Morning light crept through Atlas's window, glinting off the faint scars on his hands. He'd barely slept. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw flashes of last night—the crimson aura, the body collapsing, the silence that followed.
He sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "The first hunt's today."
The academy had announced it yesterday: a live dungeon raid. F-rank gate. Real monsters, real danger. For most of his classmates, it was a chance to prove themselves. For Atlas, it was the first step toward understanding whatever he had become.
A familiar ding echoed in his mind.
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE]
[Quest: Complete 100 Push-ups, 100 Sit-ups, 200 Squats]
[Reward: +2 Stat Points]
He almost laughed. "Really?"
But the system waited, cold and silent. So he obeyed. Sweat soaked the floor as numbers blinked faintly before his eyes.
[Progress Complete — Reward Granted +2 Stat Points]
He collapsed to the floor, chest heaving. Strength pulsed faintly beneath his skin—subtle but intoxicating.
On his way to the academy, the streets hummed with early traffic. He opened his interface mid-stride:
[Level 1 – 50/100 EXP]
[Stats]
Strength: 15
Agility: 21
Endurance: 12
Luck: Nil
Evolution Points: 1
Stat Points: 17
He rolled his shoulders, considering. "Burst hits hard, but I need endurance to survive the recoil."
He distributed the points evenly—ten into Strength, seven into Endurance. His body tensed, veins pulsing as invisible weight pressed then vanished.
[Updated Stats]
Strength: 25
Agility: 21
Endurance: 19
Luck: Nil
Evolution Points: 1
Stat Points: 0
The difference was immediate—his stride lighter, vision sharper, every heartbeat resonating like distant thunder.
At the academy grounds, groups were already forming. Noble scions clustered together, laughing, flaunting weapons forged from beast crystals. Atlas, as usual, stood alone.
"Pick a weapon," the instructor ordered. "If you don't have one, take from the rack."
Atlas chose a simple short sword. It wasn't pretty, but it felt right in his hand—balanced, honest steel.
A tap on his shoulder broke his focus.
"Hey," said Sylvia, her tone light but firm. "You mind if I join you?"
He blinked. "You… want to team with me?"
She shrugged. "I don't trust the others."
Atlas smirked faintly. "You trust me because I'm too weak to be a threat. Fair logic."
Her expression didn't change.
He sheathed the sword. "Thanks, but I'll pass. I'd only slow you down."
He walked off.
Sylvia frowned. "What's wrong with him?"
Her mutter caught the ear of Drake, the class loudmouth and self-proclaimed ace. He sauntered forward, grin wide.
"Yo, Atlas! Acting all cool after rejecting Sylvia, huh? Or just scared she'd see how weak you are?"
Atlas didn't even turn. "You really think barking louder makes her like you more?"
Laughter rippled. Drake's grin twitched.
"What'd you say?"
"I said stop wagging your tail. You're embarrassing yourself."
A vein bulged on Drake's temple. Flames burst from his fists as heat shimmered through the courtyard. "You're dead, punk!"
He charged, but Atlas's eyes barely tracked him—too slow. He sidestepped, letting Drake stumble past, tripping over his own rage. Gasps erupted around them.
Then the system chimed.
[NEW QUEST GENERATED]
[Objective: Defeat Your Opponent in Three Moves and Prove the Superiority of a Primordial]
[Reward: +5 Strength, Basic Short Sword]
Atlas exhaled through his nose. "Guess I'm doing this."
Drake spun back, conjuring a fireball that scorched the ground as it formed. He hurled it. Atlas darted sideways; the explosion roared behind him. Before Drake could form another—
"Burst."
[Skill Activated: Burst]
The world slowed. Power flooded Atlas's muscles, his heartbeat syncing with the crackle of energy under his skin. In a blur, he crossed the distance. His fist slammed into Drake's abdomen.
A dull crack. Air left Drake's lungs in a strangled gasp as he flew backward, skidding across the dirt. Silence fell, broken only by the hiss of extinguished flames.
[Quest Complete — Reward Granted]
[+5 Strength — Basic Short Sword Added to Inventory]
A wave of strength rippled through Atlas's body. His vision brightened; his senses expanded until he could hear every breath in the courtyard. The rush was intoxicating—pure, primal power singing in his blood.
[Updated Stats]
Strength: 30
Agility: 21
Endurance: 19
Luck: Nil
Evolution Points: 1
Stat Points: 0
He clenched his fist, flexing slightly. The ground under his feet cracked faintly.
When he looked up, all eyes were on him—shock, fear, disbelief. Drake lay unconscious, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. The instructor finally stepped forward.
"That's enough. Take Drake to the infirmary. The rest of you—prepare for gate entry."
Atlas nodded silently and turned away. As he passed Sylvia, their eyes met for the briefest moment. Her expression was unreadable.
By the time the portal activation sequence began, Atlas was standing apart from the crowd, silent. Sylvia joined another group, throwing one last curious glance in his direction before stepping into the gate.
When it was his turn, Atlas drew a slow breath and entered.
The world warped.
He emerged into a forest bathed in crimson light. The moon hung low and red above a sky painted in ash. Mist curled around twisted trees, their bark black and damp. The air was heavy—too heavy for an F-rank dungeon.
Something felt wrong.
Atlas's instincts screamed just before a shadow moved between the trees. Heavy footsteps crushed the undergrowth. A figure emerged—a hulking Red Orc, its body rippling with muscle, eyes burning like molten iron.
Peak E-rank. Far above what the academy brief had promised.
Atlas's quickly retriever the short sword rewarded to him from the system space , as his grip tightened around the hilt.
The creature's gaze met his, and for a moment, the world went still.
Under the blood red moon , predator and prey measured each other out.