Leaving the Hollow Dreadlands
The air was thick with decay, the damp earth clinging to Jae-Hyun’s boots as he pressed forward. The Hollow Dreadlands had not let him go easily. Every step felt heavier, his body weary from the constant vigilance the cursed forest demanded. Yet, here he stood, one last trial in his path: a goblin tribe—ten in number, their guttural chatter echoing through the misty expanse.
Jae-Hyun crouched low, his sharp gaze cutting through the haze. The goblins were gathered around a makeshift altar, a crude, foreboding structure built from jagged bones and twisted wood. Symbols painted in glistening, dark ichor shimmered faintly, as if alive, pulsating with an unnatural energy that seemed to taint the very air around it. Two of them stood apart, their staves etched with runes that faintly pulsed with green light. Mages. He clenched his fists, feeling the hum of his system’s interface at the edge of his awareness.
He had no choice but to act swiftly. The two mages would complicate things, and he could not risk a prolonged battle. Focusing his mind, he activated Reaper’s Summon. Shadows coiled at his feet, twisting and forming into three goblin-like shapes. Their translucent, smoke-like forms wavered, their glowing crimson eyes fixed on him as if awaiting orders.
Summons: 3 active. Reaper Points used: 9.
Jae-Hyun’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t summon more without exhausting his mana, and maintaining the three was already draining his resources. His Reaper Points were dwindling, a clear reminder of his limits.*
Jae-Hyun’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t summon more without exhausting his mana, and maintaining the three was already draining his resources. His Reaper Points were dwindling, a clear reminder of his limits.
“Go,” he commanded, his voice a cold whisper. The shadowy goblins moved as one, their movements eerily synchronized as they rushed the enemy.
Chaos erupted. The shadow goblins clashed with their flesh-and-blood counterparts, tearing through their ranks with a savagery that mirrored the real creatures. Jae-Hyun followed closely, his blade gleaming as he struck with precision. The ordinary goblins fell quickly, their cries silenced in moments.
Then the mages retaliated. One unleashed a bolt of crackling green energy that slammed into a shadow summon, dissipating it instantly. The other began chanting, the ground beneath Jae-Hyun’s feet glowing ominously. He leapt back just as jagged spikes of earth erupted where he had stood.
“Annoying,” he muttered, dashing toward the nearest mage. His blade struck true, severing the creature’s staff before cutting it down. The second mage’s spell faltered as it tried to retreat, but Jae-Hyun’s summon closed the distance, tearing it apart with a shadowy claw.
The battlefield fell silent. Breathing heavily, Jae-Hyun deactivated his summons and activated Reaper’s Claim. Tendrils of dark energy flowed from the fallen goblins into his hand, a cold, tingling sensation surging up his arm and into his chest. It was as if the very essence of the creatures became part of him, feeding his strength but leaving a faint, unsettling residue in his mind. A faint notification flashed across his vision: +10 Reaper Points.
The corpses lay eerily still, their emptied forms a stark reminder of the cost of survival.
+10 Reaper Points acquired.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the faint hum of power within. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to sustain him. With a final glance at the clearing, he turned and walked away, the oppressive weight of the Hollow Dreadlands finally lifting as he crossed its boundary.
The Encounter
The landscape shifted as Jae-Hyun entered the Danger Zone. The air grew lighter, though the tension lingered. The terrain was uneven, dotted with jagged rocks and sparse, gnarled trees. He pressed forward, his senses sharp, until a distant commotion caught his attention.
Voices. Angry and cruel.
Jae-Hyun crouched behind a cluster of rocks, peering out at the scene. A young woman, bloodied and defiant, stood with a blade in hand, facing three men. From their tone and jeers, it was clear what they intended. His jaw tightened, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon.
“Disgusting,” he muttered, disgust mingling with a cold fury. The scene reminded him too much of his brother and father’s cruelty—the way they used power to demean and destroy.
For now, he observed. The woman fought valiantly, her movements sharp despite her injuries. But it was clear she was at her limit. When one of the men lunged at her, she stumbled, barely deflecting his blade. The others laughed, closing in.
