The monster lunged, its claws slicing through the air with a terrifying whistle. Kael barely managed to throw himself to the side, the razor-sharp talons narrowly missing his torso. Despite his quick reflexes, the beast's claws tore into the fabric of his shirt, ripping it open along the side.
Kael rolled to his feet, breathing heavily, and turned to face the creature. It was a grotesque amalgamation of fur and sinew, with gleaming red eyes that glowed like embers in the dim light. Its hunched frame radiated raw power, its claws glinting as they dripped with malice.
"Fantastic," Kael muttered under his breath, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. He wasn't sure whether it was the fear or the adrenaline, but his hands were trembling.
Noctharis's voice rumbled in his mind, filled with scorn. "Why do you cower like a frightened child? Stand and fight—it is weak compared to you."
Kael's eyes widened in disbelief. "Weak?" he hissed aloud, dodging another swipe from the creature. "What the hell are you talking about?"
He circled the beast cautiously, keeping his sword raised. "Sure, my rank increased by two whole levels," Kael said through gritted teeth, "but I'm only D+ now! That thing is D+ too! And monsters are naturally stronger than humans of the same rank!"
The beast snarled, its massive paws digging into the dirt as it prepared for another charge. Kael's thoughts raced as he backed away, his boots crunching against the forest floor.
"Humans are the weakest of the races," Kael continued, sweat dripping down his brow. "Even if we're the same rank, elves, beastpeople, or dwarves would crush me in a straight-up fight. Hell, even the weakest elf could outmatch me in raw physical strength at this level!"
Noctharis's deep laughter echoed in his mind, condescending and cold. "Excuses, excuses. You sound like a pitiful fool."
Kael's frustration boiled over. "I'm not the protagonist!" he snapped. "Only those one-in-a-million geniuses—like Kaiden—can beat monsters at the same rank! Do you understand that?!"
The dragon's deep chuckle echoed ominously. "Humans… You seem to have forgotten something important."
Kael paused, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?" he asked, his breath coming in short gasps.
Before Noctharis could reply, the monster lunged again, its claws aiming for Kael's chest. Distracted by the dragon's words, Kael barely had time to react. His instincts took over as he raised his sword in a desperate attempt to block the attack.
He clenched his eyes shut, bracing himself for the searing pain of claws rending through flesh. But… nothing came.
Slowly, Kael opened his eyes, his breath hitching at the sight before him. The monster's claws, which should have torn through his sword and into his body, were stopped in their tracks. His blade held firm, unwavering, against the beast's full strength.
The creature growled, its eyes burning with frustration, and pulled back for another strike. Kael barely registered what had happened before it lunged again. This time, however, he was ready. He swung his blade up instinctively, meeting the monster's attack head-on.
To his astonishment, the result was the same. His sword, once a mere piece of steel in his hands, now felt unyielding. The impact didn't jar him or send him reeling—it felt… manageable.
Kael stepped back, his heart pounding. "What the…? How is this possible?" he muttered, his gaze flickering between the sword in his hands and the snarling monster before him.
Noctharis chuckled once more, his voice dripping with amusement. "You truly are blind, human. Do you not feel it? Your strength is no longer the same."
Kael's mind raced. "My strength…?" He flexed his grip on the sword and glanced at the monster as it circled him cautiously. It didn't feel like the D+ rank beast anymore. Its once-overwhelming presence seemed diminished, almost like he was facing a weaker foe.
The monster lunged again, but this time, Kael moved with purpose. He sidestepped with ease, his blade arcing upward in a clean slash that grazed the creature's shoulder. Blood spattered the ground as the monster roared in pain, backing away momentarily.
Kael stared at the wound he'd inflicted, shock coursing through him. "I shouldn't have been able to do that…" he murmured. "Not so easily."
Kael glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if testing his newfound strength. The surge of power he had felt during the fight was undeniable, but the explanation eluded him. Turning his thoughts inward, he addressed the voice in his head.
"How... how is this possible? How can I suddenly be this strong?" Kael asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
Noctharis's deep, ancient tone responded immediately, carrying a hint of pride. "There are several reasons for your newfound strength, human. First, the absorption of the dungeon core has elevated your potential. It is not a simple task, but the method I instructed you to use has proven far more efficient than you can imagine."
Kael frowned, processing the dragon's words. "The dungeon core... that's why my mana control increased so drastically?"
"Indeed," Noctharis replied. "The core's energy has melded with your essence, enhancing your abilities. But that alone is not enough to explain your current strength. The second reason lies in the contract with me."
Kael blinked. "The contract?"
"Yes. By forging this bond, you have drawn on my power, even if only a fragment of it. This alone grants you strength beyond what is typical for your rank. However, the true catalyst lies within your very being."
