Elder Varyn finally moved.
Not physically—but the air around him shifted.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
A crushing force descended upon the hall, pressing down on everyone present.
Tier 3.
Absolute superiority.
The remaining disciples fell to their knees instantly.
Kael's body trembled.
But he did not kneel.
Instead—
He smiled.
"Impressive," Varyn said calmly. "But meaningless."
Kael wiped the blood from his lips.
Inside his mind, the system flickered.
[Warning: Target significantly stronger.]
[Skill Points available.]
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Allocate all points."
[Skill Points: 3 → Strength Enhancement Lv.1]
[Power increased.]
A surge of strength coursed through him.
The pressure… lessened.
Not gone—but no longer overwhelming.
Varyn's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Kael moved.
A burst of speed.
Faster than before.
He closed the distance instantly and struck toward Varyn's chest.
Blocked.
Effortlessly.
"Still too weak."
Varyn countered.
A single palm strike.
Kael twisted—but not enough.
The impact sent him flying across the hall.
He slammed into a pillar, cracks spreading through the stone.
Blood filled his mouth.
Pain surged.
But Kael laughed.
Low.
Cold.
"This is it…"
[Adaptive Growth activated.]
His body burned.
Every second, every movement—
He was improving.
Learning.
Adapting.
Varyn frowned.
"…What are you?"
Kael stood again.
Slowly.
Steadily.
His eyes burned with something new.
Not anger.
Not hatred.
But hunger.
"The one who will kill you."
He moved again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
The predator had awakened.