The digital glow of the system panel shimmered before Evan's eyes, and he scrutinized every last detail.
But it was clear—brutally clear.
18,000 EEP.
That's all he had.
Barely enough to tickle the edges of a D-rank talent evolution, let alone awaken something game-changing.
The talent he had his eye on? 30,000 EEP. Minimum.
He clenched his jaw but didn't sigh. No. He couldn't afford to waste even a breath of regret. His priority wasn't talent right now—it was his Physique Evolution. That was his foundation. Everything else could wait.
As his fingers loosened from the tension, a faint stream of light spilt across the room.
Evan turned to the window.
The sun was rising, its golden rays just barely bleeding over the horizon.
"...Tch, no point sleeping now," he muttered.
If he crawled back into bed now, half the day would be lost. And right now, time was blood—fuel for the fire that would ignite his next evolution.
'The Adventurer Guild... yeah, that's the move.'
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
Becoming an adventurer wasn't just about getting a badge or hunting for coins. It was a gateway. A way to legally step into Danger Zones, to go where people feared to tread.
Where monsters roamed.
Where experience overflowed.
Where death whispered.
And he was no stranger to that whisper anymore. He smiled.
"Running from Death won't save me… Not when I've already shaken hands with it."
Corny. He winced at himself.
"Still… that wasn't bad," Evan mumbled with a sly grin.
The decision was made.
He'd head to the guild today. Register. Then dive headfirst into blood and chaos.
But before that, there was something else nagging him—something he'd kept ignoring for far too long.
His weapon proficiency.
He opened the menu, flicking through his status panel, eyes narrowing. The numbers didn't sit right with him. It felt... off.
And then, the system intervened.
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
[System Notification]
⟪ Ding! The detected host is attempting to verify Weapon Proficiency Scaling. ⟫
⟪ Warning: Current parameters may not reflect actual proficiency. ⟫
⟪ Would you like to recalibrate the weapon proficiency using real-time battle analytics? ⟫
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
Evan blinked."Huh... You can do that?"
He chuckled.
"Well damn, if you're offering to show me the real me, then I'd be a fool not to accept."
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
[System Notification]
⟪ Request acknowledged. ⟫
⟪ Recalibrating host's Weapon Proficiency using top-tier scaling metrics. ⟫
⟪ All skill parameters will now reflect true system productivity and real-world combat alignment. ⟫
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
He smirked, watching the recalibration begin.
"Bring it on. Let's see what kind of monster I really am."
__
Skill: Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv. 10)
Type: Passive
Cooldown: N/A
Mana Cost: N/A
Proficiency: 100%
Description:
A passive skill that increases the user's effectiveness with all weapons, providing enhanced accuracy, damage, and speed based on the weapon type currently equipped.
Effects:
Accuracy Boost: Increases hit chance by 20% with all weapon types.
Damage Boost: Increases weapon damage by 30%.
Attack Speed Boost: Increases attack speed by 20%.
Weapon Proficiency:
Sword Proficiency → [S 24%] >> [D 43%]
Hand-to-Hand Proficiency → [A 36%] >> [E+ 12%]
Bow Proficiency → [S 12%] >> [D- 17%]
Spear Proficiency → [A 97%] >> [E- 68%]
Shield Proficiency → [B 1%] >> [F+ 23%]
Dagger Mastery -> [S 65%] >> [D+ 45%]
__
"Maybe… staying inside a dream wasn't so bad after all," Evan muttered.
A faint, bitter smile curved his lips as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Facing the truth hit harder than he expected. What he once thought were high proficiency ratings… were nothing more than illusions. Only now, with the system's recalibration, did he realize how far off he'd been. It was humbling—and humiliating.
Reality had stripped away the layers of delusion.
"…Hey, system," Evan exhaled, voice low. "Can you check if any of my other abilities are using faulty scaling too?"
⟦ System Notification ⟧
[Ding! Initiating scan for inconsistent proficiency scaling across host's active abilities...]
[Ding! Scan complete. No other discrepancies were found. All listed proficiencies are currently accurate and aligned with the host's true capabilities.]
"What? So my Elemental Manipulation proficiency… it's legit?"
⟦ System Notification ⟧
[Affirmative. Elemental Manipulation is calculated by the system's own standards and scales based on real-time control and mana adaptation. No recalibration is needed.]
