The gate shimmered faintly as Renji stepped out, boots dragging across cracked concrete. The cold evening wind slapped his sweat-streaked face, carrying the stench of blood from the ruins behind him.
Students were already whispering, their hushed voices chasing him like shadows.
"Is he… still alive?"
"He killed the Alpha? Alone?"
"No way… that thing wiped out a whole team last semester—"
Renji ignored them. His breathing was steady, his eyes calm—but something about that calm was heavier now. Like a predator who had tasted something new. Something dangerous.
A soft chime echoed in his head as the gate dissolved behind him.
[Gate Cleared – Rewards Calculated]
[Elite Beast Defeated: Alpha Mutant Hound]
[Loot Obtained:]
Alpha Fang
Mutant Bone Shards x12
Guardian Collar Fragment (Special)
[Skill Acquired: Alpha Will– Level 1]
Type: Passive/Active Hybrid
Effect: Emits a dominating presence that weakens enemies within range (-10% to enemy speed and reaction). Grants +5% boost to user's Strength, Speed, and Perception while active. Evolves through dominant kills.
Renji's lips twitched slightly. "Alpha Will, huh? Figures."
The system wasn't done.
[Congratulations!]
You have reached F Rank – Gold Tier
Beast Resonance: 18%
Additional Reward: +3 Unassigned Stat Points
He stopped walking and pulled up his full status panel.
Name: Renji Kurozawa
Rank: F (Gold)
Level: 9
Beast Type: Honey Badger
Talent: Adaptive Evolution
Beast Resonance: 18%
Stats:
Strength: 21
Speed: 20
Perception: 25
Endurance: 22
Vitality: 12
Luck: 12
Skills:
[Feral Claw – E Rank]
[Predator's Gaze – Growth Skill (F Rank)]
[Fearless Tenacity – Passive]
[Dash – (E Rank)]
[Serpent Shedding – (E Rank)]
[Viper Aura Armor – E Rank ]
[Alpha Aura – F Rank]
He exhaled slowly. The Alpha's strength… the feral rage in its eyes still burned in his mind. And yet, he had beaten it.
"Renji."
The voice made him turn.
Mr. Ain approached calmly, his black coat billowing against the evening wind. His sharp eyes scanned Renji like a man reading a new book for the first time.
"You've grown stronger," Ain said, his tone almost casual—but Renji caught the faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Renji hesitated, then spoke. "That Alpha… it had a collar. With the academy's insignia."
Ain's gaze darkened for a fraction of a second. "Another one lost," he murmured. "That's… a shame."
Renji narrowed his eyes. "Lost?"
"They were Guardians," Ain said at last. "Descendants of the pets of the Ancient Ones. Their bloodlines endured, and their purpose was to protect humanity. When one falls to corruption…" He trailed off, his voice dipping. "It's never good news."
Renji stared at the fragment in his inventory, silent.
"Go home," Ain said finally. "Eat. Rest. You've earned it."
Renji walked away without a word, but the weight on his shoulders didn't feel lighter. If anything… it felt heavier.
Guardians… and I killed one.