The forest didn't return to normal.
Even after the explosion.
Even after the elite beast fell.
---
It only grew… quieter.
---
Too quiet.
---
Rex exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"…Yeah, I don't like this."
---
Elara didn't respond.
Her eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.
Every tree.
Every shadow.
---
"…We're not alone," she said softly.
---
Zephyr already knew.
---
From the moment the second beast died—
Something had changed.
---
The air felt heavier.
Colder.
---
And the system—
Had gone silent.
---
"…That's new," Zephyr muttered.
---
Usually, after using his ability, the system responded.
Displayed something.
Reacted.
---
But now—
Nothing.
---
"…Stay close," Elara said.
---
Rex cracked his knuckles.
"…Whatever it is, we'll handle it."
---
Zephyr didn't reply.
---
Because deep inside—
Something was warning him.
---
Not fear.
---
Instinct.
---
Like prey sensing a predator.
---
---
A branch snapped.
---
All three turned instantly.
---
From the darkness—
A figure stepped out.
---
Not a beast.
---
Not human.
---
Something else.
---
Tall.
Slender.
Wrapped in a dark cloak that seemed to absorb light itself.
---
Its face—
Hidden.
---
But its presence—
Overwhelming.
---
[WARNING]
[Unknown Entity Detected]
[System Analysis… Failed]
---
Zephyr's eyes widened.
---
"…Failed?"
---
That had never happened before.
---
"…What is that thing…" Rex whispered.
---
The figure stopped a few meters away.
---
Then—
It spoke.
---
"…So it's true."
---
Its voice was distorted.
Echoing unnaturally.
---
"…The marked one has awakened."
---
Silence.
---
Elara stepped forward slightly.
"…Who are you?"
---
The figure ignored her.
Its hidden gaze remained fixed on Zephyr.
---
"…You carry it."
---
Zephyr frowned.
"…Carry what?"
---
A pause.
---
Then—
---
"…The forbidden blood."
---
Rex tensed.
"…Another one talking about that?!"
---
Elara's voice dropped.
"…You know about the dragon…"
---
The figure tilted its head slightly.
---
"…Dragon?"
---
A faint chuckle escaped it.
---
"…That creature was merely a messenger."
---
Zephyr's expression hardened.
"…Then what are you?"
---
The air around them suddenly distorted.
---
"…I am a watcher."
---
The shadows behind it twisted unnaturally.
---
"…And I have come to confirm something."
---
The ground beneath them began to crack.
---
"…Whether you are worthy…"
---
The pressure exploded.
---
Rex dropped to one knee instantly.
"…What the hell…?!"
---
Elara struggled to stay standing.
Her magic flickering uncontrollably.
---
Zephyr clenched his teeth.
His body trembling.
---
"…This pressure…"
---
It was worse than the dragon.
Different.
---
Colder.
---
The figure raised its hand slowly.
---
"…Show me…"
---
Dark energy gathered.
---
"…what makes you special."
---
Then—
It attacked.
---
The ground beneath Zephyr exploded.
---
He barely dodged.
Rolling across the dirt.
---
"…Fast—!"
---
No.
Not fast.
---
It didn't move normally.
---
It simply… appeared.
---
Behind him.
---
Zephyr turned instantly—
---
Too late.
---
BOOM!!
---
He was sent crashing into a tree.
---
Pain shot through his body.
---
"…Tch…!"
---
Rex tried to move—
Lightning sparking wildly.
---
"Back off!"
---
He attacked.
---
But the moment his lightning touched the figure—
It disappeared.
---
"…What?!"
---
Then—
It reappeared behind him.
---
CRASH!!
---
Rex slammed into the ground.
Unconscious.
---
"REX!" Elara shouted.
---
She raised her hand.
A massive magic circle formed.
---
"Ice Dominion!"
---
A storm of ice surged forward—
Freezing everything in its path.
---
The figure didn't dodge.
---
It allowed the attack.
---
For a moment—
It was frozen completely.
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
CRACK
---
The ice shattered instantly.
---
"…Too weak."
---
Elara's eyes widened.
---
Before she could react—
---
She was thrown back violently.
---
Zephyr's fists tightened.
---
"…Damn it…"
---
This wasn't a fight.
---
It was one-sided.
---
The figure turned toward him again.
---
"…You disappoint me."
---
Zephyr's eyes darkened.
---
"…Shut up."
---
The mark on his chest began to glow.
---
Blue flames flickered around him.
---
The system appeared again.
---
[Dragon Bloodline Activated]
[Skill: Dragon's Aura]
---
Power surged through his body.
---
The pressure around him pushed back slightly.
---
The figure paused.
---
"…Interesting."
---
Zephyr stepped forward.
---
"…You wanted to see?"
---
His eyes glowed blue.
---
"…Then watch."
---
He vanished.
---
Appearing in front of the figure instantly.
---
His hand shot forward.
---
"…Override."
---
The air distorted.
---
For a second—
The figure's body flickered.
---
Glitched.
---
Then—
---
Nothing happened.
---
Zephyr's eyes widened.
---
"…It didn't work?!"
---
The figure grabbed his arm.
---
"…You think you can override everything?"
---
Cold.
Emotionless.
---
"…Foolish."
---
It tightened its grip.
---
Bones cracked.
---
"AAAGH—!"
---
Zephyr struggled.
---
Then—
The system flashed violently.
---
[ERROR]
[Override Conflict Detected]
[New Condition Unlocked]
---
Zephyr's eyes widened.
---
"…What…?"
---
The screen changed.
---
[Override Evolution: Partial Corruption Mode]
---
Energy exploded from his body.
---
The figure's grip loosened slightly.
---
"…So it evolves…"
---
Zephyr clenched his teeth.
---
"…Let's try again."
---
This time—
He didn't aim at the whole body.
---
He focused.
---
On one point.
---
"…Core…"
---
The screen responded.
---
[Target Core Located]
---
Zephyr smirked.
---
"…Got you."
---
He slammed his hand forward.
---
"…OVERRIDE!"
---
For a split second—
The figure froze.
---
Its chest glitched violently.
---
Then—
---
CRACK
---
A small fracture appeared.
---
The figure stepped back.
---
Silence.
---
"…You…"
It whispered.
---
For the first time—
Its voice changed.
---
"…You can affect me."
---
Zephyr dropped to one knee.
Breathing heavily.
---
"…Yeah…"
---
A faint grin formed on his face.
---
"…Guess I'm not that weak."
---
The figure stared at him for a long moment.
---
Then—
It stepped back into the shadows.
---
"…You are not ready."
---
Its form began to fade.
---
"…But you will be."
---
Before disappearing completely—
It spoke one final time.
---
"…When the gods descend…"
---
"…you will either become their weapon…"
---
"…or their executioner."
---
And then—
It vanished.
---
Silence returned.
---
Zephyr collapsed onto the ground.
Exhausted.
---
Elara slowly stood up.
Walking toward him.
---
"…Are you okay?"
---
Zephyr let out a tired laugh.
---
"…Yeah…"
---
"…I think I just survived something way above my level."
---
Elara looked at him quietly.
---
"…No…"
She said softly.
---
"…You didn't just survive…"
---
She stared at the place where the figure disappeared.
---
"…You made it retreat."
---
Zephyr closed his eyes.
---
For the first time—
He understood something clearly.
---
This world—
Was far bigger than he thought.
---
And whatever he had become—
---
Was something even monsters feared.