"Hehh… acting all high and mighty now, aren't you?" Evan scoffed, covering his face as the embarrassment clung to him. "Still… thanks for that performance."
He closed the system screen with a flick of his thought and stood up, stretching his limbs.
Outside his room, the town was already awake. People strolled the brick-and-sand paths, shops opened their windows, and the scent of morning dew mingled with baked goods in the air.
Before heading to the dining hall, Evan pulled a half-mask from his inventory and placed it over his upper face. No need to attract attention—especially from anyone who'd mocked him recently.
He found an empty table in the corner, quiet and distant, and ordered the same breakfast from yesterday. It wasn't extravagant, but he liked it enough.
As he ate, voices from the nearby table drifted into his ears.
"You hear the rumour? The Twilight Team's returning. Either today or tomorrow," someone whispered excitedly. "Word is, most of them reached the peak of this expanse and are planning to raid a Lord's territory!"
"No way," his friend replied, slamming his mug on the table. "That's just gossip. I won't believe it unless I see them myself."
"Who cares about them?" a bulky man grumbled—probably their leader. "We're ranked 67th in the team listings, and none of us are even in the top 100 lone adventurers. Focus on us."
"Come on, Leader, we can still climb," one of the members chuckled. "No need to covet stars—we'll rise eventually."
Their conversation spiraled into casual bickering. It was entertaining at first, but Evan quickly lost interest.
Until another name was mentioned.
"…I heard there's a guy named Kael making waves lately," someone said. "Solo ranker. Shot up like a comet."
Evan's ears twitched.
A lone star rising? That was more interesting than teams and their politics.
But he didn't have time to chase rumours—not now. His path was already set.
After finishing his food, he left the inn and stepped onto the bustling streets. Checking his map, he navigated toward the west side of town. That's where the Adventurer's Guild was located—conveniently near the town's exit gates.
When he arrived, the building was swarming with people. Adventurers of all ranks and appearances had gathered, some checking quests, others forming parties. The air buzzed with ambition.
Evan pushed through the crowd and reached the registration counter. After a short wait, it was his turn.
A young receptionist greeted him with a polite smile. "Welcome to the Nexus Adventurers Guild. What can I do for you?"
"I want to register," Evan replied.
"Of course. Please fill out this form, and I'll assess your information for the ranking system."
Evan nodded and took the parchment and quill. The form was written in Nexus Common—a universal language. Thanks to his first life, reading and writing it was second nature now.
He filled in his name and age honestly. But then came a tricky part.
"Uhm… this section here," Evan asked, pointing. "What's 'Power System Type' mean?"
The receptionist leaned closer. "It refers to your core method of growth—how your power evolves. We log this to categorize adventurers accurately."
"Got it."
Evan wrote "Leveling System." The next section auto-generated beneath it, forming new questions like his current level, class, and job.
He answered truthfully: Level 70, Class: Necromancer. But just in case, he marked his class rating as D.
Better to fly under the radar. The last thing he needed was recruitment attempts from dozens of teams.
The receptionist reviewed the form. "Ah, you're part of one of the Major Systems. That simplifies things."
"Major Systems?" Evan raised a brow.
"Yes," she explained. "Nexus adventurers are divided into Major, Minor, and Unique Systems based on how they grow their power."
She continued:
Major Systems: Leveling, Mage Circles, Weapon Aura.
Minor Systems: Non-Class Leveling, Profession-based growth, Hybrid Magic, Beast Taming.
Unique Systems: Tattoo Channels, Soul Beasts, and other rare soul-linked abilities.
"Huh… interesting," Evan said, feigning a clueless tone.
"For the Leveling System, we use a rank orb and a status stone. Please, place your hand here."
He obeyed.
As soon as his palm touched the orb, a small surge of mana entered his veins. The orb glowed faintly.
—Level: 70.
Next, she brought out a rectangular status stone. The top turned muddy, and a holographic panel formed.
It displayed basic stats and key traits—just enough for low-tier analysis. She reviewed it quietly and nodded.
"All set. Please wait while I print your adventurer card and sync your rank into the central Nexus database."
Evan took a seat in the waiting area, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden bench.
He scanned the nearby quest boards but saw no notices for danger zones.
'Strange. No mention of high-risk areas? Maybe she would've told me if there were any… or maybe they're not publicly posted.'
