amplified upon impact¡ªshaking the beast''s internal organs like a struck drum. The Ravager howled, staggering. Before it could recover, a flurry of fire dragon heads slammed into its side¡ªeach one crashing like a meteor. Draggbane¡¯s assault was unrelenting, the flames coiling and erupting across the creature''s flank. Through the smoke, arrows streaked in. Each shot was crafted by Kei¡ªrefined and reactive. With every blast that struck the Ravager, the next arrow became faster, more forceful. The vector redirection enchantments layered on them responded in perfect sync with the shifting momentum. Two arrows in particular cut through the chaos. Their paths remained straight. Their speed, however, was unnatural¡ªso fast they were nearly invisible. They tore through the flames and embedded deep into the Ravager¡¯s underbelly, striking just moments after Lisa¡¯s blade had softened the armor. The creature let out a scream that shook the battlefield. And still¡ªit did not fall. Weaving through the chaos of spells and elemental strikes, Jenny surged forward atop a mud wave, riding its crest with perfect balance. Someone else had summoned it, but she made it hers¡ªcrimson flames spiraling around the blade of her scythe as she closed in. Just before the wave crashed into the Ravager, she launched herself skyward, spinning midair. The wind she''d stored earlier surged to the surface, its kinetic energy amplifying the flames coiled around her weapon. The fire expanded violently¡ªno longer just a stream, but a towering inferno clinging to steel. The blade grew¡ªfrightening in size, terrifying in weight. Jenny brought it down. A thunderous cleave tore through the Ravager¡¯s outer armor, shearing off layers of hardened earth. Chunks of stone exploded outward with the force of the strike. She landed in a slide beneath the beast¡¯s body, momentum unbroken. Her footwork moved with practiced rhythm, a dancer¡¯s grace honed in battle. Her scythe carved upward in wide arcs, slicing along the Ravager¡¯s vulnerable underbelly¡ªshaving off plated chunks with every pass. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, keep attacking!¡± she called out, voice light and carefree despite the chaos. Her tone carried no fear¡ªonly focus and fluid confidence. She spun beneath another tremor, ducking the Ravager¡¯s tail as it slammed the ground behind her. Kaito swept in through the opening she''d created. His shortsword and longsword danced in tandem, striking with surgical precision. Every gap Jenny carved open, he exploited. Twin crescent slashes followed his movements, arcs of silvery light cleaving across the Ravager¡¯s flanks. Together, the two moved like twin moons¡ªthe Dancer and the Reaver, relentless and in sync. With a powerful upward swing, Jenny¡¯s scythe embedded itself deep into the Ravager¡¯s side. The strike landed clean¡ªbut this time, something was wrong. She tried to pull it free. Once. Twice. A third time, harder. The blade refused to budge. It was stuck¡ªwedged too deep in layers of reinforced stone and shifting earth. Before she could try again, the ground beneath her trembled. A jagged spike shot up from below¡ªforcing her to retreat. She twisted back just in time, abandoning the weapon as she evaded the rising pillar of rock. Her boots scraped the cracked earth as she landed a short distance away, unarmed and exposed. The Ravager turned¡ªits molten eyes locking onto her. Without hesitation, it raised one massive leg. The intent was clear. Crush her. Jenny tensed, jaw clenching. For the first time since the battle began, her confidence wavered. Then¡ª BANG. A thunderous crack echoed across the battlefield. BANG. BANG. Two more followed¡ªthree total, rapid and heavy. Bolts of electricity punched through the Ravager¡¯s raised leg. Not surface grazes¡ªclean drills, tearing clean through stone and sinew. Sparks scattered from the impact sites, followed by violent arcs of lightning coursing through the beast¡¯s frame. The Ravager staggered, its leg dropping short of its target. Up in the trees, Kei sat, arm extended from the throw. His cloak fluttered softly in the wind, eyes narrowed with calm focus. The throwing projectiles still shimmered faintly where they struck¡ªthin, jagged rods of forged steel crackling with lingering static. Each one was handcrafted, aether-conductive, and tuned with his own modifications. And they weren¡¯t just normal weapons. Kei had drawn upon the Thunder Force¡ªthe one he''d acquired after forming a brief connection bond with the Thunder Hare. He hadn¡¯t wielded it much since. Until now. Lightning danced around his fingertips as he relaxed his gaze, watching the electricity coil inside the Ravager¡¯s armor, disrupting the internal charge of its reconstructed plating. Jenny looked up at the impact, breathing hard. She smiled. A few days before the Apex Boss raid¡ªjust before he began crafting for Kaito and the others¡ªKei found himself standing at a crossroads. His skill, Advanced Projectile Mastery, had reached the threshold for evolution. When the system offered him upgrade paths, he examined each with care. One focused on Phantom Breeze, granting complete silence and concealment to his throws. Another emphasized ricochet mastery, turning his projectiles into instruments of chaos and rebound. Others offered tracking, fragmentation, even mid-air duplications. He declined them all. What Kei learned, however, was more important than the paths themselves¡ªskills could evolve along unique routes, not just the ones predetermined by the system. They could be forged. So, he forged his own. [Skill Name]: Shinma Edgecraft: Stormpiercer Ascendant ¡°Strike with elegance. Shatter with force.¡± Description: You¡¯ve taken the destructive art of projectile mastery and refined it through the lens of elemental purity. Inspired by a small bird you befriended during your early days in Japan¡ªa rare Shinma Enaga, native to the mountain ranges of Japan¡ªyou forged a new path. Your throws now embody not just precision, but a kind of divine elegance. Each strike is a storm-sculpted miracle: radiant, swift, and devastating. Upgraded Effects
  1. Celestial Infusion (Replaces Overcharged Aether Infusion)
  1. Lethal Bloom (Replaces Explosive Impact)
  1. Armorbreak Crescendo
  1. Divine Aftershock (Enhanced Passive)
  1. Shinma Force Sync (Unique)
