The Nevrak Valley stank of rot and sulfur.
A poisonous fog lingered in the air, too thick to see far. Trees stood warped and twisted as if scorched by chaotic energy. The soil beneath Cain's feet was black, cracked, and lifeless—like the land itself had once screamed and never stopped.
Cain crouched beside a fallen log, one hand brushing the ground. His instincts whispered caution.
"This place is wrong," he muttered.
Hellfang growled softly beside him, fur bristling. The Shadow-Hellfire Direwolf didn't whimper or cower—but Cain could feel it too. Something old and malevolent lurked in the valley.
Above them, the sky had turned gray, even though it was only midday.
Laurifer… what kind of beast did this? Cain asked internally.
The voice within his mind responded calmly. "Something... not from this cycle. Whatever it is, it doesn't belong in the Mortal Stage. I warned you—Nevrak is not like the other regions. Things fester here. Things forgotten."
Cain's eyes narrowed. "Then it's the perfect place to test myself."
He stood and walked forward without hesitation.
The Tyrant System shimmered briefly:
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QUEST IN PROGRESS
Blood and Fire – Enter Nevrak Valley
Status: Active
Progress: 2%
Objective: Survive the first wave.
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Suddenly, the mist swirled.
A chilling cry ripped through the trees, distant but piercing.
Cain stopped.
From every direction, distorted figures began to emerge—gaunt, animalistic shapes crawling on four limbs, their flesh partly transparent, as though their bodies flickered between realms.
> [System Warning: Corrupted Essence Beasts Detected]
Grade: Mutated Epic Rank Realm
Traits: Phased Flesh, Frenzied State, Toxic Aura
"Perfect," Cain whispered, cracking his neck.
He stepped forward, activating Embodiment of Chaos at 3%. His veins pulsed dark crimson for a moment, and faint tendrils of chaotic energy danced across his skin.
The first beast lunged.
Cain vanished in a flash of lightning.
When he reappeared, he was already behind the creature. His palm struck its back with blinding speed—
Thunder Rupture Palm—amplified by Chaos.
The creature convulsed violently, its corrupted organs exploding from the inside. Black blood sprayed across the trees.
Three others roared and charged.
Cain welcomed them.
His Essence surged in perfect circulation, flowing between fire and lightning, between darkness and chaos. His limbs moved faster than thought—every step a calculated blade, every strike precise and fatal.
Hellfang joined the fray from the side, a blur of burning shadows.
> [Skill Activated: Flame Cloak]
Effect: Reflects 15% physical and elemental damage.
Duration: 15 seconds.
Hellfang rammed into one of the beasts, his entire body wrapped in hellfire. The creature screamed as fire seeped into its corrupted wounds, burning it from within. Another tried to flank him, but he vanished with Shadowstep Blitz, reappearing behind it and severing its spine in a flash.
> [Skill Activated: Infernal Devour]
Essence Siphoned: +20
Enemy neutralized.
Cain ducked under a claw swipe, spun with Infernal Fang Elbow, and crushed the beast's ribcage. Flames surged through the wound, liquifying flesh and bone.
Ten seconds later, only silence remained.
Cain stood amid the remains, eyes calm.
══════════════════════════════
SYSTEM UPDATE – QUEST PROGRESS
Blood and Fire: 36%
Essence Gained: +120
Tyrant Points Gained: +55
══════════════════════════════
══════════════════════════════
Cain Azaroth
• Strength – 47
• Vitality – 49
• Mind – Infinite (Unlocked Capacity: 34)
• Essence – 630/630
• Cultivation – Low-level Great Warrior Realm
• Skills:
– Thunder Rupture Palm
– Infernal Fang Elbow
– Unique Essence Circulation
– Shadow Constitution
– Embodiment of Chaos (3% Unlocked)
– Chaos Augment: Essence Infusion
══════════════════════════════
The new system line pulsed beneath his status.
Cain noticed it immediately.
> [New Passive Skill Unlocked: Chaos Augment – Essence Infusion]
Your chaos energy now enhances all Essence techniques by 5–15%, based on flow stability. Increases critical damage during Embodiment activation.
Laurifer's voice sounded amused. "You're evolving faster than I expected, boy. Keep this up and you might actually earn the title of Tyrant."
Cain didn't smile.
He turned toward the heart of the valley.
"Fighting beasts is one thing," he said coldly. "But what corrupted them? That's what I want to find."
Hellfang growled low, sensing Cain's intent.
The forest darkened even more as they pushed deeper into Nevrak, stepping past blackened carcasses and ancient trees.
Somewhere ahead, something watched.
And Cain was ready.
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