Kai stood in the forest, leaning against a tree, his red eyes glowing faintly as he raised his hand. With a simple command, he spoke aloud. "Status."
A black translucent screen appeared before him, filled with glowing text. He scanned it, his expression shifting between amusement and intrigue.
"Well, let's see how much stronger I've gotten," he said to himself, smirking. "Defeating that oversized goblin should've done something worthwhile."
**Kai's Current Status Screen (After Defeating Goblin Leader)**
**Name:** Kai
**Age:** 17
**Species:** Human (Death Mage)
**Gender:** Male
**Level:** 23
**Class:** Death Mage
**Occupation:** Adventurer
**Nicknames:** The Shadow Reaper
**Health Points (HP):** 1,500/1,500
**Magic Points (MP):** 6,500/6,500
**Strength:** 180
**Agility:** 170
**Attack:** 250
**Intelligence:** 400
**Defense:** 160
**Skills:**
1. **Mana Manipulation++:** Grants precise control over magical energy, reducing mana waste and amplifying spell potency.
2. **Shadow Bind:** Summons shadow tendrils to immobilize enemies, leaving them vulnerable.
3. **Bone Spike:** Sharp bone projections erupt from the ground to impale enemies.
4. **Summon Dead:** Summons skeletal warriors or undead creatures to fight for Kai.
5. **Soul Scythe Mastery:** Increases proficiency with scythe weapons, enhancing attack power and speed.
6. **Void Slash:** Unleashes a wave of void energy, dealing immense damage over a wide area.
7. **Resurrection Master:** Raises fallen enemies as loyal undead minions under Kai's command.
8. **Shadow Step:** Allows teleportation through shadows for quick repositioning or evasion.
9. **Dark Vision:** Grants the ability to see clearly in complete darkness.
10. **Auto-Step:** Instinctively dodges incoming attacks with precise footwork.
11. **Shadow Cloak:** Cloaks Kai in shadows, rendering him nearly invisible in dark areas.
12. **Phantom Strike:** Delivers a rapid, high-speed strike that targets multiple enemies simultaneously.
13. **Death Echo:** Creates an ethereal clone that mirrors Kai's movements for additional damage.
**Magic Skills:**
1. **Shadow Burst:** Releases a concentrated explosion of shadow energy.
2. **Soul Harvest:** Absorbs the life force of fallen enemies to replenish mana.
3. **Shadow Bolt:** Fires a high-speed shadow projectile that pierces enemies.
4. **Necrotic Shield:** A protective barrier of dark energy that absorbs damage.
5. **Death Surge:** Temporarily empowers all undead allies, boosting their combat effectiveness.
6. **Arcane Drain:** Drains magical energy from enemies to restore Kai's MP.
7. **Phantom Grasp:** Ethereal hands emerge from the ground, immobilizing enemies.
8. **Abyssal Wave:** Releases a massive surge of dark magic that devastates everything in its path.
9. **Night Veil:** Cloaks the area in supernatural darkness, disorienting enemies.
10. **Soul Flare:** Channels concentrated soul energy into a destructive ranged attack.
**Unique Skills:**
1. **Immortality:** Grants eternal life; Kai does not age or die from natural causes.
2. **Undying Body:** Rapidly regenerates from physical damage, making him almost impossible to kill.
3. **Resurrection Aura:** Passively revives nearby fallen enemies as temporary undead allies.
4. **Void Dominion:** Increases the range and destructive power of void-based magic.
5. **Legion Commander:** Enhances the strength and coordination of all summoned undead.
6. **Death's Embrace:** Significantly increases the durability and power of undead minions during combat.
7. **Eternal Hunger:** Converts the death of enemies into health and mana regeneration.
8. **Soul Requiem:** Summons a powerful spirit to fight alongside Kai temporarily.
9. **Abyss Walker:** Allows Kai to briefly move between dimensions, avoiding attacks or repositioning.
10. **Void Devourer:** Absorbs ambient magic to supercharge Kai's next attack.
