《Shadowborn: The Glitched System》 Chapter 1: Awakening in the Abyss Chapter 1: Awakening in the Abyss The world had changed. At first, it was gradual¡ªsmall anomalies, strange disappearances, and whispers of an unseen force lurking in the shadows. Then came the *Awakening*. Gates tore open across the skies, releasing creatures beyond human understanding. Some called them demons, others beasts from another dimension. Humanity was forced into a brutal war for survival. Yet, amidst the chaos, a new phenomenon emerged¡ªthe System. Only a select few awakened abilities, chosen seemingly at random. These people, called Awakened, wielded powers beyond normal humans¡ªsome could control fire, others manipulated shadows, and a rare few could even bend reality itself. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. For Kieran Vale, life had never been fair. He was born powerless in a world ruled by strength. In school, he was ignored. In the streets, he was prey. Even among his own family, he was seen as a burden. But when his Awakening finally arrived¡­ it wasn¡¯t what he expected. A voice echoed in his mind: [Initializing System¡­] [Warning: System Corrupted.] [Reconstructing Core¡­] His body burned with unbearable pain. His bones cracked, his muscles twisted, and something deep inside him awakened¡ªsomething not entirely human. When the pain subsided, a single message appeared before his eyes: [Unique Skill Acquired: ???] Kieran gasped, his hands trembling. The world had given up on him, but now¡­ he might finally have a chance to fight back. Chapter 2: The Corruption Within Chapter 2: The Corruption Within Kieran gasped, his body convulsing as neon lights distorted around him. His skin prickled like a million ants crawling beneath it, his veins bulging with a shifting darkness. His mind blurred¡ªno, it fractured¡ªas foreign visions flooded his brain. [System Reconstructing¡­ Critical Error Detected.] A sharp pain tore through his chest. He collapsed, clutching his ribs, his fingers digging into flesh that didn¡¯t feel like his own anymore. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. A whisper slithered into his mind. ¡°Embrace it.¡± Then¡ªpower. Raw, untamed, and intoxicating. His fingers twitched, arcs of crimson and electric-blue energy sparking at his fingertips. His reflection in a nearby puddle twisted¡ªhis irises glowed, his skin cracked with pulsing symbols. Was he¡­ still human? [Unknown Bloodline Detected. System Adjusting¡­] Before he could process it, the world blurred again. A presence stirred within his mind¡ªwatching. Waiting. And then, the system spoke again: [Warning: Anomaly Detected. You Are Not Alone.] Kieran¡¯s breath hitched. A shadow moved behind him. Chapter 3: The First Hunt Chapter 3: The First Hunt The hairs on Kieran¡¯s neck stood on end. He wasn¡¯t alone. He spun around, his body reacting faster than his mind. A dark figure emerged from the alley¡¯s depths¡ªits eyes gleaming like twin embers in the dim light. Its breathing was uneven, wet, like something struggling to contain itself. [Threat Detected: Mutant Class ¨C Rank F] His system message blinked before him, but Kieran had no time to process it. The creature lunged. Instinct took over. He barely sidestepped as claws slashed past his face, carving deep marks into the concrete wall behind him. Too fast. Too strong. He was no fighter¡ªjust a normal guy who had spent his life being weak.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. But something inside him refused to die here. His hands moved on their own. Energy surged, crackling along his fingertips. He clenched his fist¡ªblue and red arcs of power danced between his knuckles. The moment the creature lunged again, Kieran struck. A deafening crack echoed. His fist connected with the monster¡¯s ribcage. The impact sent a violent shockwave rippling through its body. For a second, the creature froze¡ªthen its chest burst open from within. A jagged line of red lightning crackled where Kieran had struck, burning through flesh and bone alike. It collapsed, twitching. Then¡ªnothing. Kieran stumbled backward, his breath ragged. His mind screamed at him. What the hell was that?! His hands still sparked with energy, but it no longer felt foreign. It felt¡­ natural. Then, the system chimed again. [First Kill Achieved. System Synchronization: 2%] Kieran¡¯s heart pounded. 2%? If this was just the beginning¡­ What would happen when he reached 100%? Chapter 4: Awakening The Predator Chapter 4: Awakening the Predator Kieran stood over the twitching corpse, his breath uneven. His body still crackled with unstable energy, but the rush of power was intoxicating. His fists clenched, the remnants of the red and blue lightning flickering away. He had killed something. Not in self-defense. Not by accident. He had reacted, attacked, and¡­ won. [System Synchronization: 2.4%] [First Combat Experience Gained. Instinct Calibration in Progress.] Kieran¡¯s fingers twitched. Instinct Calibration? If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Before he could process it, a new sensation surged through his nerves. His muscles tensed, his vision sharpened. The cold night air felt warmer, the sounds of the city clearer. Even the scent of burnt flesh from the mutant¡¯s corpse registered in his mind. It was as if his body had¡­ adjusted. [Adaptive Combat Reflexes Unlocked.] His breath hitched. The system wasn¡¯t just giving him power¡ªit was evolving him. Then, he felt it. A new presence. Stronger. Closer. Watching. He turned sharply. At the end of the alley, two figures stood in the shadows. One was a man in a sleek black coat, eyes sharp as knives. The other¡­ A woman. Tall, poised, her gaze unreadable. But Kieran felt it¡ªthe pressure she radiated was unlike anything before. The man smirked. ¡°Well, well. Looks like we found something interesting.¡± The woman tilted her head, analyzing him. ¡°No recorded Awakening. Yet he took down a mutant in one hit.¡± Kieran¡¯s heart pounded. Who were they? And more importantly¡­ Were they friend or foe? Chapter 5: Hunted Chapter 5: Hunted Kieran¡¯s muscles tensed. The two figures in the alley weren¡¯t ordinary people. They didn¡¯t move like civilians¡ªno hesitation, no wasted energy. The man¡¯s smirk was casual, but his stance was too relaxed, too measured. The woman¡¯s gaze, cold and assessing, sent a chill down Kieran¡¯s spine. They were hunters. ¡°Relax, kid,¡± the man said, stepping forward. ¡°We¡¯re not here to hurt you.¡± Liar. Kieran¡¯s body knew the truth before his mind did. His newly awakened instincts screamed at him. Every fiber of his being told him run. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The woman raised a device¡ªa sleek, black scanner with glowing blue lines. BEEP. Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Impossible.¡± ¡°What?¡± the man asked. ¡°No registration. No Awakening signature. And yet¡­¡± She glanced at the corpse behind Kieran. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be capable of that.¡± Kieran took a step back. His fingers twitched, energy crackling faintly. He didn¡¯t know who these people were, but if they were scanning him, it meant they worked for someone. And if the system had taught him anything, it was this¡ª He couldn¡¯t trust anyone. The man sighed, rubbing his temple. ¡°Great. Another anomaly. You know the rules¡ªHQ will want him contained.¡± Contained? No. Before they could react, Kieran turned¡ªand ran. ¡°Shit! He¡¯s bolting!¡± A split second later, the ground exploded behind him. The woman had moved¡ªfast. Faster than humanly possible. Kieran barely dodged, his body twisting unnaturally mid-air. His instincts took over, his movements no longer his own. He landed, barely keeping his balance, before sprinting into the maze of alleyways. His heart pounded. His lungs burned. But he didn¡¯t stop. Because for the first time in his life¡­ He was being hunted. Chapter 6: Predators Instinct Chapter 6: Predator¡¯s Instinct Kieran¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps as he sprinted through the darkened alleys. The city blurred past him, neon lights flickering overhead, casting long shadows. But no matter how fast he ran¡ª They were faster. A faint hum filled the air. A bullet? No¡ªsomething worse. BZZT! An arc of blue energy lashed toward him. Kieran twisted at the last second, the attack barely grazing his shoulder. A sharp sting coursed through his nerves, but he didn¡¯t stop. [Adaptive Reflexes Compensating¡­ Evasion Efficiency: +10%] Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Another shot¡ªcloser this time. They weren¡¯t just chasing him. They were testing him. Kieran¡¯s instincts screamed for him to do something¡ªanything¡ªbut what could he do? He had no training, no experience, nothing but the glitching system inside him. But then¡ªhis body reacted on its own. His foot slammed against the ground at an impossible angle, launching him sideways onto a fire escape. His hands grabbed the rusted metal, flipping him onto the railing in one fluid motion. The world slowed. He saw them¡ªhis pursuers. The woman moved with unnatural precision, her coat barely shifting as she walked. The man followed, smirking as if this were a game. ¡°You¡¯re adapting fast,¡± the man called out. ¡°That¡¯s good. Means HQ will want you alive.¡± Kieran¡¯s heartbeat spiked. Alive? No. Captured. And he wasn¡¯t about to let that happen. A new sensation uncoiled inside him. A raw, primal urge. It wasn¡¯t fear anymore¡ªit was something deeper. Hunt. The air around him pulsed. His fingers twitched¡ªenergy crackled along his veins. And in that moment, he realized something terrifying. He wasn¡¯t just running anymore. He was ready to fight. Chapter 7: The First Hunt Begins Chapter 7: The First Hunt Begins Kieran''s pulse pounded in his ears. The city lights flickered, casting long, jagged shadows against the walls. His hands clenched¡ªred and blue arcs of energy crackled at his fingertips. The system¡¯s text glitched, flickering erratically. [Synchronization: 5%] [Instinct Mode: Partially Unlocked] His pursuers had stopped moving. Watching. Calculating. "Look at that," the man muttered. "He''s already changing." The woman narrowed her eyes. "This isn''t normal. His power is... unstable." Kieran didn¡¯t care. He wasn¡¯t running anymore. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He leaped. Faster than he should have been able to. His muscles tensed¡ªhis body felt weightless. The man barely had time to react before Kieran''s fist shot forward, crackling with raw power. BOOM! The alley exploded in dust and debris as the shockwave from the impact sent the man skidding back. His smirk disappeared. Kieran landed, panting. His knuckles stung, but he barely registered the pain. He had attacked first. And it felt¡­ right. The woman didn¡¯t hesitate. She raised her hand¡ªno weapon, no hesitation, just pure confidence. Then¡ª A sudden force slammed into Kieran¡¯s chest. His vision blurred, and before he could react, he was airborne¡ªsent flying backward into a metal dumpster with a deafening crash. Pain exploded through his ribs. He groaned, trying to stand, but his body wasn''t listening. The woman lowered her hand. "You''re not ready." Kieran coughed, pushing himself up. His limbs trembled, his vision swam, but deep inside¡ª That primal hunger still burned. He gritted his teeth, his glowing eyes locking onto her. Not ready? Then he''d just have to become ready. No matter what it took. Chapter 8: The Taste of Defeat Chapter 8: The Taste of Defeat Kieran¡¯s muscles screamed in protest as he forced himself up. His instincts howled at him¡ªfight, survive, evolve. But his body¡­ wasn¡¯t ready. The woman didn¡¯t move, her cold gaze locked onto him. The man dusted off his coat, rolling his shoulders as if the previous blow was nothing. "Tough kid," the man chuckled. "But talent alone won¡¯t save you." Kieran clenched his fists. Move. Fight. Don¡¯t lose. The woman vanished. No¡ªshe moved too fast. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Before he could react, a devastating shockwave slammed into him, sending him crashing into the alley wall. His vision blurred. He gasped for breath, his ribs burning. The system flickered. [Warning: Critical Damage Detected.] [Auto-Repair in Progress¡­ Insufficient Synchronization.] His body was breaking down. Kieran gritted his teeth. Was this it? The woman stepped closer, her expression unreadable. ¡°Give up.¡± Give up? No. But before he could try again¡ª A gunshot rang out. The bullet wasn¡¯t aimed at him. The woman dodged, her body twisting as the bullet grazed her coat. The man cursed, eyes scanning the rooftops. "Interference?" A blur of movement. Someone was there¡ªanother figure, masked and armed. Kieran barely registered what was happening as a strong hand grabbed his arm. "Get up if you want to live." The voice was sharp, urgent. A new player. An ally? No time to think. Kieran pushed through the pain and ran. Tonight, he lost. But next time? He¡¯d make sure they were the ones running from him. Chapter 9: Shadows in the Dark Chapter 9: Shadows in the Dark Kieran''s breath was ragged as he stumbled forward, dragged by the unknown figure. His body screamed in protest, but he couldn''t stop now. Behind him, the woman and the man weren¡¯t chasing¡ªnot yet. They were assessing. Watching. The gunman who had interfered? Gone. ¡°Who¡ª¡± Kieran tried to speak, but his rescuer cut him off. ¡°Not now. Move.¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. His vision swam, but he followed. The alley twisted into darkness, a maze of forgotten paths between towering buildings. The sound of the city faded, swallowed by the night. Only when they reached a hidden space¡ªsome kind of abandoned underground passage¡ªdid the stranger release him. Kieran collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. His hands trembled, still crackling with residual energy. His rescuer stood in the shadows, features obscured by the dim lighting. He wasn¡¯t masked, but his face remained unreadable. Silence stretched. Then, finally¡ª ¡°You weren¡¯t supposed to survive that.¡± Kieran¡¯s blood ran cold. The stranger knew. Knew what he was. Knew what had happened to him. And Kieran had a feeling¡­ This wasn¡¯t a rescue. This was an evaluation. Chapter 10: The Stranger’s Gambit Chapter 10: The Stranger¡¯s Gambit Kieran sat against the cold concrete wall, his breath finally evening out. His entire body ached, but the adrenaline had worn off, leaving behind a deeper exhaustion. The stranger leaned against a rusted metal beam, arms crossed, watching him in silence. Kieran swallowed, forcing his voice steady. ¡°Who¡­ are you?¡± The man didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he pulled a small device from his pocket¡ªsleek, black, with a single blinking light. He pressed a button, and a low-frequency hum filled the air. ¡°A jammer,¡± the man finally spoke. ¡°They won¡¯t be able to track you here. For now.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Kieran narrowed his eyes. ¡°And why would you help me?¡± The stranger smirked, though there was no humor in it. ¡°Help? No. I¡¯m just¡­ observing.¡± A pause. Kieran clenched his fists. This guy knew something. ¡°The way you fought,¡± the man continued, tilting his head, ¡°it wasn¡¯t just an Awakening. No normal system user moves like that on day one. And that energy? It wasn¡¯t natural.¡± Kieran stiffened. He had noticed. ¡°Your system¡¯s broken, isn¡¯t it?¡± the man asked, his voice unreadable. ¡°Glitching. Unstable.¡± Kieran didn¡¯t respond. The man sighed. ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s what I thought.¡± The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words. Kieran¡¯s mind raced. Who was this guy? A rogue agent? A bounty hunter? Before he could ask, the stranger tossed something at him. A small, worn-out military ID tag. Kieran caught it, his eyes scanning the inscription. "Elias Vance. Former Taskforce Omega." Taskforce Omega. The same group that hunted unregistered Awakened. His heart pounded. He wasn¡¯t just dealing with a stranger. He was dealing with someone who once worked for the enemy. Chapter 11: Trial by Fire Chapter 11: Trial by Fire Kieran rolled the military ID between his fingers, his mind racing. Taskforce Omega. The name alone sent a chill down his spine. These were the same people who hunted unregistered Awakened like him. And Elias Vance had been one of them. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Kieran finally asked, his voice steadier than he felt. Elias smirked. ¡°That¡¯s the wrong question.¡± Before Kieran could react, Elias moved¡ªfast. His foot slammed into Kieran¡¯s chest, sending him sprawling across the cold concrete. Pain exploded through his ribs. What the hell?! Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Kieran barely had time to push himself up before Elias advanced again. This time, he didn¡¯t strike¡ªhe simply stood over Kieran, waiting. ¡°Fight back,¡± Elias said. Kieran gritted his teeth. His hands sparked with energy, but his body was sluggish, exhausted from the last fight. He wasn¡¯t ready. Elias tilted his head. ¡°If you hesitate, you die.¡± Then he vanished. Kieran barely registered the movement before a fist collided with his gut. Lightning-fast. Precise. Controlled. His vision blurred, his breath stolen from his lungs. He hit the ground hard. [System Synchronization: 5.7%] [Warning: Fatigue Levels Critical.] Elias crouched beside him. ¡°That hesitation? That¡¯s why you lost back there.¡± Kieran coughed, his entire body screaming in protest. What was this guy¡¯s deal? ¡°I don¡¯t care if your system is broken,¡± Elias continued. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think you are. Right now, you¡¯re weak. And weak people don¡¯t survive.¡± He stood up, stepping away. ¡°Get up, Kieran. Or stay down and die the next time someone comes for you.¡± Kieran¡¯s hands clenched against the rough pavement. His mind burned with frustration, but beneath it¡­ something else stirred. A cold, primal hunger. I¡¯m not weak. Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself up. Elias smiled. ¡°Good.¡± Chapter 12: Breaking Point Chapter 12: Breaking Point Pain spread through Kieran¡¯s ribs as he struggled to stand. His body protested, his muscles burned, but he refused to stay down. He couldn¡¯t. Elias watched him with a look Kieran couldn¡¯t place¡ªsomewhere between amusement and expectation. ¡°Not bad,¡± Elias muttered, crossing his arms. ¡°Most people would¡¯ve stayed down after that.¡± Kieran swallowed back the bitterness rising in his throat. His hands curled into fists. Most people weren¡¯t being hunted like an animal. The alley was silent, save for the faint hum of the city beyond the abandoned underground tunnel. It was cold, damp, and smelled of rust. This wasn¡¯t where he was supposed to be. A week ago, he was just some nobody. Now? Now he had a corrupted system, a body that didn¡¯t feel like his own, and a man who used to hunt people like him testing him like a lab experiment. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Kieran exhaled slowly. ¡°You keep saying I¡¯m weak,¡± he muttered. ¡°But if I¡¯m so worthless, why bother with me?¡± Elias¡¯s smirk faded slightly. ¡°There¡¯s potential in you,¡± he said. ¡°And I want to see how far you¡¯ll go before you break.¡± Kieran¡¯s stomach twisted at his tone. Not if. When. He looked away, his gaze landing on the ID tag Elias had tossed him earlier. Taskforce Omega. They weren¡¯t just bounty hunters or law enforcement. They were something worse. His fingers traced the metal. The name Elias Vance stared back at him. ¡°How did you get out?¡± Kieran asked, his voice quieter now. ¡°Taskforce Omega doesn¡¯t just¡­ let people leave.¡± Elias¡¯s expression darkened¡ªjust for a moment. Then, just as quickly, the smirk returned. ¡°You ask a lot of questions,¡± Elias said. ¡°Good. That means you¡¯re not an idiot.¡± Kieran¡¯s jaw clenched, frustration building. He was sick of being kept in the dark. ¡°You want answers?¡± Elias took a step closer, his voice lowering. ¡°Then survive long enough to find them.¡± Kieran met his gaze. Fine. If this was a game, he¡¯d play it. But he wouldn¡¯t just survive. He¡¯d win. Chapter 13: The Weight of Weakness Chapter 13: The Weight of Weakness Kieran sat in the dimly lit underground passage, his breath still unsteady. His ribs ached, his muscles felt like they had been torn apart, and yet¡­ he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Elias¡¯s words. "I want to see how far you¡¯ll go before you break." The worst part? Elias was right. He had been running, barely surviving, grasping at power he didn¡¯t understand. If that fight earlier had proven anything, it was that he wasn¡¯t ready. Not even close. Kieran¡¯s gaze drifted to his hands. They looked the same as always, but he could still feel the residual power pulsing beneath his skin¡ªred and blue arcs flickering at his fingertips. His system was unstable, glitching, but even in its broken state¡­ it had potential. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. But potential meant nothing if he was dead. Elias stood a few feet away, leaning against a rusted steel beam. The man¡¯s posture was casual, but Kieran had already noticed something unsettling¡ªElias was always in control. Every movement, every word, every glance felt calculated. Even now, he was watching Kieran, studying him. Kieran clenched his fists. ¡°What do you get out of this?¡± Elias smirked. ¡°Curiosity.¡± ¡°Curiosity?¡± Kieran narrowed his eyes. ¡°You beat the hell out of me just because you were curious?¡± Elias chuckled. ¡°Not exactly.¡± His expression shifted¡ªjust slightly, but enough that Kieran caught it. ¡°Let¡¯s just say¡­ your condition isn¡¯t the first of its kind.¡± Kieran¡¯s stomach twisted. He knew. The system flickered. [Warning: Core Instability Detected.] Kieran exhaled sharply. ¡°What am I?¡± Elias didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he turned toward the tunnel¡¯s exit. ¡°That¡¯s up to you to figure out.¡± Kieran gritted his teeth. Always cryptic. Always withholding. But now, something had changed. He wasn¡¯t just running anymore. He was going to find the truth. And if Elias wanted to test him? He¡¯d prove he wasn¡¯t someone to be toyed with. Chapter 14: The Breaking Point Chapter 14: The Breaking Point Kieran gritted his teeth, barely blocking Elias¡¯s next strike. His forearm ached from the impact, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Every movement hurt. Every block, every dodge¡ªit was like Elias was forcing his body to break just to see how far it could go. And Elias wasn¡¯t holding back. Another attack came¡ªfaster this time. Kieran¡¯s instincts screamed, and he twisted his body at the last second. Too slow. Elias¡¯s fist clipped his ribs, sending a sharp pain through his side. He staggered back, sweat dripping down his face. How was this even training?! Elias didn¡¯t let up. ¡°That hesitation¡¯s still there,¡± he said, stepping forward. ¡°You¡¯re reacting, but you¡¯re not committing. You think too much.¡± Kieran wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes burning with frustration. ¡°I¡¯d like to see you fight with a system that tries to kill you every five minutes.¡± Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Elias smirked. ¡°Excuses.¡± Kieran¡¯s fists clenched. Damn it. He was right. He couldn¡¯t rely on the system to save him. It wasn¡¯t just about power¡ªit was about instinct. Commitment. Elias lunged again. This time, Kieran didn¡¯t think. He moved. His body reacted on its own, twisting past the strike. His muscles burned, but his fist snapped forward¡ªfaster than before. Elias dodged, but just barely. His smirk widened. ¡°Now you¡¯re getting it.¡± Kieran barely had time to process the moment before¡ª BOOM. The ground shook. A shockwave tore through the underground space, dust and debris falling from the ceiling. Kieran¡¯s heart pounded. What the hell was that?! Elias¡¯s expression shifted, his smirk fading. He turned toward the tunnel entrance, eyes narrowing. ¡°That wasn¡¯t part of the plan.¡± Then¡ªa sound. Low. Guttural. Not human. Kieran¡¯s breath caught in his throat as a shadowed figure stepped through the smoke. Its body was **distorted**, its limbs too long, its eyes gleaming with an unnatural glow. The same glow Kieran had seen in himself. A system-induced mutant. And it was coming straight for them. Chapter 15: Trial by Blood

