Darkness swallowed Kaien whole
The world blurred—walls dissolved into shadows, gravity twisted. He landed hard in a narrow service tunnel, breath catching in his throat. Pipes groaned above. Dripping water echoed like gunshots.
[Passive Skill: Shadow Dive (Prototype) — Cooldown: 12 Hours]
Kaien staggered up, vision adjusting.
"I just teleported through a sniper shot," he muttered, half laughing, half shaking. "What the hell even is this power?"
Before he could breathe, footsteps clattered down the tunnel behind him. Fast. Coordinated.
Shit—they're already here.
A metallic voice barked from behind. "Kaien Vale. You are in possession of forbidden system access. Surrender."
Kaien glanced over his shoulder.
Four figures. Armor-black suits. Glowing red visors.
The Order.
"Yeah, no thanks," Kaien said, cracking his knuckles. "I just bought an upgrade. Let me try it out."
[Skill: Veinburst II – Active]
He launched forward like a bullet, fist colliding with the nearest agent's visor. CRACK. The faceplate exploded in sparks. The agent flew back into the wall, denting steel.
The second raised a pulse-rifle.
Kaien twisted, slid under the shot—grabbed the guy's arm, snapped the elbow backward, and kneed him into unconsciousness.
"Target exhibits Leveling anomalies. Switching to lethal protocol," a third one said.
Two blades extended from her arms—vibrating with energy.
Kaien grinned. "Finally. Someone fun."
She lunged. He dodged—barely. Sparks flew as her blade skimmed his cheek. He responded with a brutal left hook, but she blocked it—then kicked him square in the gut.
[HP: 48%]
Pain exploded through him. He hit the ground, coughed blood, but his smile never faded.
"You hit harder than your boyfriend," he growled.
She lunged again.
This time, Kaien grabbed the blade mid-swing. Blood poured from his palm, but he held it—tight.
"Let's see what this Store's really about," he whispered.
[Open Store]
Currency: Soul Shards – 2
Adrenal Surge – 15 SS
Cloak of Obscurity – 25 SS
Unlabeled Artifact (???) – 50 SS
[Store Response: Insufficient Currency. Emergency Option Available.]
> Purchase: "Instinct Override – One-Time" (Cost: 0 SS)
Warning: Side Effects Unknown.
He clicked it.
[Purchase confirmed.]
Time stopped.
His heart thundered like a war drum. His muscles locked, then erupted. Every strike, every dodge—was guided by something beyond him.
He ducked her next blade, elbowed her throat, grabbed her helmet and slammed her face into the wall. Again. Again.
She crumpled.
Kaien stumbled back, vision warping. Nose bleeding.
[Side Effect Triggered: Neural Instability – Duration: 1 Hour]
"Worth it," he gasped.
Only one agent remained—frozen in fear.
Kaien looked up, eyes glowing purple.
"Tell your bosses," he said, walking forward. "I'm not done leveling."
The agent ran.
Kaien slumped to one knee, laughing through the blood. Somewhere above, thunder rumbled again.
And in the shadows of the city, deep in the heart of the Order's sanctum, a new file opened:
> SUBJECT: KAIEN VALE
CLASSIFICATION: ASCENDER
STATUS: KILL ON SIGHT