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POV: Caspian Coralia
We were running toward the source of the beast's roar. We immediately knew someone was in trouble—such a roar could only come from a ghoul, and anyone facing a ghoul alone… was in serious danger.
My sister said with concern:
"I hope we arrive in time."
I didn't reply. There was no need.
We, the people of the sea, love helping our own; our numbers are small compared to other races, which is why over the years we had to hybridize with other lineages to survive. Still, interbreeding among races had become normal after centuries of mixing; the world had become almost like one big clan.
Traveling between continents had become routine, and honestly? The hybridization had been very beneficial… even I have half-demonic blood from my father, and someday I might surpass his power.
While lost in my thoughts, we heard the sound of stone impacts nearby. I turned to my sister with a mocking smile:
"Are you ready, little sister?"
She ignored my sarcasm completely, covering her body with mana and preparing a water spell to attack the moment we arrived.
---
When we reached the site, we leapt from the tree and landed. As soon as I raised my head, I froze at the sight.
There was a boy my age—or slightly older—fighting the ghoul with spiked gauntlets on his arms.
But the problem… he was annoyingly handsome.
Every movement was polished, flawless, yet his fighting style was extremely strange; I had never seen a human fight like that before.
I watched his every move, trying to mimic it in my mind… some moves I understood, others only a madman or genius could perform.
I muttered in frustration:
"I really hate his face… it makes me question my own looks!"
My sister turned her head to me coldly:
"Looks? All I see is a fool who does nothing but train and play. You don't even study for the academy tests!"
I nearly spat in shock. She seemed to despise the very thought of me comparing myself to him!
I swallowed my anger and refocused on the fight.
---
Then something strange happened…
The armor covering his body shattered completely, exposing his chest.
I couldn't even cover my sister's eyes—she saw everything.
His body… sculpted to an absurd degree. Muscles perfectly chiseled, to the point I swallowed hard without realizing it.
And… his "little friend"?
He was… unnaturally large for a boy his age!
Horrifying.
When this young man becomes a full-grown adult, he'll be a true monster.
I didn't notice my sister's face turn bright red; instead of covering her eyes, I unconsciously held her mouth. Perhaps it was for the best—she was about to scream at the top of her lungs.
Then… shadows spread around his body, reshaping dark clothes over him, increasing his imposing presence.
I muttered angrily:
"Is this person deliberately insulting me?! He does what I cannot, yet appears so regal!"
My sister replied with a trembling voice, still flushed:
"No… you're just jealous because he's better than you."
And thus… I received the second slap of the day from the person closest to me.
---
While we were talking, black vines emerged from the ground, attempting to stab the ghoul—but they couldn't penetrate its thick skin.
Then the boy spoke in a cold voice… a voice that sent shivers down my spine:
"I've struck a beast stronger than you, so don't get arrogant."
I didn't understand what he meant… until the answer came instantly.
A sharp stone spear shot out of the ground, piercing the upper right side of the ghoul—directly into the liver—making a grotesque tearing sound, causing the beast to scream in terror.
We froze, stunned.
This person… not only fought a five-star ghoul but also landed a critical strike!
Even I… wouldn't be able to execute such a precise, powerful attack.
I felt weak… then angry… then a surge of excitement boiled inside me.
Yes.
This is the motivation I've been searching for.
I will become stronger… so I won't fall behind people like this.
---
After the strike, stone pillars rose from the ground, trapping the ghoul for a few seconds. They weren't strong enough to hold it for long, but they gave the boy valuable time.
Then he did something else…
He made the spear return to the ground, causing the beast to scream in pain.
As I raised an eyebrow in curiosity—his body glowed with a strange purple lightning.
My instincts screamed in warning.
The next moment… the ghoul's body began to electrify, the screams escalating, and then—
BOOOOM!!
It exploded entirely.
Shards of its body scattered in all directions. We dodged quickly, and as the dust cleared, a light black dome appeared around the boy, then crumbled back into him, leaving him standing with regal composure that irritated me even more.
Of course… Arthur hadn't done this intentionally.
He didn't even know we were watching.
I looked at my sister… she stared at the strange boy with shining eyes. I felt confused; I didn't understand her gaze.
I said to her:
"Let's go talk to him."
She nodded, and we approached him.
---
POV: Arthur
After defeating the ghoul, I smiled faintly, comparing my pathetic old self to this new power.
I admit… the strength of that stranger had been the biggest motivation for me.
While I thought, notifications appeared before my eyes:
Ding
[Defeated an Abyssal Beast of Dark-White Rank]
[Obtained 5 Stat Points]
[Bonus: 0.23 Luck Points]
As I was about to speak, another notification appeared:
Ding
• New Skill: Devastating Lightning — Level 1
[Description: Electrocutes the target, raises its temperature, and vaporizes its fluids rapidly, causing it to explode from the pressure.]
[Upgradable]
I smiled. This was the skill I had just used to destroy the beast.
Suddenly, I felt a faint wave of mana from my left.
I activated Eye of Insight… and saw two people approaching me.
They had no hostile intent. I immediately remembered…
We were in the Merfolk Continent. Naturally, someone would come to check.
They drew closer…
The girl stopped first, but the boy stepped forward until he stood directly in front of me.
We were the same height, looking directly into each other's eyes.
Then he said with a mocking smile:
"Hey you… face me."
Arthur: (...)
Girl: (...)
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