Kade moved through the dense forest, the scent of damp earth and wild grass filling his lungs. He was free, yet the weight of uncertainty pressed down on him like an iron chain. His mind replayed the events of the last few hours—the sacrifice, the dagger plunging into his heart, the strange realm of dragons, and the voice that had claimed him.
He clenched his fists. His body felt stronger, his senses sharper. He wasn't the same person who had been dragged to the altar in chains. Something had awakened within him.
And he needed to understand what it was.
The world was divided not just by kingdoms and rulers but by power. Strength determined one's place in society, and those without it were nothing more than pawns. The greatest forces in the world were not just kings and emperors but the titanic creatures that emerged from the Gates of Desolation—monsters, beasts, and eldritch horrors capable of annihilating entire civilizations.
These gates were the true source of chaos. Some were small, releasing lesser creatures, while others tore open the very fabric of reality, unleashing titans that rivaled the gods.
Kade knew little about them. Slaves weren't taught history, only obedience. But if he wanted to survive, he had to learn—about the world, about himself, and about the power now coursing through his veins.
Kade crouched and pressed a hand against his chest. There was no wound. No scar. Only a dull warmth that pulsed beneath his skin, like embers waiting to ignite.
What did they do to me?
He exhaled and focused. He needed to know the limits of his abilities. He picked up a nearby rock and squeezed—expecting resistance—but instead, it shattered in his grip, dust crumbling between his fingers.
His eyes widened. That wasn't normal.
He turned to a tree nearby and swung his fist at its trunk—not with all his strength, just enough to test his power. The impact sent a deep crack through the bark, and the tree groaned as if about to collapse.
His strength had multiplied.
Next, he crouched and leaped into the air. His body moved faster than expected, and he soared several meters before landing smoothly on a thick tree branch. Agility and speed too?
His breathing was steady. His muscles didn't burn with exhaustion. In fact, he felt lighter—stronger.
His mind flashed back to the voice that had spoken to him:
"You are ours now."
The dragons.
He hadn't just been revived. He had changed.
---
If he was stronger now, where did he stand in the world's ranking system?
The world's warriors and mages were divided into six ranks:
1. Mortal Rank – Ordinary people with no power.
2. Awakened Rank – Those who discovered their latent abilities.
3. Elite Rank – Trained warriors, mages, and knights.
4. Champion Rank – Those capable of closing Great Gates.
5. Overlord Rank – Warriors stronger than entire armies.
6. Legend Rank – Beings who could reshape the world.
Before, he had been nothing. A mere Mortal. But now?
He had no formal training, but his strength was far beyond that of a normal human. At the very least, he had reached Elite Rank. Possibly even Champion Rank. But he lacked control. Power meant nothing without mastery.
He needed training.
---
Kade scanned the forest. His tattered slave robes wouldn't protect him from the cold nights, and he had no food. If he wanted to survive, he had to gather supplies.
First, he needed a weapon. He had awoken with a dagger in his hand—a strange, curved blade marked with glowing runes. He studied it now, turning it in his grip.
It felt… familiar.
When he focused, the blade responded to him, a faint pulse of energy running through its surface. It wasn't an ordinary weapon.
He recalled the stories of Legendary Artifacts—weapons and relics left behind by ancient beings, each holding unique power. Could this be one of them?
He sheathed the dagger and moved toward a clearing where a wild river cut through the land. He needed water, but more importantly—food.
A rustling in the bushes caught his attention. His senses flared. He turned sharply, eyes narrowing. Something was watching him.
Then, it lunged.
---
First Hunt
The beast moved fast, its black fur blending into the shadows of the trees. It was a Drake Hound, a wolf-like predator with dragon ancestry. Its crimson eyes burned with hunger as it bared its fangs.
Kade dodged its attack effortlessly, his new agility allowing him to sidestep the beast's claws. He had never fought before—never had the strength to—but now, his body reacted on instinct.
The hound snarled and lunged again. Kade moved, raising his dagger in a swift arc. The moment the blade touched the beast's flesh, a sharp light pulsed from the runes. The hound yelped, its body seizing as energy surged through it.
In an instant, it collapsed.
Kade stepped back, breathing heavily. The battle had lasted mere seconds, but he felt no fatigue.
He looked down at the dagger.
This wasn't just a weapon. It was something alive.
---
Understanding the World's Threats
Kade knew that if a lone Drake Hound was hunting this area, stronger creatures lurked deeper in the wilderness.
From what little he knew, the world was plagued by three major threats:
1. Beasts – Creatures born from nature, powerful but bound by instinct.
2. Monsters – Corrupted beings, mutated by dark forces.
3. Titans – The ultimate destroyers, capable of erasing entire cities.
And then there were the Gates of Desolation—portals through which the most dangerous beings entered the world.
He needed to avoid those for now.
Instead, he focused on immediate survival. He skinned the hound, using its pelt to fashion a crude cloak. It wasn't much, but it would keep him warm.
After collecting enough supplies, he started walking.
He had no destination. No allies. No home.
But he had a purpose.
The empire had tried to sacrifice him to the last dragon.
Now, he had become something greater than they could ever imagine.
And soon, they would know it.
---
Kade followed the river, heading toward the nearest city. He needed knowledge—about the Gates, about the dragons, about the power within him.
He didn't know what awaited him beyond the forest.
But he was no longer a slave.
He was something more.
And the world would soon learn the truth.