The city was quiet as the sun began to set. Shadows stretched across the streets, longer and darker than usual.
Ayan could feel it—the pull from the nearby System User. His first rival was waiting.
[System Alert]
Target Detected: Unknown System User – Level Unknown
Objective: Engage or Escape
Ayan gritted his teeth. "No running this time," he whispered.
From the alley, the boy in the black hoodie appeared again. His eyes glowed faintly red, and shadows swirled like living smoke around him.
"You're faster than I expected," the boy said, smirking. "But let's see if you can keep up."
Before Ayan could react, the boy dashed forward. His movement was almost invisible, like a shadow passing through shadows.
[Skill Suggestion: Shadow Step – Level 2]
Ayan activated it instinctively, reappearing behind him.
He clenched his glowing fist—Shadow Punch—and struck.
But the boy vanished in a swirl of black smoke. "You'll need more than that!" he shouted from behind.
The fight escalated. Shadows collided with shadows, each strike sending ripples through the empty street.
Ayan's system beeped:
[Level Up Available: Shadow Step – Level 3]
New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Kick – Strike with both speed and dark energy]
Minutes felt like hours. Ayan's body burned with exhaustion, but he could feel himself growing stronger.
Finally, the boy stopped. He tilted his head. "Not bad… you've got potential."
Then, in a blink, he disappeared again, leaving Ayan alone with the echoing shadows.
Ayan fell to his knees, panting. His system chimed softly:
[Quest Complete: First Rival Encounter – Reward: 100 Power Points]
He looked at his hands, still glowing faintly.
"This is just the beginning," he whispered. "I have to get stronger… fast."
To Be Continued…