One of them grabbed her arm, pulling her close. Her cry of pain was sharp, desperate. That was enough.
Jae-Hyun moved.
The man’s head rolled before the others even registered his presence. For Jae-Hyun, the act was as instinctive as breathing—a precise, decisive strike born of anger he could no longer suppress. For a fleeting moment, an image flashed in his mind: himself, battered and helpless under his father’s cold gaze, unable to fight back. That helplessness had fueled him, sharpened into the cold edge of his blade. The cruelty in their jeers, the smugness in their laughter—it was too familiar, echoing the faces of his father and Tae-Jun. He gripped his blade tighter, his knuckles white, as the remaining two turned, their faces a mix of shock and rage. Jae-Hyun’s blade dripped with blood as he stepped forward, his gaze cold and unyielding.
“Disappear from this world, trash,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion but carrying an edge of disgust, as if even speaking to them sullied his resolve.
One of the men sneered, raising his sword. “You think you’re some hero? You only got him because of a sneak attack. Let’s see you try that again!”
Jae-Hyun didn’t reply. He closed the distance in an instant, his blade flashing. The man barely had time to scream before he fell, blood pooling around him.
The last one dropped his weapon, falling to his knees. “Wait! Please, I didn’t know they were going to—”
“But you didn’t stop them,” Jae-Hyun interrupted, his voice sharp. “You’re just as guilty.”
The man’s pleas ended with a gurgle as Jae-Hyun’s blade cut his throat. He turned to the woman, now unconscious on the ground. She was still breathing, her injuries severe but not fatal. Without a word, he sheathed his sword and lifted her carefully.
Recovery and Introductions
Nightfall found them in a sheltered grove, where the faint rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of nocturnal creatures softened the tension of the day. A small fire crackled between them, its flickering light casting shifting shadows on the moss-covered trees. The warm glow illuminated Jae-Hyun’s stern expression as he sat silently, meticulously tending to the woman’s wounds with makeshift bandages. The scent of damp earth mingled with the faint, metallic tang of blood, a stark contrast to the comfort the fire’s warmth provided. When she stirred, her eyes opened wide with fear. Her hazel eyes darted around, taking in the unfamiliar grove and the man tending her wounds. Pain throbbed in her body, but her mind screamed to assess the situation. “Where am I? Who—” she started, her voice weak but laced with wariness.
“No,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Stay away…”
“Do you think I’m like them?” Jae-Hyun’s voice was calm but carried an edge of irritation. He gestured to the distant bodies, their outlines barely visible in the firelight. “If I was, you wouldn’t be alive.”
Her gaze flicked to the corpses, then back to him. Shame replaced her fear, but her wariness lingered. She studied him closely, taking in his cold, detached demeanor. His efficiency in dispatching the attackers unnerved her—he seemed almost unaffected by the violence. Yet, as the silence stretched, a faint sense of reassurance crept in. He had saved her, after all, and there was no malice in his tone or actions. “I’m… sorry. Thank you,” she said finally, her voice hesitant but genuine.
Jae-Hyun nodded curtly. “What’s your name?”
“Ahri,” she said, sitting up slowly. “Ahri Kwon.”
“Jae-Hyun,” he replied, offering her a healing potion from his inventory. She stared at it, her eyes widening.
“That’s expensive. I can’t take it.”
“Take it,” he said flatly. “I don’t need you dying on me.”
Reluctantly, she drank, her injuries beginning to mend. “Why did you help me?” she asked after a moment.
Jae-Hyun didn’t answer immediately. His gaze was distant, fixed on the fire as his thoughts churned. He acted cold now, but he knew deep down he would never tolerate behavior like that—not after everything he had endured. No one should have to go through such cruelty. Besides, it had been the first human contact he’d had in days. As much as he tried to push it aside, the quiet connection stirred something buried within him. Finally, he said, “Because they deserved it.”
