-------------------------------------------------
The morning after his partial confession, Kael awoke with the familiar feeling of guilt, but also the relief of having broken the ice. It was an incomplete truth, but it was already in motion.
Aria was already awake, setting the table. Her movements were slow and strained.
"Good morning," Kael said, approaching gently.
"It is, Kael," Aria replied in a subdued voice. "The children are sleeping. I need you to tell me more about... this."
"Go ahead."
Aria turned, her eyes filled with sorrow. "The money you brought, your new life... I understand what it's about. I just found out something: my father... he was a Hunter."
Kael looked at her, surprised.
"He wasn't a hero. He wasn't powerful. He was just obsessed with easy money. He did it out of greed, not to be someone great. That led to his death. That's why I chose you: someone who would never be involved with portals, someone who wouldn't touch that world again. And now I see that ambition in your eyes. I understand you're trying to protect us, but it terrifies me."
Kael took both her hands. "I'm not him, Aria. And what I do, I do because I no longer have a choice. But you have my word: I won't die. I'm not allowed to leave you."
Aria sighed, trying to understand him. "It's alright, Kael. I will support you. But you are not allowed to die. Please."
Kael hugged her tightly.
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That same morning, Kael headed to the Commercial District. He knew he needed gear. He read on his phone: magical armor, or 'mana weave,' is best for conducting mana.
In the district, Kael stopped at an armor shop. As he examined pieces, he heard a voice.
"Kael! Is that you? Look at you!"
It was Markos, an old loader colleague. He was about the same age, but the time and the life of a loader had worn him down.
"Markos! Long time no see! Looking for armor for yourself?" Kael asked.
Markos sighed, visibly disheartened. "No, I don't fight anymore. I'm a loader in logistics. I'm here to find a chest plate for my son. He said he wants to be a Hunter. The prices are absurd."
"I agree. It's crazy," Kael nodded, feeling sorry for him.
"And what are you doing here?" Markos asked.
Kael lied. "Looking for something for my kids. You never know when there might be a portal breach again."
Markos nodded. "You're right. Though I wonder how I'll afford three." Markos said goodbye and left.
That's where I'd be if I hadn't awakened. Lucky to be a loader and watching how I buy my kids cheap armor, Kael thought.
Kael headed to the section with the most resistant armor. His eyes fixed on a mannequin displaying a Magic Chest Plate, with a faint mana aura. The tag indicated $450,000 USD. Half a million for a vest! It's impossible. The Lineage can nullify restrictions, but if this armor helps dissipate the Lightning, I need it. But it's not feasible.
After examining several options, he decided on a Reinforced Steel Chest Plate for $45,000 USD. Kael transferred the money. He touched the armor and sent it to his bracelet.
[Dimensional Storage Bracelet]
[Slots: 12/12]
[Occupied: 3/12 (Chains, Armor, Backpack)]
The backpack with things inside counts as one slot. Convenient.
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As he left, Kael caught a glimpse of the adjacent blacksmith shop: the apprentice was being scolded by his master: "You're one step away from being thrown out on the street!" Poor kid. It's a tough life for those without a Lineage or luck.
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Kael headed to the grimoire shop. He walked through the aisles, examining the display cases. He was looking for a defensive grimoire, but he was also intrigued to test the extent of his Lineage.
The saleswoman from the other time, a woman with thick glasses, recognized him.
"The lightning customer! You're back, did you lose Spark Leap so fast?" she joked.
"No, Ma'am. I just need to try something," Kael smiled. "Could you tell me your name, by the way? You always help me, and I never introduced myself."
"I'm Clara, nice to meet you," the saleswoman said. "You look like a regular customer now. Are you looking for more Lightning or Fire?"
"Actually, I'm looking for something for defense. And... I wanted to try something different," Kael thought. I want to see if I can absorb another element. If I can, my Lineage will have no limits. He focused on the Light grimoire.
The saleswoman smiled. "In that case, for being a repeat customer, I'll give you a better deal."
Kael found two grimoires that interested him.
Defensive Ability:
[Grimoire: Electric Field]
[Power: Generates a low-intensity field protecting the user from any attack for 3 seconds.]
[Restriction: The invoker must remain stationary during those 3 seconds.]
