2024-12-06 14:41:45
“I won’t kill,” Kael said, his voice steady despite the fear racing through him. “I won’t stoop so low as to become a murderer…” He locked eyes with his younger brother. “Like you.”
The punch came faster than Kael could inhale. Jericho growled in his face, his fists trembling with rage. He was tempted to mount Kael and pummel him until his vision blurred.
“You think you’re better than us, huh?” Jericho sneered, shoving the barely recovered Kael to the ground. He crouched to Kael's level, a low chuckle rumbling in his throat. “The reason you’re nothing but a bottom feeder in the strongest family in Galancia is simple: you’re weak. Pathetic. Useless. It’s not because of your so-called morals—you just don’t have the power to kill, even if it were handed to you on a platter.”
Kael wiped the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and slowly stood. “You’re right. I am weak,” he said quietly. “But I’m happy.”
He turned to leave, but Jericho lashed out, kicking Kael’s legs from beneath him. Kael crumpled to the ground once more, his knees scraping the dirt.
“Well, happy man,” Jericho taunted, his voice dripping with venom, “enjoy your happiness while it lasts. Grandfather is coming to the meet. Guess who won’t have enough Vitalis to impress him?”
Kael remained calm, refusing to rise to Jericho’s bait. He didn’t need to outshine his brothers—he just needed enough to please the old general. Unlike his brothers, Kael refused to kill for Vitalis. He worked like a dog, exchanging his pure energy for small amounts from willing donors, scraping by without bloodshed. He unfortunately met his brother on his way out of their father’s office where he submitted his weekly fetch of Vitalis.
Galancia was a land of the gifted. Everyone possessed some power—most with abilities tied to force manipulation. But the truly powerful consumed the Vitalis of others, (their life force)growing stronger with every kill. That was the way of the Magnar family.
Except for Kael.
He was the eldest son, yet he was born without a gift. His body rejected Vitalis, rendering him an outcast even among his own kin. His brothers called him a failure, his parents’ disappointment was palpable, and his family’s power felt like a distant dream. But Kael’s energy was unique. Unlike others without gifts, his pure energy never seemed to run out, making it a rare and coveted commodity.
Today had been no different. He emerged from a shadowy alley, frustrated after a client cheated him out of a fair trade. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and his face softened when he saw the caller: Selene.
“Honey, don’t forget to pick up the cake,” Selene reminded him gently. “Remember, it’s the twins’ birthday.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” Kael replied, his voice softening with warmth.
There was a pause, then Selene added, “Don’t overwork yourself. I made your favorite. Come home soon—we miss you.”
“I’ll be home soon,” Kael promised, the call ending with a soft smile on his lips. Despite the cruelty of the world, Kael knew he had the best gift: a loving wife and children. Selene, a dormant gifted from an influential family, had chosen him over a life of power and wealth, staying devoted for eight years.
Although Kael was not the richest, he did his best to provide for his family. A day never went by that he didn’t perform his duties as the family head and husband. His small life was not outstanding but it was perfect for him.
He hailed a cab, eager to return home after weeks in the city. But just as he opened the door, a sleek black car pulled up. Men in familiar uniforms emerged and surrounded him, their expressions cold and unreadable.
“Come with us,” one ordered.
Kael didn’t resist. He knew these men worked for his family, but confusion gnawed at him. “Why?” he asked, but silence was the only answer.
Kael's heart sank with dread as the car door closed behind him. He was led into the Magnar estate, then into the large hall. The room was filled with his family members, all staring at him with sheer disgust. His eyes scanned the room, and there, at the center of the dark marble floor, was Selene. Her hands were bound in thick chains, and her head was bowed in forced submission.
Kael’s heart pounded in his chest, panic rising in his throat. “Selene!” Kael surged forward, but the guards held him fast. She was a broken version of herself, blood pooling around her.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop as a cold, menacing voice rose from the shadows. “So, you finally decided to join us, Kael.”
It was his grandfather, Magnar—the matriarch of this ruthless family, one of the strongest force and energy wielders in the continent, rarely seen and even more rarely heard from. He was muscular and in better shape than most men half his age. Beside him stood Kael’s father, Roku, his face twisted in disgust.
“You’ve been stealing Vitalis, Kael,” Magnar spat, his voice venomous. “And selling it to the rival family, filling your treacherous pockets. Is that how low you’ve sunk?”
