The moment the two-winged beast split in half—
Everything changed.
Silence.
The remaining creatures froze.
Not out of fear.
But hesitation.
Scott lowered his hand slowly.
His breathing was calm now.
Too calm.
"…So this is what it feels like," he said quietly.
The world around him had become clearer.
Sharper.
Every movement—
Every shift—
Every presence—
He could feel it all.
The creatures moved again.
But this time—
They were slower.
Predictable.
Scott stepped forward.
One creature lunged.
He tilted his head slightly.
The claw passed just beside his cheek.
He raised his hand—
And drove it forward.
THUD.
The force penetrated cleanly.
The creature collapsed instantly.
Another came from behind.
Scott didn't turn.
He stepped to the side—
Reached back—
And grabbed its wing mid-air.
With a smooth motion, he twisted and slammed it into the ground.
Before it could react—
His palm struck its spine.
CRACK.
It stopped moving.
One after another—
They came.
One after another—
They fell.
Scott moved like flowing light.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Each step was precise.
Each strike was final.
Minutes passed.
Or seconds.
Eventually—
The last creature fell.
Silence returned once more.
Scott stood alone.
"…It's over."
The darkness began to shift.
A faint glow appeared in the distance.
Then—
A beam of jade-colored light descended from above.
It was the same gate.
The one he had opened.
But now—
It felt different.
Acknowledging him.
Accepting him.
Scott walked toward it slowly.
Then—
A voice echoed in his mind.
Cold.
Clear.
Ancient.
"Trial Complete."
Scott stopped.
More voices followed.
Layered.
Mechanical.
Yet alive.
"First Celestial Gate — Opened."
"Designation Granted: Veilborn."
"Trial Classification: Gate of the Mind."
Scott's eyes widened slightly.
"…Gate of the Mind?"
The voice continued.
"Power Acquired: Astral Mind."
"Mental Integrity: Absolute."
"Illusion Resistance: Enhanced."
Scott felt it instantly.
His thoughts—
Were clearer than ever before.
Nothing could shake them.
Nothing could distort them.
Then—
More information flooded in.
"Lineage Detected…"
"…Analyzing…"
Scott's body stiffened slightly.
The voice paused.
Then—
It resumed.
"Celestial Lineage: Ancient Jade Temple."
Scott frowned.
"…Ancient… what?"
But before he could think further—
The system continued.
"Soul Core — Generated."
"Essence Capacity: 0 / 100."
"Celestial Relics Obtained: 0."
Scott clenched his fists slightly.
Power surged through him.
Not explosive.
Not violent.
Controlled.
Stable.
He had crossed the threshold.
He was no longer the same.
"…Veilborn," he whispered.
The jade light intensified.
Scott took a step forward—
And exited the Gate.
The world outside rushed back instantly.
The hall.
The air.
The weight of reality.
Scott exhaled slowly.
Then—
He froze.
"…What?"
Standing a few meters ahead—
Was a familiar face.
Scott blinked.
Then rubbed his eyes.
"…No way."
"Hey, Scott!"
The voice was loud.
Excited.
Annoyingly familiar.
"I knew we'd meet again!"
"We're definitely destined to be partners!"
Jami ran toward him, waving like nothing in the world mattered.
Scott just stood there.
Speechless.
"…This guy again…"
He had only just met him recently.
And yet—
It already felt like trouble.
Behind Jami, Rylan stood quietly, arms crossed.
Watching.
Scott sighed softly.
Then—
A small smile formed.
"…Fine."
He looked at them both.
"Let's cooperate."
But as he said it—
A faint, unreadable glint appeared in his eyes.
Not excitement.
Not joy.
Something deeper.
Something dangerous.
And for a brief moment—
He smiled.
Not like a hero.
But like someone stepping into something far greater.