**Items:**
1. **Soul Scythe:** A weapon imbued with death magic, capable of channeling Kai's abilities.
2. **Bone Whip:** A flexible weapon crafted from animated bones, effective for mid-range combat.
3. **Shadow Dagger:** A stealth weapon made of condensed shadow energy, perfect for assassination.
4. **Goblin Ears (x20):** Proof of completed missions stored in Kai's item box.
5. **Health Elixirs (x3):** Restores a significant amount of HP.
6. **Mana Potions (x3):** Restores a significant amount of MP.
7. **Dark Cloak:** A magical garment that enhances stealth and reduces visibility.
8. **Amulet of Undeath:** Increases the effectiveness of necromantic abilities.
9. **Void Charm:** Amplifies void-based magic attacks.
Kai waved his hand, closing the screen. "Not bad. I'd say this is the strongest I've ever been. Let's see how long it takes before I scare the life out of someone again." He chuckled to himself, stepping away from the tree and heading deeper into the forest. "Alright, world. What's next?"
Kai stood in the forest, staring at the fading remnants of his battle with the goblins. He stretched his arms with a satisfied grin. "Man, this level grind is something else," he said to himself, checking his status screen once more. "Level 23 now, huh? And these new skills... Shadow Cloak, Abyss Walker, Void Devourer... I'm starting to feel a little overpowered." He chuckled, closing the translucent screen with a wave of his hand. "Alright, let's get back to the guild and turn in this mission."
With that, Kai vanished into the shadows, leaving behind nothing but a faint wisp of dark energy.
---
Meanwhile, at the adventurer's guild, Lyra, the orange-haired catkin receptionist, was chatting with one of her coworkers. "I swear, today's been one of the weirdest days," she said, her tail flicking with agitation. "First, I meet this guy, Kai, who walks in like he owns the place, and now he's off hunting goblins like it's nothing."
Her coworker, a half-elf with silver hair, smirked. "What's the big deal? Sounds like he knows what he's doing."
Lyra huffed, crossing her arms. "That's not the point. It's his attitude. He's so... smug. Like he already knows he's better than everyone else."
The half-elf chuckled. "You've got to admit, that kind of confidence is rare. Maybe he really is as strong as he thinks."
Lyra sighed, her ears twitching in annoyance. "Maybe. But he's still a pain to deal with."
Before the half-elf could reply, a loud, confident voice rang through the guild hall. "I'm done with my first mission!"
Lyra's ears perked up as she and her coworker looked around, confused. "What the—" she started, but before she could locate the source of the voice, a figure materialized right in front of her desk.
Kai stood there, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Miss me?"
Lyra yelped, nearly dropping the stack of papers she was holding. "Kai!" she exclaimed, her green eyes narrowing. "You can't just appear like that! Do you have any idea how creepy that is?"
Kai shrugged, his red eyes gleaming mischievously. "Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, here." He reached into his item box and pulled out a small sack, placing it on the counter. "Goblin ears. Proof that the job's done."
Lyra hesitated before opening the bag, her nose wrinkling slightly as she peeked inside. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You... actually did it? All twenty goblins and the leader?"
Kai smirked, leaning casually against the counter. "What can I say? I'm efficient."
Her coworker leaned over to inspect the bag as well, their jaw dropping. "Wait, is this... did you take down a goblin leader on your first mission?"
Kai gave a mock bow. "The one and only. It was a little tougher than the grunts, but nothing I couldn't handle."
Lyra stared at him, a mixture of disbelief and annoyance in her expression. "You make it sound like it was a walk in the park. Do you have any idea how dangerous a goblin leader is? Most adventurers wouldn't even dream of facing one on their first mission."
Kai waved her concern off. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'm amazing. Now, how about that reward?"
Lyra sighed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable." She started processing his mission report, her fingers moving quickly across the ledger. "I'll admit, you're good. But if you keep acting like this, you're going to give someone a heart attack."
Kai grinned. "Isn't that part of the fun?"