[Cost: $22,000 USD]
Healing Ability (Other Element):
[Grimoire: Minor Healing (Light Element)]
[Power: Heals minor injuries.]
[Restriction: For every second of healing, the mana consumed doubles.]
[Cost: $20,000 USD]
"I'll take these two," Kael said.
"Good. The Electric Field and Minor Healing... $42,000 USD. For you, $40,000 USD, Kael."
Kael transferred the money, his balance dropping drastically.
It's getting late, I should go home. But if I'm going to be the 'Vanguard', image matters. Lilith told me that, Kael thought.
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He stopped at a luxury boutique. He bought several sets of branded clothes: shirts, pants, and shoes. He went home.
Aria was waiting for him at the entrance. She looked him up and down, her eyes passing from the boutique bag to his new haircut. "Those clothes are expensive, Kael. You've never cared so much about image. Are you sure everything is going well at that 'Guild'?" Her voice sounded tense and worried about the expense.
"It's for work, Aria. I need to project a good image," Kael explained gently, trying to calm her fears. "And this will help lend credibility to 'Ash'."
"I support you," she said. "But you are not allowed to die. Please."
Kael kissed her forehead and went inside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later, after the children fell asleep, Kael went to his garage. He needed to test these abilities before entering a portal. It's time to see if my Lineage is as "Lawbreaker" as I think, or if I'm going to end up in the hospital. I'll start with Minor Healing.
"Learn Minor Healing."
He felt a tearing stab in his chest, right over his heart, followed by a flash of lightning in his mind. Damn it! My heart hurts! What's going on?
[Alert! The "Lawbreaker" Lineage has intervened with the skill "Minor Healing" (Light).]
[Skill Analysis: Capability limited by elemental incompatibility and the inherent Laws of Magic.]
[Lawbreaker Lineage: *Restriction nullified*. Elemental transformation complete. Skill rewritten.]
Kael dropped to his knees from the shock, breathing rapidly. Then, the pain stopped abruptly, and a sensation of energy flooded him.
[Skill: **Vital Pulse** (Lightning)]
[Description: The user channels low-intensity electrical energy to reactivate the pulse and regenerate minor injuries.]
[Mana Cost: None (Intervened by Lineage).]
Wow! My Lineage absorbed the Light, converted it into Lightning, and nullified the restriction... this is insane. Kael got up, feeling a tingling sensation. He focused and invoked the Ability. His minor injuries from the previous day with the mutated monster, which were still healing, disappeared in an instant. It works! At this rate, I'll be a damn jack-of-all-trades!
He proceeded with the other grimoire. The Lineage transformed it, this time with a much less painful sensation:
[Alert! The "Lawbreaker" Lineage has intervened with the skill "Electric Field".]
[Skill Analysis: Capability limited by a physical restriction imposed by the Grimoire's design.] [Lawbreaker Lineage: **Restriction nullified**. Skill rewritten.]
[Skill: **Active Field** (Lightning)]
[Description: Generates an active electrical force field around Kael that can be expanded without restrictions.]
[Mana Cost: None (Intervened by Lineage).]
Kael tested the Active Field. The field was normal, but he decided to inject more energy into it. The field abruptly expanded with an audible pulse, slightly cracking the cement and the roof of his garage. It works... but it's powerful! Without the mana armor, I feel the tingling of the feedback. If I increase the mana, it will be an excellent AoE ability, but it's a 50/50. Good thing I can heal myself with Vital Pulse afterward.
His family came alarmed by the noise.
Aria flung open the garage door, her eyes wide. "Kael, for God's sake! What was that? It shook the house! Are you okay?"
Eryx, Selene, and Lyra peered out from behind her.
"Everything's fine, Aria, honey," Kael said, walking toward her. "I was just... testing a noisy new tool for the Guild. It's under control."
Kael reassured them with a smile and led them out of the garage, closing the door.
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Two days passed. Kael devoted himself entirely to his family and recovery, enjoying the unusual calm after the portal adrenaline. He hadn't heard from Lilith, but he knew she was methodical.
On the third day, while helping Eryx with his advanced studies, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Lilith: The renovations are complete. Today is the day. I'll wait for you. Report to the new office.
A surge of excitement ran through Kael. He would finally see the result of his investment and the official start of his new life. He looked in the mirror and decided the occasion deserved a premiere. Time to dress the part, he thought, and put on one of the branded outfits he had bought at the boutique, already feeling transformed.
