The city was quiet in the early morning, sunlight brushing against the stone streets. Jin Kael walked deliberately, chest warm with the golden pulse, stronger and steadier than ever before. His fingers flexed instinctively, responding to the rhythm of the system.
Today… it begins, he thought, a subtle thrill rising within him.
---
The guild hall was alive with chatter, hunters preparing for their assignments. Kael's eyes were drawn to a new notice: a Moderate Dungeon—"The Forgotten Depths." Rumors of strange golden energy, unusual monster behavior, and rare sightings of higher-ranked creatures were whispered among E-rank hunters. Most avoided it, calling it "unlucky."
Kael didn't hesitate.
He volunteered quietly and left solo, the pulse in his chest guiding him toward the dungeon's shadowed entrance.
---
The entrance was narrow, almost suffocating. Wooden supports creaked ominously, the smell of damp stone thick in the air. Kael moved carefully, letting the system guide him.
[Dragon Core Skill Active: Dragon Sense Lv.4]
A faint golden shimmer ran along the walls, subtle yet distinct. Kael's awareness sharpened. Every crack, every whisper of movement, every faint vibration in the stone was amplified.
Something is here…
---
Deeper into the dungeon, the creatures were unlike anything Kael had faced before. Small scavengers with golden eyes were present, but their movements were intelligent, coordinated. He observed them silently, using the combination of Observation Lv.5 and Calm Influence Lv.3 to avoid direct conflict.
Then came the growl—a low, resonant sound that shook the stone walls. The golden pulse in Kael's chest flared sharply.
He froze.
From the shadows emerged a massive creature, larger than any S-rank rumors suggested should exist here. Its eyes glimmered gold, veins running along its scaled body, and a faint mist surrounded it. Every instinct screamed danger.
[S-Rank Threat Detected: Extreme Danger]
Kael crouched, letting his awareness expand. The golden warmth pulsed like a heartbeat, guiding him. He could feel the creature's movements before they happened: a slight shift in weight, a faint vibration in the floor, the subtle sway of the mist around it.
---
The creature lunged suddenly, faster than expected. Kael barely sidestepped, feeling the air rush past him. He extended a hand, focusing the warmth in his chest.
[Dragon Core Skill Activated: Calm Influence Lv.4]
The creature paused mid-lunge, its aggression tempered slightly—not enough to stop it entirely, but enough for Kael to move strategically. His mind raced. Observation and calm influence were working together, giving him a chance to survive without direct confrontation.
He pivoted, guiding the creature toward a side passage. Its massive claws scraped the stone as it followed, drawn by the subtle influence of the Dragon Core.
---
Kael ducked into the side corridor, breathing steadily. He could feel his senses sharpened: every crack in the walls, every shifting shadow, every vibration in the floor.
[Dragon Core Passive Triggered: Awareness Expansion Lv.3]
The creature hesitated at the corridor's entrance, sniffing the air, unsure of its path. Kael exhaled quietly. This was the first time he had influenced an S-rank entity—even indirectly. His heart still raced, but his pulse was steady, guided by the Dragon Core.
---
By the time he exited the dungeon, sunlight spilled across the streets. The warmth in his chest lingered, pulsing in rhythm with the adrenaline from the encounter. Kael walked silently, blending in with the crowd. The city seemed ordinary, unaware of the danger he had faced.
This is only the beginning, he thought. I've seen the edge of real power… and I survived.
The golden pulse flickered faintly at the edge of his vision, a quiet reminder that the Dragon Core was awake, guiding him, and ready for the challenges ahead.
Soon… the world will notice me. But first… I must master myself.
---