The night fog began to thin as Kael sat leaning against a giant tree trunk. His body still trembled from the Devour on the Dire Wolf. Heat still coursed through his muscles.
Nephras hovered nearby, her black aura pulsing gently.
"How does it feel?" she asked.
Kael opened his eyes slowly. His vision was sharp. Too sharp. Everything seemed clearer: the contours of leaves, the movement of air, even the ticking of tiny insects.
"…I can hear more."
"The wolf's instincts are starting to blend with you," Nephras said. "That's the power of Devour. You're not just taking energy; you're devouring part of it."
Kael stared at his hands. "I'm changing."
"No," Nephras said. "You're evolving."
The system beeped.
[Notification]
Your body resonates with the devoured essence.
An evolution effect has been triggered.]
New Passive Unlocked: Predator Sense (Lv. 1)
Senses sharpened. Increased awareness of the movements and intentions of nearby enemies within a 10-meter radius.
Kael swallowed hard as he read the description.
"It's… like Sixth Sense?"
"Yes, but much purer," Nephras replied. "You're beginning to transcend ordinary humans."
Kael stood slowly. Though tired, his body felt stable. Subtle physical changes were beginning to appear: increased stamina, improved balance, and smoother movements.
But the evolution also brought something else.
He could feel it.
A… calling.
As if something deep in the forest was watching him.
Nephras seemed to notice the change in Kael's expression. "Do you feel it?"
Kael nodded.
"Something… is watching me."
"Yes," Nephras's voice turned cold. "Something that shouldn't notice you too soon."
Kael stiffened.
"What is it?"
"A being beyond the boundaries of the system," Nephras replied quietly. "Like me. But not as good as me."
Kael's eyes widened.
"…You're kidding, right?"
"Do you think this world of Archeon is filled with only ordinary monsters?" Nephras chuckled. "This place was once the scene of a great war between ancient entities. The world system is merely a bandage applied by the Administrators to prevent humanity from becoming extinct."
Kael felt a chill creep up the back of his neck.
He had just glimpsed a glimpse of a much larger world.
Kael straightened, trying to concentrate.
"I have to get out of this forest," he said.
"Not so fast." Nephras shook his head. "With the energy of the Dire Wolf, your body needs time to stabilize. If you fight now, you might die because your body hasn't adjusted yet."
Kael closed his eyes. True. Devour isn't just a power, but also a burden.
"How long until I'm ready?"
"Maybe… half a day."
Kael nodded and sat cross-legged. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his heartbeat. The foreign energy of the Dire Wolf still swirled within him, like two currents of mana colliding.
For the first time, he felt the need to concentrate his energy—as if his body wanted to reorganize itself.
Nephras hovered nearby.
"As your body processes that energy, there may be changes."
Kael opened one eye. "Changes… like what?"
"Something even I can't predict."
Kael fell silent. He didn't know whether to be afraid or excited.
Several hours passed.
The fog cleared.
Morning light filtered through the trees.
And Kael… woke up, breathing heavily.
He felt something new—not just in his body, but deeper within.
The system beeped.
[Your body has completed energy stabilization.]
[Your Devour compatibility has increased.]
New Trait Unlocked: Adaptive Evolution (Minor)
Body reacts more quickly to foreign energy. Speeds up devour and conversion processes by 30%.
Kael was flabbergasted.
"This is incredible…! It's like—"
"Yes," Nephras grinned, "you're starting to enter an evolutionary path no human could ever achieve."
Kael squeezed his hand. His energy flowed more steadily and efficiently.
He was ready to move.
But just as he was about to stand, his Predator Sense throbbed loudly.
BA-BUMP.
Kael froze.
"Something's approaching."
Nephras immediately turned cold. "From which direction?"
Kael closed his eyes, following the instinctive sensation.
"North… fast… and big."
"Monster?"
"…No."
Kael opened his eyes.
"Not a monster. But its power… is strange. Not like a normal creature."
Nephras narrowed his fog.
"If it's not a monster—then there's only one possibility."
Kael swallowed.
"What?"
"Humans."
Kael stiffened.
Humans… in the Forest of Darkness?
How could that be?
No sane human would enter this place alone, unless—
"Guild hunters…" Kael muttered.
Nephras shook his head. "Their levels don't match."
"Then who?!"
"…Royal Scouts."
Kael's eyes widened.
"Royal soldiers…? Why are they here?!"
Nephras didn't answer.
Because he didn't need to.
Kael knew why.
If the kingdom had sent Royal Scouts into the forest…
That meant they were looking for something.
Or someone.
Kael.
His throat felt dry.
"It can't be… They don't know I'm here, do they?"
"If they're coming for you," Nephras said calmly, "then someone is hell-bent on making sure you don't leave this forest."
His Predator Sense pulsed again.
Stronger.
Closer.
Not just one.
Three.
No—four.
"I sense them," Kael whispered. "There are four of them. Moving fast. They… they're not just anyone."
"Kael."
Nephras stared at him with sharp, misty eyes.
"I don't know why the kingdom is after you… but if they find you now, you're dead."
Kael clenched his fists.
"…So what should I do?"
Nephras answered in a low voice.
"Run. Or kill them first."
Kael froze.
His heart was pounding.
"K—kill… humans?"
"This is the real world, Kael," Nephras said coldly. "If they've been sent to wipe you out, you have no choice."
Kael looked down, feeling a chill run down his spine.
For the first time, his life had become a two-way street.
Be the hunter.
Or be the hunted.
His Predator Sense vibrated violently.
Footsteps approached.
Nephras hovered just in front of Kael.
"Kael."
He looked Kael straight in the eye.
"I know you're afraid. But if you don't make a decision now…"
The voice turned into a sharp whisper.
"…you'll be dead in ten seconds."
Kael took a deep breath.
The voice inside his head screamed that he wasn't ready.
But his system—his path as a Devourer—required him to face a choice he'd never imagined.
He gripped the ground, gritted his teeth, and stood.
With a new, sharper gaze than before.
"…Then," Kael whispered, "I'll choose."
Nephras waited.
Kael took a deep breath and said:
"Show them the way."
Nephras smiled broadly—dark, satisfied.
"Good, Kael. You finally understand."
That morning, for the first time…
Kael targeted humans as enemies.
And with slow steps, he entered an evolutionary path from which he could not return.