Setting Off Together
By morning, Ahri was strong enough to walk, though she moved with care, the lingering ache in her side a reminder of the earlier battle. As they packed up to leave the grove, Jae-Hyun couldn’t shake the sensation of being watched. The quiet rustle of leaves and faint shifts in the shadows felt heavier than usual, like unseen eyes were tracking their every move. He glanced over his shoulder but saw nothing out of place, yet the unease lingered in his chest.
Her medium-length black hair, tied back in a loose braid, framed her face, where hazel eyes glimmered faintly under the morning light. Though her athletic build was evident, her steps were measured, betraying her lingering injuries. “There’s a village in the Outer Ring,” she said. “It’s not far. We can rest there.”
Jae-Hyun nodded. “Lead the way.”
As they traveled, they moved cautiously. The terrain was uneven, littered with jagged rocks and sparse trees whose gnarled branches reached out like skeletal fingers. The further they walked, the more the oppressive atmosphere of the Danger Zone seemed to bear down on them. Jae-Hyun’s Predator’s Insight flared faintly, an instinctive warning that set his nerves on edge.
Then he saw it. A shimmer of movement in the underbrush ahead. His eyes narrowed as he activated Predator’s Insight, threads of faint possibility aligning in his vision. The presence was unmistakable—a powerful creature was nearby.
“Stay back,” he said, his voice firm as he stepped in front of Ahri. “We’ve got company.”
The beast emerged, its crystalline body reflecting fragmented beams of light through the dense foliage. The Shardscale Ravager was massive, easily twice the size of a wolf, its obsidian-like scales interspersed with jagged shards of crystal that glinted ominously. Its elongated limbs moved with unsettling fluidity, and its eyes burned with a malevolent, predatory intelligence. A low, guttural growl rumbled from its throat as it fixed its gaze on them.
“That thing…” Ahri began, gripping her weapon tightly, but Jae-Hyun cut her off.
“I’ll handle it.”
The Shardscale Ravager
Jae-Hyun stepped forward, every muscle in his body tense, his blade steady in his grasp. The Ravager circled him, its crystalline claws scraping against the ground as it studied its prey. He activated Predator’s Insight again, his vision honing in on faint vulnerabilities—a soft patch beneath its hind legs and a slight hitch in its stride that suggested a previous injury.
The Ravager struck first, lunging with shocking speed. Jae-Hyun barely dodged, rolling to the side as its claws carved deep gouges into the earth. He retaliated with a swift slash at its hind leg, but his blade glanced off its tough scales, sparks flying on impact.
“Damn,” he muttered, retreating as the creature spun to face him, its movements faster than he anticipated.
The fight became a deadly dance. Jae-Hyun relied on his agility and Pierce the Veil, striking at its weak points with calculated precision. The Ravager roared as his blade found the soft patch on its leg, ichor seeping from the wound. Yet, it retaliated fiercely, its crystalline tail whipping toward him. He raised his blade to block, but the force of the impact sent him stumbling back, his arms numb from the blow.
“Jae-Hyun, behind you!” Ahri’s voice cut through the chaos.
He turned just in time to see the Ravager lunge again, its claws aimed for his chest. Ahri darted forward, her blade intercepting the attack and forcing the creature back. Her movements were sharp but strained, her injuries slowing her down. Still, she held her ground, giving Jae-Hyun the opening he needed.
“Thanks,” he muttered, his focus returning to the beast.
With renewed determination, he used his shadows skills, dark tendrils erupting from the ground to coil around the Ravager’s legs. The creature thrashed violently, shards of crystal splintering as it struggled against the binding. Jae-Hyun moved in for the kill, his blade plunging into its exposed underbelly. The Ravager let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing, its body twitching once before falling still.
Aftermath
Jae-Hyun stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving as blood dripped from his blade. A faint notification blinked in his vision:
Level Up!
Health +5, Stamina +5, Mana +3
A second notification followed:
Predator’s Insight leveled up to Level 2. Pierce the Veil leveled up to Level 2.
