Chapter 4: The Price of Power

Kairos' heart was still pounding as he leaned against the warehouse wall, his breath uneven. The trial had lasted only minutes, but it had felt like an eternity. His body still tingled with the remnants of energy from the fight, every fiber of his being different.

Selene watched him closely, arms crossed, a small smirk playing on her lips. "You feel it, don't you?"

Kairos swallowed hard. He did. The power wasn't just a fleeting sensation—it was real. His body was stronger, his reflexes sharper. Even his mind felt clearer, like a fog had been lifted.

"What exactly happened to me?" he asked, his voice steadier than he felt.

Selene tilted her head. "You adapted. Your system isn't just about getting stronger—it's about evolution. Every battle, every challenge, refines you. And that trial? It was your first real step."

Kairos clenched his fists, feeling the difference in his grip. "I felt like I knew what to do… like something was guiding me."

Selene nodded. "That's the Celestial System. It's more than just stats and skills—it's instinct, knowledge, growth. But don't get comfortable. That was a beginner-level trial. The real threats?" Her eyes darkened. "They'll make that beast look like a house cat."

Kairos let out a slow breath. He wasn't stupid—he knew this was just the beginning. But even so, something inside him thrived on the challenge.

Then, something strange happened. A pulse of energy coursed through him, and a sharp notification echoed in his mind.

[Energy Overload: System Rebalancing Required.]

Pain shot through his body, white-hot and unbearable. His knees buckled, and he hit the ground hard, his vision swimming.

"Kairos!" Selene was beside him in an instant, gripping his shoulders. "Damn it, I should've expected this."

"What's… happening?" he gasped, every muscle in his body locking up.

"Your system is compensating," she said grimly. "You evolved too fast. Your body needs time to adjust, or it'll break itself apart."

Kairos barely heard her over the static in his mind. His blood felt like molten lava, his bones shifting unnaturally. He could feel his muscles tightening, his nerves rewiring themselves.

Then, just as quickly as it started, the pain faded. A new kind of exhaustion settled over him, deeper than anything he'd ever felt. He slumped forward, barely able to keep himself upright.

Selene sighed. "Yeah. You're not moving for a while."

Kairos let out a weak chuckle. "Great… I love surprises."

Selene rolled her eyes. "Come on. Let's get you somewhere safe."

She pulled him up, half-carrying him out of the warehouse. The cool night air hit his face, refreshing but doing little to help his drained body. He could barely walk on his own, but Selene was surprisingly strong for someone who looked so effortless about everything.

"Where… are we going?"

Selene didn't answer immediately. Then, after a moment, she said, "Home."

Kairos blinked. "Your home?"

She smirked. "You don't have anywhere better to go, do you?"

He wanted to argue, but the truth was… she was right. His grandfather's house was still there, but going back now, alone, didn't feel right.

Selene's grip tightened on his arm. "Besides, after what just happened, you'll need someone to keep an eye on you. We don't know how your body will react next."

Kairos sighed. "You make it sound like I'm some kind of unstable experiment."

She gave him a sideways glance. "Aren't you?"

Kairos didn't have a comeback for that.

---

Selene's Apartment

Kairos barely remembered how they got there, his exhaustion dulling everything into a blur. By the time they reached Selene's place—a high-end apartment in one of the wealthier parts of the city—he was too drained to care about how ridiculously nice it was.

The moment they stepped inside, Selene kicked off her shoes and tossed her jacket onto a chair. "Alright, sit down before you collapse."

Kairos obeyed, sinking onto the couch like a dead weight. His muscles ached, his head was pounding, but the worst part was the hunger. A gnawing, bottomless hunger that made his stomach twist painfully.

Selene noticed his discomfort. "Oh, right. After evolution, you burn through insane amounts of energy. You need food. A lot of food."

Kairos groaned. "Why didn't you mention that earlier?"

Selene shrugged, already heading to the kitchen. "Figured you'd figure it out."

A few minutes later, she returned with a tray piled with food—rice, grilled meat, some kind of stew.

Kairos didn't waste time. He devoured everything, barely pausing between bites. The moment the food hit his stomach, he felt the difference—his strength was returning, his mind clearing.

Selene watched, amused. "You eat like a starved wolf."

Kairos swallowed the last bite and leaned back with a sigh. "I was starving."

Selene sat down across from him, resting her chin on her hand. "So. You gonna ask me why I brought you here?"

Kairos met her gaze. "Figured you'd tell me when you were ready."

She smirked. "Smart."

There was a brief silence before she spoke again, her tone more serious. "The reason I found you so quickly… is because you're not the first person I've seen awaken."

Kairos stiffened. "You mean there are others?"

She shook her head. "Not like you. Not with a system. But there are people—powerful people—who've awakened something close. And most of them… don't handle it well."

Kairos frowned. "What do you mean?"

Selene leaned forward. "The system isn't just some random gift, Kairos. It was given to you for a reason. And that reason?" Her golden eyes locked onto his. "It's connected to something much bigger than you realize."

Kairos felt a chill run down his spine. "You mean… the cosmic force you mentioned before?"

Selene nodded. "Yes. And I think it's watching you."

Kairos swallowed hard. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent an uneasy feeling through him.

Before he could respond, his vision flickered. A new message appeared in his mind, sending a pulse of energy through his veins.

[Celestial System Notification]

[New Evolution Path Unlocked.]

[Next Trial Pending…]

Kairos exhaled slowly, and thought to himself.

Things were only getting started.