Chapter 15: Trial by Blood The mutant lunged. Kieran barely had time to react before its clawed hand sliced through the air, aimed straight for his throat. His instincts screamed¡ªMOVE. He twisted his body, dodging just in time. The mutant¡¯s claws shredded the concrete where he had been standing, sending chunks of rubble flying. Kieran''s heart pounded. This thing was fast. Too fast. A flickering system message flashed before his eyes. [Hostile Identified: Unstable Mutant ¨C Class E+] [Threat Level: High] He gritted his teeth. E+? He had no idea what the rankings meant yet, but judging by how fast it had almost taken his head off, he didn¡¯t like his chances. Behind him, Elias stood with his arms crossed, completely unconcerned. ¡°This is all you,¡± Elias said, leaning against the wall. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you actually learned something.¡± Kieran¡¯s stomach twisted. He was serious. He clenched his fists. Fine. The mutant attacked again, its body moving in jerky, unnatural motions. Kieran dodged¡ªjust barely. His muscles burned from exhaustion, but he refused to go down. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Then he saw an opening. The mutant¡¯s side was exposed, just for a second. Now! Kieran¡¯s fist shot forward, red and blue lightning crackling at his fingertips¡ª BOOM! His strike connected, sending the mutant skidding backward. Dust and debris kicked up from the impact. Kieran blinked. It worked? Then¡ªpain. The next thing he knew, his body was airborne. A blunt force slammed into his side, sending him crashing into the tunnel wall. The impact stole the air from his lungs. He gasped, trying to push himself up, but his limbs felt sluggish. The mutant loomed over him, its distorted face twisted into something almost human, yet not. A guttural growl echoed through the tunnel. Kieran¡¯s vision blurred. Damn it. He wasn¡¯t strong enough. The mutant raised its claws for the finishing blow¡ª Then, Elias moved. In a blink, he was there, one hand grabbing the mutant¡¯s arm mid-strike. The creature froze, its muscles twitching violently, as if it had just realized its mistake. Elias sighed. ¡°Pathetic.¡± And then¡ªhe crushed its arm with a single motion. The mutant screeched in agony, but before it could react, Elias drove his other hand straight through its chest. The air rippled with raw force as the creature convulsed¡ªthen collapsed, lifeless. Kieran lay there, gasping. His body hurt. His pride hurt more. Elias turned to him, shaking blood from his fingers. ¡°You hesitated again.¡± Kieran clenched his teeth. ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°Save the excuses.¡± Elias¡¯s gaze was sharp, unreadable. ¡°You¡¯ve got power, but you don¡¯t know how to use it. You¡¯ll die if you don¡¯t fix that.¡± Kieran¡¯s fists tightened against the ground. He had tried. He had landed a hit. But it wasn¡¯t enough. It was never enough. Elias watched him in silence for a moment, then turned away. ¡°Get up. We¡¯re not done yet.¡± Kieran swallowed the frustration burning in his throat. Not yet. But soon. One day, he¡¯d make sure Elias would never have to save him again. Chapter 16: The Road to Strength

