I sat perched at the edge of the bed, shoulders curved in a loose hunch, each breath a slow, steady rhythm that matched the quiet pulse of the room.
Then slowly… deliberately…
I uncurled my fingers, letting them fall open one by one.
The bead lay there still.
Dark as polished obsidian, soaking up the faint morning light that slipped through the blinds. Silent as stone.
It rested in the center of my palm like a piece I'd been missing my whole life—like it had grown there, woven into the lines of my skin.
"…You're still here."
My voice came out a whisper, thinner than I'd intended. Careful. Like raising my voice might shatter whatever fragile truce held the moment together, might send the bead vanishing into air or shadow.
I didn't reach to fasten it back onto the bracelet. Didn't let panic creep into my chest. Didn't waste breath on questions I couldn't answer.
I just held my hand steady, staring down at the dark shape.
Because now—
I knew beyond doubt that this thing mattered.
Bzzzt.
A sudden vibration ripped through the stillness, sharp as a crack of thunder in a quiet room. I turned toward the bedside table, where my phone glowed against dark wood, casting a cool blue light across the floor.
Bzzzt.
"…Seriously?"
I snatched it up with my free hand, keeping the bead cradled gently in the other. The notification blazed bright, filling the screen edge to edge.
[Hunter Association Notice]
Gate Detected — Threat Level V
Location: Agdao
Status: stable
Raid Start Time: 08:30 AM (In 27 Minutes)
Reinforcements Required
Priority Request: Healer Class Needed
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
I flicked my thumb to check the time: 08:03 AM. Twenty-seven minutes to get there. A Threat Level V gate—one that could tear through unprepared teams in seconds. And they were calling for a healer.
My fingers tightened around the phone's edge. Then my gaze drifted back to the bead in my palm.
A few minutes later, I stood dead center in the room, bare feet planted on cold tile. Still as water. Focused as a sniper's aim.
"…Alright."
If I was heading back into a Gate—into the chaos and danger that waited on the other side—I needed to know what I was carrying first.
Slowly…
I lifted the bead between my thumb and forefinger, then slid it into place on the bracelet around my wrist.
Click.
The sound was crisp, final. And the effect hit me like a wave pulling back to sea—every thrumming current of energy, every edge of awareness, quieted. Sealed off tight, like a door slamming shut in an empty hall.
A system window materialized in the air before me, glowing soft white.
[Stat Amplification Disengaged]
[Stats Returned to Base Values]
I froze, my breath catching in my throat.
"…Wait."
I clenched my fist, reaching for the surge of strength that had coursed through me hours before—gone. My limbs felt heavier, grounded to the floor like they'd been filled with lead. My senses dulled; the sharp scent of coffee from the kitchen faded, the hum of the building's lights softened to a distant murmur.
Not weak—not truly. Just… restricted. Bound.
"…That's not normal."
No gradual fade, no gentle shift. Just clean. Absolute.
My eyes dropped to the bracelet: four dark beads, identical in shape and shade. A tightness coiled in my chest, cold as ice.
"…Don't tell me…"
If one bead could lock away power I hadn't known I had—then the others…
I reached for the bracelet, my fingers hovering over the second bead. Carefully, I tried to slide it off, the same way I had with the first. But it wouldn't budge—like it was fused to the silver thread, rooted in place. I pulled a little harder, my jaw tightening, but the bead didn't even shift.
I tried the third. Then the fourth. Same result—solid, immovable. Only the one I'd held in my palm had come free.
"…So it's not just about taking them off." I let my hand fall to my side, frustration prickling at my skin. "It's about which ones I can take off."
Silas' voice echoed in my head, clear as if he stood right there:
"Your mana signature… it felt layered. Like something inside you is still waiting to wake up."
My hand drifted to my chest, fingers pressing against my shirt, feeling the steady beat of my heart beneath.
"Something inside me."
Not borrowed. Not given. Mine.
The bead felt heavy in my palm, like it was pulling me toward the floor.
"…This thing isn't making me stronger." A slow breath slipped past my lips. "…It's letting me be what I already am."
The thought should have thrilled me. Instead, it settled in my gut like a stone.
Dangerous.
Then—another window flickered to life, brighter this time:
[New Skill Unlocked]
Skill: Phantom Stride
Description: Allows the user to drastically increase movement speed for a short duration, moving with barely a trace of sound or presence.
Effect: +200% Movement Speed for 3 seconds
Mana Cost: 30
Cooldown: 1 minute
[WARNING]
UNSTABLE OUTPUT DETECTED
Prolonged exposure to unsealed state may result in:
• Unknown Consequences
"…A movement skill?" A small grin tugged at my lips, sharp and fleeting. "Now that's useful."
