The dungeon floor was stained red.
The corpse of the Hobgoblin stil lay motionless behind him.
But Arka didn't look back.
His eyes were locked on the floating screen in front of him.
[Skill Evolution Available]
Predator's Instinct -> Blood Predator (Rare)
"...Do it."
No hesitation.
[Evolving Skill...]
A sudden heat surged throught his body.
Not painful—
But intense.
Like something inside him was being rewritten.
[Evolution Complete]
[New Skill: Blood Predator (Rare)]
Description: The more blood is spilled, the stronger the user becomes.
Effect:
- Temporary stat increase during combat
- Enhanced killing intent and tracking ability
- Minor regeneration after each kill
Arka exhaled slowly.
"...So iget stronger... the more i fight."
A dangerous ability.
Perfect for him.
His gaze shifted.
Back to the Hobgoblin's corpse.
"...There's something else."
A faint glow.
Right beside the monster's body.
[Item Detected]
Arka walked over.
Knelt down.
And picked it up.
A weapon.
Crude.
Heavy.
But sharp.
[Iron Dagger (Common)]Attack +5
"…Better than nothing."
He gripped it tightly.
For the first time—
He had a real weapon.
Drip.
Drip.
Something changed.
The dungeon—
Was no longer silent.
"More coming…"
Arka stood up.
His senses flared.
His heartbeat—
Calm.
Steady.
From the darkness—
Shapes began to emerge.
One.
Three.
Five.
Then—
More.
[Monster Detected]Goblin (Lv. 1) x12
"…Heh."
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
"Perfect."
The goblins charged.
Screaming.
Wild.
Hungry.
But Arka—
Didn't move.
Not yet.
"Come closer…"
Five meters.
Three.
One—
"Now."
He moved.
SLASH!!
The dagger cut clean through the first goblin's throat.
Blood sprayed.
Warm.
And in that moment—
Something ignited.
[Blood Predator Activated]
His body surged with power.
Faster.
Sharper.
Stronger.
"…I feel it."
Second goblin—
STAB!!
Third—
SLASH!!
Fourth—
CRACK!!
Each kill fed him.
Each drop of blood—
Made him stronger.
His movements became smoother.
More efficient.
More lethal.
Not a human fighting monsters—
But a predator hunting prey.
The goblins started to hesitate.
Fear.
They felt it.
But Arka didn't stop.
"Too slow."
THUD!!
Another one fell.
Then another.
Then—
Silence.
All twelve goblins lay dead.
Arka stood in the middle of it.
Breathing calmly.
Not exhausted.
Not shaken.
Stronger.
[EXP Gained]
[Level Up!][Level Up!]
Level: 9EXP: 0 / ∞
"…This is insane."
He looked at his hands.
No trembling.
No hesitation.
Only control.
Then—
Footsteps.
From behind.
Arka turned.
At the entrance of the corridor—
Three figures stood there.
Hunters.
Their eyes widened.
Locked onto him.
And the bodies surrounding him.
"…What the hell?"
"That's… all him?"
"No way… that guy—"
One of them stepped forward.
Slowly.
Carefully.
"…Hey."
Arka didn't answer.
"Are you… really the one who cleared this?"
Silence.
Then—
Arka lifted his dagger slightly.
Blood still dripping from its edge.
"…Why?"
His voice was calm.
Cold.
"Does it matter?"
The hunters froze.
A chill ran down their spines.
Because for a moment—
Just a moment—
They didn't see a human.
They saw—
Something else.
Arka turned away.
And walked deeper into the dungeon.
Leaving them behind.
Speechless.
Far above—
Outside the dungeon—
A monitoring crystal flickered.
[Irregular Activity Detected][Unknown Growth Pattern]
A name appeared.
Arka
And for the first time—
The system…
Was watching him back.
🔥 END OF CHAPTER 5