Chapter 7: The Weight of Power

Kael moved swiftly through the forest, leaving the clearing and the bodies behind. The rush of adrenaline still coursed through his veins, but now, a sense of unease crept in. He had killed before, but those had been beasts—monsters driven by primal instincts. Today, he had taken the lives of two men. Human lives.

The forest, usually full of distant animal sounds, now felt unnaturally quiet. Every step Kael took seemed louder in the stillness. His newly copied Stealth Talent (Stream) was already weaving itself into his movements, making him more attuned to the terrain, more fluid in how he walked. Yet, even with this newfound power, something gnawed at him.

‘Is this what it’s going to be like?’ he thought, glancing back over his shoulder toward the clearing. ‘Killing people to grow stronger?’

He had known from the beginning that rising in this world would mean fighting, but he hadn’t expected it to come so quickly or so violently. The men had been bandits, sure—dangerous, opportunistic—but there had been no hesitation when he killed them. He had fought with precision, and the system had rewarded him for it.

That reward, though, had come with a cost.

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, Kael focused on the path ahead. He needed to get back to the village, and he needed to prepare for what came next. Those two bandits had hinted at something larger—something about the baron’s men hunting a powerful beast nearby. That could mean trouble for the village, especially if other opportunists like Dran and Beran were lurking around.

As Kael reached the outskirts of the village, the familiar sights brought a sense of calm back to him. The wooden houses stood as they always had, their windows flickering with candlelight. The villagers, oblivious to the dangers in the forest, went about their daily routines. For them, the threats outside the village were distant, and the baron’s guards provided a false sense of security.

But Kael knew better now. He had seen firsthand how quickly danger could creep up.

He made his way to his home, a modest wooden house near the edge of the village. His mother was outside, tending to the small garden that bordered their yard. She looked up as he approached, her face brightening with a warm smile.

“Kael,” she said, standing and wiping her hands on her apron. “You’re back early. I thought you’d be out in the woods longer today.”

“I… ran into some trouble,” Kael replied, doing his best to keep his voice steady. He didn’t want to worry her with the details.

Her brow furrowed slightly. “Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

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Kael hesitated. He didn’t want to tell her about the bandits, not yet. “Just some beasts. I’m fine, though.”

His mother studied him for a moment, as if sensing there was more to the story, but she didn’t press. “You be careful out there, Kael. The forest isn’t as safe as it used to be.”

“I will,” he assured her. “Is Father home?”

She shook her head. “He went to the village square to talk with the elders. There’s been talk of something stirring near the baron’s lands. People are on edge.”

Kael nodded, his suspicions confirmed. Whatever was happening near the baron’s territory was affecting the village more than he realized. He needed to learn more, and quickly.

After grabbing a quick bite to eat and cleaning himself up, Kael headed toward the village square. His father was likely there, speaking with the elders about the rumors. As he approached, he noticed a small crowd gathered around the central fountain, where a few of the village leaders were addressing the townsfolk.

One of the elders, an older man named Varn, raised his voice to be heard over the murmur of the crowd. “We don’t know the full details yet, but there’s word from the baron’s scouts. A large beast has been sighted near the southern edge of the forest. The baron’s men are organizing a hunt.”

A murmur of concern swept through the crowd. Beasts were always a threat, but a large one so close to the village was unusual.

“What kind of beast?” someone in the crowd called out.

Varn frowned, shaking his head. “We’re not sure. The scouts didn’t get a clear look, but they said it’s bigger than anything they’ve seen in years.”

Kael’s mind raced. A beast that size would have immense power—and more importantly, immense essence. If the baron’s men were hunting it, that meant there was an opportunity for Kael. If he could find the beast first, or at least get close enough to fight it, he could absorb a significant amount of essence and potentially copy more talents.

But it was a dangerous gamble. If the baron’s men caught him interfering, it wouldn’t just be beasts he’d have to worry about.

As the crowd began to disperse, Kael spotted his father talking quietly with a few of the village elders. He made his way over, catching his father’s attention.

“Kael,” his father greeted him with a nod. “Did you hear the news?”

“Yeah,” Kael said, glancing around to make sure no one was listening too closely. “I also ran into some trouble in the forest today. Two men—they were bandits, I think—were talking about scavenging from the baron’s hunt.”

His father’s expression darkened. “Bandits? In these parts?”

Kael nodded. “I handled them, but they were planning something. I think the village might be in danger, especially if there are more of them out there.”

His father frowned, his brow furrowing in thought. “This isn’t good. The baron’s men are focused on the hunt, and if bandits are moving through the forest, the village could be vulnerable.”

Kael clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the situation settle over him. He had gained strength from his fights, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet. The Stealth Talent he had copied would be useful, but he needed more—more power, more skills if he was going to protect the village from the dangers lurking in the forest.

“I’ll go back out,” Kael said suddenly, his resolve hardening. “I’ll scout the forest and see if I can find out if there are more bandits.”

His father looked at him, surprise flickering in his eyes. “Are you sure? You’ve been pushing yourself hard lately, Kael.”

“I’m sure,” Kael replied firmly. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. The village needs to know what’s coming.”

His father studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Alright. But be careful. And if you see anything dangerous, don’t take it on by yourself. Come back and let us know.”

Kael nodded, though he wasn’t sure he would follow that advice. If he saw something—or someone—that could make him stronger, he wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip by.

As he turned to leave, his mind was already racing with plans. The forest was full of threats, both human and beast, but those threats also held the key to his growth. The baron’s hunt was the perfect chance to gain more essence, more talents, and possibly even evolve his Mote essence to the next level.

The deeper Kael ventured into the forest, the more dangerous his journey would become. But if he played his cards right, the rewards would be worth the risk.

He would fight, grow stronger, and protect his village from whatever threats lay ahead. And along the way, he would uncover just how far his talents—and his drive—could take him.

Kael set off back into the woods, his body alert, his mind clearer than it had been in days. This time, he wasn’t just looking for beasts. He was looking for answers, for enemies, and for the next step in his evolution.

The forest awaited.