"Those who hunt by Instinct returns home, those who hunt by Pride does not."

This was one of the lines he had heard during his class in school that stuck with him. So when "Absolute," "Instinct" and "Mythical" appeared related, Reyansh’s expectations were highest for this among all the items.

The notification panel appeared with information, it read:

[Name: Absolute Instinct]

[Type: Mythical Trait/Passive]

[Rank: Mythical]

[Description: A Supreme Instinctive state where body, mind and senses act in flawless unity beyond conscious thought. The danger is perceived through an innate awareness that transcends ordinary senses.]

[Effects:]

– Locked (visible after acquisition of Mythical Trait).

[Would you like to acquire the Mythical Trait, Absolute Instinct?]

"What the...HELL!?" a look of awe and confusion was plastered on Reyansh’s face.

"That’s the best and overpowered description I have ever read. The only new thing is this "Mythical Trait" and no explanation of effects." He stated.

"Though reading the description is enough for me, keep your mystery about effects. Only three words, Supreme Instinctive state, are enough for me," a smirk appeared on his face.

"So, Traits also have something similar to ranks. There is information on two stages only, Trait spark which can further evolve into Trait. It only makes sense that there are further stages too."

"Haha...I mean I was just happy for getting a Trait, Resurge, earlier. But now something that is beyond the stages that exist on earth."

"There’s no point in waiting before doing something so fantastic. Yes, I would like to acquire the Mythical Trait, Absolute Instinct," he answered properly this time, enthusiasm dripping in his voice.

Reyansh voiced his agreement and waited for something to appear in front of him. But a second later, nothing happened.

"Yes," he repeated again but the result remained same.

"Hmm? Is system experiencing some kind of...." he hadn’t even finished his thought when all the hairs on his stood up. He suddenly felt his heart had stopped and a shock spread in his entire body.

He couldn’t remain seated upright as he fell on his face. There was no voice in his vocal cords. His body didn’t show any responsive movement, even his pupils were still.

From outside, he appeared dead except the sweating head. The only part functioning in Reyansh’s body at this moment was his brain.

At the moment, his brain was suffering from cognitive overload. Every cell in his brain was being bombarded with live information.

From the refreshing smell of every mana particles in the air, taste of every atom in the air along with their movements to any kind of sharp or pointed object in his vicinity.

The cold sensation of ground under his face, the thickness of barrier that worked as soundproof.

Information about every possible thing in his environment, the small splinters formed due to hole in his bed, tiny fibres of his dress that was shredded during his reconstruction.

The time passed in all this information pushed in his brain was quarter of a second. But for Reyansh it already felt like hours, and this was just the beginning.

The range of his perception didn’t just end at his room, it went beyond the walls. The bed of his mother, her shallow breathing.

He would have thought that he was standing in the room next to her if not for the coldest sensation ever under his face.

A bit further, he perceived his sister asleep in an uncomfortable position near his mother. However, the next thing he registered was her face with dried tears along the cheeks.

’Why did she cry?’ Even amidst the sensory overload, sensing that his sister had fell asleep while crying, his fingers twitched as his natural instinct reacted, trying to reach his little sister.

This force between his natural instinct and the hyper active state of his body clashed, almost causing his brain to collapse.

He didn’t even recorded a shred of information after that, the only instinct to reach his sister remained despite knowing that this was harmful to him.

Just when it felt like he was just about to lose his consciousness and suffer brain damage, a notification panel popped up in front of him.

[Title, Blessed by AAKASHA, is intervening...]

[Due to the host being incompatible to acquire the Mythical Trait at the moment, the Absolute Instinct will be locked.]

[A derived Trait is being granted to host...]

[Trait, Heightened Instinct is acquired.]

[Mythical Trait, Absolute Instinct is being locked until host becomes compatible.]

[Your Perception has increased to S (lvl 10)]

The strings of panel finally stopped.

The next moment, all the bombardment of information stopped at the same speed at which everything started. He felt his heart pump again as he started gaining control over his body.

’What in the actual fuck...but why was she crying?’ he instinct still screamed at him to run to her. But he still suppressed that instinct.

He knew that his strength has increased manifold and he still didn’t have complete control over it. He slowly stood up while his brain remained silent due to recent overload.

After wearing another set of clothes, he slowly stepped towards his mother’s room.

The moment he entered, his eyes fell upon his sleeping mother and sister. He instinctively reached for his sister’s shoulder to ask her the reason behind her tears but stopped at the last moment.

He saw that she was in deep sleep, so instead of waking her up, he picked her up slowly and walked calmly to her bed.

After gently lying her in bed and covering her with a thin quilt, he stood there for a moment.

’Did that brat acted up? Principal had mentioned she would take care of the matter. What happened Vanu, why were you crying?’ his thoughts raged.

’Sleep well, I will talk to you in the morning,’ giving her one last glance, he went back to his room.

He sat down at edge of his bed, while his mind still lingered around the lines of dried tears on his little sister’s cheeks.

His hand started shaking a little as the aftereffects of the Mythical Trait kicked in. At the moment, his senses had messed up so much that he wasn’t even registering the softness of his bed. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

’Just how powerful was that I couldn’t even keep it active for a second even after my reconstructed body?’ he wondered, distracting himself from his raging storm about his sister.

’AAKASHA, again huh? At this point I think it is beyond my capacity to think about some entity that can intervene whenever needed. Keep looking after me till I get stronger.’

’Oh, I did get a trait in turn of locking the Absolute Instinct, let’s check it.’ He commanded as a panel popped up.

[Name: Heightened Instinct]

[Type: Trait/Passive]

[Rank: –]

[Description: The body begins reacting faster than conscious thought, guided by sharpened survival senses.]

[Effects:]

1. Increased reaction speed to sudden threats and reduced hesitation in critical moments.

2. Subtle danger sense and slight predictive movements against simple attacks.

3. Improved combat timing and reflexes.

"Well, it sure is watered down version of what I felt, but still very helpful." He stated.

"And my perception stat has increased too," he remembered the notification earlier, but he looked at his hands. The shaking had reduced but was still there.

"Add this to the list to things to check later. Next item," he commanded, his enthusiasm slightly doused by her sister’s tears. Now he just wanted to get over all the items quickly.