The heavy metal of the containment door groaned under the pressure of my hand.
The pain was gone. Where broken ribs and a pierced shoulder had once been, a dense, pulsing heat now flowed. I looked at the system interface still floating before my eyes: [Status Panel] Name: Leo Ramos Level: 1 -> 5 Class: Prime Devourer (Unique) Strength: 25 (+15) Agility: 28 (+20) Vitality: 18 (+10) Mana: 150/150 Abilities: [Devour - Rank EX], [Shadow Camouflage - Rank B]
I closed the panel with a thought. I focused my new power in my legs and shoved the magic-reinforced containment door.
BOOM!
The steel locks bent like paper. The structure gave way, sending stone debris flying down the tunnel's dark corridor.
I activated [Shadow Camouflage]. My body instantly merged with the cave's gloom. I wasn't merely faster; I moved like a silent predator, gliding across the ground without making the slightest sound.
A few yards ahead, the Alvorada Guild's group was hurrying toward the exit Gate. Vane wiped the sweat from his forehead as he spoke with the Vice Guild Leader.
“We secured the exit,” Vane said with a cold smile. “When the Association asks about the Rank F kid, we’ll say he got separated from the group and was caught before we could intervene. Nobody cares about a Pack Mule.”
“And his daily rate?” the aide asked.
“It’s the team’s risk bonus.”
They laughed. A loud roar of laughter that echoed off the tunnel walls.
Step by step, I emerged from the shadow right behind Vane. Dark mist still swirled around my arms.
“You forgot your Pack Mule,” I murmured right into Vane’s ear.
The laughter stopped instantly. Vane jumped backward, drawing his gold-plated sword, while the other four elite Hunters froze in shock.
“L-Leo?!” Vane stammered, his eyes wide.
“How did you... The Rank B beast should’ve torn you apart!”
“It tried,” I replied, taking a step forward. “But your system had a flaw. You used me as bait, but forgot to check whether the fish on the hook was bigger than the hook.”
“He’s bluffing! He’s still Rank F!” the group’s mage shouted, beginning to conjure a Fireball. “Just kill the poor bastard before he talks to the Association!”
The mage didn’t even finish the spell.
With my enhanced agility, I crossed the distance between us in a fraction of a second. My hand closed around the mage’s neck and lifted him off the ground before the fire could launch.
[Activate Devour?]
A black aura covered the mage’s throat. He choked as he felt his mana drain directly into my body.
[Partial Absorption Complete!] [Mana +30] [Temporary Ability Acquired: Fireball (Rank E)]
I slammed the mage into the ground, knocking him unconscious, and looked at Vane. The other Hunters took three steps back, dropping their shields.
“W-wait, Leo! It was all a joke! A stress test!” Vane stammered, his voice trembling as he backed away until he pressed against the blue light of the exit Gate. “I’ll give you all the expedition’s gold! I’ll give you double the daily rate!”
“I don’t want your gold, Vane,” I said, deactivating Shadow Camouflage and letting the glow of my red eyes show in the darkness. “I want back what you took from me. And starting today, every Dungeon I enter will be mine.”
I advanced.