“I didn’t—”
“You didn’t?” Magnar’s hand snapped around Karl’s throat, silencing him. “You’ve been stealing for months. Your brothers, your uncles, everyone knew. And your wife… that pathetic hag aided you.”
“You were nothing but a failure in our eyes. A bastard,”Roku sneered, his hands twitching as though ready to strike. “I should’ve never picked you from the gutters that day. You are nothing but a disgrace.”
Kael’s mind raced. He struggled to make sense of it all. His father had just confessed to not being his real parent? His entire family believed he had been stealing Vitalis? And Selene was implicated too?
“I never wanted a bastard, but I gave you a chance, and you failed.” Magnar’s glassy green eyes flicked to Selene. “Heard she’s your weakness. Magnars should never have any..”
Kael’s heart thudded painfully in his chest, but he couldn’t move under Magnar’s grip. He could only beg. “No…” he whispered. “Please, don’t hurt her.”
“You want to save her?” Magnar’s voice turned cold, calculating. “Then you must do what you must to redeem her. You must kill to save her. You have no power, but you have a choice. A life to replace the Vitalis you stole.”
At that moment, a woman was dragged into the hall—someone Kael was supposed to kill to replace his wife.Someone familiar .A knife was thrown at him, meant to impale the helpless woman, but once again, Kael’s body went numb. He turned to Magnar and knelt. “Please… I cannot take a life.Take mine instead.”
Magnar’s eyes darkened with fury. “You will never be my family,” he spat. “You will die a failure.”
The room closed in on Kael.He could feel that something bad was about to happen “Please… Have mercy,” his voice trembled.
But the decision had already been made.
With a speed Kael didn’t expect, Magnar drew a blade from the dark matter in the air. In a flash, it was at Selene’s throat. With a sickening slither of the glowing dark blade, Magnar slit her throat in a single, fluid motion. Her body slumped, and a quick flow of light hit Kael so fast he barely registered it before her blood spilled onto the floor like a crimson river.
“NO!” Kael screamed, breaking free from the guards holding him back. He rushed to Selene’s side, but it was too late. She was gone.
[Ding..Godseed ascension .system initialization.]
A voice, monotone and mechanical, echoed in his mind.
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Godseed Ascension System 2
Kael knelt beside Salene’s lifeless body, trembling hands stained with her blood. The hollow ache in his chest burned hotter with every breath. He wanted to do something—anything—but there was nothing he could do to bring her back. He was no god.“Monster,” Kael whispered, his eyes darkening as he rose to his feet, shaking with fury. “I will kill you!”With a roar, he lunged at Magnar, anger raw and desperate. He aimed for the patriarch’s throat, swinging the knife wildly, but Magnar was faster. A hand crackling with dark energy met Kael mid-air, sending him hurtling across the hall. He crashed onto the marble floor with a sickening thud, his bones displacing.“You think that’s enough to kill me?” Magnar sneered, wiping invisible specks of dirt from his sleeve. “You are nothing but a mere mistake. You can’t touch me.”Kael stood up, blood dripping from his mouth and nose. “I won’t stop,” he said, staggering toward Magnar.The patriarch smiled, a predatory glint in his glassy eyes as h
Godseed Ascension System 3
Kael’s body hung limply, wrists bound to the cold iron rod behind him. Blood pooled beneath him, dripping steadily from the gaping wound in his abdomen where the devil angels had driven their blades multiple times. The air stung with the acrid scent of iron and sweat, mingling with the silence of a predator’s den.He had been captured moments after his arrival, ambushed by survivors desperate to lure their prey. Now, he dangled like fresh meat in their cruel trap.Kael’s vision blurred, the edges darkening as his body screamed for release. But in the depths of his shattered mind, the faces of his children burned like brands. Their cries. Their helplessness.“I can’t... die... here,” he rasped, voice barely more than a whisper.[Warning: Host life functions critically low.][System integration at 35%... Stabilizing.]The monotone voice echoed in his mind, distant against the roar of pain. Kael’s lips curled into a weak smile, bitter and defiant. Even in death, I’m haunted by whispers.
