Kaelen stood silently on the branch of a tall tree, his eyes locked on the battlefield below. The plain was crawling with orcs—hundreds of them—and at their center loomed an ominous figure.
The Orc Disaster.
Its grotesque form radiated a sinister aura, but what caught Kaelen's attention was the faint trace of another presence woven into it. His eyes narrowed.
"So, he was the one who forcefully evolved this creature… creating trouble for the world again. Annoying bitch."
The air grew heavy as Kaelen watched the Orc Disaster seize one of its own kin, biting into the flesh and devouring it alive. His jaw tightened. There was no mistaking it—the effect of the Unique Skill: Starved.
The monster's crimson eyes suddenly snapped toward him.
"Are you the one I've been told to defeat?" it roared, voice guttural and dripping with hunger.Kaelen's thoughts sharpened." That man again… so he used Ivarage's magicules to bend the system and force this evolution, huh?" His lips curved into a half-scowl, half-smile as he called back, "Do you have a description of that bastard?"
The Orc Disaster ignored the question, grabbing another orc and tearing into it. Around a hundred orcs, driven mad by Starved, turned and rushed toward Kaelen, while the Orc Lord stood protectively at the monster's side.
Kaelen exhaled sharply. He had no desire to slaughter an entire race. Raising one hand, he conjured fifty shimmering Photon Bullets in the air, each condensed with precision. With a snap, they fired, cutting down fifty charging orcs in perfect synchrony. He leapt over the rest, landing lightly on the ground before the Orc Disaster, keeping a measured distance.
the Orc Disaster howled.
Scarlet heads—mockeries of faces—rushed at Kaelen in a tide of hunger. Black and crimson streaks flickered with a faint purple undertone—traces of Ivarage's magicules.
"The anime wasn't exaggerating. This is even nastier in reality."
Kaelen moved with calculated grace, sidestepping and weaving through the barrage, his perception honed by the Eyes of the Eternal Dragon.
"Close combat would work, but… it has Steel Strength and Unify Armor. And with Ivarage's corruption, there's bound to be anomalies."
As if to confirm his suspicion, the Orc Disaster suddenly gathered a pulsing sphere of magic in its hands and hurled it forward. The sphere multiplied—one into five, then twenty—until a storm of blasts descended.
Kaelen's eyes sharpened. "Multi-layered Barrier!"
Layer upon layer of shimmering defenses materialized, each straining under the bombardment. When the dust settled, only his final barrier remained intact. His patience had run thin.
Rising into the air, Kaelen conjured a storm of Ice Spears, hurling them with blinding speed. They shattered harmlessly against the Orc's armor—except one. The final spear struck its chest, glowing faintly before exploding.
Before the beast could react, Kaelen appeared behind it, palm pressed against its back. "Devouring Flame," he whispered.
The Orc Disaster twisted, swinging in desperation, but Kaelen blurred away, his speed untouchable.
The monster snarled, "What did you do?"
Kaelen's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Simple. You can't perceive minor enchantments. That last spear was enchanted with flame. It detonated on a time delay. I didn't expect you to react so quickly, though."
Raising his hand, Kaelen's fingers clenched into a crushing gesture. "Ignite—Hellflame."
The planted deevouring flame flared violently. A blood-red core erupted from the Orc's chest, birthing a vortex of infernal flame that fed on its very life force. The monster howled, resisting with newfound power as flames licked its soul. Ivarage's aura surged outward, dispersing part of the fire in a roar of defiance.
Kaelen anticipated this. In a single motion, he drew a sword from his Dimensional Storage, its blade already infused with holy essence and light. Magicules poured into the edge, forming a devastating strike reminiscent of Melt Slash.
With one clean motion, he severed the Orc Disaster's head and the blade broke due to being unable to handle that much concentrated magicules.
But he knew that would not be enough. Grabbing the head mid-air, Kaelen activated Primordial Ingestion, consuming the essence within. The head decapitated, yet the body still twitched.
"Not done yet."
With his remaining arm, Kaelen unleashed a dozen Cardinal Ice Chains, binding the thrashing corpse. Then, forming his hand into the shape of a gun, he conjured a Photon Bullet—but didn't release it. Instead, he layered fire, lightning, wind, and ice into its core, compressing it until it glowed with destructive power.
"Die."
The shot erupted in a cataclysmic explosion. Fire scorched, lightning crackled, wind fanned the inferno, and ice froze what remained. When the dust cleared, the Orc Disaster was gone.A familiar system window materialized.
[Finished absorbing essence of Orc Disaster — Gorath]
[Acquired Skills:
• Unique Skill: Starved
• Extra Skill: Steel Strength
• Extra Skill: Unify Armor
• Extra Skill: Dominant Haki Release]
[Acquired Resistances: Fire Resistance, Fire Nullification]
[Fast Regeneration → Ultra-Speed Regeneration]
[Acquired Demon Lord Seed]
Kaelen froze. Demon Lord Seed? But I already have the Hero Egg… you can't have both, can you?
Another window appeared.
