Seth remained there, kneeling on the ground, feeling the energy from the battle start to dissipate from his body. His injuries still burned with every breath, but his mind was focused. He knew he needed to analyze his situation and understand his new strength. With an automatic movement, he opened his status screen once again.
The blue screen appeared before his eyes, and he focused on the information he most wanted to comprehend.
[STATUS]
Name: Seth (Rank-E)
Class: [Unknown]
Level: 7
HP: 125/250
MP: 10/150
Strength: 18 (+3)
Speed: 20 (+4)
Intelligence: 15 (+1)
Resistance: 17 (+2)
Skills: [The End (Rank-SSS)] [Mortal Strike (Rank-E)]
First, he focused on the most recent skill, The End, still trying to comprehend its real impact. What he had experienced during the battle was beyond simply mimicking movements. He had already realized that the skill not only replicated the techniques he observed but absorbed them intrinsically, almost as if it became a part of him.
[The End (Rank-SSS)]
Description: The user can instantly replicate any ability they witness, such as attacks, movements, or physical powers. The imitation occurs the moment they see the ability in use and can replicate it during combat. Currently, all copies are Rank-E. As the user advances, their copies can reach Rank-SSS.
"This is strong... even too strong..." he murmured. "Imagine the problems it could cause copying so many things... good thing there are slots controlling the copies, for now."
He had already experienced his first copy when replicating the Elder Blood Wolf's claw attacks. What intrigued him the most was the fact that, over time, he might not only mimic movements but the full abilities of creatures, should the imitation develop to a higher level. This meant that he could replicate the power of a Rank-SSS over time, a skill that could completely transform his combat style.
Seth smiled to himself. Now, with this, he knew he had a massive weapon at his disposal. The adaptation wouldn't be easy, but if he could use every battle as a learning opportunity, he could become an unstoppable force. He just needed more time.
"This is a blessing..." he murmured.
Next, he turned his attention to the second skill in his arsenal: Mortal Strike, the skill he had already used at the beginning of the battle, before awakening The End. Though it was simpler and of lower power, the ability to focus on attacks with lethal precision was useful and still had its value.
He analyzed his skills more clearly. Mortal Strike would be useful at the start of fights, as a way to prepare the battle or eliminate an enemy in one go. On the other hand, The End represented the key to his future growth. Over time, he could mimic powerful abilities from increasingly stronger creatures and, who knows, even from Rank-SSS. This would quickly reduce the power gap between him and his opponents.
He remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the screen. The exhaustion still weighed on his body, but the determination in his mind had never been stronger. The Elder Blood Wolf had only been the beginning. He knew the next challenges would be harder, but with his new abilities, he was more prepared.
With a sigh, he closed the screen and looked around. There was still so much to learn, but now, he no longer felt fear. He knew his abilities could expand, that he would become stronger. Each battle would bring him closer to the true power he was beginning to touch with the tips of his fingers.
Seth slowly got up, wiping the dried blood from the corner of his mouth and adjusting his weight on his tired legs. The silence that enveloped the forest was almost comforting—until a sound cut through the air, as if something was being torn from the very fabric of reality.
VWOOOOOOMM!
The strange sound, like a vacuum being filled or a tear opening in time, echoed right behind him. Seth instinctively turned, his body still tense, his eyes alert to any threat.
Before him, the space shimmered like liquid glass, until it tore open completely, revealing a pulsating purple portal, surrounded by ethereal flames and floating runes he couldn't comprehend. The edge spun slowly, like a cosmic eye about to devour him.
Then, a new message appeared before his eyes, glowing in golden letters on the blue screen that materialized in front of him:
[You have successfully completed the Dungeon.]
[Remaining time: 02:00 minutes.]
[Completion reward will be delivered upon leaving the Dungeon.]
[Do you wish to leave now? Yes / No]
Seth remained silent for a moment, absorbing what had just happened. He looked at the portal and then at his own fists, still covered in dried blood and dirt. The feeling of victory, mixed with exhaustion, formed a knot in his chest.
"So… this is it," he murmured to himself. "My first Dungeon."
But, as much as his body begged for rest, his mind still buzzed with the adrenaline of the fight. He knew that this was just the beginning. The dungeon had been low rank, yet it had almost killed him. But with The End, everything would change. With the ability to replicate the impossible, he could face stronger monsters, learn from them, and evolve at a pace no one else could keep up with.
