The first rays of dawn slipped through the cracks of an old, crumbling house. Cain stood in front of the mirror, still not used to the reflection that stared back at him. The boy who had once been mocked for his weakness now had sharp features, clear skin, and piercing blue eyes that seemed almost otherworldly. His jet-black hair fell over his forehead in a messy, yet oddly regal way.
> So this is me now… Cain thought, clenching his fist.
But am I really strong? Or is this just some illusion?
Today, he had made up his mind: he would test his powers.
---
Cain left home quietly so as not to wake his mother, Selia, whose frail body lay resting. His father, Dominic, was long gone—vanished like smoke after once being the strongest man alive. The weight of that legacy pressed on Cain more than ever.
His destination was the Hunter Association. Every awakened person who wished to fight monsters had to register there. If he showed his powers, he could finally start his path as a Hunter.
But when he reached the massive gates of the Association building, Cain froze. The banners of authority, the guards in uniform, the countless eyes watching… his chest tightened.
> If they see me awaken overnight… what will they think? That I'm a monster? That I cheated? Maybe they'll take me away and experiment on me.
His steps faltered. For the first time, Cain felt fear not of monsters, but of people.
---
Instead of entering, Cain slipped into the shadows, his mind racing. That was when something unexpected happened: a shimmering blue screen appeared before his eyes.
[Skill Activated: Invisibility]
Cain's eyes widened.
> What the—? I didn't even say anything… I just thought about hiding… and this skill activated?
He looked down at his hands. They were gone. His body—completely transparent. His heart pounded with excitement.
At that very moment, six Hunters emerged from the Association building. They carried advanced gear, weapons that glimmered, and an air of overwhelming confidence. Cain caught a glimpse of their IDs: Rank A Hunters.
They were heading toward a dungeon.
> Perfect… if I can slip in with them, I'll see what this world of Hunters is really like.
With a grin, Cain walked invisibly alongside them, unnoticed as they opened the dungeon gate and entered.
---
The Dungeon
The first floor was almost laughable. Dozens of weak goblins shrieked and charged, only to be cut down by the A-Rank Hunters in seconds. Cain watched carefully, studying their movements.
But his focus wasn't on the goblins. He was waiting. Waiting for something greater.
As they advanced deeper, the air grew heavier, the stench of ash and blood lingering. When they reached the final chamber, a massive stone door loomed before them, engraved with runes glowing faintly red.
The Hunters exchanged worried glances.
"This… doesn't feel like a normal boss room," one muttered.
Together, they forced the doors open.
The ground shook.
Inside was nothing but darkness. Silent. Cold.
One Hunter took a step too far—his hand brushed against something rough, scaly, and warm.
A low rumble echoed. Then, with a deafening roar, two golden eyes lit up in the darkness.
A Dragon.
---
Terror
The A-Rank Hunters froze in horror. Dragons were supposed to be myths, legends sealed away in high-level dungeons. To see one here was unthinkable.
The beast's roar shook the chamber, nearly rupturing their eardrums. Its wings spread wide, knocking several Hunters off their feet. With a swipe of its tail, three of them were sent flying—and devoured in an instant.
Blood sprayed. Screams echoed.
The survivors trembled, weapons shaking in their hands.
But not Cain.
His eyes shone with excitement. For the first time in his life, his blood boiled with thrill.
> "So this is a dungeon… hah. I thought they were all weaklings. But this… THIS is the real deal!"
---
Cain Steps Forward
Cain deactivated his invisibility and stepped out from the shadows. He had wrapped a cloth around his face to hide his identity.
The remaining three Hunters gasped.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Wait, did you follow us here?!"
Cain ignored them. His eyes were locked on the dragon.
The system chimed:
[Weapon Summon: Rusted Sword]
In his hand appeared a dull, chipped blade, barely worthy of being called a weapon.
> "Tch… is this some kind of joke?" Cain muttered.
But he didn't hesitate. He charged forward.
The dragon's tail whipped toward him like a collapsing building. Cain leapt, the rusty sword gleaming faintly, and in a single slash—he severed the dragon's tail.
The chamber shook with the beast's howl of rage.
The Hunters stared, jaws dropped. No A-Rank Hunter could have done such a thing.
Cain smirked. But his joy didn't last long.
The dragon's flesh rippled—and its tail regenerated before their very eyes.
Cain's sword, however, gleamed brighter. Sharper. Stronger.
> So that's how it works. The more I fight… the more this blade evolves.
---
The Battle
What followed was chaos.
Cain clashed with the dragon, blow after blow. Each strike made his sword shine brighter, its edge sharper, until it rivaled the greatest weapons forged by mankind.
The dragon unleashed torrents of fire, scorching the chamber, yet Cain dashed through the flames with impossible speed. His body moved as if guided by instinct—his system-enhanced reflexes making him a blur of death.
The surviving Hunters could only watch, whispering in awe.
> "Is he… an international ranker?"
"No… even they couldn't solo a dragon…"
"Then who… what is he?!"
Cain didn't care. His heart roared with the thrill of battle.
At last, after a furious clash, Cain drove his blade deep into the dragon's chest, pinning it to the ground. The beast roared, its massive body trembling, unable to rise.
But it wasn't over.
---
The Pact
The dragon's voice echoed—not aloud, but inside Cain's mind.
> "Human… who are you? Never have I seen such strength in one so young."
Cain hesitated, breathing heavily. "Who I am doesn't matter. You're finished."
> "No… you are not just a human. You are destiny itself. Allow me… to serve you. Become my master, and I will lend you my strength."
Cain blinked. "…Serve me? You're a dragon. How the hell am I supposed to keep you by my side?"
The dragon's eyes glowed.
> "Do not worry. I shall live in your shadow."
A grin spread across Cain's face. "Then fine. From now on, you're my right hand."
> "It is an honor, my Lord."
The dragon's massive body dissolved into black mist, sinking into Cain's shadow.
---
Aftermath
The dungeon doors opened once more.
The three surviving Hunters stumbled out, wounded and trembling. When they reached the Association, they rushed to the Guild Master's office.
"There was a dragon!" one shouted. "A real dragon in the dungeon!"
The Guild Master slammed his desk. "Impossible! How did you survive?!"
The Hunters exchanged looks. Then one spoke.
"We didn't. We were saved… by someone else. He called himself… the Child of Destiny."
The Guild Master's eyes widened. "Find him. No matter where he hides—find him. That boy may be the strongest Hunter in the world."
From a nearby rooftop, Cain watched the scene through a window. He smirked, raising a hand in silent farewell before vanishing once more.
> So this is the start. If I want to grow stronger… I can't stop here.
The system's voice rang in his head:
[New Mission: Hunt the Hellhounds of the Underworld – Rank S]
A new key materialized in his palm, its colors blazing with fiery red and blue.
Before him, a gate appeared, glowing ominously.
Cain grinned.
> "Finally… some real fun."
And with that, he stepped through the portal.
---
End of Chapter 2