The rain followed Kael deep into the forest.
Branches swayed in the wind, and the distant howls of monsters echoed through the darkness. Most adventurers would have turned back long ago.
But Kael kept walking.
His mind was still spinning from what he had just seen.
The glowing screen hovered faintly in front of him.
Name: Kael
Rank: E
Title: The Outcast
Skill Unlocked: Divine Limit Breaker
Growth Rate: Unlimited
Kael rubbed his eyes.
"…This has to be some kind of hallucination."
He waved his hand through the screen.
It didn't disappear.
"Great," he muttered. "Either I'm insane… or this is real."
A low growl cut through the forest.
Kael froze.
From the shadows between the trees, a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared.
Then another.
Then three more.
"Of course," Kael sighed.
Five Shadow Wolves stepped out from the darkness.
Each one was nearly the size of a horse. Their fur was black as night, and their teeth glistened under the dim moonlight.
Kael slowly reached for the dagger at his belt.
Normally, a party of four or five adventurers would handle monsters like these.
Alone?
This was a death sentence.
The largest wolf stepped forward and bared its fangs.
Kael took a breath.
"Well," he said quietly, "guess we're testing this 'limit breaker' thing."
The first wolf lunged.
Kael rolled to the side just in time, the creature's claws tearing through the mud where he had been standing.
He slashed his dagger across its side.
The blade barely cut through its fur.
"Yeah… that's about what I expected."
The wolves circled him now.
Slow.
Patient.
They were hunting him.
Another wolf attacked from behind.
Kael turned and swung—
Too slow.
The wolf's claws raked across his shoulder.
Pain exploded through his arm as he was thrown into a tree.
He hit the ground hard.
The wolves approached slowly.
Kael tried to stand, but his legs trembled.
"So this is it, huh…" he whispered.
Then the glowing screen flashed again.
[Battle Detected]
[Divine Limit Breaker Activated]
Suddenly, warmth spread through his body.
The pain in his shoulder faded.
His senses sharpened.
The forest sounds became clearer.
The wolves' movements… slower.
Kael blinked.
"…Wait."
The lead wolf jumped at him again.
This time, Kael moved without thinking.
He stepped aside smoothly.
The wolf flew past him.
Kael's dagger flashed once.
A clean strike across the neck.
The wolf collapsed instantly.
Kael stared at the body.
"…What?"
Another notification appeared.
[Enemy Defeated: Shadow Wolf]
[Experience Gained]
[Level Up]
Kael's body surged with strength.
Muscles tightened.
His breathing steadied.
The other wolves hesitated.
Kael slowly stood up.
Something inside him felt… different.
Stronger.
The second wolf charged.
Kael met it head-on.
His dagger pierced straight through its skull.
Another notification.
[Level Up]
Kael laughed softly.
"Oh… I get it now."
The remaining wolves attacked together.
But now it didn't feel like survival.
It felt like a hunt.
Kael dodged one wolf and kicked another aside. His dagger moved faster with every strike.
Within seconds—
The forest went silent.
Five wolves lay motionless on the ground.
Kael stood in the middle of them, breathing heavily.
The glowing screen appeared again.
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
Kael stared at the messages.
"…Five levels?"
Adventurers normally gained one level every few weeks.
He had just gained five in a single fight.
Kael slowly looked deeper into the forest.
Somewhere far away, a massive roar echoed through the night.
A monster far stronger than the wolves.
Instead of fear…
Kael smiled.
"Alright then."
He wiped the blood from his dagger.
"Let's see how strong I can really become."
And deeper in the forest…
Something ancient had just awakened.
Watching him.