The energy of the Core pulsed around Dexter as the upgrade settled into his bones, leaving him feeling lighter, sharper, and more dangerous than ever. His breathing steadied, and the hum of the system’s new abilities echoed in his mind. He could feel the power waiting, coiled and ready to strike at his command. There was no more room for hesitation. Dead Skull’s shadow loomed closer, and Dexter knew the next step would be critical.The portal out of the Core shimmered, pulling him back into reality. Dexter landed silently in the back alleys of the city, crouching low as he scanned the surroundings. It was dark, the streets quiet except for the occasional distant sound of passing vehicles. But the tension in the air was thick. His system had warned him about high-value targets, and he knew they were nearby. These weren’t just ordinary enemies; these were Dead Skull’s top lieutenants. The ones who would die for him, no questions asked.Dexter moved like a shadow through the streets, tes

The battle with Dead Skull left Dexter bruised but sharper. His mind was already churning, preparing for the next trial. The system’s ominous message about the Midnight King echoed in his thoughts, but he knew better than to obsess over it now. There were missions to complete, skills to unlock, and a growing list of enemies ready to hunt him down.He was back in his apartment the next morning, wiping dried blood from his face when the system activated without warning:“New Mission: Locate and eliminate rogue awakeners infiltrating the Mage Academy.” Difficulty: High. Reward: Shadow Stalker Cloak.”Dexter raised an eyebrow. “Back to school, huh?” he muttered, pulling on his jacket. A mission so close to home felt off. Rogue awakeners? Infiltrating the academy? It reeked of something more sinister. But a reward like the Shadow Stalker Cloak—one of the rarest items in the system—was too good to pass up.He checked the clock. School started in an hour. With a sigh, he grabbed his bag, sli

The sun had just begun to rise, casting a faint orange glow over the horizon as Dexter stood on the roof of his apartment, the wind ruffling his hair. His mind was still buzzing from the encounter with the three elite hunters—each fight had pushed him to his limit, but he had survived. He always survived. But the system had made it clear: the Midnight King was next.And this time, it wasn’t just about survival. It was war.Dexter pulled his hood over his head and checked his weapons—daggers sharp, energy reserves high, and system skills fully recharged. Yet, despite all the preparation, an uneasy knot twisted in his gut. He knew the Midnight King wouldn’t come alone, and he had a feeling that the next mission was going to test him like never before.He climbed down from the roof, grabbed his backpack, and headed out toward the academy. The streets were unusually quiet, as if the city itself knew what was coming. Today was supposed to be a regular school day, but Dexter doubted it woul

Dexter barely had time to recover after defeating Dead Skull. His body screamed for rest, but the system’s voice came through once again—cold and merciless."Warning: System recalibration in progress. New threats emerging. Prepare for next mission."Panting, Dexter sat on the edge of the battlefield, wiping sweat from his brow. Dead Skull had been his toughest fight yet, and he’d come dangerously close to losing. But as much as he wanted to celebrate the victory, he knew that things were only going to get worse.He didn’t get to enjoy victories—only survival.---The next morning, Dexter forced himself to attend school. He didn’t have many friends left, and with the rise in awakening incidents, the academy was a breeding ground for arrogance and competition. Students who had once ignored him now either feared or envied him, given his growing reputation.He walked into the classroom, hoping to avoid unnecessary attention. Of course, that didn’t last long.A familiar voice sneered from

The sky trembled as Seraph, the Eternal, hovered in the air, radiating an overwhelming aura that made Dexter’s body feel like it was breaking under sheer pressure. The six-winged entity stared down at him, its voice a haunting melody."You survived Virex... but that was merely a test. Now, let’s see if you can last more than a breath against me."Seraph raised a hand, and a swirling sphere of black fire and golden light materialized, crackling with deadly energy. Dexter braced himself, muscles screaming in protest, but his will burned brighter. The system chimed in his mind, relentless."New Mission: Survive Seraph's assault. Rewards: Unknown. Failure: Death."Dexter rolled his eyes. "Yeah, thanks for the helpful advice."Before he could finish the thought, Seraph unleashed the blast. The ground shattered, and a shockwave rippled through the Core, flinging Dexter through the air like a ragdoll. He crashed hard into a jagged rock wall, coughing up blood as his ribs cracked from the imp