lex was sprawled out in the guest room, lounging on a luxurious chair made from Level-2 Blue Thunder Tiger hide and Eight-Grace Sacred Wood. He sipped his Spirit-Calming Tea—a Grade-1 Celestial Treasure—and nodded in thanks to the servant who brought it. His gaze drifted upward, fixing on the ceiling decorated with calligraphic illustrations of his ancestors slaying beasts with their sacred instruments.
But his mind was elsewhere, haunted by the thought of whether he could actually complete the task Master William had demanded of him.
"Damn it… where the hell is that guy now?" Alex muttered, his nerves tightening. If he didn't kick those balls today, his dreams of cultivation would crumble. Deep inside, he cursed the system, his fate of being born deaf, and the cruel whims of destiny.
"HEY, YOU ROTTEN BRAT! GET OVER HERE AND GREET YOUR ELDERS!" William bellowed, shoving the door open as two elders followed him inside. They looked visibly annoyed—clearly dragged here against their will by William's insistence.
Alex recognized them immediately.
The first was Elder Robert from the Re Tower—over two meters tall, bald, with a thick crimson beard and piercing red eyes. Dressed like a northern barbarian, he was infamous for the legendary slaughter he committed during the beast invasion four years ago. Thousands had died while he cheerfully played a rapid allegro on his piano. It had been madness—a joyful massacre.
"Hahaha! Little Alex!" Robert shouted. "I heard you found a technique that made you a genius by kicking balls! I can't wait to see it. Come on, kid! Do your old uncle a favor and crush mine!"
Alex shuddered internally. It was genuinely humiliating to hear such a thing from an elderly barbarian.
Standing next to him was Elder Charles from the Sol Tower. Cold, sharp eyes, a black cloak, a hidden flute, and a long, cone-shaped black hat made him a mysterious figure. At 320 years old, he was a Peak Grand Musician, ranked second in power and respect only to the sect master.
"Boy, I hope this technique isn't nonsense. If I smell even the faintest lie, prepare to spend two years in the sect dungeon," he said, his gaze piercing through Alex like a dagger.
Alex frowned. He couldn't read their lips—Robert's beard and Charles's enormous hat completely blocked his view. All he could do was watch the bizarre scene unfold.
"You idiots!" William snapped. "The kid's deaf! Literally can't hear a damn thing. Now shut up and get in line. Let him get this over with!"
Embarrassed, Robert and Charles stepped forward and knelt beside William, silently praying for the safety of their precious family jewels and their own well-being.
William leaned down. "Don't worry, kid. He's just a mortal. If it weren't for your father's request, this circus wouldn't even be happening. Now go on. We don't have all day."
Hearing the sect master's name, the elders straightened up, briefly grinned, and then solemnly composed themselves.
Alex made his first move—and kicked William square in the groin.
"AHHH! What the hell?! Why does it hurt so much?!" William groaned, collapsing to the ground while clutching himself.
The elders couldn't hold back their laughter.
"Hahaha! So soft, William!" they teased.
Alex glanced at his soft shoes and thin legs. "How did that even work?" he wondered.
DING! Passive effect of host's technique has been activated.
"What does that mean?" Alex asked.
DING!Host's ability passively distorts reality to inflict intense pain, regardless of the target's level.
Alex exhaled. This power was more than he had imagined.
"I'm sorry, elders… No hard feelings. But my destiny depends on this. I have to do it."
He moved on to the next elder.
"Alright, boy! Show us what the son of the sect master can do!" Robert said excitedly.
WHACK!
"AAAGHHHH!" Robert collapsed to the ground, eyes bloodshot, writhing. Internally, he was reliving childhood memories—of his father's harsh slaps.
"Tch tch… no wonder you never reached the peak," Charles muttered.
Finally, it was Charles's turn. Alex kicked.
"…."
No sound.
But Charles was crying. Sobbing uncontrollably, as if enduring the worst pain of his life.
Normally, Alex would've laughed until the man broke down.
But right now, the only thing that mattered was whether he had completed the mission.
DING!"Ball Crusher" quest complete!
Quest Complete: Ball Crusher
Description: Born deaf and cursed by fate, you rebelled by kicking the balls of three master Musicians. Roar in your silence.
Objective: Kick 3 Master Musicians.
Reward: Cultivation Technique 'Deaf Strings', +1 Skill Point
Failure Penalty: None (Seriously? None? You lucky bastard.)
Time Limit: 3 days
Completion Note: PERFECT. We wanted to scare you a little, but you pulled it off. Your reward shall not be empty.
Bonus Reward: +4 Skill Points
Without hesitation, Alex opened the user panel.
USER PANEL
Name: Alex Aliostar
Age: 13
BODY: 10
MIND: 10
ESSENCE: 0
CULTIVATION: —
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES: Deaf Strings
TECHNIQUES: Ball Crusher
MAGIC: -
AFFINITIES: Sound (80%), Shadow (65%)
BLOODLINES: God of Sound, Descendant of the Shadow Warlock
ATTRIBUTE POINTS: 5 SKILL POINTS: 5
Alex's fingers trembled as he noticed the newly gained points and unlocked technique. He immediately tapped it.
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUE: Deaf Strings (0/5)
Description: The fourth-generation heir of the God of Sound lost his hearing—and his ears—in battle. But he refused to surrender. He bound his soul, body, and essence to his violin. He became the violin, and the violin became him. He ruled eternity. Now, a portion of his karmic path is shared with others who once suffered like him.
Requirements: Bloodline of the God of Sound, (+75%) Sound Affinity
Alex read the description over and over again. But one burning question lingered in his mind.
"Hey System, why is the creator of the technique only referred to as 'that person'?"
He no longer cared about the power of the technique or the crying old men.
All that mattered was that person.
Someone who had suffered like him, and never gave up. Alex wanted to find them.
DING!Karmic level insufficient to learn the name. 3D parameters detected. Immediate existential ascension recommended.
Alex let out a bitter chuckle.
He realized just how insignificant he truly was.
Staring at the words, he whispered to himself:
"I guess I have to start small. First goal: reach the level where I can learn that person's name."