The moment Kael stepped onto the street…
Chaos greeted him.
The Lizardman Champion roared as it swung its massive bone sword across the road.
KRAAAASH!
A police car split cleanly in half.
Metal twisted violently. Glass exploded into the air. The sound of tearing steel echoed across the street as the destroyed vehicle slid across the pavement.
People screamed.
Police officers opened fire immediately.
Gunshots echoed nonstop.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets struck the monster's thick scales—
And bounced off like pebbles.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
"Dammit!"
"Guns aren't working!"
"Fall back! Fall back!"
Panic spread quickly.
The Lizardman moved forward slowly, like a walking disaster.
Then suddenly—
It grabbed a police officer by the neck.
The officer struggled desperately.
"L-Let go—!"
The monster lifted him easily into the air.
CRACK.
The officer's body went limp.
The Lizardman threw him aside like trash.
More screams followed.
Cars collided.
People ran in every direction.
And in the middle of all this chaos—
Kael stood still.
Watching.
Calculating.
Then—
A small stone flew from his hand.
VWOOP—
THUCK!
It hit the Lizardman's face.
The monster froze.
Slowly…
It turned toward Kael.
There he stood.
A normal boy.
Holding nothing but a cheap box cutter.
"Oy…"
Kael spoke calmly.
"Lizard."
His eyes were cold.
"I'm your opponent."
People nearby looked at him in disbelief.
"Is he insane?!"
"Kid, run!"
But Kael didn't move.
The Lizardman roared loudly.
ROOOOAAARRR!
Then charged.
Each step shook the ground.
THUD
THUD
THUD
The monster raised its massive sword—
And swung downward.
SWOOOOSH!
The blade came down fast enough to split Kael in half.
But—
Kael stepped aside at the last second.
Effortlessly.
The sword smashed into the ground.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Slow…"
He muttered.
"Too slow."
Five years ago…
This monster had felt like death itself.
Now…
It looked predictable.
Kael stepped onto the sword embedded in the ground.
Then jumped.
DASH!
He stabbed the box cutter into the monster's neck.
SCHLUCK!
Blood burst out.
The Lizardman screamed.
"REEEEEE!"
But the blade snapped.
Kael landed smoothly.
"Tch…"
He looked at the broken cutter.
"Cheap weapon."
The Lizardman entered blind rage.
It swung wildly, destroying nearby cars and buildings.
Kael stepped back calmly.
"This isn't the real threat…"
He muttered quietly.
Because he remembered.
This hidden dungeon…
Had two bosses.
And the second one…
Was more dangerous.
Behind him—
Ren watched everything from inside the store.
His hands trembled.
"Kael…"
Fear filled his eyes.
But he clenched his fists.
"I… I have to help."
Ren grabbed a folding steel chair.
Then ran outside.
"Kael! I'm coming!"
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
Not fear.
Calculation.
"Ren! Stop!"
Too late.
Ren stepped forward.
His foot landed on the Lizardman's shadow.
The shadow moved.
Like liquid.
Something emerged.
A black claw grabbed Ren's leg.
"W-What—?!"
A dark figure rose from the shadow.
Shadow Stalker.
A blade pressed against Ren's throat.
[WARNING]
Hidden Boss Detected
Shadow Stalker — B Rank
Ren froze.
"K-Kael…"
Time slowed.
Kael analyzed the situation instantly.
If he rushed—
Ren would die.
If he shouted—
Ren would die.
So—
Kael raised his hand.
Invisible threads spread through the air.
[Activating Trait — Fate Weaver]
At that exact moment—
The Lizardman swung blindly.
Its sword handle slammed into the Shadow Stalker.
BAM!
The dagger missed Ren's throat.
Kael moved instantly.
He shoved Ren aside.
"Move!"
Kael grabbed a broken iron rod.
Jumped—
And drove it straight into the Shadow Stalker's head.
CRUNCH!
Black blood splattered.
The monster dissolved into smoke.
[Hidden Boss Defeated]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
But—
The Lizardman attacked from behind.
Kael grabbed the fallen dagger.
Without turning—
He threw it.
SWISH!
The dagger pierced the monster's forehead.
THUD.
The Lizardman collapsed.
Silence followed.
Ren stared in shock.
"Kael…"
"How did you…"
Sirens echoed in the distance.
Kael's expression changed instantly.
He tore his shirt.
Covered his face in dirt.
Guild vehicles arrived.
A golden armored hunter stepped out.
Ryuzen.
"Don't worry citizens!"
"I'm here!"
He looked around.
The monsters were already dead.
"What…?"
Kael hid behind a car.
"Stay quiet."
Ren nodded silently.
Ryuzen stepped forward proudly.
"Looks like my aura scared them to death."
The crowd cheered.
Kael watched quietly.
Inside his pocket—
A glowing purple orb appeared.
[Shadow Cloak — A Rank]
Kael smiled faintly.
"Take the fame…"
His eyes darkened.
"...I'll take the power."
He disappeared into the crowd.
First blood had been claimed.
And Kael…
Had taken his first step toward becoming the villain.
Chapter 2 End