The next morning, Kael left the checkpoint tunnel before sunrise.
The world was still bruised with night, the ruins tinted in cold blue haze. Somewhere in the distance, metal creaked and birds didn't sing. A broken silence draped everything, waiting for someone to shatter it.
He stretched his shoulder, flexed his fingers. The saber felt different now — not heavier, not sharper, but closer. Like it had shifted half an inch toward becoming part of him.
> [Iaido Step – Ready]
[Draw Cut – Sync: 8%]
[Mental Clarity: 6]
He took a breath and headed deeper into Sector 11.
---
Twenty minutes in, he spotted signs of life.
Scorch marks on the pavement. Burned footprints. A blood trail — not human, too dark, too acidic.
And a corpse.
A fresh one.
A scavenger lay twisted between two collapsed cars, armor half-melted. The man's spear lay snapped beneath him. The ID badge on his chest flickered with a faint green light.
Kael crouched beside him, checked the log.
> [Former Class: Fighter – Lv. 7]
[Cause of Death: Critical Impact (Blunt Trauma)]
[Time Since Death: 9 minutes]
[Nearby Threat Detected]
Kael's breath caught.
Something moved above.
Instinct screamed — but too late.
A shadow dropped from the remains of a bridge.
Thud.
The force cracked the concrete, scattering dust and ash. The creature rose — not tall, but wide, built like a boulder with legs. It had no neck, just muscle. Its skin glistened like tar.
> [New Threat: Dreadmaw – Lv. 7]
Type: Elite Beast
Danger: High
Known Traits: Stun Smash, Bone Armor, Low Perception
Kael didn't hesitate.
He ran.
---
The first shockwave hit behind him — a brutal impact that launched gravel and shrapnel across the street. Kael dived behind a wrecked truck, rolled, popped up with a gasp.
The beast snorted, sniffed the air. Not fast. Not smart.
But once it saw him…
He sheathed his saber.
Waited.
The monster roared and charged.
Kael timed it.
> [Draw Cut – Attempting]
Too early. He flinched.
His blade dragged against the side of the beast's armor and skidded.
> [Draw Cut Failed – Clarity -1]
Kael's knees buckled.
Then came the backhand — a swipe of raw weight that sent him flying into a wall.
> [HP: 22 / 170]
He collapsed in the dust, coughing blood.
"Damn it…"
The beast turned again.
It hadn't killed him.
Yet.
---
Kael pushed himself up slowly.
Pain blossomed along his ribs. His shoulder screamed every time he moved. But he was still standing.
That was enough.
He clenched the saber harder.
"No more flinching," he whispered.
He exhaled.
Then ran toward the monster.
---
The Dreadmaw reacted late.
Kael ducked under its swing, rolled left, sprang back, and waited.
The moment came — the monster lifted its arm to crush him.
He drew.
> [Draw Cut – Sync: 9%]
[Weak Point Hit – Armor Breached]
[Critical Bonus: +22%]
The blade sliced deep under the beast's arm.
It howled and staggered backward, smashing into a collapsed light post.
Kael didn't let up.
He triggered Iaido Step, blinked forward, and slashed again. He aimed for the leg, striking between bone plates.
> [HP: 88 / 170]
[Monster HP: 52%]
The creature swung wildly, catching him across the thigh.
Kael grunted. Blood sprayed. He barely landed the roll that saved his life.
> [You are Bleeding]
[Status: Slowed]
Still not enough.
He needed one clean strike.
One perfect hit.
He took position. Sheathed the blade.
Then waited.
The monster rushed.
Time slowed.
Heartbeat. Wind. Impact—
> [Draw Cut – 12% Sync]
[Weak Point Hit: Jugular]
[Finisher Bonus: +30%]
[Monster Defeated – EXP +450]
The Dreadmaw collapsed mid-charge, its head lolling sideways before its body faded into pixels and ash.
Kael dropped to one knee, breathing in ragged gasps.
It was over.
---
He looked down at the saber.
His hand was trembling.
But not from fear.
From release.
"That's twice now," he whispered. "I should've died."
He leaned back against a burned pillar and looked at the notification flashing in the corner of his vision.
> [Draw Cut – Proficiency Increase: D → D+]
[Mental Clarity: 7]
[New Bonus Unlocked: Edge Memory – Slight damage increase for repeated enemies]
He let out a long breath.
Maybe the Ronin class wasn't broken.
Maybe it was just... unforgiving.
---
Later, at a new rooftop outpost built from scrap and salvaged barricades, Kael found a moment of quiet.
He sat beside a rusted radio tower, watching Sector 11 burn slowly below. Faint orange clouds drifted over the skyline. The city had started to breathe again — but what it exhaled was still poison.
From his pack, he pulled out an old blade care manual. Pages missing. Damp. Useless, maybe.
But the image on the last page still held meaning.
A silhouette. Sword drawn. Alone in a storm.
Not a knight. Not a hero.
A Ronin.
He turned to the saber lying across his lap.
"…Guess we're stuck with each other."
---
📊 Kael Draven — Status (End of Chapter 7)
> Level: 6
Class: Ronin (Unique)
Deaths This Chapter: 0
Wounds: Moderate (Healing)
Mental Clarity: 7
Ash Memory: 7%
Skills:
Draw Cut Lv. 1 (Sync: 12%)
Iaido Step Lv. 1
Reflex Trace Lv. 1
Proficiency Rank: D+
New Perk: Edge Memory – small bonus vs enemies you've fought before
Status: Steady. Learning. Evolving.
Checkpoint: Sector 10 Beacon