Aether stood silently.
The Guardian's words remained in his mind.
Something far worse.
Lyra moved closer.
"What exactly is coming?"
The Guardian didn't answer immediately.
Its golden eyes were fixed on the entrance.
Then the ground trembled.
A faint killing intent entered the chamber.
Aether felt it before he saw anything.
Someone was approaching.
Slowly.
Calmly.
As if they already knew where he was.
Nyx moved beside Aether.
The golden glow in her eyes returned.
The injured fox hid behind a cluster of crystals.
Lyra raised her hand.
Lightning flickered around her fingers.
Aether looked toward the entrance.
"Stay ready."
"I am."
A shadow appeared at the end of the passage.
Then a man walked into the chamber.
He looked young.
Perhaps twenty years old.
Long black hair fell across one side of his face.
He wore dark armor with strange silver markings.
A black sword hung from his waist.
Unlike Kael, he didn't hide his presence.
Aether could clearly feel his Origin Energy.
It was heavy.
Cold.
Dangerous.
The Origin System activated.
[Origin Analysis]
[Target detected.]
[Species: Human]
[Origin Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 8]
[Ability: Blood Manipulation]
[Physique: Crimson Blood Physique]
[Potential: A]
[Threat Level: High]
Aether's eyes narrowed.
Stage 8.
The man smiled.
"So the rumors were true."
His gaze moved toward Nyx.
"An Origin Beast."
Aether stepped in front of her.
The man's smile disappeared.
"Move."
"No."
The man's eyes narrowed.
"You don't understand what you're protecting."
Aether tightened his grip.
"Then explain."
The man laughed softly.
"You really think I came here to negotiate?"
The air suddenly changed.
Stolen novel; please report.
A sharp pressure spread through the chamber.
Lyra stepped forward.
Lightning covered her arms.
"Try touching him."
The man looked at her.
"Another awakened human."
He seemed amused.
"How convenient."
Aether glanced at Lyra.
"Don't rush him."
"I know."
The man drew his sword.
The blade was dark red.
A thin line of blood seemed to move across its surface.
The Guardian remained completely still.
It didn't interfere.
Aether noticed.
"You're not going to help?"
The Guardian looked at him.
"This is your battle."
Aether sighed.
"Of course."
The hunter suddenly disappeared.
Aether's instincts reacted.
He moved to the side.
The sword passed through the space where his neck had been.
CLANG!
Aether blocked the second strike with his metal rod.
The impact sent him sliding backward.
His feet carved two lines into the stone floor.
Aether looked at the bent rod.
"Strong."
The hunter appeared in front of him again.
Aether ducked.
The sword passed over his head.
He struck the man's ribs.
BOOM!
The hit connected.
But the man barely moved.
Aether immediately retreated.
The hunter smiled.
"Interesting."
Aether's expression remained calm.
His opponent was much stronger.
There was no point pretending otherwise.
The system appeared.
[Combat Analysis activated.]
[Target's blood-based ability detected.]
[Warning: Avoid prolonged contact.]
Aether understood.
The man's ability wasn't simply offensive.
His blood could probably weaken or control his opponent.
The hunter raised his left hand.
A small cut appeared across his palm.
Blood floated into the air.
It formed dozens of thin needles.
"Blood Rain."
The needles shot forward.
Aether moved.
Lyra reacted at the same time.
"Lightning Barrier!"
A wall of lightning appeared.
The blood needles collided with it.
CRACK!
Several were destroyed.
But some passed through.
Aether grabbed Lyra and pulled her aside.
The needles struck the ground.
The stone hissed.
Lyra stared at the damage.
"That's not normal blood."
"No."
Aether looked at the hunter.
"We need to separate him from his blood."
Lyra nodded.
Aether rushed forward.
The hunter swung his sword.
Aether dodged.
Lyra attacked from the side.
Lightning struck the hunter's shoulder.
BOOM!
He stumbled.
Aether immediately attacked.
His fist struck the man's chest.
The hunter flew backward.
He crashed into the stone wall.
For the first time, his expression changed.
Aether looked at his fist.
The Infinite Origin Physique had absorbed the impact and converted part of the force into energy.
The system appeared.
[Origin Adaptation responding to Crimson Blood Physique.]