Mrs. Torres saw Kael leave. "Kael looks like an actor from TV! Those clothes? They must cost a fortune."
Aria watched from the window. "Dad looks happier. Be careful," she told the children.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kael arrived at the business district. The Ash Guild building had gone from being an nondescript block to having a dark glass facade and a subtly elegant logo. It felt legitimate, clean, and professional.
Upon entering, Kael encountered a young, temporary-looking receptionist behind a polished wooden counter.
"Good morning," she said in a neutral, formal tone. "Do you have a reservation or appointment? Could you please state your name?"
"Kael Ardent," Kael replied.
The receptionist typed the name, and her eyes widened slightly. She looked up, examining him from head to toe with a mixture of surprise and respect.
"Oh! Mr. Kael, my sincerest apologies for the tone. Miss Lilith informed us that her best Hunter would arrive today. She is expecting you immediately. You can go up to the third floor."
Kael felt a shiver of discomfort, mixed with the satisfaction of recognition. Wow, it seems 'Ash' already has a reputation. And Lilith is using me as her calling card, he thought. He felt a little strange about the sudden respect, a new feeling compared to the disdain he received as a worker, or the one Aria receives as a university professor for her low salary.
Kael took the elevator and pressed the third floor. Upon exiting, he found himself in a modern, busy operations center, full of young people working in phone booths and computers. About ten new employees were there, but the atmosphere felt awkward as their heads lifted and they scrutinized him.
They're all looking at me. I feel like they're judging my suit, or wondering what I'm doing here. This is a new world, and these people don't know me. I don't like the attention, Kael thought, feeling nervous.
Just then, Lilith emerged from one of the booths, her hair impeccably straight and wearing a business suit. Seeing him, a genuine smile lit up her face.
"Kael! Finally. You look fantastic. The suit fits you much better than I imagined," Lilith said, approaching to give him a brief, but warm greeting.
Kael smiled, relieved by the familiarity. "Thanks, Lilith. You don't look bad either. This is... impressive. You've outdone yourself with the renovations."
Lilith cleared her throat slightly, a dramatic gesture to capture the attention of the curious employees.
"Attention everyone!" Lilith said in a firm voice. "I want to introduce Kael Ardent. He is our new 'Vanguard' and will be the visible face of Ash in many operations. Treat him with respect."
The dozen employees applauded timidly, albeit with more conviction than before, knowing that the boss (or at least a very important Hunter) was watching them.
"Come, let's go upstairs," Lilith gestured him toward the elevator. "This is management, but my office is upstairs. It's the executive area, much quieter. I want to go over the details in private."
Kael followed her. The floor below was a call center; the one above must be the mafia boss's fortress, he thought with a touch of humor as they went up.
The elevator door opened directly into a luxurious and exaggerated office. The fourth floor was almost entirely a penthouse with city views. There was a mahogany table that might have cost more than his house, and a wall-to-wall window. Kael was momentarily speechless.
"Sit down, Kael. What do you think?" Lilith asked, proudly gesturing at the surroundings. "The third floor is where I hired people for logistics management and administrative tasks. I wanted to take everything that wasn't hunting off my plate."
Kael sat down in a leather chair. "The third floor is great, professional. Hiring people was smart. It's a big step toward legitimizing the guild. But..." Kael hesitated, looking at the chandeliers.
"But what?" Lilith raised an eyebrow, with an amused smile.
"Isn't this fourth floor a little... excessive?" Kael asked, gesturing with his hand. "An office this big just for you, it looks like something out of a gangster movie."
Lilith burst into laughter. "It seems you're still the same, Kael. Do you have any complaints?"
"Complaint? No, none! It's spectacular, just... flashy," Kael quickly replied, laughing too.
"Perfect," Lilith said, becoming serious. "Now, back to business. I need you to update me. What level are you at?"
"Level 71," Kael said, with a casual tone that didn't match the magnitude of the number.
Lilith's eyes widened. She leaned back in her chair, absorbing the information. "71! Kael, that... You've surpassed me by more than forty levels in less than a week! You're an anomaly. It makes no sense."
"I told you my Lineage is special," Kael shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed by the difference.