But before I could shift my weight to test it, the word Unsealed burned in my mind. This wasn't a buff—it was a release. And my body… wasn't fully ready to handle it.
"…Guess I can't go all out yet."
I rolled my shoulders, feeling muscles shift beneath my skin. I could sense it—the power wasn't dormant. It was moving, pushing at the edges like water against a dam.
Like it wanted out.
I glanced toward the chair beside the bed, where my hunter gear was folded neat—jacket, pants, gloves, all mended from my last run. Waiting.
"…Right."
I grabbed my tactical shirt and pulled it over my head—
Click.
The door swung open without warning.
"Mateo, I—"
Lena stopped dead in the doorway, her words dying in her throat. Silence stretched between us, thick as fog.
I blinked, my hand still on the hem of my shirt.
"…Oh."
Her eyes were fixed on me, wide and unblinking. I followed her gaze down, then felt my cheeks heat slightly.
Right.
Before, I'd been lean—toned from fieldwork, but nothing remarkable. Now, every line of muscle was sharper, defined like carved stone. My shoulders were broader, my frame more solid. Not bulky. Just undeniably stronger.
Like my body had finally caught up to what it was always meant to be.
Lena whipped her head away so fast her hair flew across her face, cheeks bright pink.
"I—uh—I didn't know you were—changing! You could've knocked!"
"I DID!"
"…Oh."
An awkward pause hung in the air. She coughed into her fist, steadying her voice.
"…Since when did you look like that?"
I let a slight smirk play on my lips, pulling the shirt the rest of the way down.
"Like what?"
"…Never mind." She glanced back for half a second, then turned away again. "…Why are you suiting up? You're not even fully recovered from the last mission."
I grabbed my jacket from the chair, running my fingers over the reinforced seams.
"Check my phone."
She stepped forward, picked it up, and her expression hardened instantly.
"…A Threat Level V?"
"Yeah."
"And you're going?"
I zipped up the jacket, the sound loud in the quiet room.
"They need a healer."
"You're not cleared for discharge—"
"I feel fine."
"That's not the point—"
"It is."
I met her eyes, holding her gaze steady.
"I'm not sitting this one out."
Silence. Then she let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples.
"…You're impossible."
I grinned, pulling on my gloves.
"Yeah."
Minutes later, I stood outside, staring at the Gate—a writhing tear in the fabric of air, swirls of violet and grey twisting around its edges like smoke. The morning sun cast long shadows across the asphalt, and a handful of hunters milled about, checking gear and trading quiet words.
I made my way over, offering a quick nod to the group.
"Morning."
Two young men approached—one with dark curls tumbling over his forehead, the other with a sharp jaw and tired eyes. The curly-haired one scratched the back of his neck, movements stiff.
"Hey… uh, we're Rico and Benj. We're kinda new to this whole thing."
I arched an eyebrow, glancing at their worn leather armor and basic iron weapons—gear that screamed inexperienced. I extended a hand.
"Mateo Sarmiento. Healer for this team. How new?"
"Two weeks," Benj said, his voice low as he shook my hand. "Thanks for having us."
My jaw tightened. I scanned the crowd until I spotted Darren Holt—our team leader, a burly man with a sun-gold beard and a warm smile—walking over with a mana stone in hand. I stepped forward, lowering my voice.
"Sir Darren, why are E-rank hunters here? Two weeks of experience—this is Threat Level V territory."
Darren's smile softened, but he didn't look surprised.
"Mr. Sarmiento, I know your concerns are well-placed. They insisted—said they'd take any risk for the payout. And honestly? This Gate's been stable for three days. We've cleared dozens like it—we can keep them safe."
I frowned but didn't push further. Rico and Benj had walked back over, shoulders tense.
"We need the money. Badly," Rico said, knuckles white where he gripped his axe.
"Our sister, Lia," Benj added, gaze dropping to the ground. "She's in the ward at Central Medical Hub. It's because of Aetherion Serum—you've heard of it?"
The name sent a jolt through me. Rumors had circled the guild for years about an illegal concoction that forced awakenings but ravaged the body.
"It rewires your nervous system to mimic a hunter's core," Benj continued, voice tight with anger. "Makes you fast, strong… but if your body can't handle it, it eats away at your organs. Lia used it to support us—our parents died raiding a Gate five years ago."
Aetherion Serum. I repeated it in my head, jaw tightening. Before I could ask more, a soft sniff cut through the air.
