NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: Beginning
Daemon stared at his fully healed body, unable to hide his amazement. The pain was gone, the bruises had vanished, and his limbs felt strong again. It was nothing short of miraculous.
"This is incredible," he murmured, flexing his fingers and testing his movements. Every ache and injury had disappeared as if they'd never existed.
His attention shifted back to the floating black-and-white screen hovering before him. The text glowed faintly, and he couldn't help but wonder what else this system could do.
"Status," he said firmly, testing his theory.
The screen shimmered in response, as though it had been waiting for the command.
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Name - Daemon Gracefall
Passive Skills: [Unknown], [Cold-Blooded]
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Active Skills:
[Dash]
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Strength - 12
Speed - 14
Agility - 11
Dexterity - 12
Perception - 13
Mana - 10
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Daemon's eyes scanned the status screen in front of him, his expression tightening with each passing second.
"This… This is why he was always weak," he mumbled under his breath, unable to hide his frustration.
His gaze fell on the numbers displayed on the screen. Compared to an average awakener, whose stats typically hovered around 20, these numbers were downright pitiful. It wasn't just the stats that made his stomach churn, though—it was the glaring issue shown right below them: Talent.
The status page spelled it out clearly, leaving no room for doubt. Daemon Gracefall's talent was the source of his struggles, the reason he had always lagged behind others, no matter how hard he trained.
"This explains everything," he muttered, shaking his head. It was a harsh reality, but one he'd have to face.
On the status screen, Daemon's eyes fell on a skill labeled Passive Skill: Cold-Blooded.
It was a strange ability, one that didn't belong to Daemon. This was a skill from the original owner of the body, not him.
The description was clear:
[An ability to maintain rationality in any situation. Shows great immunity to mind control and brainwash class curses.]
It was a cold, unshakable skill—something that allowed its user to stay calm, no matter the circumstances. Whether in the face of danger or under intense pressure, the user could keep their composure. It also made them incredibly resistant to mind control or curses that sought to twist their will.
Daemon couldn't help but wonder how useful this skill might be, especially in a world filled with enemies and dangers lurking at every corner.
But it wasn't all hopeless. Daemon reminded himself of one crucial thing: Hidden Pieces.
In the world of Hunter's Academy Online, Hidden Pieces were like game-breaking cheats. They could come in many forms—powerful skills, rare items, unique abilities—and finding them could completely change the course of the game.
Though he had barely scratched the surface of this world, he already knew where to find them. Before even starting the game, Daemon had made it a habit to research every little detail, especially about the Hidden Pieces.
It wasn't just curiosity—it was about efficiency. He had always believed in working smart, not hard. Why stumble through trial and error when the answers were already out there? And now, that preparation might be his lifeline in this strange, new reality.
Daemon pushed himself off the bed and walked over to the mirror. As his reflection came into view, he couldn't stop the words from slipping out.
"How weak," he mumbled, his voice filled with quiet frustration.
His eyes traced over the figure in the mirror. Black hair framed his face, and striking purple eyes stared back at him. His skin was pale, his body lean, with barely a hint of muscle. Despite his frail appearance, his face was undeniably handsome—though that was little comfort in his current situation.
Shaking his head, Daemon forced himself to focus. He needed a plan. The nurse had told him to rest for the next two to three days because of his severe injuries. But now that his body was healed, there was no way he'd sit idle.
It was Friday, which meant the weekend stretched ahead. He could use the academy's official holiday on Saturday and Sunday to his advantage. And if needed, he could take a leave on Monday too.
But time wasn't something he planned to waste. He was already the weakest student in the academy, barely scraping by. If he wanted to survive—no, thrive—he needed to change that.
His thoughts sharpened with determination. The Hidden Pieces. That was where he'd start. He wasn't just going to survive. He was going to rise far beyond the limits of this weak body.
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During the era of mana convergence, humanity faced one of its darkest times. Chaos reigned as new powers awakened, and humanity struggled to survive in a world now filled with stronger, more advanced races.
In their desperation, humans came together to form the Hunter Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting their kind. Leading them was Eryndor, the first human to awaken as a hunter.
Eryndor quickly became a symbol of hope. He was a hero, revered for his courage and strength. Through countless battles, he saved uncountable lives and became the key figure who prevented humanity's collapse during the brutal wars between the races.
In honor of his legacy, the Hunter Alliance was eventually renamed the Eryndor Federation, a testament to his impact on the world. At its heart was Elysium City, the Federation's capital and the centre of humanity's strongest dominion.
The Aegis Hunter Academy was one of the most prestigious institutions in the entire Eryndor Federation. Located in the heart of Elysium City, it was a symbol of the strength and power of humanity.
The academy occupied a vast expanse of land—so large that it could have been considered its own district within the city. It was equipped with state-of-the-art training facilities, artificial dungeons for combat practice, infinite dungeons that provided endless resources, cutting-edge research institutes, and much more.
Getting to the academy gates wasn't a quick task, especially for someone like Daemon. The sprawling campus covered a vast area, and even though the distance wasn't far in terms of normal travel, it took him a while to navigate through the grounds.
Since it was already evening, the campus was quieter than usual. Few people were leaving, and those who were seemed to glide effortlessly through the area, their superhuman abilities making it easy for them to cover ground in no time. For Daemon, however, it was a different story.
Daemon finally reached the gates of one of the artificially created dungeons on the academy grounds. The entrance loomed before him, a warp gate guarded by a stern-looking man. The gatekeeper wore a badge with the academy's emblem, a symbol of authority.
The gatekeeper studied him for a moment before speaking.
"Identity?" he asked, his voice firm and professional.
Without a word, Daemon reached into his pocket and pulled out his identity card. He handed it over to the gatekeeper.
The man scanned the card, then glanced at Daemon for a moment, his eyes briefly narrowing before he nodded.
"As you must be aware," the gatekeeper said, handing back the card, "you can only use the dungeon for an hour."
Daemon's eyes flicked to the gatekeeper's face. The rule wasn't surprising. After all, the original owner of this body had a rank of 2750 out of 2750 in the academy. That rank made it clear he wasn't anyone special in the grand scheme of things.
The academy operated on an elitist system, where ranks determined everything. Higher-ranked students could access dungeons for hours on end, gaining valuable training and resources. Those at the bottom, like Daemon, were limited.
He clenched his jaw, understanding that this was the reality he'd have to deal with. For now, he'd make the most of the hour he was given.
Daemon sighed, his breath steady but filled with frustration. Without a second thought, he stepped into the warp gate. His gaze was colder than ever, his eyes steely with determination.
As the gate began to hum, the faint glow of magic surrounding him, he whispered to himself, a quiet vow in his heart.
"From now on…"
His grip tightened as he walked forward, every step fueled by the weight of his resolve. He wasn't just going to survive.
"I will make sure the people of this world know who they messed with."
With that, he straightened, his voice steady as he spoke the name that would define his path.
"I am Daemon Gracefall."