CHAPTER 2 — THE FIRST HUNT
Kael's pulse slammed against his ribs as the cold metal walls stretched around him like a steel maze. His breath fogged in the dim air, and then—
[ASCENSION CORE: Ascendant sensor locks increasing. Host termination ETA: 92 seconds.]
His stomach dropped.
"Termination? Why? I didn't do anything!"
[ASCENSION CORE: The Ascension Core has no safe bearers. Its presence disrupts power hierarchies. All civilizations eliminate hosts on sight.]
So this was the price of being chosen.
Footsteps thundered in the distance—heavy, metallic, inhuman. Every impact vibrated through the floor.
Kael turned a corner full-speed and nearly collapsed from the shock of what stood waiting.
A towering metal figure, faceless and cold, lifted its arm. The glowing lens on its chest sharpened on him like a weapon.
[ASCENSION CORE: Designation—Ascendant Enforcer Drone. Sequence Level: 3. Lethality: Certain.]
"Oh, perfect," Kael muttered.
The Enforcer fired.
A beam of white death exploded past his shoulder, vaporizing the wall behind him. Kael dove, rolled, scrambled, heart exploding in his throat.
"I can't fight that thing!"
[ASCENSION CORE: PROTOCOL 2 — Initialization. Granting Access: LIMIT BREAK (Stage 1).]
Heat ignited his bones. Strength flooded his muscles like liquid lightning.
[ASCENSION CORE: Strength increased 440%. Reflex acceleration active. Host remains insufficient. Recommend immediate escape.]
"Still not enough?!"
The Enforcer fired again. This time Kael pushed off the floor and moved—fast. Too fast to be normal. He felt the world slow down, felt air bend around him as he sprinted through a side corridor.
[ASCENSION CORE: Nearest escape route = vertical shaft. Eight meters ahead.]
Kael found it—a circular metal shaft plunging upward into darkness.
"How am I supposed to get up there?"
[ASCENSION CORE: UP.]
He groaned, jumped, and nearly launched himself straight up the shaft by accident. His newfound strength let him climb like a wild animal, digging fingers into grips he shouldn't have been able to hold.
Then the voice returned.
Colder.
Sharper.
Hungrier.
[ASCENSION CORE: PROTOCOL 3 — Combat Evolution. Host must face lethal threat to advance. Initiating Trial.]
Kael froze. "What trial?"
The Enforcer ripped its metal arm through the lower hatch. It was climbing after him—fast.
"Oh hell no."
[ASCENSION CORE: Trial Condition — Destroy the Sequence-3 Enforcer.]
"Destroy?! That thing could rip a door off a starship!"
[ASCENSION CORE: Reward — Evolution Surge (Stage 2 Unlock).]
Kael's grip tightened. Adrenaline spiked. The roar of the Enforcer echoed below like an unstoppable beast.
[ASCENSION CORE: Failure results in host death. Trial begins… now.]
Kael looked up at the endless dark shaft, then down at the mechanical monster dragging itself toward him.
If he ran, he died.
If he fought, he probably died.
But fighting was the only way forward.
"Alright," he whispered, breath trembling. "Let's evolve."