The dawn broke like fire over the Valeris estate, painting the world in red and gold. Kael had spent the night exploring the strange, pulsing energy inside him. The Forbidden Immortal System whispered constantly, guiding, urging, tempting him.
"Potential detected… nearby targets… absorption possible…"
Kael's sharp eyes caught movement in the courtyard. A squad of soldiers—elite guards who had once mocked him for being weak—were sparring under the morning sun. Their swords flashed like lightning, their movements perfect. And yet… Kael saw the weakness they didn't.
He smiled.
"Let's see… just how strong have you really become?"
He stepped into the courtyard, hands empty, posture casual. The soldiers froze, surprised at the boy who had always been meek and trembling.
"Kael?" one of them sneered. "You're alive? We thought—"
Kael's eyes glinted. Not alive. Better than alive.
The system whispered:
[Target: Soldier Unit 5 – Strength 36/50. Reward: Combat Essence +5.5%]
Kael didn't hesitate. He leapt forward—not running, not charging—but moving with a fluid grace that made the soldiers blink in disbelief. His hand struck the nearest guard, a ghost of motion, and a pulse of energy flowed from the man into Kael. Muscle, reflexes, skill—everything.
The soldier staggered, dropping his sword. Another moved to strike, but Kael's reflexes were already faster. A flick of his wrist, and the second man crumpled, unconscious, strength stolen.
By the time the unit realized what was happening, Kael had already absorbed the essence of three men. The final soldier hesitated, fear flickering across his face.
Kael's voice was calm, almost soft: "You don't have to fight me… but you won't leave this courtyard alive if you try."
A moment of hesitation… and then the man lunged. Kael's body moved before thought. He dodged effortlessly, grabbed the soldier's wrist, and the transfer began. Strength, stamina, and a whisper of life energy flowed into him. The system chimed:
[Host Strength +15; Potential Increased 3%]
Kael stood alone, the four soldiers either unconscious or trembling, powerless. For the first time, the taste of true dominance filled him—not fear, not revenge… pure, intoxicating strength.
And yet, the system's warning echoed in his mind:
[Caution: Consuming life forces awakens the curse. Balance is required.]
Kael ignored it. For now.
He turned toward the estate, walking calmly through the shocked servants and guards. Every glance, every whisper, every look of disbelief fed the fire inside him. He was no longer the weak boy. He was something else entirely—a predator in a world that had always treated him as prey.
And somewhere, deep in the empire, enemies would soon feel it.
"This is only the beginning," Kael whispered. "Every insult… every betrayal… will be repaid. And I will not stop until the empire itself bows before me."
The wind carried a shiver of promise. Kael's shadow stretched long across the courtyard, and in that shadow, the first chapter of his vengeance had already begun.