A final prompt offered him stat points to allocate:
Stat points earned: 10. Distribute as desired.
Jae-Hyun opened the interface and quickly made his decisions, favoring areas that would enhance his combat efficiency and adaptability. The updated stats read:
Jae-Hyun - Level 3
Health: 135
Stamina: 55
Mana: 36
Strength: 10
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 10
Resilience: 15
Perception: 13
Eclipse Domain: 2%
Reaper Points: 19
He activated Reaper’s Claim, the creature’s essence flowing into him in dark, twisting tendrils. The familiar cold sensation washed over him, and he felt the faint hum of power settling within. As the Ravager’s essence faded into him, Jae-Hyun couldn’t help but feel a mix of satisfaction and unease. Each battle tested him more, and he wondered just how far his strength would have to grow to survive the true dangers ahead. He realized he couldn’t afford to underrate his opponents or depend solely on a few skills. His growth would need to encompass not just his abilities but his mindset as well.
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+6 Reaper Points acquired.
Ahri approached cautiously, her expression a mix of awe and curiosity. “What was that?” she asked, gesturing to the dissipating tendrils.
Jae-Hyun wiped his blade clean before glancing at her. “A skill of mine. It’s... complicated. Don’t tell anyone about it.”
She hesitated but nodded. “Alright. Your secret’s safe with me.”
He nodded curtly, his gaze shifting back to the Ravager’s corpse. It had been a tough fight, and his exhaustion was beginning to set in. “Let’s keep moving. We’re not safe here.”
Journey to the Village
The rest of the journey was uneventful, though the tension in the air remained palpable. Ahri watched Jae-Hyun from the corner of her eye as they walked, the memory of his cold precision during the fight lingering in her mind. Yet, as they navigated the uneven terrain, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle gestures of unspoken kindness—the way he slowed his pace slightly to match hers or instinctively stepped between her and any potential threat. His strength was undeniable, but there was a quiet thoughtfulness to his actions that made her feel safer, even if he didn’t openly show it. His strength and composure were impressive, even reassuring in a way, but there was a chill to his demeanor that left her uncertain. She couldn’t help but admire his resolve, even as she wondered what drove him to fight with such relentless focus.
They spoke little, each lost in their own thoughts. The faint outline of the village came into view as the sun dipped lower in the sky, its wooden walls silhouetted against the golden horizon. The sight brought a flicker of relief to Ahri’s face, but Jae-Hyun’s sharp eyes caught the faint signs of disrepair in the walls. The wooden planks were cracked and uneven, with patches hastily nailed in place. The sentries stationed near the gate stood stiffly, their eyes darting toward the surrounding forest with unease. Even from this distance, Jae-Hyun could sense the weight of fear hanging over them, as though they were bracing for an attack that could come at any moment. The village, while offering the promise of rest, radiated an undercurrent of unease.
“There it is,” Ahri said, her voice tinged with relief. “We’ll be safe there.”
Jae-Hyun nodded, his steps steady despite his weariness. For now, they had found a brief respite. But deep down, he knew that the dangers of the Danger Zone were only the beginning.
Arrival at the Village
As they approached the gates, the sentries called out, their voices laced with suspicion. “State your business!” one of them demanded, gripping a spear tightly.
Ahri stepped forward, raising her hands in a gesture of peace. “I’m Ahri. I’ve been here before—I know Elder Hyun.”
The guards exchanged wary glances before one nodded. “Wait here.” He disappeared into the village, returning moments later with an elderly man leaning heavily on a cane. Elder Hyun’s face softened upon seeing Ahri, though his sharp eyes quickly assessed Jae-Hyun.
“Ahri, child, you’re safe. Come in,” he said, waving them through. As they entered, Jae-Hyun felt the weight of curious and cautious gazes from the villagers. Barricades lined the streets, and the homes bore signs of hasty fortifications. People moved quickly, their faces drawn with worry.
