Kieran's pulse pounded in his ears. The city lights flickered, casting long, jagged shadows against the walls. His hands clenched—red and blue arcs of energy crackled at his fingertips.
The system's text glitched, flickering erratically.
[Synchronization: 5%]
[Instinct Mode: Partially Unlocked]
His pursuers had stopped moving. Watching. Calculating.
"Look at that," the man muttered. "He's already changing."
The woman narrowed her eyes. "This isn't normal. His power is... unstable."
Kieran didn't care. He wasn't running anymore.
He leaped.
Faster than he should have been able to. His muscles tensed—his body felt weightless. The man barely had time to react before Kieran's fist shot forward, crackling with raw power.
BOOM!
The alley exploded in dust and debris as the shockwave from the impact sent the man skidding back. His smirk disappeared.
Kieran landed, panting. His knuckles stung, but he barely registered the pain. He had attacked first.
And it felt… right.
The woman didn't hesitate. She raised her hand—no weapon, no hesitation, just pure confidence.
Then—
A sudden force slammed into Kieran's chest. His vision blurred, and before he could react, he was airborne—sent flying backward into a metal dumpster with a deafening crash.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
He groaned, trying to stand, but his body wasn't listening.
The woman lowered her hand. "You're not ready."
Kieran coughed, pushing himself up. His limbs trembled, his vision swam, but deep inside—
That primal hunger still burned.
He gritted his teeth, his glowing eyes locking onto her.
Not ready?
Then he'd just have to become ready.
No matter what it took.