MTLNOVEL Chapter 4: Chapter 3 – The Hunt Begins
The Abyss pulsed with a malevolent energy, its darkness stretching endlessly beyond sight. The very air felt alive, whispering secrets in forgotten tongues. Yet, amidst this eerie stillness, Kael stood—his newly transformed body humming with raw power.
And in front of him… his first prey.
A monstrous beast, its obsidian scales glistening under the violet lightning-streaked sky, snarled at him. Its six burning eyes, slit-pupiled and filled with madness, focused solely on him.
> [Abyssal Dreadbeast – Rank: Mortal Apex]
[Threat Level: High]
Kael's gaze darkened.
High threat? To him?
A slow smirk crept onto his lips.
"Let's see how strong I really am."
---
A Hunter's Instinct
The Dreadbeast lunged.
Its speed was unnatural—a black blur streaking across the shattered ground. Fast. Strong. Deadly. But Kael's instincts flared, his newfound Abyssborn senses adapting in an instant.
Time slowed.
His vision sharpened.
He saw everything—the beast's shifting muscles, the tension in its claws, the faint spark of energy crackling along its fangs.
And he moved.
BOOM!
Kael sidestepped with supernatural agility, the wind howling as the beast's claws barely missed his face. Its strike shattered the rock where he had stood.
But he wasn't done.
With a fluid motion, Kael twisted his body, his clawed fingers slashing toward the creature's exposed flank—
RIP!
His claws tore through the beast's dark hide, black ichor spraying as the Dreadbeast howled in pain.
> [Predation Activated.]
[Analyzing Target's Bloodline…]
[Compatible Traits Found.]
Kael felt it before he even read the system's words—a rush of energy, something foreign yet intoxicating surging into him through his claws.
The beast stumbled back, its six eyes widening in rage and confusion. It knew. It had just been hunted.
Kael clenched his fist, feeling the strange energy coiling within him. His veins burned for a moment, then cooled as the system completed its work.
> [New Trait Acquired: Abyssal Regeneration.]
"Regeneration, huh?"
His smirk widened.
This… this was power.
---
The Thrill of Battle
The Dreadbeast, now enraged, let out a guttural snarl. Its wounds began to stitch themselves back together, the black ichor retreating into its body.
Kael's eyes gleamed.
"So, you can regenerate too? Good… Let's see which of us lasts longer."
The monster charged again, but this time, Kael didn't dodge. He met the attack head-on.
Their clash sent shockwaves rippling through the Abyss, jagged rocks shattering under their force. The beast clawed at him, fangs snapping dangerously close, but Kael matched its strength, blow for blow.
Slash!
A claw to his chest—deep, painful, but already healing.
Crack!
A brutal elbow strike to the beast's skull—it staggered.
Then, Kael went for the kill.
With a savage grin, he leaped, his claws glowing with Abyssal energy. The beast, disoriented, barely had time to react before Kael's arm plunged deep into its chest.
SHRRRKKK!
The creature let out a final, agonized roar before its body began to dissolve into dark mist.
> [Prey Devoured.]
[Bloodline Essence Absorbed.]
[New Trait Acquired: Abyssal Stealth.]
Kael inhaled deeply, the rush of stolen power filling his core.
He looked down at his hands—stronger, faster, more lethal than before. The Abyss whispered its approval, its shadows curling around him in acknowledgment.
He wasn't just surviving.
He was evolving.
---
The Abyss Has No Mercy
The thrill of battle still tingled in his veins when something shifted in the air.
Kael's new senses tingled.
Something was watching him.
Many things.
He turned slowly, his sharp gaze scanning the shadows. And then he saw them—dozens of glowing eyes, lurking in the darkness.
The scent of blood had drawn them.
More predators.
Kael let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders. His body ached, but the regeneration was already working.
The Abyss had no mercy.
Neither did he.
"Come."
His voice was a whisper, a challenge to the dark.
And the hunt continued.