Thunderous Appeared.

The helicopter blades roared above them, kicking up dust and debris as it began its ascent. Kai and Yuna stood on the rooftop of a crumbling building, watching as their only means of extraction disappeared into the sky.

"Good luck Soldier" the pilot's voice crackled through their earpieces before cutting off.

Kai exhaled. There was no turning back now.

"Guess it's just us," Yuna said, sheathing her katana.

"Yeah," Kai replied.

They descended from the rooftop, moving through the desolate streets of Busan. The city, once bustling with life, was now eerily silent. Abandoned vehicles cluttered the roads, their windows shattered, their interiors stained with dried blood. Some buildings had collapsed entirely, leaving only skeletal remains of their former structures.

Their destination was an abandoned military outpost marked on their map. Supplies, survivors—if any remained—and a chance to prove themselves. But as they moved deeper into the city, Kai's system suddenly flashed a warning.

[ System Alert: High-Level Threat Detected! ]

Warning: A horde of Beasts is approaching. Estimated Rank: C.

Kai and Yuna immediately stopped, scanning their surroundings.

"Already?" Yuna muttered, gripping the hilt of her sword.

Then, a deafening roar shattered the silence.

From the darkness of an alleyway, a pack of creatures emerged. They were massive—lion-like beasts with jet-black fur, glowing red eyes, and jagged fangs dripping with blood. Their claws scraped against the pavement as they moved, their predatory gazes locking onto Kai and Yuna.

"They're lot," Kai noted.

"And strong ," Yuna added. "Don't hold back."

The leader of the pack let out another roar, and in an instant, the entire horde charged.

"Here they come!"

Yuna reacted first, dashing forward with incredible speed. Her katana gleamed under the dim light as she sliced through the first beast, severing its torso clean in half. The creature didn't even have time to scream before it collapsed into a pool of its own blood.

Kai, meanwhile, focused on defense. A beast lunged at him from the side, but he pivoted, using his momentum to drive his foot into its ribs, sending it crashing into a nearby car.

"Nice one, Kai!" Yuna called out.

But before Kai could reply, another lion-beast pounced at him from behind.

"Kai, behind you!" Yuna shouted.

Reacting instantly, Kai raised his hand and activated his skill.

[ Earth Creation: Stone Spikes ]

A jagged stone wall erupted from the ground, impaling the creature mid-air. It let out a guttural screech before going limp.

Yuna whistled. "Waithow can you?!."

Kai eye narrowed

sudden.The largest of the pack suddenly let out a bone-chilling howl, and from the shadows of abandoned buildings, more beasts emerged.

They were surrounded.

Kai tightened his grip on his dagger. "This just got a lot worse."

Yuna glanced at him. "Can you create another wall?"

Kai checked his mana reserves—he had enough for one more use. "Yeah,."

"Ready," Yuna said.

Kai didn't argue. He focused, channeling his energy into the ground.

Yuna took a deep breath, and for the first time, Kai noticed a faint energy radiating off her body. The air around her shimmered as she drew her katana.

"Stay close, Kai."

Then, in a blur of motion, she vanished.

Kai barely had time to process before a massive shockwave burst through the battlefield. Yuna reappeared on the other side of the wall, her katana gleaming with an eerie blue light. Blood rained down as the beasts she had just passed collapsed, their bodies sliced apart in a single stroke.

Kai was impressed—but the fight wasn't over. A surviving beast lunged at Yuna from above.

"Now, Kai!" she called out.

Kai understood immediately. He slammed his hand into the ground and raised another stone wall beneath her. Yuna used it as a springboard, twisting mid-air to dodge the attack before driving her blade straight into the creature's neck.

The last of the beasts let out a strangled cry before falling silent.

Then, all was quiet again.

Kai let out a slow breath as the system notification appeared before him.

[ System Alert: Battle Completed ]

- EXP Gained

- Skill Upgrade Available

Kai checked his system and noticed his Earth Creation skill had increased. More importantly, his mana had begun regenerating slightly faster than before.

Yuna wiped the blood off her blade and turned to him, holding out a hand. "Good work, kai."

Kai hesitated for a moment before grasping her hand. "Sure."

Before they could rest, however, another sound reached their ears—distant gunfire.

Yuna turned her head toward the direction of their mission target. "Come kai letsgo."

Kai narrowed his eyes. He could see figures in the distance, gathered near the military outpost. Soldiers—no, something was wrong. The soldiers were being overwhelmed.

Then, amidst the chaos, a voice rang out.

"What a disappointment. Is this all the so-called military can do?"

A man stood atop the pile of defeated soldiers, his foot pressing down on a groaning soldier's head. His aura radiated power, and the way he carried himself made it clear—he wasn't just another survivor.