Lilith nodded, regaining her composure. "Good. Then the agenda is more urgent than you think. We're going to the Central City Public Portal."
Kael frowned. "Alright. What level is that portal, Lilith? If it's one with monsters Level 60 or less, the experience for me will be minimal."
"Relax, Kael. This portal has a monster range of Level 30 to 65," Lilith revealed, leaning over the table. "You're right, it will be inefficient for you. The Level 30 to 65 monster range is perfect for average Hunters who want a safe zone. But my level is stuck at 30. I need to reach Level 50 to hunt in higher-risk portals and ascend. This Level C portal is the perfect balance: it's public and prestigious enough for people to see our brand, dangerous enough for me to level up, and simple enough for you to cover me without problems."
Kael sighed, his frustration giving way to the cold logic of business and Lilith's need. "Understood. The priority is you and the guild. Let's raise that level, Lilith. Besides," Kael added, a small smile appearing, "if the experience is low, at least I can test my abilities with more freedom. If the opportunity arises, I'll take it."
Lilith got up, grabbing the keys to a sports car. "Let's go. Today we're hitting the Emerald Jungle."
Kael nodded, feeling the adrenaline rising again. He followed Lilith out of the imposing office. They descended the four floors, and Kael felt the receptionist's gaze once more. They went out to the street and got into Lilith's luxurious sports car.
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They arrived at the portal access area, a huge military and high-security structure. The queue was more of a social event than a line. The Hunters, in gleaming armor and designer suits, waited their turn with an air of superiority.
This is Level C, Kael thought. Although the monster range only goes up to 65, its location in the Central City makes it a social spot for those who want to be seen. This is where the truly wealthy and powerful gather, even if the monsters aren't their biggest threat. The social pressure is almost as dangerous as higher-level monsters.
While Lilith and Kael waited, the entrance suddenly stirred. A group of Hunters in heavy armor, uniformed with the logo of an iron fist (Iron Hand), burst in, pushing those ahead of them. They were escorting a man: Darius, a middle-aged Hunter in an offensively bright silk suit and light-reflecting jewelry, his plump face showing extreme impatience.
The man leading the escort was huge, with a broad face and palpable arrogance in his stride. A younger Hunter in the line whispered to his companion with forced reverence: "That's Korvus, one of 'Iron Hand's' Squad Captains. Level 90. I heard Mr. Darius paid for them to help him level up by skipping the line. Look at him, he must be furious about waiting!"
Korvus stopped just as he passed Lilith. He looked her up and down, his smile disappearing to be replaced by a sneer of mockery.
"Well, well. If it isn't little Lilith Velmont," Korvus scoffed, emphasizing the guild's name. "Does 'Ash' already have to resort to the public Level C queue? It looks like your guild project is crumbling before it even starts. A simple Level C escort contract is all you can get." He looked at Kael with disdain. "And this is the new recruit? A novice in a ridiculous suit. You look more like a low-rent corporate bodyguard than a Hunter. It's pathetic, Lilith."
Kael, keeping his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his new pants, stepped forward, placing himself between Lilith and Korvus.
"Your waiting time is over. Move along and go ahead," Kael said with a surprisingly calm voice, his gaze fixed on the Captain.
Korvus laughed mockingly, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Look at the lapdog. I suggest you go back to your spot before I crush you like the trash you are. I'm Korvus, Level 90. Are you going to try to force me?"
Murmurs were heard in the line. "God, who is that guy? He doesn't stand a chance against Korvus." "That rookie is crazy." "His suit is designer, but his brain is that of a loader."
Suddenly, Korvus moved. His punch, driven by Level 90 strength, shot towards Kael's face with brutal speed.
Kael didn't move. His mind reacted at lightning speed. His Hunter Perception, enhanced by his very high Dexterity (DEX), captured the exact trajectory. I don't need full expansion. If I concentrate the field, I can use it as a point of force wall, he thought.
In a fraction of a second, Kael activated Active Field, but contained it right in front of his face, at a small point where Korvus's fist was about to impact. The sound was a dull, sharp snap. Korvus's punch stopped dead, as if it had hit an invisible steel wall, all his force absorbed by a point of static energy.
Korvus stopped, his fist trembling. His expression changed from arrogance to absolute shock.