He leaned back and let out a soft sigh.
The hunt would begin soon. And this time, he wouldn't be chasing dreams.
He would become the nightmare others feared.
"What are you thinking about, kid? Do you need my help?"
The voice stirred Evan from his thoughts, and he snapped his head to the side in surprise.
Arven stood beside him, calm and composed, invisible to all but Evan.
Evan instinctively glanced around to check if anyone noticed the black-armoured relic standing next to him—but the busy adventurers were oblivious.
"Don't worry," Arven reassured with a faint chuckle. "They can't see me. You and I exist on different layers now."
'Then… what can you actually do? I need to find a high-level danger zone. Somewhere with strong monsters. I have to level up fast… ascend quickly.'
"Then let me help. These are the kinds of things I'm made for," Arven replied coolly.
'But how? Aside from hunting Destined Ones, I thought your abilities were limited.'
Arven smirked as though Evan had just said something naïve.
"Have you forgotten what I am? I was forged from many Laws. Destiny, Fate… even Death. Danger and opportunity are opposite ends of the same thread. And I can see both."
With a snap of his fingers, a glowing system panel formed between them.
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
[Absolute Rank] {Stage 0}
→ Scans a wide area to detect Destined Ones, hidden treasures, and fate-based opportunities.
→ Range, clarity, and detection strength increase based on Destined Ones slain.
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
'So this is the tool…' Evan muttered internally.
"Exactly. Try it out. You'll see the results yourself."
Evan didn't respond verbally. Instead, he activated the ability.
For a brief moment, it felt like his soul pulsed—like a ripple in the air, subtle but immense.
A translucent, spherical orb began rising from him, expanding rapidly in all directions.
It passed through the walls of the guild like mist, unnoticed by the people inside.
Minutes passed.
The sphere kept expanding. No end in sight.
'…Hey. Is it bugged or something? When's this supposed to stop?'
"Hmm…" Arven said casually. "I'd estimate the current radius is around… 10,000 square kilometres. Maybe more."
Evan almost shouted out loud. "What—?!"
He quickly covered his mouth as a few adventurers turned to stare. With a stiff smile, he sat back down and apologized.
'You're serious? Ten thousand square kilometres?'
"Actually… eleven. Give or take," Arven replied nonchalantly.
Just then, system notifications began popping up.
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
[Ding! Host ability, Area Scan - Eyes of Fate, scan has been completed.]
[The scan has been completed. The Scanned area: 11,327 Km².]
[Search Result has been Estimated: 1 Destined One (Blue Deep), One Unknown Being (Purple Deep). Three Danger zones have been detected. Five Opportunities have been detected (Green - Blue).]
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
'So… there is a Destined One here in the Nexus. And an unknown anomaly, too. That's… interesting.'
He couldn't help but smirk. 'Maybe it is my fate to hunt them all.'
__
Luck > Colour Hue > Title
0 – 99 > Gray > Unlucky Fodder
100 – 499 > Green > Survivor
500 – 999 > Blue > Lucky One
1,000 - 1,999 > Purple > Favoured Challenger
2,000 - 3,499 > Red > Protaganist Energy
3,500 - 4,999 > Crimson > Game - Breaker
5,000 - 6,499 > Silver > Heaven's Pick
6,500 - 7,999 > Gold > Fate Shaker
8,000 - 9,499 > White Flames > World's Chosen
9,500 - 9,999 > Black > Singularity
[All Hue are divided into three categories: Light, Medium and Deep as per the Luck they hold.]
__
'But how the hell am I supposed to find them? I don't even have a map—'
Another system chime interrupted him.
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
[System Notification]
All discovered Opportunities and Danger Zones have been mapped.
[New Feature Unlocked]: Fate-Scan Map
Map has been added to the System Menu.
◇─◇──◆──◇─◇
'Okay… from now on, I'm not questioning anything. Ever again.'
Opening the new map interface, Evan found a highly detailed scan of the entire 11,000+ square kilometer expanse. Topography, landmarks, resource points—all neatly outlined.
Each detected opportunity and danger zone had been pinpointed. Even his own location was marked.
However,… the Destined One and Purple Hue anomalies were not visible.
He understood. Some cards were not meant to be revealed yet.
Slipping the panel away, Evan stood up and made his way to the reception desk.