Bonus Trait ¨C Wings of Ruin (Unlocked Later) Once per battle, Kei can launch three infused projectiles in succession, each spiraling with hybrid elemental energy. Mid-air, they converge into a Shinma-shaped explosion, forming the silhouette of a diving Enaga. For all the raw, chaotic power that Zeph had accumulated¡ªespecially with the infusion of Kei¡¯s blood enhancing its zephyr-aligned abilities¡ªit still paled in comparison to Kei¡¯s growth. Zeph was a force of nature in its own right. A living storm. Fast, unpredictable as wind, and capable of turning the battlefield into a chaotic mess of gales and pressure bursts. But even that wasn¡¯t enough. When the two had chosen to spar at full force, no holding back, no safeguards¡ªZeph charged in with unrelenting ferocity, a whirling tempest of claws and compressed gusts. And still, it found itself slammed into the dirt. Chains of lightning¡ªfast, elegant, and devastating¡ªshot out from Kei¡¯s hand, locking Zeph¡¯s limbs mid-motion. Before the monkey could twist free or redirect with a burst of wind, the lightning pulsed again, disorienting it and locking its aether channels down entirely. It couldn¡¯t even move. Not against that. That was the moment Zeph understood. The one it followed wasn¡¯t just its master. He was becoming something else entirely. That sparring match became the inspiration behind Kei¡¯s next crafting binge. When he received the newest shipment of rare ores, his mind went to work. He crafted a variety of specialized projectiles: Every piece was slotted into the custom arm sleeves he¡¯d engineered¡ªa slick, low-profile mechanism that let him draw and throw in an instant. Efficient. Streamlined. Deadly. Each weapon, each throw, each arc in the air carried the same philosophy: Strike with elegance. Break with certainty. And that was exactly what the Ravager¡ªan Apex-class monster¡ªhad just experienced. Just like Zeph before it, the beast had tasted the force of Kei¡¯s evolved skill: precise, overwhelming, and impossible to predict. With a quiet breath, Kei closed his eyes once more, withdrawing from the chaos. From his perch in the trees, he resumed focusing on the minor Wind Force he''d detected earlier, keen on extracting every nuance from its movements. Down on the battlefield, Jin Saito took center stage once again. The silver rings in his eyes spun faster¡ªfuture paths unfolding with each breath, each twitch of muscle. His stat configuration adapted mid-movement, aligning power and agility into perfect balance. Then he moved. His strikes came like thunder¡ªpunches, slams, spinning kicks. Each attack carried the weight of a sledgehammer, shattering layers of the Ravager¡¯s rock armor, blow by blow. The sound of impact was deafening. Those still healing off to the side turned pale just watching it. Reinhardt and Draggbane, fighting side-by-side, exchanged knowing glances as the boar reeled under Jin¡¯s unrelenting assault. This was why the system ranked Jin #1. And just behind him, Kaito was right where he belonged¡ª#2, and rightfully so. Sleek and silent, Kaito¡¯s Lunar Reaver class let him cut between the Ravager¡¯s defenses like moonlight itself. As Jin uppercut the boar, sending its head reeling upward, Kaito was already airborne. His shortsword descended first, cleaving into the damaged neck plating. Then his longsword followed, deeper, dragging along the wound to widen it further. Blood gushed from the twin strikes, and Kaito vanished into the haze before the beast could retaliate¡ªsilent as a ghost. Then came Kai. Bursting forward from the side, Adrenaline Force surging, he vaulted upward. His body was already coursing with controlled, violent energy. Catching the Ravager just as its head dipped again, Kai drove his spear down, punching through flesh and forcing the beast¡¯s skull back into the dirt. Owen met it there. The shield strike came hard¡ªa full-body bludgeon to the snout, driving the beast¡¯s head even deeper into the ground. From the left, Talia zipped in, blades flashing. She slashed across both eyes in one pass, stealing the creature¡¯s vision and forcing it to reel backward. As it stumbled, Owen¡¯s contracted creature¡ªthe Boulder-Veined Bear¡ªrose behind it. Spikes of earth surged up in synchronized pulses, trying to pierce the underside. The Ravager¡¯s defenses held¡ªbut it staggered, just enough. And through that space, Jenny descended. Her scythe spun in an elegant spiral, Wind Force gathered along its edge, blending perfectly with her momentum. She passed through the gap Kaito had carved into the neck. And with a single, fluid arc, she sliced straight through. The wind screamed. The Ravager howled. And Jenny landed behind it without a word, the scythe still glowing. Chapter 64 ¡°Poser much?¡± Lisa transmitted, her voice laced with dry amusement. In response, Jenny flashed a sweet, dazzling smile that all but screamed, ¡°Bet your cute ass I am.¡± Unfortunately for her, the Ironsworn Ravager didn¡¯t share that sentiment. Its tail whipped around like a battering ram, smashing toward her with brutal force. Jenny reacted instantly¡ªshifting her stance, she pulled kinetic energy from the incoming strike, dampening its impact just enough to prevent a full-on crash. The momentum slowed¡ª But not completely. The blow still launched her several meters through the air, her body spinning as she fought to regain control. Pulses of sound erupted beneath her feet¡ªLisa¡¯s doing¡ªsoftening her descent before she tumbled into a skid across the cracked earth. The moment Jenny¡¯s motion stopped, a streak of aether surged her way. Seth, once a member of the Black Talon, now running support under his own name, arrived at her side without hesitation. Sheets of healing aether spread over her injuries, stabilizing her core and soothing the internal backlash from absorbing such a violent hit. ¡°Try not to take a direct tail swipe next time,¡± he laughed dryly, kneeling beside her. Jenny exhaled slowly, pushing herself up with one hand as the scythe blinked back into reach through a short recall. She adjusted her glasses with a crooked smile. ¡°You try smiling that good under pressure.¡± And in that moment, it felt like the moon was falling. A violent crescendo of sword slashes rippled across the Ravager¡¯s body¡ªone after another, each strike sharper than the last. Kaito¡¯s blades danced like moonlight through broken clouds, carving glowing lines along the beast¡¯s reinforced armor. The Ravager staggered but didn¡¯t fall, shaking off the barrage with a bellow. Flipping away, Kaito vanished from sight¡ªonly to reappear high above, silhouetted against the darkened sky. Then¡ªhe dropped. Both swords drawn, descending like judgment itself, he crashed down in a twin-bladed arc. The strike landed with perfect timing, each blade tracing a mirrored curve down the Ravager¡¯s back. A glowing crescent-shaped scar was left behind¡ªseared into the stone plating like a mark of the moon. The Ravager roared, this time in pain. Once again, the Ironsworn Ravager''s monstrous vitality surged. Cracks sealed. Gashes closed. The brutal wound Kaito had carved into its back knitted itself shut as if it had never happened. ¡°Dammit,¡± Reinhardt growled, slamming his shield into another tusk strike to protect the others. ¡°At this rate, we¡¯ll never deal lasting damage. Its Constitution¡¯s too high¡ªit¡¯s recovering faster than we can wear it down!