The morning sky was still young as Kael stood in the middle of the forest, staring up at the giant, faint blue circle in the sky. The light was slowly fading, leaving the air trembling faintly, like the echo of something that shouldn't be in the world.
The Spirit Devourer hovered silently beside Kael, its black aura growing denser.
"Kael," it said quietly, "that wasn't a natural phenomenon. Nor was it a monster. It was… the surveillance of the world system."
Kael frowned.
"The world system? You mean… like status, job, rank?"
"Yes. The system that governs humans. That determines potential. That limits your power."
Kael stared up at the sky, which had returned to normal.
"…Why is the system paying attention to this place?"
The Spirit Devourer didn't answer immediately.
It seemed to be choosing the right words.
"Because you caused an… anomaly."
Kael swallowed.
"I only defeated monsters…"
"But the way you gained power—that's what the system can't accept."
The Spirit Devourer twisted its misty body, then said in a heavy tone:
"Kael, Devour is a mechanism that goes against the Archeon world system. That system prevents creatures from exceeding rank limits. You… destroyed that limit."
Kael looked at his right hand, still scarred from the battle.
"I just want to live…"
"And that's why they're panicking."
The Spirit Devourer hovered right in front of Kael.
"Listen carefully.
From today on, you're not just a weak adventurer…
you're an error in the world system."
Kael fell silent.
The word echoed in his mind for a long time.
Error.
"Just because I devour monsters?"
"No. Because you assimilate limitless monster energy. This system isn't set up for humans like you. They'll be after you, Kael. They've been watching you."
Kael felt his heart beat faster.
"…Then what should I do?"
The Spirit Devourer stared at him intently.
"If the world wants to erase you—
you'll have to become too powerful to be erased."
Kael clenched his fists.
"Then train me."
The Spirit Devourer slowly smiled—a dark smile, as if he had been waiting for those words.
Devour Training Begins
The Dark Forest felt different as morning approached. The mist faded, revealing giant trees towering like ancient temple pillars. A low, demonic voice could be heard from afar.
Kael took a deep breath.
"Where do we begin?"
The Spirit Devourer transformed, becoming a small, black silhouette on Kael's shoulder.
"First, you must learn to control the flow of energy in your body. Devouring does give you power, but if that energy goes awry… you could die."
Kael swallowed.
"I thought devouring was just attacking and then exploding into power."
The Spirit Devourer sighed.
"You truly are a modern human… Power isn't just 'attack, win, done.' You must learn to control the results of devouring."
He floated in front of Kael.
"Close your eyes."
Kael complied.
"Feel your body. Look for any foreign energy that isn't yours."
Kael tried, but all he could feel was his own heartbeat and breathing.
"I don't know what to feel…"
"Not 'knowing' is no excuse," the Spirit Devourer whispered. "Feel it."
Kael tried again.
A long time.
Until finally…
There was something.
A rough current of mana—unstable—like wild energy churning within muscles.
"This is… Ravager energy?!"
"Yes," the Spirit Devourer replied. "If you don't learn to control it, it could destroy your body from within."
Kael paused.
"What should I do?"
"Imagine you're holding a wild rope. Tighten it, crush it, tame it."
Kael focused.
And slowly, the wild energy began to become smoother. Softer. It didn't disappear—it just flowed with his body.
The system beeped.
[Devour Synchronization +3%]
Kael opened his eyes.
"Did I succeed?"
The Spirit Devourer nodded.
"For the first time, yes."
Kael smiled slightly.
But then the Spirit Devourer pointed to the left.
"Next part—the fight."
Kael turned around, raising his sword.
A Feral Boar (Rank F) stared at him, its red eyes glowing.
"You want me to fight now?" Kael asked.
"No." The Spirit Devourer grinned.
"You want me to consume that monster's energy, right?"
"Exactly."
Kael swallowed.
"Okay."
New Instincts — New Strength
The Feral Boar growled and charged like a living boulder.
Kael jumped to the side — faster than before.
His body felt lighter.
Predatory Sense kicked in: he could sense the boar's intent, the direction of the thrust, and its weight.
Kael slashed at its leg — not deep enough.
The boar rose again.
A second attack came — Kael leaped over the boar's head and slashed its neck.
The monster collapsed.
Kael extended his hand.
"Devour."
Black energy sucked into Kael's body.
[Energy Extracted: 4 Units]
[Strength +1]
[Endurance +1]
Kael felt his body strengthen again.
But suddenly —
his ears rang.
Ding!
Another notification appeared.
[Warning]
Unauthorized Power Detected.
Classification: System Error.
Reporting to Administrator…]
Kael tensed.
"…what is that?!"
The Spirit Devourer flew swiftly and pierced the notification, tearing it apart with a black aura.
[Error… overwritten.]
Kael gasped.
"You… can handle that?!"
The Spirit Devourer's voice was cold.
"I can cover it up temporarily."
Kael held his chest.
"…Is the world system monitoring us?"
"Yes. And their recording has already begun."
Kael took a deep breath.
"Then what happens if they find me?"
The Spirit Devourer stared at him.
"Kael… if the world system determines you are an error…
they will send the Executors."
Kael fell silent.
"Who are they?"
The Spirit Devourer answered in a low whisper:
"Humans who have been granted the highest system access—anomaly hunters. They hunt down system violators… and exterminate them."
Kael felt his palms sweat.
"…So I'm being hunted?"
The Spirit Devourer didn't answer.
The answer was clear.
The Path of No Return
Kael sat on a giant tree root, staring at his hands.
"I… never asked for this."
The Spirit Devourer floated slowly.
"Not all power awaits those who desire it.
Sometimes, power chooses a host… because the world needs something to shake."
Kael looked at the Spirit Devourer.
"Including you… choosing me."
The Spirit Devourer was silent for a moment.
"Yes."
Kael sighed.
"If I return to the village, what will happen?"
The Spirit Devourer replied coldly:
"They will capture you. Analyze your body.
And maybe—kill you."
Kael closed his eyes.
He remembered his home.
His mother's face.
His father's faint smile.
His village friends.
His teacher.
Everything he loved.
But he couldn't go back.
He was no longer the weak F-Rank Kael.
He was Kael—the Devourer hated by the world system.
When he opened his eyes, his gaze changed.
"Then… I won't hide."
The Spirit Devourer smiled broadly—like a general who has found his best soldier.
"That's the answer I've been waiting for."
Kael stood up fully.
"Show me the next training."
The Spirit Devourer floated up, his black aura expanding like misty wings.
"Very well. You want to be strong?
Then you must learn to hunt E-Rank monsters—and survive."
Kael clenched his sword.
"I'm ready."
The Spirit Devourer stared into the dark forest.
"Then…
welcome to the real training, Kael Vernius."