Source of the Tension
Elder Hyun led them to a small hut where they could rest. As they settled, he explained the village’s plight. “For weeks now, strange monsters have been appearing in numbers we’ve never seen before. Small but vicious creatures—Chitterfang Crawlers. They’ve overwhelmed our defenses more than once, and we’ve lost many good people trying to fend them off. We’re barely holding on.”
Ahri’s expression hardened. "I’ll help,” she said without hesitation.
Jae-Hyun leaned back, crossing his arms. He remained silent, letting Ahri take the lead. The elder nodded gratefully, but his eyes lingered on Jae-Hyun. “And you? Are you here to help as well?”
Jae-Hyun’s gaze was unreadable. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Later, as Ahri prepared to investigate the source of the attacks, Jae-Hyun appeared beside her. “You shouldn’t go alone,” he said, his tone neutral.
She looked at him, surprised. “I thought you didn’t want to get involved.”
“I'm just curious.” he replied curtly. For him this was an opportunity to get stronger and learn. He didn’t add the other thought lingering in his mind—that something about Ahri’s determination made him want to ensure her safety.
A Moment of Rest
During a quiet moment in the village, Ahri and Jae-Hyun sat by a small fire. She shared her story, her voice tinged with melancholy. “When the Cataclysm struck, I lost my parents. I was just a kid, wandering alone, when Elder Hyun found me. He took me in, taught me how to survive. This village… it’s my home.”
Jae-Hyun’s gaze remained fixed on the flames. “I’ve got someone to go back to, too,” he said quietly, offering no further details. Ahri didn’t press, sensing the weight of his words.
Exploring the system during their downtime, Jae-Hyun discovered more about his abilities. He noticed something intriguing about his Reaper’s Summon: the points he spent to summon shadows were refunded when he canceled the summoning, but if the shadows were destroyed in combat, the points were lost permanently. This realization added a new layer of strategy to his abilities—he couldn’t afford to be reckless with his summons. Each decision to use them had to balance their potential impact against the risk of losing those precious resources.
Browsing the shop, he learned several key details:
* Items could be converted into system currency, their value depending on rarity and condition.
* Currency could buy powerful gear, but upgrading the shop to unlock new features was prohibitively expensive.
* He purchased a lightweight gauntlet that boosted his Strength and Agility significantly.
Determined not to rely solely on the system, Jae-Hyun also devised a physical training regimen. “Strength comes from more than skills,” he muttered to himself, resolving to grow stronger through his own efforts as well.
The Climactic Event
Their investigation led them deeper into the forest. Jae-Hyun and Ahri searched for clues among the dense underbrush, their senses sharp as they navigated the eerie silence. Predator’s Insight alerted Jae-Hyun to faint movement ahead, and soon enough, they found a cluster of disturbed soil and broken foliage—evidence of recent activity.
"They’ve been here recently," Jae-Hyun murmured, his eyes scanning the area. Ahri nodded, crouching to examine claw marks etched into the bark of a nearby tree.
“They’re close,” she said.
Moments later, they heard a faint chittering sound growing louder. The ground trembled slightly, signaling the approach of a swarm. The Chitterfang Crawlers emerged from the shadows, their luminous eyes and sharp pincers creating an unsettling sight. Before they could act, the swarm lunged toward them, overwhelming the clearing. The creatures’ sharp pincers and overwhelming numbers made the battle fierce but manageable. Jae-Hyun summoned three shadowy goblins, their forms flickering with dark energy. Ahri’s eyes widened in surprise as she watched the shadowy creatures fight alongside him.
The shadowy creatures unsettled her, their flickering forms and crimson eyes far from natural. But Jae-Hyun’s unwavering focus and his efforts to protect her gave her little room to question his methods—for now.
“What are those?” she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and concern.
“They obey me,” Jae-Hyun said firmly, cutting down another crawler. “Focus on the fight.” Ahri hesitated for a moment but nodded, channeling her attention back to the swarm.
The shadow goblins moved with precision, their claws and crude weapons tearing through the smaller Crawlers. Ahri’s agility kept the swarm from surrounding them, while Jae-Hyun’s Predator’s Insight ensured his strikes were lethal and efficient.