¡± Draggbane spun his greatsword in a wide arc, slashing streaks of crimson fire across the beast¡¯s rocky hide. Each breath was labored now, the flames flickering as his reserves began to dip dangerously low. ¡°I¡¯m almost out,¡± he grunted, barely managing to keep the weight of the blade steady. ¡°Can¡¯t keep this up much longer.¡± At the center of it all, Jin Saito stood calm¡ªunmoving. His breathing slowed. Then¡­ something shifted. The silver rings in his eyes gleamed, spinning faster¡ªeach rotation accelerating with precise rhythm. And for the first time since stepping into the Expanse, he activated a skill. Aether surged. Twin spirals of silver light bloomed from his wrists, traveling up his forearms like bands of radiant circuitry. Dozens of luminous rings hovered just above his skin¡ªthin and sharp, arranged like orbiting halos. The smallest rings clustered near his wrists, while the largest floated around his upper arms. Each one shimmered with a faint ripple, fragile and beautiful like glass¡ªyet etched with raw calculation. Every ring represented a future. A path. A choice. The smallest rings glowed brightest¡ªthey held the greatest chance of success. Near impossible paths, fine as thread. The larger rings shimmered with uncertainty¡ªwider possibilities, broader outcomes, but less stability. Jin exhaled slowly, arms lowering as the rings spun tighter. And then, he moved. Starting with the largest rings orbiting his arms, Jin willed them to detonate. The wide, silver bands unraveled in an instant, collapsing inward like ripples in a disturbed reflection. They vanished without sound, and with them, entire futures were erased. He gave them up willingly. The broadest paths¡ªthe most uncertain, most flexible¡ªwere always the least rewarding. Their sacrifice yielded only a faint reinforcement: a mild boost to his physical state. A little more strength in his step. A bit more sharpness in his stance. But it was enough. The smaller the ring, the more refined the path. And the greater the reward for letting it go. That was the law of his ability: each choice narrowed the scope of his destiny. Every ring detonated stripped him of foresight¡ªbut in return, the present became stronger, faster, more absolute. It was clarity through sacrifice. And Jin was far from done. The next ring spun faster. Smaller. Tighter. He willed it away. And the battle shifted again. With a sudden dash, Jin launched forward¡ªhis form blurring as momentum coiled behind every step. He slammed into the Ravager¡¯s leg with a devastating kick, the impact echoing across the battlefield like a cannon blast. Before the creature could react, Jin unleashed a flurry of punches, rapid and brutal, each one hammering the same point with surgical precision. Then¡ªanother shift. Without so much as a gesture, another set of larger silver rings hovering around his arms detonated, collapsing in on themselves and vanishing into radiant bursts of light. Jin¡¯s strength surged, proportional to the breadth of the path he¡¯d sacrificed. His body didn¡¯t just move faster¡ªit moved heavier, denser, like every strike now carried the weight of inevitability. He twisted, flipped, and drove both heels upward in a rising kick toward the Ravager¡¯s head. CRACK. Stone and earth shattered like brittle armor, fragments of jagged rock exploding outward from the impact. Jin didn¡¯t stop. He pressed the assault, blow after blow, forcing the Apex Beast¡¯s head to twist violently under the pressure. By the time he backed off, a portion of its head armor had been completely obliterated¡ªflesh exposed beneath. And then Jin saw it. The perfect opening. His silver-ringed eyes narrowed. He didn¡¯t hesitate. Three smaller rings, glowing closer to his wrists, began to spin¡ªtight, razor-thin halos of potential. He willed them to detonate. In that moment, his dexterity spiked. The flow of his movement became something else entirely¡ªfluid, ghostlike, refined down to the subtlest twitch. His breathing synchronized with his footwork, his punches becoming harder to see than even the light reflecting off his skin. With a single pivot, he drove his fist forward in a fierce, sudden jab. FWOOM. A sharp, spiralingl burst of silver aether condensed around his fist¡ªtaking shape mid-strike. It formed into a long, spear-like arrow of pure force, honed and sharpened by his Clairvoyance-aligned stat control. The arrow didn¡¯t fire. It punched through. BOOM. The silver arrow ripped through the Ravager¡¯s exposed temple like a lightning bolt forged from raw will. Its trajectory was perfect¡ªno deviation, no hesitation, just piercing force channeled through a path Jin had long seen coming. The Ravager reeled, its body staggering sideways, balance lost. The wound smoked, silver aether threading violently through the hole now carved into its skull. And Jin stood at the epicenter¡ªbreathing calm, eyes glowing, the silver rings on his arms still spinning. Watching the silver arrow pierce clean through the other side of the Ravager¡¯s skull, Kei blinked in mild surprise from his perch. ¡°¡­Damn,¡± he muttered, lips curling into a grin. ¡°He really throws them hard bitches.¡± The shot had been clean. Devastating. It carved a wound too deep, too sudden, for even the Ravager¡¯s monstrous constitution to recover from instantly. And Jin wasn¡¯t done. As the boar staggered, Jin flowed back into motion¡ªsilver rings continuing to detonate with purpose, each sacrifice granting him the right balance of strength, speed, or endurance. He opened weak point after weak point across the Ravager¡¯s frame, like carving fault lines into a crumbling mountain. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. And everyone took full advantage. Spells, blades, and projectiles surged toward the ruptured gaps in its armor, each attack landing with increasingly brutal synergy. Then came something unexpected. A flash of sickly green aether surged across the battlefield¡ªa long, grasping hand extending from the shadows and slamming into one of the opened wounds. It latched onto the Ravager¡¯s vitality like a parasite, draining life and energy at a rapid pace. The boar¡¯s regeneration slowed immediately, its movements becoming sluggish, unbalanced. A tall figure followed behind the energy¡ªwielding a heavy greatsword laced with the same greenish hue. Orin Graves stepped forward, calmly dragging the blade along the ground. With a sharp upward slash, he anchored the Ravager¡¯s vitality to himself. The siphoning effect deepened, tethering the creature¡¯s recovery and burdening it with a mirrored weight. He didn¡¯t say a word¡ªbut his contribution was undeniable. Reese, Owen, Talia, and Kai all noticed. Their attacks never stopped, but each of them shot a glance toward a tree on the edge of the battlefield¡ªwhere Kei still sat. Their collective expressions said one thing: ¡°Aren¡¯t you glad we didn¡¯t let you kill him?