Since the awakening, his senses had gone into overdrive.

He could feel every vibration in the ground. Every flicker of emotion from nearby people. It was overwhelming—but thrilling.

“Need to get this under control,” he muttered, his breath fogging in the morning chill.

His goal was simple: hit the Hunter Association, confirm his new class, and lay low until the system cooled down.

But fate had other plans.

As he rounded a quiet corner near the central plaza, the air shifted. His every instinct screamed.

A woman stood at the far end of the walkway, wearing a dark crimson trench coat. Long silver hair swayed with the breeze. Her presence… was like staring at the eye of a hurricane.

> [Danger Level: —UNKNOWN—]

[System Warning: Pressure exceeding safe parameters. Suggested Action: Evade.]

Jace's feet froze.

That woman… wasn’t just strong.

She was on another plane of existence.

But as quickly as the fear came, his new blood—his new power—fought it back. Something deep inside growled in challenge. The Monarch’s pulse.

Boom.

Just like that, the woman’s head snapped toward him.

Golden eyes locked with his. Sharp. Penetrating.

"You…"

Her voice barely left her lips, but Jace heard it. Not in his ears—in his bones.

> [New Detection: SS-Rank Presence Acknowledging You]

[Analyzing Aura: Subject identified as “Irelia Zein, Stormborne Blade, Rank: SS”]

She took a single step forward.

And for the briefest second, a whirlwind of force kicked up around her. Her aura touched the edge of Jace’s—just slightly.

> [Passive Triggered: Monarch's Will — Fear Resistance Boosted]

> [Result: Instincts suppressed. User remains standing.]

Jace didn’t flinch.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face. “Interesting…”

But then her comm buzzed. She raised her hand to her earpiece.

“Hm? Yeah. I’m en route. Some strange energy signature flared a moment ago… Could be a Monarch Residual,” she said.

She cast one last glance at Jace, this time slower, measured.

“…Not you, though. You’re… not ready. Yet.”

She turned and walked away. Her heels clicked with haunting finality.

Jace finally exhaled.

“What the hell was that…” he whispered.

> [Title Gained: “One Who Faced the Storm”]

Recognition from a top-tier hunter boosts reputation and aura resistance temporarily.

Jace shook his head and forced his legs to move. That woman felt like a walking apocalypse. If she suspected anything about the Monarch blood in him…

He needed to train. Harder.

He slipped into an alley and leaned against the wall.

Suddenly—ding!

> [New System Alert: You are being tracked.]

Origin: Unknown

Jace’s eyes widened.

Another entity had felt his awakening. And this one wasn’t as polite as Irelia.

“This day just keeps getting better…”