The skyscraper ruins crumbled in silence as Renji stood over the corpse of the massive hyena mutant. His knuckles dripped with blood, his Aura flickering faintly, and his breath came out in ragged bursts. The faint blue glow in his eyes slowly dimmed.
He had won. Again.
But it had cost him.
[Gate Cleared – Rewards Calculated]
[Elite Beast Defeated: Hyena Tyrant]
[Loot Obtained:]
Tyrant Bone Claw × 3
Hyena Fang × 12
Beast Hide (Dense) × 4
Mutant Core (Grade F) × 1
Special Drop: Tyrant Echo Gland (Unlocks Sensory Adaptation)
[Skill Acquired: Echo Sense – F rank ]
Type: Passive
Effect: Allows detection of vibrations and movement within a 25-meter radius through sound and resonance. Can function in darkness or smoke. Improves as Beast Resonance increases.
A faint hum rippled through his mind as the ability settled into him. Suddenly, the world felt different. Alive in a new way. He could feel the distant scurrying of tiny creatures under the rubble. The faint breathing of the students far away. Even the drip of water two floors below.
"…This is insane," Renji muttered under his breath, a small grin tugging at his lips.
Then the next notification hit.
[Congratulations!]
You have completed F-Rank Gate (Hard).
He clenched his fist. The climb was slow… but steady.
Stat Window blinked into view.
Name: Renji Kurozawa
Rank: F (Gold)
Level: 10
Beast Resonance: 22%
Stats:
Strength: 21
Speed: 20
Perception: 25
Endurance: 22
Vitality: 12
Luck: 12
Skills:
Feral Claw (E Rank)
Predator's Gaze
Fearless Tenacity [Passive]
Dash (E Rank)
Serpent Shedding (E Rank)
Viper Aura Armor (E Rank)
Alpha Will (F Rank)
Echo Sense (F Rank)
[Unassigned Points: +15]
Renji swiped it closed and exhaled deeply. His entire body ached, but the adrenaline still burned in his veins.
Far ahead, a small group of students moved cautiously through the shattered streets, their faces pale, barriers flickering from exhaustion. They were whispering when they saw something in the distance.
"…Do you see that?" one of them breathed.
At first, it looked like a man — but then the presence hit them like a tidal wave. An oppressive aura so heavy it made their lungs tighten.
From the far end of the street, a silhouette approached through smoke and darkness. Blue eyes glowed faintly, cold and sharp. Shadows seemed to coil around its frame like living mist.
Every instinct in their body screamed to run.
"It's not a beast…" someone stammered, voice shaking. "Right?"
The figure stepped closer, boots crushing glass underfoot. The glow dimmed, revealing torn combat clothes soaked in blood. The oppressive aura faded slightly.
Finally, they saw his face.
"…Wait," another whispered, heart pounding. "That's him."
The boy they'd mocked weeks ago.
Renji Kurozawa.
The Alpha Killer.
One student swallowed hard. "Goddamn… he's a monster."
Renji didn't spare them a glance as he walked past, silent and cold, his faint blue glow fading like the last flicker of twilight.
The gate shimmered behind him as he stepped out into the dusky streets. Students who had been waiting stared at him like he'd walked out of a graveyard.
"Holy crap…" someone whispered. "He killed that thing alone?"
"The guy's a freak…"
"No—he's the Alpha Killer…"
Renji ignored them, his cracked phone buzzing faintly in his pocket. Before he could check it, a familiar voice called out.
"Renji."
He turned to see Mr. Ain standing by the academy van, arms folded, his usual calm smile lingering. "Two in a row, huh? And you don't even look satisfied."
Renji shrugged, walking over. "i kind of almost died."
Ain raised a brow. "The hyena boss is indeed strong".
Renji's eyes narrowed. "It was strong… but not smart."
Mr. Ain studied him for a moment, then smirked. "Good. Keep thinking like that. The next one will make you bleed harder." He tossed a small pack toward him. Renji caught it, opening to find more healing potions and two stamina restorers.
"Gear up," Ain said. "One more day of breathing, then the next gate."
Renji slipped the pack into his inventory, feeling the faint pulse of power through his veins.
Tomorrow… another fight. Another step.