The moment Kiel stepped into the twisted remains of the Hive Lord's cavern, a wave of residual mana prickled his skin. The stench of decay, fused with lingering energy from the fallen abomination, still hung thick in the air.
"System," Kiel muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Show me the results."
> [Assimilation Complete]
New Trait Acquired: Chitinous Mantle (Level 1)
➤ Dense carapace that can be summoned temporarily to enhance defense by 35%. Weak to fire-type attacks.
Beast Core Assimilation: 12%
➤ Next Core Mutation: Unlocked at 20%
Kiel flexed his hand, watching as faint black ridges formed under his skin before vanishing. The armor wasn't just tough — it pulsed with an unnatural strength, like the Hive Lord's rage had etched itself into the chitin.
"That's… new," he whispered. "Not just traits — the whole structure is changing."
The Apex Predator System wasn't just giving him abilities. It was reshaping his biology. Slowly. Irreversibly.
A crack echoed through the tunnel. Kiel spun around instantly, eyes flashing amber from his Night Predator skill. Nothing. No movement — but something had been watching.
He knew the signs.
Then he heard it.
A faint whisper. A hissing breath.
"You carry the Mark…"
Kiel's breath caught. The voice was inside his head — but not the system's cold, robotic tone. This was something else. Something older.
"You devour the weak… ascend the chain… become the enemy."
"Who's there?" Kiel barked, drawing his blade — a curved fang reforged from the Rifthound Alpha he slew last week. It vibrated as if aware of what stalked the shadows.
> [Predator Instinct Triggered]
➤ Adrenaline Surge +30%
➤ Reaction Time Boosted
➤ Heart Rate Regulation Engaged
The walls of the tunnel rippled. A figure stepped out — not from invisibility, but as if the space around it bent and allowed it through. It was humanoid, but gaunt and skeletal, skin like stretched parchment, eyes glowing with red sigils.
Kiel took a step back.
"What... are you?"
The creature smiled. "I am the proof of your future."
It lunged.
Faster than any beast Kiel had faced. Not with brute strength — but a terrifying, deliberate grace. Like a hunter playing with its food.
Kiel rolled to the side, slashing with the fang-blade. The edge tore through air — and clipped the being's arm. No blood. Just black mist.
The thing hissed, amused.
"You're not ready… but your System is."
It jabbed a finger at Kiel's chest. Pain erupted from his sternum — not physical, but deeper. Soul-deep. He collapsed to his knees, the System flaring in protest.
> [WARNING: Foreign Entity Detected!]
[Corruption Attempt: Denied]
[Countermeasure Engaged]
The red-eyed figure reeled as golden light surged from Kiel's body. A pulse of energy burst from him like a shockwave — not mana, but something primal. The entity screamed and vanished, the walls of the cavern falling silent once more.
Kiel panted. His heart thundered like a drum.
> [System Note: You have been Marked by an Ancient Predator.]
Survival Probability: 43%
Be wary. Not all monsters live in dungeons. Some wear skin. Some were once human.
Kiel clenched his fists. This world... It kept throwing stronger predators at him. But he was tired of running. Tired of barely surviving.
Let them come.
He wasn't prey anymore.
He was evolving.