The glow of the system window lingered before Kael's eyes.
[Reward Selected: Venom Fang Shot (Lv.1)][Skill Acquired.]
A searing pain burned through his veins, like venom coursing beneath his skin. He hissed, clenching his fists. Then it was gone—replaced by a strange clarity, a whisper of power.
The system's panel expanded:
[Current Skills & Abilities]• Fire Spark (Basic, Lv.1): Generates a small flame, capable of igniting flammable objects. Damage minimal. Upgrade path unlocked → Fire Manipulation Tree.• Ash Phase (Elite, Lv.1): Temporarily convert body into smoke/ash form. Allows passing through small gaps, partial damage negation. Duration: 3 seconds. Cooldown: 60 seconds. Upgrade path locked until higher Rank.• Venom Fang Shot (Rare, Lv.1): Condense venom energy into a fang-shaped projectile. On hit: Deals piercing damage + applies poison effect (DoT: 5 seconds). Cooldown: 15 seconds. Upgrade path unlocked → Toxic Arts Tree.
Kael's eyes widened. Three skills. Three paths. All stacked within him like a deck of loaded cards.
So I can burn, vanish, or poison at will… He almost laughed. Yeah. Not normal at all.
Eren leaned against the cavern wall, pale but steady. "You were reckless. If that monster had been any stronger—"
Kael shrugged. "Then I'd be dead. But I'm not. And now—" He raised his hand, conjuring a green venomous glow that solidified into a curved fang. "—I'm stronger."
Eren's eyes widened. "That's not… that's not normal. Hunters don't gain beast abilities."
Kael smirked. "Guess I'm not normal."
Silence stretched between them. The cavern smelled of smoke and burnt glass. Then, softly, Eren spoke.
"My parents…" His voice wavered. "They were killed in the first wave. The beasts tore through our city. My little sister didn't even scream before…" His fists clenched. "I swore if I ever awakened, I'd heal others—so no one else would lose family like me."
A faint golden glow shimmered around his hands as he whispered.
[Skill Detected: Minor Heal (Basic, Lv.1)]Effect: Restores minor wounds. Heals surface cuts, light bleeding, and bruising. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Cannot regenerate missing limbs.
Kael's smirk faded, his fire cooling into something darker "I see we share something in common".
"My family saved every coin, every scrap, just to buy me one chance at awakening." His voice was sharp with pain. "They gave up everything… and the beasts still slaughtered them before my eyes. I was powerless." His jaw tightened. "That night, I swore I'd climb to the top. Stronger than anyone. Strong enough to tear open the sky itself if I have to."
He turned, eyes blazing again. "That's my path."
Eren looked at him quietly. Then, slowly, he nodded. "You're insane. You'll probably get yourself killed."
"Probably," Kael said, grinning despite the blood still on his side. "But the strong don't play safe. They gamble. They burn. They win."
Eren gave a weary laugh, shaking his head. "Then I guess I'll follow you. Not because I want to… but because if I stay behind, I'll just die anyway. At least with you…" His gaze hardened. "At least I'll be fighting for something."
Ding!
[New Party Formed: Kael Kane + Eren Veylan.][Synergy Bonus Activated: +5% Skill Efficiency.][Shared Party Log Enabled.]
"New party Huh" Kael asked
System : Yup
"Looks like this is about to get interesting" kael said as he had a smile on his lips.
The two of them stepped out of the cavern, the sun bleeding across a ruined horizon. Towers of smoke marked distant cities. The earth trembled faintly, as if warning of the storms yet to come.
Kael raised his gaze skyward, his hand clenching into a fist. "This world thinks we're prey. But Eren…" His voice was fire itself. "We'll show them hunters don't bow. We rise."