[Name: Ronan Raylinde]
[Age: 18 years]
[Cultivation Base: Human Realm Level 3]
[Special Ability: Starflame (S-Class)]
[Unique Skills: Devil's Covenant]
[Combat Skills: Starflame Meteor+2, Vital Strike, Energy Channeling, Swift Dash, Enhanced Perception, Bonebreaking]
[General Skills: Home Cook, Beginner Cyclist, Speed Reading, Beginner Driver]
[Skill Points: 108]
[Skill Enhancement Scale: Level 1 requires 100 skill points]
"Now... which skill should I upgrade?" Ronan muttered softly, his eyes fixed on the two new abilities he'd gained from the last battle.
But curiosity crept into his mind first.
"By the way, how many points do I need to upgrade a skill to level 3?"
[300 Skill Points Required]
Ronan gave a small nod.
Three hundred. Still reasonable.
Kill around fifteen level two soul beasts, and he could get there.
But for now...
"Upgrade skill Enhanced Perception."
[Are you sure you want to upgrade the skill Enhanced Perception?]
"Yes."
[Congratulations, the skill Enhanced Perception has evolved into Hunter's Sense.]
[Description:
Refined through relentless combat, your perception evolves beyond instinct. Hunter's Sense allows you not only to read enemy movements but to predict their intent milliseconds before action. Your mind adapts, forming a combat map in real-time, granting you the upper hand in reading feints, breaking momentum, and striking with precision]
[Effect:
+50% enhanced sensory awareness in combat.
Allows short-term predictive analysis of enemy behavior.
Boosts reaction speed and tactical judgment in high-pressure scenarios.
Reduces effectiveness of feints and illusion-based techniques]
In an instant, the world around him changed.
The rustling of leaves, the whisper of wind between branches, even the footsteps of small animals that usually went unheard—everything now felt... vivid.
There was a pause.
As if time itself slowed down to give him space.
Every movement—frozen in visual frames, complete with trajectories and weak points.
"I'm fucking blessed," a smirk crept across Ronan's face as he stepped deeper into the forest. His steps were light, relaxed, but alert.
The previous battle had drained him. No serious injuries, but scratches and fatigue lingered.
As he walked, Ronan pulled something from his backpack—a skill scroll he'd taken from Adam.
Still sealed, without description. He wasn't ready to open it just yet.
Maybe he'd take it to the House of Wisdom in Lincolnville.
That place was the heart of everything for awakeners.
Weapons. Soul Stones. Skill Scrolls. Even legendary equipment—you could find it all there.
Every major city had at least one, sometimes two. But the central hub? It was in the capital: Leyndell.
And speaking of Leyndell... one name instantly came to mind.
Luthermoor Academy.
One of the top 10 academies. A home to geniuses and a gateway to real power.
If he could get in...
Ronan took a deep breath.
But before his thoughts could drift too far—
His steps froze.
Hunter's Sense caught something.
A strange atmosphere—cold, rotten, and... dead.
A sharp sensation. Much clearer than before.
As if a built-in alarm in his brain had just gone off.
He immediately changed direction.
His steps quickened, nimble.
He pushed aside bushes, ducked under branches, and after a few minutes...
His eyes widened.
Hundreds of meters ahead, a massive crack split the air.
A dimensional rift.
A bleeding gash—dark red like torn flesh—gaped wildly in the air, radiating a brutal aura that could knock out a normal person instantly.
Ronan frowned. This was the first time he'd seen a rift in person.
"Red color… means it can't be entered from the outside. But the things inside can come out," he muttered.
He stepped closer.
There were thirteen skeletons. Each different.
Some wore knight armor, others resembled mages, even orcs.
Most of them—two to three-star ranks.
But one...
One skeleton stood out.
Four meters tall. Dressed in a deep blue robe. Eyes glowing a dark violet.
Magical energy radiated oppressively from its body.
And in its hand... an ancient magic staff.
On the other side of the battlefield, six awakeners were locked in combat.
