The fog was alive.
It clung to Zaro's skin like wet cloth, thick and cold, choking the light from the sun. Even the trees in Zone 3 seemed twisted bark blackened, roots gnarled, like they were trying to crawl away from something.
He stepped forward, every crunch of dead leaves beneath his feet echoing too loudly.
> [Quest Active: Trial of the Forsaken]
Defeat: Shadowbeast (Lv. 15)
Zaro was Level 1.
No weapon. No armor. No combat training.
Just a new system and a body that had never known power before last night.
I shouldn't be here.
No… I was always meant to be here.
Voices in the Fog
Somewhere deeper in the mist, screaming rang out. Human voices sharp and panicked.
Zaro broke into a run, pushing through low branches and thick brush until the fog cleared just enough to show a horrifying sight.
Three Class F students were under attack.
A massive creature, hunched and bristling with bone-like spikes, stood over them. Its face was a split maw of teeth and darkness, its body covered in shadow fur that pulsed with unnatural energy.
[Shadowbeast – Lv. 15 – Minor Corruption Detected]
One student tried to run. The beast's claw lashed out and tore straight through his torso like paper. His scream died in an instant.
The other two froze.
Zaro didn't.
Instinct Over Terror
"HEY!" Zaro shouted, his voice cracking.
The beast turned. Its glowing white eyes locked onto him, ignoring the other students.
Zaro's heartbeat roared in his ears.
[Warning: Threat Level = EXTREME]
[Skill Suggestion: Activate Divine Perception]
He didn't hesitate.
[Skill Activated: Divine Perception Lv.1]
Suddenly, time slowed.
The world tinted in shades of blue and black, and glowing lines traced the monster's muscles its movements, weaknesses, even breath patterns.
Zaro moved faster than he'd ever known possible. His body responded to instincts that didn't feel like his own.
[Hidden Trait: Adaptive Reflex – Triggered]
[Temporary Boost: +20% Agility for 30 seconds]
He picked up a fallen dagger and rolled under the beast's lunge, slashing upward. Sparks flew, but the blade barely nicked its fur.
[Ineffective. Insufficient Damage.]
Zaro grit his teeth and jumped back just in time to avoid a swipe that shattered a nearby tree.
I'm not strong enough… not yet.
But he wasn't here to win.
He was here to survive and learn.
The Flash of Power
> [System Alert: First Blood Condition Achieved]
[Reward: Class Skill – Godrend Blade (Temporary)]
[Warning: Skill requires life energy to activate]
Zaro felt it ,a burning inside his veins. Like lightning tearing through muscle. The dagger in his hand began to glow, etched with divine runes that hadn't been there seconds ago.
He roared and charged.
The Shadowbeast moved to crush him but Zaro ducked, slid beneath its belly, and thrust the dagger into its heart.
A blinding flash exploded from the point of impact.
[Critical Hit! Core Wound Inflicted!]
[Shadowbeast HP - 74%]
The monster screamed , a terrible, high-pitched shriek that shook the trees.
But it didn't fall.
Instead, it went mad.
Corruption Unleashed
Black mist erupted from the beast's body. Its muscles expanded, eyes glowing with deeper hatred. The fog thickened as it howled.
> [New Status: Corrupted Shadowbeast – Lv. 20]
[Trait: Rage Mutation Triggered]
Zaro staggered back.
It evolved? From one strike?!
He looked down. The dagger had cracked. His hand was numb.
And his vision was starting to blur.
> [Warning: Life Energy dangerously low.]
So this was the price of power.
He fell to his knees but didn't give up.
The Shadowbeast charged.
And just as it reached him
A burst of flame shot from the side, slamming into the beast's face.
Ash and Fire
"Get away from him!"
A girl's voice. Strong. Commanding.
She landed in front of Zaro in a swirl of fire her long hair blazing red, her armor glowing with beast sigils. A beast companion , an avian with burning wings soared above.
> [Name: Kaela Drayen – Rank D – Class: Ember Binder]
[Beast Companion: Ashra – Flameborn Skywing]
One of the elites.
Kaela raised her hand, and Ashra dove unleashing a rain of fire upon the corrupted beast. It screeched, stumbling back, its black fur alight.
Zaro tried to speak but coughed blood.
"Stay still," Kaela said, her voice softening. "You're bleeding mana. You used a skill that wasn't meant for mortals."
He smiled weakly.
"That's… the point."
She stared at him, confused until her eyes widened, sensing something off.
"Who… are you?"
Before he could answer, his vision faded into black.
System Whisper:
> [You survived your first trial.]
[You have changed fate.]
[Level Up: Lv. 1 → Lv. 5]
[Stat Points Gained: +10]
[Title Unlocked: Forsaken Hunter]
[New Quest Available: Speak to Kaela Drayen]
Back in the Shadows
Far away, deep beneath the academy in a sealed shrine forgotten by time, something stirred.
Eyes opened.
A god… blinked.
"The Forsaken has awakened."
"Then the prophecy begins…"
End of Chapter 2