Kael's journey to his destination was plagued by doubt and confusion. Upon reaching the station, he was greeted by a worker who casually mentioned that the station had been closed. Something about weird animals and an accident that no one had returned from kept everyone at bay. According to the rumors, a monster lived there, destroying anyone who dared enter its territory.
"The drivers? Yeah, they saw things. Freak accidents every time. Something's out there... something that shouldn't be," the worker laughed, trying to brush it off.
Arkael's voice boomed inside Kael's head, "Human, this is the doing of a spiritual monster. Likely an animal that developed an ability to create illusions. Weak, yes, but dangerous nonetheless. Do not underestimate them just because you possess a weapon."
A chill ran down Kael's spine, remembering the terrifying monsters he had fought before—beasts whose abilities were beyond his level. The realization gnawed at him. This mission was suicidal. His thoughts clouded with doubt, his mind drifting, overwhelmed by the memories of the gods' betrayal and his own inadequacies. He wanted to give up; it was just too hard. His mind spiraled, but he couldn't escape it.
Arkael's voice snapped him back to reality. "You fool! Look at the facts in front of you! This creature is no match for you! At best, it can create minor illusions."
Kael's vision cleared. He took a deep breath and steadied himself, renewed hope surging inside him. The flood of doubts faded into the background as a system message suddenly popped up in front of him, different from the ones he had seen in his old life. This one was primal, raw, and strangely... personal. It wasn't about the world watching him. It was about something else entirely.
"The mental power has increased," it read, and Kael blinked in disbelief. "What is this?" he wondered, unsure of the significance. When he turned to Arkael, he saw a look of disbelief on the god's face.
Arkael spoke, almost in a whisper, "A mere human... has achieved what the gods failed to."
Kael was stunned. "What? What do you mean?"
Arkael, still in disbelief, tried to explain, though his voice was tinged with awe. "You have been recognized by the world as a higher being—higher even than the gods. What we call 'gods' are not gods in the truest sense. The rules are too complex for me to explain in full, but you will understand soon enough. Your revenge, human... it is not just a dream anymore. It is possible."
Arkael's words gave Kael new hope, and though the god's smile was reassuring, there was an unsettling darkness hidden behind it.
"Do not focus on this now. Your next step is clear. We move forward, Kael. The power you need to surpass your former self is ahead of you."
Kael nodded, more determined than ever. He was ready. He was no longer the same.
By the time Kael arrived at the Mountain of the Old Wrath, fear crept in again, for the second time in his life. The feeling of death loomed on the horizon, but he had changed. He had no choice now. Whether he won or died, there was no going back.
With each step, Kael moved with a cautious resolve, using the silent technique that Silas had taught him. It wasn't the same technique, but the phantom steps helped him move undetected, and they proved invaluable in the mountains.
As Kael ventured deeper into the mountains, he encountered a creature—a serpent-human hybrid, a deadly and powerful foe. His heart sank as he realized that this was no ordinary creature. It was a naga. At his current level, there was no way he could survive. He knew this battle was a death sentence.
But then Arkael's voice boomed, anger flashing in his tone. "Look again, human."
Kael hesitated, then focused on the creature again. It wasn't a naga at all. It was something far stranger—a hybrid of a snake and a human, an unnatural creation. Kael asked in disbelief, "Is this a naga or not? I can't go in thinking it's weak just because it's not what I expected."
Arkael explained coldly, "Most likely, a snake devoured a human and, under my leftover power, evolved into this form. I can't predict how strong it is, but I can see its abilities. You can defeat it, Kael."
Kael felt a flicker of hope. He had a chance.
With newfound confidence, Kael prepared his attack. He moved cautiously, getting closer to the creature. When the time was right, he would strike. As he got directly above the creature, Kael focused all his energy into one deadly blow. With a swift motion, he aimed for its neck and swung his sword, feeling the satisfying resistance of the cut.
