The ballroom's golden light still shimmered faintly in Sho's thoughts as the carriage wheels rolled over the cobblestone road. The rhythmic clatter was almost soothing — a fragile calm after a long night of smiles and etiquette.
He leaned against the seat, gazing out the window at the moonlit trees passing by.
> Light and dark... her mana and mine.
They're identical in rhythm, but opposite in nature. Like two sides of the same force.
He still remembered the warmth of Arisa's hand and that faint pulse between them — the resonance that shouldn't exist between two humans.
> What exactly are we, then...?
The thought vanished when a cold ripple of energy passed through him. His system flared.
---
[System Alert]
> Warning: High-tier mana signature detected nearby.
Threat Level: S-Class or above.
---
Sho's heart sank. His eyes sharpened instantly.
"Driver, stop the carriage."
The old man turned his head. "M-My lord?"
"Now."
The carriage slowed, wheels creaking. The forest around them had gone utterly silent — no insects, no night birds, no rustling leaves. The air itself felt heavier, saturated with mana.
Sho's instincts screamed danger.
> That mana… it's pure violence. Like a beast made of killing intent.
Before he could react further—
BOOOOM!
A massive blur tore through the darkness.
The carriage split clean in half, wood and metal scattering like shards. Sho's body was thrown sideways, instincts taking over — he caught the driver midair and rolled across the dirt.
Blood trickled from his forehead. His vision swam for a second before he forced it clear.
> That was no ordinary monster.
The old driver trembled. "L-Lord Sho, wh-what—"
Sho gritted his teeth, setting the man down. "Run. As fast as you can."
"But—my lord—!"
"I said run!"
Something in his tone — cold and absolute — made the man obey. The driver bolted into the trees.
Sho turned his gaze forward.
The ground shook.
From the darkness, a figure stepped out — nearly four meters tall, muscles like forged iron, and horns glinting under the moonlight. Its breath steamed, eyes burning crimson. In its hand, a massive battle axe taller than Sho himself.
A Minotaur.
---
> A high-tier monster… this close to the capital? Impossible.
No. This isn't random. It's hunting.
Sho's system flickered, reading the creature's unstable mana.
---
[Enemy Analysis: Minotaur Lord]
> Rank: A+
Threat: Extreme
Mana Type: Blood & Earth
Status: Enraged
---
Sho steadied his breathing.
> No sword. No potions. Just mana.
Fine. Then magic will do.
He raised his right hand. Mana surged from his core, spiraling into the air — faint blue lines glowing around his fingers.
The Minotaur roared and charged, each step shaking the earth. Sho sidestepped the first swing — the massive axe cleaving through the dirt where he stood moments ago.
Dust exploded around him.
He thrust his palm forward.
"〈Burst Impact〉!"
A wave of compressed air slammed into the creature's chest, pushing it back several steps — but it barely staggered.
> Its defense is absurd.
The Minotaur lunged again, axe descending. Sho jumped back — barely — as the weapon crashed into the ground, splitting stone like paper. A shard of debris struck his head, and warmth trickled down his temple.
> Damn. I'm bleeding... focus.
He clenched his fists. His mana flared brighter — this time raw, unfiltered.
"〈Mana Bind〉!"
Blue tendrils of energy lashed out from his hands, wrapping around the Minotaur's legs. For a moment, it worked — until the creature roared and shattered the bindings with brute strength.
> So much for that.
Sho's eyes darted around the forest. Trees. Shadows. Mana. He needed something stronger — something the creature couldn't resist.
---
Suddenly, his system blinked again.
[System Notification]
> Hidden Skill Activation Possible.
Skill: 〈Domination Pulse〉 — LOCKED.
Condition: ???
> Warning: Forced Activation may cause Mana Recoil.
Sho smirked faintly.
> Unknown condition... but I might not have a choice.
He placed his hand over his chest, feeling the rhythm of his mana.
> If I can synchronize it… just for a moment...
The Minotaur roared again and leapt, axe raised.
Sho's eyes flashed — silver light erupting from his pupils.
"〈Domination Pulse — Override!〉"
A deafening shockwave burst from him — invisible but immense. The air warped. The trees bent.
The Minotaur froze mid-swing. Its red eyes widened, trembling violently as if something ancient crushed its will.
Its muscles locked. Its breath hitched.
For five seconds — eternity in battle — the monster could not move.
Sho panted heavily, his vision dimming from the strain. Blood dripped from his nose, but he pushed forward.
"〈Arc Burst〉!"
Blue light exploded from his hand — a focused sphere of condensed mana that struck the Minotaur square in the chest.
BOOOOM!
The creature screamed, crashing backward through the forest, trees splintering under its massive weight.
When the dust settled, the Minotaur lay still — its chest burned, mana leaking out like smoke.
Sho fell to one knee, chest heaving.
> It worked... barely.
Five seconds. That's all I had.
The system chimed faintly in his ear.
---
[Battle Complete]
> Enemy defeated: Minotaur Lord (Rank A+)
Experience Gained: 8,000
Mana Depletion: 92%
Vitality -14%
New Skill Insight Obtained: "Fragment of Domination — 1%."
---
Sho exhaled slowly, glancing up at the stars through the broken trees.
> Light and dark... huh.
She shines, and I destroy. Maybe that's our difference.
He wiped the blood from his forehead, smirked faintly, and began walking back toward the faint lights of the distant city — the night air heavy with smoke and silence.
Somewhere far above the clouds, a golden aura stirred — as if someone had sensed the power he'd just unleashed.