"Strength is never given. It is claimed."
A thin forest mist began to re-cover the area of the destroyed altar. The blue light that had filled the air now dissipated, leaving a strange silence as if the forest were holding its breath.
Kael stood amidst the remnants of Essence light slowly seeping into the ground, his body still emitting a thin vapor. His breathing was slow but steady—and each breath felt much stronger than before.
The Devourer emerged from Kael's shadow, its body throbbing as if it had just eaten a large meal.
"My lord… how does it feel?"
Kael clenched his fists, feeling a different power. Not mana. Not physical energy.
Something wilder.
More ancient.
More… free.
"I feel like… my body is being rebuilt from within," Kael said quietly.
The system responded to his words.
[Essence Core Lv.1 Activated]
Essence Stored: 3%
Effect: Strengthens physical structure + accelerates minor recovery
[Passive Unlocked: Physical Reinforcement (Minor)]
Physical strength increased by 12%. Speed increased by 8%.
Kael read the notification and his eyes widened slightly.
"This… is greater than a normal stat boost."
The Devourer nodded.
"The Essence Core changes your body on a different level than mana. This isn't a 'buff,' it's reconstruction."
Arden, who had been lying a few meters away, finally rose to his feet, gasping for breath. He looked at Kael—then at the remains of the shattered pillar—then back at Kael.
"Kael… that's… impossible," he said softly.
Kael turned his head.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Arden looked at him with a mixture of amazement and fear.
"You should have died from Essence overload. No human could absorb that much energy without disintegrating."
Kael smiled slightly.
"Maybe I'm a different kind of human."
Arden paused, staring into Kael's eyes, which now had a faint blue-black glow.
"…Yes. You are different."
1 — Lightning from the Dark Sky
Before Kael could respond, the ground around the altar shook.
…KRUNK…!
Arden grabbed his bow again.
"What is that?!"
The Devourer opened its mouth wide, black smoke flowing between its teeth.
"The remaining Essence is affecting something… something BIG."
Kael strained his eyes.
From behind the trees, a deep, hoarse voice echoed.
…GRAAAAAA…!
Arden paled instantly.
"N-no way… that's—"
From the shadows of the forest emerged a three-meter-tall creature. Its body structure resembled a wolf, but its back was covered with blue veins that pulsed like veins of Essence. Its teeth glowed faintly, its eyes reflecting purple.
The creature didn't look F-Rank.
It didn't even look like a normal creature.
Kael felt a sense of energy pressure from it.
Almost like a hybrid monster.
"Devourer," Kael said quietly. "Is that normal?"
"No."
"That's not a born monster. It's a monster mutated by Essence."
Arden raised his bow with trembling hands.
"This is bad… this kind of monster is usually far beyond the beginner level."
The creature stared at the destroyed altar…
then at Kael, who still radiated a residual Essence aura.
And as the creature's eyes flashed brightly—
Kael knew exactly what was coming.
"It's after me."
GRUAAH!!
The monster pounced.
2 — An Impossible Fight Under Remaining Essence
Kael only had a second.
Reflexively, he rolled to the side, the monster's claws striking the ground and creating a large crater.
Arden fired two arrows in quick succession.
TWANG! TWANG!
The arrows struck… but only bounced off the monster's Essence-hardened hide.
"I can't penetrate it!" Arden cried.
Kael ran in a zigzag motion, drawing the monster's attention.
"Devourer! Can you devour some of its Essence?!"
"If I get closer, I can… but this thing is too fast!"
The monster leaped through the bushes, landing right in Kael's path.
Kael held his breath and twisted, kicking the monster in the side of the head.
But…
The creature barely flinched.
"My physical strength has increased by 12%, but it's still not enough…"
The monster opened its mouth, blue energy gathering in its throat.
Arden paled.
"KAEL! THAT'S AN ESSENCE BLAST! DON'T—"
BOOM—!
A blue beam exploded toward Kael.
Kael jumped, but the blast was too fast.
The energy wave hit him from the side and threw him to the ground.