Jae-Hyun fought with precision and with his shadowy goblins to assist. His Predator’s Insight guided his strikes, while Ahri’s agility and skill kept the swarm from overwhelming them.
After eliminating a significant portion of the swarm, a deep, guttural screech echoed through the forest. The ground shook as a massive Chitterfang Queen emerged from the shadows, its enormous crystalline body gleaming ominously. The Queen was easily 5 times the size of its kin, its pincers capable of cleaving through trees.
“This is bad,” Ahri said, her voice laced with tension.
The Queen lunged forward with terrifying speed, forcing Jae-Hyun and Ahri to scatter. Jae-Hyun’s shadow goblins attacked but were swiftly crushed by the Queen’s powerful limbs. Ahri darted in to strike but was knocked back into a tree, her body crumpling to the ground.
“Ahri!” Jae-Hyun shouted, momentarily distracted. The Queen took advantage, driving one of its sharp limbs into his left arm, pinning him to the ground. Pain shot through him, and his vision blurred. For a brief moment, memories flashed in his mind—his father’s cold voice calling him a disgrace, his brother’s smug face, and the image of his sister, Mi-Rae, smiling despite everything. I can’t die here, he thought, his nails digging into the dirt. I have to protect her. I have to make them pay.
A flashing red notification appeared in his vision:
System Notice: Body Limit Exceeded.
Jae-Hyun’s body trembled as a surge of power flooded through him. The red notifications flashed in his vision, but his focus narrowed to a singular thought: I have to save Ahri. The dark energy coursed through his veins like molten fire, and for a moment, his thoughts were consumed by a primal need to destroy. Without a word, he tore free from the Queen’s grip, dark energy radiating from his form. His movements became unnervingly precise as he lunged at the Queen, his blade cleaving through its armored body in a single, devastating strike. The creature let out a final screech before collapsing, its massive form crumpling lifelessly to the ground.
He felt a surge of dark energy course through him. His movements became erratic yet devastating, his blade cleaving through the creatures with unnatural force. In his berserk state, he obliterated the remaining Crawlers, but when the dust settled, he turned his gaze toward Ahri. For a chilling moment, he considered attacking her.
“Jae-Hyun?” her voice broke through the haze, bringing him back to himself.
Shaken, he stumbled back, the power receding as quickly as it had come. The sudden loss of strength overwhelmed him, and his vision dimmed.
As the battlefield fell silent, Jae-Hyun staggered back, his body trembling from the surge of power. A new system notification blinked before him:
Level Up! Level Up!
The dual notification confirmed the immense growth he had achieved from the battle, a stark reminder of the gap in strength between him and the Queen. He glanced at Ahri, who stirred weakly against the tree. Relief washed over him as she began to get closer. Jae-Hyun collapses after the berserk state due to exhaustion and awakens later under Ahri's care.
When Jae-Hyun awoke, he found himself lying on a patch of grass, the faint sounds of the forest around him. Ahri knelt nearby, tending to his wounds with makeshift bandages. She noticed his eyes flutter open and leaned closer.
“You’re awake,” she said softly, relief evident in her tone. “How do you feel?”
“Fine,” Jae-Hyun replied curtly, sitting up despite the ache in his body. His cold demeanor remained intact, but he glanced at her briefly. “What about you?”
“I’m okay,” she assured him. “A bit bruised, but nothing serious.”
Ahri’s expression turned serious as she picked up a small, jagged object from the ground. “While you were out, I found this near the Queen. It’s... strange.”
Jae-Hyun’s eyes narrowed as he took the object from her. It was a broken stone, pulsing faintly with dark energy. Its ominous glow sent a shiver down his spine.
“This… this might be what’s drawing the monsters here,” Ahri said, her voice barely above a whisper as she examined the artifact.
Jae-Hyun nodded silently, setting the stone aside as he stood. Despite the lingering exhaustion, he focused his attention on the battlefield. The bodies of the slain Crawlers and the massive Queen lay scattered around them.
