First Awakening

Apex-rank.

The rank above S—what a monster reaches before it evolves. During this phase, they cannot be harmed.

Just as Leonhardt had experienced.

An invisible barrier of sorts protected it, known as the Evolutionary Boundary—a space that shields the monster from any external damage.

The only way to deal with an Apex-ranked monster... was to seal it. There existed a sealing spell among the Blood Magic spells, but it was a supreme spell. Leonhardt couldn’t use it unless he was prepared to die.

Leonhardt clenched his fist.

“Damnit…”

The beast’s ice-like eyes locked onto him, glowing with aggression. Its heavy breath puffed out into the cold air like smoke.

Leonhardt took a cautious step back—but—

Swoosh

The bear swiped. A powerful claw strike.

Leonhardt leapt into the air just in time, dodging the blow—

[]

A ball of flame surged to life in front of his palm, swirling with heat before launching toward the bear’s face with a crackling bang.

The impact vanished in smoke.

But the bear stood, unharmed.

Leonhardt knew it wouldn’t work. The fire wasn’t meant to kill. It was the smoke he wanted—a moment of cover. A distraction.

It was enough.

With [], he gently descended. The moment he touched the ground, he cast [] and dashed toward the gate, wind howling past his ears.

He reached it in seconds.

“Hey!!!” he shouted. “Open the gate!!”

No answer.

He shouted again—no response. A third time—still nothing.

He took a glance over his shoulder—the bear was charging toward him, a white mist trailing behind.

“Open the gate!!!” he screamed again, louder.

Still no answer.

Then finally—creaaaak—the gate began to open, inch by inch.

He turned back—

The bear was gone.

“Where did it go—?”

That was all he managed before his body flew through the air, tossed like a ragdoll. He crashed into the snow, rolling violently.

"What… just happened…?"

His vision blurred.

He tried lifting his head. There it stood. The bear. Towering in front of the gate. Its massive paw dripping red—his blood.

Leonhardt reached to his side and pulled his hand away soaked in crimson.

‘Am I going to die… again? Without ever reaching my goal?’

‘Why? Why was I born with such a weak body…?’

He clenched his trembling fist.

‘If only I had mana… If only…’

He let out a primal scream—one of pain, rage, and helplessness—before he coughed blood.

‘I’m sorry, everyone… looks like I’m dying first this time…’

And with that, Leonhardt’s world went black.

***

Meanwhile, as Leonhardt’s life flickered away, the Glacial Clawed Bear had just achieved something.

It had gained intelligence—it was now on the verge of evolution.

All it needed was solitude.

But just as the beast thought everything was going its way—a pulse of mana erupted from the human it believed dead.

The human stood.

He removed his mask—and what lay beneath… was a child.

A child with eyes that shimmered in every color known to existence. Radiating immeasurable power.

Then, the child spoke.

“Finally… I’ve awoken from my slumber,” he said, wiping blood from his mouth.

He turned to the bear, a grin curling across his lips. In the blink of an eye—he was gone.

And with a press of his finger.

The next thing the bear knew, it was flying through the air, its body spinning out of control. It smashed through trees before slamming to a stop.

If not for the Evolutionary Boundary, it would’ve been torn apart.

“Oh? Apex-rank?” the child appeared again, floating above it. “Not that it matters.”

The bear growled and lunged—but—

“Kneel.”

Its legs buckled.

Crushed by an invisible weight, it couldn’t move. No matter how hard it fought, no limb responded.

The child raised a hand, energy gathering.

Just as he was about to speak—

“W-Wait! Human… please… spare me…” the bear begged.

But the child laughed.

“Hahaha! An Apex-ranked monster… begging for its life? You, who cannot die?”

His laugh faded. His gaze turned ice-cold.

“Do you know what sin you’ve committed?”

“N-No…”

“The sin of trying to harm me. 'You', a lesser, dared raise a hand to 'me', the Supreme.”

He pointed at the bear.

“Blame yourself for your ignorance. Die—cough!”

He coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips. He stared at his trembling hand, frowning.

“…It seems luck is on your side,” he muttered, his eyes flashing as the colors began to fade.

And then—he vanished into thin air.

The pressure lifted. The bear collapsed, gasping.

For the first time in its life, it had felt fear.

That child wasn’t human. He was something else. Something terrifying.

"Humans… I’ll never approach them again…" the bear murmured as it limped away, heading in the opposite direction of the Frontier, searching for a safe place to evolve.

***

Meanwhile, within the Frontier—

A guard stumbled upon a boy lying in the middle of the cobblestone path, a fair distance from the gate.