In the emerald-choked heart of an island roughly 10,000 square kilometers wide, a boy moved like a ghost through the underbrush.
Nex crouched low, his breathing shallow and silent, eyes locked on the Vethorn Rabbit—a deceptively adorable creature the size of a large dog. Its snow-white fur shimmered innocently, but beneath that cute face lay rows of teeth capable of shearing through iron like warm butter and claws that could disembowel a man in a single swipe.
The boy was part of the forest itself. Mud and crushed leaves smeared across his skin, his heartbeat slowed to match the rhythm of the wild. He waited. One heartbeat. Two.
The moment the beast lowered its head to nibble a glowing mushroom, Nex drew his bow—crafted from the spine of a dead predator—and loosed an arrow tipped with the creature's own kin's tooth.
Twang.
The Vethorn sensed the killing intent a fraction too late. The arrow tore into its hind leg with a wet crack, spraying violet blood across the ferns.
"Fuck!" Nex hissed between clenched teeth. "Stop running, you two-faced little shit! There goes four days of food…"
A high-pitched "SQUEAK—SHRRKKK!" echoed as the beast stumbled straight into the hidden thorn pit lined with claws from its own species. The trap snapped shut with brutal efficiency.
Nex allowed himself a cold smile. "Darwin was wrong. It's not the strongest who survive. It's the one who plans better."
He dragged the still-twitching carcass out of the pit, its once-cute face now frozen in a snarl of agony. Slinging the heavy beast over his shoulder, he made his way back through the dense jungle toward the hidden cave.
The entrance was unmistakable once you knew where to look: a perfectly circular crimson glow, like a bleeding wound in reality—the back of an ancient portal. A crude wooden gate blocked a narrow side passage. Nex slipped through.
Inside, the red radiance painted the walls in hellish hues, turning every shadow into something alive. Most people would have felt terror. Nex smiled. He didn't know why the sight comforted him, only that it did.
Two hundred meters deeper, the narrow tunnel opened into a vast underground training hall. In the center stood the Puppet—a wooden construct twice his height, broadsword already raised in silent greeting. Its featureless face somehow radiated smug expectation.
The moment Nex stepped into the circle, the Puppet exploded forward with terrifying speed and precision. No wasted motion. Every strike carried the weight of a master who had beaten him for thirty merciless years.
"Hey, old man! At least let me—"
A wooden broadsword slammed into his side. Pain flared.
"—grab my sword! Ouch! Damn it!"
Nex rolled, cursing, but his eyes burned with defiance. "Fine. Today you fall, you baldie piece of kindling."
He abandoned flashy techniques. No unnecessary spins or leaps. Only pure efficiency—dodging by centimeters, parrying with reinforced fists and claw strikes he had stolen from both the Puppet and the beasts he hunted.
'When fighting a snake, become an eagle. When fighting an eagle, become a golden eagle.'
But this opponent mastered every form and adapted instantly to every change Nex made.
So he changed the game.
Feint. Misdirection. A half-step that promised a low sweep but delivered a blinding palm strike. Then another. And another. He wove a chaotic rhythm—thirty years of accumulated beatings distilled into pure deception—until the Puppet's movements stuttered with rhythmic disorder.
The final palm strike landed like thunder. The Puppet froze, cracks spider webbing across its wooden body, then collapsed into a pile of glowing ash.
Silence swallowed the chamber.
Nex stood panting, staring at the remains of his only companion, his only teacher. The one being who had drilled weapon mastery into him—throwing knives, spear, dual blades, shura sword, archery, shield work, fist, claw, and countless more.For the first time in years, sorrow pierced his chest. A single tear escaped before he crushed it with memory of every brutal lesson. He bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master."
When he straightened, the ashes had already scattered like dying fireflies.
Three doors stood at the far end of the training ground. Nex chose the leftmost one.
It opened into an enormous cavern lake, its waters glowing with soft turquoise light. At the center rested the massive skeleton of a dragon, ancient and majestic. Pure mana radiated from its bones, infusing the water with potent healing properties.
Nex stripped and stepped in. The liquid embraced him like liquid silk, soothing every bruise and cut. His body—lean, athletic, and covered in a map of scars across his chest, back, and arms—spoke of endless survival. Each scar was a story. Each one proof he had refused to die.
He closed his eyes and focused inward.
A faint violet light bloomed between his eyebrows. A perfect circle of energy pulsed there—his Third Eye Chakra, slowly awakening.
Ten Years Ago
The mana-radio crackled in the corner of the refugee shelter. A group of hollow-eyed survivors listened to the broadcast with dead expressions.
"...the Earth has merged with the dimension of Maysthe. New continents have materialized. War now rages across the globe—"
A five-year-old boy sat apart from the others, legs crossed, meditating in perfect stillness.
Beep! Beep!
A black screen with crimson text appeared only in his mind.
You have unlocked 25% of the Third Eye Chakra.
Congratulations! You have met the conditions to access the Third Eye Manual.
Notifications flooded in.
Photographic Memory acquired.
You have drawn close to the Void and the Swaeilv.
Blessing of Om received.
Mind Eye (Upgradable) granted.
Nex calmly tapped through the messages, his young face unnaturally composed.
He selected a commencement word.
"State."
Status
Name: Nexar Luke
Race: Human (Bloodline: None)
Level: 1
HP: 50/50
SP: 40/40
MP: 200/200
Mana: 10/10
Strength: 9
Agility: 6
Reflex: 7
Skills:
Mind Eye (SS) – View information on nearly anything. (Upgradable) (Gift from Omnis)
Note:- 1) a large portion of mental points is cost based on the levels and skills of the individual with greater amount required for individuals who are more than 30 levels higher than you
2) mental point is used when activating my life if use first time on that item race person beast.
Photographic Memory (B)
Trap Formation (C)
A 12-year-old refugee named James wandered over. "Nex, why do you keep meditating? It's pointless, man."
Nex opened his eyes with fear.
Humans underlying nature surfaced beautifully in times like these , their already non likable nature became more gruesome and Nex as a weak child was one of the victim of it.
James belonged to the group of teenagers who were responsible for scavenging and if possible traphunting the beasts that were weak and edible.
Hierarchy is the Nature itself when world is thrown into disarray. And to act with caution became responsibility of each person in this hierarchy whether he is king or poor because the hierarchy can expand or shrink with sudden events.
And thus Nex always suppressing his emotions acted accordingly to unfolding situations.
"Helps me sleep better," he lied softly.
James snorted. "Weirdo. We're going scavenging. Prepare your bag and come?"
The group of bullies needed Nex because of his traphunting abilities
Nex stood, the invisible blue screen hovering at the edge of his vision.
"Yes sir."
As the group of hopeful, desperate children moved out into the dangerous world, Nex's eyes gleamed with quiet, burning ambition.
The game had only just begun.