"What is this power...?" I muttered, feeling the electric hum of energy pulse beneath my skin.
Red lightning crackled in the air around me. My body felt lighter—stronger—like I could take on the entire world. But then—
KRRGHHHH!
A low, guttural growl rumbled from the rubble.
Dust scattered.
The massive beast burst from the wreckage, chunks of stone flying everywhere. His armor was cracked and scorched, glowing red-hot from the lightning bolt, but somehow... he was still standing.
"Krrrgghh...!"
I blinked, confused. What did he just say? His voice sounded rough and monstrous—garbled, like growling metal.
Then—
[SYSTEM NOTICE]"Would you like to learn the Monster Tongue?"
I stared at the glowing words. That language... is that what he's speaking right now? My eyes narrowed.
"Yes," I whispered.
The notification vanished. A sharp pain stabbed into my mind, like a hot needle drilling into my brain. I clenched my teeth—but just like that, the strange growling shifted into words.
"Tch... that was too close," the monster muttered, glaring at me. "If I didn't have this armor, I'd be dead for sure..."
His gaze sharpened.
"You… you destroyed it! My precious armor!"
I tilted my head, half-laughing.
"Oh? I didn't realize there was an ugly crocodile hiding inside that tin can."
He froze. His eye twitched.
"...Ugly...? Crocodile...?"
His voice lowered, trembling with rage.
"LITTLE...!"
Blades of energy grew from his claws—jagged, glowing red with fury.
"DIE, YOU TRASH HUMAN!!!"
He charged, claws out like whirling saws, ready to shred me.
But—
I moved.
Fast.
My body reacted on instinct, gliding around his strike like water slipping between cracks. His claws missed by inches, slamming into the ground and sending shockwaves through the earth.
"Wh-What?" I whispered, blinking in awe. I... dodged that?
I never got trained—Dad was going to start teaching me after my core awakened. And yet, I was moving like a warrior with years of combat under his belt.
What is this power...?
Questions could wait.
Now wasn't the time to wonder.
It was time to crush this overgrown lizard.
Red lightning danced along my arms, spiraling from my hands to my legs. My heart thundered as I pushed off the ground, tearing through the air straight at him.
"Let's see if you can handle this!"
He swung a claw, but I ducked low—too slow, ugly.
CRACK!
I slammed my fist into his ribs. The force echoed like thunder as his body was lifted off the ground and hurled backward, smashing through several stone pillars.
He groaned, thick green blood splattering from his mouth.
I landed on one knee, panting—but smiling.
"Still alive, Croco-boy?"
The monster hissed, shakily standing.
"You... you little worm...! How are you moving like this?! Who are you?!"
I stood up straight.
The red glow in my eyes intensified.
"My name is Jae Hoon."
"And I'm just getting started."