Morning mist clung to the grass as Kael stepped into the Whispering Woods — a small forest just outside the village.
In his past life, he'd nearly died here. A low-tier magical beast — a Duskwolf — had ambushed him and left him half-dead. That scar on his shoulder had never healed fully.
But now?
This time I'm hunting it.
Kael gripped his wooden training sword tightly, eyes scanning the trees. The blade was barely fit to cut firewood, but this wasn't about winning with gear — this was about testing the system.
The leaves rustled.
He stilled.
Then — a growl.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared, low to the ground. The Duskwolf stepped forward, its sleek black fur blending with the trees.
Just like before.
But this time, Kael didn't freeze.
[System Notification]
Enemy Detected: Duskwolf (Rank F)
Warning: Host's weapon effectiveness: 12%
Emotional Surge Recommended
Kael exhaled slowly. The wolf circled him, low and ready to pounce.
He could feel it — that familiar twinge of fear, that old memory trying to rise.
But he pushed it deeper, replaced it with something else.
I remember the pain. The helplessness. Never again.
The system glowed.
[Emotion Sync: Activated]
Current Emotion: Defiance – 75%
Surge Level: 1
➤ Skill Unlocked: Surge Blade Lv.1
The wooden sword in his hands flickered with a faint blue aura.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Come on then."
The wolf lunged.
He dodged — barely — feeling its breath pass his cheek. He spun and brought the blade down hard on its back leg.
CRACK.
The Surge-enhanced strike hit harder than it should've. The beast yelped and stumbled.
Kael didn't hesitate.
He pressed forward — slashing again, this time across its snout. Another howl. Blood sprayed the leaves.
The wolf retaliated, claws catching his arm. Pain bloomed, hot and real.
[Sync Update: Pain > Rage > Sync rising… 82%]
Kael grit his teeth. The system fed off the heat in his chest — the rage bubbling as he remembered being powerless. He grabbed the hilt with both hands.
"Fall."
With a final roar, he brought the Surge Blade down.
THWACK.
The beast hit the ground, limp.
[System Notification]
Quest Complete: Forge Your Own Path
Reward Received: Skill – Surge Blade (Permanent)
Emotion Sync: 10%
Next Sync Trait: "Focused Instinct" (Unlocks at 15%)
Kael stood over the beast, panting.
He wasn't the same boy who had nearly died here. Not anymore.
He wiped his arm with a torn cloth and looked to the horizon.
If a mere wolf had pushed him this far, then the battles to come would test far more than skill.
They would test his soul.
Back in the village, no one noticed the boy walking home with bloodstains on his shirt and steel in his eyes.
But soon, the world would remember his name.
Kael Veyron.
The boy who returned.
Next Chapter: "Rumors and Blades"