Chapter 3: The First Hunt

The hairs on Kieran’s neck stood on end. He wasn’t alone.

He spun around, his body reacting faster than his mind. A dark figure emerged from the alley’s depths—its eyes gleaming like twin embers in the dim light. Its breathing was uneven, wet, like something struggling to contain itself.

[Threat Detected: Mutant Class – Rank F]

His system message blinked before him, but Kieran had no time to process it. The creature lunged.

Instinct took over. He barely sidestepped as claws slashed past his face, carving deep marks into the concrete wall behind him. Too fast. Too strong. He was no fighter—just a normal guy who had spent his life being weak.

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But something inside him refused to die here.

His hands moved on their own. Energy surged, crackling along his fingertips. He clenched his fist—blue and red arcs of power danced between his knuckles. The moment the creature lunged again, Kieran struck.

A deafening crack echoed. His fist connected with the monster’s ribcage. The impact sent a violent shockwave rippling through its body.

For a second, the creature froze—then its chest burst open from within. A jagged line of red lightning crackled where Kieran had struck, burning through flesh and bone alike.

It collapsed, twitching. Then—nothing.

Kieran stumbled backward, his breath ragged. His mind screamed at him. What the hell was that?!

His hands still sparked with energy, but it no longer felt foreign. It felt… natural.

Then, the system chimed again.

[First Kill Achieved. System Synchronization: 2%]

Kieran’s heart pounded. 2%? If this was just the beginning…

What would happen when he reached 100%?