---
The cold morning mist hung thick over the outer ranges of the Ebonreach Woods, a dense frontier separating the Darian Kingdom from the volatile no-man's-land that edged the empire's borders. The skies remained eerily overcast, casting long, gray shadows over the forest path. It should have been a routine academy field expedition—but something felt off.
Rael adjusted the straps of his training armor and glanced over the briefing parchment again.
> Objective: Culling of F-Rank beasts in Sector 3A.
Beast Estimate: 30–50 Fang Hounds, 10+ Horned Swine, possible E-Rank Alpha.
Reward: EXP scaling by Level Disparity, evaluation points, possible Guild Referral Bonus.
Warning: Unstable mana readings detected in southern quadrant.
He folded the parchment and tucked it into his belt. Around him, other first-year students huddled in small clusters, either checking weapons or chatting nervously.
Rael stood alone.
As always.
Since his awakening, whispers followed him like a shadow. He hadn't joined a squad, nor did anyone invite him into theirs. His "F-Rank Summoner" lie remained unverified, but there were eyes on him now—guild representatives, nobles, even instructors. He'd already been flagged as an outlier.
That suited him fine.
> "We're moving out! Teams, stay within line of sight!" barked Instructor Varn, a C-Rank Warrior who bore the scars of decades past. "If you stray off-path and die, that's on your record!"
The students laughed nervously.
Rael didn't.
---
System Prompt – Mission Tracking Enabled
> Expedition Objective Activated
XP Multiplier Active: +20% (Solo)
Terrain Modifier: Forest – AGI Bonus +5
Danger Rating: Moderate
---
Rael slipped silently between trees, trailing the rear of the formation. With his Fang Ghosthound summoned and prowling just behind him, he had eyes where others didn't. The beast's ghostly form blended seamlessly into the shadows.
> [Spirit Integration Available – Fang Ghosthound]
Skill Ready: Howl Slash (★☆☆☆☆)
Passive Bonus on Integration: +3 AGI
But he wasn't ready to use Integration yet. Not unless absolutely necessary.
Every monster counted.
Every drop of XP mattered.
---
System Update – Bestiary Scan Activated
> [Detected Beast: Horned Swine – F-Rank – Level 3]
HP: 160
STR: 20
AGI: 7
TM: 215
It came barreling through the underbrush—a massive, boar-like creature with cracked tusks and bulging muscles. A student ahead panicked and fumbled their stance.
Rael didn't hesitate.
> "Ghosthound—intercept."
The summoned spirit howled and vanished in a blur of motion. The swine was slammed sideways, thrown off balance.
Rael darted forward and drove his short sword into its exposed flank.
> Critical Hit!
-82 HP
Ghosthound follows up: Howl Slash – 42 DMG
[Horned Swine Slain]
+135 EXP Gained
Devour Activated
Spirit Bind Available: [Y/N]
He considered it briefly but declined. He had limited slots and needed stronger beasts.
---
The deeper the party ventured, the stranger the forest became.
Branches twisted into claw-like shapes. The air grew heavy with mana.
Then the screaming began.
---
System Alert – Area Hazard Level Increased
> Anomaly Detected: Residual Demonic Energy
[Unknown Corruption Field: Class D]
Effect: MP Drain + Confusion + Fear (Low Tier)
Warning: Non-contracted Rankers below Level 10 advised to withdraw.
---
A crimson haze seeped from the trees. Rael instinctively covered his nose—others were not so quick. Students staggered, some vomiting, others dropping their weapons. From the fog, silhouettes emerged.
> [Corrupted Fang Hound – E-Rank – Level 7]
HP: 240
INT: ???
AGI: 25
TM: 410
Classification: Demonic Beast (Mutation – Lesser Tier)
Eyes glowing violet, its fur blackened and weeping with decay, the creature lunged at the nearest student—a noble girl from House Ferren.
Rael moved before he could think.
> "Ghosthound, flank left. Integration—engage."
---
System Prompt – Integration Complete
> [Spirit Integration: Fang Ghosthound]
STR +4 | AGI +7 | Skill Gained: Howl Slash (Enhanced)
Time Limit: 5 minutes (Remaining Spirit Energy: 68%)
---
Rael's body surged with speed. He zipped behind the beast, his blade slashing through the corrupted muscle just as it turned.
> -64 HP
Enemy enraged!
Corruption Skill: Frenzy Swipe activated!
The hound clawed wildly, catching Rael across the ribs. Pain flared. Blood dripped.
> -42 HP
HP Remaining: 60/120
Still, he didn't falter.
He channeled the enhanced Howl Slash, roaring as his blade carved a crescent of ghostly energy that split the beast's spine.
> [Enemy Slain: Corrupted Fang Hound – Level 7]
+450 EXP Gained (Multiplier Applied)
Spirit Bind Available: [Y/N]
New Spirit Type Unlocked – Demonic Beast
---
Rael dropped to one knee, panting. Around him, students watched in stunned silence.
The noble girl looked at him with wide eyes. "…You… you saved me."
> "Stay alert," Rael muttered. "This area is no longer just a test field."
Instructor Varn arrived moments later, surveying the corrupted remains.
"…That's demonic corruption," he growled. "It's too soon. This shouldn't be happening now."
He looked at Rael.
"You. What class did you say you were?"
Rael wiped the blood from his cheek.
"F-Rank Summoner."
Varn narrowed his eyes. "You fight like a seasoned Hunter."
> "I adapt."
---
Back at camp that evening, whispers burned hot. Rael's performance had drawn unwanted attention again. But there was no time to rest.
---
System Prompt – Status Update
> Name: Rael Verenth
Class: Spirit Contractor (Legendary)
Talent: Devour (Rare)
Level: 5
Rank: F-Rank
HP: 120
MP: 260
STR: 14
AGI: 21
INT: 26
TM: 421
Active Spirits:
• Fang Ghosthound (★☆☆☆☆)
• Corrupted Hound – Bound (★☆☆☆☆ – Demonic)
New Skill Unlocked: Demonic Pulse (Passive) – Detect nearby demonic energy
EXP to Next Level: 75/600
---
Rael stared at the new entry and was shocked.
> "So demons… are real after all."
He looked out over the dark woods. The moon hung heavy, shrouded by the same crimson mist. Something was stirring in the shadows, watching. Waiting, looking for a time to strike.
And in the capital—far from the border—news of the corrupted beast reached ears it shouldn't have.
---
Scene Shift – Imperial Palace, Midnight
A shadow knelt in the middle of a grand hall, cloaked in flowing black silk embroidered with blood-red sigils.
"The corruption has surfaced," the figure whispered.
A regal woman—face hidden behind a silver mask—rose from her throne.
"Then the seal is weakening."
The figure continued, "One more thing… a student from the Darian border academy—he killed a corrupted beast. Alone."
The masked woman turned slowly.
"What is his name?"
"Rael Verenth."
Silence.
Then—"…Send the Hounds."
---