When the last wolf crumbled into ash, Ethan collapsed to his knees.
Smoke curled around him.
His body trembled—not from weakness, but from excess energy.
Level: 4
Mana Core: Rank F+
New Skill Acquired: Calamity Surge (Active)
— Temporarily multiply all stats when facing overwhelming odds.
"That's… ridiculous," he breathed.
The System chimed again.
[Hidden Protocol Attempting to Unlock…]
[Authority Requirement Insufficient]
"Authority?" Ethan muttered.
Minor (Death-touched).
Thanaros had marked him.
The wind shifted.
The silver grass bent in a single direction.
Something was watching.
High above, unseen beyond mortal sight, threads of black mist coiled.
In a realm between worlds, Thanaros observed through a veil of shadows.
"You adapt quickly," the god murmured.
Behind him, another presence stirred—vast and ancient.
"You interfered," it said, voice like grinding mountains.
"I corrected an error," Thanaros replied calmly.
"The mortal carries your mark."
"Yes."
A pause.
"Then the others will notice."
Thanaros's burning eyes narrowed.
"Let them."