Godseed Ascension System 4
Kael’s body vibrated with raw energy as the system coursed through him. His muscles burned, but he forced himself to stand. His desperation to survive outweighed the pain. The Mebitor lunged, its pincers snapping with enough force to crush a rock. Kael leaped, barely dodging the attack. He paused briefly, staring at his hands. The speed at which he moved felt foreign. He had never felt this kind of power before. Everything was sharper, clearer… better. [Godseed infusion active: physical enhancement initiated. Host current power level: 50%.] [Chances of victory: 50%.] Kael clenched his fists, feeling energy crackling through his fingers. But it wasn’t enough to defeat the Mebitor. It was only enough to survive—if he played it right. The beast roared again, its many legs slamming into the ground, causing tremors. But Kael stood firm. His heart pounded as he took a stance, ready to fight. He surprised even himself with his audacity. The power surging through his body was intoxi
Godseed Ascension System 5
Kael’s heart pounded in his chest as he ran. He couldn’t afford to look back. His legs burned with every step, but his instincts pushed him forward. He had no idea where he was going; all he could see was the dense greenery of the thick forest ahead.Behind him, the devil angels were yelling in fury. The bottle he had thrown fell faster than they could catch it. Kael could hear the pounding of their feet as they drew closer.[Warning: Host energy at 10%. Survival chances decreasing. Immediate action required.]“Not now, whatever you are,” Kael cursed under his breath, pushing himself harder. He dodged a low-hanging branch, the sound of his ragged breathing filling his ears.He knew he was in serious trouble, especially after breaking the vitalis of that monster. Everything was happening so fast. Only a few days ago, he had lost his family and expected death. Now, he was fighting to survive in a prison world.The ground beneath him was uneven and rocky, threatening to trip him, but Kae
Godseed Ascension System 6
The system paused, its tone shifting to one of measured neutrality.[Affirmative. Your wife made an irreversible choice in her final moments. Her dominant gift was transferred to you, ensuring your survival. The energy she gifted was sufficient to awaken your full potential.]Kael’s chest tightened as the weight of the revelation crushed him. “She… she gave up everything… for me?” His voice broke, the storm within him roaring.[Correct. Without the blast of gifted energy, your godseed would have remained dormant, and you would not have survived the events that followed.]“Why?” Kael’s fists clenched at his sides. Guilt gnawed at him like a relentless predator. He suddenly felt as if he had a hand in his wife’s death. “Why didn’t she save herself? Why waste it on me?”[It was not wasted,] the system replied, its voice calm and resolute. [Your wife’s gift could never unlock on its own, unlike your godseed, which would have activated over time due to your unique bloodline. In the given c
Godseed Ascension System 7
Kael crouched behind a jagged rock, his breath hitching as his sharp senses, amplified by the system, picked up faint footsteps and low whispers ahead. He cautiously peered through the darkness, straining to make out the figures.They looked human, but something about them was disturbingly off. Their bodies emitted unnatural steam, and their eyes gleamed with a crazed intensity, as if they had been abusing some narcotic. One of them flexed hands that ended in jagged claws. Kael’s stomach churned—these weren’t ordinary prisoners.“What are those?” he whispered internally, his heart pounding.[Humanoid prisoners affected by the mutations of this place and prolonged exposure to Vitalis crystals. Host is advised to avoid engagement in the current state,] the system responded.“Great,” Kael muttered under his breath, the sarcasm doing little to soothe his fraying nerves.His eyes darted around, searching for any route that might keep him out of sight. The drop zone was tantalizingly close,
Godseed Ascension System 8
Kael’s grip tightened on the bag, his pulse steady despite the threat looming before him. With his newfound ability to assess energy levels, he could feel Herold’s power radiating—a Gifted, and a formidable one at that.“Still mad about the Vatalis bottle?” Kael smirked, blood dripping down his chin. “But why? It was never yours for the taking.”Herold’s face twisted into a venomous snarl. “I fucking hate your kind,” he spat, stepping forward, the tension in his movements clear. “I can’t wait to taste your Vatalis, you Gifted piece of shit.”Kael raised an eyebrow, almost amused. Herold despised Gifteds when in reality, he was one himself. “Tell you what,” Kael said, his voice low and calculating. “You can have the bag, but I still need my head.”“Fuck you, you little piece of shit. Do you think you have the upper hand here?” Herold growled, his energy crackling as he prepared to strike.Kael’s smirk faded, and for a split second, he stopped pretending to be fearless. His heart was