[Host possesses both True Hero Egg and Demon Lord Seed]
[Evolution Requirement Met]
[Nascent Aetherion → Aetherborn]
[Proceed with Evolution?]
[ YES/NO]
[Warning: Evolution may take several hours. A safe place is recommended.]
His pulse quickened with excitement, but he restrained himself. Now was not the time. Too many dangers.
Instead, he turned to the Orc Lord. "I'll free you from this curse. Live as you once were."Before the Lord could react, Kaelen appeared behind him, stripping away the Starved influence and Ivarage's corruption. The mighty Orc Lord shrank, returning to the form of a High Orc. Bowing his head, the freed being murmured gratitude before retreating with his kin.
Peace lasted only a moment.
"Napalm Burst."
A twisting dragon of fire tore through the air, striking Kaelen head-on. His skin remained unscathed thanks to his new resistances, though his shirt burned away.
From the shadows, slow applause echoed. "Fire resistance and nullification, huh?"
Kaelen's gaze sharpened. Guy Crimson.
The handsome demon lord stepped into the light, blood-red eyes glinting with starlike gold and silver. His long crimson hair swayed like flame, and his muscular chest was bare beneath a dark coat.
Kaelen's Eyes of the Eternal Dragon pulsed, and Founder's voice whispered in his mind:[Elemental spell Napalm Burst have been aqquired as an Extra skil: Napalm Burst ]
He didn't react outwardly, keeping his focus locked on Guy. "Who are you? What do you want?"Guy smirked, releasing an overwhelming aura. "Me? I'm Guy Crimson—the Demon Lord, Lord of Darkness."
Kaelen stood firm, releasing the newly gained Dominant Haki and even Hero Haki in response. Guy chuckled at the audacity.
"You know, boy, your presence is insignificant… yet interesting. Tell me, why should I spare you?"
Kaelen's grin widened. "Because if you kill me, you'll have to deal with the Emperor himself. I'm his apprentice. Harm me, and you provoke him directly."
Guy laughed, genuine amusement glinting in his eyes. "Bold words. Very well. We'll meet again." With that, he vanished.
Founder's voice immediately followed.
[Ultimate Skill: Lucifer, Lord of Pride analysis complete]
[Attempting Integration into founder … Failed]
[Degradation Successful: Unique Skill — Pride Acquired]
[Attempting intergation in founder … Successful]
Kaelen blinked. Wait. You can copy ultimate skills?
"Yes," Founder replied. "When your Eyes of the Eternal Dragon analyze them, I can attempt integration. If the tier is too high, degradation occurs. That is why Pride could be integrated."Kaelen smirked, the possibilities racing through his mind. So even Raphael could be mine someday…
That night, he returned quietly to camp, slipping into his tent and collapsing into a deep, satisfied sleep.
Morning brought chaos—rumors of explosions and battle spreading among the soldiers. Kaelen ignored the whispers, preparing for departure.
Selianne, however, received a letter from her parents asking if she could stay with the Caelthorns for a time. Lyra and their father agreed warmly, and even Elliria smiled as Selianne's joy lit up her face.
The return home was brief before urgency struck again. A maid rushed in, breathless. " Emperor Rudra has arrived!"
The family scrambled to greet him. Kaelen, however, walked in calmly, almost lazily. His father looked ready to scold him after Rudra left, but the Emperor only smiled, strangely pleased by Kaelen's composure.
"Kaelen Caelthorn," Rudra said, eyes sharp yet amused. "Have you considered my offer to be my apprentice?"Gasps filled the hall. Everyone knew Rudra had never once taken a disciple.
Kaelen bowed his head slightly. "Yes, master. I'll be in your care."
Rudra's smile widened. Velgrynd raised a brow. "Your Majesty, you've never taken an apprentice before."
"No one worthy appeared until now," Rudra replied simply. Then his gaze sharpened. "Tell me, Kaelen… you were the one who defeated the Orc Disaster, weren't you? Don't even think of lying."
Kaelen scratched his cheek with a sheepish grin. "Well… yeah."
Shock rippled through the room. Velgrynd reassessed him with new eyes, pride flickering in her expression.
"And you met Guy Crimson as well, didn't you?" Rudra pressed, grin widening.
Velgrynd gasped. "Guy Crimson?! The Demon Lord?!"
Even Kaelen's father paled at the revelation.
Rudra burst into laughter. "Good work, brat. You've exceeded expectations." Then, with a smirk, he departed.
Later, Kaelen slipped into his room, whispering to the system. "System,Begin the evolution."A new window opened.
[Beginning Evolution: Nascent Aetherion → Aetherborn]
His body glowed faintly, energy surging within. Unlike Rimuru's harvest festival, Kaelen's transformation was subtle yet profound. His features sharpened, his skin smoothened, his frame grew taller and more muscular. His ocean-blue eyes shimmered gold, power coursing through his veins.
[Evolution Successful]
[Unique Skill Acquired: Duality]
[Magicule reserves and physical capabilities tripled]
[Spell and attack potency doubled]
Smiling faintly, Kaelen collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion pulling him into deep slumber.