Kael's brow furrowed. "What do you mean? My 'being'? Are you saying I'm... different?"
The dragon chuckled, the sound reverberating in Kael's mind like rolling thunder. "You've always been different, though you lacked the means to realize it. Your unique constitution is the key. It sets you apart from other humans. Have you forgotten my earlier words? The duality of your soul is the reason."
Kael's mind raced. He remembered Noctharis mentioning this before, but he hadn't fully grasped its significance at the time. "The duality of my soul…" he murmured. "Is that why I couldn't properly awaken before?"
"Precisely," Noctharis affirmed. "Your fragmented soul prevented a complete awakening. You were caught between two natures—two identities—making it impossible for you to harness your full potential. However, the events within the dungeon have changed that."
Kael's heart quickened. "What do you mean? What changed?"
"The absorption of my dark power within the dungeon," the dragon explained. "It has awakened a part of you that was dormant—the darker aspect of your soul. By merging with this energy, your body and constitution have evolved. You are no longer limited by the weaknesses of an ordinary human. Now, even without fully realizing your potential, you are at least twice as strong as any human within the same rank."
Kael's eyes widened. "Twice as strong... Are you saying I'm not even fully awakened yet?"
"Correct," Noctharis said with a note of finality. "You have only begun to tap into your true power. Half of your potential remains locked away. It will take time, trials, and more exposure to powerful energies before you can unlock the rest. But even now, you are far beyond the likes of your kind."
Kael stood there, the weight of the dragon's words sinking in. His gaze drifted toward the lifeless monster at his feet, a creature that had moments ago seemed insurmountable. Now, it felt as if the gap between them wasn't as vast as he had once believed.
"I see," Kael muttered, his voice low. "So this is only the beginning."
"Indeed, human," Noctharis replied, his tone carrying a subtle challenge. "Now that you know what you are capable of, stop doubting yourself. If you wish to survive in this world—and perhaps, one day, thrive—then you must fully embrace your strength. The duality within you is not a curse but a gift. Use it wisely."
Kael clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest. "I will. I won't waste this chance. Not anymore."
"Good," the dragon rumbled, his voice fading slightly as Kael's thoughts turned back to the path ahead. "Then let us see what you are truly capable of."
Kael's lips curved into a slight smile as his grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. His heart raced, not with fear this time, but with excitement. The rush of power coursing through his veins was intoxicating, and for the first time, he didn't feel like prey in front of a monster.
The creature snarled, saliva dripping from its fangs as it charged at Kael again, claws extended to tear him apart. But this time, Kael was ready.
As the monster lunged, Kael sidestepped with ease, his movements fluid and precise. The beast's claws sliced through the air, narrowly missing him. With a flick of his wrist, Kael brought his sword down in a calculated arc, slicing into the monster's flank. A dark, oozing wound appeared, and the creature roared in pain, stumbling back.
Kael's eyes gleamed with newfound confidence. "So this is what it feels like to actually fight on equal ground-or better."
The monster recovered quickly, its instincts driving it to attack again. It leaped into the air, aiming to pin Kael beneath its weight. But Kael didn't flinch. Instead, he crouched slightly, gripping his sword with both hands.
As the beast descended, Kael pivoted on his heel and slashed upward in a powerful, controlled motion. His blade struck true, meeting the monster mid-leap and carving a deep gash across its chest. The force of the strike sent the creature tumbling to the ground, a growl of agony escaping its throat.
Kael didn't stop. He pressed forward, his sword gleaming in the faint light of the forest. The monster lashed out with a desperate swipe of its claws, but Kael easily deflected the attack with his blade, the impact reverberating through his arms but no longer overwhelming him.
"Is this all you've got?" Kael muttered under his breath, almost amused by how slow the beast seemed now.
The monster, enraged, bared its fangs and lunged once more, snapping its jaws at Kael's throat. Kael ducked beneath the attack and retaliated with a precise thrust, his sword piercing through the creature's shoulder. The beast howled and staggered, its movements growing sluggish from blood loss.
Kael's confidence soared. He could feel the flow of the battle, every move of the monster telegraphed as if time had slowed. His body, now stronger and more responsive, felt like it was finally in sync with his mind.
The monster roared one last time and pounced in a final, desperate attack. Kael didn't move back; instead, he stepped forward, closing the distance in an instant. He sidestepped the beast's claws and drove his blade upward, piercing straight through its chest.
The creature froze, its glowing eyes wide with shock. Kael twisted the blade, ensuring the kill, and then pulled it free with a sharp motion. The monster collapsed at his feet, its body twitching briefly before going still.
Kael stood there, breathing heavily, his sword dripping with the creature's dark blood. His heart pounded in his chest, not from exertion, but from exhilaration.