The northern plains of Vandor were in chaos. Fires burned across settlements, smoke curling into the crimson sunset. Adventurers fled or fought desperately, but the threat was beyond ordinary — a corrupted beast, twisted by void energy and elemental chaos.
Kaleo Varen stepped off the transport, the sun hitting the golden veins of his armor, subtle traces of the Core beneath his sealed abilities. His sword, Veyra's Edge, hummed faintly at his side, restored from its last shattering.
Lyra fell into step beside him.
"The reports… it's worse than they say," she murmured, scanning the plains with her enhanced vision.
Kaleo's eyes narrowed. He didn't respond immediately. Observing first, calculating. Every movement of the beast's shadow, every flicker of void energy.
"Show me," he said finally.
Arrival
The beast was enormous. Half-wolf, half-dragon, with tendrils of black and gold energy writhing like living smoke. Its roar shook the ground, sending nearby adventurers sprawling.
Kaleo moved forward, unconcerned with the chaos. His training, his survival in the pocket world, had made him precise, patient, unstoppable.
Lyra hesitated. "Kael, be careful!"
"I know," he said, eyes fixed on the creature.
First Strike
The beast lunged.
Kaleo sidestepped, slashing with Veyra's Edge. Sparks of void energy danced off the blade. The sword hummed faintly — the Core reacting subtly, sensing danger, but still dormant.
The attack grazed the beast's shoulder. A roar echoed across the plains. It was far from dead — far from even wounded. But it had felt him. Felt the difference.
Lyra's jaw tightened. "He's… he's not like any other adventurer."
"High Human," Kaleo muttered under his breath, though the words were for himself.
Battle Tactics
The beast struck again. Claws slicing through the air. Kaleo dodged, countered, rolled, striking again. Every movement precise, every step calculated, honed by four years of surviving divine-level creatures in the pocket world.
Lyra followed, supporting where she could — minor elemental attacks, creating barriers to protect civilians. She wasn't a fighter on Kaleo's level, but her presence mattered. She could delay, distract, and survive.
The locals whispered. "The Immortal Rookie…" they called him. They didn't know the truth. They didn't know Kael Varen was the last of Halburn, the Child of Aether, or that the power simmering beneath his chest was beyond comprehension.
Rising Threat
The corrupted beast began to change. Its void energy intensified, swirling around its limbs, growing heavier. Its roars tore through the plains, knocking smaller structures to the ground.
Kaleo paused, evaluating. His Core remained dormant — restrained. He didn't need it yet. He had survived pocket worlds, survived beasts that would crush even A-Rank veterans.
"Lyra, stay back," he commanded softly.
"No! I—"
"Now," he said, eyes cold. "You'll be fine. Just trust me."
Her lips pressed together, but she obeyed.
Decisive Moment
The beast lunged one last time, tendrils striking like lightning. Kaleo sidestepped, feeling the subtle pull of the Core beneath his chest. Faint warmth, a whisper: "Ready…"
He slashed. Veyra's Edge cut through the void energy, sparks of gold lighting the twilight. The beast roared, staggering.
The locals gasped. They had never seen an A-Rank adventurer move like this — not even half of his grace and ferocity.
Kaleo's eyes narrowed. He wasn't fighting for recognition. Not for glory. He was testing himself, feeling the edge of the power the Core had whispered about in his pocket world.
Aftermath
The beast retreated, leaving behind a cratered plain and shattered energy remnants. Kaleo stood, chest heaving, sword humming faintly.
Lyra ran to his side. Her eyes glistened.
"Kael… you're incredible."
He looked at her, a fleeting smile brushing his lips. "It's nothing. Just a day's work."
Her gaze lingered. She didn't fully understand. She never would. Not yet. But she was here. And for now, that was enough.
Foreshadowing
Above, unseen by mortals, a Dark Elf Celestial stirred, whispering into the void:
"The Aether… has truly awakened. Prepare the next phase."
Kaleo felt the faint pull of destiny. He didn't understand it yet. He didn't know the stakes. But he was ready.
For the first time since leaving Halburn, he smiled fully. Not for revenge. Not for survival. For life.