A chilling silence fell across the Iron Legion courtyard.
The dark portal behind the stranger slowly faded, leaving only a faint mist on the stone floor.
Hunters stared cautiously at the newcomer.
Void energy radiated from him like a dark storm.
Standing in the center of the courtyard was Kaelen Dusk.
His glowing violet eyes fixed directly on Kael Varyn.
"You're stronger than the rumors said," Kaelen said calmly.
"But strength alone won't save you."
Kael stepped forward slightly.
"You came all the way here just to fight me?"
Kaelen tilted his head.
"Not exactly."
He raised his hand.
Black energy spiraled around his fingers.
"I came to see if the berserker bloodline has truly returned."
A low murmur spread among the hunters.
Even Valerian the Titan narrowed his eyes.
"Careful, Kael," Valerian said quietly.
"That man isn't a normal Void Human."
The system flashed before Kael's eyes.
Enemy Analysis
Name: Kaelen Dusk
Bloodline: Void Hybrid
Rank: C Rank (Estimated)
Threat Level: Very High
Kael exhaled slowly.
"So you're stronger than Ronan."
Kaelen smiled faintly.
"Much stronger."
Then he raised a finger.
The shadow beneath Kael suddenly twisted.
A dark spear erupted upward.
Kael jumped backward instantly.
CRACK.
The stone floor shattered where he had been standing.
Gasps erupted from the watching hunters.
"That's Void manipulation!"
Kaelen spoke calmly.
"Void Humans command the soul."
"But hybrids…"
The ground around him darkened.
"Command far more."
Dozens of shadow blades rose from the ground.
Kael clenched his fists.
The fragment of the Worldbreaker Gauntlets pulsed violently.
The system reacted instantly.
Skill Unlocked
⚔ Berserker Surge (Rare)
Effect:
When facing a stronger enemy, strength and endurance increase by 30% for a short duration.
Kael grinned.
"Perfect timing."
Power flooded his body.
His muscles tightened.
His heartbeat thundered.
Kaelen's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh?"
"You awakened another skill already?"
Kael didn't answer.
He charged.
The courtyard shook as he sprinted forward.
Kaelen flicked his wrist.
Shadow blades launched toward Kael.
WHOOSH.
WHOOSH.
WHOOSH.
Kael smashed through them with his gauntlets.
Fragments of shadow energy exploded into the air.
The watching hunters were stunned.
"He's breaking Void attacks?"
Kaelen raised his hand again.
The shadows condensed into a massive dark hammer.
He swung it downward.
BOOM.
The impact cracked the arena floor.
Dust exploded everywhere.
But through the dust—
A fist burst forward.
CRASH.
Kaelen was knocked backward across the courtyard.
He slid across the stone before stopping.
The hunters erupted in shock.
"He hit a Void hybrid!"
Kaelen slowly stood up.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Then he laughed softly.
"…Now I understand."
His void aura grew darker.
"You really are dangerous."
Suddenly—
Valerian stepped forward.
"Enough."
His voice carried immense pressure.
Both fighters paused.
Valerian looked at Kaelen coldly.
"You came here uninvited."
"You attacked one of my guild members."
His aura surged like a mountain collapsing.
"If you want a real fight…"
"I'll give you one."
Kaelen looked at the giant warrior for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"As tempting as that sounds…"
He stepped backward.
"This wasn't my mission."
He looked back at Kael.
"But we will meet again."
The shadows gathered around him again.
"And next time…"
"I won't hold back."
A portal opened behind him.
Before stepping through, Kaelen spoke one final sentence.
"Prepare yourself."
"The continent of Umbraxis is awakening."
Then he vanished.
The portal closed instantly.
Silence filled the courtyard.
The hunters slowly relaxed.
Ronan scratched his head.
"Well…"
"That escalated quickly."
Valerian turned toward Kael.
"You handled that well."
Kael exhaled.
"Barely."
The system appeared again.
Quest Updated
Main Quest: Rise of the Berserker
Objective: Grow stronger and uncover the secrets of the hidden continent.
Reward: ????
Kael looked toward the distant horizon.
If a C Rank hybrid from Umbraxis had come personally…
Then something much bigger was coming.
And somewhere in the shadows of the world…
A far more powerful enemy had already taken notice of him.