One of them—a blond-haired man—radiated a leader's aura.
But Ronan's eyes focused on just one person.
Silver hair.
Eyes sharp like blades of ice.
A cold presence and absolute control.
Helen Celestina.
"I didn't think she'd make it here... and that symbol—Ordo Aegis of the Empire..." he whispered.
The shield-and-dragon insignia was too iconic.
Ordo Aegis. The Empire's elite force. The dream of every young awakener.
Helen, it seemed, was no exception.
Ronan crept closer, hidden in the shadows of the trees.
Maybe... he could steal a few kills.
---
The battle was already brutal.
The skeletons surged like savage beasts.
But there was a pattern.
An ancient discipline in their movements.
As if a war strategist directed every swing of those bones.
Fwoooosh!
A burst of flame erupted from the four-star skeleton's staff.
Fire scorched the air, tearing through the awakeners' defense line.
Everyone pulled back—except one.
Helen.
Her body was protected by a layer of ice.
The flames evaporated into warm mist before reaching her skin.
Her face remained serious. Blank. Cold.
She crossed her arms over her chest.
Instantly, freezing air spread rapidly.
The air froze. Dew crystallized midair. The ground beneath her shimmered blue.
Her hand slammed into the ground.
"Ice Golem."
From the frozen earth, five giant figures began to rise.
Ice clumped into humanoid bodies.
Faceless. Wordless.
Only deep roars from hollow chests as their battle cry.
They charged, shaking the ground with every step.
"She's... insane," Juan muttered, breathless.
Ren just nodded. "Every time she fights, it feels like watching a war goddess."
Lex remained silent. His gaze pierced through.
"Stay back!"
His voice thundered, cutting through the noise of battle.
A faint golden aura wrapped around his body.
Vera, the support, raised her hand.
Red light enveloped Lex.
Strength buff. Maximum boost.
Lex charged forward.
Amidst the golems and skeletons, he stopped.
His hand reached toward the sky.
"Heavenly Blade Rain."
His voice was quiet—but the world heard him.
The sky split open.
A swirling distortion formed a vortex of light.
CHRAAAAK!
Thousands of spiritual swords rained down, striking the earth like meteors.
Skeleton bones shattered, launched into the air, destroyed.
The clanging of metal and cracking of bones created a symphony of chaos.
Helen watched in awe.
Juan let out a low whistle.
"No matter how many times I see that skill, it always gives me chills."
No one disagreed.
Manifestation of the Blade.
S-Class. Manipulation of spiritual blades from another dimension.
"All the two-star skeletons are down!"
"Yeah. Only three left… wait."
ZRAAAK!!
The sky darkened.
Purple lightning struck down, hitting the center of the blade rain.
Boom!
The explosion of energy stopped everything.
The swords vanished. The clouds lifted. Mist and debris hung in the air.
At the center, Lex stood.
Parts of his body charred, smoking, breath ragged.
"CAPTAIN!"
Juan and Ren—the twins—dashed in.
Their arms transformed—Devil's Hand, one on the left, the other on the right.
Demonic red limbs, claws sharp as scythes.
But before they could land a hit...
Their bodies froze.
Muscles locked. Breath caught.
Suppression Magic.
Lex gritted his teeth. Consciousness fading.
His eyes lit up.
"FUCK!"
A blast of white light burst from his pupils.
The pressure vanished.
The four-star skeleton was blasted back.
The twins collapsed, gasping.
But before anyone could react further—
From the smoke and rubble...
Someone appeared.
Dressed in black.
Face half-covered.
Carrying a large backpack in one hand.
His steps light, but full of weight.
He pulled something from his pack—round.
Threw it at the four-star skeleton.
Splassh! Splash! Splash!
The throw wasn't precise. Repeated.
Soaking the skeleton over and over.
Water?
Lex frowned. "Who the fuck are you?"
The figure turned.
His crimson eyes pierced back.
His tone calm.
"I'm not your enemy."
Ronan Raylinde.