But then, something was wrong. No blood. The creature's body was fading, vanishing before Kael's eyes. The hissing laughter of the creature echoed in his ears.
Kael froze in terror. "A trap," he thought.
The creature moved with incredible speed, vanishing and reappearing in an instant. Arkael screamed inside Kael's mind, "Run!"
Kael was caught off guard. For the first time, Arkael was telling him to retreat. Kael hesitated, caught in a flood of doubt. But then his instincts took over, and he decided to stay, trusting that the battle wasn't over. He braced himself for the inevitable clash.
Time seemed to slow as the creature flashed toward him. Kael moved, barely able to track it. He raised his sword to block the attack, and just as it made contact, a message popped up in his vision: "Instinct activated."
Time resumed its normal flow, and in that moment, Kael saw his nightmare come true—a naga, more terrifying than any illusion he had fought before, was charging at him. The clash of swords was powerful. Kael was thrown into the air, slamming against a tree, his body battered.
The naga, now in full force, advanced again. But this time, it seemed... too sure of itself. It was toying with him.
Kael struggled to regain his footing, blood staining his clothes. Arkael watched from the shadows, silently debating whether to intervene or not. Kael gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. He could feel the change within him—an ability he had gained without fully understanding it. Something had shifted.
Arkael's voice sounded in his mind. "Don't get cocky, Kael. You still have to survive this."
The naga advanced slowly, mocking him. It spat venom, but Kael narrowly dodged, realizing it wasn't an attack—it was another mind game. The naga wanted to break him, to make him doubt himself.
But Kael's anger surged. The rage from the gods' betrayal, the sense of helplessness, all of it boiled over. His vision turned red, and a primal power surged through him.
Suddenly, Kael found himself in a strange place—a place he had only seen when ascending. A figure stood before him, a familiar face. It was Valkorn, the NPC from his past life. "Long time no see," Valkorn said.
Kael was confused. "How is this possible?"
Valkorn explained, "The system is ingrained in every human soul. Even though you start from zero, the skills you've learned are with you, waiting to be unlocked."
As Kael's rage peaked, he felt his power surge once more. He was back in reality now, his blood burning with newfound strength. The naga, unaware of the storm Kael had become, attempted to use its illusions again, trying to disappear.
But Kael was ready. He swung his sword with newfound power, slashing through the air. The naga tried to evade, but it was too late. The sword found its mark, and with a sickening thud, the naga's head was severed.
However, as Kael stood victorious for a fleeting moment, the naga, almost mockingly, lunged at him with renewed fury, kicking him high into the air. Kael's vision spun as he was thrown back, crashing into the jagged rocks. He gasped for air, pain flooding his senses, and then the creature vanished from his sight again, as though it were toying with him, letting him think he had a chance.
Kael's body shook with pain, but the surge of berserk energy kept him going. He knew the naga was toying with him, giving him false hope before delivering the final blow.
The creature reappeared, slithering from the shadows and preparing to strike. But with his instincts now fully activated, Kael slashed the air desperately, his sword aimed for the invisible enemy. He could hear the faint sound of the naga's movement, the air vibrating with its speed.
The naga shot toward him, intending for a non-lethal blow to finish him off. But mid-air, it changed its course, heading straight for Kael with even greater force.
Arkael moved.
In the blink of an eye, time froze. Kael's surroundings were suddenly suspended in stillness, but only for a brief moment. Arkael had shifted the flow of time, saving Kael from the lethal strike and giving him the chance he needed.
As time resumed, Kael, filled with new strength and determination, saw the naga's weakened form and swung with all his might. His blade met its target, and with a sickening sound, he severed the naga's head in a single strike.
But in the same moment, the naga's sword pierced Kael's chest, and he collapsed, blood soaking his clothes. His vision blurred, and the pain was overwhelming. As he lost consciousness, Kael felt a sense of relief—a fleeting moment of gratitude.
"Thank you," he whispered weakly, before the world around him went black.