He took a deep breath, staring at the floating screen. His finger hovered over the "Yes" option, but not before casting one last glance at the battlefield, where the corpse of the Elder Blood Wolf lay in silence.
"Thank you for being my first test," he whispered softly, a slight smile on his face.
And then, he pressed "Yes."
The purple portal glowed brightly, swallowing Seth in a wave of gravitational energy. His body floated lightly, as if pulled by an invisible force, and then vanished in the glow.
The sensation came before the consciousness.
Warm. Soft. Cushioned.
Seth furrowed his brow, still dizzy from the dimensional transition, as a wave of heat spread through his body. He felt something tight against his chest. Something… absurdly soft. The scent that filled his nostrils was sweet and intense, with a hint of sweat and adrenaline—an unmistakable aroma of someone who had just fought.
His eyes slowly opened.
The ceiling was made of carved stone, with modern chandeliers and floating enchantments in golden runes. A resting room? Or perhaps a luxurious infirmary? But that took a backseat when he realized the true focus of the moment.
A woman was clinging to him.
Sleeping.
And not just any woman.
Connie Parker.
The Rank-S Hunter was pressed against him like a human pillow, her leg entwined with his, her face buried in his bare chest, and her right arm wrapped around his waist with explicit possessiveness.
Seth froze.
His brain took three full seconds to process the situation. The heat was coming from her body — and what a body. Curves sculpted by gods of art and skin that seemed kissed by the sun. Her dark hair cascaded over the white sheets, and her slightly parted lips exhaled a tranquility almost childlike, a stark contrast to her ruthless assassin reputation.
But the worst—or the best—was how her breasts were... pressed against him. That was definitely unfair.
"Was it a dream?" he murmured, not knowing whether he wanted to move or never leave this place. His strength had been restored, and there were no more wounds on his body... was all of this just... a dream?
Connie murmured something sleepily and snuggled even closer, pulling him as if he were a teddy bear.
"Hmm... What a nice cock..." she whispered in her sleep. Her low, intimate voice made Seth freeze for a moment.
"She really enjoyed our night..." he thought.
"This is surreal..." he muttered, more to himself than out of indignation. One part of him screamed to push her away and figure out what was going on. The other... well... was very interested in continuing to breathe in her scent and absorb the warmth from the body of that beautiful woman.
"Hmmm," she murmured, turning her face.
"I'm an idiot," Seth thought. "And she's going to kill me later."
But for now, he was content to be alive and pain-free.
"Hmmm..." She murmured, turning her face.
Seth swallowed hard, trying to move his arm cautiously. But when he did, Connie stirred, opened one lazy eye... and smiled.
A slow, charming smile, but filled with something extremely dangerous.
"Awake, huh?" she murmured, her voice rough and lazy, like someone just waking up. "Seems like you went through that too..."
"That?" he furrowed his brow, confused.
"The second awakening..." she said, her eyes scanning his body with an attentive gaze. "It's all over the news."
She lazily stretched her arm, cat-like, to the nightstand, grabbing her phone. She unlocked the screen with a fluid gesture, and the cold light illuminated her face as she opened a live broadcast.
The headline blinked in red: [Breaking News! Several people have awakened as hunters after having dreams! Reports are coming in from all over the world: Russia, China, the United States, Korea, Japan! A mass double awakening! Something like this has never happened!]
Seth's eyes widened, trying to absorb the information.
"How do you know that—" he began to ask, but his words died when she placed a delicate finger over his lips.
"Do you really think I wouldn't notice?" she said softly, with a half-smile on her lips. "Your magical energy changed so much overnight it felt like a contained explosion. You were... different."
She leaned in closer, and for a moment, their noses almost touched. Her gaze held him, hypnotic, intense, as though she could see beyond his skin, beyond his soul.
"Your body is stronger. Your muscles are more defined, your presence... denser. Wilder." She bit her lower lip slightly, as if fighting an impulse.
"Is this... real, then? A second awakening?" he whispered, feeling the warmth of her breath caress his skin like a hot breeze.
"Who knows?" she teased with a mischievous smile, her eyes gleaming with contained malice. "You'd have to go to the Hunter Association and request a new evaluation."
Her voice came out almost lazily, but laden with intentions. Before he could respond, she moved with the natural grace of a feline predator, climbing over him with dangerous elegance. Her thighs wrapped around him like a warm, firm embrace, and she settled herself on his lap, staring at him with that golden gaze that seemed to strip away his very soul.
