Cold wind howled across the cliffs of the Iron Mountain Sect.
Thousands of disciples trained across the massive mountain complex.
Clashing swords.
Exploding techniques.
Shouts echoed across the training grounds.
In this world, power meant everything.
The strong ruled.
The weak served.
And Kael Varyn was among the weakest.
Sweat dripped down his face as he carried a heavy basket filled with spirit stones.
His arms trembled from exhaustion.
"Move faster, servant!"
A voice shouted behind him.
Before Kael could react—
THUD!
A kick struck the basket.
Spirit stones scattered across the ground.
Laughter erupted around him.
Three disciples stood nearby.
One of them stepped forward.
Tall.
Confident.
Arrogant.
Ronan Drake.
A talented disciple of the sect.
Ronan smirked.
"Three years here and still stuck at Body Tempering Stage One."
He leaned closer.
"Tell me Kael… how does it feel to be born useless?"
More laughter.
Kael clenched his fists.
But he said nothing.
In Iron Mountain Sect, servants had no rights.
Fighting a disciple meant punishment.
So Kael knelt and began picking up the stones.
Suddenly—
A violent pain exploded inside his head.
His vision went dark.
The world disappeared.
Then a strange voice echoed inside his mind.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Ancient.
[Primordial Ascension System Activated]
Kael froze.
His breath stopped.
The voice continued.
Host Detected
Name: Kael Varyn
Level: 1
Cultivation: Body Tempering Stage 1
Talent Evaluation: Unknown
Kael's heart pounded.
"What… is this?"
No one around him seemed to notice anything.
The disciples were still laughing.
Then the voice spoke again.
First Mission Generated
Defeat a Body Tempering Stage 2 opponent
Reward:
+1 Level
Skill Unlock
Kael slowly lifted his head.
His eyes locked onto Ronan.
The disciple who kicked him.
Body Tempering Stage 2.
Perfect.
Kael stood up.
The crowd laughed again.
"Oh?"
Ronan cracked his knuckles.
"The trash wants to fight?"
Kael felt something strange inside his body.
Calm.
Focused.
For the first time…
He wasn't afraid.
The voice spoke once more.
Combat Mode Activated
The world slowed.
Kael could see every movement clearly.
Every breath.
Every shift in Ronan's stance.
Ronan lunged forward and threw a punch.
But Kael moved first.
He dodged.
Gasps erupted around the courtyard.
"What?!"
Before Ronan could react—
Kael stepped forward and punched.
A direct strike to the stomach.
Ronan's eyes widened.
Then he collapsed to the ground.
Unconscious.
Silence filled the courtyard.
Then the voice spoke again.
Mission Completed
+1 Level
Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step
Energy surged through Kael's body.
His muscles tightened.
His senses sharpened.
Level 2.
For the first time in his life…
Kael felt powerful.
He looked up toward the sky.
And smiled slightly.
"Maybe…"
"I was never meant to be weak."