Ascensional Protocol

The forest was silent now, except for Tae-min's ragged breathing. He sat on the damp, blood-soaked ground, his black shirt stained with the sickly green blood of the creature he had just slain. His obsidian blade rested at his side, its surface pulsing faintly with energy as if it were alive and feeding off the chaos.

Before him lay the remains of the Beast Tide—a colossal, grotesque creature, unlike anything he had ever seen. Its body, nearly 50 feet long and weighing an estimated 20 tons, was a mass of thick, scaly hide and sinewy muscles. The beast's many legs, each the size of ancient tree trunks, jutted out at unnatural angles. Its serrated claws were as long as Tae-min's arms, and the jagged spines along its back gleamed with a toxic green hue. But the head—once the monstrous centerpiece of its form—was nowhere near its body. Instead, it lay several feet away, severed cleanly by Tae-min's blade. The vacant, lifeless eyes of the creature stared blankly into the darkness of the forest, as if unable to comprehend its defeat.

Tae-min leaned back, his chest heaving. Exhaustion overwhelmed him, and his arms trembled from the strain. "Who could have thought… a whole me," he muttered, a weak laugh escaping his lips. "I killed something like this." He glanced at his bloodied blade and managed a smile. "Whatever you are, you're pushing me beyond my limitations."

[System Notification: Beast Tide Eliminated. Congratulations!]

[Integration Progress: 25% Complete.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Phantom Slash.]

[Skill Description: Phantom Slash allows the user to unleash a high-speed attack that creates shadow afterimages, confusing enemies while delivering lethal strikes.]

Tae-min blinked at the notification, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Phantom Slash?" he murmured, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Well, that sounds… useful."

Another notification popped up, pulling him out of his thoughts.

[System Notification: Use of Elixir of Lesser Rejuvenation is advisable. This will instantly restore stamina and mana.]

Tae-min scoffed, shaking his head. "Oh really? You think I didn't notice how close I was to dying?" His breath was shaky, but there was a trace of humor in his tone.

Just then, a soft glow appeared in front of him. A small bottle materialized in mid-air, encased in a golden light that shimmered faintly before fading. The elixir floated downward, and Tae-min grabbed it before it could hit the ground. The liquid inside glowed a gentle yellow, radiating a soothing warmth even through the glass.

Without hesitation, he twisted the cap off and downed the contents in one go. It tasted surprisingly sweet, like honey with a hint of citrus. Within seconds, the effects began to manifest. The ache in his muscles eased, and the tightness in his chest loosened. His energy returned in waves, and the fog clouding his mind dissipated.

Tae-min exhaled slowly, testing his limbs. "Not bad," he said, stretching his arms. "Not bad at all."

Before he could fully collect his thoughts, another notification flashed before him.

[System Notification: Returning to Safe Zone. Initiating transport in 5… 4…]

Tae-min stood up, his blade in hand, and took one last look at the beast's lifeless body. The forest around him was silent, shrouded in an eerie darkness that felt oppressive even now.

"Well, guess this is goodbye," he said to the scene, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment despite the danger.

[…3… 2… 1…]

The world around him blurred, the oppressive atmosphere of the forest giving way to the familiar sights and sounds of his apartment. Tae-min stumbled slightly as the transition completed, the sudden change leaving him momentarily disoriented.

He stood in the center of his small living room, the glowing lights of the city visible through the window. Tossing his blood-stained shirt into the laundry basket, he leaned against the wall and let out a deep sigh.

"System, huh?" he muttered to himself, a small smirk forming on his lips. "You're trying to turn me into something else."

Steam filled the bathroom as Tae-min stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist. Droplets of water slid down his toned chest and abs, catching the light as he moved. Running a hand through his damp hair, he made his way to the kitchen, where the faint glow of the fridge illuminated the small space.

Humming softly, he decided on something simple yet hearty—a stir-fry. Tossing diced chicken, bell peppers, and broccoli into a sizzling pan, he added a dash of soy sauce and a sprinkle of garlic. The aroma filled the room as he expertly stirred the ingredients, the rhythmic clatter of the spatula against the pan almost meditative.

