Paths of Blood and Steel

The lifeless body of the panther lay before Leonar—motionless, yet still imposing. Its dark fur shimmered under the faint rays of sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. A gentle breeze brushed against the fresh blood moistening the leaves on the ground, leaving a faint metallic scent drifting in the air.

Leonar approached cautiously, his steps silent, almost reverent. Despite having defeated it, he felt respect for the creature. Not only for its ferocity, but for what its body revealed.

"This wasn't an ordinary beast…" he murmured, crouching down for a closer look.

That's when he noticed it: at the base of its tail and on both ears, the panther bore thin plates of what appeared to be some kind of armor. They weren't crude or primitive, but elegant and meticulously crafted—as if nature itself had forged them for her. The plates were jet-black, with fine silver veins forming a pattern that resembled tribal markings.

Before he could ask himself anything else, the Celestial Armor System reactivated, its metallic voice echoing:

[☀️ Analysis complete: You have defeated a creature bearing a Partial Beast Armor.][📦 Rewards obtained: +4 Celestial Points][🎁 Item received: Beast Core Fragment (Rank: Low)][📜 New function unlocked: "Armor Enhancements" is now available.]

A marble-sized sphere floated into his palm. It was purple, with golden sparks dancing inside, as if it contained a trapped storm. The system indicated that it was a Beast Core Fragment, a rare material only obtained by defeating beasts in the process of developing their own armor. It could be used to strengthen specific parts of his armor—or even accelerate its future evolution.

Leonar clenched the fragment between his fingers and carefully stored it in a small compartment that had formed in his belt when he summoned the Iron Hawk Armor.

"Even beasts can awaken an armor… so how far can I go?" he thought, a mixture of awe and ambition lighting up his gaze.

He looked at the panther one last time. Its life had ended, but for Leonar, the struggle was just beginning.

The forest around him seemed to have calmed after the battle. However, Leonar knew peace in this world never lasted long. He had to move. His destination was a village which, according to his memories, lay to the west—near some hills where the universe's power flowed with greater intensity.

As he walked among tall trees and damp undergrowth, he reflected on all he had learned in such a short time. His body, though still young and marked by the abuse from his family, was beginning to transform. He could feel the tension of muscle beneath his skin, his breathing deeper, his heart beating strong—yet not fatigued. Every step felt lighter, more agile.

This body… is no longer weak.With each battle, with every meditation, a new version of myself is being forged.

The forest would not make things easy. On his path, he encountered several lesser creatures: grey-furred wolves, bright-scaled snakes, and even a boar with tusks like daggers. Though none posed a serious threat, he used them for training. He dodged their attacks, analyzed their movements, searched for weaknesses. In some cases, he didn't even summon his armor—he wanted to sharpen his reflexes, to trust in his martial instincts once more.

But when the boar charged at him with brutal force, he decided to test a basic technique using his armor.

"Hawk's Rush."

In an instant, his body was engulfed by a burst of wind. The energy of the universe surged through his back, concentrating in his legs and fists. Leonar launched forward with such speed that his feet barely touched the ground. When his fist struck the boar's neck, a dry thud echoed through the forest and the beast was sent crashing into a tree, collapsing without so much as a squeal.

Leonar stood firm, his breathing steady.

"Not just power… this armor also grants me speed, agility. It's like becoming the hawk itself."

Later, upon reaching a clearing where sunlight poured more freely, he decided to rest beneath a wide tree with reddish bark. The air was fresh, with the clean scent of damp grass and wildflowers. He sat down, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.

The power of the universe was everywhere. He felt it flowing like an invisible river through the trees, the earth, and the sky. And he, seated there, was part of that cycle. With each inhale, he drew it inward. With each exhale, he felt it strengthen within him.

The system's voice interrupted him once more:

[🗡️ New Mission Assigned]Conquer your first battle against a human warrior.Reward: +8 Celestial PointsSpecial Item (Iron Rank)

Leonar slowly opened his eyes.This time, it wasn't a beast. It wouldn't be an animal driven by instinct.He would have to face someone like himself—a thinking mind, a heart full of ambition, and perhaps, another armor.

"So… the real trial begins now," he whispered, with a faint smile full of excitement and determination.

He looked up at the sky through the treetops. The clouds seemed to drift slowly, as if granting him time to prepare.But he didn't intend to wait.

He rose with purpose and began walking once more, following the path of a small stream which, according to his memories, would lead straight to the fields near the village. His shadow stretched behind him, cloaked by the metallic silhouette of his armor.

The Iron Hawk wasn't just his protection.

It was the symbol of his rebirth.

