Minutes- no, maybe only seconds had passed, though for Naira, it felt like an eternity.

In that short time, she learned that the outsiders were nothing like the stories her people whispered by firelight. Reckless, greedy, and cruel… The Pale Ones who stole the world's blessings for themselves. But these ones fought like heroes straight out of the old songs.

Every clash of steel and roar of magic left her trembling, but not from fear anymore… She was awed.

The cat-eared woman hurled blazing suns from her palms. The others fought with equal fury: one girl unleashed projectiles glowing with blue light, another's stormy blade and spells wreaked havoc, and yet another conjured radiant barriers to block attacks that should've crushed bones.

And still, despite all of it, the skin-walkers pressed harder.

Naira's eyes darted to the man holding the line. He was a giant of a human with armor so thick it looked like a wall to her. His shield was enormous, broad enough to cover a tent, and when it slammed into the ground, the impact sent cracks spidering through the dirt.

She knew one thing for sure: if that thing ever fell on her, she'd be nothing but a red smear in the mud.

Even with that massive bulwark, the man was being forced back step by step. Claws raked at him from every side; every impact rang like thunder. Behind him, the pink-haired girl raised her hands once again to conjure a strange, transparent barrier.

But Naira could see the strain on their faces. Blood. Bruises. Sweat.

They were being pushed to their limits.

And then, he moved.

The one who'd first drawn her attention.

The tall man with the weapon that bled when it changed shape, as though it had a heartbeat of its own.

He stepped forward.

"Kai!" several voices cried at once with panic flashing across the women's faces.

The pink-haired one almost broke her focus from shock; even the cat-eared monster cried his name as if she deeply cared for his safety.

But the man only turned his head slightly and grinned. That was the calm, maddening grin of someone who wasn't reckless, but decisive.

"Risks have to be taken."

The effect was instant. The women grimaced, cursed under their breath, and redoubled their efforts.

…

Kaiden remembered the systemic message he received back when he broke through the bottleneck. That was when his three stances were upgraded; Wrath became more devastating, Pride became more overwhelming, yet there was a third.

After all, Kaiden was Rank 3, not Rank 2.

The stance of Gluttony.

When he checked it out after slaying the boss monster of the undead dungeon, he was greeted with something unexpected.

[Ding!]

[You have devoured the Sin of Gluttony from Countess Veylin, and you've surpassed your first bottleneck.]

[The Blood Monarch Set resonates with your body, merging deeper into your flesh and essence.]

[Your Gluttony Stance now draws directly from the Blood Monarch's Gauntlet, feeding not through bite or blade alone, but through consumption of vitality, essence, and will.]

[Gluttony Stance: Assimilation Unlocked.]

And just like that, his gauntlet became part of his gluttony.

Kaiden looked at the five creatures that still stood.

Their hides were torn here and there, but not a single one had fallen yet. Thomas's shield arm trembled under the weight of another blow. The man's armor was dented in several places, one eye swollen shut, and his breathing had grown rough.

If he collapsed, the line would crumble.

Kaiden shifted his stance, blade angled low. He wasn't planning to throw his life away, but he knew that waiting meant death for all of them. The monsters were focused on Thomas due to him using his taunt spell just before the rest of the group was overrun, forcing their attention on him for a moment. But this meant he was about to be killed.

This gave Kaiden one chance.

He moved before anyone could stop him. The step turned into a powerful lunge.

The nearest monster broke free of the taunt spell too late. The blade cut into its flank, carving deep. A rasping sound escaped its throat that sounded like a whine.

"Kaiden, what the hell are you doing?!" Thomas's voice broke through the chaos.

Kaiden didn't answer. The other four turned toward him with maws open and claws lifted.

They lunged.

Fangs and talons reached for him.

That was when Kaiden's hand clenched, and the veins along the Blood Monarch's Gauntlet began to move. They pulsed once, then writhed, tightening like something alive beneath the skin.

He cast.

"[Essence Siphon]!"

A sound followed from the Gauntlet itself.

—

[Essence Siphon]

Required Tool: Blood Monarch's Gauntlet (Autonomous Predator)

Description:

The Blood Monarch's Gauntlet functions as a sentient parasite that responds to the Paragon of Sin's strikes. When he lands a hit using the Gauntlet, it manifests miniature crimson fangs that pierce the target, feeding on their essence.

Effect Breakdown:

Trait Theft: Each successful strike has a chance to steal one active trait from the target (Elemental Resistance, Haste, Strength Boosts, etc.). The stolen trait is applied to the Paragon of Sin for a short duration.

Sustain: Restores a portion of HP and MP for every successful hit.

—

The fight only started a few moments ago, but Kaiden has already managed to hit some of the monsters on the surface, and his deep lunge just now struck heavily into the one who was whimpering and losing blood.

However, whether he siphoned anything out was based on chance, a chance that seemed to depend on the damage he inflicted.

[Target: Hellforged Ravager – Flank]

Minor injury.

Siphon: failure.

[Target: Hellforged Ravager – Shoulder]

Minor injury.

Siphon: failure.

[Target: Hellforged Ravager – Rear]

Minor injury.

Siphon: failure.

As the notifications flashed before his vision, the Gauntlet pulsed every time, but nothing fully manifested. Weak strikes gave him weak gains. A minor flicker of warmth, a whisper of stolen vigor - but nothing concrete.

Then came the deep lunge. His blade sank into the Ravager's side with a thud, carving past its tough hide and puncturing muscle.

This time, the Gauntlet pulsed violently. Veins began flaring along Kaiden's arm as though the energy itself had been woken. A notification flashed in his vision:

[Trait Acquired: Abyssal Strength]

Duration: 30 seconds

Effect: +70 Strength (Base 108 → 178)

Flavor: Physical dominance and raw power absorbed from the Hellforged Ravager.

Immediately, he felt the energy of the beast infuse his muscles. But that wasn't all.

A physical transformation began as Kaiden embraced the stolen trait.

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