NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 10: 10. First Move
Night fell—quiet and still. Slowly, I opened my eyes, ending a long meditation session.
After several days of training to control mana, my body had finally started to adapt to its flow—though the results were far from ideal.
The main issue remained the same: this body had an extremely small mana capacity. If I were to measure it using a leveling system, I'd barely qualify as a Level 1 Mage. Or more accurately—a novice who'd just figured out how to spark a lighter.
There were many ways to increase mana capacity: potions, intense training, or studying advanced Mana Core techniques. But for now, I chose to focus on the basics. I wasn't in a rush to become powerful... not yet.
I looked at my palm. A faint blue aura gently flowed across my skin, like the lingering glow of a spell just cast.
Apolo's voice broke the silence.
"You mean—a ranged fighter who needs to recite poetry before firing a fireball?"
I sighed and sat up on the bed.
"Well, can't help it. I'm still a beginner," I muttered, stretching. "But at least I can burn bushes with style."
My feet carried me lightly to the balcony. The night was still dark, but the moon hung high in the sky—bright enough to mask ill intentions.
"Time to wrap up tonight's side quest," I murmured to myself.
"Apolo, activate camouflage mode."
With a single light leap, I soared from the bedroom balcony. The night wind greeted me like an old ally. I slipped quietly toward the gate. But before leaving completely, my eyes caught sight of something—
The training yard on the west side of the main house. Torchlight still flickered there.
Amidst the shadows, someone stood alone. His posture was firm, his body drenched in sweat, swinging his sword in precise, pressured movements.
I zoomed my vision.
"Alex…?"
Yes, it was him. His jet-black hair was slightly messy, clinging to his temples from sweat. Under the orange torchlight, he looked like—well, the cliché low-tier hero in some third-rate isekai novel, training every night to rise from zero. How classic!
I crossed my arms and whispered, "Nice dedication. If this were a cliché story, he'd be the protagonist—betrayed, broken, then rising as a super swordsman with a seven-elf harem and a dragon princess."
I grinned.
"Hey, I'm just appreciating his hard work."
"Be my guest," I mumbled as I walked forward.
I stepped out of the shadows, my footsteps nearly silent—until I stood close enough to surprise him.
"Yo. Midnight grind, huh?"
Alex jolted. "M-Milord?!" He nearly dropped his sword from shock. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
I chuckled. "Sorry, it's my new hobby. Hard to control."
Leaning against one of the wooden pillars in the yard, I opened my inventory menu and slipped my hand into my jacket.
"By the way, I've got something for you."
Alex looked confused. "For me?"
I pulled out a dark metallic bracelet, engraved with faint concentric patterns. In its center was a small bluish-green gem that pulsed softly—almost imperceptibly.
"This is… a training artifact," I said, tossing it to him.
Alex caught it reflexively. His eyes widened as he felt the dense weight of the bracelet.
"A… training artifact?"
"Yup. Found it during the past two months, in the eastern forest," I said flatly. "When worn, it doubles your body's weight. Perfect for muscle endurance and movement stability training."
Alex looked at me with a mix of awe and uncertainty. "Am I really allowed to have this, Milord?"
"Use it. Just think of it as… a bonus from an anonymous sponsor." I smirked and turned to leave.
But before I could walk away, I glanced back.
Alex had already put on the bracelet. As soon as the effect activated, his body dipped slightly under the added pressure—but only briefly. He resumed swinging his sword, slow at first… then faster and faster.
I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Well… at least he's motivated."
With a light step, I turned away, letting the shadows of night wrap around me.
"Gaia."
[Yes, Creator… do you need something?]
Gaia's voice transmitted into my head—calm and clear.
"Send the rat nest coordinates to Apolo."
"Good. Open the teleport gate. We're going straight there."
KRAK!
The space in front of me cracked like shattered glass. A teleportation gate appeared—shimmering in blue light. Without hesitation, I stepped through.
We emerged in a forest, not far from the bandits' location. Through the trees, I saw the small settlement they'd built—rough wooden structures hidden among the brush. Some stood guard, while others sat around a campfire, laughing and feasting.
