Chapter 14: Awakening of Power

Ares gasped for breath, trying to comprehend what had just happened. The energy that surged from within him wasn't just a fleeting sensation—it was real, tangible, as if it had always been a part of him, yet he had never felt it before.

The monsters hesitated for a brief moment, as if they sensed that their opponent was no longer just an ordinary human. But instead of retreating, their fury intensified. They roared in unison, shaking the entire forest with their deafening cries.

Ares (muttering): "If you won't run… then I have no other choice."

He gripped his sword tightly, feeling a newfound stability in his hold. It was as if his body and weapon were now in perfect harmony, moving as one.

The Counterattack

The beasts charged at Ares once more, but this time, something had changed. He was no longer just a warrior relying on learned skills—there was something deeper within him, something that had been dormant and had finally awakened.

With a speed he had never experienced before, he weaved through the monsters, dodging their claws and fangs effortlessly. One of them tried to ambush him from behind, but he turned swiftly, delivering a single, decisive strike that severed its head in an instant.

Ares (astonished): "This speed… I wasn't this fast just moments ago!"

His body moved fluidly, as if everything around him had slowed down. His attacks were sharper, his reflexes quicker. He wasn't just fighting—he was dominating the battlefield.

An Eye in the Shadows

From a distance, a mysterious figure watched the scene unfold, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Mysterious Figure (calmly): "Finally… he's beginning to show his true potential."

Ares had no idea, but he wasn't the only one with such power. There were others—and one of them had been observing him from the very start.

Minutes passed, and Ares found himself standing amidst a field of defeated monsters. He was breathing heavily, but to his surprise, he didn't feel as exhausted as he expected. Instead, he felt stronger—more alive than ever before.

Ares (determined): "If this is just the beginning… then I'm ready for whatever comes next!"

But the real question remained: What had awakened within him? And what price would he have to pay for this newfound power?

End of Chapter 14.