Rebirth Of The Sealed Core: The Rise Of Billy Howell

Chapter 7 – The Visitor at the Door

Billy stood frozen in the middle of his room, palms sweaty, heart pounding so loudly it echoed in his ears. The calm voice behind the door didn’t help at all. In fact, it made everything worse.

“Billy Howell,” the old man repeated gently. “Open the door. I won’t harm you.”

Billy’s mind raced.

What should he do?

Open the door?

Hide?

Jump out the window?

He took a shaky breath.

“System… is he dangerous?”

A small window popped up instantly.

---

【 THREAT SCAN 】

Subject: Unknown Ability User

Threat Level: Currently Low

Intent: Not hostile

Energy Type: ??? (Unidentified)

---

Billy let out a sharp breath.

“Not hostile doesn’t mean safe…”

The knocking stopped. Then the man spoke again.

“If you won’t open the door, at least listen to me through it. You awakened a presence yesterday—one that many will sense soon. Without proper guidance, you’ll draw the worst kind of people.”

Billy’s stomach twisted.

Great. Exactly what he didn’t want to hear.

He moved closer to the door, but not too close.

“W-What do you want?” Billy asked, voice barely steady.

There was a soft chuckle from the other side.

“Exactly what I said. To help you awaken. Your energy… it has been sealed for many years. Whoever did it was powerful. Very powerful. And now that the seal is cracking, others will come looking.”

Billy’s fingers trembled on the doorknob.

He didn’t open it.

He wasn’t ready.

“How do you know all this?” Billy asked.

The old man replied simply, “Because I have been watching you for a long time.”

Billy’s soul nearly left his body.

Watching him?

For how long?

Why?

He took a step back like he’d touched electricity.

The man added, “Relax. I mean you no harm. If I wanted to take your life, you wouldn’t even make it to your door. I watched because I sensed the seal on your energy since you were young. But I never interfered until now.”

Billy swallowed. “Why now?”

There was a pause.

Then the man said something that sent chills racing down Billy’s spine.

“Because someone else sensed your awakening today. Someone with far worse intentions than mine.”

Billy’s heart dropped.

Someone else…

Who?

The system’s warning earlier suddenly made more sense.

He clenched his fists.

“What do you want me to do?” Billy asked.

“Let me guide you,” the old man said calmly. “Let me help open your energy pathways. You won’t survive what’s coming if you stay as you are.”

Billy breathed in slowly, trying to calm the storm inside his chest.

“System,” he whispered mentally. “Should I open the door?”

The system responded after two tense seconds.

---

【 SYSTEM ADVICE 】

Opening the door poses no immediate danger.

This individual holds knowledge related to your energy seal.

Interaction is beneficial for your early growth.

---

Billy closed his eyes, cursed under his breath, and finally—very slowly—turned the lock.

His hand shook as he opened the door just enough to peek through.

The old man stood there exactly as Billy remembered—long grey coat, calm expression, eyes glowing slightly blue as if reflecting moonlight.

He smiled warmly.

“Good. You made the right choice.”

Billy didn’t feel any better.

“What do you want to do first?” Billy asked carefully.

The old man lifted his hand, palm open. “Let me properly introduce myself. My name is Elias.”

Billy blinked. He expected something more dramatic.

Elias seemed… normal. Too normal, considering he could vanish into thin air.

Elias stepped inside the apartment slowly, politely, without forcing the door.

He looked around and nodded. “Simple but clean. Good.”

Billy stood awkwardly near his table. “You said you want to help me awaken?”

“Yes.” Elias turned toward him. “Your seal is weakening. But once it breaks completely, the shock will alert every supernatural group in this city.”

Billy felt cold.

“How many groups?”

Elias smiled lightly. “More than you think.”

Great. More bad news.

“So what do we do?” Billy asked.

Elias stepped closer and placed two fingers lightly on Billy’s wrist.

Billy felt it immediately—

A warm pulse.

A wave of energy.

Like sunlight flowing under his skin.

His breath hitched.

“What—what is that?”

“Relax,” Elias said softly. “I’m checking your meridians.”

Meridians?

Like in cultivation novels?

Billy opened his mouth to speak, but Elias suddenly frowned.

His glowing eyes narrowed.

“This seal…” Elias muttered. “No ordinary person set this. It’s ancient. And the energy used? Not from this world.”

Billy stiffened.

“Not from this world?” he repeated.

Elias removed his hand. “Billy, you’re not ordinary. And your awakening won’t be simple.”

Billy stared at him, feeling his world tilt sideways.

Before he could respond, the system chimed suddenly.

---

【 SYSTEM TIME-SYNC UPDATE – 5% COMPLETED 】

A fragment of your past life has been recovered.

---

Billy’s vision blurred.

For a moment, he saw—

A battlefield of burning black flames.

A silhouette holding a brilliant spear.

A collapsing sky.

A voice shouting his name—not “Billy”… but something else…

Then everything snapped back.

Billy gasped loudly, stumbling backward. His heart raced as sweat rolled down his forehead.

Elias watched him closely.

“You saw something, didn’t you?”

Billy nodded weakly. “Memories… of another life.”

Elias’s expression hardened with certainty.

“Billy Howell,” he said quietly, “you were not a normal person in your past life. And whatever you once were… is awakening again.”

Billy’s pulse pounded in his ears.

Elias stepped back and said firmly, “We start tomorrow. At dawn. Meet me on the rooftop.”

He walked toward the door, but before leaving, he paused.

“Billy… prepare yourself. Your true power will wake soon. And when it does—your real enemies will follow.”

Then he left.

Billy stood alone in the silent apartment, chest heaving.

He wasn’t just awakening.

He was remembering.

And whatever he used to be…

It was something terrifying.