The morning after the rogue portal incident, Xetral felt… normal. Too normal. Birds sang, people hurried to work, and hunters patrolled without a hint of cosmic chaos. But I knew better.
A faint vibration pulsed through me as I stretched, a whisper of Star Energy I hadn't fully understood yet. It was subtle, almost teasing. Whatever had stirred in that alien world yesterday wasn't done with me.
"Hmm… another portal might appear today," I muttered, ignoring the stares of nearby students. My instincts hummed; I could sense energy fluctuations in the city, invisible to everyone else. And sure enough, near the industrial district, a faint shimmer blinked like a star being born.
I didn't hesitate. Sprinting across rooftops, I reached the site in seconds. A dormant portal hovered silently, black with faint silver veins pulsating along its edges. No monsters yet—but something about it screamed ancient, like it had waited centuries for someone like me.
Curiosity sparked. Inside the portal lay ruins: towers of alien metal, engraved runes glowing faintly. The architecture was eerily familiar, almost like a design passed down through my bloodline. I crouched, examining the symbols. My instincts tingled as if recognizing… something. A faint resonance pulsed inside me. Star Energy, reacting.
A trap triggered. A guardian construct emerged from the shadows—a four-limbed creature armored in alien alloys, energy coursing along its frame. Its movements were precise, mechanical, and deadly.
"Seriously? You're the welcoming committee?" I smirked, cracking my knuckles.
The fight began. Reflexes, strength, and instinct guided me. I dodged attacks that could crush a B-rank hunter, countering with movements so precise they felt choreographed. As I landed a strike, a small burst of light flared from my chest—the first tangible manifestation of Star Energy. The guardian staggered, giving me an opening.
The battle wasn't easy. The construct adapted to every move, forcing me to think, calculate, and react faster than before. I realized something important: this power wasn't just brute force. It was awareness, anticipation, instinct—and a faint echo of my ancestor's skill.
Finally, with one calculated leap and a burst of Star Energy, the construct collapsed. Silence returned to the ruins. I panted lightly, the thrill of challenge making my chest hum.
Among the debris, I spotted something—an artifact, small, metallic, engraved with symbols that matched the ones resonating inside me. I picked it up, and a jolt of energy surged through me, subtle but undeniable. My ancestor's legacy was alive, waiting, hidden in plain sight, waiting for me to awaken fully.
I exited the portal as it flickered, sealing behind me. No hunters had seen me enter—or leave. Perfect.
Another adventure completed, another clue to my hidden power uncovered. Star Energy was stirring, the echoes of the Celestial Hunter's legacy whispering through time.
And I knew… this was only the beginning.