Chapter 7: The Path of Qi and Blood
Lucen woke with a start, his breath catching as he took in the chill mountain air. The sky above was an endless sea of silver clouds, swirling like a living thing. A cold wind bit at his skin, carrying the sharp scent of pine and frost.
He pushed himself up slowly, blinking in confusion. His body… it was no longer the small, fragile frame of a five-year-old prince. Instead, he saw long limbs, lean muscles—he was a young man now, perhaps sixteen or eighteen, though his crimson eyes and inky black hair remained unchanged.
His clothing, too, was different—black robes with golden dragon patterns that shimmered faintly in the pale light. They looked like something from a martial world—a world where swords ruled and blood spoke louder than words.
Lucen let out a slow breath, testing his balance, feeling the new strength in his limbs. "So… can you explain a bit.." he murmured.
A flicker of light shimmered in his mind's eye, and the familiar mechanical voice spoke up:
System: This is World $00106, Murim World. Here, you can absorb qi into your lower dantian and practice martial arts. When you kill an individual in this world, they will vanish completely—and you will gain experience points (EXP).
Lucen fell silent for a moment, his crimson eyes narrowing. What a kind world we're living in now… if you don't move forward, you'll be left behind by the world.
System: Congratulations, Player, for traveling to a new dimension for the first time.Reward: Level up to Level 2, opening the Ability Store, and granting the Ring of Gluttony.
A small smirk curved Lucen's lips. "Hmph. I know about the Ability Store… but this ring…?"
He glanced at his hand—and there it was: a ring of dark metal, inlaid with crimson runes that pulsed softly. He called up the details.
Ring of Gluttony:Created by the Gluttony King himself. This ring can store anything within it, and time does not flow in that space.Use Condition: The user must possess demonic blood or have made a pact with a demonic being.
Lucen's expression twitched. "A ring that can store anything… useful. But a pact with a demon? Where am I going to find a demon in this world?"
As he pondered, the system chimed again, almost as if it had been waiting.
System: You have discovered an item with an inherent ability. Would you like to use your unique ability 'Extract' on this item?
Lucen paused, then let out a quiet laugh. "Yes."
System: Congratulations, Player. You have successfully extracted and obtained the ability—Gluttony King Space. Would you like to register it as a unique ability or a normal ability?
Lucen didn't even hesitate. "Register it as a unique ability."
System: Congratulations. You have registered Gluttony King Space as a unique skill.Skill Details:Can create a separate space and store any object within it.
Lucen's crimson eyes gleamed with excitement. "Yep… this is broken," he whispered to himself. "I can store everything I need in this space… and I can earn EXP, learn martial arts… and grow even stronger."
He took a deep breath, mentally listing the powers he now possessed:
Summon (Dimensional Travel)
Extract – Can extract anything (including with conditions)
Origin – Can see the true origin of all things
Gluttony King Space
A small grin played at the corners of his lips. "Four unique skills… and a whole new world to conquer."
He looked out at the endless mountain ranges, feeling the rush of cold wind whip through his black robes. The air tasted of freedom—and danger.
He clenched his fists, excitement thrumming in his veins. "Alright… let's start this journey."
With that, Lucen took his first step down the mountain path—into a world of qi and blood, of martial arts and ancient secrets. A world waiting for him to carve his place within it… or be devoured by its shadows.
End of Chapter 7