Kai

Creatures of Paradise Or more widely known as monsters, they are terrible, corrupted beings that use demonic energy to strengthen themselves. 

Humans see these creatures as nothing but entities to be annihilated. But it wasn't that easy. Monsters were powerful, and a clear hierarchy existed among them.

The Providence itself classified these abominable creatures into different categories. There were two primary classifications.

The first was based on the strength and the number of Essence cores a creature possessed. This ranged from dormant creatures without any radiant core to mythical, colossal monsters that possessed a full seven cores.

The second classification, however, was a bit more complex. No one knew on what basis Providence classified these monsters, but there was a clear distinction among them.

From the fairly easy-to-kill Nascent creatures to the terrifying Diabolic creatures, each rank had its own distinction. The higher the rank, the more intelligent and dangerous the creatures became.

As William followed behind the strange demonic creature, he realized that it was definitely not a normal one.

Essence monsters, in general, had two classifications: Nascent Essence monsters and Inept Essence monsters. But the one he was observing now was something entirely different.

'Is it a Vile monster?' he wondered, hesitating for a moment before quickly dismissing the thought. 

'Vile monsters have an aura of their own—I don't sense the aura of a Vile monster, but… it's not an Essence monster either.'

He and his young master, Kai, were both following the creature. William's primary concern was to ensure no harm came to his young master, so his steps were cautious. But the prospect of slaying a new monster and obtaining a rare reward was equally attractive and hard to dismiss.

The creature moved with a speed that nearly matched his own, which was impressive considering William was a Priest-level Follower, while the region they were in was supposed to contain only Essence monsters. The creature's leaps were immense, and each time it landed, the ground trembled slightly, leaving deep imprints in the earth—clearly indicating the creature's power.

The creature's form was a blur as it dashed through the wilderness, its hulking frame moving with surprising agility. William could see Kai not far behind him, his eyes filled with determination.

'He is indeed remarkable,' William thought, impressed that Kai was keeping pace with him, even at his top speed. He knew Kai well enough to recognize that once the young master had set his mind on something, there was little that could stop him.

'It's a pity he was born into the Makalani household.'

Kai was immensely talented—so much so that his progress in power was even faster than the current master of the Malakani household. Despite this, Kai had been stripped of his chance to be the next head because of his elder sister.

The current head of the Makalani family was already in his sixties. Although age had become less of a concern since humans began making contracts with the Gods, the head had already appointed his successor- the firstborn of Makalani, the one who wields the heavenly fire inherited from the God Fire Dancer himself. She is someone immensely talented, favored by the gods and is considered a candidate for the strongest of the new generation.

Although it wasn't her intention, her talents and feats completely overshadowed her brother.

Even though Kai had his own talents, they couldn't be compared to his genius sister. But Kai didn't seem to harbor any hatred toward her. He knew his limits and recognized that his sister was special. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't surpass her. But he never wanted to beat her.

'Just a bit closer.'

All he wanted was to get a bit closer to her. 

He knew the vast gap that existed between them, so if there was an opportunity that would help him bridge that distance, he was ready to take any risk.

****

Levi—or rather, the creature controlling his body—moved along the wilderness with unnatural ease, muscles rippling as it bounded across the jagged terrain. 

Each leap from boulder to boulder was precise, the creature's limbs coiling and releasing like a predator. The rocks crumbled underfoot, but it pressed on as if the very landscape fueled its dark energy.

The wind whipped through its hair as it crouched low stopping for a second, scanning the rocky expanse. It wasn't searching—it was drawn to something.

A few seconds later, the creature's eyes, once vibrant under Levi's control, darkened to voids. With a low growl, it propelled itself forward, covering vast distances in seconds.

After about five more minutes and one final leap, the creature finally came to a stop on the largest boulder and looked down. 

There, nestled within a cluster of rocks, was a faint glow—a distortion in the air, as if reality itself was twisting. 

The creature's lips curled into a twisted grin.

"Here it is!" it hissed, with a chilling voice that was anything but human.

What had seemed like a mindless monster revealed its cunning voice as it stood before its destination!

A pitch-black portal pulsated down the cliff, like an open maw. 

Without a second thought, Levi—no, the monster—leapt into the inky void.

The world twisted and warped as it vanished into darkness.

Had Levi been conscious, he would have recognized it. But Levi was lost, buried deep within his own mind, as the creature descended into the unknown.

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