The Lightning God's Ascension

Kaleb leaned against a tree, his chest rising and falling in steady breaths as the earlier fight replayed in his mind. The glowing blue mark on his chest pulsed faintly, a quiet reminder of the system Floki had given him. Its warmth was steady, almost comforting.

He placed a hand over the mark, his fingers brushing its edges. "Raiden," he muttered. "What are you, really? And what do you want from me?"

Floki's mocking words lingered in his mind, sharp and frustrating. "You're not as powerless as you think," the trickster had said with a grin that Kaleb wanted to wipe off his face.

Kaleb frowned, staring into the quiet forest. The mark's hum felt like a challenge, daring him to understand it. "If this system is supposed to help me, it needs to do more than glow."

He dropped to the ground, crossing his legs as he pulled out his dull knife. The blade rested on his lap, a frustrating reminder of how ineffective it had been during the fight.

Kaleb picked up a small, smooth stone he had found earlier. He turned the knife over in his hands, frowning at its blunt edge. "If this thing is all I've got, I need to make it better," he said to himself.

He dragged the blade across the stone, the grinding sound cutting through the silence. Kaleb focused, but after several minutes, he checked the knife and saw no improvement.

The blade was still dull, its edge refusing to sharpen. "Great," Kaleb muttered, tossing the stone aside. "Even sharpening a knife doesn't work."

He stared at the glowing mark on his chest, its steady pulse catching his attention. "Raiden," he said aloud, his voice edged with frustration. "If you're so special, why don't you help me?"

For a moment, nothing happened, and Kaleb sighed. Then, a faint hum grew louder, and a glowing screen appeared before his eyes, floating in midair.

The words [Basic Crafting Assistance Activated] flashed across the display. Kaleb's eyes widened as text began to scroll across the screen.

[Step 1: Use a rougher stone to create friction on the blade edge.]

[Step 2: Apply consistent pressure while dragging.]

[Step 3: Test sharpness with light pressure on wood or fabric.]

Kaleb blinked at the instructions, his brow furrowed. "That's it?" he asked. "Even I could've figured that out."

The screen shimmered, and new text appeared: [Then why didn't you?]

Kaleb glared at the glowing display, his jaw tightening. "A sarcastic system. Just perfect," he muttered. "You and Floki are a match made in chaos."

Standing, he looked around for a better stone. Near the roots of a large tree, he spotted a jagged rock with a rougher texture. He grabbed it and returned to his seat.

Sitting again, he began sharpening the knife with more care, following the system's instructions. The grinding sound was sharper now, and small flecks of metal chipped away with each stroke.

After several minutes, Kaleb paused to inspect the blade. The edge looked smoother and sharper than before. He nodded, a small flicker of satisfaction lighting his face.

Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out a scrap of cloth. Placing it on a nearby log, he pressed the blade against it and applied light pressure. The knife sliced cleanly through the fabric, leaving a neat tear.

Kaleb smirked, his confidence growing. "Not bad," he muttered. "Maybe you're not entirely useless, Raiden." The screen flashed again, displaying:

[Improvement Recognized. Survival Efficiency +1%.]

Kaleb rolled his eyes at the message. "Gee, thanks for the encouragement," he said dryly.

The mark on his chest pulsed faintly, almost as if it were laughing at him. Kaleb sheathed the knife and stood, feeling slightly more prepared.

"If I'm going to survive out here, I'll need more than just a sharper knife," he said quietly. "But it's a start."

The forest around him grew darker as he walked, the faint glow of the mark providing a guiding light. Every rustle of leaves or snap of twigs made him tense, his hand hovering near the knife on his belt.

As he moved, the events of the earlier fight replayed in his mind. The beast had been faster and stronger than he expected, and his knife had barely made an impact. The thought lingered, nagging at him.

"Raiden," Kaleb said aloud, his eyes scanning the forest. "If you're really going to help me, I need to know what you can do."

The mark pulsed once, and the glowing screen appeared again, hovering in front of him. Its soft hum blended with the sounds of the forest. The display showed several categories:

[Stats, Skills, Abilities], and [Tasks.] Kaleb's curiosity deepened as he selected:

[Stats.]

A list of attributes appeared on the screen:

[Strength, Agility, Endurance] and [Spirit] each with low numbers beside them. Kaleb frowned, his brow furrowing.

"Figures," he muttered. "Starting at the bottom. Story of my life."

Switching to [Abilities] Kaleb found a single entry: [Lightning Spark (Locked).] The word "locked" made him grit his teeth in frustration.

"How do I unlock this?" he asked, speaking directly to the screen. It shimmered, and a new message appeared: [Complete the first task.]

Another menu opened under [Tasks], displaying an objective: [Defeat another spirit beast] Kaleb groaned, running a hand through his messy black hair.

"Of course," he muttered. "Floki's idea of help is throwing me at another monster."

The screen faded as Kaleb tightened his grip on the knife. He stared into the dense forest, the faint glow of the mark reassuring him. "If this is what it takes, then let's get it over with."

The air grew colder as Kaleb ventured deeper into the woods, the trees growing thicker around him. His footsteps were quiet, his senses sharp as he searched for signs of a beast.

Every sound seemed louder in the silence, every shadow more threatening. Kaleb's eyes scanned the darkness, his heart beating steadily.

A low growl broke the quiet, sending a chill down his spine. Kaleb froze, crouching low with his knife in hand. The sound grew louder, and glowing red eyes appeared in the distance.

The beast stepped into the moonlight, its sharp claws glinting and its teeth bared. It was smaller than the first creature he had fought but no less dangerous.

Kaleb steadied his breathing, his grip tightening on the knife. "Alright, Raiden," he muttered. "Let's see what you're worth."

The mark on his chest pulsed brighter, its warmth spreading through his body. Kaleb felt a faint surge of energy, sharpening his focus and steadying his nerves.

The beast roared and charged, its claws tearing through the dirt. Kaleb ducked low, his reflexes faster than he expected, and slashed upward with his knife.

The blade cut into the beast's shoulder, sparks flickering from the mark as the attack landed. The creature snarled, staggering slightly before lunging again.

Kaleb moved quickly, dodging its claws and delivering another strike to its side. The knife pierced deeper this time, and the beast let out a guttural growl.

Raiden's screen flashed in his vision, displaying:

[Energy Boost Activated: 10 seconds]

Kaleb felt a sudden surge of power, his movements becoming sharper and more precise.

He pressed the attack, striking with calculated precision. Each blow seemed to cut deeper, the sparks from the mark growing brighter with every hit.

The beast roared in defiance, swiping wildly as it tried to corner him. Kaleb ducked under its claws, driving the knife into its throat with all his strength.

The creature thrashed violently, its growls fading into gurgles before collapsing to the ground. Kaleb staggered back, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

The screen reappeared, displaying: [Task Complete. Unlocking Ability: Lightning Spark.]

Kaleb blinked as the mark on his chest pulsed brightly, a jolt of electricity surging through his body.

He clenched his fists, feeling the faint crackle of energy in his hands. "This... this is real," he whispered, a small smile forming on his lips.

For the first time in years, Kaleb felt hope. The storm inside him was beginning to awaken