Team Training

Kyren and Lydel sat by the fire, the scent of roasting meat filling the air. Neither spoke—they both knew to eat now because once they finished, training would begin.

As Lydel focused on cooking, Kyren opened his system menu.

Kyren Warhammer

Stats:

Physical Constitution: C

Strength: C+

Speed: B

Stamina: B-

Mana Pool: C

Hero Rank: 1000

Level: 2 (5/100 EXP)

Missions:

Special Training:

Objective: Defeat 10 monsters tonight.

Rewards: Month EXP Boost Potion, Month Luck Boost Potion, 25 Stat Points, Skill: ????, Trait: ????

Bonus Mission: Sidekick Stories

Objective: Impress Lydel by winning at least one sparring match.

Rewards: Unlock Lydel as a sidekick early, unlock Lydel's stat assessment, sidekick improvement planner, Trait: ????

Bonus Mission Complete. Claim rewards? Yes/No

Kyren chose Yes, and a new stat window appeared. He scrolled down, eyes widening at what he saw.

Sidekick: Lydel Sinclair

Stats:

Physical Constitution: D+

Strength: C-

Speed: C

Stamina: C+

Mana Pool: D+

Hero Rank: 1001 (Last in Epsilon)

Level: 1 (5/50 EXP)

Skills:

Fast-Forward: Allows the user to see the next 3 seconds immediately after choosing an action.

System Skill - Empowered Player: (Passive) Gain a 5% boost to all stats when fighting together. 10% additional damage when both land a hit on the same enemy.

Improvement Plan:

Requirements: Sidekick Level 2, 25 Stat Points.

Rewards: All sidekick stats raised by 1 minor grade.

Kyren's attention was drawn to something new under his own Hero Rank.

Traits:

Leader (Common): You are a leader of men—you empower yourself and others.

Effects:

+1 Sidekick Slot

Unlocks "Empowered Player" Skill

Trait Growth Potential: ???

Kyren grinned. This changes everything.

Lydel, noticing the look on his face, paled. "I don't like that grin."

Kyren stood, dismissing the system screen. "Time to hunt. But this time, we're focusing on teamwork."

Lydel groaned. "Sure. Let's 'try' teamwork again."

Their past hunting attempts had been disastrous. Lydel always preferred brute force—charging in head-on, overwhelming smaller creatures with strength alone. Kyren, previously powerless, had relied on patience, stalking his prey and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But now? Now they both had powers. Maybe they could find a middle ground.

This time, they weren't hunting mutated rodents. They needed a challenge.

After the emergence of powers, not just humans evolved—so did the animals. Many doubled in size, growing more aggressive and territorial. Some didn't just grow; they changed, mutating into things that barely resembled their former species. Thankfully, Kyren and Lydel weren't looking for those nightmares tonight—just strong, ordinary beasts.

The first prey appeared—a pack of three raccoons, each the size of a donkey.

Kyren smirked. "This should be easy."

Lydel shook his head.

Without hesitation, Kyren lunged, skipping the use of Flash Step. The raccoons barely had time to react before his dagger sliced clean across one's throat. It dropped instantly.

The second raccoon turned toward Lydel, baring sharp yellowed fangs, but Kyren moved first. A swift kick to its head sent it staggering, giving Lydel an opening. With practiced ease, Lydel leaped forward, driving his short sword through the beast's spine. It collapsed.

They locked eyes. Kyren grinned. "Combo attack."

Lydel nodded, already moving.

The last raccoon reared up on its hind legs, attempting to intimidate them.

Lydel sprinted forward, low to the ground. The raccoon swiped at him, but he dodged right, then immediately feinted left, launching himself into a dropkick aimed at its hind leg.

Kyren waited, counting the seconds. The moment Lydel made contact, Kyren activated Flash Step, appearing beside the raccoon's exposed neck.

Momentum Slash—

His dagger gleamed with golden mana as it sliced through fur, flesh, and bone. The raccoon's head tumbled to the ground.

They regrouped and pressed on, picking off more beasts as the night wore on. With each kill, their coordination improved.

7/10 kills.

Lydel wiped sweat from his brow. "Kyren, can we start heading back soon? I actually want to sleep tonight."

Kyren was about to agree—

A deep, guttural howl split the air.

Both boys spun toward the treeline, muscles tensing.

A wolf, standing six feet tall on all fours, exploded from the brush, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto them. It lunged, jaws snapping.

Lydel barely dodged in time, slashing upward in retaliation. His blade grazed the wolf's neck, but the beast didn't even flinch. Instead, it let out a bone-chilling howl.

Two more wolves emerged from the darkness. One was as big as the first—the other was even larger.

Lydel cursed, kicking the first wolf away. It skidded back but quickly regrouped with the others.

Kyren and Lydel stood their ground, side by side. Neither was ready to back down.

The real fight had just begun.