¡± Each look, playful or otherwise, was met with a sharp glare¡ªone so icy, so pointed, that it silenced every trace of smugness. Reese clicked his tongue. ¡°I¡¯d rather fight the Ravager alone than deal with him.¡± He loosed three more arrows in rapid succession, all veering unnaturally mid-air to stab through the gaps in the Ravager¡¯s chest plating. Talia, nearby, laughed softly. ¡°I like my jaw intact and attached to my face, thanks.¡± Her figure flickered into mist as she manipulated the Ravager¡¯s field of vision with layered mirages, pulling its attention in three different directions. Kai didn¡¯t look away from his target. He simply muttered, ¡°I¡¯d rather he not put needles in my eye,¡± as his spear surged forward, encased in a dense spiral of aether. It drilled into one of the newly exposed weak points, forcing the Ravager to rear back in frustration. And Kei, from the tree, sighed long and low. ¡°Bunch of ungrateful bastards,¡± he murmured As more and more paths were sacrificed, Jin¡¯s world narrowed. With each ring detonated, the futures he could once see were stripped away¡ªshattered fragments of possibility vanishing into nothing. He no longer saw who might need help. He couldn¡¯t perceive when a perfect opening might emerge from the chaos. All of that foresight¡ªgone. What remained was the now. It was the price he paid. Every sacrifice meant one less thread to guide his movements. One less option. One less path forward. But the Ironsworn Ravager¡¯s monstrous vitality demanded that price. Jin needed the boost¡ªneeded to hit harder, strike deeper, and leave wounds that took time to close. Anything less, and the creature would recover before the damage could matter. The trade-off wasn¡¯t just mental. The toll on his body was growing. Each detonation felt like tearing his vision from a part of himself. The more precise the path he sacrificed, the harsher the recoil. His muscles strained. His breathing grew heavier. His bones trembled under the stress of moving faster than he was meant to. It wasn¡¯t just an aether cost¡ªit was physical. But Jin endured. Because clarity came at a cost. And he was willing to pay it. As he crashed down from high above, the air howled around him¡ªmomentum compressed into a single devastating strike. A silver arrow of force, shaped mid-fall, pierced cleanly through the boar¡¯s thick skull, trailing radiant streaks in its wake. The impact echoed across the battlefield. The Ravager lurched, its body twisting violently as it let out a strained, guttural bellow. For a moment, its limbs staggered. The constant, oppressive force of its Earth-aligned pressure receded just slightly. And with that step¡ªshaky, but firm¡ªJin landed. The ground beneath his foot cracked but held, and for the first time since the battle began, the destructive force tearing through the terrain quieted. The jagged upheaval of earth paused. No tremors. No spikes. A breath of calm passed through the chaos. Just long enough for the others to regroup. Just long enough to breathe. Watching it all unfold, Lisa found herself quietly fascinated. She¡¯d launched a few attacks of her own, cushioned a couple of hard landings with sound bursts, but it was the sheer scale of what everyone else was doing that held her attention now. They were fighting under relentless pressure¡ªagainst a monster that didn¡¯t know how to stay down¡ªand still, they carved through it. She turned slightly, eyes drifting back toward the tree at the edge of the battlefield. Kei sat there, calm as ever. Flexing his hands back and forth in a slow, rhythmic motion, almost like he was playing with invisible strings. If someone looked close enough, they¡¯d notice it¡ªtiny pulses of wind bursting from his fingertips, barely audible, controlled to perfection. And the smile on his face wasn¡¯t one of concern. It wasn¡¯t even one of interest. It was satisfaction. ¡°He¡¯s not even bothered by what he¡¯s witnessing,¡± Lisa muttered, half to herself. ¡°It¡¯s like this doesn¡¯t pose any risk to him at all. He¡¯s just¡­ in his own world.¡± And somehow, that was more unnerving than anything the Ravager had done. ¡°Whatcha looking at?¡± Jenny appeared beside her, following Lisa¡¯s gaze toward what, to her, looked like just a regular tree with no notable presence. ¡°I was just thinking¡­¡± Lisa said softly, her eyes wide, almost glowing. ¡°I should¡¯ve taken this more seriously when we first arrived here. This is amazing.¡± A frenzied, excited gleam sparked in her eyes. ¡°The pulse of everything¡ªthe rhythmic sound¡ªit¡¯s just¡­ exhilarating,¡± she confessed, voice low, like she didn¡¯t want the moment to end. Jenny smiled. ¡°Yeah¡­ it really is an amazing place we¡¯ve found ourselves in. How about we make up for lost progress and try some teamwork?¡± Lisa tilted her head with a grin just as Kaito landed beside them. ¡°Hey¡ªare you okay?¡± he asked, looking directly at Jenny, concern etched in his expression. ¡°You took a pretty hard hit earlier. I was worried.¡± Jenny blinked once before smirking. ¡°Yeah, we can tell, Romeo. You lost it and went full berserk on the poor boar. So mean.¡± Lisa snorted, clearly entertained. Kaito flushed red, scrambling for words. ¡°No¡ªI¡ªI was just¡­ worried about my friend, that¡¯s all!¡± he said quickly, stumbling through his sentence. Lisa patted his arm with a teasing smile. ¡°Aw, look at you. Hero mode and bashful. Dangerous combo.¡± Jenny just laughed, spinning her scythe once in her hand. ¡°Then let¡¯s put that heroic energy to use, shall we?¡± With a graceful swirl of her scythe, Jenny redirected the stored crimson fire from the weapon into her own body. Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as heat radiated off her skin in controlled pulses. ¡°How about you charge me up?¡± she asked Lisa with a smirk. Lisa didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªstreams of concentrated sound pulsed forward, syncing with Jenny¡¯s rhythm. Jenny absorbed them, recording the kinetic signature into her scythe while letting the surging heat from earlier empower her core. ¡°Follow me,¡± she said, spinning her scythe into a ready stance. ¡°And match my pace.¡± Without waiting for a reply, Jenny took off. Wind curled around her as she surged forward. Lisa followed immediately, bursts of sound erupting beneath her feet, propelling her like stepping stones made of vibration. Together, the two moved in perfect sync¡ªtempo and flow aligned like the pulse of a song building toward its peak. Jin landed beside Kaito, his breath heavy, muscles tense from the toll of his detonated paths. His limbs moved slower now, but his eyes remained sharp. ¡°You¡¯re okay?