The mission was assigned without ceremony.
No gathering.
No announcement.
Just a single instruction delivered at dawn.
"Unit Nine—outer boundary. Disturbance reported."
That was all.
Zarek stood with the others at the edge of the Inner Court, the early morning air sharp and cold. No one asked questions.
Because in the Inner Court—
Orders were not discussed.
They were followed.
Kael stepped forward first.
"…We move now."
No hesitation.
The group moved as one.
The outer boundary of the sect was quieter than usual.
Too quiet.
The forest stretched endlessly ahead, shadows clinging tightly between the trees.
Zarek felt it immediately.
Not the same as before.
But familiar.
Tension.
"…We're not alone," Mira said softly, her tone losing its usual playfulness.
Rogan cracked his knuckles slightly.
"…Good."
Kael raised a hand.
They stopped.
"…Positions," he said.
No one argued.
They spread out naturally, forming a loose but controlled formation.
Zarek remained near the center.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then—
They appeared.
Figures stepped out from the trees ahead, their robes different—darker, marked with unfamiliar symbols.
Another sect.
Their leader stepped forward, his expression calm but sharp.
"…Inner Court disciples," he said.
A faint smile followed.
"…You've come far from your territory."
Kael didn't respond immediately.
"…This is sect land," he said finally.
"…You're trespassing."
The man chuckled.
"…Or reclaiming."
The air tightened instantly.
Rogan stepped forward.
"…Say that again."
Kael didn't stop him this time.
Because this—
Was no longer negotiation.
The opposing disciples spread out slightly.
Their auras flared.
Controlled.
Prepared.
Zarek watched silently.
Measuring.
They were strong.
Not weaker than Unit Nine.
Equal.
"…We don't have time for this," Mira muttered.
"…Then move them," Rogan replied.
The first clash came without warning.
Steel met energy.
Force collided with force.
The forest shook under the impact.
Zarek didn't move immediately.
He observed.
Kael engaged their leader.
Mira moved unpredictably, striking and retreating.
Rogan—
Met strength with strength.
But something was wrong.
The coordination—
Was off.
"…Too aggressive," Zarek thought.
Rogan pushed too far forward.
Mira moved independently.
The formation—
Was breaking.
"…Fall back," Kael called.
But it was too late.
One of the opposing disciples slipped through the gap—
And struck.
Rogan blocked—
But staggered.
Another attack followed.
Then another.
"…They're targeting weaknesses," Zarek realized.
Not stronger.
Smarter.
The fight shifted.
Unit Nine—
Was losing control.
"…Damn it," Mira hissed as she barely avoided a strike.
Rogan growled, forcing his way forward again.
"…I'll break them!"
"That's exactly what they want," Kael snapped.
But the damage was already done.
The formation collapsed further.
Zarek stepped forward.
Enough.
The system pulsed.
[Combat Analysis Complete]
[Optimal Resolution: Intervention Required]
The presence inside him stirred.
Not quietly.
Not patiently.
Hungry.
Zarek exhaled slowly.
"…Just this once."
Then—
He moved.
Faster than before.
Not reckless.
Precise.
He entered the battlefield like a shadow—
Silent.
Unnoticed—
Until it was too late.
The first enemy turned—
Zarek's hand was already there.
A single strike.
Clean.
The man dropped instantly.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
The battlefield paused.
Just for a moment.
"…What—"
Zarek didn't stop.
The second opponent attacked—
Zarek stepped inside the strike—
And ended it.
Faster.
Colder.
More efficient.
The system surged.
[Devour Activated]
Energy flowed.
Not wildly.
But forcefully.
The presence inside him—
Responded.
Eager.
Zarek didn't resist it this time.
Not fully.
The third opponent tried to retreat—
Too late.
Zarek caught him.
And this time—
He didn't hold back.
The energy surged violently—
Not outward—
But inward.
The man's scream cut through the forest—
Then stopped.
Silence followed.
Complete.
The remaining enemies froze.
Because what they saw—
Was no longer a fight.
It was something else.
Something—
Unnatural.
Zarek stood at the center.
Still.
Calm.
But surrounded by the aftermath.
His eyes—
Dark.
Too dark.
"…Monster…" one of them whispered.
The word spread.
Not loudly.
But enough.
Even within Unit Nine—
No one moved.
Mira stared.
Silent.
Rogan—
Didn't speak.
Kael's expression—
Hardened.
Because this—
Was not part of the plan.
Zarek looked at them.
At his team.
Then—
At what remained of the enemy.
The presence inside him whispered softly.
More.
Zarek closed his eyes briefly.
Then—
He stepped back.
The energy faded.
Slowly.
But the silence—
Remained.
Because now—
Everyone understood.
The enemy.
And his own team.
Zarek wasn't just strong.
He was something—
They could not control.