Kai emerged from the shrine, his body aching, clothes scorched, and soul changed.
The forest had quieted. Not a bird, not a whisper of wind—only the soft crackle of embers trailing from his skin. He raised his hand and summoned a small flicker of orange light.
[Skill: Ember Pulse (C) – Lv.1]Releases a pulse of flame, dealing Ki-based damage in a small radius. Scales with Ki Control.
He grinned. "So this is what power feels like."
His stomach growled. Reality came crashing back—he was exhausted, low on food, and still alone in the Outer Forest. But something tugged at the edge of his awareness.
[New Passive Effect: Flame Core Integration – Ambient Ki Detection enhanced.]Nearby hostile presence detected.]
He spun around.
From the underbrush emerged a tall figure, cloaked in black, face hidden under a hood. The air warped around him—cold and suffocating. His aura was thick, unnatural.
[??? – Unknown Rank]Level: ???Unable to scan. Perception too low.
Kai's fingers tightened on the hilt of his blade. "Who are you?"
The figure didn't answer. Instead, he looked toward the ruined shrine behind Kai.
"…It awakened for you?" the man asked, voice cold and amused.
"What's it to you?"
The man stepped forward, and with every step, the temperature dropped. Kai's flame dimmed. The system warned him again:
[Warning: Suppression Field Detected. Your Ki output has been reduced by 40%.]
"You're not ready," the stranger said. "But the world is already moving."
Then—without warning—he vanished. Just… gone. No sound. No Ki ripple.
Kai stood frozen.
[System Alert: New Quest – "Shadows Stirring"]Objective: Survive. Learn. Grow. Someone has taken interest in your awakening.Reward: UnknownFailure: Death
He exhaled slowly. "Well… guess I just made my first enemy."
Kai tightened the strap of his satchel, looked toward the path back to the village, and started walking.
He wasn't just a hunter now.
He was the hunted.