Kael's mind kept circling back to the stat that troubled him most: Bloodline Potential (BP). He had little understanding of it, beyond the fact that it was currently marked at 0%. This was a stat that seemed to hold the key to something much greater—something that could possibly explain the Abyssal Affinity he carried within him.
The system had told him little, only that BP measured the strength and latent power of one's bloodline, and for Kael, it was absent. No lineage of significant power seemed to flow in his veins, at least not one that the system could detect. He had heard whispers of what it could mean—an empty BP meant he was either a child of no notable ancestry or that his bloodline potential had yet to be awakened.
But Kael had a feeling, a deep intuition that something was there, something hidden beneath the surface, waiting to emerge. He didn't believe for a second that his lineage was as mundane as the system suggested. The Abyssal Affinity was no random occurrence, after all. If anything, it suggested a deeper connection to a darker, older power than he was prepared to understand.
He frowned, looking down at his hands, as if they might somehow reveal the truth. But the longer he stared, the more he realized the weight of his thoughts wasn't going to lead to answers. Only actions could do that.
The whisper of wind through the elder tree's leaves broke his reverie, and Kael's gaze shifted once more to the horizon. The far-off mountains loomed, their jagged peaks a constant reminder of the challenges ahead. But even as he stood, contemplating his next step, the weight of the elder's words returned.
"Every choice we make... shapes us," the elder had said. Kael didn't need to understand everything right now. The path ahead would reveal itself, step by step, if he was willing to walk it.
As he made his way toward the riverbank, Kael could hear the sounds of combat—grunts and the clash of steel against steel. He had been given a glimpse into what lay beyond the sanctuary of the elder tree, but here, on the battlefield of training, things were more concrete. Here, he could feel the difference between strength and intellect, between the power of muscle and the quiet wisdom of understanding.
As Kael approached the clearing by the river, the sight of sparring initiates reminded him of his own struggle. Mareth was there, engaged in a duel with another initiate. His movements were fluid, his strikes fast and precise, a clear testament to his strength. His physical stats were off the charts compared to Kael's, and there was no denying the raw power in his blows. But Kael wondered: Could Mareth face the Abyss? Could his arrogance and lack of self-reflection withstand the lure of that power?
Kael stood at the edge of the clearing, watching for a moment. It was clear that Mareth was a skilled fighter, but something about the way he approached combat felt... incomplete. He fought as if strength was the only measure of success, ignoring the delicate balance between ambition and destruction that the elder had spoken of.
"Kael! You're finally here!" Mareth called out, his voice taunting. He had seen Kael's arrival, and his smirk returned. "You should join the sparring. Maybe you'll learn something."
Kael shook his head slowly. "I'm not here to prove anything to you, Mareth."
Mareth raised an eyebrow. "Prove? No, Kael, it's about survival. Power, strength—that's what matters. You'll see soon enough. The world isn't kind to the weak."
A small, knowing smile tugged at Kael's lips. "And what if strength is nothing without purpose?"
Mareth faltered, but only for a second, before launching himself back into the duel with renewed vigor. Kael turned away, choosing to leave the battlefield behind for the moment. He had no need to prove himself through physical prowess. It was the spiritual and mental battles that lay ahead that would shape him into something more.
As Kael walked away from the riverbank, he heard Mareth's voice growing faint. His mind turned inward again, thoughts swirling around his growing unease. What if the Scared Realm wasn't a mere trial of combat but a test of character, a trial of choices?
He returned to the small clearing beneath the elder tree. He could almost feel the ancient being watching over him, offering a moment of peace, a safe harbor from the growing storm within.
Again, Kael accessed his system interface, his eyes scanning the familiar stats:
Vital Stats:
Health (HP): 100%
Mana (MP): 15
Stamina (SP): 20
Combat Stats:
Strength (STR): 12
Agility (AGI): 14
Intelligence (INT): 15
Special Stats:
Abyssal Affinity (AA): 5
Bloodline Potential (BP): 0%
Corruption Level (CL): 1%
Kael lingered on his Bloodline Potential (BP). At 0%, it was a reflection of his unremarkable heritage—or so the system claimed. But what if there was more to it? What if his bloodline was dormant, a latent power waiting to be awakened? The Abyssal Affinity might just be the first spark, the flicker of something greater. It could be that his connection to the Abyss was not a curse, but an untapped power.
His gaze moved to Corruption Level (CL). At 1%, it was a small number, but Kael knew better than to underestimate it. With every use of Abyssal energy, the Corruption Level would rise, nudging him closer to a point of no return. That was the danger of wielding such power: it came at a cost, and that cost was not just physical. The very fabric of who he was would begin to fray.
Kael closed his eyes, reflecting on his purpose. The path before him was uncertain, but the elder had given him the tools to choose. In the end, it was his decisions that would shape the world—and himself.
With a final glance at the tree, Kael turned back toward the distant mountains. His journey had only just begun. There was a place beyond the Scared Realm where truth awaited, and the Abyss was calling. Whether he would answer was up to him.
The world held its breath. Kael's destiny was unfolding, one choice at a time