It works, Kael thought, feeling only a slight tingling of feedback in his right hand. This field not only protects me, but it stops inertia.
Kael smiled coldly, and his voice clearly resonated in the sudden silence:
"My turn. I'm sending you home."
Kael didn't wait. He injected a large amount of mana into the concentrated field. The air crackled. The field abruptly expanded in a concentrated electrical pulse that struck Korvus's torso with the force of lightning, sending him slamming against the nearest control booth wall, where he slumped with a groan and a loud THWACK!
"Korvus!" shouted a woman from the Iron Hand group. A mage in robes. She quickly approached, glaring at Kael.
"That's enough," the mage said, stepping in front of Korvus, now helping him up.
Kael lowered his arm, his hands still in his pockets, and addressed the mage. "You only intervene now, when the Squad Captain was humiliated, right?" Kael took another step closer, his eyes glowing with a faint energy. "You said nothing when he tried to punch someone he didn't know without provocation."
The Iron Hand mage gritted her teeth, her face flushed, but she couldn't utter any defense. The guild code of conduct was clear, but rarely applied to high-level Hunters. The humiliation was public. She took Korvus and his team, who dispersed in shame, forced to find another place to wait. Mr. Darius, in his silk suit, just muttered something about "poor investment in security" before leaving with them.
Kael returned to the line. Lilith looked at him, her smile radiant, a mix of admiration and triumph.
"That, Kael, was a master class in guild politics. Very, very well done. You've shown that 'Ash' has a Vanguard worth every penny," Lilith said, tapping his shoulder. "The news that a 'novice' stopped a Level 90 Korvus punch with his hands in his pockets will spread like wildfire."
Kael shrugged, the adrenaline still lingering. "I just put the trash in its place. And if I'm going to waste my time with Level 30-65 monsters, at least I can show off my skills when necessary."
The incident served an unexpected purpose: the line opened with great respect for Kael and Lilith. Finally, it was their turn. They passed through the checkpoint and approached the portal.
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They passed through the emerald mist of the portal. Kael blinked, adjusting to the sudden change.
The air was dense and humid, heavy with the scent of wet earth and strange flowers. They were in an Emerald Jungle, a Level C portal. Instead of large trees, the environment was dominated by giant, intense green ferns, which grew several meters high, and thick vines that intertwined like snakes, limiting visibility to a few meters. Sunlight barely penetrated, creating a semi-dark, foggy environment, bathed in a bright green hue that gave it its name. The ground was thick, slippery mud.
"Remember the golden rule, Kael," Lilith whispered, her voice low due to the density of the jungle. "This portal is for me. My level is stagnant. If you interfere, the experience will be split too much, and it will be useless. I only want you to observe and cover me if I am in mortal danger, or if I explicitly ask you to."
"Understood. Hands off the experience," Kael said, putting his hands in his pockets. His role was that of an expensive bodyguard, not the main Hunter.
Lilith nodded and plunged into the thicket. After a few minutes, the air trembled softly about ten meters away. Kael, with his high Dexterity (DEX) and Perception, could feel the presence of the creatures.
Lilith had found her first prey.
[Blood Skorpion – Level 32]
[HP: 250/250]
[Attack: 80]
[Defense: 60]
Lilith faced several of these low-level monsters consecutively. She was methodical, although the process was exhausting. She faced Blood Skorpions and other monsters such as:
[Ash Viper – Level 35]
[HP: 300/300]
[Attack: 90]
[Defense: 70]
Lilith used her Telekinesis , focusing her mana to extract sharp fragments of nearby rocks and metallic fern leaves from the environment. She spun them at high speed, firing them like projectiles. It was efficient and lethal, but slow, as her mana reserve was depleted with each high-impact use.
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Kael watched silently as Lilith hunted. She was methodical. She faced Snakes, Raptors, and slightly increasing-level Monsters, using the vegetation and debris on the ground to turn them into mind-controlled weapons.
The effort was visible. Lilith was panting, her mental focus was becoming slower, and her movements were heavy. Almost four hours had passed, and the limit of her mana and physical endurance was being tested.
Suddenly, a wave of energy rushed through Lilith's body.
[Lilith Velmont has reached Level 40.]
In that instant, the extreme fatigue disappeared. The slight burning sensation in her muscles and the dull ache of a recent blow completely vanished. A complete physical condition reset filled her with renewed energy.
