The Legendaries Awaken

Kai couldn't sleep. Jiro's words echoed in his mind.

"Not everyone here is on your side."

He had always known that human nature was flawed—greed, power, and fear drove people to do terrible things. But hearing that there were awakened who saw this apocalypse as an opportunity, not a crisis, made his blood boil.

Were they hiding among the trainees? Were they watching him right now?

He shook his head. No point worrying without evidence. What he needed was information.

His eyes flicked to the system window still hovering in front of him.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

New Quest Unlocked: The Hidden Threat

- Objective: Investigate the rumors of a rogue awakened faction.

- Reward: ???

- Failure Consequence:Increased hostility from unidentified enemies.

Kai's expression darkened. The system was confirming Jiro's warning. That meant this was real.

If he wanted to survive, he needed to learn the truth.

The next morning, Kai entered the training hall, eyes scanning the awakened around him. Some were stretching, others sparring, but he knew that somewhere among them, there were people who saw him as a threat.

Jiro was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, X stood near a group of high-ranking awakened, speaking in hushed tones. When she noticed Kai, she gestured for him to come over.

"You've recovered quickly," she said.

"I don't have the luxury of resting."

X gave a small smirk. "Good. Because today, you're going on your first mission."

Kai tensed. "Mission?"

X nodded and turned toward a large screen on the wall. A map of Korea appeared, with a blinking red marker near a ruined city.

"There have been reports of an awakened group operating outside the Association's control. They've taken control of a supply route near Incheon. We suspect they're hoarding resources and possibly experimenting on lower-ranked awakened."

Kai's stomach twisted. Experimenting?

"You'll be joining a small team to investigate," X continued. "Your main task is reconnaissance. If the enemy is stronger than expected, do not engage. Gather intel and return."

Kai exhaled. This was it. A chance to uncover the truth.

"When do we leave?"

"Now."

An hour later, Kai sat in a military-grade armored truck, heading toward the ruined outskirts of Incheon. The team consisted of four people:

- Kai Jin (Rank F, evolving) – The newcomer with an advanced system.

- Jiro (Rank B) – The cocky but reliable fighter.

- Eun-Seo (Rank A) – A skilled long-range sniper.

- Han (Rank C)– A defensive specialist.

Jiro sat beside Kai, arms crossed. "Bet you didn't think you'd be going on missions this soon."

Kai adjusted the gloves on his hands. "Doesn't matter. I need to get stronger."

Jiro chuckled. "Good answer. Just don't get yourself killed."

As the truck approached the outskirts of the city, they could see the devastation left by the monster attacks. Skyscrapers were reduced to skeletal remains, burned-out vehicles littered the roads, and the stench of decay filled the air.

But there were no monsters.

Kai frowned. "It's too quiet."

Eun-Seo, who had been scanning the area through a scope, nodded. "Something's wrong. There should be low-level monsters here, but it's empty."

Han tapped the side of the truck. "We should assume they've been cleared out."

"By the awakened faction?" Kai asked.

Jiro's face darkened. "Probably. And if they wiped out all the monsters, that means they have the numbers to control this area."

The truck came to a stop, and the team disembarked. They moved carefully through the ruined streets, weapons ready.

Then, they found the first corpse.

A young awakened, no older than 20, lay on the ground, his body covered in deep wounds. His ID badge, which marked him as Rank C, was stained with blood.

Han crouched beside him, his expression grim. "Cause of death… sword wounds. This wasn't a monster attack."

Kai clenched his fists. "It was them."

Eun-Seo adjusted her earpiece. "If they're killing other awakened, then we're dealing with extremists. We need to be careful."

Jiro exhaled, his usual smirk gone. "They won't take prisoners."

The air grew heavier as the team moved forward. Every step felt like walking into a trap.

Then, they heard it.

A sharp whistle, followed by a gunshot.

The bullet struck just inches away from Kai's foot, kicking up dust.

"Sniper!" Eun-Seo shouted, diving behind cover.

More bullets rained down, forcing the team to scatter. Kai sprinted behind a wrecked car, his heart pounding.

Jiro pulled out his sword, eyes gleaming. "Well, looks like we found them."

From the shadows of the ruined buildings, figures emerged—clad in tactical armor, weapons drawn.

Their leader, a tall man with a scarred face, smirked. "Well, well… new prey."

Kai gritted his teeth. This wasn't just a mission anymore.

This was war.