Chapter 16: The Road to Strength Kieran¡¯s body ached with every movement. His ribs throbbed, his muscles burned, and his pride felt just as bruised as his skin. He had barely survived that fight, and only because Elias had stepped in. That stung the most. He sat on the cold concrete floor of their underground hideout, staring at his trembling hands. The power was there¡ªhe had felt it. But when it mattered, he hadn¡¯t been fast enough, strong enough, or ruthless enough. Across from him, Elias leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching. Studying. Finally, he spoke. ¡°You relied too much on your system.¡± A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Kieran tensed. ¡°It¡¯s my only advantage.¡± Elias scoffed. ¡°No. Your instincts are your advantage. The system is just a tool. And you¡¯re using it like a crutch.¡± Kieran¡¯s jaw clenched. He wanted to argue, but deep down, he knew Elias was right. The memory of the fight replayed in his head¡ªhis first strike had worked. But the moment he hesitated, the moment he expected the system to do the work for him, he got his ass kicked. Elias pushed off the wall, stepping forward. ¡°The next time you fight something stronger, I won¡¯t step in.¡± Kieran looked up sharply. ¡°So if I die, I die?¡± Elias smirked. ¡°That¡¯s how it works out there.¡± The words should have terrified him. But instead, something inside Kieran hardened. He wouldn¡¯t let that happen. Not again. He exhaled, pushing himself up despite the pain. ¡°Fine,¡± he said. ¡°Then train me properly.¡± Elias¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but something flickered in his eyes¡ªapproval, maybe. Then he cracked his knuckles. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s begin.¡± Chapter 17: Baptism by Fire

