Arthur leaned back against a sturdy tree trunk within the illusion barrier, his body aching from the strain of soul force overload. His breathing had steadied, but his limbs were too heavy to move, as if the dense soul fog had seeped into his bones.
Still, even with the discomfort, a small, satisfied smile played at the corners of his lips.
"I guess… even something good can kill you… if you take too much of it at once."
The warmth pulsing in his soul core was proof of the night's gain. Despite nearly collapsing from the sheer density of soul force, Arthur had advanced. Real progress had been made.
"I'll do this again… tomorrow," he murmured. "Danger's a part of shortcuts."
As the mist gently drifted around him, Arthur mentally called open the system shop. Golden text and intricate glyphs shimmered into view, illuminating his weary face.
"Let's see if the system has something… anything that can stop my soul core from cracking open next time."
He began scrolling, eyes narrowing as he carefully examined each artifact and scroll.
1. Refined Soul Mesh Crystal
> Effect: Expands the soul core's capacity and resilience, allowing +500 bonus soul force before overload. Permanent upgrade.
"Perfect," Arthur muttered, already reaching into his inventory. "I can use this one right now."
With a thought, he activated the crystal. A gentle, cooling sensation spread from his core, like a fine mesh weaving around it—subtle, protective, and firm. Arthur exhaled with relief.
"Now I have more space to breathe… literally." Arthur finally sighed the sign of relief, untill now he has been feeling suffocated because of all the extra soul force inside his core. But as the capacity of his soul core has been increased slightly, he can finally relax a bit.
2. Secret Scroll: Thousand Vein Resonance
> Effect: Teaches the user to open and stabilize additional hidden soul channels, increasing soul circulation efficiency.
> Reduces overload risk by 50%, boosts absorption rate.
> Requirement: Spirit Power ≥ Level 10.
Arthur smiled. Both his Soul Spirits were now at level 11. He had reached the threshold needed to unlock this advanced technique.
"Tomorrow," he whispered. "Once I recover. This one's big—I'll need all my focus."
3. Scroll of Fragmented Breathing
> Effect: Boosts Whispering Soul Breathing efficiency by 1.5x. Fragments soul force into micro-breaths to prevent surge overload.
Arthur's eyes lingered on the scroll's icon.
"This one's basically made for my technique… but again, I need energy to practice it. I'll start training with it once I wake up."
4. Soul Core Expansion Elixir
> Permanently increases the maximum soul force capacity of the core by 10,000 points. Usable once per realm.
Arthur tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I've already stepped into the soul apprentice realm… so this is perfect. But… no point using it when I'm at my limit."
He placed the elixir aside for the next day. Even a golden fruit tasted bitter if eaten on an overstuffed stomach.
5. Fog-Breathing Jade Pendant
> Absorbs environmental soul fog and filters it into refined soul threads. +5 Soul Force per hour passively.
Arthur grinned and immediately equipped the pendant.
A gentle glow pulsed at his chest, drawing in the mist from the air around him. The fog shimmered faintly as it was pulled into the pendant and transformed into purified, thread-thin strands of soul energy. The refined soul threads then entered his body, steadily and safely replenishing him.
He could feel it working instantly—like a soft stream flowing into his dried well.
"This is broken… if I had this earlier, I wouldn't be half-dead right now," he chuckled weakly.
6. Crimson Spiral Totem
> Temporarily unlocks a higher-tier breathing state. Greatly increases absorption rate, but triples fatigue after use.
Arthur glanced at the swirling red totem symbol and shook his head with a breathless laugh.
"Not today, devil. You'll kill me faster than the fog."
He reclined fully, letting the jade pendant do its silent, tireless work. Each minute passed, and he felt a soft pulse of new soul force join his core. Slow and safe.
"Alright then… Mesh Crystal done. Pendant equipped. Thousand Vein Resonance and Breathing Scroll tomorrow. The elixir… soon."
He closed his eyes, the mist swirling gently over his skin.
"I'm going to build a core stronger than anyone. Even if I die trying."
Above him, the canopy shifted as a breeze rolled through the trees. In the distance, another wolf's howl echoed across the cliffs—haunting, patient, and close.
But Arthur was already asleep. And his soul… was growing.
His last conscious thought circled only one word—strength.
And with that lingering obsession echoing in his mind, he slipped into slumber without resistance.
The Next Morning…
"Arthur, wake up. Do you think we're on a damn picnic?"
The sudden voice crashed into Arthur's ears like a war drum, and before he could even think, his body reacted instinctively. He jolted upright with a sharp gasp, eyes wide and frantic as he scrambled to his feet like a startled cat. Leaves and dew scattered from his robe, and his wild gaze darted left and right.
A shadow loomed before him.
Grandmaster Kim stood tall, arms crossed, a deep furrow in his brow. The early morning mist clung to the edges of his robe, and his sharp eyes—faintly glowing gold with residual Qi—bore down on Arthur with the weight of a seasoned warrior.
"You brat," Kim said flatly, "your master waking up before his disciple… What a disgrace."
His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge behind the words. Not quite anger—more disappointment laced with dry sarcasm.
Arthur scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh, trying to keep his composure despite the adrenaline still racing in his veins.
"Grandpa… I was practicing all night," he said sheepishly. "Didn't you see? I collapsed right there," he added, pointing to the flattened patch of grass behind him like it was evidence in a court trial.
"Hmph." Grandmaster Kim looked him over—eyes flicking from the subtle soul energy still lingering around Arthur's core to the light fog twisting gently toward the jade pendant at his chest.
"I sensed it," Kim finally muttered. "Though it doesn't change the fact that if this were real combat, you'd be dead in your sleep before you even felt danger approaching."
Arthur dropped his gaze slightly. "Point taken."
But the old man didn't press further. His attention had already shifted—his body turning eastward, gaze locked toward the distance.
"The forest's restless this morning," Kim said, his tone dropping into something quiet but alert.
Arthur followed his master's line of sight.
The trees ahead stood taller, darker. Shadows moved deeper within the thickets, barely perceptible to the untrained eye. A strange tension hung in the air—one Arthur hadn't noticed until Kim spoke of it.
"Ironspike Gale Wolves," Kim continued. His golden eyes narrowed, shimmering brighter for a moment. "A small pack—scattered, but coordinated. I'd say… twelve, maybe fifteen. Most are low-tier, but I've sensed two alphas among them. Sharp minds. Nasty wind affinity."
Arthur's breath hitched. "They've caught the scent?"
"no, they can't, my protection and illusion talisman is working fine" Kim said, nodding. "well whatever, let's quickly kill one of them for you to get a soul ring." He said as this was just a matter of fact.
He motioned toward the base of the distant mountain, where the wind had grown erratic, carrying the scent of metal and fur.
Arthur looked at him and scratches his back of his head awkwardly "i feel bad for those wolves now."
Grandmaster Kim stepped forward, wind brushing his long sleeves back as he glanced up toward the looming ridges.
"We move. You only get one chance to forge your first ring. Let's make sure it counts."
The forest began to stir.
And far ahead, in the wind-wrapped hills, the wolves were already waiting.