"Curiosity is the first step toward evolution—and destruction."
Kael's steps penetrated the dark undergrowth, following the flashes of purplish-blue light that pulsed softly like a heartbeat. Each pulse produced ripples of energy that could even be felt on his skin. The closer he walked, the more pronounced the sensation of a subtle pressure in the air.
The Devourer walked beside him in physical form, its red-black smoke body moving silently.
"My lord, whatever is shining there is no ordinary creature… its energy is more ancient than that of an F-rank monster."
Kael swallowed.
"So… dangerous?"
"Very."
Kael smiled slightly.
"Good."
The Devourer exhaled like a slowly disintegrating cloud of smoke.
"The human race… or perhaps just you… have always been strange."
Kael didn't reply.
If something in this forest was emitting such intense energy, he wanted to know what it was.
Because every powerful thing meant one thing:
Devour Potential → Evolution Potential.
1 — Ruins Not on the Map
After passing through the black trees and roots that formed a natural arch, Kael arrived at a clearing.
What he saw made him pause.
In the middle of the dark forest stood a circle of moss-covered stones, arranged in an intricate pattern. It looked like an ancient altar that had just been discovered.
In the center of the circle, a cracked pillar emitted a purplish-blue light. The energy spiraled, rising upward, and then disappearing.
Kael approached slowly.
"What is this…?"
The Devourer answered softly, his voice much more serious than usual.
"Archaic Ruins."
"Buildings that should have disappeared thousands of years ago."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Archaic? Like ancient legends?"
"Not legends."
"That race existed… before the World System was created."
The word made Kael freeze.
Before the system?
Something in this world governs everyone from birth:
Job, Rank, mana element, abilities.
If there was a civilization that existed before the system… then they must have lived without limitations.
Just like him.
The Devourer stared at the pillar with glowing red eyes.
"The energy within that pillar… isn't mana."
"That's 'Essence,' the source of the Archaic's life force."
Kael clasped his hands.
If he could absorb Essence…
Would that mean he could grow even faster?
2 — Warning from the Shadow
The Devourer stood in front of Kael, blocking his path.
"My Lord, don't touch me yet."
Kael was surprised.
It was rare for the Devourer to forbid something so directly.
"Why? This could be a great opportunity."
"True."
"But the ancient Essence is no ordinary monster energy. Even a small amount can destroy a human body from the inside."
Kael swallowed.
"Then how can I—"
"Wait."
The Devourer raised his head.
"We're not alone."
Kael instinctively squinted, activating Instinct Awakening.
There was the sound of… soft breathing in the distance.
Not a monster.
A human.
From the bushes behind the altar, a figure emerged.
A girl of about fifteen or sixteen, with short silver hair and a greenish hunter's cloak. Her eyes were sharp like a hawk's.
In her hand was a bow aimed directly at Kael's chest.
"Don't move," she said coldly.
Kael raised his hand slowly.
He wasn't afraid—more surprised that a human had ventured this far into the forest.
"Who are you?" the girl asked.
"Someone who wants to take Archaic Essence?"
Kael shook his head. "No. I just—"
TWANG!
The arrow flew, but the Devourer leaped and snapped it in midair with his teeth.
The girl stumbled back, shocked.
"A Spirit Contract?! How could… a mere human—"
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Calm down. I have no intention of harming you."
But the girl didn't lower her bow.
She stared at him for a moment… then at the blue pillar.
"You can feel it too, can't you?" she said.
"This Essence… isn't something just anyone can touch."
Kael swallowed.
"Do you know what this is?"
The girl paused for a moment before answering.
"My name is Arden Lyselle. And I'm a hunter from the Shadowcross Guild."
Guild.
That meant this girl was no ordinary person.
Arden continued.
"My purpose here is to destroy this altar before any creature absorbs its Essence."
Kael froze.
"Destroy?"
Arden nodded.
"Archaic Essence can grant great power... but it also summons monsters beyond the reach of beginners. If left unchecked, this forest could turn into a monster evolution chamber."
Kael fell silent.
A conflict began to brew in his mind.
If the altar was destroyed…
He would lose a great opportunity for evolution.
If he opposed this girl…
There would be a fight.
The Devourer whispered in his ear.
"My lord… the decision is yours."
"But the power that comes from Archaic Essence… it is not something you will encounter twice."
Kael took a deep breath.
He was no longer the resigned Kael.