Chapter 17: Baptism by Fire Pain. Exhaustion. Frustration. Kieran gasped for breath as he hit the ground, his body screaming in protest. His knuckles were raw, his muscles felt like they were tearing apart, and sweat dripped down his face. Elias wasn¡¯t letting up. ¡°Again,¡± Elias ordered. Kieran forced himself up, his arms trembling. He lunged forward, aiming a strike at Elias¡¯s ribs. Too slow. Elias sidestepped, his fist driving into Kieran¡¯s gut. Hard. Kieran collapsed again, coughing. His mind screamed at him. Fucking hell. How was this supposed to make him stronger? He wasn¡¯t learning shit¡ªjust getting his ass kicked. ¡°You rely too much on the system,¡± Elias said. ¡°You wait for it to tell you what to do instead of trusting yourself.¡± Kieran wiped blood from his lip. ¡°And what? You want me to just¡­ figure it out?¡± Elias smirked. ¡°Exactly.¡± Kieran gritted his teeth. Fine. He lunged again. This time, he didn¡¯t just attack¡ªhe reacted. When Elias moved, Kieran adjusted, predicting his step. Instinct. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. For the first time, he dodged. Elias¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Better.¡± Then¡ªdarkness. A blindfold covered Kieran¡¯s eyes. ¡°What the hell¡ª?¡± Elias grabbed him by the collar and threw him. Kieran hit the ground hard. He groaned, forcing himself to his feet, but he couldn¡¯t see. The world was gone, swallowed in darkness. ¡°This is your next lesson,¡± Elias said. His voice echoed, making it impossible to pinpoint his location. ¡°Your eyes are a weakness. Rely on them, and you die.¡± A sharp whistle cut through the air. Incoming attack. Kieran moved on instinct, barely dodging before something slammed into the spot where he had been standing. His pulse pounded. Shit. The attacks kept coming. Kieran had to rely on sound, movement, the air shifting around him. Each dodge became smoother, more natural. Then, something changed. Kieran felt it¡ªa presence, a shift in the air. Elias was about to strike. Kieran moved before the attack came. He countered. His fist shot forward, aimed straight for Elias¡¯s ribs. Impact. Silence. Then¡ªa chuckle. Kieran¡¯s blindfold was ripped away. Elias was standing in front of him, rubbing his ribs. ¡°Not bad.¡± Kieran was panting, drenched in sweat, but he had done it. He had fought without sight. Without the system. Just instinct. For the first time since awakening, he felt something real. Progress. Elias stepped back. ¡°Good. Now let¡¯s see if you can survive for real.¡± Before Kieran could react, Elias shoved him¡ªstraight into a dark tunnel. The floor gave way beneath him. Kieran¡¯s heart lurched as he plummeted into the unknown. Chapter 18: Into the Abyss

Chapter 18: Into the Abyss Kieran hit the ground hard. Pain flared through his limbs, but he barely had time to react before the floor shifted beneath him. He rolled to the side just as a jagged stone spike shot up from the ground where he had landed. A trap. His heart pounded. Elias dropped me in here on purpose. The air was thick, damp, and wrong. He could barely see¡ªonly faint blue light from bioluminescent veins along the walls illuminated the underground cavern. This place was alive. A system message flickered. [Unknown Zone Detected: Subterranean Ruins] [Hazards Present: Unstable Terrain, Limited Visibility, Hostile Lifeforms] Hostile lifeforms? A deep, guttural clicking echoed through the tunnels. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Kieran¡¯s breath caught. The sound wasn¡¯t human. Slowly, he turned his head. A shape lurked in the darkness¡ªa humanoid figure, but wrong. Too tall, its limbs elongated, its movements unnatural. It clung to the cavern wall like an insect, its head twitching toward him. Kieran¡¯s instincts screamed. [Threat Identified: Abyss Lurker ¨C Class D] D-rank? That was stronger than the mutant he barely survived. The Lurker moved. Kieran reacted. He threw himself backward as clawed fingers slashed through the air, barely missing his throat. He hit the ground and rolled, pushing himself up. No hesitation. No relying on the system. Just instinct. The creature lunged again¡ªthis time, Kieran was ready. He dodged to the side, his body moving before he even thought. Then, without stopping, he countered¡ªhis fist lashed out, a surge of red and blue energy crackling around it. BOOM. His strike connected. The Lurker screeched, its chest caving inward from the force. It skidded backward, twitching violently. Kieran¡¯s breath was ragged, his hands still sparking. He had hurt it. For the first time, he had truly landed a decisive blow. But the Lurker¡­ was still moving. Kieran tensed. This wasn¡¯t over. And somewhere in the shadows, Elias watched. Chapter 19: The Cost of Victory

Chapter 19: The Cost of Victory The Abyss Lurker moved like a shadow, its twisted limbs stretching unnaturally as it lunged again. Kieran dodged, but too late. Clawed fingers ripped through his side, tearing into flesh. Pain exploded in his ribs. He staggered, blood dripping down his torso. Fuck. The creature didn¡¯t stop. It adapted, attacking with new angles, faster, more precise. Kieran gritted his teeth. Think. Don¡¯t react. Lead the fight. The Lurker lunged¡ªKieran didn¡¯t retreat. He stepped forward instead. The creature hesitated. That was its mistake. With a roar, Kieran drove his fist into its gut, energy crackling around his knuckles. The impact ripped through its body, sending it flying backward. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. But it still wasn¡¯t dead. Kieran¡¯s body screamed for rest. His vision blurred, his system flickering warnings. [Critical Energy Depletion. System Integrity Unstable.] No. Not now. The Lurker charged one last time. Kieran dropped his guard on purpose. At the last second, he sidestepped, letting its momentum carry it straight into a jagged stone spike. The impact pierced through its chest, its screech cutting off in a sickening gurgle. But Kieran wasn¡¯t done. He threw everything into one final punch¡ªred and blue lightning surged from his fists, shattering the Lurker¡¯s skull in a burst of raw force. The cavern shook. Kieran stumbled back, barely standing. His body felt like lead, his arms numb, blood still trickling from his side. He had won. Then, the ground trembled. The cavern walls cracked, chunks of rock tumbling from above. Shit¡ªcollapsing. Kieran turned toward the exit¡ªElias stood there, watching. Not moving. Not helping. Watching. Kieran grit his teeth. If he wanted me to prove myself¡ªfine. He forced his body forward, step by agonizing step, ignoring the pain, the exhaustion, the instinct to collapse. The tunnel entrance neared. A massive rock broke free above him. Kieran lunged¡ª Darkness. Chapter 20: The Hunt Never Ends

