The room was silent except for the faint hum of the system. Kairis had cleaned his blade and set it aside. The events of the evening lingered in the air—the monsters he had killed, the Dark Matter absorbed, and the unexpected presence of the girl in the shadows.
Suddenly, the system pulsed.
> [System Update: Recent Kill Assessment Complete – Venomous Serpentine Aberrant]
[Reward Granted: Dark Matter Infusion +1.2%]
[New Skill Unlocked: Gyro-Telekinesis Lv.1]
[Class Advancement: Hunter – Unlocks Dark Matter Manipulation Abilities]
[New Ability Unlocked: Micro Black Hole Lv.1 – Drains 20% HP per second if sustained.]
The words flashed across his vision, crisp, precise. The system had taken its time to analyze the kill—the speed, precision, and efficiency—and now it acknowledged his effort.
Kairis flexed his fingers. Gyro-Telekinesis, the manipulation of objects and enemies through rotating gravitational fields, pulsed faintly in his mind. Small objects on the floor twirled and hovered in place as a test, obeying his will.
> [Gyro-Telekinesis – Lv.1]
[Effect: Creates rotating gravitational fields to manipulate objects or immobilize enemies. Scale limited by Dark Matter reserve and user HP.]
He smirked faintly.
Not bad.
Confrontation with Kaiyara
Before she could speak, before a single word escaped her lips, Kairis moved.
The blade of his mind's control pulsed as he activated Gyro-Telekinesis. A faint, spiraling force reached out silently and grabbed her mid-step. Her system blinked in alarm as she was lifted slightly off the ground. One hand was pressed to her throat, suspended by the invisible grip of gravitational rotation.
"Kairis…" she said calmly, though her violet eyes flared with tension. "You're faster than I expected… and ruthless."
He stared, unblinking, the purple glow around his eyes faint but menacing. "I don't trust you. Speak. Now."
She exhaled slowly, tilting her head. "I'm investigating rogue Awakeners… and that's what you are. The Venomous Serpentine Aberrant you killed? Our network didn't place it. We think someone new is moving in this area, and we were sent to assess the threat. That's… why I'm here."
He didn't relax. He didn't move. He let the force keep her in place, testing her resolve.
"And?" he asked. "Why tell me this?"
"Because if you're reckless, you'll draw attention. And if you draw attention… we'll be forced to intervene."
His lips curled in a faint, arrogant smirk. "I don't need permission. I survive. I adapt. I decide."
Once she had explained, Kairis let her drop lightly to the floor. He turned his attention inward.
He focused on the Dark Matter pulsing through him, the lingering energy of the snake Aberrant still feeding his system. He summoned a small Micro Black Hole, the air condensing into a miniature void just above the floor. It spun slowly, drawing in dust and small debris.
> [Micro Black Hole – Lv.1]
[Effect: Creates a tiny gravitational singularity capable of pulling in matter. Sustain drains 20% HP per second.]
He felt the strain immediately. The HP drain was sharp, like ice through his veins, but manageable. A test, a warning, and a taste of the raw destructive potential at his fingertips.
Then he released it. The room returned to normal. He grinned faintly.
He glanced at Kaiyara, who now watched silently, analyzing him like he had analyzed her. She hadn't flinched during the encounter, but the system glow in her eyes betrayed a hint of respect—or at least curiosity.
Kairis flexed his fingers, testing Gyro-Telekinesis again. A chair lifted, spun in place, and then slammed into a wall, leaving a dent. He didn't care. He didn't flinch. He wasn't afraid.
Monsters, humans… systems… all of it can be controlled. If I survive, I will learn it all. And nothing—no one—will stand in my way.
The city outside burned faintly in the distance, smoke curling into the night sky. For the first time in weeks, Kairis allowed himself a dark sense of satisfaction.
The world was dangerous. The people were dangerous. And he?
He was unstoppable.