He would not pass up an opportunity for power.
"Arden…" Kael said quietly.
"I need that Essence."
The girl froze.
"You… do you think you can control it?"
Kael stared at his hands, which had evolved twice overnight.
"Perhaps not."
"But I don't want my life to be dictated by others again."
Arden tightened his grip on his bow.
"Then… I can't let you."
3 — A Brief Battle Under the Blue Light
The wind moved quickly.
Arden leaped to the side, drawing three arrows at once.
TWANG! TWANG! TWANG!
Kael dodged with a speed that surprised even himself.
(My AGI has increased quite a bit…)
The Devourer leaped and charged at Arden like a black mist.
Arden rolled, drew a small knife from his waist, and slashed at the Devourer—which proved to be translucent for a moment before reappearing behind him.
"What is that thing…?!"
Kael advanced.
He didn't intend to kill.
He just needed a distraction.
With quick calculations, he kicked the ground and attacked from below.
Arden blocked with his arm but was knocked back several steps.
"He's stronger than my rank…" he muttered.
Kael didn't pursue.
"Arden. I don't want to hurt you."
Arden gritted his teeth.
"Then back off! This Essence is dangerous!"
Kael shook his head slowly.
"That danger is precisely what I need."
Arden stared at him for a long moment… frustrated and confused.
"Why? Why are you risking your life?"
Kael stared at the blue altar.
"Because I was born without mana. Without a future. Without anything."
"I had no choice but to take everything the world denied me."
Arden froze.
For the first time, his gaze wasn't as rigid as before.
But before he could answer—
The pillar creaked.
CRAAACK!
Essence energy surged.
Arden instinctively ducked.
The surrounding trees shook as if buffeted by a strong wind.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Our time is up."
4 — Resonansi Essence
The pillar exploded in a burst of intense blue light.
Energy shot toward Kael like a formless storm.
[Warning!]
[Unstable Ancient Essence Detected!]
[Host Body Capacity: Low]
Arden shouted from afar, "KAEL! STAY AWAY!"
But Kael didn't move.
Because in the next second—
Essence entered his body.
In large quantities.
Too much.
Kael's body shook violently.
Blood sizzled like hot water touching iron.
His vision blurred.
The Devourer screamed from the shadows.
"MY LORD! Your body can't take it! Stop!"
Kael bit his lip until it bled.
"I… can't stop now!"
Essence crept into his bones, muscles, even to his core.
It wasn't like mana.
This was rawer.
More primitive.
More… real.
Notifications appeared uncontrollably:
[Essence Overload]
[Converting…]
[Converting…]
[Conversion Failed]
[Conversion 23%… 38%… 52%…]
Kael's body knelt.
Arden ran toward him, forcing herself against the energy pressure.
"KAEL! Stop! It'll kill you!"
Kael growled.
"NO…! I… AM… NOT… THE… ONE… WHO… DIED… BY FATE!"
The Devourer suddenly leaped into Kael's body like a glowing mist.
"If my master's body isn't strong enough… I will stabilize it from within!"
The Devourer's black-red energy wrapped around the pale blue Essence.
Fighting.
Tearing.
Processing.
Kael's body heated up.
His eyes turned white for a moment.
And then—
BOOM!
A wave of energy spread out.
Arden was thrown backward.
The surrounding trees trembled, leaves flying.
Kael stood slowly, breathing heavily.
His body steamed like forged metal.
The notification opened…
slowly…
like the sound of an ancient world opening its eyes.
[Ancient Essence Absorbed: 61%]
[Devour System Evolution Triggered]
[Unlocked: Skill — Essence Core Lv.1]
[Unlocked: Passive — Physical Reinforcement (Minor)]
Kael opened his eyes.
Within his pupils, a faint blue line swirled with the Devourer's black.
Arden stared at him in amazement and horror.
"What… are you…?"
Kael smiled softly.
"I am Kael Vernius."
"And from now on… I will evolve beyond anything this world allows."
The Devourer emerged from the shadows, his voice filled with dark satisfaction.
"My lord…"
"You have just taken the first step toward an evolution that even the Archaic feared."
Kael stared at the now-shattered altar, its blue light gone.
In the silence, he felt his body was different—denser, stronger, faster.
But more than that…
He felt a new awareness awaken within him.
It was as if the world was staring back at him.
And in the shadows of the returning darkness of the forest…
Something stared back at him.