Kai and Yuna instinctively lowered themselves into a crouch, observing from a distance.

"An awakened?" Kai whispered.

Yuna's expression darkened. "Not just any awakened. This one… he's dangerous."

The man in the distance cracked his neck before looking toward the outpost's entrance.

"I was hoping for more of a challenge," he muttered. Then, his gaze shifted—straight toward Kai and Yuna.

He smirked.

"Let's see if you two can entertain me."

The air crackled. A pulse of energy shot toward them, distorting the atmosphere as it approached with terrifying speed.

Kai and Yuna barely had time to react.

"Move!" Yuna shouted.

They both Move—Yuna flickered out of the way in a blur, while Kai, narrowly dodging to the side as the blast thundered past them.

The moment the attack struck the ground, the entire street was consumed by a deafening explosion. Concrete shattered, sending dust and debris flying as buildings in its path crumbled under the force.

Kai landed on his feet, his ears ringing. He turned back toward the source of the attack.

A man stood amidst the chaos, electricity crackling around his body like a living storm. He had a confident smirk, his piercing eyes scanning them like they were mere insects.

Yuna, breathing heavily, activated her system's scan function.

[ System Scan Activated ]

Target: Youngho (Rank B Awakened)

Before she could process the details, Youngho suddenly turned toward her, raising his arm.

"Peeking at mine?" His smirk twisted into a snarl. "You little rat!"

Without warning, he released another surge of electricity.

Yuna reacted instantly, twisting her body to avoid the crackling bolt that split through the air. It scorched the pavement where she had stood just a second before.

Kai gritted his teeth. He's a monster.

"Be careful, Kai!" Yuna warned. "He's worse than I thought!"

Youngho's gaze finally settled on Kai. He let out a mocking laugh.

"And what do we have here?" He sneered. "A brat thinking he belongs in awaken whats up ordinary dumb doing here? That's hilarious!"

Kai clenched his fists, his mind racing. He fighting against an opponent this strong, he couldn't afford to waste a single move.

Youngho raised his hand again, electricity surging between his fingers.

"If you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

The air vibrated with raw power as he fired an electric blast straight at Kai.

Kai's instincts screamed at him. Move!

He dodging to the side just as the blast tore through the ground. But even though he evaded the direct hit, the force of the explosion sent him tumbling across the pavement.

"Damn it…" Kai coughed, his arms scraped from the impact. He pushed himself up, but before he could steady himself, another attack was already coming.

Yuna blurred into action.

She intercepted the next bolt of lightning, slashing her katana through the wave of electricity, deflecting it away from Kai. Sparks flew as her katana absorbed the impact.

"Your fight is with me," she said coldly.

Youngho narrowed his eyes. "Oh? So you're think you strong?"

He reached to his back and unsheathed a long sword. The blade hummed with power, arcs of electricity dancing along its edge.

"I was hoping for something more entertaining," Youngho said, stepping forward, his presence suffocating. "Come, let's see if you can last more than a few seconds."

Yuna gripped her katana tighter, her own aura beginning to flare.

She exhaled, her eyes sharpening.

"Come."

The battlefield was in ruins. The ground was torn apart, rubble and debris scattered in every direction. Two figures clashed in the center, their overwhelming power turning the street into a war zone.

Kai could only watch, his heart pounding as Yuna and Youngho exchanged devastating blows. Their weapons moved like blurs, clashing in midair with sparks flying in all directions. The sheer force of their aura cracked the very ground beneath them.

This… this is the power High rank Awakened.

Then—

CRACK!

A surge of electricity exploded from Youngho's body, catching Yuna off guard. The energy struck her directly, sending her flying. She crashed hard into a pile of rubble, her katana slipping from her grasp.

"Yuna!" Kai shouted, his voice echoing through the battlefield.

But Youngho wasn't done. His expression twisted with rage.

"That damn girl…!" He growled, looking at the broken remains of his sword. "She shattered my precious weapon! You're going to pay for that!"

Electricity surged in his palms, forming a crackling sphere of power.

Kai's breath caught in his throat. He's going to finish her off!

Youngho raised his hand, ready to unleash the final blow.

I have to do something!

Kai clenched his fists. His dagger trembled in his grip.

"I need to focus."

He steadied his breathing.

Youngho turned to him, smirking.

"Oh? You're still here, brat?"

Electric arrows formed in the air around Youngho, buzzing with deadly energy before launching toward Kai.

Dodge. Analyze. Counter.

Kai's body reacted before his mind could even process it. His feet moved on instinct, weaving between the bolts of electricity as he closed the distance. His dagger gleamed in the dim light, ready to strike.

"What a reckless brat!" Youngho scoffed.

With a smirk, Youngho slammed his hand onto the ground.

