The moonlight thickened.
It wasn't just shining—it was reacting to him.
Kazuki stood at the center of the ruined altar, the Moon-Bone Blade embedded in the stone beside him. Lyria watched with trembling eyes as white-blue threads of mana spiraled upward, wrapping around Kazuki like a cocoon.
The system's voice echoed:
[CONFIRM EVOLUTION PATH: MOONBLOOD WARRIOR?]
Kazuki didn't hesitate.
"Begin."
[Evolution Starting…]
The world exploded into light.
THE EVOLUTION RITUAL
His body felt like it was dissolving, rebuilt cell by cell.Muscles tightened.Bones strengthened.Senses burst open like new doors.
He heard everything—
The distant riverThe buzzing of insectsLyria's heartbeatEven the faint footsteps of animals miles away
The moon's glow merged with him, sinking into his veins.
Ding![Moonblood Physique Created]Permanent stat boosts: Speed ↑ Strength ↑ Agility ↑ Night Vision ↑
Ding![Moonlight Affinity Awakened]User can interact with moon-based mana.
Ding![Skill Evolved: Burst Step → Lunar Step]Move with near-silent flashes of pale light.
Kazuki gasped, opening his eyes.
For a moment, his irises glowed silver—reflecting the moon itself.
Lyria stepped toward him, awe softening her expression.
"Kazuki… you look… different."
He looked at his hands—they felt lighter but stronger, packed with lethal energy.
"I feel different."
He picked up his Moon-Bone Blade.
The blade hummed in response.
It recognized him—A new master with a transcendent body.
LYRIA'S TRUTH — THE BLOOD OF THE MOONVEIL
"Kazuki… I need to tell you something. The full truth."
Kazuki sat beside her as she steadied her breath.
"My name is Lyria Moonveil, yes… but that name carries a curse.I am the first princess—and the last descendant of the Moonveil Oracle Bloodline."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed. "Oracle?"
Lyria nodded.
"Our bloodline can prophesize future calamities.And the last prophecy my mother spoke before she died was this…"
She looked at him with pain—and fear.
"A human shadow will either save our world…or destroy it."
Kazuki felt chills course through him.
"That shadow… they think it's me?"
"No," Lyria whispered, shaking her head."They think it's the one connected to my destiny."Her eyes locked on his."You."
Kazuki froze.
Destiny?Him?
Before he could respond—
BOOM.
A shockwave rippled through the forest.
Birds scattered.
Leaves trembled.
Kazuki instinctively pulled Lyria behind him.
"…What was that?"
Lyria's face turned pale.
"That… that mana pressure—It's coming from the capital."
THE ELVEN KINGDOM — WAR COUNCIL
Cut to:
A shining white hall deep in the elven capital.Elven generals, commanders, priests, and nobles gathered in front of a massive crystal orb.
Inside the orb, an image reflected:
Kazuki.
Standing in ruins.Holding a monster-forged blade.Surrounded by defeated elven hunters.
The High Commander slammed his fist.
"This human brat must be eliminated!He's evolving at a monstrous rate!"
Another elder hissed:
"He carries the aura… the aura of the prophecy!"
The Elven Queen rose from her throne.
Her eyes were cold silver—same as Lyria's.
"Deploy the Moonfang Division."
Everyone froze.
"Your Majesty, the Moonfang Division?! That's—"
"The strongest warriors in our kingdom."She raised her hand."A threat connected to prophecy cannot be ignored."
She turned her gaze toward the forest.
"And bring my daughter back…dead or alive."
BACK AT THE RUINS — KAZUKI AWAKENS MAGIC
Kazuki clenched his fists as the distant tremor faded.
The system chimed again.
Ding![Moonlight Affinity Detected][Magic Attribute Awakening Possible]
Kazuki inhaled slowly.
Moonlight gathered in his palm, swirling like liquid silver.
It condensed—thickened—sharpened—
SHIIING!
A blade of pure moonlight shot out of his hand, carving a line through the stone floor.
Lyria stared, speechless.
"You… you already learned spell manifestation?! That takes elves years!"
Kazuki smiled slightly.
"I guess I'm in a hurry."
Ding![New Skill: Moonlight Blade]Create short-range cuts of condensed moon mana.
Ding![New Passive: Silver Pulse]Mana recovery increases at night.
Kazuki clenched his fist.
He felt ready for anything.
But Lyria's next words chilled him:
"Kazuki… I sense them.They're sending stronger soldiers."
Kazuki stepped in front of her, gripping his blade.
"Let them come."
Lyria looked at him, eyes softening with a complicated emotion.
"Why… why do you protect me this much?"
Kazuki answered without hesitation.
"…Because no one protected me when I needed it."His voice was steady, almost cold."I will never let history repeat itself."
Lyria's breath caught.
And somewhere deep in the forest—
Twelve elite warriors cloaked in silver armor began moving.Fast.Silent.Ruthless.
Headed directly for the ruins.
Kazuki's next battle would not be survival—It would be war.
END OF CHAPTER 10