Primordial Awakening: I Can Evolve My Skills Infinitely

"Is that all?" Sam muttered calmly as Oscar's flaming fist collided with the [Eternal Barrier].

The force behind the punch was enough to shake the air around them, a wave of pressure blowing dust and debris outward.

But for Sam, the impact felt like nothing. The translucent shield around him didn't even ripple.

That was the strength of [Eternal Barrier], a forsaken-rank skill that could block ANY attack.

Its description wasn't vague or metaphorical. It was absolute.

Even if someone launched an attack strong enough to blow apart a continent, as long as it hit Sam directly, the barrier would absorb it and treat it like a single strike.

That was the terrifying nature of the skill. Invincible, but with limits.

The barrier could tank 50 hits every thirty minutes. And while it could block anything, even the weakest punches counted as hits.

Meaning someone fast enough could shatter it with sheer volume rather than power.

Still, no one around him knew that. And Sam had no intention of telling them.

"You..." Oscar growled, crimson flames escaping from his mouth and eyes as rage consumed him.

The [Inferno Guild] only accepted awakeners with fire-based classes or affinities.

Oscar wasn't just a general, he was an embodiment of their ideals. Fire. Power. Dominance.

Yet now, his flames couldn't even touch Sam.

Fwish! SLAM!

He punched again, harder this time. The sound echoed, but the result was the same. Nothing.

"You..."

BAM!

"Little..."

BAM!

"FUCK!"

BAM!

Three more punches, each more explosive than the last, but none had any effect.

The onlookers had gasped at first, worried the situation might escalate, but after the first few strikes, they started realizing something important.

Sam wasn't flinching. Not even once.

Oscar's fury continued to grow, but his pride couldn't allow him to back down. Finally, with a frustrated roar, he grabbed Sam and hurled him toward a tree at the edge of the clearing.

BAM!

Sam's back hit the trunk with a dull thud. Leaves rustled. Bark cracked. But the [Eternal Barrier] held firm, shielding him from any harm.

A quiet ding rang in Sam's mind.

[Eternal Barrier: 42/50]

Eight hits gone already. Not terrible, but it meant the skill wasn't invincible forever.

Still, it was more than enough for this situation. Even an [Expert]-rank like Oscar couldn't crack it.

That gave Sam a moment of relief, just enough breathing room to think about his next step.

His priority now wasn't dealing with Oscar or this crowd. It was reaching level 10.

And with so many powerful awakeners standing around, Sam figured he might as well ask directly.

He dusted himself off and walked toward a certain man who had been watching everything from a few feet away.

"Hey," Sam said, eyes locking onto David Union, "I've got a question."

David smiled slightly, his expression amused. He had watched everything without interference, arms crossed, eyes flickering with interest.

"What is it?" he replied, a strange glint in his gaze.

"I want to reach level 10 as fast as possible. Any advice?"

Alicia, who stood beside her father, tilted her head, surprised by how blunt the question was.

David tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Usually I'd recommend the path with the highest risk of death."

"Dad!" Alicia smacked his side playfully, then winced, realizing she hurt herself more than she hurt him. "Ow..."

David chuckled.

"There are a few rifts I could suggest," he finally said. "I could allow you to enter them to reach level 10."

Sam nodded. "I'd appreciate that."

He didn't care about danger. Not really. Strength was what he needed. Everything else was secondary.

And if he could get that strength by pushing himself through deadly rifts, then so be it.

Also, the fact that he had survived this corrupted rift alone, while a full squad from the Inferno Guild had been wiped out? That would boost his reputation. Big time.

Sam allowed himself a small grin. Everything was going according to plan.

After a few more minutes, the reporters began to disperse. Interviews had ended, photos were taken, and most awakeners returned to their business.

Even Oscar, after suffering the humiliation of failing to harm a "mere" novice, had enough.

He turned to Sam one last time, voice seething with hatred.

"I'll remember this, Sam Walker," he barked as a fiery aura surrounded his legs, propelling him into the sky like a rocket. "The [Inferno Guild] never forgets!"

"I still don't know who you are, dude," Sam replied casually, waving him off.

That was that.

But before Sam could move on, he realized he needed to rest. He also wanted to spend some time evolving [Shadow Tendrils]. Recovery was important, and planning came next.

He turned his back to David and Alicia and began walking away.

But behind him, something shifted.

Fwish!

A sword materialized in David's hand. The weapon shimmered unnaturally, almost like space itself distorted around it.

David took a single step forward, focusing a massive amount of power into his arm. So much that the very air bent around him. The atmosphere cracked faintly under the pressure.

Then— SLASH!

He swung.

A blur of light and power rushed forward in a clean arc, aimed straight at Sam's unprotected back.

But— Tink!

The sword struck something invisible mid-air.

[Eternal Barrier].

It didn't even flicker.

"Incredible..." David whispered, staring at the invisible shield, "This barrier really can't be broken…"

Sam stopped walking and turned his head slightly, crimson eyes glowing with calm confidence.

"Did you think it wouldn't be active when my guard was down?" he asked coldly.

David just smiled.

"Just wanted to test something," he said, spinning the sword once before letting it vanish. "Anyway, as promised, I'll send you three level 10 rift locations. Should be enough to get you there."

Sam stared for a moment, wondering what went on in David's head that made him so unpredictable.

But he didn't push the thought too far. He simply nodded and handed over his contact info.

David entered it quickly, and also insisted Sam give it to Alicia, who grinned and accepted it without hesitation.

"Keep in touch," she said with a light smile.

With that out of the way, Sam walked to the nearest train station.

He didn't hesitate, didn't look back. The faster he moved, the better.

The train was sleek and humming with energy. He stepped aboard and sat down near the window.

A moment later, the automated voice echoed.

[We are now departing for the North Region of the Inner Ring.]

Sam closed his eyes and leaned back in the seat, letting the rhythm of the train soothe his thoughts.

So much had happened in such a short time.

He never imagined a single rift would drag him into this much chaos. A corrupted zone. A full team wiped. Guild leaders watching him. A new title as the sole survivor.

But even so… There was no time to slow down. His path was set.

He opened his eyes briefly and looked at the passing scenery, tall buildings, the fading sun, the winding tracks into the unknown.

Then, like always, the system gave one final whisper.

[The gears of fate are turning around you, Primordial.]

"I know that," Sam nodded as he closed his eyes once more, "But it doesn't matter, I just have to keep going."