"Unbelievable! Ten levels in one session," Lilith said, now with a firm voice and a radiant smile. The tiredness had been replaced by euphoria. "This is a record."
"I'm glad to see it, Lilith," Kael replied, noticing the abrupt change in her posture. "But you still need to watch your mana."
Just as Lilith was about to respond, the ground shook with more violence than a simple monster. A smell of musk and sulfur filled the air. Kael instinctively activated his Perception to the maximum.
"Lilith, we have company. And it's not a Raptor," Kael warned, his hand touching the storage bracelet.
From among the giant ferns, a massive creature burst out. It was a grotesque mix of reptile and arthropod, with dark scaly skin and two large front claws ending in bone blades. Its muscular, thick tail dragged, leaving a trail of mud. What made it terrifying was not just its size, but the faint, distorted mana aura surrounding it.
[Mutated Beast: Claw Lizard – Level 45 (Elite)]
[HP: 750/750]
[Attack: 150]
[Defense: 100]
[Ability: Envenom Claw (Apply Low-Grade Poison)]
"A mutated Claw Lizard... Level 45! It's too strong for my current state," Lilith muttered, her face paling. She was almost the same level as the monster, but it was an Elite variant, much stronger.
"You can handle this, Lilith," Kael said. She needs to level up. If I cover her, she won't gain experience. My role is just bait.
Lilith regained her composure and launched her attack. She concentrated her mana, lifting the rocks and metallic leaves around her. This time, she spun them into a dense, pointed spiral, aiming for the Mutated Beast's eyes.
Kael's Thought: Lilith is using too much energy in her control. She's wasting mana instead of focusing force. Her skill is precise, but the Beast has too much defense. If she doesn't hit a weak spot soon, her mana will run out.
The Beast roared, but Lilith's Telekinesis was powerful. The projectiles hit, embedding themselves in the thick scales of its forehead, but without fatally penetrating.
Damn it! The mana is dropping too fast. I need a decisive blow, Lilith thought. If I miss, it will crush me.
The Beast, now enraged by the pain, lifted one of its claws and slammed it onto the ground. The blow created a shockwave that threw Lilith backward, sending her crashing into a vine. The Beast took advantage of her stunned state and launched its massive tail in a whip. Lilith tried to create a shield, but her concentration failed due to rapid mana exhaustion.
The tail strike hit her squarely in the side. Lilith felt a sharp pain and fell to the muddy ground, the air knocked out of her lungs. Her vision blurred. No... I'm not going to die here. I can't.
The Beast approached, lifting its claw, ready for the final blow.
Lilith, with a thread of a voice and genuine fear, screamed: "Kael! Now, please!"
Kael smiled, relieved of the tension. His hands came out of his pockets, and his Dimensional Storage Bracelet began to hum.
"It's about time," Kael muttered. He looked at the Beast and said out loud: "Now, Beast. Get ready, because I won't be merciful."
Kael touched his bracelet. In an instant, the Reinforced Steel Chest Plate materialized and slammed onto his torso, automatically securing itself. Then, he extracted both Lightning Chains.
Lilith, still on the ground, looked at him in amazement. Chains and a simple plate that appears out of nowhere? What's new?
Kael raised both chains into the air. He closed his eyes for an instant, and his entire body was covered with a palpable layer of blue and white energy.
Kael's Thought: The armor is crucial. It must dissipate the excess lightning. Otherwise, my skin will suffer burns.
The air crackled. The steel plate, now imbued with electrical mana, absorbed the excess energy while the Chains hummed.
Kael activated Spark Leap.
Instead of jumping, Kael dematerialized into a pure bolt of lightning that zoomed directly towards the Mutated Beast's back, reappearing mere inches away. The Claw Lizard, with its thick reptilian body and considerable height, was no match for the speed of lightning.
Kael, now positioned on the creature's back, his chains imbued with such a density of Lightning that they looked like two long, vibrating blades, let out his war cry:
"FALL, BEAST!"
With a brutal, synchronized movement, Kael used both chain-blades. The Lightning sliced through the thick, scaly skin and muscle like butter, severing the joints of both the Mutated Beast's arms. The creature roared in agonizing pain, its huge body staggering from the loss of its front limbs.