Bullets tore through the air, striking the concrete and sending shards flying. Kai pressed himself against the wrecked car, his heart hammering. This wasn't just a test or training—this was a real battle against people who wanted them dead.

Jiro grinned despite the situation, gripping his sword tightly. "Guess we're skipping introductions."

Eun-Seo peeked out from behind cover, lining up her sniper rifle. "Three enemies on the left rooftop, two on the right, and a squad moving in from the ground."

Han activated his defensive ability, a shimmering barrier forming around him. "We're surrounded."

Kai's mind raced. They were outnumbered, and the enemy had better positioning. But they weren't invincible. They had to fight smart.

The scar-faced leader raised his hand, signaling his men. "Kill them."

A hail of gunfire erupted.

Kai didn't hesitate. He dove to the side, rolling into a crouch as he summoned a pulse of magic. His system flared to life.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Skill Activated: Arcane Surge (Rank D)

- Temporarily boosts magic output. Warning: High stamina drain.

A rush of energy coursed through him. His senses sharpened.

One of the snipers aimed at him. Kai reacted instantly, focusing his mana into his palm and launching a small but precise arcane blast. The energy bolt struck the sniper's hand, forcing him to drop his rifle with a cry of pain.

Jiro used the distraction to charge forward, dodging bullets with inhuman agility. His blade gleamed in the dim light as he sliced through the first enemy's throat before kicking another to the ground.

Eun-Seo fired her sniper rifle, a single shot piercing through an enemy's skull. "Three down."

Han moved forward with his barrier, shielding the team as they pushed up. A grenade bounced toward them, but he raised his hands—his ability absorbing the explosion.

Kai saw an opening. He sprinted from cover, weaving between gunfire. His eyes locked onto the scar-faced leader.

The leader smirked, drawing a massive black-bladed sword. "You think you can take me, kid?"

Kai didn't answer. He had already moved.

Their weapons clashed. Sparks flew as the leader's sword crashed against Kai's arcane-enhanced dagger. The force sent Kai skidding back, but he kept his balance.

"Not bad," the leader sneered. "But you're still weak."

He swung again. Kai barely dodged, feeling the blade graze past his cheek. He countered with a quick slash, aiming for the man's ribs, but the leader twisted away with expert reflexes.

Kai's mind worked fast. The leader was stronger, faster, and more experienced. A direct fight wouldn't work.

He had to outthink him.

Kai feinted a strike, forcing the leader to block. At that moment, Kai kicked a pile of debris at his face. The distraction was enough—Kai lunged, stabbing his dagger deep into the leader's shoulder.

The man roared in pain, but instead of retreating, he grabbed Kai by the throat.

Kai gasped as his feet left the ground, the leader's grip tightening.

"You've got potential," the leader said. "But you're not ready."

Then, pain.

The leader's knee slammed into Kai's stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. He felt himself being thrown—his body crashing into a broken pillar. His vision blurred.

His system flashed warnings.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

- Health Critical (23%)

- Stamina Low

- Mana Depleting

Kai coughed up blood, forcing himself to stand. His body screamed in protest, but he ignored it.

He wouldn't die here.

Jiro appeared beside him, gripping his sword. "You good?"

Kai wiped the blood from his mouth. "I will be."

Eun-Seo fired another shot, taking down the last rooftop sniper. "Clear up top!"

Han knocked out an enemy with a brutal punch. "Only the leader left."

The scar-faced leader chuckled, gripping his wounded shoulder. "Not bad. But if this is all you've got—"

A loud explosion interrupted him.

The ground trembled as a massive force shook the ruins. Everyone turned.

A portal had opened in the distance, its swirling void crackling with unstable energy.

From within, something massive began to emerge.

A Rank A+ Nightmare Beast.

Kai's blood ran cold.

The enemy leader's smirk disappeared. "Shit."

They weren't enemies anymore.

They were all prey.

A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the ruined streets as the Rank A+ Nightmare Beast emerged from the portal.

It was massive—easily over twenty feet tall, its body a grotesque fusion of flesh, bone, and shifting shadows. Jagged spines jutted from its back, its elongated arms ending in claws that could tear through steel. Its eyes burned with an eerie, unnatural glow, and its presence alone sent a wave of dread through every awakened present.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the monster moved.

With terrifying speed, it lunged forward, crushing a wrecked car beneath its weight as its claws swung toward the nearest awakened—a man from the rogue faction.

He barely had time to scream before he was ripped apart.

Blood sprayed across the pavement.

The battle had just begun.

