The pressure didn't come suddenly.
It built up.
Slow.
Dense.
Unavoidable.
---
My core pulsed once.
Then twice.
Hard enough to warp the air around me.
---
> [Spirit Core Progress: 99%]
"…Don't fail now."
> [Processing.]
The city noise faded.
Emotions blurred together.
Everything pulled inward.
---
Pain followed.
Not violent.
Heavy.
Like my existence was being compressed into something smaller—but stronger.
---
> [Spirit Core Level Up Initiated.]
Light flooded my perception.
The core inside me cracked—
Then reformed.
---
> [Spirit Core Level 2 Achieved.]
> Form Update: Lesser Spirit → True Lesser Spirit
---
I gasped.
Out of habit.
But this time—
I felt it.
Weight.
Presence.
---
> [Status Update:]
Spirit Core Stability: High
Energy Capacity: Increased
Existence Integrity: Reinforced
"…That's new."
> [Confirmation: Yes.]
---
My senses sharpened.
Not wider.
Clearer.
I could choose what emotions to listen to now.
Blessing.
Finally.
---
> [Passive Unlocked:]
Hunter Pattern Recognition (Lv.1)
• Predict hunter movement patterns
• Minor evasion bonus
"…So I won't run blind anymore."
> [Correction: You will run smarter.]
I smiled.
---
Then—
A sharp pull.
Different from the hunter mark.
Older.
Heavier.
---
> [Warning: External Claim Attempt Detected.]
"…Claim?"
> [Clarification: Authority-based spiritual ownership.]
I stiffened.
Someone was reaching for me.
Not hunting.
Summoning.
---
Symbols flared in the distance.
Golden.
Orthodox.
---
> [Faction Detected:]
— Orthodox Exorcist Sect
"…So Mira wasn't joking."
> [Assessment: Rarely.]
---
I grounded my core.
Stabilized.
The pull weakened—but didn't disappear.
---
> [Insight:]
Core Level Increase makes you more visible
"…So leveling up paints a target."
> [Conclusion: Correct.]
---
I drifted higher into the clouds.
Heart pounding.
If I still had one.
---
"Alright," I murmured.
"Level two."
"If they want me…"
---
My core pulsed.
Steady.
Unyielding.
---
"…they'll have to work for it."
---