¡± he asked, glancing at Kaito with a strained voice. Kaito blinked, still flustered from earlier, then gave a small shake of his head. ¡°Forget about me. You look like you¡¯re ready to collapse.¡± Jin exhaled and offered a faint smile. ¡°For what it¡¯s worth¡­ they¡¯ll be fine. For now.¡± A few silver rings still floated faintly around his forearms¡ªdim but present. He could still see a few paths ahead, though each one burned a little brighter with risk. Taking a deep breath, Jin released a soft exhale¡ªonly this time, it came out as a faint mist. His tunic glowed faintly with a cool, icy-blue shimmer as aether circulated through it, activating the garment¡¯s passive effect. A wave of frost breath escaped his lips, cooling his overheated body and easing the strain burning through his muscles and bones. From the tree, Kei sat still, idly pulsing bursts of Wind Force between his fingers as he continued experimenting with the new minor force he''d picked up. But the moment that icy breath wafted through the air¡ªhe froze. His head snapped toward Jin. ¡°You killed my Vipers¡­¡± Kei¡¯s voice was quiet, but his expression twisted darkly as his eyes began to glow¡ªdeep, seething crimson-orange. ¡°¡­and you¡¯re wearing Frosty?¡± The pressure that followed was suffocating. Kei didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t need to. But if looks could kill, Jin wouldn¡¯t just die¡ªhe¡¯d be erased from existence without a trace left for reincarnation. Jin blinked and slowly turned toward the tree. His gaze met Kei¡¯s glowing eyes¡ªwide, unblinking, burning with something primal. Kaito, standing beside him, immediately took a half-step back. ¡°Jin¡­ what did you do?¡± His voice cracked slightly as he noticed Kei¡¯s silent fury. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know?¡± Jin said, thoroughly confused. ¡°What¡¯s with the tree?¡± The tension was thick, but Jin shook it off and turned back to the battlefield, choosing to ignore the death glare for now. And behind the fractured Ravager¡ªJenny moved. She appeared like a shadow trailing flame, her presence masked beneath the thunder of battle. With a quick vault from the ground using her scythe as leverage, she flipped gracefully onto the beast¡¯s back. Her form blurred¡ªone flip, then another, and another. With each landing, her hand struck the Ravager¡¯s exposed surface. Thump. A small pulse of crimson kinetic force rippled out beneath her palm. Thump. Another. Then another. Each touch wasn¡¯t just for balance¡ªit was a mark. A trap. Jenny was planting them. Kinetic bursts, some crimson in hue, some lilac in hue, imprinted on the boar¡¯s rocky hide like invisible landmines. With every contact, her force moved like silent gunpowder, waiting to ignite. Using both hands, Jenny vaulted off the Ravager¡¯s head, flipping midair with a dancer¡¯s ease. As she hung upside down, still falling, she twisted her body to face the Apex Beast directly. The Ravager stared up at her¡ªconfused, angry, uncertain. She smiled sweetly. ¡°Boom.¡± A beat later, the battlefield lit up. A symphony of pulsing detonations erupted across the Ravager¡¯s body¡ªcrimson-red shockwaves flaring outward, overlaid with a ghostly lilac hue. Each one detonated in perfect sequence, like percussion in a violent orchestra. The Ravager howled. A visceral, guttural roar tore through the air as its body convulsed under the precise impact of dozens of stored kinetic bursts detonating at once. Chunks of armor cracked and flew in every direction. Jenny landed without fanfare¡ªsoft, clean, unbothered. Turning to Draggbane, she casually held out her hand like a kid expecting sweets. ¡°Hey, lizard man. Recharge me.¡± Draggbane blinked, mildly taken aback. Lisa, meanwhile, was absolutely floored. ¡°If you¡¯re capable of that, then why the hell are you always so lazy, you blonde-headed freak?!¡± she shouted. Jenny winced. ¡°Oi! Don¡¯t scream in my ear, dammit.¡± ¡°It¡¯s called reserves, ever heard of it?¡± she added, smirking as she reached out and pinched Lisa¡¯s cheek like she was a toddler. ¡°Good to rest when you can.¡± Lisa puffed her cheeks in protest, arms flailing as Jenny held her at bay. Meanwhile, the Ravager continued its rampage¡ªbut something new joined the chaos. Hop. Hop. Hop. A rhythmic sound echoed over the field, soft at first, but gaining presence with each step. A figure adjusted the loose scarf tied over her head, stepping through the fading smoke as vines slithered up from the broken earth, wrapping loosely around her arms. The grass beneath her feet danced¡ªliterally, swaying toward her like it recognized her as one of its own. ¡°You guys¡¯ve been fighting this thing for how long,¡± she said, voice dripping with dry amusement, ¡°and this is all you¡¯ve managed?¡± The vines pulsed, the greenery around her blooming unnaturally in her wake. Jin¡¯s eyes narrowed the moment her voice rang out. Something about the air shifted¡ªlike a note added to an already complex song. His instincts screamed at him that something was about to happen¡ªhe just didn¡¯t know what. Good or bad, ally or chaos¡ªit was unclear. He could sacrifice the smallest silver rings on his wrist, but he didn¡¯t. He needed those paths¡ªfor later. Just in case. High up in the tree, Kei¡¯s eyes flicked toward the new presence. His eyebrows arched slightly, the wind around him curling with interest. ¡°¡­The aether,¡± he murmured, ¡°it¡¯s¡­ really excited to be around her.¡± His voice wasn¡¯t worried. Just curious. Like something interesting had finally shown up. Silvie also noticed it. Even amidst the chaos of battle, even as the Ironsworn Ravager¡¯s roar echoed across the cracked plains and pulses of elemental energy rippled through the earth¡ªsomething else tugged at her attention. Aether. It was... excited. Not just around her¡ªthat she was used to. It always danced for her, curled toward her, sang in subtle vibrations under her skin. But now, in the far distance, a different melody called out. A pulse of joyful resonance like a second heartbeat, echoing from a tree that had no business drawing her eye. Her expression shifted, curiosity replacing amusement. The grass at her feet leaned in that direction. The wind nudged her shoulders. Even the vines trailing from her arms pulsed faintly. She turned her head slowly and squinted toward the source. There, just barely visible through the flickering haze of heat and battle-light, was a single tree. Unremarkable. Untouched. But the aether around it told a different story. It gathered there¡ªlike excited children crowding a storyteller, drawn to something that shouldn¡¯t be ignored. Her eyes narrowed in amused, confused surprise. