*Dax's P.O.V*
On my way to the Black Water Gate, I encountered one of my cousins—Ryker, the first son of Third Uncle. He wasn't alone. His squad from the Academy flanked him, each of them radiating strength and confidence.
Ryker himself had an impressive presence. His breath revealed the intense training he had undergone.
Talents, all of them—prodigies of this generation.
But I didn't care.
I didn't like this guy.
"Fucking ant," he muttered under his breath.
I didn't even glance at him. Instead, I played with the cub nestled on my shoulder. Tina and Frida walked calmly at my side.
We passed each other as if we were strangers. No words exchanged. No emotion in my eyes.
"Isn't that the cousin you were always talking about? Ryker... the coreless idiot?" said a burly guy, slinging a massive great-sword over his back.
"Just ignore him," Ryker muttered without looking up.
The girls behind them whispered among themselves, giggling at my supposed inferiority.
But the burly one didn't stop.
He stomped toward me. "How dare you ignore me?" he barked, unleashing a strange pressure that writhed in the air.
I blinked. That wasn't mana.
It was something else—hot, primal… fire-based, but different.
The cub on my shoulder growled in discomfort.
With a casual snap of my fingers, the pressure dispersed like smoke.
I turned my gaze toward the approaching fool. He faltered and took a step back.
"You dare glare at me?!" he shouted, regaining false confidence and marching forward, fist raised.
*Such a fool.*
He could've walked away. Now he'll be humiliated in front of his precious audience.
Unseen by all, I unsheathed Cil in one smooth motion. My killing intent exploded outward like a tidal wave.
The aura of a primordial beast erupted from my body.
I raised my hand.
About to commit Murder at the city gates .
But just before my blade struck, Ryker intervened—appearing between us in a blur and parrying my strike with his dagger.
*Oh?*
*Rare space attribute…* I noted, studying the white-haired man.
"I... I almost died," the burly one stammered, clutching his neck.
"Hello, cousin," I said coolly.
"Hmph," Ryker grunted.
"You seem to have gained mana," he said. "I suppose that's thanks to Uncle Omin. There is no way you did it yourself."
I could hear the disdain dripping from his voice. In his mind, I was still the same worthless coreless weakling.
A disappointment.
An embarrassment to the clan.
*I can't even blame him,* I thought. *My predecessor was truly pathetic.*
"Dax, you think you can just kill whoever you want?" Ryker sneered.
"For your own good," he continued, "I suggest you kneel and apologize."
I turned and kept walking.
"Ignore him," I muttered.
*He dares ignore me?*
Ryker's face twisted with fury.
"You've forgotten your place!"
He lunged, dual blades drawn. His form was precise. Efficient.
I lowered Cil into a drawing stance, an evil grin spreading across my face.
"I'll give you a gift, cousin."
In a single fluid motion, I drew my blade.
But Ryker dodged at the last second and recoiled, covering his face.
Strange.
He didn't counter. He didn't even try to parry.
Why?
I approached him again, blade ready, this time using 50% of my strength.
He dodged again.
Not even a block.
It wasn't fear. It was… calculation.
The way he moved—it was as if he saw the attack coming before I even swung.
*Let's test this.*
I slashed horizontally, aiming for his eyes. Again, he dodged—just before the strike landed. He didn't even raise his blades.
Another swing. Again, he moved early—far too early.
I stopped and returned to my spot.
Space and foresight, I realized.
"What a dangerous combination."
Ryker remained frozen in place, his body tense.
All outcomes ended.. with me losing my eyes.
He was rattled—not just by my speed, but by how close he came to death.
"How did this bastard get this strong?" he whispered, stunned.
"Tina. Frida. Let's go," I said calmly.
We turned and continued toward the gates. After a few steps, I halted and glanced over my shoulder.
"If you value your life... don't ever pull a stunt like that again."
My words hung in the air like a blade over their throats.
The burly man felt—a deep, soul-piercing chill that froze him in place. But Ryker was different his gaze was covered in silent rage.
You think this is over?.