The forest echoed with snarls and the pounding of paws. Leaves trembled underfoot as I lunged forward, my claws slashing into the hide of the beast before me. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc. The monster roared, its tusks gnashing, but I twisted under its bulk, eyes gleaming.
This was my second hunt.
But the third type of monster I'd encountered.
The beast let out a furious bellow. It was a hulking creature with thick black fur and violet cracks running along its limbs—a Vexhorn Howler, known for its berserker charges and sound-wave attacks. It had four muscular limbs, curved horns lined with mossy bone, and fangs that pulsed like living magma.
[Monster: Vexhorn Howler – Rank D]
Traits: Echo Pulse, Brute Charge, Regeneration (Minor)
I grinned inwardly, despite the burning pain in my side. I could feel it—my body was different. Stronger. Hungry.
In the morning
The morning had barely dawned. I stirred, groaning from the fatigue of yesterday's hunt. My body ached, but my eyes were sharp.
A screen greeted me.
> [System Notice – Devour Ability Unlocked]
You now possess: 1 Core Eligible for Devour
The Mirehorn Grunk's core.
My first victory. My first prey.
I sat up and focused, holding the shimmering core between my claws. It throbbed like a beating heart. Slowly, I willed the energy inward.
At first, it resisted—pushing back against my flow of essence. But then…
"Focus your instincts," came my mother's voice.
I looked up. She stood beside me, calm yet alert. Her paw pressed against my chest.
"I saw the screen. Don't absorb it alone without guidance, foolish pup," she scolded, but her gaze betrayed worry. "If I hadn't come in time and it backlashed, what would've happened to you?"
"…Sorry," I muttered. Her warmth caught me off guard. I wasn't used to being… protected.
She sighed and nudged me. "Next time, call me."
Together, we absorbed it. The energy poured into my body like molten steel. My bones groaned. My blood raced.
[Devour – Level 1 Unlocked]
Effect: You may now devour 1 unique monster type without backlash.
> Slot Used: Mirehorn Grunk
You may now absorb additional Mirehorn Grunk cores safely.
> Next Unlocks at Devour Lv.2:
Gain stats from devoured cores
Unlock chance to gain monster traits
Passive ability: Instinct Siphon (Sealed)
Core limit: +1 unique type
---
And now I was here, facing the Vexhorn Howler—my second monster kill. I ducked beneath its charge, channeling every muscle honed from the last battle. My movements were faster now. Tighter. The Mirehorn's vitality had strengthened my frame.
The Howler screamed, unleashing a sonic blast that split the air. I clenched my teeth and threw my body sideways, tumbling behind a boulder. The stone cracked from the wave's force.
"Kael!" my aunt called from a ledge above. "That thing's more bark than bite. Keep your nerves in check!"
I nodded, licking the blood from my lips.
This wasn't just a hunt anymore.
This was evolution.
The Vexhorn Howler's furious eyes locked onto me—burning with mindless rage.
It charged again. This time faster.
Too fast.
But I was faster still.
I dove low, letting its hooves smash past me. My claws tore upward as I rolled beneath it, ripping through the soft underbelly. A howl of agony thundered across the clearing. It buckled, blood spraying like black rain.
I didn't stop.
I pounced onto its back, sinking my fangs into its neck. It flailed, slammed into a tree—but I held on. My jaws clenched until bone cracked.
Then, with one last roar, it collapsed.
Silence returned to the clearing.
My chest heaved, blood staining my fur. I stepped off the carcass slowly.
"I see you've improved," my aunt's voice called, leaping down from the cliff.
She walked over to the body, inspected it with a practiced eye, and gave a small approving grunt.
"Vexhorn Howlers aren't weak. You handled it well. But you're not done yet."
She tossed me a faintly glowing core from the beast's chest.
"We'll absorb this nearby. No time to go home—we hunt again."
---
We stopped near a crevice flanked by tall black pines. The sound of trickling water masked our presence. She formed a basic protective ward—scratch marks etched into stone.
"Now," she said, motioning for me to begin.
I held the core. The moment I focused, the system window appeared:
> [Devour Eligible Core Detected – Vexhorn Howler]
Absorb this core?
Warning: This will consume your available monster slot. Proceed?
Yes.
The rush was different this time—wilder, deeper. My body tensed as the core's essence flooded in. My bones lengthened slightly. My muscles tightened. The energy was violent, but the system absorbed it smoothly.
> [Core Absorbed – Vexhorn Howler]
Devour Skill Level: 2
Monster Slot Unlocked: +1
Traits Gained:
Echo Pulse (Active): Emit a short-range sonic burst that disrupts enemy focus and balance.
Brute Charge (Passive): Temporary burst of speed and power when engaging from a distance.
Minor Regeneration (Passive): Slowly regenerate minor wounds outside of battle.
