The city of Shizuoka had become a place of quiet rebuilding for Kenji. It wasn't nearly as large or influential as Kuoh, where the kids attended school, but that was part of its appeal. Away from the political hotspots of the supernatural world, it was the perfect place to focus on fixing his life while staying under the radar.
At least, that's what he had thought.
The morning started like any other. Kenji woke early, his body already adjusting to his rigorous training schedule. Before the sun had fully risen, he was outside, running through his combat drills. His Gamer System had given him strength, but without real experience, raw stats meant nothing. He had to refine his movements, turning system-assisted ability into actual skill.
He moved through a series of strikes, flowing from punches to kicks, his Unarmed Combat skill kicking in, helping to correct his stance and optimize his movements. A system notification flashed in his vision.
[System Alert!]
Unarmed Combat has leveled up! (LV 7)
Speed has increased by +1
Strength has increased by +1
Kenji exhaled, satisfied with the improvement. Progress was slow, but it was real.
After a cooldown stretch, he switched to refining his Magic Control. Flames flickered to life in his palm before extinguishing, replaced by a weak arc of electricity. His control was improving, but he wasn't ready for actual combat spells yet. Magic in this world wasn't just about casting. Different races had their system of magic, the gods had their ways of using magic, the angels and fallen had theirs too similar on the same level yet different, the devils had their bullshit imagination stuff with while versatile cost a lot of power with is why magic circles are preferred and humans performed magic by calculations. But while everything is different it all comes down to power and control. The slightest mistake could mean disaster.
Still, the fact that he was making progress at all was something to be proud of. The rules and guides of magic had to start from somewhere, and he was trying to figure it out on his own. Slow as it may be.
[System Alert!]
Magic Control has leveled up! (LV 4)
Mana Efficiency has leveled up! (LV 4)
With training done, he headed inside, showered, and prepared breakfast. Cooking had become another routine for him—one of the many ways he tried to mend the broken bonds with his family—One that he had come to enjoy. By the time Anastasia and the kids came downstairs, the table was already set.
Anastasia barely reacted beyond a nod of acknowledgment, but that was better than nothing. Ren was the most eager, sitting next to him and talking about his plans for the day. Ayaka and Aoi while distant, at least they no longer left the table immediately when he was around. Small victories.
The day progressed with work at Sakura Imports, Anastasia's company. His logistics model had started showing results, and for the first time, she openly asked for his advice on future expansions. He had studied enough to give useful input, and she seemed genuinely surprised by his competence.
"Your projections are solid," Anastasia admitted, flipping through the documents he had prepared. "If this works, we could reduce overhead by at least ten percent."
Kenji smirked. "Told you I was serious."
She gave him a long look before shaking her head and for just a second he could have swon he saw a smile. "Let's see if you can keep this up."
That was the closest thing to a compliment she had given him so far. Another small victory.
By the time evening came, Kenji was feeling accomplished. He had trained, worked, and made steady progress in reconnecting with his family. Everything seemed to be falling into place.
And yet, that nagging feeling of unease hadn't left him.
He walked home through the quiet streets, the chill of early autumn settling in. He had gone out to train a little and had decided to take his time walking back home. Bad choice.
The streetlights flickered overhead, casting elongated shadows across the pavement.
He kept his pace steady, but his instincts were screaming at him. The hairs on his body stood and he felt a feeling as if his blood had turned to ice.
[System Alert!]
New Passive Effect: Danger Sense (LV 1) Acquired!
Effect: Detects hostile intent within a certain radius. Higher levels increase accuracy and range.
Kenji's jaw tightened. This wasn't just paranoia.
His eyes darted to the alleyway ahead—something was there. Something waiting.
He took another step forward, his muscles tensing, every fiber of his being bracing for what lay in the darkness.
Then, from the shadows, a low growl echoed through the empty street.
A deep chill ran down his spine as a heavy presence filled the air, suffocating and oppressive. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before—more primal than human malice, more unnatural than simple danger.
[System Alert!]
Warning: Unknown Hostile Entity Detected!
Threat Level: Red
Threat levels were followed as White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, and Black. Which were accordance as None, Low-threat, Mid-level Threat, High-level Threat, Extremely Difficult and finally Impossible.
They are dictated by his strength and how much of a threat something poses to him and right now what ever this was was stronger than him by a bit.