Chapter 20: The Hunt Never Ends Pain was the first thing Kieran registered. A deep, bone-deep ache that pulsed through his entire body. His ribs throbbed, his left arm refused to move, and the metallic taste of blood lingered on his tongue. He blinked. His vision swam, the world unfocused. Where was he? The last thing he remembered¡ªthe Lurker. The collapsing cavern. Then¡­ nothing. A shadow loomed over him. ¡°You took your time.¡± Kieran groaned. Elias. Of course. The bastard was standing over him, arms crossed, watching like he was waiting to see if Kieran would drop dead. ¡°Where¡­¡± Kieran¡¯s voice came out hoarse. ¡°Where are we?¡± Elias nudged a small vial toward him with his boot. ¡°Safehouse. For now. Drink.¡± Kieran struggled to push himself up, every muscle screaming in protest. His system flickered warnings: This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. [Energy Reserves: 3%] [Critical Injuries Detected: Fractured Arm, Internal Bleeding, System Malfunction.] Fucking fantastic. He grabbed the vial with his good hand and downed it. The bitter liquid burned down his throat, warmth spreading through his chest as the pain dulled¡ªnot gone, but manageable. Elias studied him for a long moment before finally speaking. ¡°You killed the Lurker.¡± Kieran exhaled sharply. ¡°Yeah. I noticed.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not dead.¡± Kieran glared at him. ¡°Brilliant observation.¡± Elias smirked, but there was something else in his expression. Something calculating. Kieran ignored the unease curling in his gut. ¡°Why did you drop me down there?¡± ¡°To see if you¡¯d live.¡± Elias leaned back against the wall. ¡°Looks like you did.¡± Kieran clenched his jaw. Always cryptic. Always vague. ¡°And if I hadn¡¯t?¡± Elias shrugged. ¡°Then you wouldn¡¯t have been worth saving.¡± Kieran¡¯s fists tightened. Bastard. But before he could fire back, Elias¡¯s expression shifted¡ªjust slightly, but enough for Kieran to notice. ¡°There¡¯s something else,¡± Kieran said, narrowing his eyes. ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me?¡± Elias was silent for a long moment. Then, finally¡ª ¡°That Lurker wasn¡¯t alone.¡± Kieran¡¯s stomach twisted. What? Elias¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°And its pack hunts.¡± A distant, echoing click rang out in the tunnels beyond the safehouse. More were coming. And Kieran was in no shape to fight. Chapter 21: The Gauntlet Begins

Chapter 21: The Gauntlet Begins The sound came again¡ªcloser this time. A sharp, clicking scrape echoing through the tunnels, followed by the unmistakable rustle of movement. Multiple movements. Kieran¡¯s breath hitched. Shit. His body was still wrecked, his system barely holding together. If another Lurker showed up¡ªlet alone a pack¡ªhe was done for. ¡°We need to move,¡± he muttered, forcing himself upright. His limbs screamed in protest, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through. ¡°Where¡¯s the exit?¡± Elias didn¡¯t move. Kieran¡¯s brow furrowed. Why wasn¡¯t he moving? Elias finally spoke, voice maddeningly calm. ¡°You¡¯re going to lead us out.¡± Kieran blinked. ¡°What?¡± Elias motioned toward the tunnel ahead. ¡°You heard me. Find the way out.¡± Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! For a moment, Kieran thought he¡¯d misheard. His ribs ached, his arm was useless, his energy reserves were nearly depleted¡ª and Elias wanted him to take point? ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± Kieran said. ¡°I can barely stand.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the point.¡± Elias¡¯s eyes glinted. Cold. Calculating. ¡°You don¡¯t get to wait until you¡¯re ready. Out there, you survive or you die.¡± Kieran clenched his jaw. He¡¯s testing me. Again. The sounds in the tunnels grew louder¡ªfaster. The pack was closing in. No choice. Kieran sucked in a sharp breath and turned toward the tunnels. His mind raced. Think. He didn¡¯t have time to stumble blindly. He needed a plan. The cavern had collapsed behind them, meaning there was only one path forward. Tunnels. Some leading deeper into the Abyss, others leading¡ª There. A faint gust of fresh air from one of the side tunnels. It wasn¡¯t much, but it meant an opening. A way out. ¡°This way,¡± Kieran said, setting off at a limping run. Elias followed without a word. The tunnel twisted and turned, narrowing at points, opening into small alcoves at others. The air grew colder, the scent of damp stone filling Kieran¡¯s lungs. His vision blurred at the edges, exhaustion clawing at his mind, but he kept moving. Behind them, the chittering grew sharper. Then¡ªa scream. Not human. A Lurker¡¯s death cry. Kieran¡¯s stomach twisted. Something else was hunting. And they were heading straight toward it. Chapter 22: Apex of the Abyss

Chapter 22: Apex of the Abyss Pain flared through Kieran¡¯s ribs with every step, his breath ragged as he followed Elias through the endless tunnels. His left arm hung useless, and his system¡¯s energy reserves were dangerously low. But stopping wasn¡¯t an option. The Lurker pack was still behind them, their guttural hisses echoing through the cavern walls. Then¡ªsilence. Kieran slowed, blinking through the haze of exhaustion. The Lurkers had stopped. Their eyes gleamed from the shadows, bodies tensed, but they didn¡¯t advance. Instead, they backed away. A deep, primal dread slithered down Kieran¡¯s spine. "Why aren¡¯t they chasing?" Elias didn¡¯t answer. His gaze was fixed ahead, body still as a statue. Then Kieran heard it¡ªa low, resonant clicking. It came from the darkness ahead, rhythmic and calculated, like something listening. The air turned heavy. The Lurkers let out rattling shrieks before scattering, vanishing into the tunnels like cockroaches fleeing the light. "What the hell is down here?" Kieran swallowed, his pulse hammering. The clicking stopped. Then, movement. From the abyss ahead, a shape unfolded. At first, Kieran thought it was part of the cavern¡ªa twisted pillar of stone¡ªbut then it shifted, revealing glowing slits of violet light embedded in a sleek, chitinous body. The creature blended into the environment, its body shimmering as it emerged from the darkness like a living shadow. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Kieran¡¯s stomach turned. The Apex Predator of the Abyss. Elias exhaled slowly. "Took it long enough to show itself." The monster moved faster than Kieran could blink. A blur of obsidian armor and serrated limbs lunged at them, the cavern shuddering beneath its weight. Kieran barely had time to throw himself aside before a jagged claw slammed into the ground where he¡¯d stood. The impact sent cracks splintering through the stone. Kieran hit the ground hard, pain screaming through his broken ribs. He struggled to push himself up, but his body refused to cooperate. "I can¡¯t fight that thing." Elias, however, was unmoved. He stepped forward, rolling his shoulders, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. Excitement? Anticipation? "This bastard¡­ he¡¯s not even worried." The Apex Predator clicked again, its glowing eyes locking onto Elias. Testing him. Then Elias vanished. Kieran¡¯s breath hitched. No sound. No blur of movement. Just¡­ gone. The Predator reared back in confusion¡ªand then a shockwave detonated against its side. Elias reappeared mid-air, fist buried in the creature¡¯s exoskeleton. A deep crack rang through the cavern. The Predator screeched¡ªa sound so sharp Kieran¡¯s skull vibrated. Then it lashed out, its massive limb swinging like a guillotine¡ªonly to hit nothing. Elias was already somewhere else. "Holy shit." Kieran could only watch, barely breathing, as Elias danced through the monster¡¯s attacks, his movements so precise it was like he already knew what the creature would do. For the first time since arriving in the Abyss, Kieran realized something terrifying. Elias wasn¡¯t just strong. He was on an entirely different level. And worse? This was him holding back. Chapter 23: The Abyss’s Rule