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d run into someone like me.¡± And from the branches above, Kei stared back. Eyes half-lidded, fingers still flicking currents of Wind Force between them like a composer teasing the strings of an invisible harp. But now, those crimson-orange eyes locked onto hers, unblinking and still. A silent understanding passed between them. For just that moment, everything else faded¡ªthe collapsing terrain, the roars of the Ravager, the frantic clamor of blades and spells. Because aether itself was watching. Not the monster. Not the battle. Them. And sparks began to gather across the battlefield. Not fire. Not lightning. But potential. Raw, volatile, curious. They ignored the towering Apex Beast. Ignored the destruction. Ignored everything. As if the world had decided: This meeting was more important. Chapter 65: We are...... This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. [Name]: Kei Yuichi [Title]: He Who Denies Fate | Hidden Title (Yet to be accepted) Chapter 66: The Fallen Prince The whip in Silvie¡¯s hand flickered once¡ªthen dissolved into green motes, dissipating like dew under the rising sun. Her gaze never left him. Not because she was ready to fight. But because something in his expression unraveled her. ¡°¡­You¡¯re really crying?¡± she asked, voice softer now. ¡°Over that?¡± Kei nodded once, blinking as if embarrassed, then turned his head away. He scrubbed the back of his hand across his eyes, a breath catching in his throat. Silvie dropped into a crouch across from him, chin resting on her knees, watching him in silence. ¡°No one¡¯s ever told you that before?¡± she asked, her tone a quiet blend of curiosity and gentleness. He chuckled, low and dry. ¡°Not in a way that stuck.¡± They sat like that for a moment¡ªno lightning, no wind, no vines. No radiant forces clawing for dominance. Just stillness. Breath and silence. ¡°¡­Sorry for threatening to kill your monkey,¡± she mumbled. Kei snorted. ¡°I¡¯ve been threatened worse by squirrels.¡± Another beat of quiet passed between them. Then she tilted her head. ¡°So? Are you gonna accept your title?¡± Kei glanced again at his status screen. The prompt still lingered, like a whisper that had been patiently waiting at the edge of his awareness. [Hidden Title Available] [Accept? Y/N] ¡°¡­Why now?¡± he asked aloud. ¡°Why does it feel like I¡¯ve only just started to understand any of this?¡± Silvie leaned forward, her eyes steady. ¡°Because you¡¯re finally asking the right questions.¡± A gust of wind passed through the clearing¡ªnot disruptive, not harsh. It circled around him slowly, gently, as though recognizing something long awaited. As though the world itself had been holding its breath. He exhaled. [Y] The system pulsed once. No fanfare. No blinding light. Just a ripple¡ªdeep and quiet¡ªthat stirred the air. A still nod from the world. He held up the screen for her to see. [Title Accepted: God Spark] [Warning: Title effects cannot be reversed once activated.] [Unique Trait Unlocked ¡ª Core Resonance: All minor and major forces drawn to you will now retain imprint traces, increasing compatibility and fusion potential over time.] Silvie blinked at the air, eyes flicking as she read the same notification hovering before her. Then the sky shifted. A massive gale spiraled around the two¡ªviolent in scale but controlled in motion. Cyan and turquoise-blue threads of aether came rushing toward Kei, howling in sheer elation. The wind screamed, the aether pulsed. It wasn¡¯t just reacting to him. It was celebrating him. The God Spark of Wind had finally donned his crown. ¡°¡­Okay,¡± Silvie muttered, jaw slack. ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± Kei blinked, puzzled. ¡°I thought you were the God Spark of Lightning,¡± she said, pouting as her hair was tousled by the roaring aether. ¡°You said I was lightning,¡± Kei pointed out. ¡°I said you seemed like lightning,¡± she corrected, squinting at the wild winds circling him. ¡°But now? I think you¡¯re a black hole.¡± He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Because the aether isn¡¯t reacting like it¡¯s found its master,¡± she continued, voice small against the storm. ¡°It¡¯s reacting like it¡¯s found home.¡± Kei didn¡¯t reply. But a faint smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. ¡°Quick question¡ªwhy does your status screen say you¡¯re still Level 0?¡± ¡°You¡¯re hoarding, aren¡¯t you?¡± Silvie asked after a second, her eyes narrowing. ¡°All that experience. You haven¡¯t claimed a single drop since this all started.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in no rush to level up,¡± he said simply. ¡°Besides, I can still train and improve without leveling.¡± ¡°That¡¯s... a possible path?¡± Silvie blinked. ¡°Wait, really?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been training your whole life, haven¡¯t you?¡± Kei asked, raising a brow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you notice you got stronger the more you trained?¡± ¡°Well sure, by Earth¡¯s standards,¡± she admitted. ¡°But once aether got involved, I just leveled up. That¡¯s how it¡¯s typically expected to go.¡± He looked at her in silence, returning to the food he was cooking, his expression unreadable beneath his calm. He didn¡¯t answer¡ªjust waited. ¡°Each expanse is a trial¡ªa crucible. And the Apex Bosses are the flames we¡¯re thrown into. How we handle them? That¡¯s what the multiverse is watching.¡± He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. ¡°The rankings matter,¡± she continued. ¡°A lot. Most worlds can¡¯t even challenge one Apex, let alone defeat one. But Earth? One dead, one defeated... and now challenging another? That¡¯s not normal.¡± Kei didn¡¯t speak. But he was definitely listening. ¡°One of the benefits of getting a good ranking is the quality of aether your world starts receiving. There are tiers, you know. The quality is determined by how pure the aether is¡ªlike comparing bodies of water. Some are murky and impossible to see through, while others are crystal clear, clean as can be. The rankings of purity go like this: Common, Refined, Resonant, Purified, Divine, and Origin Aether¡ªand most worlds never get past the first two. The better we perform during our trial, the purer the aether our world is granted going forward. It¡¯s like feeding a newborn star¡ªwhat we do now shapes everything that comes after.¡± She paused, then added, ¡°And it goes without saying, but the higher the rank of aether used, the more powerful our attacks become, the easier it is to train and understand our forces. Higher-ranked aether lets you progress faster without burning out or hitting walls¡ªand the purer the aether flowing through Earth, the more powerful treasures will start being born here.