> "Sometimes, the strongest armor is silence. And sometimes, silence is just the echo of rage with no place to go."
---
Location: Blackroot Academy - Dormitory Courtyard
Kitae Kim sat alone on the rusted bench, draped in shadows while the sunset carved gold onto the stone paths. His uniform was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the faint shimmer of the sigil etched into his chest days ago—the First Sigil, still unknown to the others.
He hadn't told Cynthia. Not fully. Not yet.
Because the truth burned.
And because a system whispered in his blood, waking with every heartbeat.
> [System Update: Synchronization - 19%] [Passive Trait Unlocked: Lion's Resilience – Minor damage reduction and focus retention under pressure]
> "You're changing."
Cynthia's voice cut through his thoughts as she walked toward him, dressed in her sparring gear. Her silver eyes glinted like forged steel.
> "Everyone's changing," Kitae replied, not looking at her.
> "You're hiding something."
He finally looked up, and something deep in his gaze made Cynthia stop short. There was a hunger in his silence now.
> "Let it go," he said. "We don't need to bleed the truth yet."
She frowned, but said nothing.
---
Location: Blackroot Academy - Underground Arena
It was called the Gauntlet, a secret dueling ring under the academy where students tested their Lookism arts—martial disciplines powered by body-type mastery, intent, and pressure thresholds.
Tonight's matchup: Kitae Kim vs. Jun Karasu. A top-rank striker known for his Razor-Step style.
Spectators surrounded the pit, murmurs flying.
> "Isn't that the transfer kid?" "He's gonna get shredded." "Karasu's a monster."
Kitae stepped in barefoot.
Jun cracked his neck, lips twisting into a grin. "You don't belong here, Kim."
Kitae's reply was a whisper only the system heard:
> "Good. I came to rewrite the rules."
---
[Combat Initiated]
> [Opponent: Jun Karasu | Threshold: Mid-Tier | Speed-Type Dominant]
Jun moved like lightning—Razor-Step was no joke. He blurred, then vanished, striking at Kitae's ribs.
Impact.
Kitae staggered.
Another hit.
Kitae grunted, blood painting the floor. The crowd roared.
> [System Notification: Internal Injury Detected. Countermeasure Suggested: Instinct Mode]
> "Not yet," Kitae whispered.
Jun launched again—faster, harder. Kitae waited.
And then—moved.
Just a shift.
Jun's strike missed. Kitae pivoted.
One palm.
Buried in Jun's chest.
> [Hidden Stat Activated: Apex Focus – Tier I]
Jun collapsed, eyes wide. The silence was immediate.
> "What… was that…?" someone whispered.
> [Victory] [Threshold Strain Calculated: 82% Efficiency – Eligible for Body-Type Upgrade Challenge]
Kitae stood alone, blood dripping from his knuckles.
He wasn't a prodigy.
He was a problem.
---
Later That Night – Rooftop of Blackroot
Cynthia found him staring at the city lights.
> "Why do you keep fighting alone?" she asked.
Kitae didn't answer immediately.
Then: "Because I don't want anyone else to carry the beast I have to become."
> [System Alert: New Quest Unlocked – Sigil of the Lion's Heart] [Objective: Confront the Silent Howl. Time Limit: 3 Days]
The wind howled like prophecy.