?Time is running out. What do I do? What do I do?! Think, Wren, think!
?No matter how many ancient archives he had memorized back home, no matter how many survival strategies he had studied about Norhera’s brutal environments, none of them prepared him for this exact moment. Theory meant nothing when a giant was about to cave your chest in.
?Hudson is closing the distance fast, his cruel, bloodthirsty grin widening with every single step.
?And then—right as panic threatens to drown him completely—a strange, pulsing warmth flares up inside Wren’s right hand.
?It isn’t a burning, destructive heat like hellfire. It feels ancient, heavy, and alive, crawling up his veins like liquid gold.
?Wren blinks, staring down at his palm in utter bewilderment. What is this...?
?"Envy... what is happening right now?" he thinks frantically.
?But for once, the owl doesn’t offer a snarky explanation or a sharp rebuke. Instead, Envy’s mental presence shifts, swelling with an eerie, unhinged sort of pride.
?Wren... get ready. Didn’t I tell you? Becoming my contractor is like stumbling face-first into a divine miracle. Just watch what happens next.
?Wren doesn’t understand a single word of what the bird is babbling about.
?Before he can even demand an answer, a cascading wave of translucent blue screens shatters into existence right in front of his eyes, flooding his vision with blazing, system-issued light.
?[ Tattoo of Envy is reacting to host’s emotion ]
?[ One of the Primordial is asking for help ]
?[ Bestowing the Skill of Primordial Envy... ]
?[ New Skill Acquired: [Supremacy Through Envy] ]
?Supremacy Through Envy?
?The Tattoo of Envy...?
?A sudden flash of clarity cuts through his fogged-up mind. That was what the gift really was all about. That was the hidden, terrifying truth behind the mark branded onto his soul.
?With trembling eyes, Wren reads the system’s breakdown of his brand-new, terrifyingly high-tier ability:
?[ Supremacy Through Envy ]
[ Rank: S (Level: 10) ]
[ Description: Whenever the user fights an opponent with superior physical attributes, higher stats, or overwhelming abilities, they can temporarily increase their own power by drawing directly upon the gap between them. ]
?[ The greater the power difference, the greater the potential amplification. ]
?[ Warning: This skill cannot bridge an infinite gap in strength. Exceeding safe thresholds will result in severe physical backlash. ]
Wren stared at the description.
For several seconds, his mind refused to process what he had just read.
Temporarily increase his power by drawing upon the gap between himself and his opponent?
In other words...
The stronger his opponent was, the stronger he could become?
A strange expression slowly spread across Wren’s face.
"HAHAHAHA!"
He suddenly burst into laughter.
Hudson stopped for a moment, staring at the battered teenager as though he had lost his mind.
"What the hell is so funny, brat? Have you finally accepted that you’re going to die?"
Wren ignored him.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the translucent screen.
So that’s what you meant, Envy.
You weren’t giving me power simply because you felt sorry for me. You were giving me the ability to steal the advantage of those who stood above me.
His fingers curled into a tight fist.
For the first time since arriving in Norhera, the despair in his heart began to fade.
It wasn’t gone.
He was still injured. His arms were practically useless, his breathing was ragged, and his body was dangerously close to shutting down.
But now, he had something he hadn’t possessed a few moments ago.
A chance.
"Oi, brat!" Hudson roared, his patience finally running out. "Are you ignoring me?!"
Wren slowly raised his head.
"No."
His golden eyes met Hudson’s bloodshot gaze.
"I’m just thinking about how badly I’m going to hurt you."
For a moment, silence fell over the arena.
Then Hudson’s face twisted with fury.
"You little bastard!"
He stomped forward, sending cracks spreading across the stone beneath his boots.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN HURT ME?!"
Wren barely heard him.
His attention was fixed on the skill description.
How do I activate it?
As though responding to his thoughts, another notification appeared.
[Skill Activation Conditions Met.]
[Superior Opponent Detected.]
[Analyzing Attribute Difference...]
[Host’s current physical condition: Critical.]
[Warning: Forcibly activating this skill may cause permanent damage to the host’s body.]
Wren’s expression twitched.
Of course there’s a catch.
He glanced at the warning.
Permanent damage.
Under normal circumstances, he would have hesitated. He had spent his entire life trying to become strong enough to earn his father’s approval. Destroying his body in his very first battle would be an exceptionally stupid way to begin that journey.
Unfortunately, Hudson was already approaching.
And the countdown continued to fall.
[00:00:14]
Fourteen seconds.
Wren looked at the giant’s approaching fist.
I don’t have the luxury of being careful.
"Envy!"
"What?"
"Can this skill help me survive his final punch?"
For once, Envy answered without a joke.
"Yes."
Wren’s eyes widened slightly.
"But there’s a catch," Envy continued. "The skill can temporarily bring your physical capabilities closer to your opponent’s. It doesn’t magically repair your injuries, restore your energy, or teach you how to fight."
