Night wrapped the slums in a cold silence. The only sounds were dogs barking in the distance and the whispers of hungry wind sliding through broken alleyways.
Aether stood alone, a rusted knife in one hand, a burning hunger in his chest.
His first target: a Stray Rift Beast, creatures born from unstable dimensional cracks that formed in the outskirts. Weak but dangerous to common people. No guild bothered with them.
But to him?
They were fuel.
System Alert
Target Detected:
[Cracked-Bone Hound – Level 5]
Classification: Rift Spawn
Rank: E-
Threat Level: Low
Devourable: Yes
Core: Instinctual Fragment
Aether crouched low in the shadows. The skeletal beast sniffed the air, snarling, bloodstains still fresh on its jagged fangs. It had likely just killed a homeless man — meat for the riftspawn.
He whispered, "Sticky Bind."
The old skill activated.
From the shadows, faint silver strings burst out, binding the beast's front legs to the ground. It howled and thrashed.
Weak.
But not enough.
Aether sprinted forward, eyes sharp. He jammed the knife into the beast's exposed jaw and twisted hard. A sick crunch echoed.
Blood splattered his face.
The beast twitched… then stilled.
He breathed out slowly, chest heaving.
Kill Confirmed.
Devour?
He didn't hesitate.
"Devour it."
Devouring...
You have consumed:
[Instinctual Fragment]
[Blood-Sense]
[Bone-Hardened Hide] – Passive Skill
[Weak Rift Core – Fragmented]
Level Up: 3 → 5
Hunger: 10%
Aether wiped the blood from his cheek.
He could feel it.
His body was strengthening. His skin was tougher. His reflexes sharper.
He was becoming something more.
Not just a boy with a knife.
A predator.
Students were grouped in circles, laughing, comparing pacts and skills.
Saber bragged loudly. "I got an A-rank Wolf Lord with a Platinum-level slash skill. I'll be joining the Crimson Spear Guild next year."
"Damn, that's elite," Vex muttered. "What about Aether? Still got that slime?"
They all laughed.
Aether passed by silently.
Elena smirked and called out, "Hey, Trash. Try not to cry when we leave you behind again, alright?"
Aether paused.
He turned just enough to let her see his eyes.
Empty.
Dark.
Unforgiving.
Then walked away.
He stopped when he saw her.
Sitting alone beneath the blossoming starflower tree, reading a worn-out book.
Nahida.
Elven princess.
In his past life… his lover.
The one who died protecting him — when the world betrayed him.
She hadn't changed.
Still gentle.
Still bright.
Still too pure for this corrupted world.
She looked up — eyes meeting his for the first time in this timeline.
And smiled.
Aether's heart twisted.
"Hey," she said, tilting her head. "Aether, right? You were in the same class last year."
He froze.
She didn't remember him. Of course not. She hadn't lived that future. Not yet.
He smiled faintly, hiding the storm in his chest.
"Yeah. Aether."
"I like your name. You sound like the wind."
He nodded. "And you're Nahida. The one everyone says has a perfect affinity score."
Her cheeks reddened. "Don't believe rumors."
"I don't," he said softly. "I believe what I see."
She blinked.
That day, they talked.
Just two students.
No fate. No tragedy.
But deep inside, Aether swore:
"This time, I won't let you die."
That night, after another silent hunt…
Target Devoured:
[Rift Larvae – Level 7]
[Iron Horn Beetle – Level 10]
Skills Gained:
[Compound Vision] – Passive
[Hardened Carapace] – Passive
[Iron Spike] – Active
Level: 5 → 9
Hunger: 21%
Trait Evolved:
Devourer's Instinct I – You now sense fear in prey. Bonus damage against lower-ranked enemies.
He smirked.
Soon… the gap between him and the others would disappear.
Then…
He would surpass them.
And devour everything that stood in his way.