The ruined temple that once echoed with betrayal now stood silent — as if the world itself feared what had awakened.
Kael looked down at his own hands. Clean. Unscarred. As though nothing had happened.
But everything had changed.
"Skill: Ultimate Appraisal. Passive."
A translucent window opened before him, revealing every detail of the surrounding area — the materials of the walls, hidden enchantments, traces of mana, and even the lingering footprints of those who had left him for dead.
"Skill: Absolute Memory. Passive."
Every moment of their betrayal played back in perfect detail — voices, sneers, the glint of greed in their eyes.
He didn't clench his fists.
He didn't scream.
Instead, he simply said:
"Skill: Infinite Stamina. Passive."
"Skill: Skill Storage."
Then, one more — his first act of preparation.
"Skill: Item Creation."
And just like that, a blade formed in his hand — obsidian black, humming with unstable power. A sword that shouldn't exist.
[Item Created: Sword of Retribution]
[Effect: Ignores all defense. Inflicts permanent soul damage. Bound to creator.]
Kael sheathed the blade.
"Next… I hunt."
The cold wind howled through the ruined archways.
And somewhere in the kingdom, seven former allies celebrated their "victory" — unaware that the strongest being in the world now walked again.
And this time, there would be no mercy.