The air in the Dark Forest felt denser than usual.
Not because of the weather.
Not because of the fog.
But because Kael had just opened his eyes as something more than a mere human.
On his system screen, notifications still hovered:
[Strength +2]
[Agility +1]
[Vitality +3]
[Skill Acquired: Basic Blade Instinct]
[Passive Activated: Devour Resonance Lv.1]
Kael gripped his iron sword. A subtle vibration flowed from the hilt to his arm—as if his body were adjusting to this new power.
The Spirit Devourer hovered on his shoulder, its form vague like black mist with two small, red eyes reflecting light.
"Your body is beginning to respond properly to devour," the Spirit Devourer said. Its voice echoed without lips. "But strength isn't enough. You need experience. You need… prey."
Kael took a deep breath. There was fear, yes. But for the first time in his life… there was also confidence.
"Then," he said, looking out into the dark forest, "let's begin the hunt."
Searching for the First Prey
The Dark Forest was never quiet.
Even as night hung thick, the sound of snapping twigs, rustling leaves, and the snorts of monsters filled the air.
Kael walked slowly, each step cautious.
But this time there was a big difference:
he wasn't the hunted.
He was the hunted.
"Focus your senses. The passive resonance amplifies your perception," said the Spirit Devourer. "Let instinct warn you."
Kael closed his eyes for a moment…
Then—
CRACK.
His eyes opened.
To his left, behind a bush, something was crawling.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
Suddenly, a creature leaped out. Its body was as big as a dog, its skin black with veins, and its teeth long and curved.
A Shadow Hound. An F-Rank monster.
Kael swallowed.
A week ago, a monster like this could have killed him with just one bite.
"Kael," the Spirit Devourer's voice echoed, "it's your time."
Kael's First Battle
The Shadow Hound hissed, its saliva dripping onto the ground and making a sound like burning acid.
Without warning, it charged.
Kael didn't have time to think.
His feet moved on their own.
Basic Blade Instinct—activated.
Kael's sword rose, blocking the monster's attack.
CLANG!
His body was pushed back a few steps, but—
He didn't fall.
"Your speed has increased," the Spirit Devourer said. "Use it."
The Shadow Hound leaped again.
Kael turned the sword to the side, then slashed swiftly—
CRACK!
A thin cut across the monster's shoulder. Not deep, but enough to make it roar.
Kael smiled faintly.
"I… can do it."
But the monster didn't give him time to celebrate. With double the speed, it lunged once more, its claws aimed at Kael's chest.
His instincts screamed.
Kael ducked, twisted, and then stabbed from below—
STAB!
His sword pierced the Shadow Hound's abdomen.
Black blood spurted. The monster groaned and collapsed to the ground.
Kael stared at his hands, his breath ragged.
"I… won."
A notification appeared:
[Shadow Hound defeated]
[Energy Extractable: 8 units]
[Devour? Y/N]
Spirit Devourer approaching.
"Now for the main part. Devour."
Kael nodded.
"Devour."
First Devour on the Battlefield
The Shadow Hound trembled. From its body, a thick red mist rose like a soul being torn from its body.
The mist was drawn to Kael's hand, swirled, and then absorbed into his body with a subtle sound like a small flame igniting.
FWOOM—
Kael held his breath. Hot. Painful. Like wild energy forcing its way into his body.
His muscles trembled.
Then—
[Devour Successful]
[8 Units Converted]
[Strength +1]
[Agility +1]
Kael was speechless.
Two stats in one devour. From an F-Rank monster.
"This… is incredible."
"This is just the beginning," said the Spirit Devourer. "The world's system only allows creatures to level up based on their racial limitations. But my system—our system—is not bound by anything."
Kael gripped his sword.
For the first time, he felt his body wasn't weak.
For the first time, he didn't want to run from monsters.
He wanted to kill more.
The Hunt Continues
Over the next two hours, Kael explored deeper into the forest.
He defeated two more Shadow Hounds.
[Strength +2]
[Agility +1]
[Vitality +1]
Each battle made his movements faster, his sword swings more precise, and his fear gradually diminished.
But just as he was about to return to his resting place, the Spirit Devourer suddenly loomed in front of his face.
"Wait."
Kael stopped.
"There's something up ahead."
The forest suddenly fell silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Kael crouched down, squinting.