Kai forced his body to move despite the pain wrecking his limbs. His system's warnings flashed in his vision, but he ignored them. There was no time.

Jiro cursed under his breath. "A Nightmare Beast? Of all things—"

Eun-Seo had already moved, repositioning herself on a collapsed rooftop. "We need to take it down now.The longer we wait, the worse this gets."

The scar-faced leader of the rogue awakened—now missing several of his men—scowled. "Tch. Dammit. We have no choice but to work together."

Kai shot him a glance. "So you suddenly care about teamwork?"

The man wiped the blood from his wounded shoulder, gripping his sword tighter. "I care about surviving."

For now, that was enough.

Kai turned back to the beast. "If we don't kill it fast, more might come through the portal."

Han activated his Barrier Field, covering the group. "Then let's move before that happens."

The Nightmare Beast let out another deafening roar. Then it charged.

The ground quaked beneath the monster's weight as it rushed forward.

Eun-Seo fired the first shot—her bullet, enhanced with mana, struck the beast's shoulder but barely pierced its thick hide.

Jiro dashed forward next, his blade glowing with a crimson aura as he slashed at its legs, aiming for the joints. Sparks flew as his attack connected, but the beast barely reacted.

Kai didn't hesitate. He activated Arcane Surge, feeling the familiar rush of power flood his system.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Skill Activated: Arcane Surge (Rank D)

- Temporary boost to magic output.

- Stamina drain increased.

Kai gathered his energy, forming an arcane spear in his hand.

With a sharp exhale, he threw it.

The spear struck the Nightmare Beast's side, exploding on impact. The monster reeled back slightly, its shadows writhing from the damage.

That was the first real hit.

Kai's mind raced. It can be hurt. We just need to hit harder.

The rogue leader leaped in next, his black sword glowing as he swung directly at the beast's head.The strike connected, cutting deep—but instead of blood, a black misterupted from the wound.

The leader barely had time to react before a shadowy tendril lashed out, wrapping around his arm.

With brutal force, the Nightmare Beast slammed him into the ground.

A sickening crack echoed through the battlefield.

The leader coughed up blood, his body convulsing.

Kai's eyes widened. Even a Rank B+ awakened was thrown around like a ragdoll.

"Shit." Jiro gritted his teeth. "It's tougher than we thought."

The beast roared again. The black mist seeping from its wounds began regenerating the damage.

Kai cursed. It heals?

Eun-Seo shouted from her position. "Then we'll just have to hit it all at once!"

Han reinforced his Barrier Field, creating an opening for an all-out assault.

"Now!"

Jiro launched forward with a high-speed slash, his sword glowing crimson.He aimed for the beast's eyes.

Eun-Seo fired a piercing round, striking at the same time.

Kai gathered everything he had—compressing his mana into a single, concentrated blast.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

New Skill Created: Arcane Disruption (Rank C)

- A focused burst of magic designed to interfere with regeneration abilities.

- Deals extra damage to energy-based or mist-based enemies.

Kai's eyes widened at the notification—but there was no time to think.

He fired.

The arcane blast collided with the Nightmare Beast, piercing straight through its regenerating mist.

The monster screeched in pain.

Jiro's sword slashed through its eye, blinding it on one side.

Eun-Seo's shot struck the other, cracking the skull.

The monster staggered, its body twitching violently.

Now was the moment.

Kai clenched his fists. "Everyone—hit it now!**"

Han released his Barrier Field and redirected his energy outward, creating a powerful shockwave.

The combined force of their attacks finally

overwhelmed the Nightmare Beast.

Its body shuddered.

Then, with an earth-shaking crash, it collapsed.

A few moments passed before the system finally confirmed it.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Nightmare Beast (Rank A+) Defeated!

Experience Gained.

Loot Acquired: ???

Kai's body nearly collapsed from exhaustion. His system notifications were screaming at him about his health, stamina, and mana depletion.

But they had won.

For now.

The battlefield was littered with corpses—both of the rogue awakened and their own allies.

Kai looked down at his hands, still shaking from the battle. He had survived. Again.

The scar-faced leader of the rogue faction barelymanaged to push himself up, blood dripping from his mouth. "You… should've died."

Kai stepped forward, his voice cold. "But I didn't."

For a moment, the leader just stared at him. Then, he laughed.

"You're interesting, kid," he muttered, before collapsing again.

Jiro walked over, sheathing his sword. "What do we do with him?"

Kai looked at the man, then at the bodies around them.

This wasn't the end of the war.

This was just the beginning.