Once the meal was ready, Tae-min plated it with some freshly steamed rice and carried it to the living room. Settling onto the couch, he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, eager for a moment of peace.

News Broadcast

The screen flickered to life, revealing a solemn-faced newscaster. Behind her, shaky footage played of a devastated street littered with overturned cars and collapsed buildings.

"This just in—an unprecedented disaster has occurred on Haneul Street. Eyewitnesses report what appears to be a dimensional breach, with unidentified entities emerging from within. The Hunter's Guild has been notified, but no official response has been made yet. We advise everyone in the area to stay indoors and remain vigilant. Updates will follow as the situation develops. Please stay safe."

Tae-min sighed, shaking his head as he shoveled a spoonful of stir-fry into his mouth. "Haneul Street, huh? Sounds like trouble."

As he ate, a familiar notification blinked into view. The glowing interface hovered in front of him, displaying his current status:

[ Status Window]

Name: Jin Tae-min

Level: (Undefined)

Class: 10

Integration Progress: 25%

Health: 650/650

Mana: 450/450

Stamina: 500/500

[Skills Unlocked]

Shadow Flux Blade – Manipulate mana into a volatile energy that tears through physical and magical defenses.

Flash Step: Temporarily compress mana into your body to execute high-speed movements.

Reactive Instincts: Automatically heightens sensory perception in life-threatening situations, improving reaction speed and combat efficiency.

Phantom Slash: Phantom Slash allows the user to unleash a high-speed attack that creates shadow afterimages, confusing enemies while delivering lethal strikes.

Tae-min sighed, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Okay, okay. Just let me finish my meal and rest for once." He placed the plate on the coffee table and leaned back, closing his eyes. Before long, the steady hum of the city outside lulled him into a light nap.

A loud crash shattered the peace, jolting Tae-min awake. His eyes snapped open, and his senses went on high alert. "What was that?" he muttered, quickly grabbing his shirt and slipping it on.

Stepping outside, he was met with chaos. People were running in all directions, their faces pale with fear. Some were crying, others were shouting. The air was filled with the wails of sirens and the distant sounds of destruction.

Tae-min stopped a man sprinting past. "Hey! What's going on?"

The man, panting and wide-eyed, barely managed to reply. "They've breached a gate!"

Tae-min frowned. "Wait, what?"

"A B-Rank gate!" the man shouted, glancing nervously behind him. "And the monsters—they're not goblins or wolves or anything like that. They're Titans. Lesser Titans! Massive things with huge bodies and weird powers."

"Has anyone called the Hunter's Guild?" Tae-min asked urgently.

"Yeah, but you know how hunters are. Some don't show up fast. Proud scums, always taking their time!" The man shook his head. "Young man, if you know what's good for you, stay inside your house. I have to go!"

The man dashed away, leaving Tae-min standing in the middle of the chaos. The ground trembled as deafening crashes echoed from the distance. Cars were being flung like toys, smashing into buildings and the streets below. From the same direction, four massive figures emerged, each radiating an aura of destruction.

The first was a hulking brute with two enormous arms, its skin like stone and eyes burning with malice. The second had a serpentine tail that coiled and lashed through the air, its length crushing everything in its path. The third carried a gigantic hammer glowing with red energy, each swing sending shockwaves through the ground. The fourth floated ominously, massive wings spreading out behind it, and with a casual motion, it hurled a car into the panicked crowd.

"So these are the creatures called humans," the winged one said, its voice resonating like thunder.

Tae-min watched from a distance, his fists clenched. He knew his limits. Even with his abilities, facing four Lesser Titans was suicide. He turned to retreat into his apartment, his mind racing for solutions.

Before he could take another step, a bright notification appeared before him:

[System Notification:]

Mission Assigned: Defeat 4 Lesser Titans.

Failure to comply will result in system shutdown.

Tae-min froze, staring at the words. His lips twitched into a bitter smile. "Oh well… looks like I don't have much of a choice."

He turned back to face the Titans, gripping his obsidian blade tightly. "Guess I'm not getting any rest tonight."