A pressure like static lightning bloomed inside Max's skull.
[Our power—yes, our… needs context. I don't have time to explain, so here's the shortcut.]
A new line flashed across Max's vision.
Processing soul energy… copying memories to host.
[Sorry not sorry about this.]
Then—
"AHHH—MY—HEAD—!"
Max dropped to the cavern floor, clutching his skull like someone was trying to unscrew it from the inside.
[Yes, yes—scream louder.]
Raven sounded delighted.
[I'm force-feeding you thousands of years of memories and knowledge. You're welcome.]
Images slammed into him.
Blood-red moons. Mountains collapsing with a single roar. Dragons coiling through storm clouds.
Armies kneeling before a woman with scarlet red fire eyes and fangs.
Then—
Silence.
Max gasped for breath.
The world around him felt different—bigger, darker, older.
"I… understand now."
There was movement behind him.
Someone—or something—whispered
"Do you?"
Max jumped and spun around—but the cavern remained empty.
Raven sighed.
[Relax. You'll never sense whoever's watching. They're leagues beyond you in another world. Just say what you learned.]
Max swallowed hard and forced words out.
"There are beasts and entities you should never anger called true gods. Mortals exist, but we're somewhere beyond that now. There are spirit cores… essence crystals… and currency isn't just money—it's power. And we're not in the mortal realm anymore."
His tone dropped.
"I've been… reborn. My mortal limitations are gone."
A satisfied hum vibrated through his mind.
[NOW you sound less like a scared rabbit. Maybe a weak man instead of a weak boy. Progress.]
On instinct, Max opened his status screen.
A small glowing "+" pulsed beside his new "Stage."
He tapped it.
Text unfolded like ancient scripture.
Cultivation Stages
1 — Magic Spirit (Tier 1–9)
2 — Elemental Spirit (Tier 1–9)
3 — Condensed Spirit (Tier 1–9)
4 — Earth Spirit (Tier 1–9)
5 — Heaven Spirit (Tier 1–9)
Max stared.
"…Five stages? With nine steps EACH?"
[Correct.]
[You are no longer a mere mortal, but don't get excited—you're not divine like me either.]
Max rubbed his temples.
"So… I'm basically a beginner with a terrifying woman living in my head?"
[Woman?]
Her tone sharpened.
[I am a hybrid of two apex bloodlines. I am calamity given form. I—]
"Yes, yes," Max interrupted weakly.
"Very terrifying. Extremely ruinous. So proud of you."
There was a pause.
Then—
[…Did you just… patronize me?]
Max coughed loudly and absolutely did not answer.
Annoyance radiated from Raven like a storm cloud.
[I can't read thoughts yet—but I can feel emotions. Keep that up and I'll make you choke yourself again.]
Max exhaled through his nose.
"So… everything I knew—about magic, the academy, Earth… it's all wrong."
[A lie wrapped in a school uniform, yes.]
A shaky laugh escaped him.
"Great. Awesome. Love that for me."
He looked toward the tunnel again—the direction leading deeper, toward danger, tests, growth.
His fists clenched.
"No more being powerless. No more being stepped on. I'll carve my own path—starting now."
Raven smirked in his head.
[Good. I only thrive with strong hosts.]
Max rolled his eyes.
"Do you ever just… stop talking?"
[Absolutely not.]
He sighed.
"Fantastic."
And with new resolve—and a very opinionated ancient entity sharing his soul—Max stepped forward.
Into danger.
Into power.
Into who he was always meant to become.