The shelter was alive.
Voices echoed through the massive hall as people formed teams, checked weapons, and prepared to step beyond the gates.
But Sohan—
He stood still.
---
Not because he was afraid.
But because something inside him…
Had changed.
---
"…It's stronger here."
He whispered.
---
That sensation.
The one he had felt faintly before—
Now it was clear.
---
The moment he entered the Sanctuary, it awakened.
---
Sohan closed his eyes.
---
Focused.
---
The world around him faded.
The noise disappeared.
---
And then—
---
He saw it.
---
A space.
---
Dark.
Endless.
---
Floating within it—
A crystal.
---
"…So this is…"
---
Sohan's breathing slowed.
---
"The Soul Sea…"
---
He had read about it.
Every human who entered the Sanctuary would eventually form one.
A space that held their power.
Their genes.
Their growth.
---
But what stood before him—
---
Was not normal.
---
A stone floated silently in the center.
Dark.
Ancient.
Emitting a faint, terrifying presence.
---
The Gene Stone.
---
Sohan's eyes trembled slightly.
---
"…So I really have it."
---
Not similar.
Not fake.
---
The same origin.
The same existence.
---
The same kind of stone as ****.
---
His heartbeat quickened.
---
"In that case…"
---
He focused deeper.
---
The technique activated instinctively.
---
Not forced.
Not unstable like before.
---
But smooth.
---
Connected.
---
The moment his will touched the stone—
---
It moved.
---
"…!"
---
Sohan's eyes snapped open.
---
His hand trembled slightly.
---
Then—
---
A faint shimmer.
---
And suddenly—
---
The stone appeared.
---
Floating just above his palm.
---
Real.
---
Visible.
---
Outside his body.
---
Sohan stared at it in silence.
---
"This…"
---
His voice dropped.
---
"…I can take it out."
---
He clenched his hand slightly.
---
The stone flickered—
---
And disappeared.
---
Back into his Soul Sea.
---
Sohan's breathing deepened.
---
Again.
---
He willed it—
---
And it appeared.
---
Then vanished.
---
Again.
And again.
---
Perfect control.
---
No resistance.
---
No backlash.
---
A slow smile formed.
---
"So this is my advantage…"
---
Not just the stone.
---
But control over it.
---
Others could use it.
---
But him?
---
"I can command it."
---
Perhaps—
---
This was his golden finger.
---
Not something external.
---
But something rooted deep within his existence.
---
Sohan looked around.
No one noticed.
---
Good.
---
This wasn't something he could reveal.
Not yet.
---
He took a deep breath and calmed himself.
---
"Focus…"
---
Excitement was dangerous.
Carelessness was death.
---
Then—
---
Something else surfaced in his mind.
---
Timeline.
---
Memories of the story.
---
"…If I'm right…"
---
He calculated quickly.
---
"Han Sen should have entered this shelter…"
---
His eyes narrowed.
---
"…about four months ago."
---
That meant—
---
Han Sen was already growing.
Already hunting.
Already becoming stronger.
---
Sohan exhaled slowly.
---
"So I'm behind…"
---
But—
---
Not by much.
---
And more importantly—
---
"I know the path."
---
That alone—
Was enough.
---
A loud voice interrupted his thoughts.
---
"Newcomers! Gather here!"
---
Sohan turned.
---
A group was forming near the gate.
---
Around twenty people.
All fresh entrants.
All uncertain.
---
"All first-timers will go out together!" a man shouted. "Stick together if you want to live!"
---
Murmurs spread.
Some nervous.
Some relieved.
---
Sohan walked forward silently.
---
Joining the group.
---
Twenty people.
Twenty beginners.
---
Most of them—
Wouldn't last long.
---
He glanced around.
---
Fear.
Excitement.
Ignorance.
---
They didn't understand.
---
But he did.
---
"This isn't a game…"
---
His eyes hardened.
---
"It's a filter."
---
The gate ahead began to move.
---
Rumble…
---
Slowly opening.
---
Light from outside poured in.
---
Wild.
Untamed.
---
Dangerous.
---
The group tensed.
---
Some swallowed nervously.
Some tightened their grip on weapons.
---
Sohan stood calmly.
---
Inside—
---
The stone rested silently.
---
Waiting.
---
Responding.
---
Obeying.
---
He took a step forward.
---
Then another.
---
Crossing the threshold.
---
From safety—
---
Into the real battlefield.
---
"Power is given to many…"
"…but control belongs to the few."