The sirens screamed across the city.
Red warning lights painted the night sky as people ran in panic toward the underground shelters.
"Domain breach detected. Repeat. Domain breach detected."
Kael stood alone on the rooftop of a broken apartment building, watching the glowing crack floating in the air above the city.
It looked like a giant wound in space.
Inside it, darkness moved.
And something… was coming out.
He tightened his grip on the rusted iron spear in his hand. It was old, cheap, and barely sharp.
Just like him.
At sixteen, Kael was known for only one thing:
He was the weakest registered hunter in the entire district.
No genes.
No power.
No talent.
Even children who entered the Infinite Domain for the first time were stronger than him.
People often asked why he still tried.
The answer was simple.
His parents disappeared inside the Domain three years ago.
And he was the only one still searching for them.
A low growl echoed from the crack in the sky.
Then it fell.
A creature made of black armor plates crashed onto the street below, shattering the concrete like glass.
Civilians screamed and ran.
Kael's heart pounded.
A status panel appeared above the creature, visible only to registered hunters.
[Iron Carapace Beast]
Threat Level: F+
Kael swallowed hard.
Even an F-rank beast was deadly for someone like him.
But if he didn't fight, people would die.
He jumped from the rooftop and landed on the street, knees shaking.
The monster's glowing eyes locked onto him instantly.
It roared.
The sound felt like a hammer smashing into his chest.
Kael forced himself to move.
He charged.
The spear struck the creature's armor—
CLANG.
The impact sent painful vibrations through his arms.
The monster didn't even move.
Instead, its claw swung.
Kael tried to dodge, but he was too slow.
The attack slammed into his side, throwing him across the road.
His body rolled across the asphalt.
Pain exploded everywhere.
He couldn't breathe.
Couldn't stand.
The monster approached slowly, like a predator enjoying its meal.
Kael lay there, staring at the dark sky.
So this was how it ended.
He hadn't found his parents.
He hadn't become strong.
He was still… powerless.
Tears blurred his vision.
"I… can't die yet…"
At that moment—
Something strange happened.
A whisper echoed inside his mind.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Ancient.
"Condition met."
Kael's eyes widened.
"Host survival instinct verified."
A burning sensation exploded inside his chest, like molten metal spreading through his veins.
He screamed.
The world around him froze.
Even the monster stopped moving, suspended in mid-step.
A black interface appeared before his eyes.
INFINITE GENE DEVOUR SYSTEM ACTIVATED
Unique Ability: Unlimited Gene Absorption
Special Function: Gene Devour & Evolution
Kael trembled.
"What… is this…?"
The system responded instantly.
"First survival mission generated."
MISSION: Kill the Iron Carapace Beast
REWARD: First Gene Awakening
FAILURE: Death
The frozen world suddenly resumed.
The monster's claw descended toward his head.
Kael felt something awaken deep inside him.
Not fear.
Not courage.
Hunger.
A terrifying, instinctive hunger.
His pupils turned silver.
Dark energy spread from his chest into his hands.
A new message flashed before him.
Skill Unlocked:
[Gene Devour — Basic Level]
Time seemed to slow.
The monster's claw came closer…
Closer…
And Kael moved.
Not like before.
Not weak.
Not slow.
He grabbed the monster's armored limb with his bare hand.
The creature roared in shock.
Cracks spread across its armor.
Black energy flowed from the beast into Kael's body like smoke being sucked into a vortex.
The system voice echoed again.
"Devouring in progress…"
The monster screamed.
Its massive body began dissolving into particles of dark light.
Kael's heart pounded violently.
Power flooded his veins.
Stronger.
Faster.
Alive.
The creature disappeared completely.
Silence fell over the street.
A final message appeared before him.
GENE ACQUIRED: Iron Carapace Gene
Effect: +Strength | +Defense | Body Reinforcement
Kael collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily.
He stared at his trembling hands.
He could feel it.
The power inside him.
Real.
Overwhelming.
And endless.
The system spoke one last time.
"Welcome, Host."
"Your path of infinite evolution has begun."
Kael slowly looked up at the glowing crack in the sky.
For the first time in his life…
He smiled.
"Mom… Dad…"
"I'm coming."