The rooftop was silent.
Morning sunlight slowly spread across the towering buildings of New York City.
From his position high above the streets, Arata watched the endless flow of people and cars below.
To them, today was just another normal day.
But for Arata…
Everything had changed.
Dark energy slowly moved through his veins like a living current.
Stronger than yesterday.
Sharper.
More responsive.
He raised his hand slightly and focused his mind.
Black mist slowly formed around his fingers.
'The system said my bloodline is still dormant…'
His red eyes narrowed slightly.
'Which means this power isn't even my true strength yet.'
That thought alone made his heart beat faster.
If this was only the beginning…
How strong would he become later?
The system interface suddenly appeared again.
Level: 2Abyss Energy: 14
Skills:
• Shadow Energy• Soul Devour• Demon Sense• Shadow Movement
Arata studied the screen carefully.
But something new caught his attention.
A faint notification blinked at the bottom.
Condition Met
New Ability Available
Demon Aura
Arata raised an eyebrow.
'Another skill already?'
He selected the notification.
A description appeared instantly.
Demon Aura
The presence of the Demon Bloodline begins to awaken.
Nearby beings will feel fear and pressure.
Weak minds may submit instinctively.
A slow smile appeared on Arata's face.
'That sounds useful.'
He stepped toward the edge of the rooftop.
Far below, people walked across the busy street.
He focused his mind.
Dark energy gathered deep inside his chest.
Then—
He released it.
A faint wave of invisible pressure spread outward.
The air around him became heavier.
A dark aura formed around his body like a shadowy flame.
At the street below, several pedestrians suddenly stopped walking.
One man shivered.
Another looked around nervously.
A woman rubbed her arms as if the temperature had suddenly dropped.
None of them understood why.
But their instincts were reacting.
Fear.
Arata watched quietly.
'Interesting… they can feel it even from this distance.'
Suddenly—
His Demon Sense activated again.
Someone else nearby had also noticed the strange pressure.
Across the street, standing on another rooftop…
A familiar red-haired woman lowered her binoculars.
Natasha Romanoff.
Her sharp eyes stared directly at him.
Arata chuckled softly.
'Persistent.'
Natasha spoke quietly into her communication device.
"Target located."
Her gaze never left Arata.
"And Fury was right."
She paused.
"He's definitely not normal."
Back on Arata's rooftop, he stretched his arms slightly.
The Demon Aura slowly faded.
The pressure disappeared.
But Natasha had already seen enough.
She jumped down from the rooftop and disappeared into the city.
Arata watched her leave.
A small smile appeared on his face.
'Looks like SHIELD won't stop watching me anytime soon.'
He looked back at the massive city skyline.
The world was starting to move.
SHIELD.
Thieves like Black Cat.
Future heroes.
Future villains.
But none of them realized something yet.
The real monster had already arrived.
Arata stepped into the shadows.
His body dissolved into darkness once again.
Before disappearing completely, his quiet thought echoed in his mind.
'And this is only the beginning.'