Cale emerged from the Fracture, feeling the chill of the outside air as the portal closed behind him, sealing the twisted Fracture on the other side. He took a moment to collect himself, allowing his breathing to steady. 'Now let's fine Soojin and then go into my own training'. His eyes fell on the five soldiers stationed nearby, standing with a disciplined resolve. As they caught sight of him, they quickly approached, snapping into sharp salutes, their expressions disciplined but filled with respect.

“Greetings, sir,” the lead soldier said, his voice carrying a restrained urgency.

Cale’s expression was calm, his tone flat as he asked, “What’s the situation?”

The soldier spoke crisply, his voice devoid of hesitation. “Sir, the situation is almost settled. Soojin and the others are currently engaging the last D-Rank Fracture.”

Cale raised a brow at the news. “And their location?”

The soldiers glanced at one another uneasily, the lead soldier clearing his throat before replying, “Apologies, sir. We weren’t provided with the exact coordinates.”

Cale sighed, the smallest hint of exasperation breaking through his usually impassive expression. “Very well. Inform Soojin or your higher-ups that I’m going into training.”

Without another word, he pivoted away, his stance shifting as energy crackled around him. In a flash of brilliant blue light, Cale’s figure blurred, and in the next instant, he was gone, his form dissolving into streaks of lightning as he launched himself into the air, crossing the city’s skyline in a matter of seconds.

The Soldiers watcher as Cale disappeared in front of them in a second. They were shocked and awed. But it was to be expected by Cale. The Dark Scythe Wielder,

Within moments, Cale reformed atop a towering skyscraper, his outline a dark silhouette against the sunset glow over the city. He stood there, overlooking the vast urban expanse, feeling the hum of power in his veins. The wind whipped around him as he surveyed the landscape below, mentally preparing himself for the next step in his plan.

With a steadying breath, Cale’s gaze turned distant, and he spoke a single word under his breath. “System.”

At once, a yellow-system panel flickered into existence in front of him, floating in the air with a faint, rhythmic glow. The interface was minimalistic yet advanced, its edges lined with subtle but intricate symbols that pulsed faintly, seeming to respond to Cale’s presence. It greeted him with a soft chime, displaying his Information (Info) and his starts, along with a list of his Abilities/Techniques.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Cale issued his command. “System, scan the surrounding area.”

Another System panel appeared once again on top of the first one.

Ding!

[Executing area scan will cost 3 points. Proceed?]

Cale nodded without delay. “Proceed.”

[Proceeding action]

In an instant, his surroundings transformed. The world around him shifted, taking on a surreal, digital quality as blue and yellow lines began to radiate from beneath his feet. The lines expanded outward in all directions, overlaying every building, street, and alleyway within his vicinity. The ground beneath him hummed with energy, lighting up as the scan activated, each illuminated line pulsing like veins spreading from his position at the top of the skyscraper.

Data flowed in rapidly, and soon the entire area was mapped out in intricate detail. Every individual, every structure, and every fracture appeared before him as the system registered and categorized them. The information consolidated into concise, floating tags visible only to him.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ding!

[Process complete]

[Host. Here is the list:]

[Soldiers]

[Civilians]

[E-Rank Hunters]

[D-Rank Hunters]

[E-Rank Fracture]

[D-Rank Fracture]

[Creatures]

[...]

Further out, just at the edge of his scan range, he saw a final tag that caught his attention:

[Soojin]

[D+-Rank Fracture]

Cale’s gaze sharpened as the data painted a clear image of Soojin and his group battling near the entrance of the last D-Rank Fracture. From his vantage point, he could see them overpower a group of Fire Lizards, their powerful bodies surging forward against a fiery onslaught. Large and fierce, the creatures spewed jets of flame toward the hunters, their scales glowing hot as embers. But Soojin’s team was handling the situation with precision, slowly gaining the upper hand.

Soojin moved with calm, measured precision, his eyes narrowed as he faced the three Fire Lizards that had broken off from the main group. Each of the creatures had scales glowing like embers, eyes bright with predatory intent, and flames licking at the edges of their fanged mouths. Soojin sized them up quickly; they were formidable in appearance, but his confidence was unshaken. With his powerful physique and well-practiced combat technique, these creatures would be no match for him.

The first two Fire Lizards lunged at him simultaneously, their movements quick and synchronized, an unspoken unity that came with survival in the Fracture. They moved with reptilian grace, but Soojin was faster. He took a step forward, closing the distance in a blur, his muscles coiling with explosive energy.

As the first Fire Lizard lunged, jaws wide and flames ready to burst forth, Soojin twisted his body slightly to the right, avoiding the snap of its jaws by inches. His fist shot out, connecting with the side of the creature's head with a bone-crushing impact. The blow was so swift and precise that the Fire Lizard’s head whipped to the side, flames dying in its throat as it collapsed, stunned, onto the ground. His punch had been powerful enough to fracture its skull and incapacitate it instantly, leaving it twitching as the embers in its eyes flickered out.

Before the second Fire Lizard could react, Soojin spun on his heel, fluidly redirecting his momentum. He aimed his next punch low, striking the creature squarely in the chest. His fist, reinforced with raw strength, plowed into its scaled armor, cracking the heated scales upon impact. The force of his punch sent a shockwave rippling through its body, the flames in its throat sputtering out as it was thrown backward, skidding across the rocky ground and leaving a trail of cracked, smoldering earth.

The third Fire Lizard, perhaps sensing the fate of its companions, hesitated, its eyes darting between its fallen kin and Soojin, who was already standing tall, watching it with an almost detached look of confidence. But hesitation was no refuge here. Soojin saw his opening and advanced with unwavering purpose, closing the distance with a speed that left the creature little time to react.

The Fire Lizard reared back, attempting a desperate strike. It swung its tail, a heavy, flaming whip aimed to knock Soojin off balance, but he ducked effortlessly, evading the attack with smooth precision. His hand shot out, grabbing the creature by the neck and lifting it slightly, his fingers tightening with an iron grip. The Fire Lizard thrashed, fire spilling from its maw as it attempted to bite and struggle free, but Soojin’s hold was unyielding.

Without breaking his gaze from the creature’s eyes, he drew back his other arm, fist clenched tight, and then brought it crashing down onto its head with a brutal force. The impact echoed through the clearing as his fist drove through its scaly exterior, shattering its skull with a single blow. The creature went limp, flames snuffed out instantly as it collapsed, defeated, in his grasp.

Soojin let the body drop to the ground, his stance relaxed but alert. The remaining hunters and soldiers stood in stunned silence, watching as he dispatched the Fire Lizards with an ease that spoke volumes of his strength and precision. In those moments, they saw that Soojin was more than just the acting head of the Fracture Restorer's Alliance—he was a force to be reckoned with, someone who could stand against the Fractures most terrifying beasts with unshakeable determination and strength.

Cale couldn’t help the slight curve of his mouth as he watched them. The corners of his eyes crinkled in a faint smile, a glint of satisfaction in his gaze. They were strong, but they’d need more than strength if they were going to survive the tougher Fractures that loomed on the horizon. 'A strong body from the start must be nice'

'I should probably leave and start my training. I should not rely on just Monarch's Blood again' Before any of the soldiers or hunters in the vicinity could sense his presence, he decided it was time to disappear. Focusing his energy, he willed himself into lightning once again, his form disintegrating into blue-white arcs that crackled and popped as they streaked away from the skyscraper.