¡± ¡°And what about Pristine Aether?¡± Kei asked. ¡°Ooooh, that¡¯s a whole other tier,¡± Silvie said, her eyes lighting up. ¡°That¡¯s even above Origin Aether. Pristine Aether isn¡¯t just pure¡ªit¡¯s creation-level. It doesn¡¯t exist in nature. You can¡¯t find it. You can¡¯t absorb it. You¡¯re either born with it¡­ or you¡¯re not.¡± She gave a theatrical huff and puffed out her chest with a smug little grin. ¡°Like me, obviously.¡± Kei didn¡¯t say anything. He just reached into his inventory and casually tossed her the Gale Fang. She caught it one-handed, curious. Then she looked at the system info. [Crafted with: Pristine Aether] Her grin flattened into a blank stare. ¡°¡­You asked because you have it too, didn¡¯t you?¡± Kei shrugged slightly, offering no explanation. Silvie muttered under her breath, still turning the weapon over in her hands. ¡°Pristine Aether¡­ not even all God Sparks are born with it. It¡¯s that rare. And the ones who are? They''re on a different level entirely. They don¡¯t just use aether¡ªthey shape it. Like, the rules bend a little just to keep up with them.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. She looked back up at him, a little more serious now. ¡°Those of us born with Pristine Aether usually come with something else, too¡ªtraits or bodies the system can¡¯t fully register. It doesn¡¯t know how to define us. Not completely. We''re built different.¡± Kei sat in silence. ¡°There aren¡¯t many of us,¡± she added. ¡°God Sparks are already rare, but God Sparks with Pristine Aether?¡± She held up two fingers. ¡°Single digits. Across all known iterations. And every one of them changed the fate of their world.¡± Then she lowered her hand and stared at him a little longer. ¡°¡­So if you¡¯re one of them too?¡± She gave a small, crooked smile. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve got some serious competition.¡± Kei gave her a neutral look. ¡°What are the chances someone¡¯s born with Pristine Aether¡­ without being a God Spark?¡± Silvie tilted her head slightly. ¡°Basically zero. Less than zero, if that makes sense. Across all known iterations of existence, there¡¯ve been maybe five non¨CGod Sparks ever born with Pristine Aether.¡± Her fingers curled tighter around the wooden weapon, the weight of what she was saying anchoring her usual energy. ¡°And those five?¡± she continued, voice quieter now. ¡°They were monsters¡ªeven by our standards. People who could shift the future of an iteration just by being alive.¡± She glanced up at him, eyes serious. ¡°Only God Sparks born with Pristine Aether could rival them. And even then, if it ever came down to a fight between them...¡± Silvie held out the Gale Fang and handed it back with a brow raised. ¡°...Honestly? I wouldn¡¯t bet on either side.¡± ¡°Basically, my whole reason for saying all this,¡± Silvie began, leaning back as she chewed, ¡°is that we¡¯re capable of turning Earth into one of the top-ranked planets in the trials. The benefits would be massive. Other worlds, galaxies, even full-blown universes would be more willing to invest in us. Protect us as we grow until we¡¯re strong enough to stand on our own.¡± Her eyes stayed locked on him. ¡°You really sure you want to give that up¡­ for a monkey? Can you bear that responsibility on your own?¡± She took another bite, chewing dramatically. ¡°Mmm. This is really good.¡± ¡°If I hadn¡¯t known you had Pristine Aether,¡± she continued through a satisfied hum, ¡°I¡¯d have still gone ahead and killed it¡ªwhether you liked it or not. Mmh.¡± She scooped another bite and moaned lightly. ¡°Seriously, so good.¡± She glanced at him between bites, mouth still half-full. ¡°You should open a restaurant.¡± Kei silently handed her another small portion¡ªhe¡¯d made extra, just in case. ¡°But now that I know?¡± she said, tone softening as she set the bowl down. ¡°I can¡¯t be so bossy about it. You being here changes everything. If there¡¯s two of us¡­ we can carry the burden together. Still get Earth where it needs to go.¡± He nodded once. ¡°Thank you.¡± She shrugged it off, but the corners of her mouth curled upward. Then her expression turned serious. ¡°Also,¡± she added, brushing crumbs from her fingers, ¡°keep your Pristine Aether a secret. God Sparks are already hunted. But God Sparks with Pristine Aether?¡± She leaned forward again, eyes narrowed. ¡°That¡¯s the rarest treasure existence can give birth to. You¡¯d lose your freedom the moment it got out. You¡¯d be hunted, not just by people¡ªbut by forces. Real ones. Ancient ones.¡± Kei absorbed the weight of her words in silence. ¡°Noted,¡± he said simply. And then something changed. There was no light, no chime, no rumble. Just stillness. [Title Effect Activated: He Who Defied Fate] The system accepted what he had become¡ªand rewrote the truth of him into the world. All across the expanse, wherever his crafted items existed, a quiet rewrite occurred. No flash. No alert. But those who paid attention would notice. Each blade, bow, gauntlet, tunic, and hidden mechanism¡ªevery item he¡¯d ever touched¡ªlost the trace that once made them special. [Crafted with: Pristine Aether] was replaced with [Crafted by Kei] The legacy of what he was¡­ concealed. By force. Far off in the fight against the Ironsworn Ravager, Jin¡ªdashing past a crumbling wall of molten stone¡ªcaught a flicker of his gear and paused for half a heartbeat. The silver rings he once wielded? Gone¡ªdetonated earlier to alter a fate. But even without them, he noticed the change. Jenny, her twin-bladed scythe blazing with kinetic sound, also glimpsed the shift mid-spin. The wording was different. The material, subtly altered. She said nothing. Neither of them did. The battle against the Apex raged on¡ªbut far from it, deep in the silence of the wind¡¯s domain, the world shifted. The system moved. And the boy who defied fate began to be rewritten into its code. Quietly. Permanently. The system held its breath. Because the title wasn¡¯t just accepted¡­ It was beginning to take effect. Zeph, although he hadn¡¯t understood what they were talking about, understood that Kei had protected it from the girl. he could sense traces of another Apex Boss, a creature such as himself, and that could only mean she had defeated and killed one Zeph looked towards Kei, eternally grateful ¡°Come on, guys,¡± Kei said, casually slitting his wrist and letting a few controlled drops of glowing orange aether-infused blood fall over their food bowls¡ªhis daily offering. Hachi, Wooloo, and Zeph padded over without hesitation, drawn by instinct and familiarity. They began eating, quiet and focused, the faint shimmer of aether curling from their meals with each bite. Their bodies responded subtly¡ªmuscles tightening, coats gleaming, presence sharpening. The effects were immediate, as always. Aether-enhanced nutrition, tailored to them through Kei¡¯s blood. Silvie, meanwhile, transformed into a puddle of excitement. ¡°Oh my god¡ªlook at you guys!