Legacy is not always chosen—it sometimes chooses you.
---
Kael stood over the last Scornwolf's twitching corpse, breath ragged, Wraithfang coated in glistening black blood.
The battlefield was silent now—aside from the wild thrum in his chest. His heartbeat. The whisper still echoing in his bones.
That move… that strike… wasn't his.
It belonged to someone else. A phantom. A memory.
And yet it had felt right.
Suddenly—
> DING!
[Kill Confirmed – Scornwolf (x3)]
➤ EXP Gained: +30 × 3 = 90
➤ Loot Acquired: Clawed Beast Fang (x1), Beast Hide (x1)
➤ Combat Chain Bonus: +10 EXP
Total: 100 EXP
Kael stumbled back, blinking. "W-What…?"
> [Threshold Met – Level Up]
➤ Level Increased: Lv. 1 → Lv. 2
➤ Strength +1
➤ Agility +1
➤ Intelligence +1
➤ Mana +5
> [Full Body Recovery – Quest Reward Activated]
A cool sensation surged from his core. His bruises evaporated. The ache in his limbs vanished. Bones realigned with a pop. Breath flowed freely again.
He straightened, eyes wide. "That wasn't just healing. That was... reset."
> [Vital Signs: 100% Stabilized]
[Weapon System: Core Functions Unlocked]
Then, the world changed—again.
Floating icons blinked into view. Semi-transparent, ethereal, and hovering only inches from his vision.
> [System Interface: Online]
➤ Weapon Upgrade
➤ Weapon Synthesis
➤ Echo Management
➤ Analysis
➤ Status
➤ Inventory
> "A weapon system... like a game HUD. But it's real."
Before he could touch anything, another ping echoed softly in his mind.
> [System Notice – Directive Protocol Engaged]
[Tutorial Quest: System Familiarization I]
🔹 Objective 1: Use [Analysis] on a slain Scornwolf
🔹 Objective 2: Access [Weapon Upgrade]
🔹 Objective 3: Attempt a minor upgrade
🔸 Bonus: Unlock first Echo Trait
Reward:
➤ +50 EXP
➤ +2 Permanent Mana
➤ [System Chip – Core Fragment]
Kael moved toward the largest wolf corpse, crouched, and focused.
> [Analysis Activated…]
A blue shimmer passed over the beast, outlining bones, muscles, and one glaring core.
> [Monster Identified: Scornwolf – Corrupted Beast]
➤ Tier: D+
➤ Threat: Moderate (Pack Tactics)
➤ Weak Point: Chest Core
➤ Loot: Clawed Beast Fang (x1), Beast Hide (x1)
> Material Acquired: Clawed Beast Fang
The fang lifted off the ground and shimmered into his inventory tab.
> Objective 1 Complete
With a deep breath, Kael accessed the Weapon Upgrade panel.
---
[Weapon Upgrade – Wraithfang]
> ➤ Weapon Level: 1
➤ Base Damage: 10–14
➤ Tier: Uncommon (Bound)
🔹 Upgrade Material: [Clawed Beast Fang]
🔹 Success Chance: 100%
➤ [Upgrade Now?]
He gave the mental nod.
> [Upgrading...]
The blade pulsed blue.
> [Upgrade Complete – Wraithfang Lv. 2]
➤ Base Damage +4
➤ Trait Unlocked: Voidglide Edge I
➤ Slight speed + piercing boost during lunge attacks
The metal shimmered—deeper blue now, like frostlight trapped in steel. The edge gleamed crueler, sharper, more… real.
> Objective 2 & 3 Complete
---
> [Tutorial Quest Complete]
➤ +50 EXP
➤ +2 Permanent Mana
➤ [System Chip – Core Fragment] Acquired
Total EXP: 150 / 150
Level Up – Lv. 2 → Lv. 3
➤ Strength +1
➤ Agility +1
➤ Intelligence +1
➤ New Echo Slot Unlocked
Kael lowered the blade slowly, staring at his reflection in the edge.
The boy who had woken up bleeding and helpless this morning…
Was not the one standing now.