As Lyra finished recording his success, she handed him a small pouch of coins. "Here's your reward. Try not to cause too much chaos with it."
Kai took the pouch, tossing it up and catching it with ease. "No promises. But thanks. I'll be back soon enough with my next mission."
As he turned to leave, Lyra called out, "Kai!"
He paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
Her expression softened slightly, though her ears twitched in irritation. "Just... try not to get yourself killed out there."
Kai smirked, his red eyes glowing faintly. "Don't worry about me. I've got this whole immortality thing going on, remember?"
With that, he disappeared into the shadows once more, leaving Lyra shaking her head. She glanced at her coworker, who had been watching the exchange with an amused expression. "I don't get him," she muttered. "He's so... unpredictable."
The half-elf laughed. "Sounds like you've got an interesting one on your hands."
Lyra groaned. "Yeah, interesting. Let's see how long I can keep my sanity."
Kai moved silently through the shadows, the darkness swirling around him like a second skin. The sensation of traveling through the void was becoming second nature to him, though it still felt strange. As he glided through the unseen paths, he spoke to himself, his voice low and thoughtful.
"First mission done," Kai muttered, smirking. "Goblin leader down, guild proof in hand. Not bad for a newbie, huh?" He chuckled softly, the sound echoing faintly in the darkness. "Still, didn't expect to get this strong so fast. Those goblins didn't even stand a chance... well, except for the leader. He actually made me work for it."
He paused, letting the silence of the void fill his ears. "Lyra's probably going to be annoyed again. I can already see her face when I drop this bag of goblin ears on the counter. Should be fun."
Kai smirked to himself as he emerged from the darkness just outside the guild, but meanwhile, back at the inn, the atmosphere was much lighter.
---
Inside the inn, Sean and Liam were lounging in the common area with the rest of their classmates. The group was scattered across couches and chairs, some chatting idly while others simply enjoyed the peace.
Liam stretched his arms, sighing. "Man, this feels nice. Actual chairs, real food, and no goblins trying to kill us."
Sean leaned back, grinning. "Yeah, but you know what's missing? Kai. He's been gone all day."
Sarah, sitting nearby, tilted her head. "He said he was going to the guild this morning, didn't he? You think he's still there?"
"Knowing him? Probably," Sean replied with a shrug. "He's either signing up for every mission on the board or causing a scene. Maybe both."
Liam laughed. "Sounds about right. That guy doesn't do anything halfway."
Alex, who had been quietly listening, chimed in. "But do you think he's okay? I mean, Kai's strong, sure, but what if he got in over his head?"
The group fell silent for a moment, their earlier laughter fading. Before anyone could respond, the door to the inn opened, and Elara stepped inside. Her sharp green eyes scanned the room as she walked in, her commanding presence immediately drawing attention.
"Good evening," Elara said, her tone calm and composed. "I thought I'd check in on you all."
"Hi, Captain Elara!" Sarah said brightly, waving her over. "Come join us!"
Elara nodded, approaching the group with measured steps. Her gaze was steady, but as she sat down, there was a subtle tension in her movements.
"How are you all holding up?" she asked.
"Pretty good," Sean replied. "Though we were just talking about Kai."
Elara's expression flickered slightly, her green eyes narrowing. "Kai? What about him?"
Liam shrugged. "He went to the guild this morning to join, but he's been gone all day."
Elara exhaled sharply through her nose, crossing her arms. "That's Kai for you. Always running off without explaining himself. I remember him asking for directions earlier. He didn't even wait for me to finish before disappearing."
Sarah laughed. "That sounds like him. He's always in a rush to do whatever crazy thing is on his mind."
Elara's tail of blue hair swayed slightly as she straightened. "It's not just that he's impulsive," she said, her voice tinged with irritation. "He's infuriatingly cocky. He treats everything like a game—like nothing can touch him."
Sean smirked. "Well, can you blame him? He's got that whole immortality thing going on."
Elara's fists clenched slightly, her annoyance surfacing. "Immortality or not, he's not invincible. Power doesn't make you untouchable—it just makes your mistakes bigger."