"Sir, here's your Adventurer Badge," the receptionist said. "Your current rank is Bronze. Please prioritize survival over rushing into dangerous areas just to level up."
She handed him a thin card bearing his details—and his adventurer rank number: #178.
Her eyes briefly widened. That was abnormally high for someone only at Level 70. Most high-ranking adventurers were already maxed at Level 100.
Still, she didn't comment. Her instinct warned her not to underestimate this one.
Evan gave her a calm smile and walked away.
As he explored the guild, his gaze landed on a massive translucent screen—a Ranking Board.
Names and ranks are scrolled like a system panel.
His eyes immediately locked on the top three.
#1: Sylen – Level 100→ Leader of the elite Twilight Team
#2: Kael – ???→ Unknown origin, unaffiliated
#3: Elya – Weapon-Class Swordswoman→ Twilight Team
Aside from a few names, the Twilight Team dominated the Top 10.
Only Kael stood out—unaffiliated, mysterious, and independent.
That piqued Evan's suspicion.
'I'll have to look into him later…'
Eventually, Evan made his way back to the inn.
Inside the dimly lit dining hall, he approached the bartender he'd met the night before.
"I need some information. About the top two ranked adventurers."
"Ah… that's not something I just give away. My mouth doesn't open without the right price."
"Tell me the price, then."
The bartender eyed him, then grinned.
"80 Bronze Coins. Thirty for Sylen. Fifty for Kael."
"Wait—shouldn't Sylen cost more?"
"Hah. Sylen's tale is old and overhyped. Everyone who's tried to beat him got crushed. But Kael… his story is darker."
Evan tossed a pouch on the counter. "Start talking."
The bartender leaned in, voice dropping low.
"Sylen came here about four years ago with his 'Seven Brothers.' But they left him behind in this expanse. Two years alone, he vanished into a forbidden zone that no one returns from—and came back alive."
"After that, he changed. A swordsman beyond compare. Rumours say he gained a mysterious inheritance, something that turned him into the backbone of the Twilight Team."
The bartender paused for a sip before continuing.
"Kael? Now that's the interesting one. Born here. Orphaned after a tragic accident. Called the 'Cursed Child.' No power. No System. Nothing."
Evan's eyes narrowed.
"He became a porter for one of the Top 100 Teams. Things went well… until that team tried to raid the Undead Zone—where Level 100 monsters walk like it's Tuesday."
"Everyone died. Except him. He claimed he passed out and woke up outside the zone."
The bartender leaned even closer.
"But afterwards, he awakened something unique. A levelling system tied to a flame—The Never-Ending Fire or that's what they said. A flame that only extinguishes when he wills it."
"Two months later, he was in the Top 10."
Evan digested the info, then stood up.
"Oh, and kid—don't spread this. I've got ways to make you forget it all if you do."
Evan didn't even flinch. He just nodded and walked off after paying—for both the information and the fruit juice, which the bartender insisted on charging for.
'Stingy bastard.'
His thoughts turned serious again.
It was clear now.
Kael was the Destined One. And Sylen… the high-luck anomaly.
His next destination was obvious.
The Undead Zone—where power waited to be claimed through death.
Evan narrowed his gaze at the glowing sections of the map. Among the many danger zones marked, one in particular pulsed faintly with an eerie hue—The Undead Zone.
Despite its ominous name and darkened visuals on the map, he noticed something unusual.
"…Strange," he muttered.
A subtle flicker of golden opportunity shimmered within the dark. Not just danger—something else was buried there. A secret perhaps. A treasure. Or maybe, a relic of the past waiting to be claimed.
Before he could think further, a jolt ran through him.
"Ugh—"
He had bumped into someone.
Closing the map, Evan looked up and found himself standing in front of a girl—no, not a regular one. A Demi-human. Wolf-type hybrid, judging by the ears and tail twitching in irritation.
"Sorry. Are you hurt?" Evan extended a hand.
The girl glared at him like she'd just been insulted.
"No, you jerk! I'm just lying here for fun, huh?! Don't you have eyes? Or are they installed on the back of your skull?"
She swatted his hand away and stood up, brushing off the dirt with sharp movements. Her tone was harsh, but her looks were anything but. The girl—clearly strong-willed—was beautiful. Striking even.
"I said I'm sorry. But don't you have eyes too? Maybe it wasn't just my fault," Evan replied, not backing down.
