10 YEARS LATERHUANNine years had passed in what felt like an eternity. I was fourteen now, still smaller than Luan and Juan, still overlooked, still invisible in the eyes of the palace. The world had not changed. My brothers were stronger, faster, and more respected, and I was still the shadow at the edge of their light. Today was Juan's awakening ceremony. The grand hall was packed with nobles, priests, and guards, every eye eager to witness the second prince demonstrate the power he had honed over a decade. Luan stood beside him, taller and broader than I had remembered in my infancy, a proud smile lighting his sharp features. "Well done, little brother." He whispered, his voice tinged with pride and warmth. "You have trained well. You will make father proud."Father, of course, did not look at me. His gaze was fixed entirely on Juan, the cold, calculating kingly air around him unwavering. He nodded slightly as Juan approached the dais, a rare flicker of pride in his icy eyes. I

FEW MOMENTS AFTERHUANDarkness pressed against my eyes, heavy and suffocating. The air smelled of damp earth and pine. My body ached, every muscle stiff, but I was alive. Somehow, I was alive. I tried to move, and the forest floor was cold beneath me, leaves brushing against my arms. Then a voice, calm, commanding, yet mechanical, filled my mind."Host detected. Consciousness confirmed. Greetings, Huan Bloodstone. I am the Forbidden evolution system. Your awakening has begun."A voice said."W-what, what is this? Who are you?" I whispered, heart racing."I am your guide, your enhancer, your evolutionary protocol. You were on the brink of death. Now you are mine to refine."The system said.A strange heat pulsed through me, and I felt my body stretching, growing. I looked down at my hands, my nails sharp, veins pulsing faintly with energy. I lifted my head and caught sight of my reflection in a puddle. My horns small, dark, just sprouting from my temples, curved subtly, barely noticeabl

AT THE SAME TIMEHUANThe gates swallowed me into noise and motion. Stone streets, iron lanterns. The smell of bread, sweat, oil, and steel. The capital was alive in a way the forest never could be. I kept my pace steady, posture relaxed but alert. My horns pressed lightly against the inside of my hood. My tail stayed concealed beneath my coat, moving only when needed for balance. The Adventurer's guild stood three streets in from the main avenue broad stone building, twin blade emblem mounted above the doors. Voices spilled from inside. Laughter, arguments, coin clinking as I stepped inside.Conversations dipped slightly when I entered, but only slightly. A beastkin with wolf ears barely glanced up. A tall man with faint scales along his jaw continued drinking. Hybrids were common here. Good. I approached the reception desk. A woman with ash brown hair tied neatly behind her head looked up from the paperwork. Her expression was sharp but not unfriendly."Welcome to the Adventurer's g

AT THE SAME TIMEHUANThe tavern noise rebuilt itself slowly after the soldiers left. Mugs clinked again, conversations resumed, but thinner, watchful. The man across the room still hadn't looked away from me. He stood and lanternlight followed him as he approached our table. His hood slid back deliberately this time. Horns, curved, dark, unmistakable. He stopped beside us."You are not subtle." He said calmly."You staring for a reason?"Garrick's chair scraped slightly as he shifted."Just confirming."The man tapped one of his horns with a knuckle. His eyes moved to me."Name's Charlie. C-rank. Half demon."He said and tilted his head faintly. "Like you."I held his gaze."And?" I asked.He pulled out a chair and sat down."You fight controlled, efficient. You didn't flinch when the palace walked in." His eyes narrowed slightly. "That's not common.""Spit it out."Garrick folded his arms.Charlie leaned forward."I am building a party, small, strong. I want him in it."Charlie explaine

AT THE SAME TIMEHUANThe tavern felt warmer than it should have, the fire roaring, the smell of meat and stew making my stomach rumble faintly. I sat with Charlie and Garrick, the spoons in my hands idly stirring the thick broth. My tail rested on the bench beside me, twitching occasionally, and my horns caught the firelight, glinting faintly. Henry leaned against the table, long coat dusted from travel, eyes sharp and assessing. "You three aren't bad." He said, voice gravelly but calm. "But if you are going to survive long term as a party, you’re going to need guidance. Discipline, strategy, something more than raw talent." Henry added. "So, you want to join us, uh? Mentor mode? No pay, just pure intimidation?"Charlie, ever quick to speak, grinned."Exactly, mentor mode. Call me Henry. I can teach the finer points of swordplay, tactics, and keeping your heads from rolling when you get cocky."Henry's lips twitched into a faint grin. "A mentor and you just decide to come with a D-