> Stat Boost: +2 Strength, +1 Agility
Current Devour Slots:
Slot 1: Mirehorn Grunk
Slot 2: Vexhorn Howler
I gasped, staggering as the changes settled.
"So?" my aunt asked, eyes sharp.
"I… I leveled up."
"Good. Then let's use that strength. We still have beasts to slay."
---
We spent the rest of the day weaving through the forest. I fought side by side with her, facing lesser beasts this time—fast fanged vipers, forest gnashers, even a three-eyed predator I didn't recognize. I didn't absorb them… yet.
We harvested their cores, placing them in the bone-weave pouch she carried. I could feel the power radiating from them. Soon, they would be mine.
But something deeper had changed within me now.
With each step, I no longer felt like prey pretending to be a hunter.
No—I was becoming what they feared.
A predator evolving.
By the time we reached home, dusk had draped the valley in blood-orange hues. The scent of prey, sweat, and dirt clung to me, but my focus was sharp—on the cores. Eight of them. Enough to feel that surge again.
But the moment I stepped inside, mother's sharp eyes narrowed.
"I'll take those," she said, holding out her clawed hand.
"But—"
"No 'but.' You nearly backlashed yourself last time. If I give you these, you'll just sneak away again and try to absorb them without help."
I hesitated. She was right.
Still, I couldn't wait. I needed to evolve. I needed to grow stronger before the bloodline ritual. Before that contemptuous look from the semi-elder became prophecy.
So I said what I had to. "Actually… I've awakened a new ability. One that lets me absorb cores safely… even without help."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me, Kael. You're smart, but I'm not stupid."
"I can prove it," I offered, stepping forward. "Watch me."
A flicker of suspicion danced in her gaze—but curiosity won. She nodded slowly.
With practiced focus, I pulled one of the stored cores from my pouch and activated Devour. Energy rushed through me—fiery, volatile, but manageable.
My aunt leaned forward, watching with mild surprise. "He's not faking. The backlash doesn't seem to be hitting him."
Mother crossed her arms, still skeptical. "It's not backlash that worries me. It's addiction to power."
"I'll be fine," I said, standing firm.
She sighed and finally relented, but added with a sharp glare, "Then I'll allow only three cores per night without me. The rest—only under my eyes. Got it?"
I clenched my jaw. I wanted all of them. Now. But… I nodded.
A compromise.
One step closer.
Scene Transition
Eastern Reaches – The Red Labyrinth Ruins
Far east, beyond the spires of the Verdant Cliffs and the dead marshes, the ruined sprawl of the Red Labyrinth lay silent.
Or so it seemed.
Beneath its lowest levels, past broken stone and sigil-marked doors, a chamber pulsed with life—corrupted life.
Candles carved from bone. Altars painted in blood. Chained prisoners lined the walls, hollow-eyed, waiting for death.
And in the center, a priest in obsidian robes knelt before a runic circle, muttering in a tongue not heard since the Age of Fracture.
"The offering is prepared," said a cultist in beast-hide robes. "Ten souls tonight. Five awakeners. Five dreamless."
The priest raised his hand. "The blood of the divided will bind the path for the undivided. Soon… the Gate will open."
A massive crest carved into the wall shimmered—marking the sigil of the Forgotten Prince, a demonic general of the past age.
Suddenly, a low hum vibrated the chamber as the blood ritual began. Screams erupted—but they were muffled by the sigils etched in the stone. No sound would reach beyond.
And above it all, the priest's voice rang clear, eyes glowing red:
"Rise, O King of Chains—let your will shatter the false peace. Your children await."
The shadows writhed around him. Something ancient was stirring.
[Profile]
Name: Kael
Race: Ferawyn Pup
Bloodline: ??? (Locked)
Age: 3 Moons
Health: 88 / 100
Energy: 70 / 100
Status: Stable
Evolution Trait: Dormant
Bloodline Awakening: Not yet triggered
Titles: —
---
[Skills]
Predator's Instinct (Passive) – Heightened senses and hunting perception.
Shadow Footwork (Basic) – Improves stealth and silent movement.
Killer's Focus (Basic) – Enhances combat clarity under stress.
Devour (Level 2 | Partially Unsealed)
Can absorb 2 unique monster cores without backlash
After absorbing a unique type, future same-type monsters can be consumed safely
Grants minor stat increases and passive traits
Sealed Effects (Level 3+): Active skill absorption, trait fusion, enhanced evolution resonance
---
[Core Absorption]
1st Core: Mirehorn (Stabilized)
Trait Gained: Mirehorn's Tough Hide (Passive) – Slightly increased defense
2nd Core: Vexhorn Bowler (Stabilized)
Trait Gained: Vexhorn's Balance Sense (Passive) – Enhanced coordination and agility
---
[Quests]
Main Quest 1: Become as strong as possible before the ritual
Progress: 2 unique cores absorbed
Note: Strength and evolution level will influence the nature of your awakened bloodline