Chapter 6 – Lurking Shadows
The full moon bathed the broken cityscape in a silver glow, casting long, distorted shadows across the cracked streets. Kade leaned slightly over the railing, eyes narrowing as he confirmed what he'd seen.
One of the Abominations was heading straight for his building.
It wasn't charging—it was stalking. Slow, deliberate. As if it already knew something was there.
Kade immediately ducked back inside, heart thudding.
It saw me. Or sensed me.
He moved quickly, strapping on his Twin Blades and pulling a few healing patches from his inventory. The bruises along his ribs still throbbed—he couldn't afford another hit like before.
Quietly descending the stairwell, he stopped at the second floor and crouched beside a shattered window. From here, he had a clear view of the street. The monster was still coming. Its steps were slow, steady. Relentless.
He had to stop it before it got too close.
Kade kicked open the fire escape door and dropped two levels down, landing behind a burned-out car to mask his presence. From this angle, the monster's side was exposed.
Perfect.
He waited until the Abomination passed just ten meters in front of him—then he moved.
As his boots hit the pavement, the creature snapped its head toward him.
Too late.
"Now!"
Kade's blades surged with kinetic energy as he slashed upward, aiming for its torso. The first strike tore across its ribs—but the second—
Clang!
The monster twisted unnaturally, blocking with its forearm.
It predicted me?
It swung its massive fist down, missing Kade by inches and splintering the ground. The shockwave nearly knocked him off balance, but Kade rolled aside and came back slashing. He aimed for its legs, trying to disable it.
The creature roared, faster this time. Its movements were unpredictable—more aggressive. More aware.
It was learning.
Gritting his teeth, Kade backed off. Then, with a sharp breath, he channeled all his stored energy into a single strike. His blades glowed white-blue as he rushed in, crossing his arms before unleashing a powerful cross-slash.
Skraa—!
The impact sent the monster crashing into a nearby wall. Dust exploded around it, debris falling like ash.
Silence.
Kade stood, panting. His hands trembled—not from fear, but from the effort.
He approached cautiously. The monster twitched once.
Then went still.
---
[Monster Defeated – Unranked Level 7 Abomination]
[+2x Rewards from Unique Skill: Reward Enhancement]
[You've gained 500 EXP!]
[You've gained 1 Uncommon Abyss Crystal!]
[You've gained 500 EXP!]
[You've gained 1 Uncommon Abyss Crystal!]
---
[Level Up]
[You are now Level 8 – All Stats +1] x2
[+5 Free Stat Points ×2]
[Reward Enhancement Active]
---
Kade let out a breath, collecting the crystals from the body before glancing around.
Still no sign of the others.
But that fight wouldn't go unnoticed for long.
He slipped into an alley and looped back toward his apartment, this time taking the rooftop route to scout from above. From there, he spotted the ten-meter Abomination leader still among the ruins—unmoving, like a statue.
Waiting for something.
Kade narrowed his eyes.
They were changing—just like him.
Just then, movement caught his eye. One of the earlier Abominations was heading toward him again.
But this time, Kade didn't retreat. Instead, he dashed down the stairwell, slipped out the back, and crossed the street to a nearby office building. Its structure was intact, though weathered by vines and shattered glass.
He climbed two stories and crouched behind a dusty cabinet with a clear view of the street.
Then, he saw it.
The Abominations had split up. One pounced on a twisted lizard-like beast in the shadows, tearing it apart. With chilling precision, it reached into the mangled corpse—and pulled out a Common Abyss Crystal.
Kade's breath caught.
The monster lifted it to its mouth and swallowed it whole.
"What the hell...?"
Its body convulsed. Dark veins surged across its skin, glowing faintly before fading. The monster had grown stronger.
Moments later, the second Abomination returned and did the same—consuming its own kill's crystal.
Kade turned his gaze to the leader.
Still motionless.
Watching?
Commanding?
Then, its glowing red eyes shifted—directly toward the building Kade was hiding in.
Kade froze.
Did it see me?
He ducked. Waited.
No charge. No roar. Nothing.
After a few tense moments, he peeked again.
The leader turned and walked away into the darkness, the other two falling in behind it like loyal beasts.
Gone.
---
Kade exhaled slowly.
"They're consuming crystals... just like Awakened do."
But these monsters weren't leveling up through struggle. They were hunting. Choosing targets. Powering up deliberately.
If they keep this up… they'll outpace everyone.
He touched his inventory, thinking about his own small stash of crystals.
Were they a gift?
Or a trap?
Either way—he had no choice but to grow faster.
Kade circled to a different building and took shelter inside, collapsing briefly beneath flickering moonlight.
---
[Status Screen]
Name: Kade Voss
Level: 8 [0/3000 EXP]
Rank: Unranked (101/100)
Stats:
Strength: 39
Agility: 40
Endurance: 36
Aether Energy: 32
Luck: 35
Free Stat Points: 10
Skills:
Unique Skill – [Eclipse Twin Blades]
Unique Skill – [Reward Enhancement]
---
Beside him, the Twin Blades pulsed faintly, glowing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
Kade clenched his fist.
"No more hesitation."
His gaze drifted toward the path the monsters had taken.
"If they can evolve—so can I."