We spun around to find Elise—a mage with bright red hair tied in a messy bun—facing a stack of crates, dabbing at her eyes.
"Are you crying?" Rico blurted out.
"I'm not crying!" she snapped, whirling around with flushed cheeks and glistening lashes. "Ugh, fine—I was listening! I just hate stupid decisions—there are other ways to get by!"
Benj snorted. "You're crying because you think she's dumb?"
"Shut up! I have allergies. To… sadness."
Before we could argue more, Darren clapped his hands together, his grin back in place.
"Alright, team! Time to move out!" He held up a small metallic device—our Mana-Resonance Beacon. "Everyone grab one—slot your stone in, and it'll send your location to every other device. Hold the button three seconds to call backup!"
He pressed his own stone into place, and blue lights flickered on every beacon in the group.
We stepped toward the Gate. The air tasted like ozone and wet stone as we crossed through, the world shifting in a dizzying blur.
We landed in a wide corridor carved from dark grey rock, torches casting dancing orange light across damp floors. A translucent window appeared.
[Dungeon Classification Confirmed]
[Clear Condition: Eliminate Crag-Horned Bruiser (Brute-Type) - D-rank]
[Time Limit: 2:30:00]
[Other Monster Type Present: Grim-Clawed Kobolds E-rank]
"See?" Elise waved a hand at the screen. "Easy—even I could take down a bruiser with one fireball."
"Cocky mage," Harold grinned—he was a tall swordsman with a scar across his cheek. "Even lumps of muscle can hit hard."
As if on cue, a pack of Grim-Clawed Kobolds charged out, chittering wildly. Darren drew his greatsword.
"Front line up! Mateo, keep us patched up!"
I raised my hands, channeling warm healing magic as Benj and Harold cut through the wave. Rico swung his axe with surprising precision, felling two kobolds in one strike. Within minutes, the floor was clear—no one hurt.
We pressed deeper until the corridor split into three dark paths.
"My Arcane Sense can't find the boss—too much ambient magic," Elise said, biting her lip.
Darren tapped his beacon, and a soft chime sounded on all our devices.
"Plan: Split into three teams. Mateo & Rico (middle), me & Benj (left), Elise & Harold (right). Beacons are synced—press and hold to send your location. Got it?"
"Got it!" we all replied.
Darren gave Benj a fist bump before heading left. Elise rolled her eyes at Harold but checked her beacon as they turned right. Rico glanced at me, gripping his axe.
"Middle path it is, Mateo. Beacon's ready if we need it."
"Lead the way," I nodded.
DARREN'S POV
The left path twisted downward, air growing cold. Benj held his shield up, hand near his beacon.
"More kobolds ahead, sir? Mateo'll get our signal if we need help?"
"Likely," Darren grinned, hearing claws scuttle. "Those beacons work like a charm."
A dozen kobolds burst from a chamber. Darren charged forward, greatsword cleaving through air. Benj planted his shield, knocking three creatures into a wall. The fight was over in seconds.
"Nice work, kid," Darren said, clapping his shoulder. "Your sister'd be proud."
Benj smiled faintly. "Let's find the boss so we can get paid—and keep an eye on the beacon, just in case the others needs us."
ELISE'S POV
The right path opened into a cavern lit by glowing purple mushrooms. Harold held his sword ready, eyes scanning shadows.
"You hear that? Keep your finger near the beacon—we call if it's too much."
Elise nodded, hand glowing orange. "Yeah—sir Darren and Mateo will get our signal instantly."
A swarm of kobolds poured out.
"Fireburst!" she shouted, incinerating three creatures. Harold finished the rest with quick slashes.
"Told you I could handle it," Elise said, blowing hair from her face.
"Easy part," Harold snorted. "Let's move—the others are probably ahead."
MATEO'S POV
Rico and I had gone fifty feet when he stopped, jaw tight.
"Mateo… about Lia and the serum. We found out who sold it—Kael, a lowlife at the outer markets. Me and Benj tried to confront him, but… we got beaten bad."
A single tear traced a path through dirt on his cheek before he wiped it away.
"It's alright, Rico," I said quietly.
"He said it's made by The Descention," Rico continued, voice rising. "They say they're 'giving power to the powerless'—but it's just experiments. They don't care who dies." He slammed a fist against the wall. "I'll take them down, I swear."
I fell silent—his drive reminded me of my own frustration when I first awakened as a healer, feeling useless next to fighters.
"I get it," I said finally. "We'll clear this fast for more training. And I'm not staying weak forever, either."
Rico laughed. "No offense, Mateo—but you're a healer. How're you gonna take down an organization?"