[Adaptation Progress: 9% → 11%]
Aether smiled faintly.
"That's useful."
The hunter slowly stood.
Blood covered his shoulder.
But his wound was already closing.
"Regeneration?"
Aether muttered.
The hunter wiped the blood from his mouth.
"You really are strange."
He looked toward Nyx.
"But you're not the one I'm here for."
Aether's expression changed.
"Then who?"
The hunter looked directly at him.
"You."
Silence filled the chamber.
Lyra looked at Aether.
"What?"
The hunter smiled.
"The Origin Heir."
Aether's eyes narrowed.
"So that's why."
The man raised his sword.
"Your existence has already attracted attention."
"Kael found you first."
"I was sent to finish the job."
Aether didn't respond.
Instead, he looked toward the Guardian.
The ancient beast was still watching.
It wasn't surprised.
Aether understood.
The Guardian had known this would happen.
The hunter suddenly attacked again.
Aether moved to intercept him.
Their weapons collided.
CLANG!
The shockwave spread through the chamber.
Aether's feet slid backward.
The difference in cultivation was becoming obvious.
Stage 8.
Aether was still at Stage 1.
He had the advantage of his physique and adaptations.
But that alone wasn't enough.
He needed another method.
Aether glanced toward the lake.
Then toward Nyx.
An idea formed.
"Nyx."
The small beast looked at him.
"Can you do what you did before?"
Nyx's golden eyes brightened.
The symbol beneath her fur appeared.
The hunter noticed.
"What is that?"
Aether smiled.
"Let's find out."
Nyx disappeared.
The hunter turned.
Too late.
Nyx struck his leg.
A golden slash tore through his armor.
The hunter staggered.
Lyra immediately followed.
Lightning exploded across the chamber.
BOOM!
Aether rushed forward.
This time, he didn't attack the hunter.
He attacked the ground beneath him.
CRACK!
The stone broke.
The hunter lost his balance.
Aether grabbed his arm.
The Origin System activated.
[Origin Adaptation responding.]
[Target energy detected.]
[Temporary energy absorption possible.]
Aether's eyes widened.
"Absorb."
A wave of energy entered his body.
The hunter's expression changed.
"What did you—"
Aether released him.
The hunter stumbled backward.
The system appeared.
[Foreign Origin Energy acquired.]
[Purification underway.]
[+12 Origin Points]
[Origin Points: 112/100]
Aether stared at the notification.
He had already reached the requirement.
Yet the excess points were still being stored.
That meant the system could continue accumulating Origin Points beyond the breakthrough threshold.
Interesting.
The hunter looked furious.
"You stole my energy."
Aether smiled.
"Borrowed."
"Without permission."
"Same difference."
Lyra laughed.
The hunter's killing intent exploded.
"You'll regret that."
Blood began pouring from his wounds.
The entire chamber turned red.
The Guardian finally moved.
Its massive body shifted slightly.
"Enough."
One word.
The pressure disappeared.
The hunter froze.
His face went pale.
The Guardian looked at him.
"You entered my domain."
The hunter took a step backward.
"You can't interfere."
"I can."
The Guardian's eyes glowed.
The hunter immediately realized his mistake.
He turned toward the entrance.
But before he could escape, the Guardian raised one claw.
Space itself seemed to freeze.
The hunter's body became completely immobile.
Aether stared.
This was power far beyond his current understanding.
The Guardian looked at Aether.
"Your enemy has been stopped."
Aether nodded.
"But you still haven't answered my questions."
The Guardian's gaze remained calm.
"You will receive your answers."
"When?"
"When you are strong enough to survive them."
Aether sighed.
"Everyone in this world loves saying that."
For the first time, the Guardian smiled.
Then the golden symbol on the lake began glowing again.
The Origin System appeared.
[Breakthrough condition remains active.]
[Origin Energy stabilization required.]
[Current Origin Points: 112/100]
[Recommended action: Begin cultivation breakthrough.]
Aether looked toward the lake.
The Guardian spoke.
"You have reached the limit of your first stage."
"Now prove that you can move beyond it."
Aether stepped toward the lake.
Lyra watched him.
Nyx followed.
Behind them, the captured hunter remained frozen.
And deep beneath the lake—
something ancient was watching Aether's breakthrough begin.