"But, honestly..." she murmured, tracing imaginary lines on his chest with the tip of her finger, slow and seductively. "I'm much more curious..."
She slid her finger down to his stomach, feeling the more defined muscles, as though she were evaluating them for herself.
"…to know how your stamina is now."
A smile played on her lips, both provocative and hungry. He then realized she was completely naked, and something was pressing against the tip of his lower friend... something very wet.
"For someone who said her husband never touched her... you have a fire that's hard to extinguish." Seth murmured, as his hands positioned themselves on her thighs. "Are you going to pretend you don't like it?" She said, moving closer to kiss him...
Before any bolder movements could take place, a brutal crash cut through the silence—the bedroom door was torn off with absurd force, the hinges flying and the wood shattering against the wall.
Seth instinctively tensed, his heart leaping in his chest. Connie, still on his lap, showed not a hint of surprise. She merely sighed... as if she had been expecting it.
At the entrance, standing like a shadow tortured by pain, was Esthair. His body was unrecognizable. He could barely stand, his body dripping blood, his skin charred as though struck by an intensely brutal lightning bolt. His hair was singed, and his left arm was nothing but a mess of flesh and bone, completely destroyed. The air around him seemed to vibrate with intense pain, almost physical, as though the very environment felt the torture he was living through.
Esthair, with difficulty, lifted his eyes, which burned with fury, but the pain was obvious. His feet were soaked in blood, and he didn't seem able to make even the smallest effort to move, his muscles trembling in a constant battle to not collapse.
"Esthair, I see you survived the fury of my lightning," Connie murmured, quickly covering her breasts with her hand as she turned, still sitting on Seth's lap, and fortunately the blanket covered her butt. She looked calm, watching him with a look of disdain, as though he were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"Connie…" Esthair's voice came out low, grave, like thunder before the storm, but there was an obvious fragility there, a sense that his resistance was wearing thin with each breath. "You... messing with me?"
Connie raised an eyebrow lazily, still perched on top of him as if nothing had happened. "What's wrong? I thought you liked whores... Why don't you go love them? Oh... did they all die and only the failure survived?" Connie teased, a superior smile on her lips.
"You bitch... you tried to kill me and still slept with the driver?" Esthair growled, his voice faltering as blood continued to pour from his mutilated body.
Connie let out a low, mocking chuckle and tilted her head to the side, staring at Esthair like she was watching a child throwing a tantrum.
"Tried to kill you? Please, you're alive, aren't you?" she asked calmly, adjusting herself more comfortably on Seth. "If I really wanted you dead, you wouldn't be standing there playing the betrayed man... You'd be floating in the sea... or did you think I didn't know you'd survive?"
Esthair took another step forward, his jaw clenched, his eyes vibrating with rage, almost about to snap. The air around them seemed to distort, the pressure building, like a storm on the brink of exploding. Seth felt the weight of Connie's power in the air, a tingling on his skin, the mana saturating the atmosphere with an almost unbearable density.
"Slept with the driver?" Connie continued, a mischievous smile on her lips. "You think his job matters to me? What matters is that he sees me, touches me as if I'm made of something precious... He's not disgusting like you," she said, her smile widening as lightning began to shoot from her back, dancing around her as if it were just waiting to strike.
"How about this... you sign the divorce papers at the table before I really kill you?"
Esthair tried to move, his eyes narrowing with rage, but his whole body seemed to give way. He still didn't know how he had survived Connie's devastating lightning strike. The energy had been so intense, so overwhelming, that he was convinced he would die. But whatever strength was left in him—perhaps only the pure instinct for survival—had made the impossible possible.
His body had withstood the impact, but at the cost of his integrity. He wasn't whole anymore. He didn't even know how he was still standing.
"Divorce? Your parents..." Esthair tried to continue, but Connie intensified the lightning, her hand raising while the other still held her breasts, her muscles tense with electric tension. The electric current reached the table and, with a nearly sadistic motion, grabbed the paper and threw it in his direction.
"My parents died a year ago. Don't you remember? Oh yes... it was the week your reputation was in the gutter... what a shame," she murmured, her expression cold.
"Sign it before I really kill you," she said, and this time, her voice was much more serious. She turned to Seth, a soft smile on her lips. "After all, I have a good man to be my husband."