Kael's boots scuffed against the broken stone as he walked through the outskirts of the slums. The buildings here were little more than jagged ruins, their edges sharp and crumbling like the lives of those who once called them home.
Every step closer to the Apex Beast's territory made the air feel heavier. The sharp, metallic tang of blood mixed with the smell of decay, setting Kael's teeth on edge. His grip on the rusted pipe in his hand tightened, but it didn't make him feel any safer.
He wasn't supposed to survive this.
Even now, fragments of overheard conversations flickered in his mind—snippets of the power rankings that everyone in the slums seemed to know, even if Kael himself had never paid much attention to them.
"You hear about that mercenary? Took out a C-Rank beast solo."
"Solo? They must've been C-Rank (Peak) themselves, at least."
"Yeah, anything less, and they wouldn't have stood a chance. Even a C-Rank (Low) beast could rip through a group of D-Ranks like paper."
Kael shook his head, brushing the memory aside. He'd never thought those rankings mattered to him. What was the point? He wasn't even F-Rank (High). Broken Stars like him didn't ascend, didn't gain strength, didn't even get a chance to dream.
But now, as he approached the clearing littered with bones and shredded remains, the weight of those conversations hit him differently.
The system's cold, mechanical voice broke the silence.
[Quest Objective Active: Defeat the Apex Beast.]
[Classification: C-Rank (Low). Caution advised.]
Kael swallowed hard, his stomach twisting.
The rankings were supposed to represent the balance of power in the world. Humans and beasts both used essence to climb those ranks, but beasts always had the edge in raw physicality. A beast classified as C-Rank (Low) was a nightmare—strong enough to destroy buildings, fast enough to dodge most attacks, and intelligent enough to exploit weaknesses.
For someone to face a C-Rank beast on equal footing, they'd need to be C-Rank (Peak) themselves, a level where humans began mastering essence techniques like defensive barriers or ranged attacks to offset the beasts' overwhelming strength.
Anyone weaker? They didn't survive.
Kael tightened his grip on the pipe, his palms sweaty. He wasn't just weaker—he was so far below the beast it wasn't even funny. F-Rank versus C-Rank wasn't a fight. It was suicide.
His thoughts froze as a low, guttural growl echoed through the clearing. Slowly, Kael turned his head toward the sound, his heart pounding.
It was there.
The Apex Beast.
The creature stood at the far edge of the clearing, partially obscured by the shadows of the ruins. Even at a distance, its size was staggering. Its fur, black streaked with silvery lines, shimmered faintly under the pale moonlight. Its claws clicked against the stone as it stepped forward, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Kael.
The beast growled again, and Kael felt the sound reverberate through his chest.
"I can't do this," he whispered, his voice trembling. His knees felt weak, and every instinct screamed at him to turn and run.
But the system had other plans.
[Activate Ability: Soul Fragment Extraction? Y/N]
The words floated in his vision, stark and unmoving. Kael's breath hitched. He didn't understand what the ability fully did, but it had saved him once already. If he was going to survive this, he had no choice.
"Yes," he said, his voice shaking.
The moment the word left his lips, a surge of heat flooded his body. Golden light burst from his chest, illuminating the clearing in rippling waves. Kael staggered, his vision blurring as a torrent of memories rushed into his mind.
A battlefield. Blood-soaked earth. A lone warrior surrounded by enemies, his blade flashing in deadly arcs as he cut them down. Kael could feel the weight of the sword in his hands, the tension in his muscles, the rhythm of battle.
The memory faded, but the knowledge stayed.
Kael's hands moved instinctively, adjusting his grip on the pipe. His stance shifted, his body lowering into a defensive position. It wasn't perfect—it wasn't even his own—but it felt right.
The beast snarled and lunged, its massive claws slicing through the air. Kael rolled to the side, just as the creature's claws tore into the ground where he'd been standing.
The impact cracked the stone, sending dust and debris flying. Kael coughed, but he didn't stop moving. He swung the pipe, aiming for the beast's flank. The rusted metal struck with a dull thud, and though it didn't pierce the thick hide, the force made the creature stagger.
The beast turned, its glowing eyes narrowing. It roared, a deafening sound that rattled Kael's bones, before charging again.
Kael gritted his teeth. The warrior's memory burned in his mind, guiding his movements. He ducked low, driving the pipe into the beast's leg. This time, he hit a joint, and the creature snarled in pain.
It swiped at him with its claws, but Kael rolled backward, the attack missing him by inches. His chest heaved, his arms trembling from the effort.
The Apex Beast was hurt, but it wasn't down. Its eyes burned brighter, and its growls grew deeper.
Kael wiped sweat from his brow, his grip tightening on the pipe. "Come on, then," he muttered, his voice steady despite the fear knotting his stomach. "Let's finish this."
The beast roared again, its claws digging into the stone as it prepared to lunge. Kael raised the pipe, his muscles screaming in protest, and braced himself for the next strike.
And as the creature charged, one thought anchored him:
He wasn't supposed to win. But he wasn't going to die without trying.