Chapter 49: Second Stage

[Entering the ruins...]

Kai’s vision shifted the moment he stepped through the door with the skull-shaped key.

[Welcome to the First Runic Temple.]

[Name: Temple of the Guardians]

[Rank: C]

[Stage 2: Clear the Second Line]

[Objective: To reach the Fort, the host must defeat the Generals whose men you have already subdued. Note that each stage will have a different General awaiting the host. The host must clear the current stage before leaving the floor unless the host wishes to trigger a reset.]

[Time Limit: 8 hours]

[Reward: ???]

...

[Stats:

Strength: E -> E+

Speed: E+ -> D

Endurance: E -> E+

Intelligence: E+

Mana: D- -> D]

Standing at the entrance of the corridor that had been guarded by the warriors the previous time, Kai stared at his stats in silence.

He had improved slightly since his last visit, and the only reason he could think of was his battle with Drake.

"System? I thought it was only a temporary buff. So why did my stats increase?" Not that he was complaining. He wanted to reach his maximum potential as quickly as possible before swallowing the next pill.

For once, he had even considered giving it to Jean, but the system had told him that without an awakened body, the pill would do little more than nourish her. In the end, he had decided to use it on himself.

[Host, your body was forced to adapt to the changes during those few minutes of Guardian Embrace. Since your upper ceiling had recently been reformed, your body was able to retain some of those changes. Even after the effect disappeared, your body continued to develop in order to accommodate the temporary enhancements.]

Kai nodded in understanding.

If he could avoid it, he never wanted to rely on Guardian Embrace, solely considering the conditions required to activate it. Still, the gains he had received during those few minutes would undoubtedly help him here.

Why?

"I believe I’m finally going to face a C-rank opponent now?"

He stared into the dark corridor ahead, a cold realization settling over him.

This might become more of a battle of strength and endurance than the battle of speed and stamina he had faced the last time.

[Indeed, host. However, the host has grown considerably since the previous encounter. And then there is the Scroll of Dorenholm as well.]

Kai hummed before pulling the scroll from his Inventory.

It was a thick piece of brown parchment covered in unfamiliar letters. He couldn’t recognize the language, nor did he bother trying to decipher it for long.

Taking a deep breath, he tore the parchment straight down the middle.

A golden glow immediately spread across its entire surface.

The two torn fragments slowly rose into the air before shooting toward him and slamming directly into his chest, forcing him to stagger back a step.

For a moment, his vision blurred.

Then the memories came.

They flooded his mind like data being transferred at an impossible speed. Yet Kai knew he wasn’t a computer. His mind should never have been capable of accepting so much information at once, but somehow, every fragment settled into place as though it had always belonged there.

He had expected nausea. Perhaps dizziness or even a splitting headache.

Instead, there was only a faint, dull sensation near the base of his skull.

Kai rested one hand against the wall and steadied himself.

[Host, the transfer is complete. However, the host will need to gradually uncover and practice the various martial arts in order to adapt to them properly.]

[For now, the system recommends using the breathing technique to fortify the host’s body.]

Kai nodded and followed the system’s instruction.

There was something profound about the technique.

A simple breath could influence the circulation of blood throughout his body, drawing out a degree of strength that ordinary breathing could never provide. It was subtle at first, almost imperceptible, but the longer he followed the rhythm, the more clearly he could feel the difference.

His breathing pattern changed.

Kai remained still for a moment, allowing his body to relax as he focused entirely on each breath.

The ache in his left shoulder gradually faded. The dull pressure in his head eased as well, leaving his body feeling strangely lighter.

When he finally opened his eyes, the corridor seemed clearer than before.

His senses felt sharper.

Perhaps it was simply the heightened awareness that came with the moment, but Kai didn’t care.

He felt better.

And that alone was quite a development for something as simple as tearing a scroll.

"Alright. Let’s go."

Kai took his first steps toward the second stage.

It was time to assess what he might be facing.

...

[Hunter Association]

[Conference Room]

"Haah..."

Adam released a long, weary sigh as he went through the latest report.

"We lost another unit of A-rank hunters, and Miss Hannah was heavily injured despite being one of the strongest S-rank hunters in the country."

He looked at his junior before saying, "Don’t repeat what I’ve already read."

Dave flushed slightly. "I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just curious about what our next move will be."

Adam remained silent for a moment before answering, "Our job is to relay information to the hunters capable of protecting humanity. Whatever strategy is adopted depends entirely on the Vice-Commander."

Adam knew how severe the situation had become, but at this point, he had no strategy of his own beyond seeking an alliance with foreign countries.

And if they didn’t act quickly, the number of deceased hunters would only continue to rise until civilians inevitably became part of the casualty reports.

"Anyway, do one thing..."

Adam paused mid-sentence when his phone buzzed with a new message.

His brows immediately furrowed.

"What happened, sir?" Dave asked curiously.

Adam shook his head and stood from his seat.

"Leave me alone for a moment. I need to make a call."

Dave watched him curiously as he walked out of the conference room.

Once he was alone in the room, Adam pulled out his phone and dialed a certain number he had only recently saved to his contacts.

The call didn’t connect.

Adam’s expression darkened.

’This is messed up.’