Darkness.
That was all Hayate could see as the dungeon trembled around him. The monsters were gone, turned to ash by the strange power that had awakened within his arm. The faint glow of black and crimson light pulsed under his skin like a living flame.
He fell to one knee, gasping.
"What... happened to me?"
Then the voice returned.
[System Online.][Host: Rengoku Hayate.][Synchronization: 47%...]
Blue symbols flickered before his eyes. Lines of code formed words — words that felt alive.
"A system? Like the ones in games?"
The voice replied, calm and mechanical.
[Correction: Adaptive Evolution System – 'Revenant Rebirth.' Purpose: To ensure the survival and evolution of the abandoned.]
Hayate's eyes widened.
"The... abandoned?"
The dungeon rumbled. He remembered the laughter, the goddess's cold words, and the faces of his classmates turning away.
"They threw me away because I was weak..." he whispered. "Then I'll become strong enough to make them regret it."
The System responded instantly.
[Acknowledged.][Activating Revenge Path Protocol.][Tutorial Mission: Survive the Dungeon.]
A map appeared in front of him — tunnels twisting like veins through the earth. At the edge of his vision, glowing dots marked monsters lurking nearby.
Hayate's hand clenched. His wounds were gone. His strength felt renewed — different, darker.
"Let's see what this 'Revenant' power can do."
He stepped forward.
From the shadows, another beast crawled out — larger than the rest. Its body was covered in black scales, eyes glowing crimson. A Lesser Demon Wolf.
The System spoke again.
[Enemy Detected: LV. 12][Host Level: 1][Combat chance of survival: 3%. Proceed?]
Hayate smirked.
"Three percent? That's better than zero."
The wolf lunged.
Hayate dodged, rolling aside as claws grazed his arm. He grabbed a fallen bone, its tip sharp like a blade, and stabbed upward. The wolf roared — but his strike barely pierced its hide.
[Critical condition detected.][Emergency Skill Unlocking…]
Suddenly, his vision turned red. The world slowed. A dark aura erupted around him.
[Skill Unlocked: Revenant Instinct (Passive).]
Hayate's body moved on its own — faster, sharper. He dodged the next strike with inhuman precision and drove his glowing hand straight into the wolf's chest.
A surge of energy burst out, ripping through the beast.
It collapsed, dissolving into motes of red light.
[Level Up: 1 → 3][Stat Boost Granted.]
Hayate stood over the fading corpse, chest rising and falling.
He looked at his hand — the black and red glow pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
"This power... it's real."
For the first time since he was thrown away, Hayate smiled — not with joy, but with purpose.
"To those who laughed at me... wait for me. I'll climb out of this hell and drag you all down with me."
The System chimed softly.
[Objective Updated: Ascend and Conquer.]
And deep within the dungeon, the first flame of vengeance began to burn.