“I’m going to finish this,” he said flatly, activating Reaper’s Claim. The familiar dark glow emanated from his hands as he began absorbing the essence of the fallen creatures. Initially, he worked one by one, but after several uses, a new notification appeared:
Reaper’s Claim leveled up! Skill is now Level 2.
The upgrade allowed him to absorb up to three creatures at a time, significantly speeding up the process. Dark energy flowed into him, and his system displayed a total increase in Reaper Points.
When he finished, he turned back to Ahri. “Let’s head back to the village,” he said, his tone as cold as ever. Ahri nodded, and together, they began their journey back, the broken stone safely tucked away. The weight of their discoveries and Jae-Hyun’s transformation hung heavily in the air, a silent promise of the challenges yet to come.
The Journey Back
The journey back to the village was steeped in silence, though the tension from the battle still lingered. Jae-Hyun walked slightly ahead, his posture steady despite the ache in his muscles. Every now and then, Ahri glanced at him, searching his expression for any sign of what he might be thinking, but his face remained unreadable. The forest around them seemed alive with shadows, the gnarled branches overhead forming an oppressive canopy that filtered the fading sunlight into fractured beams. Every rustle of leaves or distant cry of a bird felt amplified, a constant reminder of the dangers they had just survived.
Ahri broke the quiet. “What happened back there?” she asked cautiously. “You… you weren’t yourself.”
Jae-Hyun didn’t respond immediately. His gaze stayed fixed ahead, scanning the forest for any sign of movement. When he finally spoke, his tone was low, almost to himself. “I don’t know.”
Jae-Hyun’s mind churned as they walked, the memory of the battle replaying in jagged fragments. He could still feel the surge of dark energy coursing through him, like a dam breaking under unbearable pressure. It wasn’t just power—it was raw, unrestrained, and terrifying.
How had he lost control? The sensation of cleaving through the Queen with such ease felt unnatural, as if the blade had moved on its own, guided by something deeper and darker than his own will. The red notifications flashed in his memory, warnings he couldn’t decipher but couldn’t ignore. Was that strength truly his? Or had he tapped into something else entirely—something that demanded a price he hadn’t yet paid?
The memory of almost turning on Ahri haunted him, more unsettling than the wounds on his arm. "I can't let that happen again," he thought, his jaw tightening. But even as he resolved to master this power, a whisper of doubt lingered in his mind. Could he control it, or would it one day consume him?
She frowned but didn’t press further. Whatever he had experienced, it was clearly something even he didn’t fully understand. Instead, she let the conversation drift back into silence, though her thoughts raced. The tension between them felt as thick as the mist that lingered among the trees, and yet, there was a strange sense of security walking beside him. For all his coldness, Jae-Hyun had proven himself an unshakable force, someone who could face the terrors of the forest and survive.
As they moved closer to the edge of the forest, Jae-Hyun opened his system interface, scrolling through the notifications and updates. His eyes lingered on a new entry for Reaper’s Summoning:
Reaper’s Summoning leveled up! Skill is now Level 2. Summons now possess increased strength and durability.
He closed the notification with a flick of his thoughts but made a mental note of the change. The battle against the Queen had been grueling, and he’d relied heavily on his summons. Their newfound strength might be the edge he needed to face even greater threats.
Further browsing revealed another discovery: his shop currency had increased dramatically from absorbing the essence of so many Crawlers. The option to upgrade the shop was now within reach, but the price was steep—far more than he’d expected. The thought of unlocking new features and potentially more powerful equipment tempted him, but he decided to wait. For now, his priority was survival, not experimentation.
As he navigated the interface, something else caught his attention. His Eclipse Domain, the enigmatic stat representing mastery over the strange ★★★★★ energy, had increased. Where it had once read 2%, it now displayed 4%.
He stared at the number, unease curling in his chest. The increase was subtle, yet it felt significant—a quiet shift in the unknown force tied to his abilities. What did it mean? Was this energy connected to his berserk state? Or something darker still?