Chapter 23: The Abyss¡¯s Rule The air crackled with tension. Kieran forced himself upright, every breath sending knives through his ribs. His system still flickered with damage reports, but his focus stayed on the battle before him. Elias moved like a shadow, weaving through the Apex Predator¡¯s monstrous strikes. Claws that could shear stone barely grazed his coat. He wasn¡¯t just dodging¡ªhe was toying with it. The creature roared, its massive form twisting unnaturally. Then it changed. Its sinewy muscles bulged, skin shifting like liquid shadow. Its maw widened, and its tail, once thick and club-like, split into razor-edged tendrils. It had adapted mid-fight. Kieran¡¯s blood turned cold. It¡¯s learning¡­ Elias stilled, his golden eyes narrowing. ¡°Interesting.¡± The Predator lunged, its speed doubling. Elias was no longer untouchable. A claw tore through the air, forcing him back. The creature struck again, its tendrils whipping out. This time, Elias barely avoided them. Kieran clenched his fists. Even he¡¯s struggling now¡­? Then his gaze shifted¡ªpast the combat. Something moved in the shadows. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. A second presence. Lurking. Waiting. Kieran¡¯s instincts screamed. Without thinking, he pushed himself forward, ignoring his body¡¯s protests. The second creature pounced from the darkness, a blur of teeth and hunger¡ªstraight for Elias¡¯s blind spot. Kieran didn¡¯t think. He acted. He grabbed a jagged stone and hurled it with all his might. It wasn¡¯t precise. It wasn¡¯t strong. But it was enough. The rock struck the ambusher¡¯s eye, making it shriek and misstep. Elias vanished¡ªand reappeared behind it. With a single motion, his knife tore through its skull. The creature collapsed. Silent. Elias exhaled, gaze flicking to Kieran. A glint of something¡ªapproval? Amusement?¡ªflashed before vanishing. Then, with terrifying ease, he turned back to the Apex Predator and ended it. A single slash. A soundless moment. Then its massive form crumbled, lifeless. The cavern stilled. Kieran¡¯s legs wobbled, exhaustion swallowing him whole. Elias approached, sheathing his blade. He crouched, looking Kieran over. Not with concern. With evaluation. ¡°Not bad,¡± he muttered. ¡°You noticed.¡± Kieran coughed. ¡°Yeah. No thanks to you.¡± Elias smirked. ¡°You¡¯re learning.¡± Then his expression darkened. ¡°But tell me, Kieran¡ªwhat did you learn?¡± Kieran hesitated. His mind replayed the battle¡ªthe Predator¡¯s adaptation, the hidden ambusher, Elias¡¯s ruthless efficiency. What was the lesson? His throat felt dry. He answered. Elias listened. Then, without warning¡ªhe struck. Kieran barely caught the motion before pain exploded across his chest. He crashed to the ground, gasping. ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± Elias said coolly. ¡°Learn faster.¡± Kieran groaned, but his mind spun, searching¡ªwhat had he missed? But before he could ask, a distant howl echoed through the tunnels. Not a beast. Not a predator. Something worse. Elias stood, cracking his neck. ¡°We need to move.¡± Kieran gritted his teeth and forced himself up. No time for pain. Because in the Abyss, the real hunt had just begun. Chapter 24: The Hunt Begins Chapter 24: The Hunt Begins The howl wasn¡¯t just a call¡ªit was a command. A signal that sent a shiver through the cavern¡¯s dead air. Kieran tensed, pressing his back against the jagged rock wall. His body still ached from their escape, but instinct told him that stopping now meant death. Across from him, Elias didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t react, just watched the darkness ahead with quiet certainty. Another howl answered the first, this time closer. The echoes made it impossible to tell where it came from, but Kieran¡¯s gut told him one thing. They weren¡¯t alone. He swallowed hard. ¡°They¡¯re¡­ organized.¡± Elias finally turned, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. ¡°Worse. They¡¯re hungry. And you¡¯re bleeding.¡± Kieran glanced down. Blood seeped through his sleeve, dripping onto the cavern floor. His fight with the Apex Predator had left its mark, and now the scent of it was a beacon. A flicker of movement caught his eye. The shadows weren¡¯t just shifting¡ªthey were watching. Figures emerged from the darkness, tall and armored in chitinous plates that shimmered under the faint light. Their limbs were unnaturally long, their fingers tipped with black claws. But it wasn¡¯t their appearance that sent a cold spike through Kieran¡¯s chest. It was their eyes. Cold. Intelligent. Calculating. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! They weren¡¯t beasts. One stepped forward, its gaze locked on Elias. Then, in a voice that rasped like grinding stone, it spoke. ¡°Traitor.¡± Kieran¡¯s breath caught. He barely had time to process the word before Elias exhaled a slow, amused chuckle. ¡°Took you long enough to find me.¡± The pack didn¡¯t hesitate. They attacked in unison, their movements seamless, efficient. Kieran barely had time to dodge before claws raked the stone where he¡¯d stood a heartbeat ago. He stumbled back, instincts flaring. Think. Don¡¯t react¡ªcontrol. Elias¡¯s words echoed in his mind. Kieran¡¯s pulse pounded as he scanned the battlefield. The cavern was unstable, the ceiling fractured from their earlier escape. An idea clicked. He had to stop reacting. He had to set the stage. Gritting his teeth, he bolted¡ªnot away, but toward the weakest point in the rock formation. The hunters followed. Exactly as he¡¯d hoped. With a sharp inhale, Kieran let his energy flare, ignoring the system¡¯s flickering warnings. He leaped onto a ledge, then kicked off with all his strength, slamming his full weight into the cracked pillar of stone. The impact sent a deep, shuddering crack through the cavern. A heartbeat later, the ceiling gave way. Dust and debris rained down, cutting off the hunters mid-lunge. Some scrambled back, barely avoiding being crushed beneath the collapse. Others weren¡¯t so lucky. Kieran landed hard, his breath ragged. His limbs screamed in protest, but he pushed himself up, turning toward Elias. For the first time, Elias gave him something close to approval. ¡°Finally,¡± he murmured. ¡°You¡¯re thinking like a predator.¡± But the fight wasn¡¯t over. Through the dust, one hunter still stood, injured but alive. It limped toward Kieran, its glowing eyes locked onto him. Kieran raised his fists, preparing for another round. But the hunter¡­ hesitated. Its head tilted slightly, its breath ragged. And then, in a voice barely more than a whisper, it spoke. ¡°Mercy¡­ like you¡­ wanted once.¡± Kieran¡¯s blood ran cold. His fingers clenched. His instincts screamed at him to finish the job. To end the threat. But staring at the creature, he saw something else¡ªsomething human buried beneath the monstrous form. Behind him, Elias¡¯s voice was calm, almost bored. ¡°Kill it.¡± Kieran didn¡¯t move. And for the first time since entering the Abyss, he wondered if he was truly ready to become what Elias wanted him to be. Chapter 25: A Predator’s Choice

Chapter 25: A Predator¡¯s Choice Kieran¡¯s breath came shallow and quick. The injured hunter lay at his feet, its glowing eyes flickering with something wrong. Not just fear¡ªrecognition. ¡°Mercy¡­¡± it rasped again. ¡°Like you¡­ wanted once.¡± Kieran¡¯s fingers twitched. His instincts screamed at him to end it. But the creature wasn¡¯t attacking. It was¡­ pleading. Behind him, Elias exhaled impatiently. ¡°Kill it.¡± Kieran turned slightly, just enough to see Elias¡¯s unreadable gaze. ¡°It¡¯s not a mindless beast,¡± he argued, his voice hoarse. ¡°It¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªwouldn¡¯t hesitate if you were the one on the ground,¡± Elias cut in, stepping forward. His blade gleamed under the cavern¡¯s dim light. ¡°Spare it, and you teach it weakness. Worse, you teach yourself weakness.¡± The hunter twitched, its breathing shallow. It didn¡¯t run. It didn¡¯t attack. It simply watched. Kieran clenched his teeth. His hands curled into fists. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He couldn¡¯t do it. Elias sighed. ¡°Tch.¡± The next second, he moved. Steel flashed. Kieran reacted before he even thought¡ªhis body shifting between Elias and the wounded creature. CLANG! Sparks flew as Kieran¡¯s blade met Elias¡¯s. For a long moment, neither spoke. Then, Elias smiled. It wasn¡¯t amusement. It wasn¡¯t approval. It was something darker. ¡°You¡¯re not ready,¡± he murmured. Before Kieran could process those words, Elias moved again¡ªfast. A sharp twist, a flick of his wrist¡ª Pain exploded in Kieran¡¯s arm. His blade flew from his grip, clattering against the stone. Then, with a single, effortless strike¡ª SHINK. The hunter¡¯s body hit the ground. Lifeless. Kieran staggered, his mind blank. He barely registered Elias stepping past him, yanking his blade free. ¡°You hesitated.¡± Elias flicked the blood off his sword. ¡°And in the Abyss, hesitation gets you killed.¡± Kieran clenched his fists. His heart pounded¡ªanger, frustration, something deeper twisting in his chest. Elias sheathed his weapon. ¡°This wasn¡¯t a lesson about mercy.¡± He turned, eyes cold. ¡°It was a lesson about control.¡± Then he started walking. Kieran stayed rooted in place. His breath was uneven. His fingers still tingled where they had gripped his blade. The hunter¡¯s body lay still. The choice had been taken from him. And yet¡­ he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he¡¯d lost something tonight. Something important. But he didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it. Because, in the distance, another howl echoed. Deeper. Louder. And this time, it wasn¡¯t a warning. It was a hunt. Chapter 26: The Hunt Begins