Godseed Ascension System 9
Its massive frame blocked out the moonlight, casting a chilling shadow over Kael’s trembling hands as he struggled to keep them steady. Its eyes—if they could even be called that—glowed like polished obsidian catching the light, fixed solely on him. The creature's muscles twisted beneath its shifting skin, as though it wasn’t fully anchored in this world. Every few seconds, a haunting, chittering sound rattled from its throat.Its mouth remained shut, but Kael could see the razor-sharp teeth hidden behind its lips—teeth that looked like they could pierce through steel. Clawed fingers flexed, and the grinding of its bones filled the air like the slow creak of breaking stone.Kael’s breath hitched as he fought to keep calm. Every instinct screamed at him to move, but his limbs felt as though they had been shackled by invisible chains, weighed down by sheer terror.Run.But where? His speed was nothing compared to this thing’s. If it wanted him dead, it wouldn’t stop until it had him. He
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11
[Ability acquired: Permanent Night Vision.]Kael blinked, and the darkness around him shifted. The once-impenetrable shadows melted away, revealing the forest in a dull, muted glow. Every tree, every twisted root, every shifting figure in the distance was suddenly visible as if bathed in a dim silver light.He exhaled sharply. “Well, that’s... useful.”[Host will no longer be hindered by darkness. Visual clarity increased by 70%. Detection of movement within a ten-meter radius enhanced.]Kael smirked to himself. At least the system had the decency to make up for its sudden absence. He pushed off the tree, his exhaustion still present but no longer crippling. Now, at least, he could see where he was going.Unfortunately, the new ability didn’t stop his stomach from churning. Hunger gnawed at him, twisting his insides into knots. He clenched his jaw, trying to ignore the sharp pangs. He knew there had been something tangible in that bag—something that could have helped. He almost regret
10
"Can you help me?" Kael asked, breathing heavily. His body ached, and his head pounded from hanging upside down for so long. His vision blurred at the edges, and the trap’s tight grip on his ankle made every slight movement unbearable. "Please, I don’t think it’s safe here.""It’s not," she answered casually. Her voice held no urgency, no concern. Then, she crouched down, inspecting the trap that had ensnared him. A lazy smirk curled on her lips as she traced the rope with a gloved finger. "You’re in the place of my potential dinner, so you’ll have to sit tight until they come find you."Kael’s breath hitched. "What the—? We just—""Just what?" she interrupted coolly, flicking her gaze back to him. "What happened back there was a simple business agreement. And unless you have something else I want, I’ll be using you as bait for my hunt."Frustration slammed into him. His limbs burned, his lungs struggled against the blood rushing to his head. Damn it. She was serious.His lips parted
9
Its massive frame blocked out the moonlight, casting a chilling shadow over Kael’s trembling hands as he struggled to keep them steady. Its eyes—if they could even be called that—glowed like polished obsidian catching the light, fixed solely on him. The creature's muscles twisted beneath its shifting skin, as though it wasn’t fully anchored in this world. Every few seconds, a haunting, chittering sound rattled from its throat.Its mouth remained shut, but Kael could see the razor-sharp teeth hidden behind its lips—teeth that looked like they could pierce through steel. Clawed fingers flexed, and the grinding of its bones filled the air like the slow creak of breaking stone.Kael’s breath hitched as he fought to keep calm. Every instinct screamed at him to move, but his limbs felt as though they had been shackled by invisible chains, weighed down by sheer terror.Run.But where? His speed was nothing compared to this thing’s. If it wanted him dead, it wouldn’t stop until it had him. He
8
Kael’s grip tightened on the bag, his pulse steady despite the threat looming before him. With his newfound ability to assess energy levels, he could feel Herold’s power radiating—a Gifted, and a formidable one at that.“Still mad about the Vatalis bottle?” Kael smirked, blood dripping down his chin. “But why? It was never yours for the taking.”Herold’s face twisted into a venomous snarl. “I fucking hate your kind,” he spat, stepping forward, the tension in his movements clear. “I can’t wait to taste your Vatalis, you Gifted piece of shit.”Kael raised an eyebrow, almost amused. Herold despised Gifteds when in reality, he was one himself. “Tell you what,” Kael said, his voice low and calculating. “You can have the bag, but I still need my head.”“Fuck you, you little piece of shit. Do you think you have the upper hand here?” Herold growled, his energy crackling as he prepared to strike.Kael’s smirk faded, and for a split second, he stopped pretending to be fearless. His heart was
