The tunnels writhed with motion. Snakes—dozens of them—poured from cracks in the walls, slithering across the wet stone floor. Their eyes glowed faintly, venom hissing between fangs, but Renji moved through them like a shadow wrapped in steel.
He didn't hesitate.
He didn't retreat.
He hunted.
One lunged at his throat. He ducked low and spun, the edge of his blade flashing in a clean arc. The creature split apart with a hiss, blood splattering the wall.
"Too slow," he muttered, dashing forward without pause.
More came, some coiling, others springing from above—but Renji was already gone, his body shimmering.
A soft blur traced his figure as he twisted past a pair of striking fangs.
Serpent Shedding.
His afterimage was still fading as he reappeared behind the snake and plunged his weapon into its spine.
Another body fell. Then another. And another.
Every step sharpened his focus. Every kill fed the hunger in his blood. He stopped counting around forty. His hands were slick with blood, the blade heavy but sure. There was no hesitation in his movements now—just instinct.
> Gate Progress: 50… 61… 70… 71/12
A wave of energy pulsed through the air, faint and cold. The Gate was watching. Judging.
Renji stood surrounded by broken bodies, panting, his breath misting in the stagnant air. Dozens of snake-like beasts twitched around him, their blood forming a crimson moat at his feet.
He wiped his blade clean on one of the corpses, then checked his arm. The dull sting from earlier venom strikes was already fading. His body was adapting—stronger, faster, tougher.
Then the voice came again.
> Skill Upgrades Unlocked.
[Dash] – Rank E
[Serpent Shedding] – Rank E: Duration Extended, Cooldown Reduced
He let out a low whistle. "Finally."
His gaze drifted to his hand. It didn't shake. His breathing was steady.
"I killed way more than I had to… seventy-one," he whispered, smirking. "Guess I got carried away."
Then the system chimed again—different this time.
> Overperformance Bonus: +40 Stat Points
New Title: Fangless Reaper (Unofficial)
Level Up: 6 → 8
Renji blinked. "Forty points…? Hah."
He collapsed to one knee, sweat dripping down his temple, mixing with the blood on his chin. Every inch of him ached, but he didn't care. A warmth was bubbling inside him—not just the heat of a battle well fought, but something deeper.
Power.
Change.
His beastline was evolving.