The night wind carried a faint tremor.
Not from monsters.
But from footsteps—light, swift, disciplined.
Kazuki tightened his grip on his crude dagger, standing at the ruined temple entrance. Lyria, still recovering but conscious, leaned against a moss-covered pillar. Her emerald eyes widened, sensing what Kazuki already felt.
They were coming.
"H-How many?" Lyria whispered.
Kazuki exhaled slowly.
"…More than before."
The air thickened.
Leaves shivered.
And then—six figures stepped into the moonlit clearing.
Their armor was finer, embedded with glowing runes. Their bows longer. Their blades sharper. Their mana pressure alone made the stone under Kazuki crack.
The one in front—a tall elf with silver hair and a crystalline spear—looked at Kazuki with cold disdain.
"So you are the human killing our hunters…"
Kazuki frowned. "They attacked us first. I protected someone."
The elf sighed as if bored.
"That 'someone' is the problem."
He pointed the spear at Lyria.
"She is Lyria Moonveil. First Princess of the Elven Kingdom.
And your existence threatens the prophecy she carries."
Kazuki froze.
Princess?
Lyria lowered her head, guilt trembling in her voice.
"…Kazuki. I didn't tell you because… those who help me are hunted."
He stepped forward without hesitation.
"Then let them hunt me."
The silver-haired elf smirked.
"Very well."
He raised his spear.
"Kill him."
THE SECOND SQUAD ENGAGES
The hunters attacked with synchronized perfection.
Two archers fired enchanted arrows—Three swordsmen rushed in—And the commander thrust his spear—
Kazuki moved.
Burst Step!
Mana exploded from his legs, launching him forward as arrows sliced the air behind him. He parried a blade with his dagger—but the force was too much.
CRACK!
The dagger snapped in half.
He rolled away, barely dodging another lightning-fast spear thrust.
"Human, your movements are impressive…"The commander sneered."But you lack a real weapon."
Kazuki agreed.
And then he heard it—
Ding![New Crafting Branch Unlocked: Weapon Synthesis]
Perfect.
Kazuki reached into his inventory, pulling out the monstrous materials he had collected:
Dire Fang Wolf fangs
Serpentoid bones
Crimson iron shards
Essence-coated sinew
He slammed them together, channeling mana.
Weapon Synthesis – First Attempt!
Glowing runes spiraled in the air.
The hunters paused, recognizing ancient magic.
"What…? That crafting light—!?""Impossible! Humans can't use that!"
Kazuki's vision flashed white.
When the light faded—
He held a blade.
A short, curved sword. Black bone for the edge, silver sinew binding the hilt, crimson iron reinforcing the spine. It hummed with latent monster power.
Kazuki grinned.
"…Now we're even."
THE MOON-BONE BLADE
Kazuki dashed in.
The new sword sliced through an elven shield like paper.
"W-What?!""That weapon—!?"
Burst Step!Crimson Slash!
Two hunters fell instantly.
The remaining three surrounded him—But Kazuki wasn't the same boy from the summoning.
He moved like a predator, not prey.
Every swing precise.
Every dodge flawless.
Every strike fatal.
Finally, only the commander remained.
He spun his spear, wind mana circling its tip.
"You are strong, human… but not enough."
Kazuki's eyes glowed crimson.
"Let's test that."
The commander lunged—Kazuki parried, sparks exploding—A shockwave ripped the ground—
Kazuki jumped, twisted mid-air—
And brought Moon-Bone Blade down in a burning arc.
SHHHHKKKK!
The commander's armor split.
Blood sprayed.
He collapsed to one knee.
"…Cursed evolution monster…" he hissed weakly."You will destroy this world…"
Kazuki exhaled, shaking off the blood from his blade.
"No. I'll destroy anyone who hurts her."
The commander fell unconscious.
Silence returned to the ruins.
LEVEL UP & NEW SKILLS
Ding![LEVEL UP!]Kazuki is now Level 15.
Ding![Skill Unlocked: Double EXP]EXP gained ×2 permanently!
Ding![Skill Unlocked: Mana Edge]Imbue a weapon with mana, increasing sharpness + piercing.
Ding![Skill Unlocked: Predator's Intuition]Sense intent, killing pressure, and hidden enemies.
But one final notification appeared—
A red one.
Ding![Evolution Path First Stage Unlocked]▶ Option 1: Moonblood WarriorBoosts speed, night vision, agility, stealth.
▶ Option 2: Crimson PredatorBoosts raw power, regeneration, killing arts.
▶ Option 3: Arcane HybridUnlocks magic affinity, mana control, spellcasting.
Kazuki's heart pounded.
This would shape his entire future.
"What will you choose…?" Lyria whispered, staring at him with awe and fear.
Kazuki looked at his hands.
Looked at his blade.
Looked at Lyria.
And spoke softly—
"I'm choosing the path…that makes sure no one can ever take you away."
The moon glowed brighter.
The ruins trembled.
And evolution began.
END OF CHAPTER 9