<You have devoured Jason Mart>

<You have gained the F Rank Talent: Water>

<+4 Vitality>

Ethan moved from corpse to corpse, checking each one’s talents. Most weren’t worth devouring—talents he already possessed or inferior versions that would offer no improvement.

He selected one more with E-Rank Water talent, absorbing it to strengthen his newly acquired ability. The third worthy candidate had an E-Rank Wind talent, adding another element to his growing talents.

After the final absorption, Ethan paused, familiarising himself with the rush of new power flowing through his system.

His updated status flashed before his mind’s eye.

<Human: Ethan Brandon>

<Rank: High-Bronze>

<Talents: Enhanced Speed (E-), Protective Shield (F), Iron Enhancement (E-), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Regeneration (F+), Dagger Wield (F-), Water (F), Wind (F)>

<Transformations: Shadowfang Wolf(Peak-Iron), Razorback Boar(Mid-Bronze), Black Beetle(Mid-Bronze), Brown Bear (Mid-Bronze)>

<Level 3>

<Health Points: 980>

<Mana Points: 700>

<Strength: 110> <Agility: 111> <Intelligence: 70> <Vitality: 98>

<Free Attributes: 10> <Skills: Basic Footwork (Novice – 13%)>

His attributes had increased by a total of 36 points—intelligence up by 10, vitality by 6, and both strength and agility by 10 each.

Two new elemental talents added to his arsenal.

Not bad for a few minutes’ work.

Ethan rose.

He gestured toward the alley with his sword. “Now lead me to Han Wei.”

The leader nodded frantically, eager to be away from the touched corpses that had been his comrades minutes earlier. He scurried ahead, leading Ethan through a maze of back alleys toward District Two.

As they moved, Ethan tested his new Water talent, drawing moisture from the air into a small floating sphere above his palm.

“How much further?” he asked.

“Ten minutes,” the leader replied, his voice trembling. “It’s just past the district gate.”

Ethan nodded, already planning Han Wei’s execution. With these new talents that he possessed, he could make it especially… educational.

“What is the highest rank?”

“High-Bronze. He is the leader of all the guards, including team leaders like myself.”

The leader swallowed hard, keeping his eyes fixed ahead to avoid looking at Ethan. “Twenty. Hand-picked by General Han himself. But after nine had died, and considering that I’m with you…” He hesitated. “There are only ten left.”

“What’s the highest rank?” Ethan asked, casually rolling a small sphere of water between his fingers, testing his new talent.

“High-Bronze, He had just advanced yesterday,” the leader replied, eyeing the water manipulation nervously. “He’s the leader of all the guards, including team leaders like me. Feng is his name.”

‘Just how many talents does he have?’ The leader thought nervously.

Ethan absorbed the new information and calculated the odds of him winning. Ten guards plus Han Wei, with one High-Bronze among them.

‘I would lose if I were to fight them by myself at the same time. But why would I do that? I will pick them slowly. One by one.’

“And Han Wei himself? He’s still a Mid-Bronze, correct?”

“Yes.”

They turned down a narrow alley that ran alongside the district wall. The sounds of the chaotic Third District faded behind them, replaced by the controlled bustle of District Two ahead.

“How do we get past the checkpoint without raising any suspicion?” Ethan asked as the district gate came into view.

The leader reached into his robe, producing a small metal token embossed with the Han family crest. “The guards recognize Han family servants. With this, they’ll let us both through without questions.”

Ethan nodded. “Good. And if anyone asks why you’re covered in blood?”

“Monster attack. We fought off beasts that breached the Third District wall.”

“You’re learning,” Ethan said with cold approval. “Maybe you’ll live through this after all.”

They approached the district gate, where a line of refugees pleaded with stone-faced guards for entry. The chaos of the monster attack had everyone on edge, with Second District residents demanding stricter security.

The leader confidently approached a side entrance, flashing his token. The guard nodded, barely glancing at either of them before waving them through.

The contrast was immediate and stark. While the Third District descended into panic over the monster attack, the Second District maintained an illusion of normalcy. Shops remained open. Wealthy residents strolled the clean streets. Guards stood at regular intervals, it was the difference between night and day.

“The summer pavilion is just ahead,” the leader said, pointing to a walled compound rising above surrounding buildings. “Han Wei will be in the central structure”

“And the others?”

“Patrolling the perimeter. Or inside.”

Ethan nodded, formulating his approach. “Is there a service entrance?”

“Yes, on the east side. Used by kitchen staff and servants.”

“Perfect.” Ethan gestured for the leader to continue.

…

Arriving at the service entrance. There was only one guard there.

Seeing Steven, he walked up to him.

“Where is-“

Before he could finish, Ethan had already killed him.

“Get rid of his body.” Steven nodded, using his fire talent to turn the body into ashes.

They slipped through the service entrance into a dimly lit corridor. Servant quarters and storerooms lined both sides.

The leader turned, opening his mouth to speak.

“Up ahead is-“

Ethan’s blade whispered through the air, cleaving through the man’s neck with surgical precision. The head tumbled from shoulders before the leader even registered betrayal.

‘I let him go…to hell.’

Ethan crouched beside the still-twitching body, placing his palm against the forehead. The Fire talent was too valuable to waste.

<Human: Steven Joe>

<Rank: Mid-Bronze>

<Fire Talent: E Grade>

<Skills: Fire Strike (Novice)>

‘Devour.’

<You have gained the F+ Talent: Fire>

<+3 Agility>

He extended his hand, concentrating on the essence of flame.

A ball of fire materialised above his palm, orange-red and pulsing with restrained energy.

He directed it toward the headless corpse. The flames eagerly consumed cloth and flesh, but burned too slowly for his taste.

‘Not strong enough.’

With a thought, he activated his Wind talent, directing currents to feed the flames. The effect was immediate—fire intensified, consuming the body at triple the speed it had before.

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