The road ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—Kael could no longer ignore the strange power awakening inside him.

He and Elira had fled their burning village, their only home now reduced to ash and ruin. They walked through the dense forest in silence, the air thick with tension. Kael could still feel the power from the battle—like an ember smoldering within him, waiting to ignite. He had defeated an enemy with ease, as if his body had known how to fight, even though he had never trained a day in his life.

But what unsettled him the most was the moment he had absorbed a skill.

It wasn't just strength. It was something deeper. Something mysterious.

Elira walked beside him, her dagger clutched tightly in her hand. She hadn't spoken much since they left Fennor, but Kael could see the unease in her eyes. She had seen what he had done. And she knew it wasn't normal.

Finally, she broke the silence. "Kael… what happened back there? When you fought?"

Kael hesitated. He didn't know how to explain it. "I don't know. It was like… something took over. My body moved on its own."

Elira frowned. "And the way you hit that soldier… it wasn't just luck, was it?"

Kael exhaled slowly. "No. I think I took something from him."

Elira's steps faltered. "Took something?"

Kael nodded. "When I landed the final blow, I felt something enter me. And then, suddenly, I knew how to fight with a weapon. As if the knowledge just… appeared in my mind."

Elira stared at him, processing his words. "…That's not normal, Kael."

"I know."

A heavy silence followed.

They continued walking, but Kael's mind was racing. This ability—whatever it was—could be the key to survival. But it also raised questions. Why did he have it? Where did it come from?

And most importantly… was he the only one?

--

The First System Message

As the two of them passed through the thick underbrush, Kael suddenly felt something shift inside him.

A sharp pain shot through his skull, making him stumble.

"Kael?" Elira turned to him, concern flashing in her eyes.

But Kael barely heard her. His vision blurred, and suddenly—

[System Awakening…]

[Analyzing User…]

Kael gasped as words appeared before his eyes, glowing faintly in the air.

It was like something deep within him had just awakened, and now it was finally speaking to him.

[System Initialized.]

[Welcome, Kael.]

Kael's breath came in short gasps. What… is this?

The words continued.

[New Skill Acquired: Basic Weapon Mastery (Lv. 1)]

His eyes widened.

This was it. The thing he had felt when he struck down the soldier in Fennor. It wasn't just instinct—it was an ability absorption system. He had taken the skill from his enemy and made it his own.

Elira was still staring at him, waiting for an answer. "Kael? What's wrong?"

He blinked, the glowing text fading from view. His breathing slowed.

"…I think I just figured out what's happening to me."

--

Testing the Power

Kael and Elira stopped at a small clearing. He needed to test this. To understand it.

Taking a deep breath, he grabbed a sturdy branch from the ground, holding it like a weapon. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation he had felt in battle.

And then—

His body moved on its own.

He swung the branch in a controlled arc, shifting his stance perfectly, as if he had been training for years. He knew how to use it. The weight, the balance—it all felt natural.

Elira's eyes widened. "You… you didn't know how to fight before."

Kael exhaled. "I do now."

She hesitated. "So… you can absorb skills from people you defeat?"

Kael nodded. "But they start at level 1. I have to improve them myself."

Elira was silent for a moment, then finally sighed. "That's… actually kind of amazing."

Kael gave a small smirk. "If I can figure out how to use it properly, maybe. But I don't think this is normal."

Elira crossed her arms. "You think?"

They shared a small laugh, the first in what felt like forever.

But Kael knew this was only the beginning.

If he had this power… others might too.

And that meant he wasn't just a survivor—he was a target.

--

The Shadow Watching

Unbeknownst to Kael and Elira, they were being watched.

A figure stood hidden in the trees, their cloak blending into the darkness. They had seen everything—the way Kael moved, the way he had awakened his ability.

And they were smiling.

"So… he's the one."

With a flick of their wrist, the shadowed figure disappeared into the night.

Kael's journey had only just begun.

And soon… others would come for him.