Shimmering Anger

The penthouse lights flickered again, shadows curling at the edges of the room like sentient vines. Trent narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on the hilt of a sword which rested by his side. Kara pulled the sheets up to her chest, her playful expression from moments ago replaced by slight unease.

"Relax," she murmured, though her voice wavered. "It's probably just some system glitch or... I don't know, a false alarm."

Trent didn't answer. The notification still hung in his field of vision, pulsing insistently:

[Warning: Monster Presence Detected Nearby.]

The chill grew heavier, and just as he started toward the window, the sensation vanished. The lights steadied, the oppressive atmosphere lifting as though it had never been.

"What was that?" Kara whispered, her eyes darting toward Trent.

"Nothing," he muttered, though his confidence had frayed. He turned back to her, forcing a smirk. "Probably just a stray monster core destabilizing somewhere in the slums."

Kara nodded hesitantly, but as she lay back down, her unease lingered. Neither of them noticed the figure who had just entered the building below.

Axel stepped into the lobby, the polished marble floors gleaming under the sterile light. Memories flooded his mind as he gazed around, the nights spent planning with Kara, dreaming of a brighter future. It all felt so distant now, like a half-forgotten dream.

He glanced at his System interface. It indicated that his summoning was active, and the faint ripple of his aura gave him the presence of a predator stalking through the heart of enemy territory. 

The ability had almost become second nature to him in the few days since he made a contract with himself through the system. It was a dangerous edge that made the system mark him as something other than a human, literally identifying him as a monster each time he activated the summoning.

But here, he knew it would definitely invite trouble. With a thought, Axel deactivated the transformation. His aura dissipated like smoke in the wind. He could feel the stat boost he was given by the monster form disappear instantly, leaving him feeling vulnerable.

He rode the elevator in silence, his reflection in the mirrored walls gave him a reminder of his current state. 

At 25, Axel's features were quite handsome, a sharp jawline, short black hair, and brown eyes that held a hint of weariness. His slightly thin frame and worn clothes spoke of his struggles, it was a far cry from the version of himself who once lived in the penthouse above.

The elevator dinged, and he stepped into the hallway, his pulse quickening as he approached the door.

Kara opened the door just as Axel raised his hand to knock, her timing too precise to be coincidental. A small smile curved her lips, but her green eyes remained calculating, betraying no warmth. She had likely sensed his presence before he even reached the door, her C-rank abilities ensured she rarely missed anything in her surroundings.

"Axel," she said sweetly, leaning against the doorframe. "What a surprise. Trent and I didn't expect company."

"I'm here for my things," Axel replied, his voice low and even.

"Of course," she said, stepping aside. "Don't let us keep you."

Axel entered the penthouse, his gaze sweeping over the space he had once called home. It felt different now, colder, more impersonal. The scent of Kara's perfume lingered in the air, mingling with the faint smell of Trent's cigarette smoke.

From the living room, Trent's voice rang out. "Well, if it isn't our favorite E-rank!" He strode into view, shirtless and exuding smugness, his sword casually strapped to his side. "What brings you to the high life, Axel? Forgot something in the dumpster?"

Axel ignored him, heading straight to the closet where his belongings were stored. Kara followed, her tone syrupy as she spoke. "It's nice that you're doing... okay. Trent and I were just talking about how tough things must be for you. You know, with your rank and all."

He didn't respond.

Trent, however, wasn't content to let the silence hang. "You've got guts, showing up here like this," he said, leaning against the wall with a smirk. "Kara told me all about your... struggles. Man, it must suck, huh? Working so hard and getting nowhere. No wonder she needed someone who could actually provide for her."

Axel turned, his brown eyes locking onto Trent's piercing blue ones. For a moment, the room seemed to shrink, the air thick with unspoken tension.

"I'm not here for a chat," Axel said coolly. He grabbed the small box of personal items and slung it under his arm. 

As he moved to leave, Trent stepped into his path. "You're leaving already? Come on, I thought you'd want to stay and catch up. Maybe I could give you some pointers—teach you how a real Awakener handles things."

Axel's fists clenched, the familiar pull of his transformation tempting him. For a fleeting moment, he imagined his claws tearing through Trent's smug expression, imagined wiping the arrogance from his face.

But the time wasn't right. Not yet. He wasn't confident he'll be able to handle Trent who was a B rank awakened.