Behind the trees, he saw a large silhouette moving slowly—
It looked like a lion, but with curved horns and three times the size of an adult human.
The Spirit Devourer muttered:
"That's… bad."
Kael felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
The system beeped:
[Threat Detected]
[Blackthorn Ravager – Rank E]
Kael paled.
"S-SERIOUSLY?! Rank E?!"
An E-Rank monster can usually only be fought by a D-Rank adventurer.
"Run?" Kael whispered.
The Spirit Devourer shook his head.
"No. You won't survive if you run. Ravagers are fast predators. But there's one advantage…"
He pointed at Kael.
"You've just absorbed fresh energy. Your body is at its peak of adaptation. If you want a faster power jump… this is the way."
Kael swallowed.
"So… I have to fight?"
The Spirit Devourer stared at him with bloodshot eyes.
"Dangerous battles produce the greatest evolution."
First E-Rank Battle
The Blackthorn Ravager lifted its head from the deer carcass it was eating.
It smelled Kael's blood.
Its yellow eyes fixed directly on where Kael was hiding.
"Kael," the Spirit Devourer whispered, "if you're scared, that's natural. But if you want power that even the guild can't imagine… this is the way."
Kael gripped his sword until his knuckles turned white.
He felt his heart about to leap out of his chest, but…
He didn't step back.
His body moved forward.
As the branch snapped beneath his feet, the Ravager charged as if a giant arrow had been fired.
WHOOOSH—!
"UP!" the Spirit Devourer shouted.
Kael rolled to the right as fast as he could.
The giant claw slammed into the ground, creating a large crater.
Dust flew up.
Kael countered with a slash to the Ravager's side—
CLANG!
His sword bounced off.
The Ravager's hide was too tough.
"Shit!"
The Ravager spun and swung its tail. Kael raised his arms to block—
BAM!
His body was sent crashing into a tree.
Every bone in his body rattled.
"Get up!" the Spirit Devourer shouted.
"You can't die here! Not yet!"
Kael rose, panting, his hands shaking.
The Ravager growled again and prepared to charge.
Kael looked around… then his eyes focused on something:
A large tree root jutting out of the ground—right behind Ravager.
"If I can trip it…"
The Spirit Devourer saw through his plan.
"Clever. Do it."
The Ravager lunged again, its claws aimed directly at Kael's head.
Kael waited… waited…
Until it was only a meter away.
Then he leaped to the side and slashed at its treading foot.
SNAP!
Not deep enough to cause a fatal wound, but enough to knock Ravager off balance.
The massive foot landed squarely on the tree root.
CRACK!
The monster's body stumbled and fell to the side, revealing a neck much thinner than its body.
Kael didn't miss his chance.
"RAAAAH!!!"
He plunged his sword into the monster's neck—
STAB!
STAB!
STAB!
The Ravager roared loudly, struggling to get up. The ground shook.
Kael pressed harder, expending all his strength.
Then—
CRACK!
The neck bone broke.
The Ravager fell motionless.
Kael stood panting, his body covered in blood and sweat.
The system beeped:
[Blackthorn Ravager defeated]
[Energy Extractable: 45 units]
[Potential High-tier Skill Locked—needs Devour]
[Devour? Y/N]
Kael raised his sword.
"N—"
The Spirit Devourer interrupted:
"Kael. This is an opportunity that could change you forever."
Kael lowered his head…
And said:
"Devour."
New Evolution
The black-red energy emanating from the monster's body was far greater than before. It was like a hurricane being sucked into Kael's body.
Kael screamed.
His body felt like it was being squeezed from the inside.
Blood dripped from his nose.
His heart beat like it was about to explode.
The Spirit Devourer held his head.
"KAEL! Focus! Control the flow!"
Kael forced his breathing to remain steady.
The energy burned… then coalesced.
Notifications appeared in succession:
[Devour Successful]
[Strength +4]
[Agility +3]
[Vitality +5]
[Skill Acquired: Ravager Instinct Lv.1]
[Passive Unlocked: Predatory Sense Lv.1]
Kael fell to his knees, gasping for breath.
But his eyes were wide open.
He couldn't believe it.
One fight…
Given him a power he hadn't had in his 16 years of life.
The Spirit Devourer smiled faintly.
"Congratulations, Kael. You've just stepped out of the realm of mortals."
Kael looked down at his hands…
And for the first time since birth,
He felt like he was…
No longer trash.