Awakening the Predator

Eldoria’s underworld had become a feeding frenzy.

The bounty on Kai’s head spread like wildfire—50,000 gold. Dead or alive.

Mercenaries, assassins, and bounty hunters flooded the city, searching for their prey.

But Kai was no prey.

He had spent the last three nights in seclusion, grinding his skills in the shadows, pushing his body and mind beyond its limits.

And finally—

[System Alert!]
[Level Up Achieved!]

[Name: Kai]
[Level: 15 → 21]
[Abilities Enhanced: Instinctive Combat Lv. 4 → Lv. 6, Shadow Step Lv. 2 → Lv. 4]
[New Skill Unlocked: Phantom Requiem Lv. 1]

A smirk played on Kai’s lips as he read the notifications.

His instincts had sharpened. His movement through the shadows had become faster, smoother, deadlier.

And this new skill?

It was time to test it.

The First Hunter Falls

The attack came just as expected.

Kai stood on the rooftop of an old chapel, watching the misty streets below.

Then—a whisper of movement.

[Instinctive Combat Activated!]

He sidestepped, just as three arrows shot past his head.

In the next breath, a masked figure lunged from the darkness, twin daggers gleaming.

Kai disappeared.

[Shadow Step Activated!]

The assassin gasped. Kai reappeared behind him, faster than the eye could follow.

Too late.

Kai’s dagger plunged into the man’s spine. The assassin choked—then collapsed.

A silver coin clinked onto the ground beside the body.

Kai bent down and whispered, “One down.”

But this was just the beginning.

The Blood Moon’s Arrival

By midnight, they came in waves.

Swordsmen. Archers. Mages.

It didn’t matter.

Kai cut through them all.

[System Alert!]
[Experience Gained: +4500 EXP]
[Level Up Achieved!]

He felt the surge of strength ripple through his body.

But then—a new presence arrived.

A legend.

The bounty hunter known as Blood Moon.

A Predator Meets Its Match?

A cold wind howled as Blood Moon stepped into the alleyway.

Tall. Cloaked in red. His face hidden behind a silver wolf mask.

Kai’s crimson eyes locked onto him.

This one was different. Strong. Deadly.

Blood Moon spoke, his voice deep and sharp. “You’ve impressed me, Phantom.”

Kai smirked. “I’d say the same, but I haven’t seen anything impressive yet.”

Blood Moon chuckled. “Let’s change that.”

And then—he moved.

TO BE CONTINUED...