The Second Elder's pressure was a physical weight, like standing at the bottom of a deep lake. Cain's knees popped, and the gravel beneath his boots began to grind into dust.
"You cripple my son and then speak of 'differences'?" the Second Elder hissed. His hand began to glow with a sharp, icy blue light. "I should execute you here for practicing forbidden demonic arts!"
"Demonic?" Cain's voice was a low growl. Despite the pressure, he stood straighter. "Since when is a superior Awakening considered demonic, Elder? Or is it only 'righteous' when it belongs to your bloodline?"
The crowd gasped. No one spoke to an Elder like that.
"Enough!"
The Clan Head, Ward Thorne, stepped forward. With a simple wave of his hand, the crushing pressure around Cain evaporated. Ward looked at the shattered Awakening Stone, then at Cain, his eyes unreadable.
"The boy is right, Silas," Ward said to the Second Elder. "The stone reacted to his bloodline. It was a Manifestation. If we kill every genius that breaks a testing tool, we would have no clan left."
"But my son—"
"Your son challenged a fellow clansman and lost. He will recover," Ward turned his gaze back to Cain. "However... Cain. You have destroyed a treasure of the clan. A Manifestation of this level will draw the eyes of the City Lord and, potentially, the Dragon Overseers. We cannot protect you if they decide you are a threat."
Cain knew exactly what was coming. This was the "Exile Arc"—the classic moment where the protagonist is kicked out so he can grow stronger without the clan holding him back.
"The punishment for destroying clan property is forfeiture of resources," the Clan Head continued. "You will receive no pills, no gold, and no protection for one year. You are to move to the 'Ashen Woods' outpost. If you survive until the Great Tournament, we will recognize your status."
The Ashen Woods. It was a death sentence for most. The woods were infested with Rank 1 and Rank 2 Shadow Stalkers.
"I accept," Cain said immediately.
Elena grabbed his arm, her face pale. "Cain, no! You're only Level 1! You can't go there alone!"
Cain looked at her, and for a brief second, the coldness in his eyes softened. "I won't be alone, Elena. And I won't be Level 1 for long."
An hour later, Cain stood at the edge of the Thorne Estate, carrying nothing but a rusted iron sword and a small pouch of dried meat. He didn't look back. The "System" was already pinging his brain with notifications.
[System Notification: Environment Scanned.]
[Region: Ashen Woods (Danger Level: Low-Mid)]
[New Feature Unlocked: Map & Minimap]
Low-Mid? Cain smirked. To this weak body, it's a nightmare. To me, it's a buffet.
He stepped into the tree line. The air here was thick with the scent of rot and damp earth. Within minutes, he heard the snapping of a twig behind him.
A Shadow Stalker—a wolf-like creature with elongated limbs and skin like charcoal—crept out from the mist. Its eyes were milky white, and its jaw dripped with acidic saliva.
[Enemy Identified: Shadow Stalker (Rank 1)]
[Level: 5]
[Danger: High (Due to Host's current Level 2)]
Cain took a breath, his heart rate slowing to a steady, calm rhythm. The wolf lunged, a blur of black fur and teeth.
In his previous life, Cain was known as the "Ghost Blade." He didn't have the best stats, but his timing was perfect. He didn't swing his sword; he let the wolf's momentum do the work. He stepped left and held the blade out at a 45-degree angle.
SHLICK.
The wolf's throat met the rusted iron. It tumbled past him, crashing into a tree, blood spraying across the grey leaves. It wasn't dead yet—it was thrashing, trying to regain its footing.
Cain walked over and placed his hand on the creature's head.
"Gluttony's Touch."
[Consuming Shadow Stalker Essence...]
[Success! +40 EXP]
[Passive Skill Gained: 'Shadow Veil' (Rank F)]
[Description: Blend 10% more effectively into dark environments.]
Cain felt a strange, cool sensation wash over his skin. It wasn't much, but it was a start. He looked deeper into the forest. He could hear more howling in the distance.
"Forty-one chapters in a year?" he muttered, remembering his old life's slow pace. "I'll reach the peak in half that time."
[Warning: Multiple signatures detected approaching your location.]
[Pack Hunt initiated.]
Cain's grip on his sword tightened. "Good. I was still hungry."