His body scraped against the rocks—hot, stinging, and piercing.
"Ugh…!"
Arden shouted.
"KAEL!!"
The monster prepared to continue its attack.
But at that moment—
The Devourer emerged from Kael's shadow, its body elongating and expanding, creating a shield of red smoke.
"MY LORD, STAND UP!"
Kael grimaced, forcing himself back to his feet.
He opened his quick status panel.
[Essence Core Lv.1 – 3% → 2%]
Essence is used to temporarily strengthen the body's resistance.
"Oh… it can be used defensively too…" Kael muttered.
The monster prepared to attack again.
Arden shouted, "KAEL! We have to run!"
Kael shook his head.
"No. If we run, it will follow us."
Arden glared at Kael.
"What's your plan? You can't fight it alone!"
Kael stared at his left hand.
He grasped at the air.
If his body had Physical Reinforcement…
and he had an Essence Core to strengthen his body structure…
Maybe he could…
Kael took a deep breath.
"Devourer."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Can I use the Essence Core to strengthen one part of my body… just for a moment?"
The Devourer grinned.
"That's a good idea."
Kael smiled faintly.
"Then… let's give it a try."
3 — New Technique: Essence Strike
Kael crouched, straightened his posture—then focused.
He channeled his remaining Essence Core into his right hand.
Essence Core: 2% → 1%
His hand trembled.
The veins in his arm glowed a faint blue.
Arden was shocked to see it.
"Kael… wait, you can't—"
Kael stood his ground.
"I'll end it in one strike."
The monster pounced, its blue-glowing claws aimed at his head.
Kael ducked and leaped forward.
The world slowed.
He could see energy trails.
He could sense the direction the monster was moving.
A meter away.
Half a meter away.
Kael raised his hand—
And struck right under the monster's jaw.
—ESSENCE STRIKE!
BAM—!!
Blue energy exploded from the blow.
The giant monster was pushed back as if struck by a steel horse.
Its body slammed into a tree, cracking its trunk.
Arden stared, mouth agape.
"K-Kael… you… hit it?! With your bare hands?!"
Kael shook his head, breathing heavily.
"No. That wasn't a 'hit'… it was Essence converted into a physical attack."
The monster struggled to get up, though it looked unsteady and shaken.
Kael turned to the Devourer.
"Now."
The Devourer leaped, transforming into a deep red shadow that charged at the monster's unsteady body.
CHOMP—!!
The monster struggled, its scream echoing throughout the forest.
Blue Essence energy erupted from its body…
and entered Kael.
Notifications appeared rapidly.
[Devour Success]
[Absorbed: Contaminated Essence]
[Host Strength +3]
[Host Agility +2]
[Host Vitality +2]
[Essence Core +1%]
Kael took a deep breath.
His body felt more stable…
faster…
stronger.
Arden could only stare at him silently.
After a few seconds, he finally said softly:
"Kael… you just defeated an Essence mutation that even a D-Rank Hunter would have difficulty defeating…"
Kael looked down at his hands, which were still trembling slightly.
"I'm not used to this power yet."
Arden swallowed.
"…But you will get used to it."
Kael turned to him.
"Arden. If you're afraid, you can leave."
Arden stared at Kael for a long moment…
then shook his head.
"No. Someone like you… who absorbs Essence directly… should not be allowed to wander unsupervised."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
Arden lowered his bow, looking Kael in the eye.
"I will monitor and assess your strength."
"You may be an anomaly… but I will not allow you to become a threat."
Kael smiled.
"Does that mean… you'll be coming with me?"
Arden looked away, blushing slightly.
"Not coming! Watching!"
The Devourer chuckled.
"My lord, congratulations. You've just gained your first human follower."
Kael straightened, gazing deep into the forest.
"Follower? No. I've just found someone who will witness my 'evolution' up close."
The forest was quiet again.
But Kael felt something.
With the Essence Core…
with the Devourer…
and with the world beginning to see him…
His journey had only just begun.