¡± she squealed, practically throwing herself into Wooloo¡¯s plush wool. ¡°You¡¯re so fluffy I could die!¡± Her hands moved with unrestrained enthusiasm, rubbing Wooloo¡¯s sides before reaching for the quiet Fangcub nestled beside him. ¡°And you¡ªoh my stars¡ªyou¡¯re gorgeous.¡± She blinked at the Fangcub¡¯s, her expression shifting from delighted to genuinely impressed. ¡°Wait¡­ a Fangwolf cub too?¡± Kei, still crouched nearby and casually stirring a pan over a small flame, gave a soft chuckle. ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s the first thing I met in this place. Bastard took a bite out of me and became obsessed with my blood.¡± Silvie tilted her head, then looked down at the cub, her tone turning sugary. ¡°He must¡¯ve done something mean. He¡¯s a big meany, huh?¡± she said, ignoring Kei entirely as she rubbed behind the cub¡¯s ears. ¡°You¡¯re so cute and innocent, yes you are.¡± The cub looked up at her, tail flicking, faintly annoyed by the baby talk. ¡°...No idea what your name is,¡± she said, ¡°but you¡¯re officially the prettiest fangpuppy I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± With zero hesitation, she scooted over and hugged him, then leaned her full weight into Wooloo¡¯s side, claiming both creatures at once. Kei kept stirring, the faintest curve of a smile on his lips. She paused, glancing back at the Fangcub. The cub huffed softly, as if he¡¯d heard the word murder puppy one too many times. ¡°But it is weird, though,¡± Silvie said between bites, eyeing him over the rim of her bowl. ¡°Wind aether usually comes in, like¡­ cyan-greenish turquoise colors. Yet yours is orange. That¡¯s not normal.¡± She paused, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. ¡°Still, Pristine Aether usually comes with its own weird gimmicks, so I guess it makes sense¡­ kinda.¡± ¡°Anyway,¡± Silvie continued, grabbing a bowl and digging into her portion, ¡°the biggest problem now is that Exalted Dungeon. I found a clue for it once, but this super mean voice told me I didn¡¯t qualify. Just laughed. Total jerk.¡± Kei glanced over, mildly amused. ¡°So you¡¯re passing that off to me?¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s clearly a ¡®chosen one¡¯ thing, and I¡¯ve already got too many of those. You can handle this one.¡± She took another bite, humming in satisfaction. Just then, Wooloo stood up¡ªwith Silvie still seated on its back. Kei blinked. ¡°Wooloo?¡± The Fellhorn didn¡¯t respond. It simply turned and began walking¡ªcalm and regal, like a mount with a destination in mind. Silvie blinked, chewing as she swayed gently with each step. ¡°Uh¡­ okay?¡± They passed through the trees in silence, arriving at a weathered outcropping. The ground was cracked and humming with dormant energy. A moss-covered stone pillar stood embedded in the earth, faint runes glowing along its surface. Silvie¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait... this is it.¡± She slowly turned her head back toward Kei, still seated comfortably atop Wooloo. ¡°You already found it?!¡± Kei stared at the Fellhorn. Flatly. ¡°You traitor,¡± he said. Wooloo flopped into the grass with zero guilt. Silvie kept eating. ¡°No loyalty,¡± Kei muttered, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward¡ªjust a little. Staring down at his food, Kei let out a quiet chuckle. ¡°God Sparks, huh?¡± he murmured, as if the idea itself were some private joke. His title¡ª[He Who Defies Fate]¡ªcontinued blinking softly in the corner of his vision, pulsing gently now that the hidden title had been accepted. ¡°You¡¯re really cheeky, aren¡¯t you?¡± Kei said to the system, shaking his head. ¡°Well¡­ let¡¯s see where this goes.¡± ¡ª Elsewhere¡ªfar beyond Earth, in a galaxy ruled by vast imperial power¡ªa young man strode confidently through a marble-lined corridor. The weight of his lineage adorned him in every step, every thread of his tailored coat, every emblem carved into his cuffs. His name was Alix, and his presence was radiant¡ªalmost celestial. Handsome to the point of cruelty, the kind of figure myths were built around. Returning to his chamber, he cast one final glance over his shoulder, then entered and closed the doors behind him. ¡°It¡¯s finally time,¡± he said, voice full of pride and ambition. ¡°The 1st Expanse¡­ I¡¯ll make it mine. My trial begins today.¡± He opened his status screen mid-step, confidence pouring from his grin. A voice called from beyond the door. ¡°Alix, are you ready? The departure party¡¯s assembled.¡± ¡°Yes, Father,¡± he replied with calm composure. ¡°Coming now.¡± He turned to leave¡ª ¡ªand froze. His status screen flickered. Then it glitched. Hard. Error signs flooded it, static blurring the interface. ¡°What...?¡± Before he could react, the entire display began to deform. Not shatter, not collapse¡ªbreak. His eyes widened. Pupils shrank. Panic raced through him as the system seized violently. His aether responded in kind. Not with pride. Not with welcome. But with rejection. The force within him¡ªonce so obedient, so faithful¡ªwas clawing its way out. Like something sacred had been revoked. ¡°No¡ªwhat''s happening?!¡± He staggered, clutching at his chest as if trying to hold it all together. His father, sensing something was wrong, burst into the room. Energy flared, shaking the marble walls. ¡°Alix! What¡¯s going on?! Are you hurt?!¡± But Alix didn¡¯t hear him. He couldn¡¯t. He was watching his connection to the Wind Force get severed in real time. The aether in his veins¡ªthe same aether that once flocked to him¡ªnow rejected him, violently purging itself from his body. The wind turned cold. Silent. Unwelcoming. He reached out, trembling¡­ but there was nothing left to hold onto. [Title Revoked] [Slot Locked] [Designation Transferred] The screen blinked one last time¡ªthen shattered into black. Alix Ren collapsed. Unconscious. Not from injury. But from fear. From shock. From the unbearable realization¡­ He was no longer the God Spark of Wind. ¡°Alix?! What¡¯s happening?!¡± the king demanded, his cultivation flaring with desperation. ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡± But no answer came. ¡ª Back in the clearing, Kei stirred the pan slowly. Still laughing. Still smiling. [He Who Defies Fate] [God Spark] The system didn¡¯t shout. It didn¡¯t announce. It simply moved. And something across the stars had been quietly, irrevocably¡­ corrected.