7
Kael crouched behind a jagged rock, his breath hitching as his sharp senses, amplified by the system, picked up faint footsteps and low whispers ahead. He cautiously peered through the darkness, straining to make out the figures.They looked human, but something about them was disturbingly off. Their bodies emitted unnatural steam, and their eyes gleamed with a crazed intensity, as if they had been abusing some narcotic. One of them flexed hands that ended in jagged claws. Kael’s stomach churned—these weren’t ordinary prisoners.“What are those?” he whispered internally, his heart pounding.[Humanoid prisoners affected by the mutations of this place and prolonged exposure to Vitalis crystals. Host is advised to avoid engagement in the current state,] the system responded.“Great,” Kael muttered under his breath, the sarcasm doing little to soothe his fraying nerves.His eyes darted around, searching for any route that might keep him out of sight. The drop zone was tantalizingly close,
6
The system paused, its tone shifting to one of measured neutrality.[Affirmative. Your wife made an irreversible choice in her final moments. Her dominant gift was transferred to you, ensuring your survival. The energy she gifted was sufficient to awaken your full potential.]Kael’s chest tightened as the weight of the revelation crushed him. “She… she gave up everything… for me?” His voice broke, the storm within him roaring.[Correct. Without the blast of gifted energy, your godseed would have remained dormant, and you would not have survived the events that followed.]“Why?” Kael’s fists clenched at his sides. Guilt gnawed at him like a relentless predator. He suddenly felt as if he had a hand in his wife’s death. “Why didn’t she save herself? Why waste it on me?”[It was not wasted,] the system replied, its voice calm and resolute. [Your wife’s gift could never unlock on its own, unlike your godseed, which would have activated over time due to your unique bloodline. In the given c
5
Kael’s heart pounded in his chest as he ran. He couldn’t afford to look back. His legs burned with every step, but his instincts pushed him forward. He had no idea where he was going; all he could see was the dense greenery of the thick forest ahead.Behind him, the devil angels were yelling in fury. The bottle he had thrown fell faster than they could catch it. Kael could hear the pounding of their feet as they drew closer.[Warning: Host energy at 10%. Survival chances decreasing. Immediate action required.]“Not now, whatever you are,” Kael cursed under his breath, pushing himself harder. He dodged a low-hanging branch, the sound of his ragged breathing filling his ears.He knew he was in serious trouble, especially after breaking the vitalis of that monster. Everything was happening so fast. Only a few days ago, he had lost his family and expected death. Now, he was fighting to survive in a prison world.The ground beneath him was uneven and rocky, threatening to trip him, but Kae
4
Kael’s body vibrated with raw energy as the system coursed through him. His muscles burned, but he forced himself to stand. His desperation to survive outweighed the pain. The Mebitor lunged, its pincers snapping with enough force to crush a rock. Kael leaped, barely dodging the attack. He paused briefly, staring at his hands. The speed at which he moved felt foreign. He had never felt this kind of power before. Everything was sharper, clearer… better. [Godseed infusion active: physical enhancement initiated. Host current power level: 50%.] [Chances of victory: 50%.] Kael clenched his fists, feeling energy crackling through his fingers. But it wasn’t enough to defeat the Mebitor. It was only enough to survive—if he played it right. The beast roared again, its many legs slamming into the ground, causing tremors. But Kael stood firm. His heart pounded as he took a stance, ready to fight. He surprised even himself with his audacity. The power surging through his body was intoxi
3
Kael’s body hung limply, wrists bound to the cold iron rod behind him. Blood pooled beneath him, dripping steadily from the gaping wound in his abdomen where the devil angels had driven their blades multiple times. The air stung with the acrid scent of iron and sweat, mingling with the silence of a predator’s den.He had been captured moments after his arrival, ambushed by survivors desperate to lure their prey. Now, he dangled like fresh meat in their cruel trap.Kael’s vision blurred, the edges darkening as his body screamed for release. But in the depths of his shattered mind, the faces of his children burned like brands. Their cries. Their helplessness.“I can’t... die... here,” he rasped, voice barely more than a whisper.[Warning: Host life functions critically low.][System integration at 35%... Stabilizing.]The monotone voice echoed in his mind, distant against the roar of pain. Kael’s lips curled into a weak smile, bitter and defiant. Even in death, I’m haunted by whispers.