"Guess tonight's dinner party is for Genesis," I muttered. "Gaia, show me their data."
[Understood. Most of them are between level 13 and 15, with their leader at level 18.]
"Ugh. Their level… trash."
[However, based on drone observation,] Gaia added, [they don't seem like a bloodthirsty group. They rob merchants but rarely kill or abduct women.]
"Hm. Interesting. But they're still in my way—so they've got to go." I grinned. "Send Genesis here."
KRAK!
Another teleportation gate appeared. From within, a monstrous figure stepped out—Genesis.
The creature looked like a dog… but clearly wasn't normal. Its four front legs supported a massive, dense upper body. The two rear legs were thick and powerful, muscles like metallic fibers. A sharp tail extended like a spear, and iridescent scales covered its body, reflecting the moonlight.
As Genesis prepared to roar, I quickly shut its mouth using telekinesis.
"Shhh… quiet. We're hunting," I whispered, putting a finger to my lips.
Genesis lowered his head. A low rumble escaped his chest.
Khung!
A soft growl, like restrained excitement.
"Gaia, show Genesis's status."
—
[COMPANION STATUS]
Name: Genesis
Type: Adaptive Devourer – Evolved
Level: 68 ⬆️ (+2)
Special Abilities:
Biological Adaptation
Devour & Morph
Physical Elemental Resistance
—
"Hm, his level went up by two?" I stroked my chin.
[Of course. Taking him out and giving him snacks proved quite effective,] Gaia replied.
"You're right, Gaia. By the way—everything's under control inside Stargazer, right?"
[All systems stable.]
—-
The campfire blazed brightly in the center of the crude settlement built from wood and beast hide. Around it, the bandits laughed, mixing cheap wine and smoked meat in a raucous feast.
"Drink! To this week's loot!" one of them cheered, raising a clay jug before downing it in one go.
Laughter echoed.
Until—
Crack.
A snapping branch at the forest's edge drew a few glances—but no real concern. Probably just a wild animal, they thought.
But moments later—the air grew heavier, pressing down on their chests.
"What was… that?" one muttered, squinting toward a silhouette slowly emerging from the trees.
Someone stood there. A silver-haired young man in a noble's coat, utterly out of place in the forest. He stood tall, one hand in his pocket, and a round object hovered beside him.
"…Who are you?" barked the group leader, hand on his sword.
Apolo's voice echoed calmly—but clearly enough for all to hear.
"A talking artifact…?" one of the bandits whispered in fear, recalling eerie folklore.
"I'm just passing through," the young man said coldly, voice like a frozen night. "But… this place reeks of trash."
"You bastard!" One bandit charged with his sword raised.
But before he could strike, his body… froze in place.
"W-What is this…?" The bandit trembled, unable to move a single finger.
The young man slowly raised his head.
"I said don't move. I'm talking."
With a simple hand gesture, a blue fireball formed—not burning like ordinary fire, but glowing sharp like starlight.
FWOOOOSH!
The blue flame hit the immobilized bandit. Within seconds, his body burned to ash—no scream, just the stench of roasted flesh.
The rest of the bandits stumbled back.
"W-What was that…? That's not normal magic…"
"Not red… it was blue…"
GRRRRRRAAAAAAAARRHHHH!!
A heavy, feral roar shook the camp, coming from behind.
The rear bandits turned—and paled.
A massive creature with metal-scaled skin and a spear-like tail. Four front legs dug into the ground, two powerful hind legs behind, and black sludge dripped from its snarling maw.
"MONSTER… MONSTER!!!" one of them screamed.
Genesis charged like a living bullet—tackling one bandit, slamming him to the ground, and ripping him open from chest to gut.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Another didn't even have time to lift his weapon as Genesis's tail swept sideways—slicing two men clean in half.
"RUN! RUUUUN!"
But there was nowhere to run.
Out of the darkness, Genesis hunted like a beast from hell—tearing, biting, smashing bodies one by one. Screams filled the night. The campfire cast dancing shadows of slaughter across walls that would never stand again.
And Rey stood silently at the edge of the massacre.
Arms crossed. Expression flat.