Kain’s boots crunched over broken stone as he moved through the wasteland. His breath misted in the cold air, and the dim violet glow beneath the cracks in the earth pulsed faintly beneath his feet. The system screen hovered at the edge of his vision, feeding him information he wasn’t entirely sure he trusted yet.
> [Next Objective: Reach the Nearest Settlement.]
[Distance: 4.2 miles.]
[Danger Level: High.]
Four miles isn’t far, Kain thought. But in a hostile environment, it might as well be forty.
The bodies of the Bloodfang Hounds lay behind him, their dark blood already congealing on the cold ground. He’d gained a level from that fight, but the stat increase had been minor—barely enough to feel.
System mechanics based on progression, he analyzed. Experience gain leads to leveling. Leveling increases stats. Skill acquisition tied to action.
It was disturbingly similar to the combat simulation programs he’d trained in during Project Ascendant. The difference was, this wasn’t virtual reality. The blood on his hands felt real. The burn in his muscles wasn’t simulated.
Kain flexed his fingers and scanned the horizon. Jagged hills of black rock stretched in every direction. No plant life. No movement. Just the cold taste of iron in the air.
Survive.
That was the only order the system had given him. Cold, simple, efficient.
The sound of footsteps reached his ears. Soft, stumbling. His eyes narrowed. Kain ducked behind a rise of stone and focused his senses. A figure emerged over the ridge, limping. A young woman. Her clothes were torn and stained with blood.
Behind her, shapes moved in the dark.
Kain’s eyes sharpened. Six more of those hounds stalked her, circling her path.
Too many. He had no weapon, no defensive gear. His stats had increased slightly, but he was still underpowered compared to the enemies. The rational thing would be to let her die and conserve his strength.
The woman stumbled, falling to one knee. A hound lunged.
Kain was already moving.
He surged down the slope, closing the distance in seconds. The hound’s jaws snapped toward the girl’s throat—Kain intercepted it mid-leap, driving his forearm into the creature’s ribs with bone-crushing force. The hound howled and twisted in his grip. Kain planted his foot, lifted, and slammed it into the ground. Its body spasmed and lay still.
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> [Direct Strike: Critical Hit!]
[Experience Gained: +10]
Kain released his breath in a sharp hiss. The other hounds turned toward him. Six glowing eyes locked onto his position.
Too many.
The woman’s eyes opened—deep violet, reflecting the glow beneath the ground. Her gaze widened as she focused on him.
“You… you’re an outsider.” Her voice was strained.
Kain crouched, his stance widening. “Stay down.”
“But—”
The first hound lunged. Kain rolled to the side, catching it by the throat and twisting until its neck snapped beneath his grip. He hurled the body into the path of the next hound, knocking it off course.
Another charged from behind. Kain spun and drove his elbow into its skull, dropping it instantly. But the remaining three were already coordinating. They circled him, closing the distance.
Kain, you’re outnumbered.
He narrowed his eyes.
A chime sounded.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Bloodlust (Active)]
Description: For 10 seconds, increase Strength and Dexterity by 20%. Killing an enemy while active extends the duration by 3 seconds. Costs 10 Mana.
That’ll work.
Kain grinned. He accepted the prompt.
> [Bloodlust Activated.]
Heat exploded through his veins. His muscles surged with power. The hounds moved—and Kain met them head-on.
He ducked beneath the first swipe, caught the creature’s foreleg, and tore it from its socket with a brutal twist. A sharp kick to the jaw sent the next hound into the air. He caught the third by the throat and drove his knee into its skull, hearing the wet crunch as bone collapsed beneath impact.
> [Bloodlust Duration Extended.]
The last hound hesitated—then bolted.
Kain exhaled through his nose. His fists were coated in black blood, his breathing steady despite the exertion. His body felt… lighter. Stronger. He flexed his fingers.
> [Level Up!]
---
Level: 3
Strength: +1
Dexterity: +1
Skill Acquired: [Bloodlust]
---
“You saved me,” the woman’s voice pulled his attention back.
Kain turned toward her. She was already sitting upright, brushing tangled strands of silver hair from her face. Her violet eyes studied him with sharp intensity.
Kain frowned. Silver hair. Violet eyes. Those traits weren’t normal. And her bearing—calm, composed despite the blood on her skin—didn’t match the terrified survivor act.
“You’re not local,” Kain said.
She smiled faintly. “Neither are you.”
Kain held her gaze for a long moment. His body was still humming with the residual effect of Bloodlust. His mind was already analyzing her stance, the tension in her shoulders. She was calm—but not relaxed.
“Name?” Kain asked.
“Selene.”
She pushed to her feet with only a slight wince. “And you are?”
“Kain.”
Selene’s gaze sharpened. “That’s a dangerous name.”
Kain raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
Selene’s smile faded. “Because it’s the name of a legend.”
Kain’s brow furrowed.
Selene stepped closer. “You’re an outsider. You don’t know the rules here.”
“I’m learning.”
“Not fast enough,” she said softly.
Kain’s eyes narrowed. “Then explain them.”
Selene hesitated. Her gaze flicked toward the horizon, where dark spires jutted toward the storm-choked sky. “There’s a town nearby. If you want answers, you’ll find them there.”
Kain’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “You’re assuming I’ll follow you.”
Selene smiled. “You saved me. That means you owe me.”
“That’s not how saving someone works.”
“In this world?” Selene turned and started walking. “It is.”
Kain’s eyes lingered on her for a moment. He flexed his fingers, the aftershock of Bloodlust fading from his limbs.
He started walking.
> [New Objective: Reach Black Hollow.]
[Distance: 2.1 miles.]
[Danger Level: High.]
Kain’s eyes sharpened. His smirk widened.
Good.
