The night grew deeper.
The city lights flickered like a false sky.
Blaine walked alone.
Silent.
Unnoticed.
But inside—
Something had changed.
He stopped under a dim streetlight.
The system interface appeared again.
[Strength: 6]
Still low.
But no longer insignificant.
"…"
Then—
A new notification appeared.
[Condition Met]
Blaine's eyes narrowed slightly.
[Basic Combat Threshold Reached]
[System Function Unlocking…]
A faint humming sound echoed in his mind.
Then—
The interface changed.
[New Feature Unlocked: Perception Scan]
"…"
Blaine remained still.
"Explain."
[Perception Scan: Allows host to view approximate strength level of targets.]
Useful.
Very useful.
Because now—
He wouldn't fight blindly.
Blaine stepped forward again.
Activating the skill.
The world shifted.
Subtle.
But different.
As people passed by—
Faint indicators appeared above them.
[Strength: 2][Strength: 3][Strength: 1]
Weak.
All of them.
As expected.
But then—
He stopped.
Across the street—
A man stood leaning against a wall.
Arms crossed.
Watching.
Waiting.
And above his head—
[Strength: 9]
"…"
Blaine's eyes sharpened.
That was the highest he had seen so far.
The man smirked slightly.
"So…"
"You can see it too."
"…"
Blaine said nothing.
But his stance shifted.
Ready.
The man pushed himself off the wall.
Casual.
Relaxed.
But dangerous.
"New guy, right?"
No response.
The man chuckled.
"Relax… I'm not here to kill you."
A pause.
"Yet."
The air grew tense.
"Name's Kade."
Blaine didn't answer.
Names didn't matter.
Only strength did.
Kade tilted his head.
"…you're interesting."
"Strength 6…"
"But you don't move like one."
"…"
So he could see it too.
Noted.
Kade stepped closer.
"Let me give you some advice."
His voice lowered slightly.
"This city…"
"…is divided."
"Zones. Groups. Hunters."
"People like us."
Blaine's eyes didn't waver.
"Stronger ones rule."
"Weaker ones disappear."
Simple.
Blaine understood.
"Right now…"
Kade's gaze locked onto him.
"You're prey."
Silence.
A faint smile appeared on Blaine's face.
"…then hunt me."
"…"
For a moment—
Kade froze.
Then—
He laughed.
Loud.
"Good answer."
The next second—
He moved.
Fast.
Faster than anything Blaine had faced before.
BANG.
Their fists collided.
The impact—
Heavy.
Blaine's body slid back.
But he didn't fall.
His eyes sharpened.
So this—
Was a real fight.
Kade grinned.
"Now this is fun."
He attacked again—
Relentless.
Blaine blocked—
Dodged—
Countered—
But each hit—
Heavier.
Stronger.
The gap was clear.
But—
Blaine didn't retreat.
Because now—
He could see it.
Every movement.
Every opening.
Perception.
He adapted.
Slowly.
But surely.
Then—
An opening appeared.
Small.
But enough.
Blaine stepped in—
And struck.
CRACK.
Kade staggered.
Surprised.
"…not bad."
But then—
He smiled wider.
"Now let's get serious."
His aura shifted.
He moved again—
Faster.
Stronger.
This time—
Blaine couldn't fully react.
BANG.
He was thrown back.
Sliding across the ground.
Pain surged.
But—
He stood up.
Again.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Only one thought.
Grow stronger.
Kade stopped.
Watching him.
Then—
He turned away.
"…you're not ready yet."
Blaine frowned slightly.
"Get stronger."
Kade glanced back once.
"Then come find me."
And just like that—
He disappeared into the night.
Silence returned.
Blaine stood alone.
Breathing slowly.
His body hurt.
But his eyes—
Burned.
Because now—
He had seen it.
A higher level.
A real opponent.
And that meant—
A new goal.
The system flickered again.
Waiting.
Watching.
As Blaine stepped forward—
Into a world far bigger than he imagined.