Kenji's breathing steadied as he instinctively shifted into a defensive stance. His eyes narrowed, trying to make out the shape beyond the darkness. Whatever it was, it was watching him just as intently.
The growl deepened, reverberating through the air as the presence stepped forward. The dim streetlights barely illuminated its outline—a hulking, unnatural form that seemed to shift in the shadows. Its eyes glowed faintly, a sickly yellow that pierced through the darkness.
Then, with unnatural speed, it moved.
Kenji barely had time to react before a gust of wind blasted toward him, the sheer force sending his instincts into overdrive. He dodged to the side, his Spatial Awareness skill kicking in, allowing him to narrowly avoid the attack.
The creature lunged again, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying precision. Kenji raised his arms, channeling his Mana Shield just in time to block the strike. The impact sent him skidding backward, his feet digging into the pavement.
[System Alert!]
Mana Shield has leveled up! (LV 2)
Endurance has increased by +1
Kenji gritted his teeth. This thing was fast—faster than anything he had expected. Its movements were erratic, almost unnatural as if it didn't follow the laws of physics.
He activated Observation, trying to gather more information about his opponent.
[Observation Result: Low-Class Stray Devil]
Name: Enoc vira
Race: Stray Devil (Low-Class)
Level: 15
Threat Level: High
Attributes:
- Strength: 20 (Tier-9)
- Speed: 30 (Tier-9)
- Endurance: 30 (Tier-9)
- Intelligence: 40 (Tier-10)
- Wisdom: 35 (Tier-10)
- Charisma: 20 (Tier-10)
- Luck: 30 (Tier-10)
Skills:
- Enhanced Claws (LV 3)
- Regeneration (LV 3)
- Devil magic (LV 4)
- Fire Magic(LV4)
-Acid(LV2)
Description:
A low-class stray devil cast out from its faction and left to roam the human world. While not among the strongest of devils, its physical prowess and regenerative abilities make it a dangerous opponent for an inexperienced fighter.
Kenji's heart pounded as he processed the information. This thing was stronger, faster, and more durable than him. Its Regeneration skill meant he couldn't rely on wearing it down, and its Enhanced Claws could tear him apart if he wasn't careful.
The creature snarled, its glowing eyes locking onto Kenji. It lunged again, its claws aimed straight for his chest. Kenji sidestepped, countering with a punch infused with Mana. The blow connected, but it felt like hitting solid steel. The creature barely flinched.
[System Alert!]
Unarmed Combat has leveled up! (LV 8)
Strength has increased by +1
The creature let out a low, guttural laugh, its voice dripping with malice. "You're a persistent little human, aren't you? But you're wasting your time. You can't hurt me."
Kenji's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
The creature tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied him. "You smell... delicious. Like a rare delicacy. I haven't tasted something like you in years. I think I'll take my time with you."
Kenji clenched his fists, his mind racing. He wasn't as strong as this thing —not yet. His only option was to survive long enough to either escape or find an opening to strike and kill it.
The creature attacked again, its movements a blur. Kenji dodged and weaved, relying on his Spatial Awareness and Danger Sense to stay one step ahead. But he was tiring, he didn't really have much on the offensive side and the creature showed no signs of slowing down.
Just as he was about to make a break for it, the creature let out a deafening roar, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Kenji barely managed to dodge, but the force of the attack sent him crashing into a nearby wall.
Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to stand. He couldn't afford to falter now.
The creature loomed over him, its glowing eyes filled with malice. "You're not going anywhere, little human. I'm going to enjoy this."
Kenji clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had no backup, no one to save him. This was his fight—and his alone.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. His Gamer's Mind kicked in, calming his thoughts and sharpening his focus. He wasn't going to die here. Not now. Not when he had just gotten what he had always wanted.
The creature lunged again, but this time, Kenji was ready. He sidestepped, channeling his Mana into his fists. With a roar of his own, he struck the creature with everything he had.
[New Skill: Mana Punch(LV1)
The blow landed, and for the first time, the creature staggered. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give Kenji a glimmer of hope.
The creature snarled, its voice dripping with rage. "You dare strike me? I'll tear you apart limb by limb!"
Kenji didn't respond. He didn't have the luxury of words. He had to focus—on surviving, on protecting his family, on proving that he wasn't just some helpless human.
He didn't know if he could win this fight, but he wasn't going down without a fight.
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