Without a word, Axel sidestepped Trent and walked to the door.

"Don't trip on your way out," Trent called after him. "The slums can be rough for someone like you."

Kara's stifling laughter followed him as the door clicked shut behind him.

The rain was heavier now, washing away the grime of the streets but doing little to dampen Axel's simmering anger. Haven City loomed around him, its duality stark and unforgiving.

In these wealthier districts, neon signs flickered invitingly above bustling cafes and boutiques. Flashy cars zipped around, their sleek forms casting fleeting shadows on the sidewalks. Families strolled by, their laughter echoing against the pristine facades of high-rise buildings.

But as Axel moved closer to the slums, the world shifted. The streets grew narrower, the air heavier with the stench of decay. Vendors shouted over each other in crowded markets, peddling everything from monster cores to black-market weapons. A woman begged for spare credits while a group of children darted through the alleys, their faces thin and hollow.

Axel continued walking, his shoes splashing through shallow puddles left by the rain as the cityscape around him shifted gradually. Finally, his steps slowed as he arrived at a small yet imposing building. Its sleek, modern exterior gleamed faintly under the glow of streetlights, a bold emblem of the Awakener Association etched onto its glass façade.

This branch of the Awakener Association buzzed with activity, its revolving doors spinning constantly as people streamed in and out. Inside, the air was filled with a low hum of voices and the occasional burst of laughter or heated discussion. Groups of adventurers gathered around the central mission board, its digital display flickering as quests and dungeon announcements updated in real-time.

"Heh, dungeon run tomorrow. Should be easy money." One of the voices of the people gathered floated to Axel's ear.

Axel paused briefly, overhearing the confident chatter. Once, this easy camaraderie and optimism might have inspired him, but now, they only served as a reminder of what he lacked. His gaze hardened as he turned away. With his new abilities, he wouldn't just need such confidence, he would carve his own path.

Axel approached the far end of the hall, where a receptionist sat behind a wide, curved desk. The woman barely glanced up as he stepped forward, her fingers dancing across a glowing holographic interface.

"What do you need?" she asked in a slightly flat tone.

"I'm here to update my rank and purchase a dungeon pass," Axel said.

The receptionist finally looked at him, her eyes scanning him briefly. "Name and rank?"

"Axel Cross. E-rank."

"100 credits for the pass, 50 for the rank update," she said without hesitation.

Axel nodded, pulling up the system window and transferring the last bit of his credits remaining. The woman tapped at her console, and after a brief moment, the system beeped. She handed him a new card with D-rank as well as other details boldly inscribed on it, and a dungeon pass.

"There you go. Details are on the pass. Good luck in there," she said.

Axel took the card and pass without a word, glancing at the details on the pass to confirm the dungeon's location. He turned and headed for the exit, ignoring the murmurs of other Awakeners nearby.

The next day, Axel arrived at the designated location, where the dungeon portal loomed before him. The air vibrated with raw magical energy, the sheer intensity of it setting his teeth on edge. This was clearly a D-rank portal, its appearance distinct from those of other ranks.

The portal shimmered like liquid glass, swirling with shades of dark green and black. Tendrils of magical energy curled outward from its surface, pulsating faintly as if alive. Unlike higher-ranked portals, which radiated an oppressive, almost suffocating presence, this one felt more volatile, its energy surged unpredictably, as though eager to unleash whatever lay inside.

Dungeons were graded by the System based on the strength and number of monsters within, as well as the environmental hazards they presented. E-rank portals, the lowest tier, were dull and static, their energy barely perceptible. In contrast, D-rank portals like this one were a bit more wild and dangerous.

Axel stood among a small group of unaffiliated Awakeners, all of them carrying similar dungeon passes. They exchanged brief glances but said little, with the tension in the air. Each of them knew that while the portal appeared stable, stepping inside could bring any number of surprises.

Axel activated his summoning just before stepping through the portal with the group, his aura churned and transformed immediately. His heart pounded as he crossed the threshold, the sensation of crossing planes sent a shiver through his body.

The scene changed instantly. The air inside the dungeon was heavy and damp, the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi casting shadows on the rocky walls. As he adjusted to the new environment, a sudden notification flashed across his vision.

[Warning: Due to your status as Contracted Monster, dungeon difficulty may scale unpredictably.]

Axel stopped mid-step, his eyes narrowing at the message. 

"What the hell?"