Chapter 26: The Hunt Begins The howl reverberated through the cavern, shaking dust loose from the jagged ceiling. Kieran¡¯s pulse quickened. This one wasn¡¯t like before¡ªthere was no hesitation, no delay. It was a signal. Elias didn¡¯t stop walking. ¡°Move.¡± Kieran¡¯s body screamed at him to follow, but his mind still lingered on what had just happened. His grip tightened. He wanted to say something, to demand answers, but the ground trembled beneath his feet. Then the shadows moved. Figures emerged from the darkness¡ªtall, lean, their glowing eyes locking onto them. Kieran barely had time to register them before they attacked. A spear of bone shot toward him. His body reacted on instinct, rolling to the side just as the projectile buried itself into the rock. A second followed¡ªfaster¡ªbut he managed to twist out of the way. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. The enemies didn¡¯t hesitate. They moved with purpose, surrounding him and Elias with coordinated precision. Not wild beasts. Hunters. One of them tilted its head. ¡°The traitor,¡± it rasped in a language Kieran¡¯s system barely translated. Elias didn¡¯t even spare it a glance. ¡°Took you long enough.¡± Then, with a single step forward, he vanished. Kieran barely processed what happened next. One second, Elias stood beside him. The next, blood sprayed into the air, and a hunter¡¯s body collapsed in two clean halves. The rest attacked instantly. Kieran moved, pushing his exhaustion to the back of his mind. He parried a claw strike, dodged another, then swung¡ªhis blade cutting deep into one of the creatures. It screeched, but the sound was quickly drowned out by another howl. Kieran didn¡¯t need a translation. More were coming. Elias reappeared beside him, his sword dripping. ¡°This isn¡¯t a fight we win,¡± he muttered. ¡°We need to go.¡± Kieran barely dodged a strike. ¡°And go where?¡± Elias¡¯s eyes flicked toward a tunnel¡ªa narrow passage barely wide enough for a single person at a time. ¡°That way. We bottleneck them, then break through.¡± Kieran didn¡¯t like it. But he didn¡¯t have a choice. Another spear shot toward him¡ªhe deflected it, then sprinted. Elias followed, cutting down another hunter as they raced toward the passage. The howls grew louder. The hunt had begun. And this time, they were the prey. Chapter 27: Bottleneck

Chapter 27: Bottleneck Kieran¡¯s breath came fast and sharp as he sprinted toward the narrow passage. Behind him, the howls grew closer¡ªhunters closing in, their heavy footfalls echoing through the cavern. The tunnel was barely wide enough for one person at a time. Good. That meant the hunters couldn¡¯t swarm them all at once. Elias reached it first, pivoting on his heel to face their pursuers. His sword gleamed under the faint glow of the cave, dripping with dark blood. Kieran skidded to a stop beside him. His muscles burned, but he forced himself to lift his weapon. "How many do you think there are?" Elias didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he flicked a finger toward the darkness. "You cover the left. Kill anything that gets through." No hesitation. No reassurance. Just orders. Kieran swallowed his frustration. There was no time to argue. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Then the hunters arrived. The first one lunged through the tunnel opening¡ªtoo fast. Kieran barely managed to twist his body, avoiding its claws by inches. He slashed upward, his blade cutting through flesh. Not deep enough. It shrieked and swung again. He ducked, then drove his sword through its throat. The creature collapsed. Kieran barely had time to catch his breath before another one took its place. Elias moved like a storm beside him. Every step, every strike, was precise¡ªone cut, one kill. He never wasted movement. Kieran tried to mimic him. Read the attacks. React. Counter. But he was slower. Sloppier. His next opponent nearly gutted him for it. A claw slashed across his ribs. Pain burned through his side. Kieran grit his teeth, pushing forward and slamming his blade into the hunter¡¯s chest. Another kill. But he was bleeding now. And the hunters weren¡¯t stopping. Elias grabbed his collar and yanked him backward just as a spear whistled past his face, embedding itself into the rock. "Stay sharp," Elias muttered. Kieran shoved him off. "I am." Elias¡¯s gaze flickered to his bleeding side. "Then prove it." Kieran scowled, but there was no time to argue. Another hunter charged in. He met it head-on. The battle raged on, bodies piling at their feet. But Kieran knew one thing for certain. If they didn¡¯t find a way out soon¡ª They were going to die here. Chapter 28: Predator’s Instinct

Chapter 28: Predator¡¯s Instinct Kieran¡¯s grip tightened around his weapon, his knuckles white. His breath came in ragged gasps, but the hunters weren¡¯t slowing down. For every one they cut down, two more emerged from the darkness. Elias, as always, fought with the same ruthless efficiency¡ªeach strike clean, each movement purposeful. Meanwhile, Kieran felt himself slipping. His wounds throbbed. His muscles screamed. I can¡¯t keep up like this. Then he saw it. The hunters weren¡¯t attacking randomly. Their movements were coordinated. They were driving Kieran and Elias backward¡ªtoward a dead end. His heart pounded. "Elias, they¡¯re herding us!" Elias didn¡¯t even glance back. "I know." Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Kieran¡¯s blood ran cold. Then why hadn¡¯t he said anything? The moment¡¯s distraction cost him. A hunter lunged, its claws glinting. Kieran barely dodged, but it snagged his injured side. Pain exploded through his ribs. He staggered, gritting his teeth as warm blood soaked his clothes. The hunter smelled it. It let out a low, guttural growl, baring jagged teeth. The others reacted immediately. They were no longer looking at Elias. They were focused on him. Kieran was the weakest link. And now, they knew it. A chill ran down his spine. Think. Adapt. What would Elias do? Then it clicked. The hunters were hunting him. So he had to stop acting like prey. Kieran shifted his stance. He forced himself to ignore the pain, to stop retreating¡ªand attack first. When the next hunter lunged, he didn¡¯t dodge. He stepped forward. His blade buried deep into its chest before it could react. For the first time, hesitation flickered in the hunters¡¯ eyes. Elias smirked. "Now you¡¯re getting it." Kieran exhaled sharply. His body still ached, but something inside him had changed. The hunters had forced him into a corner. Now, it was his turn. He tightened his grip and raised his blade. "Come on, then," he muttered. "Let¡¯s see who the real predator is." Chapter 29: Turning the Hunt

Chapter 29: Turning the Hunt The hunters circled, their glowing eyes narrowing as Kieran held his ground. The shift in his stance hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed. They had been chasing prey. Now, they were facing a predator. A low, guttural command rumbled from the largest of them. Instantly, the pack spread out, their movements precise. Testing him. Kieran didn¡¯t wait. He surged forward, blade slashing through the darkness. His target recoiled, but he didn¡¯t stop¡ªhe followed through with a brutal kick, shattering its balance. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The moment it staggered, he finished it. A clean strike. Efficient. Just like Elias. The pack hesitated. Kieran could feel it¡ªtheir confusion, their recalculating tactics. And then¡ªthey adapted. Two moved in from the sides, while a third lunged from above. A perfectly timed trap. Knew it. Kieran spun low, ducking the aerial attack while slamming his blade upward. Blood sprayed as the ambusher collapsed. But the other two were already closing in. Before he could react, Elias was there. A single flick of his wrist¡ªtwo heads hit the ground. Elias didn¡¯t even look at Kieran. "Took you long enough." Kieran exhaled sharply, but there was no time to argue. The remaining hunters snarled, realizing their pack was falling apart. "Finish this," Elias said, stepping back. "Or they¡¯ll just come back stronger." Kieran didn¡¯t hesitate. His body burned. His lungs ached. But he had learned one thing tonight¡ª Predators didn¡¯t stop until the hunt was over. He charged. Chapter 30: No Rest for the Wicked

Chapter 30: No Rest for the Wicked The last hunter fell, its body hitting the ground with a dull thud. The air was thick with the scent of blood and burning energy. Kieran barely remained standing, his body screaming in protest. Yet, the fight wasn¡¯t over. His instincts prickled¡ªa warning. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. He turned just as something massive moved in the shadows. A presence far more dangerous than the pack. Elias, standing a few feet away, tilted his head. ¡°Hmph. Looks like you killed the underlings.¡± His eyes flickered to the darkness ahead. ¡°Now, let¡¯s see if you can handle their master.¡± The ground trembled. A heavy, guttural breath echoed through the cavern. Then¡ªglowing red eyes snapped open, staring directly at Kieran. The real Apex had arrived. And it wasn¡¯t pleased. Hiatus Notice Hiatus Announcement: Shadowborn: The Glitched System Hey everyone, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your support and interest in Shadowborn: The Glitched System! Writing this story has been an incredible journey, and I truly appreciate each and every reader who has joined me so far. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. That said, I¡¯ll be taking a short break from updates. This isn¡¯t the end¡ªjust a temporary pause to recharge, refine the story, and ensure the next chapters are as engaging as possible. I¡¯ll be back soon with more twists, glitches, and surprises! Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience. See you all soon! ¡ª No Headphone Gamerz Chapter 31: Apex Ascending

