After returning to my bed, I opened the system interface once more, eager to explore its features properly. The quiet hum of my room surrounded me, and for a brief moment, I felt a sense of normalcy, like I was simply navigating a complex video game. But reality soon reminded me that this was anything but normal. I was no longer in my world, but trapped in a reality that was part hero society, part something else—something far more ancient and martial.
I started by clicking on the question marks beside each stat and skill, hoping to dig deeper into how the system worked. Each click revealed more details, and with each new piece of information, the mystery of my situation began to unravel, albeit slowly. The system explained that I could complete missions to earn experience points (EXP), level up, and increase my stats, just like any game I had played before. But it didn't stop there.
I could also earn system currency—gold coins. I stared at the balance: 1000 gold. It seemed like a decent amount, but I wasn't sure if it was a lot in the grand scheme of things. I didn't know how much everything would cost, or what exactly the system would allow me to purchase. With no other options, my curiosity led me to the shop.
The shop was divided into multiple sections: Pills, Weapons, and, strangely enough, Martial Arts Books. I felt a strange mixture of intrigue and apprehension. Some items in the shop seemed like something out of a traditional martial arts world—murim, as I had once heard it called in stories. There were swords, spears, and even scrolls with strange, ancient symbols. But it was the martial arts books that stood out the most.
I scrolled through the titles, and my heart raced as I wondered whether they could be useful in a world of quirks and advanced technology. The prices varied greatly, ranging from a few hundred gold to millions. Some items were clearly out of my league, but others seemed within my reach. The martial arts books seemed like they might provide a foundation for me to grow, though I had no idea if this kind of training could work in a world dominated by powers far beyond physical abilities.
I hesitated but finally decided to buy two martial arts books: "Foundations of Combat: Understanding the Basics" and "The Martial Way: An Introduction to Martial Techniques." Both were priced at 100 gold each—reasonable, in my opinion, given what they promised.
Once I made the purchase, a strange sensation washed over me. It was like a current of knowledge surged through my mind. I closed my eyes as the information from the books flooded my consciousness. I could feel the knowledge embedding itself, as if my body itself was absorbing the techniques—stances, movements, breathing exercises. I could almost hear the faint echo of a distant master's voice guiding me.
The first book, "Foundations of Combat", focused on basic stances and the proper way to hold oneself in battle. It wasn't just about brute strength—it was about balance, posture, and using the body efficiently. I could almost feel my muscles tensing and relaxing, like my body was becoming attuned to a rhythm that hadn't been there before.
The second book, "The Martial Way", offered a broader perspective, explaining the different paths of martial arts. The knowledge was divided into three major categories:
External Arts: These arts focused on building strength, speed, and agility. They were all about harnessing the body's physical power and using it to overpower an opponent. The more I read, the more I could picture myself moving with precision and force—punches and kicks executed with explosive power.
Internal Arts: These were more complex, focusing on the manipulation of ki, or internal energy. The book described how practitioners of internal arts could channel this energy into their strikes, allowing them to hit with far more force than their muscles alone could generate. I could feel a strange connection to the idea of energy within me, something deep inside that seemed to hum with potential.
Spiritual Arts: The most mystical of the three, these arts trained the soul. Spiritual arts were about illusions, mental manipulation, and even influencing the spirit of others. I felt the least connection to these, but the idea that martial artists could control the mind or project their will was fascinating, if somewhat intimidating.
The book emphasized that all paths led to the same destination: enlightenment. It suggested that whether you practiced the external, internal, or spiritual arts, the ultimate goal was to find balance and transcend the limitations of the physical body. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This was far more than just combat training. It was a philosophy, a way of life.
As I sat there, absorbing the knowledge, a sense of deep clarity washed over me. I felt like I understood the philosophy behind the martial arts, and more importantly, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this could be my path forward. But just as quickly as the excitement surged, doubt crept in. This wasn't my world. Would these techniques even work against someone with a powerful quirk? Could a sword or a martial stance really stand up to a hero's specialized gear? I didn't know. But for now, I had no choice but to learn and adapt.
I clicked on the Energy stat next, hoping to better understand how my absorption worked. A warning message immediately flashed across the screen.
"You are currently holding the maximum amount of energy your body can handle. If you continue to absorb energy, your body will explode from the overload."
My heart stopped. Explosion? My mind raced, and I felt a cold sweat break out on the back of my neck. I wasn't sure what this meant, but it sounded bad. I could explode from holding too much energy?