A shockwave of electricity rippled outward, turning the ground into a death trap. Sparks danced along the surface, waiting to fry anything that touched it.

"Earth Creation!"

The ground rumbled beneath Kai's feet. A stone pillar erupted, launching him high into the air.

Kai gritted his teeth.

He created another pillar, this one shooting straight toward Youngho.

"You're dead!" Kai roared.

But Youngho sneered, sidestepping at the last second.

"Pathetic."

Before Kai could react, Youngho grabbed him mid-air and threw him skyward.

Kai's vision spun.

Below him, Youngho raised his palm. Lightning gathered, forming a massive electrical spear aimed directly at Kai's falling body.

"Now die, Bastard."

Time slowed.

Kai could feel death approaching.

His mind flashed with everything he had been through—the shattered dagger, the near-death experiences, the struggles.

He refused to die here.

No. I am NOT giving up.

"Earth Creation!"

A pillar of stone burst from beneath Youngho's feet, knocking him off balance.

Kai's eyes sharpened. This is it!

"Earth Creation!"

A second pillar formed under Kai's feet, launching him like a bullet toward Youngho.

Dagger in hand, he aimed straight for his target.

Youngho's eyes widened in shock.

"You bastard!"

Too late.

Kai's blade sliced clean through Youngho's right hand, severing it instantly.

A spray of blood followed.

"AARGH!" Youngho howled in agony.

But Kai wasn't done.

With his free hand, he grabbed Youngho's other arm and—

SLASH!

The second hand was gone.

Youngho collapsed, his body twitching as sparks of electricity flickered from his wounds.

His eyes, once filled with arrogance, now reflected horror.

"Y-You… A Colourless how can you use those power..?"

Kai stood over him, panting heavily. Blood dripped from his blade.

"Im dont know either," Kai muttered. He raised his dagger, aiming for Youngho's skull. "Die bastard."

Youngho's face twisted in sheer terror.

"WAIT—"

Kai plunged his dagger straight through Youngho's Face.

A second later, he kicked the body into the air.

"Earth Creation!"

A jagged spike of stone shot up, impaling Youngho mid-air. His body jerked, then fell still.

[ System Notification ]

- You have defeated Awakened Youngho (Rank B).

- Rewards Granted: High-Rank Weapon, New Skill.

- Rank Up: E → D.

Kai's breathing was ragged.

His dagger—his only weapon—had finally shattered from the battle.

He stared at his trembling fist.

He had just killed another awaken.

————

The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke as Kai trudged through the ruined streets of Busan, carrying Yuna on his back. She was still unconscious, her breathing faint but steady.

The fortress—once a beacon of survival—was nothing but rubble. Blood splattered across the ground, bodies of both civilians and soldiers scattered like discarded dolls.

No one was left alive.

Kai gritted his teeth. we late huh....?

For now, it didn't matter. Yuna needed rest.

He found a small, abandoned shelter, hidden behind a collapsed building. Carefully, he laid her down, covering her with a worn-out coat he found nearby.

Then, he gathered some wood. A small flame flickered to life, casting shadows across the broken walls.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Kai sat down and pulled up his System Window.

[ System Window ]

New Rewards:

- Weapon:Storm Fang Blade (Rank B)→ (Restricted: Requires Rank B to equip)

- Skill:Storm Wave (Lv. 1) → (Grants control over electric currents, can create waves of electricity)

Kai's gaze lingered on the Storm Fang Blade. It was a high-tier weapon, far better than his old dagger—but he couldn't use it yet.

He needed to reach Rank B first.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue in frustration.

His eyes then shifted to the new skill.

Storm Wave… an electric-based skill?

Kai frowned. This was Youngho's abilities.

His mind raced. The system had given him the exact power of the enemy he had just killed.

Which meant—

"Those awakened I defeat… I can take their Skill?"

His breath hitched.

A system that steals power..is that the reason why i colourless?.

Kai clenched his fists. "That means… if I kill powerful awakened, I can...."

For a brief moment, a dark thought crossed his mind.

Would it be worth it? Could he afford to hesitate in this world?

"...No."

He shook his head. That wasn't an option. He wasn't a murderer.

But still, this information could be a turning point. If he played his cards right, he could find another way to grow stronger—without needless killing.

He let out a breath.

For now, he needed to focus on surviving.

A soft groansnapped Kai from his thoughts.

He turned to see Yuna stirring, her eyelids fluttering open.

"Ah… where am I…?" Her voice was weak.

Kai moved closer. "You're awake."

Her dazed eyes locked onto him before widening in panic. "W-Where's that guy?! Did he—"

"Calm down." Kai placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's over. I took him down."

Silence filled the room. Then—

She smiled softly, eyes glistening.

"Kai....,thanks."

Chapter end.