Lilith watched him, astonishment wiping away her pain. He turned into a bolt of lightning... and cut the Mutated Beast's armor like paper. A normal Level 71 can't do that, not even a Level 80. His Lineage is much more than "a trick."
Kael jumped off the Beast's back, which was desperately thrashing. He turned to Lilith.
"LILITH! FINISH IT! NOW WHILE IT'S DISORIENTED!"
Lilith blinked, snapping out of her shock and nodding. Despite the pain, she gathered her remaining mana. Lilith extended her hand toward the pile of debris she had been using. With a colossal mental effort, all the rock fragments and fern leaves joined together into a single, solid, pointed projectile.
With a final mental scream, Lilith fired the projectile. It cut through the air at dizzying speed, penetrating the Mutated Beast's exposed skull. The Claw Lizard collapsed, inert.
[Lilith Velmont has reached Level 45.]
[Drop: Mutated Claw (Rare), Venom Gland (Uncommon)]
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Lilith sank onto the mud, exhaling deeply.
"That's enough, Kael. Even thinking hurts," Lilith chuckled softly. "I've never felt so close to dying from a Lizard."
Kael quickly approached, ignoring the mud, and removed the Chest Plate, storing it in the Bracelet. "Don't move. Let me check that rib."
Kael knelt beside her, his hands hovering over the injured area. Lilith looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"What, now you're a healer too?" Lilith joked, although her voice still betrayed weakness.
Kael smiled, a faint layer of electrical energy covering his hands. "These are things I recently acquired through my Lineage, haha. A high-level Hunter has many tricks up his sleeve."
He activated Vital Pulse. A soft, but warm, current of electricity enveloped Lilith's side. The sharp pain immediately dissipated, replaced by a tingling sensation. The bruises vanished.
"Oh! Wow. That is... incredible," Lilith said, slowly getting up. She touched her side, the bruised rib no longer hurt. "What kind of ability is that?"
"It's an uncommon focus of pure energy. Efficient, right?" Kael replied with an enigmatic smile. "Now, you collect the drops. We can get a good price for these at the office."
Lilith quickly picked up the Mutated Claw and the Venom Gland, storing them in her own storage bracelet. "I have never met a Hunter like you, Kael. You are... terrifyingly efficient."
Kael shrugged. "It's my job to be terrifying. Are we done for today?"
"Yes, please. I need to go to the office right now to sell these parts and buy some peace of mind," Lilith said, smoothing her muddy hair.
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They left the portal and headed to the car. Lilith said goodbye to Kael with a nod and a deep look.
"Thank you, Kael. You did very well. Tomorrow we'll go to a higher-level portal. If you keep this up, maybe you'll reach Level 100 very soon."
"I'll be ready," Kael replied. "It's time for me to go home too."
Lilith got into her sports car. Kael stood for a moment, thinking. I need that mana armor. The Active Field is too unpredictable. And yes, tomorrow it's time to go fast. I can't stay at Level 71 when I know 100 is just around the corner. Especially knowing that my Lineage sets no limits for me. Kael nodded, thinking of Aria and his children. It's for them.
Lilith drove at full speed. Her mind wasn't on the sales, but on the scene with the Mutated Beast. He turned into a bolt of lightning... and cut the Mutated Beast's armor like paper. A normal Level 71 can't do that, not even a Level 80. His Lineage is much more than "a trick."
Lilith sighed, lightly tapping the steering wheel. I need to tie this man down. If he leaves, the Ash Guild disappears before it is born. She ran her hand through her hair with a cynical, thoughtful smile. "I'll have to become his lover or something," she said softly, immediately dismissing the idea with a snort. "No. For now, I'll have us sign an unbreakable exclusivity contract tomorrow. The rest will follow. And if the Ash Guild has any hope, it's with Kael Ardent."
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Kael Ardent Status
Level: 71, Vitality (VIT): 92
Strength (STR): 141
Endurance (END): 31
Dexterity (DEX): 131
Mana (MNA): -
Stat Points to Assign: 0
Lilith Velmont Status (Update)
Level: 45
Vitality (VIT): 46 (+2),
Strength (STR): 47 (+2),
Endurance (END): 37 (+1)
Dexterity (DEX): 57 (+2)
Mana (MNA): 122 (+4)
Stat Points to Assign: 5