Rebirth Of The Sealed Core: The Rise Of Billy Howell

Chapter 8 – Rooftop Awakening

Billy barely slept.

Every time he closed his eyes, flashes of the strange memory returned—

burning black flames, a shattered sky, a spear glowing like lightning.

And that voice calling a name that wasn’t his.

He woke up multiple times with his heart racing, sweat sticking to his shirt. By the time dawn finally painted the sky faint orange, he dragged himself out of bed with dark circles under his eyes.

He washed his face, grabbed his jacket, and headed upstairs toward the rooftop.

Each step made him more nervous.

What was Elias going to do?

What would “awakening” even feel like?

And what if the system triggered something painful?

Billy swallowed and pushed open the rooftop door.

The cold morning air hit him instantly.

Elias stood near the railing, hands behind his back, staring at the rising sun. His grey coat fluttered slightly in the breeze. He looked peaceful—like someone who didn’t just appear at strangers’ doors and talk about ancient seals.

Billy approached slowly. “I… I’m here.”

Elias glanced at him. “Good. You’re early.”

“Couldn’t sleep.”

“Expected.”

Elias turned fully toward him.

“Today, we begin breaking the surface layer of your seal. Just a tiny crack. Enough to release your natural flow of energy.”

Billy exhaled. “Is it going to hurt?”

Elias raised a brow.

“Yes.”

Billy’s stomach twisted.

At least he was honest.

Elias gestured for Billy to sit cross-legged on the ground near the center of the rooftop. Billy obeyed, sitting down on the cool concrete. Elias sat opposite him and placed a small, round crystal between them.

“What’s that?” Billy asked.

“A resonator. It stabilizes energy flow. Without it, the pressure might harm you.”

“Great,” Billy muttered. “No pressure.”

Elias ignored the joke. He reached out and tapped Billy’s forehead gently.

Instantly, Billy felt a warm wave spread through him, starting from his head and flowing down to his chest. His breathing slowed as the warmth wrapped around his body.

Elias’s voice softened.

“Close your eyes. Focus on your heartbeat.”

Billy did.

His heartbeat filled his ears—steady, deep, echoing.

Elias placed both hands on Billy’s shoulders. His palms glowed faintly blue, and the crystal between them began to pulse with light.

Billy felt the warmth in his chest turn hotter… then hotter… then almost burning.

He clenched his teeth.

“Hnn—! Elias, it’s… too hot…”

“That’s the seal resisting,” Elias said calmly. “Don’t fight it. Just bear with it.”

The heat surged through Billy’s veins like molten metal. His fingers curled into fists. He gasped as something inside his chest squeezed tightly, like invisible chains pulling.

His vision blurred even behind closed eyes.

“E-Elia—ah—!”

“Hold on!”

The rooftop seemed to shake. Wind whipped around them in a tight circle. The crystal between them glowed brighter and brighter.

Suddenly—

Billy heard a loud crack inside his body.

Not physical.

Something deeper.

His eyes snapped open.

A ring of faint golden light erupted from his chest, spreading outward like ripples on water.

Elias’s eyes widened.

“Golden resonance…? Impossible at this stage—!”

Billy didn’t hear the rest.

The golden light surged up his spine, shot through his arms, then exploded in his palms. His body jerked forward as if struck by lightning.

A flood of memories slammed into him.

A battlefield of ash.

A mountain split in half.

A throne of black stone.

A figure kneeling before him, saying—

“My lord… the Starbane Realm awaits your command.”

Billy gasped and fell backward, panting like he’d just run for miles. His shirt was soaked with sweat, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.

The golden light faded slowly… leaving him breathing heavily on the rooftop.

Elias stared at him with an expression Billy couldn’t read.

Shock.

Fear.

Awe.

“Billy…” Elias whispered. “That… was not ordinary. A golden resonance appears only when awakening someone who was once… extremely powerful.”

Billy wiped sweat from his face. “I saw things again… places I’ve never been.”

Elias exhaled shakily. “Memories of your past life.”

Billy swallowed.

“So I really lived before.”

“Yes.”

Elias leaned closer, serious now.

“But Billy… your past life wasn’t normal. Whoever you once were, your power must have been so great, it left imprints even after death.”

Billy slowly sat up.

The wind was quiet now.

The sky looked clearer.

He felt… different.

Calmer.

Stronger.

More aware.

He could sense faint movements around the building—birds on a nearby rooftop, someone walking below, the hum of electricity from wires—

He could feel everything.

The system chimed loudly in his mind.

---

【 ENERGY SEAL – PHASE 1 UNLOCKED 】

Your natural energy flow has been restored.

Basic Combat Potential: Activated

New Skill Unlocked: Inner Pulse (Lv. 1)

---

Billy checked the skill.

【 INNER PULSE – Lv. 1 】

You can release a short burst of energy to enhance strength, speed, or senses for 3 seconds.

Cooldown: 30 seconds.

---

Billy exhaled slowly.

“Okay… now we’re talking.”

Elias gave a small smile.

“You’ve taken your first step.”

Billy stood, still shaky but more confident.

“Now what?”

Elias’s smile faded instantly.

“Now… trouble arrives.”

Before Billy could react, Elias grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the railing.

“Stay quiet.”

Billy’s heart jumped. “What—?”

Elias pointed down to the street.

Billy followed his gaze.

A black SUV was parked across the road. Three men stepped out, wearing dark coats and sunglasses—at six in the morning. They scanned the building like hunters searching for prey.

Billy felt a chill stab his spine.

His system buzzed sharply.

---

【 WARNING – HOSTILE ENERGY DETECTED 】

Threat Level: High

Organization Identified: Nightshade Division

Objective: “Locate the awakened target.”

---

Billy’s breath hitched.

“Awakened… target?” he whispered.

Elias’s eyes hardened.

“They’re looking for you.”

Billy’s pulse raced.

“What do we do!?”

Elias turned to him, face serious, voice calm.

“We run.”