"I'm D-rank," I pointed out.
"Still a healer," he shot back with a grin.
We'd barely taken another step when the air around us hummed with static. A red-tinted hologram materialized directly in front of my eyes—my personal hunter system, flashing a warning that made my stomach drop.
[Dungeon Update – Unexpected Threat Detected]
[New Monster Type Present: Iron-Plated Ogre (Brute-Type) - D-rank]
[Ambient magic levels have spiked beyond initial parameters.]
[Mana-Resonance Beacon functionality may be impaired or completely disabled in this zone.]
"Mateo, what is that?" Rico shouted, stumbling back as he gripped his axe tighter—his eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion.
I stared at the warning, my mind racing. The same instability that was messing with our beacons… it had to be linked to why only one bead would come free from my bracelet.
"D-rank," I breathed, my gaze never leaving the glowing red text. "And it wasn't on the initial briefing."
"Then we call backup anyway!" Rico fumbled for his device, slamming his mana stone into place and holding the button for three solid seconds. The beacon glowed green for a split second, then flickered out—no blue flash to confirm the signal had sent, no chime to tell us anyone had received it.
We waited, counting off twenty slow, heavy seconds as the corridor stayed quiet and dark. Nothing.
"Nothing," Rico said, his voice tight as he let his hand fall away from the dead device. "No one's answering."
The ogre charged forward, its heavy steps shaking the stone floor so hard dust rained from the ceiling. Its massive fist was raised high, ready to crush anything in its path.
"Mateo, stay back!" Rico rushed ahead without hesitation, swinging his axe with all his strength at the creature's shoulder—but the blade bounced off the iron skin with a shower of sparks that lit up the corridor for an instant.
The ogre swatted him away like he was nothing more than a fly. Rico crashed into the stone wall with a sickening crack, slumping to the ground as blood seeped from his temple and ribs.
I didn't hesitate. I sprinted over, dropping to my knees beside him and pressing my hands to his chest. Warm, golden healing magic flooded his body—his cuts sealed shut in seconds, color returning to his face, his breathing steadying until it was deep and even.
He pushed himself up, staring at his unmarked skin like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"How did you—"
"Later," I snapped, pulling him back as the ogre advanced, its shadow swallowing us whole. "We can't run—but we don't have to fight it head-on. See that narrow tunnel just ahead? I'll draw it in there—its shoulders are too wide to swing properly. You climb the ledge above the entrance and drive your axe straight into its heart—it's the only spot not covered in iron."
Rico nodded firmly, his fear replaced by sharp focus as he gripped his axe tighter.
"You sure about this, Mateo?"
"Trust me."
I stood up, waving my hands and shouting to grab the ogre's attention—my voice loud and clear, cutting through the rumble of its movements.
"Hey! Over here, you big lump! Is that all you've got?!"
The creature roared—a sound like grinding stone and thunder—and charged after me as I darted into the narrow tunnel. Its shoulders scraped against the walls with a harsh screech, chunks of rock breaking off as it slowed to a clumsy crawl. I kept backing up, my heart hammering in my chest, until I heard Rico's voice from above, steady and strong:
"Now, Mateo—move!"
I dove to the side just as Rico leaped down from the ledge, his axe raised high above his head. With every ounce of strength he'd built over two weeks of training—and every bit of desperation driving him to save his sister and take down the ones who hurt her—he drove the blade straight into the ogre's exposed chest.
The creature let out a final, guttural scream before collapsing to the ground, motionless. Dust billowed up around us as the stone floor stopped shaking.
Rico slid off its back, breathing heavily as he pulled his axe free. His hands were still trembling, but his eyes were bright with something new—confidence.
"We… we actually did that, Mateo."
"Told you a healer could be useful," I smiled, walking over to pat his shoulder. My gaze drifted down to my bracelet, where the single dark bead glinted in the torchlight—my system still humming faintly with the instability warning.
But before we could catch our breath, an even deeper, more thunderous roar echoed through the corridor. The walls trembled so hard we had to steady ourselves against them as a massive figure rounded the corner—ten feet tall, with rough grey skin like weathered rock, curved black horns sprouting from its forehead, and a spiked iron club gripped in one massive hand. Its amber eyes fixed on us, and a snarl revealed rows of jagged teeth that glinted in the dim light.
The Crag-Horned Bruiser—the real boss we'd come to defeat.
"Mateo," Rico said, tightening his grip on his axe until his knuckles were white. His voice was steady now, even as the weight of the threat loomed over us. "Looks like we're not done yet."