Karsten Cave – Sector 3
A beginner-level training area.
"We'll get the job done and be back before sunset," said Kyle Ronar, striding confidently ahead.
"Easy," replied Ilya Mirn, holding her bow.
At the rear, Oren walked silently.
Fifteen years.
He hadn't woken up.
In their group, that was enough to make him an object of pity… or ridicule.
"Oren, stay in the middle," said Kyle without turning around.
"Okay."
The air in the cave was cold and damp.
The crystalline light was dim.
Then the ground shook suddenly.
A rocky creature emerged from the shadows.
Larger than expected for this area.
"This isn't beginner-level," whispered Kyle.
He unleashed a powerful gust of wind.
It struck the creature and dissipated.
The beast surged forward.
The passage was narrow.
Chaos was swift.
A stone tail slammed into Oren.
He slammed against the wall and fell to the ground.
Air escaped his lungs.
He tried to get up.
He couldn't.
Heavy footsteps drew near.
*So that's how it is…*
The claw rose.
And the moment it landed—
Something exploded in his chest.
Concentrated heat.
Sharp.
Ancient.
The air between him and the claw rippled… then ignited.
Flames shot out of his body all at once.
The creature recoiled, screaming.
Kyle froze.
"Oren?!"
The fire didn't spread down the passage.
It only surrounded him, like a shield.
Oren didn't understand.
But he felt the fire wasn't coming from outside.
It was coming from a very deep point inside him.
He reached out without thinking.
A straight flame pierced the monster's chest.
The sound of impact echoed through the cavern.
Seconds later… the creature lay motionless.
Silence returned.
The fire slowly subsided.
The measuring bracelet on Oren's wrist suddenly jerked.
A small screen appeared:
[New Awakening Detected]
[Name: Oren Vale]
[Classification: Calculating…]
The screen froze.
Seconds passed.
Then—
[Error Assessment]
[Value Out of Range]
Kyle whispered:
"Out of range…?"
Oren looked at his hand.
The heat was still there.
Quiet.
As if waiting for something else.