The Abyssal Devour Sect was never quiet.
Even in the early hours of the morning, the training grounds were filled with movement—disciples sparring, others meditating, and some simply observing, waiting for their chance to prove themselves.
Zarek stood among them.
Days had passed since his arrival.
And in that short time, he had already begun to stand out.
His control had improved.
Not perfect—but far better than before.
Each movement carried more intent. Each strike, more precision. The chaotic energy within him had begun to settle, though it still held a dangerous edge.
Across the training grounds, whispers followed him.
"That's him…"
"The one Elder Rovan brought personally."
"I heard he defeated Kael."
"Something about him feels… off."
Zarek ignored them.
But he heard everything.
Not far away, Kael stood with his arms crossed, watching.
His expression was no longer confident.
It was cautious.
"…He's changing too fast," Kael muttered.
Beside him, another disciple nodded. "It's not normal."
Above them, on a raised platform overlooking the training grounds, Rovan stood silently.
But he wasn't alone.
Two figures stood beside him.
Both older.
Both far more powerful.
Their gazes were fixed on Zarek.
"…So this is the one?" one of them asked.
His voice was calm, but there was a sharpness hidden beneath it.
Rovan nodded slightly. "Yes."
The second elder narrowed his eyes.
"…His energy feels strange."
Rovan didn't respond immediately.
Because he had noticed it too.
"It's not just strange," the first elder continued. "It doesn't behave like normal cultivation energy."
Silence lingered between them.
Below, Zarek moved again, sparring with another disciple.
His movements were still rough—but improving.
Fast.
Too fast.
The elder spoke again.
"…Growth like that isn't natural."
Rovan finally spoke.
"…No. It isn't."
The second elder glanced at him. "And yet you brought him here."
Rovan's gaze remained on Zarek.
"…Because if we didn't… something worse might happen."
The words were quiet.
But heavy.
Below, Zarek stepped forward during the spar.
His hand brushed against his opponent's arm.
For a brief moment—
The air shifted.
The opponent froze slightly.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Zarek pulled back immediately.
The match ended.
But not everyone missed it.
On the platform, the elders' expressions changed.
"…Did you feel that?" one of them asked.
Rovan nodded slowly.
"…He absorbed something."
Silence fell again.
The second elder's voice dropped slightly.
"…That ability…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But the meaning was clear.
Below, Zarek stood still, unaware of the weight of the gazes above him.
Inside him, the system stirred faintly.
[Observation Detected]
[Multiple high-level entities monitoring host]
Zarek's eyes flickered slightly.
"…So they're watching," he thought.
For the first time since entering the sect…
He realized something.
This place wasn't just for growth.
It was also a cage.
Above, the first elder exhaled slowly.
"…If this continues…"
The second elder finished the thought.
"…He will become uncontrollable."
Rovan remained silent.
But deep within—
Even he wasn't sure what Zarek would become.
After a moment, the first elder spoke again.
"…There is one option."
Rovan didn't need to ask.
He already knew.
"…The Heavenly Order Sect," he said.
The name carried weight.
The second elder nodded slowly.
"They deal with anomalies."
A brief silence followed.
Rovan's gaze hardened slightly.
"…He's not an anomaly."
"Not yet," the elder replied.
Below, Zarek looked up for a brief moment.
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
Something passed between them.
Recognition.
And something else.
Concern.
The moment ended.
Zarek looked away.
But the feeling remained.
Inside him, the system spoke once more.
[Warning]
[External Threat Level Increasing]
Zarek's expression didn't change.
But his thoughts did.
"…So even here… I'm not safe."
The path ahead was becoming clearer.
Strength wasn't enough.
He needed more.
Much more.