The city skyline loomed in the distance, a blend of modern skyscrapers and older structures, both connected by the winding roads that threaded through Seoul. Jaeho had his eyes on the horizon, but his thoughts were elsewhere, turning over the lessons he'd learned from the dungeon and his latest evolution. The raw power he'd absorbed from the Cursed Beast and the dungeon core still pulsed through his veins, a steady hum that reminded him of how much further he had to go.
"Are you going to tell me what's next?" Kyra asked from behind, her voice cutting through the silence. She had been following him for some time, but there was no mistaking her presence. There was a sharpness to her footsteps that matched her tone. "I know you're thinking about something, Jaeho."
He glanced back at her, noting the slight frown on her face. Kyra had been a solid ally, but he could tell she was waiting for him to take charge. She might be strong, but she was still new to this world—new to the truth of how the system worked, and the challenges that lay ahead.
"I'm thinking about how much more there is to learn," Jaeho replied, his voice quiet but determined. "I've evolved my Cursed Beast, but that's only one step. The system isn't just about dungeons and beasts; it's about understanding how everything connects—how it can be used."
Kyra slowed her pace, narrowing her eyes at him. "What are you saying? You're not the type to talk in circles. What do you mean by 'how it can be used'?"
Jaeho stopped walking, taking a breath and looking around. They were in the outskirts of Seoul now, close enough to the city that they could sense the bustle of people but still distant enough to feel isolated. The question she'd asked hung in the air.
"It's about evolving," he said, more to himself than to her. "I can evolve my beasts, but there's more to it. I think that if I evolve them to their fullest potential, it could unlock something more—something that will change how the system works for me, how I can use it to my advantage."
"Unlock something more?" Kyra raised an eyebrow. "So, you're telling me you're after some kind of hidden power?"
Jaeho nodded, his expression unreadable. "Exactly. The system doesn't just give you power; it tests you. If you're not careful, you'll fall behind. But if you can crack it—understand the true nature of how leveling works, how the beasts evolve, how the system responds to your choices—you can unlock powers beyond anything people can imagine."
Kyra was silent for a moment, clearly processing his words. Finally, she spoke. "And you think that's possible? You think you can actually figure it out?"
He didn't answer right away. The truth was, he wasn't sure. But the drive to understand—the desire to unlock whatever lay hidden within the system—was too strong to ignore. He had seen glimpses of the potential in the dungeon, in the evolution of his Cursed Beast. And he knew there was more to it. He could feel it in his bones.
"Maybe I can't do it alone," Jaeho admitted. "But I'm willing to try. And when I do, I'll need people by my side."
Kyra studied him, her gaze softening slightly. "So, this isn't just about power for you. You want to change things. You want to rewrite the rules."
Jaeho's eyes glinted with a spark of determination. "Yes. But first, I need to level up, evolve my beasts, and understand how all of this works. I'm not just a biochemist anymore; I'm part of something bigger now. And that means I have to learn how to use the system—not just be part of it."
The two of them continued walking, the city now fully visible as they neared the main roads. Jaeho could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air. There was no going back now. He had set his path, and nothing would stop him from finding out how deep this system went.
By the time they reached the city gates, the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the streets. The energy of the place was palpable—people moving quickly, with purpose, while others meandered, seemingly unaware of the changes occurring in the world around them.
Jaeho's mind was racing as he thought about the next steps. He needed to check in with his lab, run some tests, and evaluate the materials he had collected from the dungeon. But there was something else—something that had been nagging at him ever since the dungeon collapse.
He could feel the power within him, the power from his beasts. The Cursed Beast had evolved significantly, but that wasn't the only change. His own body felt different, more attuned to the system, more in sync with the way it operated. And that gave him a new idea—one he wasn't sure how to test yet, but one he was certain he needed to explore.
"Kyra," Jaeho said as they reached the street corner, "I need you to do something for me. Go to the local black market and get any rare beast materials you can find. I'll handle the research, but we'll need more resources if we want to keep up with these dungeons."
Kyra gave him a sharp look. "You're not going to tell me what you're planning, are you?"
Jaeho shrugged. "I'll tell you once I have a clearer picture of things. But trust me, this is the next step. We're not just hunting beasts anymore—we're evolving them to the point where we can control the system itself."
Kyra didn't look convinced, but she nodded, stepping back into the bustling streets of the city.
Jaeho took a deep breath and turned to face the horizon once more. The path ahead was unknown, but for the first time since his life had turned upside down, he felt ready for whatever was to come.
There was a revolution to start. And Jaeho was going to be the one to lead it.