Chapter 31: Apex Ascending The cavern darkened further as the massive form stepped into the flickering light. Kieran instinctively backed up, his battered body already struggling to stay upright. The creature was at least three meters tall¡ªhunched, sinewy, plated in natural armor that pulsed faintly with Abyssal energy. Two burning eyes fixed on him with animalistic hatred. But there was something more behind them. Intelligence. Kieran¡¯s system flared.
[Warning: Unknown Apex-class lifeform detected.] [Tactical scan... failed.] [Initiating Emergency Survival Protocol.] This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
¡°Not good,¡± Kieran muttered, sweat dripping down his temple. Elias didn¡¯t move. ¡°Adapt or die.¡± With a roar, the Apex lunged. Kieran rolled¡ªbarely. Pain lit up his ribs, his arm almost gave out. But he moved, dodging another crushing blow that cracked the stone beneath him. I can¡¯t win like this. Not head-on. His eyes flicked around the cavern. Narrow ledges. Weak rock formations. A half-buried column. Think. Like a predator. The Apex charged again. Kieran darted toward a slope of unstable stone and leapt, using momentum to lure the creature beneath the weakened archway. As the beast roared and followed, Kieran slammed his foot down on the last support. The rock fell. Dust erupted as the apex was buried beneath the collapse. Kieran collapsed too, gasping. But the silence didn¡¯t last. From the rubble, a growl rose. Elias sighed. ¡°Well¡­ you bought yourself ten seconds. Use them wisely.¡± Chapter 32: Borrowed Time

Chapter 32: Borrowed Time The rubble exploded outward. Kieran threw his arms up as jagged stone fragments tore through the air. A slab clipped his shoulder¡ªhe grunted, stumbling back as the Apex emerged, bloodied but furious. Dust swirled around it like a storm cloud, casting its silhouette in monstrous shadow.
[System Alert: Severe energy depletion. Combat efficiency reduced by 43%.] [Recommendation: Flee or disable target via environmental manipulation.]
Kieran gritted his teeth. Running¡¯s not an option. Not anymore. He glanced toward Elias, who stood calmly with arms crossed. Watching. Measuring. Kieran barked, ¡°You¡¯re really not gonna help?¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Elias tilted his head. ¡°You already know the answer.¡± The Apex charged again¡ªfaster this time. Kieran dove toward a side tunnel, baiting it into a tighter space. The creature followed, claws scraping sparks from the walls. Every step sent vibrations through the floor. Ahead, he saw it¡ªa dangling stalactite above a narrow bottleneck. Kieran skidded to a stop, flung a shard of debris with what little energy he had left. The shard struck the stalactite¡¯s base. It cracked. The Apex lunged right into the trap. CRASH! The ceiling collapsed, burying the beast once more¡ªthis time with more force. Kieran dropped to one knee, coughing, panting. He expected Elias¡¯s voice. Instead, silence. Then¡ªclapping. From the darkness beyond the tunnel, a new figure stepped forward. Slim. Clad in Abyssal armor. A twisted smile on his lips. ¡°Impressive,¡± the man said. ¡°Didn¡¯t think Elias¡¯s little experiment would last this long.¡± Kieran¡¯s heart dropped. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± Behind him, Elias¡¯s tone darkened. ¡°Problem.¡± The man grinned wider. ¡°Name¡¯s Silas. And I¡¯m here to collect what you stole.¡± Chapter 33: The Collector

Chapter 33: The Collector The air dropped ten degrees as Silas stepped forward, his presence heavier than any Apex. The dim bioluminescent glow from the walls flickered, casting long shadows across his Abyssal armor¡ªetched with pulsing crimson lines that looked disturbingly organic. Kieran took a shaky step back. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®what I stole¡¯?¡± Silas¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°That lovely little system in your body. It doesn¡¯t belong to you. It was meant for something¡­ purer.¡± His gaze shifted briefly to Elias. ¡°Something more controlled.¡± Elias didn¡¯t blink. ¡°You¡¯re not authorized to be here.¡± Silas smirked. ¡°Neither were you, old friend.¡± Kieran looked between them. ¡°You know him?¡± Elias¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°He was a scientist. Before the Abyss made him something else.¡± Silas laughed. ¡°Flattering. But I prefer ¡®collector.¡¯ I retrieve runaway assets. Like you, Kieran.¡± Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. The pressure in the chamber intensified. Kieran¡¯s system flared.
[Unknown presence detected.] [WARNING: High-level anomaly. Combat not recommended.] [Initiating passive scan¡­]
Silas raised a hand, and the scan froze.
[Scan interrupted. Access denied.]
¡°See,¡± Silas said, voice silky, ¡°that system was designed for something greater. A synthetic god. Not a confused boy playing survival games.¡± Kieran clenched his fists. ¡°You want to take it from me?¡± Silas¡¯s grin turned vicious. ¡°Oh no. I¡¯m here to shut it down.¡± He flicked his wrist¡ªand Kieran¡¯s body locked up, muscles seizing as the system screamed.
[Critical Error: External override detected.] [Emergency defense protocol: Partial reboot.]
Kieran dropped to one knee, coughing blood. Elias finally moved. In a flash, he was between them, blade drawn¡ªa weapon unlike any Kieran had seen, humming with fractured light. ¡°You¡¯re not touching him.¡± Silas¡¯s expression dropped. ¡°You¡¯d draw that thing for him? How disappointing.¡± Elias¡¯s voice was low and lethal. ¡°Touch him again, and I¡¯ll remind you why they buried the last Collector under three miles of obsidian.¡± The air snapped. Kieran, still struggling to stand, watched as the two titans stared each other down. This wasn¡¯t a lesson. This was war. Chapter 34: Broken Code

Chapter 34: Broken Code The clash was instant. Elias¡¯s blade met Silas¡¯s clawed gauntlet in a crackle of distorted space, the impact sending tremors through the Abyssal floor. Kieran barely rolled aside in time as shockwaves tore through the chamber, ripping jagged gashes in the stone.
[Warning: Environmental stability compromised.] [Suggested Action: Retreat.]
¡°No shit,¡± Kieran muttered, pushing himself upright with one good arm. But his gaze stayed locked on the battle before him. Elias moved like a ghost with weight¡ªevery strike honed, efficient, brutal. Silas, by contrast, fought like a predator playing with its prey. His motions were elegant and cruel, laughing through Elias¡¯s calculated violence. ¡°You¡¯ve grown slow,¡± Silas taunted. ¡°Training that boy dulled your edge.¡± Elias didn¡¯t reply¡ªhe simply drove his blade in a diagonal slash that tore through Silas¡¯s shoulder. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Black ichor hissed. ¡°Still quick enough,¡± Elias said flatly. Kieran''s system flickered.
[System reboot: 57%...] [New subroutine detected: Manual Override Access Breach] [Do you wish to engage countermeasures? Y/N]
He hovered¡ªthen tapped Yes. The world pulsed. Suddenly, time slowed. Not stopped, not frozen¡ªjust stretched, like Kieran was watching through layered glass. Silas turned toward him. ¡°Ah. You¡¯re adapting,¡± he whispered, even as a distorted echo, like his voice was coming from inside Kieran¡¯s skull. ¡°Let¡¯s test the upgrade.¡± He vanished. Kieran barely dodged, instincts firing too late. Claws raked across his side, sending him tumbling.
[Damage sustained: Moderate.] [Tactical Insight Engaged.]
Lines flickered across Kieran¡¯s vision. Weak points, movement patterns, probabilities. It hurt to look at¡ªlike his mind wasn¡¯t built to process that much input. But he gritted his teeth. Used it. As Silas lunged again, Kieran pivoted low, driving his elbow into a pressure node beneath the Collector¡¯s ribs. Silas hissed. ¡°Oh, I like this version.¡± Elias joined Kieran¡¯s side. ¡°I told you not to engage.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice,¡± Kieran growled. ¡°You always have a choice,¡± Elias said, then stepped forward. ¡°Now stay close. We end this together.¡± Kieran nodded. And together, they moved.