The air was cooler than usual that morning, carrying a faint scent of damp stone and moss. Kael adjusted his jacket and walked through the streets toward the guild hall. The warmth in his chest—the faint golden pulse—had grown steadily over the past few days.
It wasn't dramatic, not yet. Just subtle, like a heartbeat he could feel in rhythm with his own.
Today… I need to see how far this goes, he thought.
---
The guild hall was crowded. Hunters of all ranks prepared for their assignments, discussing yesterday's dungeons and bragging about their loot. Kael kept to his usual corner, unnoticed, scanning the board.
A new E-rank dungeon had been added overnight: a small, abandoned mine labeled "Whispering Cavern – Low to Moderate Risk." Notes mentioned faint golden light sightings, strange energy flows, and minor monster activity. Perfect.
Kael volunteered quietly, slipping away from the group before anyone noticed. He didn't need company this time. Observation was safer alone, and his Dragon Core skills were subtle—he didn't want interference.
---
The cavern entrance was narrow and dark. Wooden supports had partially rotted away, and faint cracks in the stone hinted at unseen dangers. Kael stepped inside cautiously, feeling the golden warmth pulse faintly in his chest.
[Dragon Core Skill Active: Dragon Sense Lv.2]
The system responded quietly, almost imperceptibly, guiding his awareness. Kael flexed his fingers, letting the warmth lead him deeper into the twisting corridors.
---
The monsters appeared sooner than expected: a small group of scavengers stronger than the usual low-level creatures. Their eyes glimmered faintly gold, matching the veins in the cavern walls. Kael observed.
He didn't attack immediately. The creatures moved unpredictably, but subtly. Their patterns weren't random—they were testing him, probing his reaction. Kael's warmth pulsed stronger, guiding him to notice the smallest movements: a twitch of a tail, a slight shift in weight, a glint of teeth.
When one lunged toward him, Kael reacted instinctively, sidestepping and letting it stumble harmlessly against the cavern wall. The system responded:
[Dragon Core Progress: Observation Lv.4]
Kael exhaled quietly. This was the first time the system had actively acknowledged him during a live encounter.
---
Deeper in the cavern, Kael noticed a narrow side chamber glowing faintly golden. He moved cautiously, the creatures unaware of his detour. Inside, he found a small pedestal with crystal veins pulsating softly.
He placed a hand on the surface. The warmth in his chest flared brightly, almost like recognition.
[Dragon Core Skill Upgrade: Dragon Core Recognition Lv.2]
[Passive Effect: Awareness Expansion Lv.1]
Kael's senses sharpened. He could detect faint vibrations in the walls, subtle shifts in air currents, and the smallest movement of creatures in the distance.
A sudden sound—a low growl—echoed behind him. Kael turned to see a larger, stronger scavenger lurking in the shadows, its eyes glowing gold.
---
This time, Kael didn't panic. He extended a hand slightly, focusing on the pulse in his chest. The Dragon Core responded, a soft wave of energy rippling through the cavern.
[Passive Skill Triggered: Calm Influence Lv.2]
The creature hesitated, its aggression subdued. It didn't attack. Instead, it circled cautiously, then retreated deeper into the cavern. Kael smiled faintly.
It's working…
---
By the time he emerged, sunlight spilled across the streets. The warmth in his chest lingered, pulsing softly, a quiet reminder that he had survived, learned, and grown.
Kael walked home slowly, blending in with the crowd. No one noticed anything unusual. But he felt different. Sharper. More aware.
The system is responding… he thought. And this is only the beginning.
The golden pulse at the edge of his vision flickered one last time before fading, leaving Kael with a quiet, determined smile.
Soon… the world will notice me. But first… I must understand everything.
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