Alex hesitated. "You don't like him, do you?"
Elara blinked, her expression softening slightly as she considered her words. "It's not that I dislike him. He's... capable, I'll admit that. But he doesn't think things through. It's frustrating to watch someone with so much potential act so recklessly."
Liam chuckled. "You sound like a big sister scolding her little brother."
Elara glared at him, her cheeks flushing faintly. "Don't be ridiculous."
The group laughed, but Elara's gaze shifted toward the door, her annoyance fading into thoughtfulness. "He's powerful," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "But power without discipline is dangerous—for everyone."
Kai moved through the shadows, the void-like darkness surrounding him as he traveled silently. The muffled voices of his friends and classmates echoed faintly, and Kai slowed his movement, his smirk growing as he caught snippets of their conversation.
"Where is Kai anyway?" Sean's voice asked, laced with curiosity.
"Probably at the guild still," Liam replied. "You know how he gets—always taking his time."
Kai chuckled softly to himself, his voice low in the darkness. "Taking my time? Oh, you guys have no idea."
As he continued listening, Elara's familiar voice cut through the chatter. "Kai's reckless," she said, her tone irritated. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's already caused trouble there."
Kai's grin widened. "Reckless? Me? Come on, Captain, that's harsh." His crimson eyes glinted in the darkness as an idea formed in his mind. "Let's make an entrance."
In an instant, Kai materialized beneath the group, slipping out of the shadows without a sound. With perfect timing, he shouted, "Hey!" at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing through the room.
Elara, caught completely off guard, spun around with lightning reflexes. Her fist clenched, and before Kai could react, she unleashed a powerful punch straight to his face. The impact sent him flying backward with a deafening crash as he smashed through the inn's wall, leaving a gaping hole.
Kai's body soared across the street, skidding through the dirt before slamming into the neighboring building. The force of the impact left a visible dent in the wall, and Kai collapsed to the ground, coughing as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Inside the inn, the room fell into stunned silence. Sean was the first to break it. "Did she just... punch Kai through a wall?"
"She did!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes wide. "I didn't think that was even possible!"
Liam stared at the broken wall. "Well... at least now we know not to scare Elara."
Elara stood in the center of the room, her fists still clenched and her cheeks slightly red with anger and embarrassment. She set her jaw, her tone firm as she addressed the room. "That's what happens when someone tries to pull stunts like that."
Her commanding presence made the others instinctively nod, though her confidence was only matched by her obvious irritation. She turned toward the hole in the wall, muttering, "Reckless idiot."
Outside, Kai groaned as he sat up, wiping the blood from his mouth. Despite the obvious pain, he grinned, looking up as Elara approached. "Nice punch," he said, his voice filled with amusement. "Didn't know you had it in you."
Elara's green eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "You deserved it. Maybe now you'll think twice before scaring people like that."
Kai chuckled, slowly getting to his feet. "Nah, I think it was worth it. Totally worth it." He stretched, brushing off the dust. "But seriously, Captain, remind me never to spar with you."
Elara didn't back down, her confident stance unwavering. "You wouldn't last five minutes," she said with a smirk, her tone sharp yet controlled. "Unlike you, I know when to hold back."
Kai raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Oh, is that a challenge?"
Elara rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. You're not worth the effort."
The rest of the group peeked through the hole, their expressions ranging from shock to amusement. Sean called out, "You good, Kai? Or do we need to get you a healer?"
Kai waved them off. "I'm fine. A little blood never hurt anyone. Besides, I heal fast."
Elara turned on her heel, her movements fluid and controlled. "Next time, use the door," she said firmly, not even sparing him a glance as she walked back inside. "I don't have time to babysit you."
Kai grinned, watching her leave. "Strong-willed and fiery. I like it," he muttered to himself. "This might actually get interesting."
The group inside the inn laughed, the tension breaking as they watched the exchange. Despite her annoyance, Elara's presence left no doubt about her ability to take charge—and no room for Kai's usual antics to throw her off balance.