Chapter 28: The Heights of Power
Between worlds, in the hollow dark where starlight drowns and time forgets itself, something awoke.
Not with a roar.
Not with fire.
But with a smile—ancient, knowing, patient.
It didn't move.
It didn't need to.
It simply watched.
An intelligence older than empires had opened its eyes.
And it was hunting.
---
Back on the training field, under a sky that still believed in peace, Fenrir froze.
Not from wind.
Not from fear.
From instinct—the kind that screams before the storm hits.
Like last time.
Like when the Demon Giant came.
Like unseen eyes had just locked onto him across the void.
"...Why do I suddenly feel like the universe is lining up a haymaker?" he muttered.
Kael glanced over.
"Because it usually does."
"...Wow. Thanks for the emotional support."
"I wasn't giving any."
"That somehow makes it worse."
A few laughs broke out.
Even Elena's stoic mask cracked at the edges.
Then Yuna appeared—no sound, no warning, just there, beside him like she'd never left.
Fenrir didn't flinch.
Some things you stop questioning.
Like gravity. Or her weird teleporting habit.
The unease faded—but not gone. Just buried.
Then Aetherion turned to him.
"You have questions."
Not a guess. A fact.
Fenrir blinked.
"A few."
The old man smiled.
"Good. I'd hate to think you weren't paying attention."
---
They gathered beneath the ancient tree—its roots deep, its branches brushing the sky.
Kael leaned back, relaxed.
Raphael sat like royalty carved in stone.
Adrian crossed his legs with effortless cool.
Seraphina folded her hands, serene.
Elena stayed on her feet, alert.
Yuna curled up next to Fenrir, tails swaying like a lazy metronome.
Silence.
Then—
"Just how strong are all of you?"
Kael barked a laugh.
"Cutting straight to the scary stuff."
"Can you blame me?"
"Nope."
Aetherion steepled his fingers.
"The supernatural world runs on tiers."
"Tiers?"
"Tier One." He raised a finger.
"The newly awakened. Young vampires. Low-level monsters. Weak mages. Rookie hunters."
Fenrir nodded.
"Tier Two."
"Veterans. Ancient beasts. Hunters who can level city blocks. Monsters that wipe out squads."
Third finger.
"Tier Three."
The air thickened.
"The true titans of the mortal realm."
"Ancient nobles. Legendary creatures. High dragons. Faction commanders. Beings who erase cities like typos."
Then he looked around.
"Kael."
The werewolf raised a hand.
"Tier Three."
"Raphael."
"Tier Three."
"Adrian."
"Tier Three."
"Seraphina."
A soft smile. "Tier Three."
"Elena."
The dragon nodded. "Tier Three."
Then—
"Yuna."
The fox blinked.
"Me too?"
Aetherion chuckled.
"You've been Tier Three for decades."
Yuna puffed up.
"Knew my naps were paying off."
Fenrir stared.
"You trained by sleeping?"
"No!" She scowled. "But recovery matters!"
"...Fair point."
Laughter rippled again.
Fenrir looked at them—all of them.
Every single one could flatten a metropolis.
And here they were, joking like college buddies.
It was terrifying.
And weirdly comforting.
Then Aetherion lifted another finger.
"Tier Four."
Silence dropped like a guillotine.
"The rulers. The myths. The peak of the mortal world."
"The Werewolf King. The Vampire Queen. The Elven Sovereign. Ancient Dragon Lords. Saints and monsters lost to history."
He paused.
"And me."
Fenrir blinked.
"...You're Tier Four?"
"Yes."
"...That explains so much."
Kael smirked.
"Took you long enough."
Fenrir hesitated.
"...Is there anything above Tier Four?"
Aetherion looked up—into the sky, into the void beyond.
"There is."
His voice turned distant.
"Far above."
A cold spike drove down Fenrir's spine.
"But those heights?"
"You don't survive your first breath up there."
"Focus on staying alive. Then we talk about climbing."
Fenrir decided right then—he hated that answer.
---
Aetherion continued.
"Power isn't just bloodline or raw strength."
"There's another path."
"Martial arts?"
The old man nodded.
"Most supernaturals rely on heritage. On gifts."
"Few master combat."
"But martial arts? They let you punch past your limits."
He raised a finger for each stage.
"Beginner. Apprentice. Advanced. Master. Grandmaster. Transcendent."
Each name carried weight—like titles etched in stone.
"Most never pass Advanced."
"Masters are legends in their own right."
"Grandmasters? Rare."