"The Eclipse Domain," he mused, staring at the faint percentage increase. It felt tied to his berserk state, but probing further might awaken forces he wasn’t ready to face.
“Jae-Hyun?” Ahri’s voice drew him back to the present. They had reached the edge of the forest, and the village gates were now in sight. The wooden walls, though battered, offered a sense of safety, however fragile.
“Let’s keep moving,” he said, his voice steady but distant. Whatever questions plagued his mind, they would have to wait. The village awaited them, along with answers—or more questions—to the strange events that had unfolded.
Ahri’s Reflection
As they walked, Ahri found herself stealing glances at Jae-Hyun. The air between them was heavy with unspoken words, and her thoughts churned as she tried to piece together the enigma that was her companion. His cold demeanor and unyielding focus in battle had been almost intimidating, but she couldn’t ignore the quiet gestures of consideration he had shown—slowing his pace to match hers, shielding her without hesitation. The contrast fascinated her: how someone so ruthless in combat could still exhibit moments of quiet kindness.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Thank you, Jae-Hyun… for helping back there. I know you didn’t have to.”
Jae-Hyun didn’t respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the distant village gates. “I did it for me,” he said finally, though even to himself, the words felt hollow. In truth, he wasn’t entirely sure why he had intervened—not just to survive, but something more.
Ahri tilted her head, her hazel eyes studying him. His response was distant, but the weight in his voice suggested there was more beneath the surface. She decided not to push further. “Either way, I’m grateful,” she said softly.
A Looming Sense of Unease
The forest’s elongated shadows seemed alive, stretching like grasping fingers as they approached the village. Only the occasional rustle of leaves or faint chirp of unseen creatures broke the oppressive silence. The air carried a chill, as though the wilderness itself recoiled from the memories of battle. When they finally emerged from the treeline, the village stood before them, its wooden walls battered and hastily patched, a grim testament to the struggles within. Guards at the gate exchanged wary glances, their postures tense as their eyes scanned the forest edge.
“Looks worse than before,” Ahri muttered, her voice heavy with concern.
Her gaze shifted between the scarred walls ahead and the forest behind, her thoughts pulling her back to the villagers she’d grown up with—the people who had given her a chance to survive when she’d had nothing. Their faces flickered in her memory: weary, yet determined, etched with the hardships of countless attacks. “This village isn’t just a home,” she thought, her fists clenching at her sides. “It’s everything I have left.”
She stole a glance at Jae-Hyun, his cold expression unreadable. His silence had become familiar, yet it left her wondering—what did someone like him fight for? Was it just survival? Did he have something worth protecting? The question gnawed at her briefly before she pushed it aside. “No matter what happens, I’ll protect this place,” she murmured under her breath, a quiet promise to herself.
Still, as she glanced at Jae-Hyun, she couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of gratitude and curiosity. His strength was unlike anything she’d seen, but so was the cold barrier he kept around himself. What was it that drove him so relentlessly? And why had he chosen to help her, a stranger?
Jae-Hyun’s sharp eyes swept over the village, noting the signs of disrepair. Cracked wooden planks formed makeshift barriers, uneven and hastily nailed in place. Near the gate, new barricades had been constructed, their rough edges a stark indicator of desperation. The guards shifted nervously, their hands tightening on their weapons as if expecting an attack at any moment. Even from a distance, he could sense the pervasive tension—a fear that clung to the air like the damp chill of the forest.
As they passed through the gates, the village buzzed with activity, though the mood was far from welcoming. People moved quickly, their faces drawn and weary, whispers of worry trailing them as they glanced toward the forest. The faint hum of life within the village walls was a fragile illusion, barely masking the undercurrent of dread.
Jae-Hyun cast one last look toward the forest, its shadowy expanse feeling closer than ever. His thoughts churned as he considered what lay ahead. “Whatever’s happening here,” he thought, his gaze lingering on the treeline, “it’s only the beginning.”