Kaleb stood over the beast he had just defeated, the broken sword piece still clutched tightly in his hand. The creature's body lay still, its fur matted with blood from the fight.
The glowing mark on Kaleb's chest pulsed faintly, a quiet rhythm that matched his breathing. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his body aching from the battle.
The system screen flashed before his eyes, displaying a message:
[Lightning Spark Unlocked.]
Kaleb stared at the words, his mind racing with possibilities.
He clenched his fists, feeling a faint crackle of energy in his hands. Sparks danced along his fingers, tiny and brief, but enough to make him pause.
"This is real," he muttered, his voice filled with wonder. The mark's warmth spread through his chest, steady and strong. The screen displayed new text:
[Abilities Updated. Lightning Spark Available.]
Kaleb tapped on the glowing words, curiosity taking over his exhaustion. The ability description appeared:
[Lightning Spark: A basic burst of electrical energy for ranged attacks. Requires focus and control.]
Kaleb frowned, reading the text carefully. "A ranged attack," he said softly. "That could be useful." The system added another line:
[Test your ability now?]
Kaleb hesitated, his eyes flickering to the trees around him.
The forest was quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint rustling of leaves. Kaleb nodded to himself. "Let's see what this can do."
He focused on the mark, feeling the warmth grow stronger. Sparks crackled in his hands as a faint charge built up in his palms.
Kaleb aimed at a nearby tree, narrowing his eyes. He released the energy with a sharp push, a small bolt of lightning leaping from his hands.
The bolt struck the tree, leaving a faint scorch mark on its bark. Kaleb's eyes widened as a grin spread across his face.
"That... was incredible," he said, his voice filled with excitement. The system flashed again, displaying:
[Ability Functioning at Basic Level.]
Kaleb's excitement faded as exhaustion settled over him. The energy he had felt moments ago was now faint, like a flickering flame.
"I'll need more practice," he muttered, he glanced at the beast's body, his thoughts turning practical.
The creature's claws and fangs might be valuable. Kaleb crouched beside it, pulling out the broken sword piece.
The work was messy and slow, but Kaleb stayed focused. He removed the claws and fangs carefully, placing them into his satchel.
"These should fetch a decent trade," he said quietly, wiping the sword piece clean. He stood, his eyes scanning the forest for any signs of movement.
The road ahead would lead him to the Secret Leaf Village. Kaleb adjusted the strap of his satchel and began walking, his steps steady but cautious.
The forest was dense, the shadows growing longer as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Kaleb's hand stayed close to his knife, his senses sharp.
As he walked, his mind wandered to the Raiden system. It had already proven useful, but its origins still puzzled him.
"Why me?" he wondered aloud, his voice breaking the silence. The mark on his chest pulsed faintly, offering no answers.
The road ahead seemed endless, the dirt path winding through the trees. Kaleb's legs ached, but he pushed forward, determined to reach the village.
Hours passed, and the forest grew darker. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting faint shadows on the ground.
Kaleb's stomach growled, a sharp reminder of how long it had been since his last meal. He stopped near a small clearing, dropping his satchel to the ground.
He pulled out a piece of dried meat, a small ration he had managed to save. The taste was bland, but it filled the emptiness in his stomach.
As he ate, the mark on his chest pulsed again, the screen flashing before him. A new message appeared:
[Task Complete. Prepare for Next Assignment.]
Kaleb frowned, his eyes narrowing at the screen. "Already?" he muttered, swiping the notification away. The system displayed a new objective:
[Reach Secret Leaf Village and gather supplies.]
Kaleb sighed, brushing crumbs from his hands.
"That was already my plan," he said with a faint smirk. "Guess we're on the same page."
He adjusted his satchel and stood, his legs protesting as he started walking again. The thought of reaching the village kept him moving despite the ache in his muscles.
The road became rougher as the trees began to thin. Kaleb could hear faint noises in the distance, the sounds of a small settlement stirring to life.
His heart quickened as he spotted the glow of lanterns ahead. Secret Leaf Village was just within reach.
Kaleb stepped onto the cobblestone path leading into the village, his eyes scanning his surroundings. The air smelled of roasted meat and freshly baked bread.
Lanterns hung from posts, their warm light illuminating the quiet streets. A few villagers moved between shops, their voices low but lively.
Kaleb adjusted the strap of his satchel and headed toward the nearest stall. A butcher stood behind the counter, carving into a large slab of meat.
The man looked up as Kaleb approached, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you need, boy?" he asked, his voice rough but not unkind.
Kaleb unslung his satchel and opened it, revealing the claws and fangs he had collected. "I need food and supplies," he said firmly. "Can you trade?"
The butcher's eyes widened as he examined the items. "These are spirit beast parts," he said, nodding slowly. "They'll fetch a good price."
Kaleb stood tall, his gaze steady. "What can you offer for them?"
The butcher smiled faintly, gesturing to his stall. "Meat, water, and a few tools," he said. "Fair trade?"
Kaleb glanced at the items on display, his mind calculating. After a moment, he nodded. "Fair," he said, setting the satchel on the counter.
The butcher began gathering the supplies, placing them into a small bag. Kaleb watched closely, his hand never straying far from his knife.
As the trade concluded, Kaleb slung the new bag over his shoulder. He nodded to the butcher, his voice quiet but firm. "Thanks."
The butcher waved him off, already turning to his next task. Kaleb stepped back into the street, his eyes scanning the village for a quiet place to rest.
The journey had been long, and Kaleb's body felt the weight of exhaustion. But as he walked through the village, the faint glow of the mark on his chest reminded him of his purpose.
He was no longer the powerless boy the Stormborn Clan had cast out. The storm within him was growing, and for the first time, Kaleb felt ready to embrace it.