....I need to become an untouchable existence.
A monster among monsters. Someone so absurdly overpowered that not even the final bosses or the protagonists at their peak could defeat me.
And unlike them, I had an advantage.
I wasn't some chosen hero. I wasn't the main character of a prophecy. I wasn't burdened with a tragic backstory, a revenge plot, or a destiny to fulfill. (I hope so.)
Just a background character.
Someone who, by all logic, shouldn't attract attention.
As long as I played my cards right, avoided making a scene, and seized every opportunity to grow stronger without drawing eyes to myself—I could quietly reach the pinnacle without anyone even realizing.
…My eyes flickered to the glowing messages still floating in front of me.
A passive skill that heightened my perception of danger. A blessing from a Primordial Beast—one that granted resistance to external effects and passive regeneration.
Even now, I could feel it. A subtle, steady energy within me, mending any minor fatigue, sharpening my mind.
This was my first step.
I exhaled slowly, my lips curling into a small, unreadable smile.
If the world wanted to throw me into chaos—
Then I would take everything it had to offer.
And turn myself into something it could never control.
But of course it won't be easy, heck it is highly impossible.
But I am not going to let fear dictate my choices.
And I can't also forget a few things.
Power and strength—it isn't about ruling over others or proving anything. It is about survival. About making sure that if danger came knocking again, I won't just sit helplessly, unaware of the forces moving in the shadows.
Power alone means nothing if I lose myself in the process.
I have no intention of walking down the path of arrogance or corruption. Strength without purpose is nothing but an empty pursuit, and I have no desire to become someone who looks down on others just because I have an advantage.
Humility and caution will be my greatest shields. Patience will be my sword.
This isn't about defying fate or acting as if I controlled it. Fate's threads are beyond my control, but my choices are still my own. I can only prepare, take every step within my power, and walk forward with conviction.
And so, I made my resolve.
I won't chase power for power's sake. I won't fall into the trap of thinking I am invincible.
I will simply do what I must do—learn, grow, and be ready.
Not as a conqueror. Not as a tyrant.
But as someone who refuses to be caught unprepared ever again.
With a steady breath, I whispered the old words of resolve.
"May the winds carry me where I must go."
The rhythmic pounding of my feet against the dirt filled my ears as I ran across the stadium-like training yard, sweat clinging to my skin.
My breath was steady—just slightly ragged—but nothing unbearable. I had already completed half of my insane self-imposed workout: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats. Now, only the 10-kilometer run remained.
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to maintain my pace. My legs burned, my body felt heavy, but—
Strangely enough, I didn't feel as drained as I expected.
It was obviously due to Virion's Blessing.
That minor regeneration effect was already working in my favor.
After finishing the first 50 push-ups, I had nearly collapsed, but after just a few minutes of rest, my strength had returned enough to continue with the next set of exercise.
The fatigue didn't stack as much as before. It was subtle, but undeniably there.
A small smirk tugged at my lips.
It wasn't much—but it was something.
And when I had nothing before, even the smallest advantage could mean survival.
I focused on the other reward - the passive skill, Foresight.
It heightened my perception, sharpened my instincts. It was perfect for the current me who was weak.
I had no powers, no hidden bloodline, no inheritance. I was just some extra in a world filled with monsters.
If danger was coming, my subconscious would at least react faster. It wouldn't make me untouchable, but a split second of awareness…?
It could be the difference between living and dying.
That thought lingered as I continued running, my mind shifting to the one thing I had no answers for.
Virion - The Winged Tyrant.
The Primordial Beast who took an interest in me.
My fingers curled slightly as I ran.
Just the title alone gave away some clues. Winged. So, something that could fly. A dragon, a phoenix, maybe even a griffin or a forgotten primordial creature.
But the real question wasn't what it was.
It was—why was a Primordial Beast here?
The simplest, most logical conclusion was that it was the one who saved me.
Because there was no other explanation.
But that only raised more questions.
Why would an ancient, powerful being interfere with my life? It didn't make sense.
One possibility was that Virion was a guardian of the academy. If it resided here, then perhaps it acted to protect students from unseen threats.
Another—someone was watching me.
That was an unsettling thought. If there was a person capable of calling upon a Primordial Beast, then I was already far deeper into things than I wanted to be.
The last theory—Virion just happened to be passing by and decided to help me.
…Yeah. That one sounded ridiculous.
It was pointless to keep thinking about it. I had no solid clues, no evidence. Overthinking something I couldn't control would only lead me into an endless abyss of questions with no answers.
For now, it was better to act oblivious.
I highly doubted anyone else knew I had a system or whatever it was. If they did, I'd already be in far worse trouble.
I could only hope… they wouldn't send assassins again.
My jaw tightened at the thought.
Because that was the other thing I didn't want to dwell on.
Who tried to kill me?
Those answers wouldn't come easily. And chasing them blindly would be reckless.
I exhaled sharply, pushing those thoughts aside. For now, I had a run to finish.
This was only the beginning.