Kael opened his eyes and felt the cold of the stones beneath his body, but something was different. Still confused, he slowly got up, feeling a renewed strength in his muscles, something he had never experienced before. As he stood, he realized his body was no longer the same. Where there was once only thinness and protruding bones, there was now definition. His arms were stronger, the muscles visible beneath the skin. His legs, once weak and trembling, were now firm, as if they had borne weight for years.
He touched his own chest, feeling the hardness of muscles that hadn’t existed before, and a mixture of disbelief and amazement overtook him. It was as if all the suffering he had endured, all the hunger and pain, had been transformed into physical strength. However, when he brought his hand to his face, his heart sank for a moment. The scar, that horrible mark that disfigured half his face, was still there. The rough surface of the scarred skin was a cruel reminder of his past, a memory that not even the power he had received could erase.
His fingers ran through his long, dirty hair, still tangled and encrusted with the grime of Eldruin’s streets. This sudden change, this new strong body, felt almost like a cruel irony, as if he were a warrior trapped in an appearance that still bore the marks of misery.
With an urgent need to understand what had happened, Kael approached a broken piece of glass, leaning against the wall. It was the only thing available to see his reflection, and he needed to confirm if what he felt was real. When he knelt before the glass, he barely recognized himself. The features of the weak and malnourished boy had disappeared, replaced by a young man who looked as though he had trained for years. His eyes, however, still carried the same shadow of pain and loneliness.
But then, as he raised his gaze a little higher toward the reflection, he saw something that made him recoil, his heart pounding in his chest. A number shone above his head, as if carved into reality. It wasn’t just any number. It was a level. Level 10.
Kael blinked, incredulous. Level 10. It was a level that many spent their entire lives trying to reach. Ordinary people, even with years of effort, rarely surpassed that, and there he was, with that level above his head. In an instant, he had achieved something that had always been impossible for him, something that had always been denied to him.
He felt a mix of emotions. On the one hand, there was a quiet euphoria, the feeling of finally having something that could change his life. But at the same time, there was a weight, a responsibility that came with this power. The voice of that mysterious woman echoed in his mind. He had been chosen to be a hope, a change. And now, with this level, he knew he could no longer remain the invisible boy, the shadow slipping through the city’s alleys.
Kael looked at the reflection again, this time with more resolve, and a determination began to form within him. The scar was still there, the hair still dirty, but now there was something more. There was a power that couldn’t be ignored, a level marking the beginning of a new life.
He rose from the glass, straightening his strong and defined body, and looked around the alley. The fear that had once gripped him now seemed distant. There was a new flame inside him, fueled by the physical strength and the level he now carried. It was time to leave behind the boy who had been hunted, despised, and abandoned.
It was time for Kael to discover what this new power meant and how he could use it.
Kael, still feeling the remnants of the energy that had pulsed through his body, looked at the screen again. It now displayed a complete set of abilities, and he read each one carefully, trying to understand what they meant for him.
Abilities:
- Enhanced Strength (Level 1): Temporarily increases physical strength by 20%.
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- Elevated Agility (Level 1): Improves speed and reaction time in combat or escape situations.
- Supernatural Endurance (Level 1): Increases physical resilience, allowing the user to withstand injuries and fatigue for longer periods.
- Heightened Perception (Level 1): Enhances senses like sight, hearing, and smell to detect hidden threats or opportunities.
- Rapid Regeneration (Level 1): Accelerates the healing process for minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises.
Kael read each description, feeling a bit more confident with every new ability he discovered. Each one seemed to give him an advantage over the weak boy he had once been, preparing him to face a world that had always scorned him. But there was one more ability, the one he had just unlocked, and it seemed different from the others.
Unique Ability: Level Concealment
Description:
This ability allows the user to hide their level from other users, whether they are level-bearers or not. When activated, no one will be able to see the level that appears above the user’s head, creating an illusion of invisibility regarding the level system. This grants the user a strategic advantage, allowing them to move among those who rely blindly on levels to judge a person’s value or threat. This ability can be activated and deactivated as needed, allowing the user to decide when and how to reveal their true power. However, while activated, this ability limits the user’s other abilities to only 50% of their full potential.
Kael stood still, reflecting on what this meant. The ability to hide his level was, in a way, a unique and powerful blessing. He knew all too well how the people of Eldruin's society were obsessed with levels, using them as the only measure of value and power. Those without a level were treated like trash, just as he had been. But now, with this ability, he could conceal his newfound strength and choose when to reveal it. He could move unnoticed among those who would underestimate him, or surprise his enemies at the right moment.
A slight smile, the first in a long time, formed on Kael’s lips. This ability would not only protect him but give him the chance to fight back in a world that had always deemed him inferior. He could move among the powerful without being detected, fooling those who relied too heavily on their supposed superiority.
With his new ability in mind, Kael felt ready for whatever came next. The fear that once consumed him was now tamed, transformed into a quiet determination. From that moment on, he knew his life would take a completely different turn. And he was prepared to face anything, with his newly discovered abilities and the growing strength inside him.
Still absorbing everything he had just discovered, Kael decided to test his new ability immediately. With a simple thought, he activated Level Concealment. The effect was instantaneous. He looked at the broken glass again, where the number had once floated above his head. Now, there was nothing. It was as if the number had never been there, as if he had returned to being the invisible boy he had always been. But unlike before, this was now his choice.
Looking at the magical screen before him, Kael wondered if all those with levels also saw this floating interface. Did every person with a level have this hidden window, holding secrets and abilities that shaped their fate? It was a question he couldn’t answer at that moment, but the idea intrigued him deeply.
With one last glance at the alley, Kael decided it was time to leave. He left behind the place that had been the stage for his death and rebirth, and silently walked through the deserted streets of the night. The city of Eldruin was shrouded in darkness, with only the distant sound of the wind breaking the deep silence.
He walked without haste, feeling the cold of the night on his skin, but without the discomfort that had always accompanied him. His new, strong body supported him firmly, though his mind was still exhausted. The events of the night, the pain, the transformation, all weighed on him like a slow tide pulling him toward the need for rest.
Eventually, Kael reached an empty garden, a place he used to visit on the hardest nights, seeking solace in the solitude and nature. The garden was as deserted as the streets, the silence only broken by the soft rustling of leaves. He approached a familiar tree, its large and robust roots like welcoming arms, always ready to shelter him.
Kael lay down by the tree, the soft, cool earth beneath him. The exhaustion finally hit him in full force, as if all the adrenaline had dissipated at once. He closed his eyes, feeling the calm of the place envelop him. The faint scent of the leaves, the gentle touch of the breeze on his face, and the residual warmth of that mysterious woman’s touch on his skin created a comforting atmosphere.
In a few minutes, Kael fell into a deep sleep, the weight of the night finally lifting from his shoulders. He didn’t dream. His sleep was heavy and restorative, a necessary pause for whatever awaited him at dawn. In the quiet of the garden, protected by the ancient tree, Kael finally found the peace he so desperately needed.