Rain continued to pour over the ruined street.
Kael stood silently beside the corpse of the Ironfang Hound, staring at the crimson system windows hovering in front of him.
Level 3.
Just minutes ago he had been an ordinary person.
Now…
He had killed a monster.
The realization made his chest feel strangely heavy.
"…This is insane."
The monster's body twitched slightly as rainwater washed over its dark armored skin.
Kael looked down at it again.
Then another red message appeared.
[Skill Available]
Devour
Would you like to activate the skill?
YES / NO
Kael frowned.
"Devour… right."
The description replayed in his mind.
Consume defeated enemies to absorb their strength.
It sounded powerful.
But also… disturbing.
He glanced around the empty street.
Cars were destroyed.
Windows shattered.
Somewhere in the distance, sirens wailed and people screamed.
The world was falling apart.
And this system wanted him to end it faster.
Kael sighed.
"…If this is the only way to survive…"
He slowly pressed YES.
The moment the skill activated— The monster's body began to change.
Black smoke-like energy rose from the Ironfang Hound's corpse.
It twisted through the air like living shadows.
Then it rushed toward Kael.
Straight into his chest.
"—!"
Pain exploded through his body.
Kael dropped to one knee.
His veins burned as if fire was running through them.
"Ghh—!"
The shadows wrapped around him, sinking into his skin.
For a moment it felt like his body was being torn apart.
Then suddenly— Everything stopped.
Silence returned.
Kael breathed heavily, clutching his chest.
"…What the hell was that?"
A new message appeared.
[Devour Successful]
Strength +2
Agility +1
Kael blinked.
"…I actually absorbed its power."
He slowly stood up.
His body felt different.
Lighter.
Stronger.
As if something inside him had awakened.
He clenched his fist.
The strength in his arm was noticeably greater than before.
A small smile formed on his face. "Okay… that's pretty useful."
But the system interrupted again.
[Hidden Quest Unlocked]
Kael froze.
"Hidden quest?"
The red letters appeared slowly.
Almost as if the system enjoyed the suspense.
[Hidden Quest: Collapse Catalyst]
Description:
Every great destruction begins with chaos.
Objective:
Cause the fall of your first human player.
Kael's smile vanished instantly.
"…Wait."
His eyes scanned the message again.
Cause the fall of your first human player.
"You want me to kill someone?" The system didn't respond.
The words simply remained there.
Cold.
Unchanging.
Kael ran a hand through his wet hair.
"This system is insane."
Everyone else was probably receiving quests to kill monsters and protect people.
But his system…
Wanted him to destroy humanity itself.
He looked up at the dark sky.
Lightning flashed across the clouds.
More distant roars echoed throughout the city.
Kael let out a slow breath.
"I'm not killing anyone."
The system window flickered.
Then another message appeared.
[Warning]
User is refusing primary system path.
Penalty risk increasing.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Try it."
The system remained silent.
For several seconds nothing happened.
Then—
A loud scream echoed from the nearby alley.
Kael turned instantly.
Footsteps rushed toward the street.
A man ran out from the darkness, covered in blood.
Behind him…
Another monster crawled out of the shadows.
Larger.
Faster.
And much more terrifying than the Ironfang Hound.
The man collapsed onto the pavement.
"Help…!"
Kael's system activated again.
[New Opportunity Detected]
Kael's expression hardened. "…You've got to be kidding me."
The monster roared.
And the hunt began again.