The vast dome above the academy's coliseum shimmered with mana-infused glass, casting a rainbow of arcane light across the assembled students. Below, over two hundred young hunters stood in nervous silence. Today was the Mid-Year Pact & Combat Assessment — a brutal dungeon simulation that determined rank advancement, guild eligibility, and scholarship offers.
For someone like Aether, who had no official pact and no known skills?
It was a death sentence.
But this time...
Death had chosen the wrong prey.
"Today, you will enter in groups of five. The dungeon is dynamic — each team will be randomly placed in one of ten variant ecosystems. Forests. Caves. Lava fields. And more."
"Your goal is simple: survive and collect three dungeon cores."
"Failure to return in two hours will result in expulsion."
Gasps. Cries. Panic among the lower-ranked students.
Aether? He just smiled and pulled his hood lower.
System Alert:
New Quest Accepted: [Devour and Survive]
Survive the Dungeon Assessment
Bonus Objective: Devour 5 Rift Creatures
Reward: Evolution Path Reveal (Hidden)
Saber's mocking voice rang out. "Tch, they put Trash in my team?"
Vex laughed. "Guess we have dead weight."
Elena rolled her eyes. "Don't expect us to protect you, Aether. You're here as bait."
Nahida blinked. "Wait... he's with us?"
She looked conflicted, but said nothing more.
Their group — Team 6 — was assigned to the Ashen Wastes, a realm of black stone, dead trees, and volcanic smoke.
Entering Dungeon Simulation...
Danger Level: C+
Environment Boost: Fire Resistance Required
Lava bubbles hissed as the team advanced. The air was thick with sulfur and tension.
"Stick together," Saber growled. "We find the core, kill the guardians, and get out. Don't slow us down, Aether."
Aether didn't answer.
He just kept walking — until a low growl echoed across the molten ravine.
[Blazehound Pack – Level 15–20]
Count: 6
Affinity: Fire
Rank: D
"Damn! There's too many!" Vex panicked.
Saber shouted, "Formations! Elena, barrier! Nahida, prepare vines!"
As the battle raged, Aether stood back.
Watching.
Calculating.
Until one of the Blazehounds lunged toward him, teeth blazing with fire.
His turn.
"Devour," he whispered.
He moved like a shadow, dodging the charge with inhuman speed. His hand — crackling with the Iron Spike skill — jammed into the creature's throat. Blood hissed as it hit lava.
Target Devoured
[Blazing Hide] – Passive
[Fire Resistance Lv.1] Gained
[Hound Reflexes] – Passive
He turned.
Four sets of shocked eyes stared at him.
Elena whispered, "W-What… was that?"
Saber narrowed his eyes. "Where the hell did he learn that?"
Nahida said nothing.
But her gaze… was different now.
It wasn't disgust.
It was curiosity.
As they advanced deeper, more beasts came.
More fodder for Aether's growing hunger.
Each battle, he fought more fiercely. He bled. He healed. He devoured.
Level: 9 → 14
Hunger: 32%
Trait: Devourer's Instinct II – Minor healing with each kill. Boost against Fire-type enemies.
Then, they found the Dungeon Core Room.
Guarded by a Flame-Tusk Berserker — a mutated lava boar, Level 25, C-rank.
"Can't win," Saber muttered. "We'll need to retreat."
"No," Aether said.
He stepped forward.
"Buy me 15 seconds."
Elena barked, "What? You'll die—"
But Nahida grabbed her arm. "Wait."
Aether closed his eyes.
Skill Activated: [Soul Lash – Lv.2]
Trait Fusion Engaged...
Sacrificing Passive Skill: [Iron Spike]...
New Skill Gained:
[Abyss Maw] – Active
Form a living portal of devouring shadow. One-time use per day. Can consume entities up to 2 levels higher.
Aether raised his hand.
Black smoke swirled, forming a gaping mouth of void beneath the beast's feet.
It roared and charged—
Then the darkness swallowed it whole.
Not a scream. Not a trace.
Silence.
Dungeon Boss Consumed
Dungeon Core Acquired
Evolution Progress: 30%
Title Unlocked: [First Devourer of Flame]
His teammates just stood there.
Stunned.
"W-Who are you?" Vex whispered.
Aether looked over his shoulder.
For a moment, they saw it — not a boy, but a presence of something ancient.
"Your teammate," he said coldly. "Let's go."
The team returned victorious.
Instructors were stunned.
Three cores. Zero deaths. One S-tier core.
Everyone stared.
"Aether? That trash? How?!"
"Elena's team? With HIM?"
Rumors began to swirl.
"Maybe he made a pact with a hidden-class monster..."
"Could he be a curse-user?"
"Was he holding back this whole time?"
Saber approached Aether. "You're not who you say you are. Are you?"
Aether didn't reply.
But behind his calm eyes, something stirred.
Vengeance. Hunger. Wrath.
And soon… the world would feel it.