Kraven was a boy who had been living alone in the slums for so long that he didn't even remember either of his parent's faces, he'd never felt the happiness of a warm bed or the joy of a full stomach, all he knew was untold violence as the lowest social class in this beautiful metropolis know as Shining Star City a city so bright and glamourous that countless people come here every year to find fame or fortune but most find themselves leaving poorer than when they arrived well the lucky ones anyway.

Today was like any other for Kraven begging for food facing the sneering faces of people whose shoe leather would allow Kraven to live a few months decently if he sold it, being spat on or beaten up was a common occurrence, not once did Kraven fight back because he knew the consequences for daring to even look wealthy and powerful in the eye, he had seen many of the slum kids being killed for less and Kraven wasn't stupid enough to follow their example.

Kraven returned to the slums having made 2 copper coins that were thrown in disgust at him to make him go away but having any money was a dangerous thing in the slums.

"Kraven your pocket seems heavy doesn't it," a voice called out.

"Fuck off Jasper I don't think I need to remind you what happens when you mess with me," Kraven replied coldly.

"Yes yes, your cheap shot certainly did hurt but I'm not an idiot that's why I've brought them," Jasper said pointing to the shadows behind him.

"This the bastard you want us to fuck up Jasper," a rough voice said.

"You really need help fighting this little fucker," another voice laughed.

"Now now boys we're being paid let's be a bit more professional," a third voice clearly the leader said.

"Wow I'm worthy of the mangy dog trio coming after me I feel honored," Kraven said sarcastically.

"You little bastard it's the black wolf trio you better get that right," the second voice said.

"Wolves but all I hear is the sound of a mangy dog asking to be put down," Kraven responded in the same sarcastic voice.

"Cole calm down he's trying to provoke us," the leader said to no effect as the boy now known as Cole charged at Kraven with no caution.

"Mistake," Kraven said with a smile as he reacted quickly and stepped to the side just as the charging Cole was about to stop Kraven stomped on the side of his leg with enough force to break his leg, and Cole landed on the floor screaming in agony his leg bent at an unnatural angle the scream stunned the others but not Kraven as he turned to them.

"How's next," Kraven said with a smile.

"You fucker we were just going to hurt you but now we're going to fucking kill you," the first voice said.

"Simon calm down we need to be careful he's dangerous," The leader said.

"John why do you need to be careful don't you have the advantage after all including Jasper don't you have 3 people still, come on Simon why don't you come try me or are you scared," Kraven said in a mocking voice.

"I'm gonna fucking kill you," Simon roared as he approached Kraven more cautiously than Cole had.

As Simon got into fighting range he launched a punch at the still-smiling Kraven leaned back and the fist narrowly missed him in retaliation Kraven landed a nasty uppercut on Simon's jaw which left him dazed but standing but not for long as Kraven grabbed the back of his head and kneed him in the face which knocked him unconscious and broke his nose.

"2 out of 4, I'll give you a choice John if you give me the money that Jasper paid you I'll let you take your brothers and leave if not I'll kill all 3 of you, your choice," Kraven said coldly.

"If I give him the money I can leave unscathed but we won't have made anything and only made a loss, fuck why did I take this job," John thought hard.

"Deal, here," John said as he threw a bag containing 5 copper coins to Kraven.

"Pleasure doing business with you John but remember if you make any noise in front of me again I'll fucking kill all 3 of you," Kraven said exuding an intimidating air, John said nothing in response and quickly grabbed his brothers and ran,

"Jasper I don't know where you're going, you can't bring a gang of thugs here to try and kill me and then walk away," Kraven said as he rushed and grabbed the fleeing Jasper by the throat.

"How are you so strong when you haven't even awoken your status yet," Jasper screamed.

"Fuck if I know," Kraven said as he stabbed an old knife into Jasper's neck causing him to bleed out rapidly.

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Kraven looked to the entrance to the alleyway where he had just killed Jasper, and there stood a guardsman watching the whole scene unfold but even though he met Kraven's gaze he walked away unbothered.

"Yeah that's how it normally goes," Kraven sighed before he began to loot Jasper's body getting 2 copper coins and a trinket that looked worthless but Kraven decided to keep.

Walking into the slums Kraven looked at the shining houses above made with such care and attention that everything Kraven owned including himself wouldn't amount to even the cost of a single brick, returning his gaze to the path in front of him the dark and muddy alleyway leading to the slum the smell of blood and decay permeated the air but Kraven was unbothered considering this was his home and had been for as long as he can remember, Kraven arrived at the shack that was the closest thing to a tavern that you could get in the slums, as Kraven walked in the chatter stopped you never know who's gonna enter the tavern so most people shut up as soon as the door creaks but as soon as they realised it was a familiar face conversation started again.

