Kael woke before dawn again, the faint golden warmth in his chest pulsing steadily. Over the past few days, the sensation had grown slightly stronger each morning, though still subtle enough to pass as a quirk of his imagination.
He sat on the edge of his bed, flexing his fingers slowly, noting how the warmth responded. It was almost like the system was waiting for him to do something. Something he hadn't tried yet.
Today… I'll see if I can feel it more.
---
The streets were quiet as Kael made his way to the guild hall. Even the city seemed to hold its breath, as though aware of the small, invisible change in him. Kael kept to his usual shadows, unnoticed by merchants, hunters, or passersby.
Inside the guild hall, the assignments for the day were posted: E-rank dungeons again, nothing significant. But Kael's eyes drifted to the notice of a side quest: a "small, abandoned cavern" with rumors of faint golden lights and strange energy readings.
It was unofficial, unsigned, and low risk enough that an E-rank hunter could explore it alone. Perfect.
Finally… an opportunity.
---
Kael left the hall without joining a party. The warmth in his chest pulsed stronger as he approached the cavern entrance, almost like anticipation. He crouched at the threshold, observing the faint golden veins that lined the walls.
This is it, he thought. This is where I see what I can do.
He raised his hand, placing it over the stone wall. The warmth flared briefly, more noticeable than ever before, like a heartbeat matching his own.
[Dragon Core Skill Available: Dragon Sense Lv.1]
Kael's eyes widened slightly. The skill had activated subtly, no flashy animation, just the quiet recognition of his presence by the system.
Dragon Sense… he whispered. I can feel it.
---
He experimented carefully. Moving his fingers along the veins of stone, he could feel faint energy flows, subtle currents running through the cavern. The pulse in his chest responded in kind, a quiet guide leading him through the twisting passages.
A soft hum echoed faintly, as if the cavern itself was alive, responding to his awareness. Kael crouched and observed a small crack in the wall. Tiny movements inside suggested something alive, something small but unusual.
He reached out slowly, fingers brushing the surface. The warmth surged slightly, a soft vibration in his chest.
[Dragon Core Skill Progress: Observation Lv.3]
Kael exhaled. He had never felt anything like this before. The system, subtle though it was, responded to his attention, his observation, his patience.
So this is what it's like…
---
As he moved deeper, he noticed faint, golden particles drifting in the air, glowing softly. They seemed drawn toward him, swirling subtly as if attracted to his presence. Kael's pulse quickened. The Dragon Core wasn't just passive—it was reacting.
Then he heard a low sound: a growl, faint but distinct. A small creature emerged from the shadows, stronger than the usual low-level monsters he had encountered. Its eyes glimmered gold, reflecting the faint light of the cavern.
Kael didn't panic. He observed. Its movements were deliberate, cautious. The warmth in his chest pulsed, guiding him.
He extended his hand subtly, willing the Dragon Core to respond. The creature froze slightly, as though sensing his presence differently. Kael flexed his fingers. The warmth flared again, small but noticeable.
[Dragon Core Skill Passive Effect Triggered: Calm Influence Lv.1]
The creature backed away, seemingly pacified—not attacked, not hostile, but aware of Kael in a new way. He had never directly influenced a living creature before, not intentionally.
Kael smiled faintly. So it listens… in its own way.
---
By the time he exited the cavern, the sun was rising high. The warmth in his chest lingered, pulsing in a quiet rhythm that felt like progress. Kael had tested his abilities subtly, observed the responses, and survived without incident.
This is just the beginning, he thought. But I can feel it… I'm changing. Slowly, quietly, but I'm growing.
The faint golden shimmer appeared one last time at the edge of his vision before fading completely. Kael's lips curved into a small, determined smile.
Soon, the world will notice me. But first… I'll learn everything it has to teach me.