Dawn bled gray across the hills when Zeke tightened the straps on his pack.
His sword hung across his back. His iron grip wasn't nervous now—it was eager. The System's panels dimmed at the edge of his vision, waiting like loyal dogs no one else could see. He almost felt guilty, like he'd stolen a secret that wasn't meant for mortals. Almost.
Reyn clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't look so grim. You'll scare the gods into tripping you on the road."
"I thought you didn't believe in gods," Zeke said.
"I don't. But I believe in them being petty."
Zeke smirked. The weight in his chest didn't get lighter, but it fit better. Reyn would guard the town. Zeke would carve a path forward. That was the deal.
Beside him, Iris Vale adjusted her ribbon for the hundredth time. Her staff was taller than she was, and she carried it like an apology.
"You're certain about this?" she asked.
"No," Zeke admitted. "But I'll do it anyway."
"That's not certainty."
"It's better."
She huffed. "You sound like a proverb carved by someone drunk."
Raven Nightwind was already ahead, white armor flashing like a beacon against the morning. She didn't wait. She didn't look back. She was the kind of person who assumed others would follow or die trying.
Zeke followed.
The road east was quiet at first. Wheat fields gave way to hills knotted with roots. Crows hopped along fence posts, watching like bored judges.
Zeke checked his panel.
[Points: 39]
[Shop: Open]
He thought Shop and the menu slid into place.
• Minor Healing Leaf — 5 pts
• Essence Salts — 12 pts
• Sharpening Stone — 6 pts
• Iron Channel (E) — 14 pts
• Blade Flow (E) — 18 pts
• Hunter's Focus (E) — 16 pts
• Mystery Gacha (Common) — 10 pts
He didn't hesitate.
[Purchase: Iron Channel (E) — 14 pts]
[Purchase: Blade Flow (E) — 18 pts]
[Remaining Points: 7]
The skills sank into him like hot needles. His muscles twitched, then stilled. He could feel his essence waiting to be routed, like water behind a dam. Blade Flow hummed under his skin, promising rhythm where panic used to live.
He swung his sword once. Too fast. Too smooth. He grinned.
Iris gave him a sideways look. "What are you smiling about?"
"Breakfast."
She looked suspicious. "That better not be a joke about me."
"It's about them."
From the hedges, three shadows uncoiled. Imp scouts, smaller than last night's but quicker, eyes glowing red like hot coals. Their claws dragged against stone with a sound like teeth on metal.
Zeke stepped forward before Raven could even twitch.
The first imp lunged.
Zeke drew a breath, pulled essence into his arm with Iron Channel, and his blade sang through the air. The cut was heavier than iron had any right to be. The imp's head bounced in the dirt.
[Kill Confirmed: Rift-Scaled Imp (Lesser)]
[+10 Points]
The second came. Zeke let Blade Flow guide him—swing, step, thrust—one strike bleeding into the next. His sword slid between its ribs before it could scream.
[Kill Confirmed]
[+10 Points]
The third screeched, tried to leap past him toward Iris. Zeke pivoted, body moving faster than thought. He cut it down midair, shoulder screaming at the strain but heart roaring at the victory.
[Kill Confirmed]
[+10 Points]
[Combo Bonus: +5 Points]
Zeke exhaled. The corpses steamed. His sword dripped black. He hadn't even noticed Raven stop to watch.
Her rain-colored eyes pinned him for a beat. Not suspicious—measuring. She turned away without a word and walked on.
Zeke wiped his blade, chest heaving. The System whispered again.
[Body Tempering Progress: 0% → 6%]
[Warning: Rapid use risks Essence Strain.]
He braced for the usual cold tone of the Shop. Instead, something different pressed faintly at the edge of the panel—warmer, quieter.
[You found rhythm. Don't waste it.]
Zeke froze. That didn't sound like the Shop. The words felt… alive.
"Who—?" he muttered under his breath.
The panel went blank.
He clenched his jaw. Whatever it was, it wasn't ready to speak again. But he'd felt it. A different presence. Not cold profit. Something else.
Iris finally caught up, glaring at him. "You were reckless."
"I was effective."
"You could have died."
"I didn't."
Her lips pressed thin. She hit his arm with her staff, not hard enough to hurt. "Idiot."
Maybe she was right. His ribs still ached. His arm throbbed. His hands were raw. But the fire in his veins didn't care.
For the first time in his life, Zeke Blade had tasted what it meant to stand on the edge of strength. And he wasn't going back.
The road stretched on, full of teeth and promises.
He smiled again.