The stream had become his guide. Its crystal-clear waters meandered between moss-covered rocks, gently descending a sloped hillside. Leonar walked with steady steps, the murmur of the water accompanying his thoughts.

"I don't know how many others have this system..." he reflected. "But if I can improve my armor, if I can absorb beast fragments and grow stronger... then I have no intention of falling behind."

He opened the system panel as he walked. Its interface floated before him with a simple elegance. He reviewed the options available in the newly unlocked function:

[Armor Enhancements – Activated]● Partial Component Upgrade (requires Beast Core Fragment)● Limb Reinforcement● Latent Core Unlock (Requires: 2 Fragments + 10 Celestial Points)

He already had one fragment, but he hesitated to use it just yet. His instincts —and his combat experience— told him he hadn't yet grasped the full potential of his Iron Hawk Armor.

[💠 Celestial Points: 6][🔓 Points needed for new armor: 10]

"Four more points…" he murmured, "and I'll be able to see what other armors I can unlock."

The system had already shown him that the hawk armor wasn't the only available choice at the beginning. During his awakening, before selecting it, there had been two others as well:

Iron Bear Armor: focused on raw endurance and overwhelming strength, with techniques for defense and impact absorption.

Iron Serpent Armor: centered on flexibility, stealth, and venomous techniques, ideal for prolonged and lethal battles.

He had felt a strange pull toward those two, but the call of the hawk had been stronger. Now, with the possibility of switching armors in the future, he could adapt according to the enemy and environment.

A branch cracked to his right. Leonar turned immediately.

Three creatures emerged from the underbrush. They weren't as large as the panther, but much faster — some sort of forest jackals, with long fangs and amber eyes gleaming with fury. They advanced in formation, flanking him with predator instinct.

"Another test?"

He let them approach, his breathing calm. At the right moment, he lunged forward.

He activated his skill:

"Hawk's Charge!"

His legs propelled him like a living arrow. With an elegant twist, he dodged the first jackal and struck its back with his elbow, cracking its ribs. The second leapt at his neck, but Leonar lowered his center of gravity and launched an upward kick that sent it flying.

The third was smarter — it took advantage of the recoil and bit his left arm. Its fangs pierced the outer metallic layer, leaving a gleaming scratch, but couldn't break through the defensive core.

Leonar grabbed the beast by the neck with his free arm and spun around, hurling it against a tree with brutal force. The snap of bones was so sharp that the other two, wounded and limping, retreated with lowered snouts.

"Running won't save you," he said as he advanced slowly.

His gaze was no longer that of a frightened youth — it was the gaze of a warrior.

A quick succession of precise blows ended them. Sweat dripped down his brow, mixing with the blood of his enemies. Still panting, he looked at his hands and clenched his fists.

"I'm still too dependent on speed. If I get hit with a real attack, I won't be able to withstand it…"

He needed to evolve.

The rest of the path toward the village was calmer. He came across giant birds watching him from the skies, and golden-eyed deer that walked away without causing trouble. As evening fell, the vegetation began to change. The tree roots grew thicker, the soil drier, and the bushes bloomed with vibrant blue flowers.

Leonar knew what that meant.

"I'm close to the spiritual energy fields. The environment is changing… growing denser."

The universe's flow was stronger here. He felt it beneath his feet, in the breeze passing through the leaves, in the pulsing ground. Each step felt like walking across a living web.

At last, in the distance, he saw the first signs of civilization: a rustic wooden fence, a few aligned crops, and the smoke of chimneys rising against the purple twilight sky.

The village of Harven, a small agricultural settlement. It was no more than a handful of stone and mud houses, but according to the memories of the original body, an old blacksmith who had once been an armor bearer lived there.

"Maybe he can teach me something. Or maybe... the system will place him in my path as a test."

As he crossed the wooden fence, the few peasants who saw him stopped. Some whispered among themselves. A young man in training clothes, covered in blood and wearing gleaming armor, wasn't a common sight. But no one stopped him.

He found an inn next to the village well. It was simple, but warm. The wood creaked beneath his boots as he entered. The innkeeper, a bald man with a big belly, raised an eyebrow at the sight of him.

"You look like you've been through hell, kid. What brings you here?"

"Rest… and maybe answers," Leonar said as he tossed him a small pouch with a few copper coins. The original body still had some savings left.

That night, before sleeping, he checked the system once more. He thought of the future, of the battles to come, of how close he was to obtaining more power… and of the pending mission:

Conquer your first battle against a human warrior.

He knew it wouldn't be long. Maybe that old blacksmith, maybe a traveler… or maybe, one of his family's envoys, coming to finish the job.

He closed his eyes with a smile.

"Come whenever you want. This time… I'll be waiting for you."