"And Transcendent?"
He smiled.
"They rewrite history."
Fenrir swallowed.
"...All of you?"
Kael grinned.
"Grandmaster."
Raphael.
"Grandmaster."
Adrian.
"Grandmaster."
Seraphina.
"Grandmaster."
Yuna raised a hand.
"Master."
Fenrir blinked.
"You're actually serious in battle?"
She puffed her cheeks.
"Of course!"
"...I wasn't sure."
Then Elena spoke.
"Transcendent."
Aetherion nodded.
"Transcendent."
Fenrir stared.
Then it hit him.
"Wait."
Everyone turned.
"How do you know my level?"
Silence.
Then Kael laughed.
"Oh.
"He finally asked."
Fenrir frowned.
"Asked what?"
"You keep saying I'm Level Ten."
"How do you know that? I never told you."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"We measured it."
"...Measured it?"
Seraphina pulled something small from her pocket.
A contact lens.
Fenrir blinked.
"...A contact lens?"
"An Aether Lens."
"A what?"
Raphael smiled.
"The hidden world isn't stuck in the Dark Ages, Fenrir."
Elena crossed her arms.
"Magic and tech merged centuries ago."
Adrian nodded.
"They analyze mana density, aura, soul resonance, life force."
"Not perfect. Just estimates."
Aetherion smiled.
"Your energy reads around Level Ten."
Fenrir stared.
"So… you all have power-scouters?"
Yuna giggled.
"Please don't call them that."
"I absolutely am."
Kael burst out laughing.
Raphael covered his mouth.
Even Elena's eyes softened.
Fenrir crossed his arms.
"I can't believe magical contact lenses exist."
"They're practical," Seraphina said.
"Can they scan anyone?"
Aetherion shook his head.
"No.
If the target's too strong…"
"The reading fails."
Fenrir blinked.
"...That's insane."
"It is."
And strangely—that made him feel better.
The System wasn't the only one using levels.
The world had its own ways.
Reality felt slightly less broken.
Just slightly.
---
Then Aetherion stood.
The air shifted.
The lesson was over.
"We have a problem."
"The creature behind the disappearances."
"It's active again."
"But this time,it left fresh traces near the Exchange."
A chill slithered up Fenrir's spine.
"Already?"
"Yes."
Kael rose.
"We move, now."
Elena nodded.
"Every second counts."
Raphael's face darkened.
"If we're too late…"
He didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
Fenrir stood.
"I'm coming."
"No, you're not."
The word cut like ice.
"What?"
"You stay."
"Why?!"
" you'll die."
Silence.
"... That's harsh."
"True."
And that was the worst part.
It was true.
Again.
Weak.
Too weak.
Aetherion sighed.
"You're Level Ten.
This thing erased entire towns.
You'd slow us down."
It hurt.
Because he couldn't argue.
Seraphina stepped forward.
"Rest."
"I'm fine."
"No."
"I am."
"You're stubborn."
"..."
She smiled.
Then Yuna raised her hand.
"I'll stay."
All eyes turned to her,a little surprised.
She blinked.
"What?"
Aetherion studied her.
Then nodded.
"Very well."
Fenrir frowned.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
"Then why?"
She grinned.
"Someone's gotta stop you from blowing up the bookstore."
"...I doubt that's happening."
"I don't."
Laughter returned.
Even Fenrir smirked.
Aetherion gave him one last look.
"We'll return soon."
Elena: "Don't cause trouble."
Kael: "Actually—cause plenty."
Elena: "Ignore him."
Kael: "I wasn't joking."
One by one, they vanished—
Into shadow.
Into light.
Into silence.
The field fell still.
Only Fenrir and Yuna remained.
The fox stretched.
"Well, now we're alone."
She smiled.
Fenrir sighed.
"...That sounds dangerous."
"It probably is."
Wind whispered through the grass.
Then—
'OBLIVION.'
[Yes.]
'Do you think something bad's coming?'
Silence.
Then—
[Probability: High.]
Fenrir closed his eyes.
"Somehow… that's worse than I thought."
[Recommendation.]
'What?'
[Become stronger.]
A small smile touched his lips.
"I'm trying."
---
Far away—
Aetherion stopped dead.
The others turned.
"What is it?" Elena asked.
For a heartbeat—
the old man's face changed.
Something cold.
Ancient.
Watching.
Then it was gone.
"...Nothing."
But deep in his chest—
a quiet dread took root.
And beyond the stars…
something smiled.