Billy’s chest burned with energy as the red glow of the Ember Stone pulsed faintly behind the crates. The two Flame Hunters in front of him flexed their fingers, fire crackling along their arms.“You sure you want to do this, kid?” one of them sneered. “We can make this quick.”Billy swallowed hard. His hands trembled slightly, but the warmth in his chest—the energy the system had unlocked—gave him courage.[Energy Check – Status: 15% Unlocked][Combat Skill – Pulse Strike Lv.1 Ready]“Yeah,” Billy said, voice steadier than he expected. “I’m not letting you take that stone.”The hunters laughed, sparks flying from their fingertips.“Good,” the taller one said. “Then let’s see what you can do.”Billy’s mind raced. He couldn’t just throw punches blindly. He had Inner Pulse—but the skill only lasted three seconds. Timing was everything.He looked at the young girl behind him. Her red energy aura flickered nervously. “Stay back!” he whispered.The girl nodded, gripping her staff tighter.

Billy’s chest pounded as the three Flame-wielding figures advanced, their movements precise and menacing. The first one lunged, sending a wave of fire curling toward him. Billy’s instincts kicked in.“Inner Pulse!” he muttered.---【 INNER PULSE – ACTIVATED 】Strength +30%Speed +30%Senses +20%Duration: 3 seconds---Billy leaped backward, dodging the attack by mere inches. Heat licked his skin, but the energy inside him flared hotter, sharper. The flame whip in his hand danced, reacting to his heartbeat.The enemies exchanged glances. One snarled, “Kid… faster than I thought.”Billy’s pulse surged. He focused on the Ember Stone, feeling its energy strengthen his own. Then, almost instinctively, he sent the whip slashing toward the nearest enemy. The flames wrapped around their wrist, forcing the figure to stumble back, their energy sputtering.Aria gasped. “He’s controlling it… and really controlling it!”Billy felt a thrill. For the first time, power flowed through him unrestraine

Billy tightened his grip on the fire whip in his hand. The Ember Stone pulsed in his chest, strong and insistent, as if urging him to act. The figure in front of him didn’t move but radiated energy so intense it made the air shimmer.“Who… who are you?” Billy demanded, trying to steady his voice.The stranger smiled faintly. “A friend? A foe? That depends entirely on how you respond, Billy Howell.”Billy’s eyebrows shot up. “You know my name?”The figure nodded. “Of course. You awakened the Ember Stone. It called out. Anyone who can sense this energy knows of you immediately.”Aria stepped slightly in front of Billy, her staff glowing faintly. “Then you came for the stone.”“Partly,” the stranger said, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Mostly… I came because you are more than you seem. The world thinks you’re weak, but they are wrong. Very wrong.”Billy stiffened. That… sounded familiar. Too familiar.The system chimed:[SYSTEM ALERT — HIGH-RISK CONTACT DETECTED]Threat Le

The rain had stopped by the time Billy and Aria arrived at the safe house. The streets were slick, reflecting the dim lights of the city. Every shadow seemed alive, every alley a potential threat. Nightshade was still out there, moving quietly, methodically, like hunters smelling blood.Billy’s chest ached from the partial legacy sync. The memory fragments, the instincts, the sudden surge of power — it was overwhelming, almost painful. He sank onto a crate, letting his palms rest on his knees. Flames from the Ember Stone lingered faintly, coiling like living embers around his fingers.Aria crouched beside him. “You did well today. Far better than I expected.”Billy shook his head. “It doesn’t feel like it. I almost lost control… and that man… he knew who I was.”Aria’s hand rested on his shoulder. “That’s why you need training. Not just to control the fire, but to understand yourself — your instincts, your past, and the Ember Stone. You’re awakening too fast. It can tear you apart if

Billy woke to the faint hum of the Ember Stone. The hidden chamber beneath the safe house was quiet, but the energy in the air was thick, alive. He stretched, feeling the ache from yesterday’s training, every muscle reminding him of the fire he had channeled.Aria was already moving, adjusting small runes on the floor that glowed faintly. Elias was beside her, watching Billy carefully. “Today,” Elias said, “we push your control into motion. Yesterday was the foundation. Today, we simulate real combat. You must react instinctively, move precisely, and maintain stability under pressure.”Billy swallowed, the weight of the Ember Stone pressing lightly against his chest. He nodded. “I’m ready.”Aria clapped her hands softly. “Good. Let’s begin.”The runes on the floor flared brighter. Suddenly, holographic projections of enemies appeared — shadows, quick and agile, moving unpredictably. Billy’s heart raced. The Ember Stone pulsed, responding to the simulations, heating his palms.[SYSTEM