Wren’s expression darkened.
"So even if I become stronger, I might still lose?"
"Now you’re finally using that pathetic brain of yours."
Envy paused.
"Listen carefully, Wren. Supremacy Through Envy doesn’t make you invincible. It gives you the opportunity to challenge someone who should be beyond your reach. What you do with that opportunity is entirely up to you."
Wren fell silent.
He understood.
The skill wasn’t going to save him by itself.
He still had to make the right move.
Across the arena, Hudson rolled his shoulders and raised his massive fist.
"Enough games! Here comes the last one!"
The spectators erupted into deafening cheers.
"HUDSON! HUDSON! HUDSON!"
"CRUSH HIM!"
"END THIS!"
[00:00:08]
Eight seconds.
Wren took a shaky breath.
His right hand began to glow.
The strange warmth spreading through his veins grew stronger, and the mark of Envy pulsed beneath his skin.
A notification appeared.
[Activate Supremacy Through Envy?]
[YES / NO]
Wren didn’t hesitate.
[YES.]
BOOM!
An invisible pressure exploded outward from his body.
The dust covering the stone floor rose into the air. The iron bars rattled violently, and several spectators instinctively leaned away from the cage.
Hudson’s grin faltered.
"What...?"
Wren’s body arched as an unfamiliar power surged through his muscles.
His battered arms trembled. His legs threatened to buckle. For one terrifying instant, he felt as though something inside him was being stretched far beyond its limits.
Then the pain changed.
It didn’t disappear.
Instead, beneath the agony of his injuries, a new strength began to awaken.
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
His vision sharpened.
And the movements that had once seemed impossibly fast became just a little easier to follow.
[Supremacy Through Envy activated.]
[Temporary physical amplification applied.]
[Duration: 00:00:10]
[Warning: Physical backlash will increase with continued activation.]
Wren stared at his hands.
He could feel it.
The difference wasn’t enormous, but it was real.
For the first time, his body no longer felt completely helpless before Hudson.
Envy’s voice rang through his mind.
"Ten seconds, kid."
Wren swallowed.
"That’s all?"
"Would you prefer five?"
"Shut up!"
Hudson’s expression hardened as he sensed the sudden change.
Whatever had happened to the boy, he wasn’t about to let it ruin his victory.
With a furious roar, the giant charged.
"DIE!"
Wren’s pupils contracted.
There was no time to summon his chains.
No time to experiment with Hellfire.
He had one chance to survive the final punch.
Instead of retreating, Wren planted his feet against the stone floor and raised his battered arms.
His heart screamed at him to run.
Every instinct told him that standing his ground was madness.
But Wren had spent his entire life running after something he could never seem to reach.
His father’s approval.
His family’s recognition.
The strength to prove that he wasn’t worthless.
He was tired of being the one who could only watch as others decided his fate.
Not anymore.
Hudson’s fist came crashing toward him.
Wren moved.
Not fast enough to avoid the attack completely.
Not strong enough to overpower the giant.
But this time, he could finally see the punch coming.
At the last possible instant, Wren twisted his body and shifted his weight, turning his head aside while bringing his forearms across his chest to meet the incoming blow at an angle.
BOOOOOOM!
The impact sent a shockwave through the cage.
Wren’s boots scraped backward across the stone.
Pain tore through his injured arms, and a fresh stream of blood escaped his mouth.
For one dreadful moment, his knees buckled.
Hudson’s fist continued pushing against his guard.
"YOU—!"
Wren gritted his teeth.
His arms were shaking.
His vision was darkening.
The skill’s power was already beginning to fade.
But he hadn’t fallen.
He was still standing.
And Hudson’s punch had stopped.
The crowd fell silent.
The giant stared at the battered teenager in disbelief.
"What the hell...?"
Wren slowly lifted his head.
Blood dripped from his chin, and his entire body trembled beneath the strain.
Yet his golden eyes remained fixed on Hudson.
A crooked smile appeared on his face.
"That’s three, isn’t it?"
For several seconds, Hudson said nothing.
Then the system chimed.
[Ding!]
[Emergency Quest Completed!]
[Objective: Survive Hudson’s Three Punches — Complete.]
[Objective: Remain Conscious Until the Challenge Ends — Complete.]
[Rewards Granted.]
[Experience Points: +100]
[Skill Upgrade Opportunity: Hellfire Manipulation]
Wren’s smile widened.
He had done it.
He had survived.
But before he could even enjoy the victory, another notification appeared.
[Warning!]
[Supremacy Through Envy is reaching its safe activation threshold.]
[Immediate deactivation recommended.]
Wren’s smile vanished.
"Oh, come on..."
His legs suddenly gave way.
He collapsed onto the stone floor, his consciousness slipping as the last traces of the strange power faded from his body.
The final thing he heard was Envy laughing inside his head.
"HAHAHAHA! Welcome to Norhera, Wren Extenguard!"
Then everything went black.