The ground shook.
From the heart of the shattered Rift, a monstrous figure emerged—twice the height of a man, with twisted armor-like hide and molten eyes that burned with primal rage. The Rift-Touched Brute bellowed, its roar shaking nearby windows and sending weaker Apostles stumbling back in fear.
Jin Seok-woo's breath caught in his throat.
This—this is different.
Around him, even the more experienced Apostles hesitated. Their eyes flickered between the creature and each other, none wanting to be the first to charge.
But Seok-woo moved.
He couldn't explain it—whether it was instinct, madness, or something deeper—but his feet propelled him forward. His heartbeat steadied as his Predator's Instinct activated unbidden, sharpening his senses to a razor's edge.
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his Worn Iron Dagger.
I can do this.
———
"Quickstep!"
The world blurred.
Seok-woo appeared at the Brute's flank. His dagger slashed—but the creature's hide was thick, barely scratched by his strike. The Brute roared and swung its massive arm. He barely ducked in time, Quickstepping again to avoid the shockwave that split the concrete.
Too strong head-on...
His eyes scanned—searching for weak points. The joints.
The next moment the Brute lunged, he dove low and struck behind the knee. A solid hit. The Brute stumbled. He didn't stop—Quickstep—another slash behind the other leg. The beast bellowed in fury, dropping partially to one knee.
+15 EXP
Credits +10
He could hear shouts behind him. Apostles—watching, confused, awed. But he tuned them out.
The System pulsed:
[Predator's Instinct Lv.2 Unlocked]
Weak Points Enhanced. Movement Speed +10% when facing higher-level threats.
Golden glimmers traced the Brute's remaining vulnerabilities.
Seok-woo didn't hesitate.
Blade flashed. Two more precise strikes. One final leap—he vaulted onto the Brute's collapsing form and drove his dagger deep into the soft spot at the base of its skull.
The monster convulsed—then fell.
[Rift-Touched Brute Defeated]
[+500 EXP | Credits +50]
———
The square was silent.
He stood there, breath heavy, blade lowered. The other Apostles—even the guild elites—simply watched. No one moved.
And then he saw her.
Seo Ara.
Her silver hair caught the wind as her cold gray eyes locked onto his. She lowered her bloodied blade and stepped forward—her expression unreadable but her attention fully on him.
"You—" she started.
He opened his mouth—but before words could form, the sound of engines and flashing lights filled the air. Media vans, drones, and reporters swarmed the scene.
"Hunter Seo! Was that your team who cleared the Rift?"
"Who was the solo fighter? A new Apostle?"
Microphones and cameras crowded. Seo Ara's cold gaze flickered, her attention torn away. Her team formed a protective barrier.
Seok-woo—too tired to care—stepped back, unnoticed now by the press.
His phone vibrated.
[Incoming Call: Jin Ha-eun]
His heart softened.
"Ha-eun…" he murmured, answering.
"Oppa!" his younger sister's voice rang, breathless. "Are you safe? I saw the news—the Rift—you're not—"
He exhaled slowly, a rare small smile curling at his lips.
"I'm okay," he said gently. "I'll be home soon."