Rebirth Of The Sealed Core: The Rise Of Billy Howell

CHAPTER 3 — THE MAN WITH BURNING EYES

Billy woke up the next morning before his alarm rang. Normally, he struggled to open his eyes, always tired and dragging his feet out of bed. But today felt different. His body felt light, almost refreshed in a way he had never experienced.

The breathing manual he bought last night lingered in his mind like a clear memory he didn’t know he had. He sat up, crossed his legs, and began practicing the first technique.

Breath in.

Hold.

Release.

Each breath pulled warm air through his body, and the energy inside him flowed smoothly like a gentle stream. By the time he finished the small exercise, his senses felt sharper, like his mind had been washed clean.

The system spoke softly:

[Energy flow stabilized. Body strength +2.]

He smiled. “So this is what progress feels like.”

For once, he wasn’t afraid of the day. He wasn’t dragging himself into another boring shift. Something inside him—his Origin Core—felt like a tiny sun waiting to grow.

He grabbed his bag and headed out.

Silver Heights looked different today. Not physically, but Billy’s new Energy Sense made everything feel alive. He could feel faint pulses from people walking nearby—tiny energy signatures, some dull, some strangely bright.

A dog barked from behind a fence. Billy sensed its energy flicker a second before the sound reached his ears.

“This is crazy,” he muttered.

But in a good way.

The walk to work was quiet until he reached the last intersection. Usually, the place was empty in the early morning, but today a tall man stood by the streetlight, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the road like he was waiting for someone.

Billy didn’t pay attention at first—until the system suddenly warned him.

[Danger Signal Detected.]

Billy stopped walking.

“Danger? From who?”

[Target: Unknown individual. Energy level: High.]

Slowly, Billy raised his head.

The man by the streetlight was staring straight at him.

Their eyes locked.

Billy felt his chest tighten. The man didn’t look ordinary. He wore a long black coat, even though the weather was warm. His hair was messy, but his posture was sharp — like someone used to battles. But the thing that stood out the most were his eyes.

They burned.

Not literally, but the intensity in them felt hot, like fire hidden behind them. Billy’s Energy Sense flared wildly around him.

The system chimed:

[Warning: Host is being observed by someone with supernatural awareness.]

Billy tried to look away and keep walking, but the man stepped forward.

“You,” he called out.

Billy froze.

The man’s voice was deep and steady. Confident. Not angry, not friendly — just firm.

Billy swallowed hard and turned slowly. “Me?”

“Yes, you.”

The man walked closer, each step calculated, calm, but heavy with purpose.

Billy’s heart raced.

Does he know about the Core? Did he see the awakening yesterday?

The man stopped just two feet away.

Up close, he looked even more dangerous. Not like a criminal, but like someone who didn’t fear anything.

“What’s your name?” the man asked.

Billy hesitated. “Billy… Billy Howell.”

The man studied him carefully, almost as if he could see through Billy’s skin.

“Something changed in this area yesterday,” the man said. “A pulse. A shift in energy. I felt it from across the city.”

Billy’s blood ran cold.

The system whispered:

[Host should not reveal information about the core.]

Billy kept his face calm. “I… I don’t know anything about energy shifts.”

The man didn’t blink. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

He stepped even closer.

Billy felt the man’s energy—strong, fiery, intimidating.

Then suddenly—

The man’s expression softened slightly.

“If you notice anything strange,” he said, “anything at all… stay away from the warehouse district for a few days.”

Billy blinked. “Why?”

“There are people looking for something. And when they look…” The man paused, eyes narrowing. “…ordinary people get caught in the crossfire.”

Billy felt a chill crawl down his spine.

The man turned away, but before he walked off, he added:

“Be careful, Billy Howell.”

Billy watched silently as the man’s figure disappeared around the corner.

[Warning removed. Threat level neutral.]

Billy let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“Who was that guy…?”

[Unknown. But his energy indicates he is not from the ordinary world.]

Billy rubbed his face. “Great… first day after awakening and I already run into someone dangerous.”

But he didn’t have time to think more. He had a job to get to.

---

At work, things were normal at first. The same boxes, the same workers, the same dull conversations. But Billy felt different. Stronger. Focused. The breathing technique made him feel stable.

Every movement he made felt cleaner, faster, easier.

During the morning shift, he lifted a heavy crate that usually took two people—and carried it alone. A few workers stared at him.

“Since when could Billy do that?”

“Is he hitting the gym?”

“No way, it must be adrenaline or something.”

Billy tried his best to act normal.

But the biggest surprise came at lunchtime.

While walking past the loading dock, Billy noticed a faint flicker of energy behind a stack of crates. It felt small, nervous, and shaky.

Someone was hiding.

Billy pretended to check his phone as he moved closer.

When he turned the corner, he saw a small boy, maybe around 10 years old, crouching behind the crates. His face was pale, and he clutched a small glowing stone in both hands.

Billy blinked.

The glow… wasn’t normal.

The boy’s eyes widened. “P-Please don’t tell anyone I’m here!”

Billy kneeled slowly. “I’m not here to hurt you. Are you okay? Where are your parents?”

“They’re… they’re coming for me,” the boy whispered.

Billy frowned. “Who?”

The boy shook his head quickly. “I can’t say. They’ll hear me.”

“They? You mean someone is after you?”

The boy looked down at the glowing stone. “They want this. But I’m not giving it back. Not after what they did.”

Before Billy could ask more, the system chimed again—

[Energy Artifact detected.]

[Potential Task Available.]

Billy felt a cold shiver.

The boy wasn’t normal.

The stone wasn’t normal.

And the people chasing him… were probably even worse.

The boy grabbed Billy’s hand suddenly. “Please… help me. I don’t know where else to go.”

Billy stared at him, heart pounding.

The system gave its final message of the chapter:

[Host has encountered fate interference. A new path is opening.]

Billy tightened his grip on the boy’s hand.

“I’ll protect you.”

Whoever the mysterious man this morning warned him about…

They were already here.