Kael opened his eyes slowly.
It felt like he had just woken up from a long dream filled with whispers and cold gusts. His head still throbbed, but his entire body felt… different. Lighter, stronger, and something swirled wildly within his core—a current of energy so dense, so violent, yet completely under his control.
A notification sound echoed within his consciousness.
[SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETED]
Sub-System Unlocked: Predator's Instinct
Description: An ancient fighting instinct possessed by Spirit Devourers. Increases sensitivity to danger, strengthens reactions, and enhances the ability to read enemy movements.
Initial Effects:
– Battle Awareness +300%
– Movement Prediction: Activated
– Fear Suppression: Complete
Kael lifted himself up. His wounds were completely gone—not healed… but as if they had never existed.
"This is… crazy," he muttered, clenching his fists.
His hands trembled, not from weakness, but from a newfound strength that surged forth, like a wild beast about to devour everything around it.
A faint black aura gathered around Kael as he stood.
The Spirit Devourer emerged from the darkness, its shadowy form clearer than ever—the silhouette of a large wolf-like creature with four glowing red eyes.
"Your body can finally withstand the devouring energy. You're developing fast, human."
Kael sighed. "If I hadn't developed fast, I would be dead by now."
The shadow wolf grinned, revealing rows of dark, misty fangs.
"That's true."
A New Aura That Instils Fear
Kael walked out of the cave. The Dark Forest, which had always made him nervous, now felt… quiet.
Too quiet.
Not because there were no monsters—but because all the monsters had moved away. Their instincts knew Kael was no longer prey.
He stopped at a large boulder and tried to sense his surroundings.
And suddenly—
Crash!
Something moved behind him.
But before he could turn around, his body reacted on its own. He leaped to the side, landing lightly, and turned his sword toward the source of the sound.
A horse-sized Dire Wolf stopped right in front of Kael, its eyes fixed, its body trembling with fear.
Kael gaped slightly. "I haven't even raised my sword yet…"
The Spirit Devourer hissed with satisfaction.
"The predator's instinct isn't for show, human. It's for prey."
The Dire Wolf turned and ran as fast as it could.
Kael smiled wryly.
"In this case… I can hunt without being chased anymore."
Experimenting with New Power
As he walked deeper, Kael summoned his sword and focused devour energy into its tip.
Pitch black enveloped the metal blade, forming a shadow that stretched like a ghostly claw.
He then slashed at a giant tree in front of him.
SWOOOSH—
The trunk wasn't just severed.
The area where the slash hit dried up—as if being sucked from within.
"One slash like that… could kill a monster of such magnitude."
The Spirit Devourer nodded.
"Even humans. Be careful using that in front of others."
Kael felt the same way. If anyone saw this ability, they would surely panic… or want to kill it.
Elite Monster Approaching
A sudden notification appeared.
[WARNING: High-Level Entity Detected]
Type: Shadowclaw Panther (E-Class Elite)
Level: 32
Status: Smells evolution on target
Kael drew his sword.
"Panther… like the one we met the first day?"
The Spirit Devourer replied, "No. It's stronger. And it seems to consider you a rival."
A rustling sound quickly approached.
Tap… tap… TAP…!
Two yellow eyes flashed from behind the trees.
The monster leaped out—a giant panther with smoky black fur, long claws, and poisonous purple fangs. Its speed was like a shadow.
And for the first time in his life…
Kael saw its movements clearly.
He could predict the direction of its leap, the angle of its attack, and even when it would change position.
"Is this what it feels like… predatory instinct?"
Kael smiled.
A Different Battle
The panther darted toward Kael, its claws gliding like black lightning.
But Kael shifted his body only slightly—an efficient, unhesitating move.
Craaak!
The panther's claws struck the bare ground, creating a small crater.
Kael retaliated with a flat slash.
CLANG!
The panther was sent flying several meters.
Kael pursued, his movements now as fast as the monster.
He ducked, twisted, and slashed at the panther's leg.
SWISH—
The panther leaped back, but too late.
Black blood dripped from its thigh.
Roar!
The monster roared in anger.
Kael felt something strange. His body was hot. Adrenaline flooded his brain. But it wasn't panic—it was excitement.
"I'm… enjoying this?"
The Spirit Devourer laughed lowly.
"Predators don't fear battle. They seek prey."
The panther charged again, much faster than before.
But Kael had predicted all his moves.
He launched a final attack.
"Shadow Reap."
A curved black line cut through the air.
BRRAAASSHH—
The panther was sliced open from shoulder to waist, without even a chance to scream.
Its body fell and immediately dried up.
A notification appeared.
[Devour Completed]
Energy Absorbed: 1,200
Skills Gained:
– Shadow Prowl (E)
– Silent Step (E)
Stats Increased Vastly
Kael was stunned.
"Two skills at once…?"
Spirit Devourer commented, "That monster was an elite hunter. And now its hunter instincts belong to you."
Kael clenched his fists.
"With this, I can fight even invisible monsters…"
The Future Begins to Open
After the battle, Kael continued on his way. No monsters approached—they all turned around when they smelled Kael's aura.
He stopped on a small hill, looking out at the darker forest to the north.
The Spirit Devourer appeared beside him.
"You're no longer a beginner. But there's one place in this forest where you can truly grow."
Kael looked at him. "Where?"
"A place where powerful monsters gather.
The Abyss Nest.
A nest of hundreds of E to D-class monsters. If you survive there, you won't just grow… you'll evolve."
Kael took a deep breath.
"So that's… the next step?"
The Spirit Devourer nodded.
"If you want to challenge the world, you must first become the apex predator in this forest."
Kael looked up at the darkening night sky.
"Okay… take me there."
A black aura enveloped his body, and a new chapter began.