Morning – The Edge of the Shadowveil Forest
Kai stood at the entrance of the Shadowveil Forest, an ancient, sprawling woodland filled with towering trees, dense undergrowth, and an unsettling mist that clung to the ground like ghostly tendrils.
The forest stretched for miles, acting as a natural barrier between Astralis and the northern ruins.
Hunters often avoided it—not because of Abyssal Entities, but because of Natural Monsters.
Unlike Abyssals, which were mindless horrors from the rifts, Natural Monsters were creatures of instinct and survival. They had lived in this world far longer than humans had wielded supernatural powers, and they knew how to hunt, kill, and adapt.
And Kai was about to walk right into their territory.
He took a deep breath, adjusting his cloak. The cold morning air felt fresh, and the golden light of dawn barely managed to pierce through the dense canopy above.
Then—his stomach growled.
Kai froze.
Then sighed.
"Ah… shit. I forgot about food."
---
The Hunt for Survival
Kai hadn't eaten since yesterday. His regeneration was working overtime after the fight with the assassins, burning through his energy reserves faster than usual.
If I don't eat, my recovery will slow down.
And that wasn't an option.
He glanced at the forest.
The Shadowveil was filled with Natural Monsters—which meant food.
Time to hunt.
Kai activated his Duskrender Instincts, his enhanced senses expanding outward.
The moment he did, he felt them.
Creatures lurking in the shadows, hidden in the undergrowth, moving silently through the trees.
Predators.
And Kai had just become another hunter in their domain.
---
The Wild Beasts of Shadowveil
Kai moved through the forest cautiously, keeping his Devourer Blade close.
Within minutes, he spotted his first target.
---
1st Encounter: A Razorfang Boar
✔ Large, heavily muscled beast with curved tusks as sharp as blades.
✔ Highly aggressive, known for ramming enemies with terrifying force.
✔ Tough hide makes it difficult to cut.
Kai didn't waste time.
The boar charged the moment it sensed him, a living battering ram of muscle and fury.
Kai sidestepped at the last moment, driving his blade into its neck. The Devourer Blade pulsed, feeding instantly as it tore through the beast's flesh.
The boar let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing.
Kai crouched over its corpse, activating Gluttony.
The system responded instantly.
[Absorbing Essence…]
[Trait Acquired: Ironhide (Passive)]
(Skin density increased. Moderate resistance to slashing and piercing damage.)
Kai smirked.
"Not bad. This'll help in close combat."
One kill. One step stronger.
But the hunt wasn't over.
---
2nd Encounter: A Shadowstalker Panther
✔ Stealth-based predator with fur that blends into the shadows.
✔ Known for using high-speed ambush attacks.
✔ Extremely agile—hard to hit.
The moment Kai sensed it, it was already too late.
The Shadowstalker Panther struck from above, dropping from a tree branch with claws extended.
Kai barely dodged, feeling the rush of air as its claws tore through his cloak.
Fast.
He rolled backward, gripping his blade tightly. The panther vanished into the undergrowth, its camouflage blending perfectly with the darkness.
This thing is going to be a problem.
Then—his Wrath Sin flared.
A new instinct whispered in his mind.
"Let it hit you."
Kai exhaled slowly.
Then, instead of dodging—he stood his ground.
The panther lunged from the shadows, jaws wide—and sank its fangs into his shoulder.
Pain flared. And Wrath responded.
Kai's strength surged, his movements becoming sharper, faster.
With a savage grin, he grabbed the panther by the throat before it could retreat.
"Got you."
Then—he sank his blade into its skull.
The beast shuddered, then fell limp.
The system responded instantly.
[Absorbing Essence…]
[Trait Acquired: Shadowmeld (Active)]
(Allows user to temporarily blend into darkness, reducing visibility.)
Kai flexed his fingers.
A stealth ability?
His smirk widened.
"This just keeps getting better."
---
3rd Encounter: A Venomfang Serpent
✔ Highly poisonous snake with fangs that inject paralytic venom.
✔ Fast-striking, ambush-style predator.
✔ Can constrict prey with extreme strength.
Kai found it coiled around a tree branch, its golden eyes locked onto him.
It struck in a blur of motion, its fangs aimed straight for his throat.
Too fast to dodge.
So he didn't.
Kai activated his newly acquired Ironhide.
The fangs sank into his arm—but they didn't go deep enough to deal real damage.
Before the snake could react, he grabbed it by the neck and bit into it.
Yes. He bit first.
The system flared.
[Absorbing Essence…]
[Trait Acquired: Venom Immunity (Passive)]
(Immune to basic toxins and poisons.)
[Trait Acquired: Fang Strike (Active)]
(Allows user to inject Abyssal-corrupted venom into a target.)
Kai spat out the flesh, grinning.
Poison immunity? Venom attacks?
He was turning into something truly inhuman.
---
The Sinbound Evolution – Gluttony's Growth
As Kai sat against a tree, digesting his meal, the system flared again.
[Sinbound Progress – Gluttony: 20% → 35%]
Then—a new message appeared.
[Devourer Blade has absorbed sufficient essence. Evolution Available.]
Kai's eyes widened.
The sword shuddered in his grip, its dark metal rippling like a living thing.
Then, it shifted.
The blade grew serrated edges, its structure reinforcing itself with an unnatural gleam.
The system spoke once more.
[Devourer Blade Upgraded → Predation Fang]
(Now capable of consuming enchanted objects, energy-rich materials, and elemental cores.)
Kai exhaled slowly.
So now, his blade could devour more than just flesh.
He ran his fingers along its edge, feeling the raw hunger emanating from it.
His path was clear.
The more he fed it, the stronger it would become.
Just like him.
---
A Stronger Hunter Walks Forward
Kai finally stood, rolling his shoulders.
His body felt lighter, faster, tougher.
Every monster he had devoured had given him a piece of its strength, its survival instincts.
He checked his new abilities.
---
New Abilities Acquired:
✔ Ironhide (Passive) – Increased resistance to slashing and piercing attacks.
✔ Shadowmeld (Active) – Temporary invisibility in darkness.
✔ Venom Immunity (Passive) – No longer affected by natural poisons.
✔ Fang Strike (Active) – Can inject venom into targets.
Weapon Evolution:
✔ Devourer Blade → Predation Fang – Can now consume enchanted objects & elemental cores.
---
Kai smirked.
The Shadowveil Forest had given him exactly what he needed.
Stronger. Faster. Tougher.
And this was only the beginning.
With renewed purpose, he stepped deeper into the forest.
Ebonreach was waiting.
And so was his next prey.
---
To Be Continued…