It was only a few hours after the portal incident at school, and yet the city of Xetral already buzzed with news. Hunters were dispatching to investigate reports of unusual readings near the outskirts—another portal had appeared. Unlike the school portal, this one pulsed violently, almost like it was… alive.
I could have ignored it. Most people would. Most hunters certainly would, following procedure. But curiosity doesn't wait, and neither do I. Strapping on nothing but my usual confidence, I sprinted toward the anomaly. Buildings blurred past, the air whistling in my ears, my legs carrying me faster than any human—or hunter—could manage.
Arriving at the site, I saw it: a rippling portal, black and silver, with sparks of light dancing along its edges. A small horde of monsters was spilling through, and a group of hunters was already engaging them. Some B-ranks, a few C-ranks, all struggling to contain the influx. I tilted my head. They were strong, yes—but none could move like I could.
Without thinking, I leapt into action. One step, and I was inside the portal itself. The air shifted instantly. Gravity warped, colors twisted, and I realized… I was not on Earth anymore. This was another artificial planet, smaller than the last, but constructed with purpose. Towers of alien metal rose around me, and strange runes glowed faintly on the ground.
A hulking creature emerged, more massive than any monster I had seen, with armored plates and multiple limbs. It lunged, but instinct—something primal and sharp—reacted before my brain even registered the motion. I dodged effortlessly, the creature's claws slamming into the ground where I had stood a heartbeat ago.
I smiled. This was more like it.
The fight wasn't just about strength. The creature was fast, relentless, and its energy pulses interfered with my senses in a way that was… strange. My body adapted instinctively, muscles and reflexes moving beyond normal human limits. And then, a faint glow pulsed within me—a whisper of something older, something connected to my bloodline. Star Energy.
I didn't understand it yet, but it felt right. Focused, I used my enhanced strength and speed to dismantle the creature, tossing it into the alien terrain with precision that would have made any hunter gasp. Its energy dissipated harmlessly, leaving only the faint smell of ozone.
Before I could explore further, the portal began destabilizing. Its edges flickered violently, threatening to collapse. With a sprint and a calculated leap, I exited just in time. On the outskirts of Xetral, the portal sealed with a pop, leaving nothing but scorched earth and the faint shimmer of energy in the air.
The hunters looked at me with confusion. None had seen me enter—or leave. They could only guess at how the rogue portal had been neutralized so efficiently. I dusted off my jacket and smirked.
Another portal. Another adventure. And somewhere deep inside, Star Energy stirred, quietly waiting for its moment.
I had a feeling this was only the beginning.