"Oh, so now you're blaming me?"
Before she could go on another tirade, a calm voice interrupted.
"Mirra… can't you act more like a normal girl, instead of a wild beast?"
The one speaking was another girl, this one elegant, with silver hair and eyes like moonlit frost. Beside her was a tall young man whose crimson eyes and obsidian-black hair gave him a cold charm—almost princely. The aura around him screamed talent, and Evan felt it right away.
Mirra huffed. "Elira, this idiot bumped into me, maybe on purpose. Now he's trying to blame me too!"
Evan squinted, activating his passive talent quietly.
⟦ Activated ⟧
⟦ Target Detected: Deep Hue – Soul-Tied Presence Identified ⟧
'That guy…' Evan's eyes narrowed.
The blue hue coating the man behind the girls wasn't ordinary. It pulsed with soul-signature energy—potentially another Destined One. Or worse, something dangerous hiding beneath a perfect mask.
"I already said it was a mistake," Evan said calmly. "There's no need to blow it up. I apologized. If that's not enough, I'll just leave before you sue me for existing."
"Mirra, calm down," Kael—the crimson-eyed man—said, stepping forward with a disarming smile. "If he said it was an accident, let it go."
"No way! I got scratched from the fall! I demand a potion or a bronze coin!" Mirra pointed at Evan, palm open like it was her birthright.
Evan sighed. "I can't give you a coin, but… I can do this."
He stepped forward and grabbed her hand before she could react.
⟦
A wave of pure life energy surged from his palm, wrapping around Mirra like a glowing, gentle current. Her body trembled as wounds—old and new—vanished in seconds. Even the exhaustion in her limbs faded, replaced by lightness.
"What the—!?"
She blinked in disbelief. "I feel… amazing."
"I've healed you. That should cover it," Evan said as he walked past Kael.
But as he passed the man, something stirred inside him. A whisper. A cold voice brushed past his soul.
Evan paused.
'Necrotic…? No—Undead energy?'
He didn't say anything and kept walking. Better not to confront him. Not now. Not until he knew more.
Behind him, Mirra stared at her hands, astonished.
"That jerk… he's a good healer. Must be from a high-ranking team."
"No," Elira corrected. "I've never seen him before. Most likely just arrived in the Nexus. Right, Kael?"
Kael was quiet and thoughtful. "Yeah… probably. But he's interesting. We could use a professional holder like him in our party."
"No way!" Mirra shot back instantly. "I don't want that idiot around."
"Oh? You don't like him?" Elira teased.
Mirra flushed slightly. "I just… I don't like any man. Except Kael! He saved me back then, and in my eyes, no one is better than him. Not even that arrogant fool Sylen."
She hugged Kael's arm tightly.
Elira smirked and joined them, but Kael's mind was elsewhere.
A whisper deep inside him stirred. Something unseen… watching. Warning. Afraid.
And Kael didn't know why.
Far from town now, Evan summoned his undead mount—Zephoros, a spectral warhorse clad in bone-like armour and pulsing blue fire. Its level had climbed to 60, and its speed was monstrous. The wind howled around them as Evan held tight, the rush pushing him back slightly from sheer velocity.
"What's wrong, kid?" Arven's voice came through as he floated beside him in semi-ethereal form.
"It's… Kael. When I walked past him, I felt something. Something like my own energy… like a part of me was calling out from within him."
"Hm… Necrotic or Death-based, most likely," Arven replied. "He's carrying something hidden, but expertly masked. I didn't sense any unique item or physique—just a buried energy that even I can barely detect."
"…Should I kill him and find out?" Evan asked bluntly.
"Idiot. He's stronger than you right now. He's peaking. You're still behind in levels. Get stronger—then we can make a move."
"Tch…"
With a sigh, Evan leaned forward.
"The sooner we get to that undead zone, the better."
Zephoros charged ahead, his hooves barely touching the ground.
Suddenly, Evan passed through something—a thin shimmer in the air.
He pulled the reins and turned around. "What was that?"
"A shield barrier," Arven answered. "It keeps weak monsters from sneaking into town. Ignore it. Let's move. We don't want anyone to see you heading toward the undead zone."
Evan nodded and spurred Zephoros forward.
Where he was headed could either grant him the strength he needed...
…or become a death trap meant to devour him whole.
→ To Be Continued...