Nightborn Evolution

Kairo stared at the system messages, his mind racing.

[ Warning: You Have Been Marked for Termination ]

[ Unknown Organization Identified – Eclipse Syndicate ]

[ Survival Priority Increased ]

"The Eclipse Syndicate…?"

He had never heard of them before. But if they were sending assassins after him, they were obviously dangerous.

Lena paced back and forth in his room, stepping over the shattered glass from the broken window. "Kairo, I need you to be honest with me. Right now."

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He couldn't keep this to himself any longer.

"Lena… something's happening to me," he admitted. "I don't know how or why, but my body is changing. It started after that Voidborn attack."

She stopped pacing, her eyes narrowing. "Changing how?"

Kairo took a deep breath. "I can move faster. I can hit harder. And…" He hesitated before saying it. "There's… something like a system in my head."

Lena's expression twisted with disbelief. "A system? Like, in those old VR games?"

"Yeah," Kairo said, nodding. "But it's real. It gives me abilities, shows me stats, and now… it's telling me I've been marked for death by some group called the Eclipse Syndicate."

Lena stared at him for a long moment, then sighed, rubbing her forehead. "You know how insane that sounds, right?"

"Yeah," Kairo admitted. "But after what just happened, do you really think I'm lying?"

Lena frowned. "No… but that doesn't mean I understand it." She glanced at the broken window. "What I do understand is that someone just tried to kill you, and if this 'Eclipse Syndicate' really wants you dead, then you can't stay here."

Kairo clenched his fists. He didn't like it, but she was right. His home wasn't safe anymore.

He needed a plan.

"So what now?" Lena asked, crossing her arms. "We go to the police? The military?"

Kairo shook his head. "No. We don't know who we can trust."

"The police will ask too many questions," he continued. "And if the military finds out about my… abilities, they might try to take me in for 'research' or worse."

Lena sighed. "Then what do we do? Just wait for another assassin to show up?"

Kairo thought for a moment before glancing at his status window again.

[ Evolution Process: 5% ]

[ Evolution Points (EP): 10 ]

[ Available Abilities: ]

Phantom Step (Unlocked)

Nightborn Strike (Unlocked)

He had 10 Evolution Points now.

Maybe the system could help him.

He focused his thoughts on his EP, and another menu appeared.

[ Available Upgrades: ]

Enhanced Speed (5 EP) – Increase movement speed by 20%.

Enhanced Strength (5 EP) – Increase physical attack power by 20%.

Night Vision (3 EP) – See clearly in low-light conditions.

Pain Resistance (4 EP) – Reduce physical pain and fatigue.

Kairo quickly made his decision.

[ Enhanced Speed Purchased – 5 EP Used ]

[ Enhanced Strength Purchased – 5 EP Used ]

A burning sensation coursed through his muscles as his body adjusted. It wasn't painful, but it was intense—like his body was waking up for the first time.

When it passed, he flexed his fingers. He felt lighter. Stronger. Faster.

Lena raised an eyebrow. "You good?"

Kairo nodded. "Better than good."

Lena sighed. "Alright, so what's the plan?"

Kairo's expression hardened. "I can't stay here. I need to find out who the Eclipse Syndicate is, why they want me dead, and how to stop them before they send someone else."

Lena hesitated. Then, after a moment, she nodded.

"Then I'm coming with you."

Kairo blinked. "Lena, you don't have to—"

"Shut up," she interrupted. "You think I'm just going to let you go off on your own and get killed?"

He opened his mouth to argue, but she shot him a glare that silenced him instantly.

"This isn't just your fight anymore," she said firmly. "We're in this together."

Kairo exhaled. He didn't want to put Lena in danger, but deep down, he was relieved he wasn't alone.

"Alright," he said. "Let's get out of here before they send more assassins."

Lena nodded. "I know a place where we can lay low for a while."

With that, they grabbed what little supplies they could and slipped out into the night.

Deep within a hidden facility, the assassin knelt before a towering figure cloaked in shadows.

"You failed," the voice boomed.

The assassin kept their head bowed. "He's stronger than we expected."

Silence filled the room. Then, the voice spoke again.

"Send the others."

A group of masked figures stepped forward, their eyes gleaming with inhuman hunger.

"Bring me the boy," the voice commanded. "Dead or alive."