The thing in the corridor was not supposed to exist on Floor 1.
It was too tall.
Too still.
Too aware.
The green flames along the wall bent toward it.
As if avoiding its shadow.
The survivors behind Rudo began whispering.
"Is that… a higher-floor entity?"
"No… that's impossible…"
They were wrong about many things.
Rudo did not whisper.
He stepped forward.
The creature's head tilted slightly.
It had no eyes.
But it was looking directly at him.
A translucent window flickered in front of Rudo.
Only he could see it.
Hidden Condition Triggered
Individual: Regressor
Star Rank: None
Evaluation: Anomaly
His heartbeat remained steady.
So it noticed.
Good.
The window glitched again.
Starless Path Available
Warning: Evolution will alter core humanity
Confirm?
Behind him, someone screamed.
Another monster had emerged from a side passage.
The crowd scattered.
The tall creature in front did not move.
It was not hunting.
It was observing.
Observing him.
In his previous life, there was no such message.
No such option.
This world had changed.
Or—
It remembered him.
The warning flickered again.
Confirm Starless Evolution?
Y / N
A man crashed into Rudo while running.
"Move! Move or you'll die!"
Rudo didn't move.
The second monster lunged.
Its claws tore into the man's back instead.
Blood sprayed across Rudo's face.
Warm.
Familiar.
The tall entity's head tilted further.
Waiting.
Testing.
If he chooses "No"—
He stays normal.
Predictable.
Human.
If he chooses "Yes"—
He steps onto a path no one else can see.
And once taken—
There is no return.
In his previous life, he hesitated.
Not this time.
His finger moved.
He pressed:
Y.
For a moment—
Everything went silent.
Even the screams.
Even the monsters.
The tall creature's form began dissolving into black threads.
The system window shattered.
Then reformed.
Starless Evolution Initiated
Trait Acquired: Emotional Suppression (Passive)
Trait Acquired: Predator's Instinct (Dormant)
Humanity Integrity: 92%
Pain flooded his veins.
Not physical.
Something deeper.
Like warmth being drained.
Like color fading from memory.
His mother's smile—
Blurred.
His brother's laughter—
Distant.
Good.
He doesn't need them.
The tall entity disappeared completely.
But before it vanished—
A final message echoed inside his mind.
Survive Seven Days
Prove You Deserve The Path
The monsters in the corridor turned.
All of them.
At once.
Toward him.
Not the crowd.
Him.
The weakest person here.
Starless.
Rudo smiled slightly.
Predators don't fear being hunted.
They adapt.
The first monster charged.
END CHAPTER.