The moon hung low over Ethren Village as Kriel stalked through the shadows, the chill of night wrapping around him like a cloak. Two weeks had passed since his first mark consumption, and the void within him hungered for more.
"Patrol spotted near the eastern gates," a street urchin whispered, clutching the piece of bread Kriel had given him. "Captain Aric's leading them."
Kriel's violet eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Tell me about their marks."
"Six soldiers. But Aric..." The boy shuddered, glancing nervously around. "He's got four marks. Never seen anything like it."
Kriel's smile widened, revealing sharp teeth. "Perfect. What are their abilities?"
"Um, I think... one has Earth Veil, another Water Veil. But Aric... he has Fire Veil, Light Veil, Shield Veil, and Wind Veil!" The boy's voice trembled.
Kriel's heart raced. **Intelligence Gathered:**
- **Target:** Captain Aric
- **Primary Mark:** Fire Veil (A Rank)
- **Secondary:** Light Veil (B Rank)
- **Tertiary:** Shield Veil (B+ Rank)
- **Quaternary:** Wind Veil (A- Rank)
- **Threat Level:** Extreme
- **Current Survival Chance:** 17%
"Get somewhere safe," Kriel instructed, his tone suddenly serious.
The boy fled as Kriel moved through the darkened streets. He would weaken Aric's support first, then strike at the captain himself.
A shout broke the silence. "Markless scum! Stop right there!"
Two patrol members had spotted him. Their marks glowed faintly—one Earth, one Water. Both C-rank at best.
"You've been causing trouble," the Earth Veil user growled, raising stone barriers between them. "Time to put you down."
Kriel chuckled darkly. "You're not even worth consuming."
He activated **Shadow Step**, slipping through the stone barrier like mist. Before the man could react, Kriel's hand found his throat.
**Skill Activated: Void Grip**
- **Target:** Earth Veil
- **Corruption Progress:** 89%
- **Mark Integrity:** Failing
The man's screams echoed as his mark shattered, fragments dissolving into void energy absorbed by Kriel's body. The Water Veil user retaliated with a torrent of pressurized water.
Kriel grinned as he activated **Pain Conversion**. The damage turned into pure power flowing through him.
**Pain Conversion Active**
- **Damage Absorbed:** 92%
- **Void Energy Increased:** +437
- **New Skill Forming...**
"What... what are you?" the remaining soldier stammered, backing away in fear.
Kriel's eyes pulsed with violet light as he stepped closer. "Evolution."
The fight ended in seconds—two more marks consumed, two more bodies left as warnings. But before Kriel could savor his victory, a massive wave of heat washed over the alley.
"So," a commanding voice spoke from above, "you're the one who's been hunting my men."
Captain Aric descended, his four marks blazing with power. His mere presence distorted reality around them—a sign of true mastery.
**Warning: SSS-Rank Entity Detected**
- **Power Level:** Cannot Calculate
- **Combat Experience:** Veteran
- **Mark Mastery:** Elite
"Captain," Kriel said with a confident smile, shadows coiling around him like hungry serpents. "I've been waiting to meet you."
Aric's eyes narrowed as he landed gracefully before Kriel. "You think you can take me down? You're just a child playing with forces beyond your comprehension."
Kriel laughed softly, the sound echoing in the stillness of night. "Child? No, I am a Void Walker—a predator in this world of prey."
"You have spirit," Aric admitted grudgingly, but his expression hardened. "But spirit alone won't save you from my wrath."
The air thickened with tension as they squared off in the moonlit alley. Kriel could feel the void within him thrumming with excitement—this was more than just another hunt; it was a turning point.
"Let's see what you can do," Kriel taunted, shadows swirling around him as he prepared for battle.
Aric raised an eyebrow and summoned flames that danced dangerously at his fingertips. "Very well then."
With a fierce shout, he unleashed a wave of fire towards Kriel.
In response, Kriel activated **Shadow Step** again, evading the flames effortlessly and reappearing behind Aric. He struck out with his hand, aiming for the captain's back.
Aric spun around just in time to block Kriel's attack with his Shield Veil. The impact sent shockwaves through both combatants.
"You're fast," Aric said with grudging respect.
"But not fast enough," Kriel replied, launching another attack infused with void energy.
Aric countered with his Wind Veil, creating a gust that pushed Kriel back momentarily. "You underestimate my power!"
Kriel grinned through gritted teeth as he regained his footing. "And you underestimate my hunger."
As they clashed again and again—fire against shadow—the alley became a battlefield of raw energy and willpower. Each strike echoed like thunder in the night air.
"You think you can consume my marks?" Aric shouted over the din of their combat.
"I don't think; I know!" Kriel roared back defiantly.
With every blow exchanged, Kriel felt himself evolving further—his connection to the void deepening as he absorbed fragments of Aric's power during their exchanges.
"You're stronger than I expected," Aric admitted begrudgingly after narrowly dodging another of Kriel's strikes.
"But not strong enough to win," Kriel shot back confidently.
As they fought on, both warriors began to tire; sweat mingled with blood on their brows. Yet neither showed signs of backing down.
[The battle continues..]