Sector 9 felt different now.
Not because it changed—
But because Blaine had seen beyond it.
A gate.
Another world.
And something…
Waiting.
"…"
He walked through the broken streets.
Calm.
But focused.
Because now—
Every step had purpose.
The system remained active.
[Strength: 210]
Stable.
But stagnant.
The recent fights—
Had stopped giving meaningful growth.
"…"
As expected.
This level—
Was no longer enough.
He needed stronger prey.
Stronger battles.
Stronger pressure.
Then—
A flicker.
The system reacted.
[Warning: Creator's Bloodline Instability Detected]
"…"
Again.
This wasn't the first time.
Since the last activation—
Something felt off.
Not outside.
Inside.
His heartbeat—
Occasionally irregular.
His senses—
Too sharp at times.
Too dull at others.
Unstable.
Then—
A sudden pulse.
"—!"
Blaine stopped.
His vision distorted—
Just for a moment.
A flash.
Darkness.
Endless.
Cold.
Then—
Gone.
"…"
His breathing slowed.
That wasn't normal.
That wasn't the system.
That was—
The bloodline.
Growing.
Changing him.
Without permission.
Without control.
"…"
Good.
That meant—
There was still more to unlock.
Then—
A sound.
Footsteps.
Multiple.
Blaine didn't turn.
Because he already knew.
Hunters.
Five of them.
Stronger than before.
Their presence—
Sharp.
Disciplined.
One stepped forward.
"…you're the one from yesterday."
"…"
No response.
The man continued.
"We checked the area."
A pause.
"…twenty-seven monsters."
"…all killed by one person."
Silence.
Their eyes locked onto Blaine.
Tension filled the air.
But no one attacked.
Because instinct—
Was warning them.
Danger.
"…"
The leader spoke again.
"…we're not here to fight."
Good.
Because Blaine wasn't interested either.
Not in weak fights.
Not anymore.
"…you saw it, didn't you?"
A pause.
"…the gate."
Silence.
So they knew.
Or at least—
Part of it.
Blaine finally spoke.
"…you've seen it before?"
The hunters exchanged glances.
Then—
"…not directly."
"…but we know what it means."
A brief pause.
"…it's a threshold."
"…"
Threshold.
Makes sense.
The man continued.
"Beyond it…"
"…is a different battlefield."
"…and people who go in unprepared—"
He stopped.
"…don't come back."
Silence.
Blaine didn't react.
Because that—
Didn't matter.
If anything—
It made it better.
The hunter looked at him carefully.
"…you're planning to go, aren't you?"
"…"
No answer.
But the silence—
Was enough.
The man exhaled slowly.
"…then get stronger first."
"…because whatever is on the other side—"
"…it's not something you can overpower with brute force."
A pause.
"…you need control."
Control.
"…"
Blaine understood.
Strength—
He had.
But control—
Not enough.
Not yet.
The bloodline alone proved that.
Unstable.
Dangerous.
Unpredictable.
The hunters stepped back.
"…we'll leave."
"…but remember this—"
"…some things are stronger than strength itself."
Then—
They turned.
And disappeared into the distance.
Leaving Blaine alone.
"…"
Silence returned.
Heavy.
But clear.
For the first time—
Blaine didn't move forward immediately.
He stood still.
Thinking.
Analyzing.
Because now—
He had a goal.
Not just growth.
Not just power.
But control.
True control.
Over his strength.
Over the bloodline.
Over himself.
A faint pulse echoed again.
Deep inside.
Waiting.
Watching.
"…"
Blaine closed his eyes.
For a moment.
Then opened them.
Sharp.
Focused.
Decided.
Because now—
He wouldn't rush.
He would prepare.
And when the time came—
He wouldn't just enter that gate.
He would dominate it.
Blaine turned.
Walking deeper into Sector 9 once more.
Not as a hunter.
But as something—
Becoming far more dangerous.