"Well if it isn't little Kraven what brings you here," the bartender said to Kraven with a scowl.

"I came to eat the shit food and drink the shit drinks," Kraven said scowling at the bartender.

"Well if that's the case you've come to the right place this here is the best tavern in the slums," the bartender smiled.

"Not hard to achieve with it being the only one," Kraven said smiling back,

"What can I get our little resident killer," The barkeep said laughing.

"He deserved it and I'll have the mystery stew and water, and make it snappy Paul," Kraven said.

"No doubt he did and coming right up," Paul said laughing.

"So Kraven killed Jasper huh, better be careful we aren't next," the people in the tavern were all having the same conversation.

"Ignore those old bastards, they're just jealous that you have the talent to get out of the slums unlike the rest of us," Paul said.

"Yeah so you say but killing Jasper and getting out of the slums are two very different things," Kraven said unsure of his supposed talent sure he had killed someone who had been a pain in the neck for the last few years but escaping the slums wasn't as easy as that far from it dealing with the stigma from coming from the slums wasn't easy to overcome just with strength.

"Your awakening should be soon right," Paul asked.

"Yeah got just under 4 hours before it happens," Kraven said as a transparent window appeared in front of his face that only he could see.

System awakening in 3:39:55

"Ah the system awakening everybody hopes they have good stats or a trait hell some bastards even hope for a bloodline or a physique, but us bottom feeders only hope we have enough stats to make some money at the adventures guild but most of us are lucky to even have enough stats to survive," Paul sighed clearly he was part of the majority.

"Oh well nothing we can do but get on with the life we have anyway here your food and drink 2 coppers," Paul said with an outstretched hand.

"Here take 4 I want a room as well," Kraven said handing the money.

"Big spender," Paul responded surprised.

"It's Jasper's money so who cares," Kraven laughed.

"Fair enough," Paul said throwing him a key for a room.

"So what you gonna do when you awaken," Paul asked.

"Probably register with the adventures guild to make some money, if I'm as talented as you say I am I might even become a sect disciple," Kraven said in between eating his food.

"Yeah and If that happens remember your lowly friend," Paul laughed.

"Start working you lay about," a loud voice echoed through the tavern, the source of the voice was a tall well-built man, it was Paul's father Mark the reason that this place was never robbed and trouble never started here, he was someone that was able to gain a cultivation technique and reached the Body Tempering realm, the single most powerful person in the slums.

"Stop bothering Kraven and get to serving people got it," Mark shouted only then did Paul see the people trying to order waiting for him to see them.

"Sorry about him Kraven he tends to get a bit chatty when we have slum celebrities come in, glad to see you got rid of that little shit Jasper though the fucker was starting to get on my nerves and the dog trio are gonna be quiet for some time," Mark laughed.

"No problem I was kind enough to only break his nose the last time but the fucker decided to try his luck again but it came up short," Kraven smiled.

"Damn for someone that's not even 10 your cold-blooded," Mark said.

"I'm merely a product of my environment if I wasn't chances are I'd be dead or a slave," Kraven said.

"Can't argue with you there, not like I was any different when I was your age," Mark said seeing himself in the young man sitting in front of him.

"Can I ask you a question?" Kraven asked.

"Shoot," Mark answered.

"Would you recommend joining the adventures guild?" Kraven asked looking Mark in the eyes.

"For most, I wouldn't seeing as most go on jobs and don't come back the rush of stats awakening makes people feel invincible but they overestimate themselves thinking they will be the chosen one who will get lucky encounters discover ancient techniques and heavenly treasures only to die to a common wolf, but I don't know why but I get the feeling that you will be different but I will emphasize that your life if your own if you see yourself walking a different path, walk that not a path someone else has pointed you on," Mark answered Kraven's question to the best of his ability.

"Thanks, gave me a lot to think about and I'm not gonna lie I'm extremely tired so I'm gonna go to bed, thanks for the food and the advice," Kraven said walking towards his room.

"Hey Dad do you really think Kraven has talent,?" Paul asked.

"I don't know son, but I do trust my instincts and when I look at him the hairs on the back of my neck stand up like I'm facing a wild beast or in his case a sheathed sword, listen to me son he will be a monster in the future," Mark said before making his son get back to work.

System awakening in 3:00:00

"In 3 hours I'll find out what my future will be but that's a tomorrow problem," Kraven said before falling asleep.

Author Note

Hey If you're reading this then you read my second attempt at a novel, hell you might have even read the first, kind of wrote myself into a corner on that one and had no clue what to do so I decided to try and do a system novel that still includes martial arts and cultivation techniques.

So yeah if you like it maybe drop a favourite and a review if you don't like it drop a review and tell me why thanks.