Void wiped the sweat from his brow and exhaled slowly.
"Damn… that was exhausting. I held back as much as I could… but forget it."
The system's voice rang in his mind, calm yet unusually grave.
[Host, apologies for the late notification. There is something serious you must hear. Will you listen?]
Void straightened. "Of course. Speak."
[Host… I did not expect you to create a technique capable of slaughtering gods. But now, I can reveal why you were brought into this world.]
Void's eyes narrowed. "Tell me everything."
[I'm sorry, Host. I can only tell you part of it. Across the universe, the multiverse, and even the omniverse, there exists a place that only one person can reach. You have been chosen for it. I still cannot reveal the full truth, but know this—your future will be harsh. Grow stronger, as fast as you can.]
Void froze, stunned. Words failed him. "…Is that all you can say?"
[Forgive me, Host. For now, yes. Please focus on earning System Points as quickly as possible.]
Void exhaled slowly. "Fine. If you're this serious, I'll take it seriously too."
He walked to the massive tree the System had summoned beside his house and sat beneath its shadow. If I want to survive what's coming, I'll need more than raw power, he thought. I need abilities. Skills no one can match.
Hours passed in deep thought until at last he'd mapped out several terrifying techniques in his mind. He reached for the bread he'd taken from town—then froze.
A killing intent slashed through the forest.
"Killing intent?" Void murmured. "But it's not directed at me…" He smirked. "Interesting. Someone's bold enough to come this deep into my territory. Let's see."
Through the trees, an old man pursued a ragged boy, his attacks vicious. Even from a distance, Void could tell the man was a cultivator. By his speed alone, even a fool could tell. Yet what drew Void's gaze was the boy—bloodied, exhausted, eyes wide with terror.
The boy stumbled into the clearing and spotted Void, standing there in his white coat and blue hair like an immovable wall. He ran desperately and collapsed at Void's feet.
Void knelt slightly. "Hey kid, you alright?" He glanced toward the treeline. "And of all people, why run to me?" He smirked. "Alright, show yourself… three, two, one…"
The old man stepped out, face twisted. "You there! Hand over that boy and be gone!"
Void stared, silent.
The old man sneered. "What are you looking at, brat? You want to die too?"
Void's eyes glinted. "Old man, why are you chasing this boy? Why try to kill him?"
"None of your business! Hand him over and maybe I'll spare you!"
Void laughed softly. "Spare me? Hahaha… how hilarious. Tell me, old man, why risk your life? Who knows how little time you have left in that decrepit body?"
The man roared. "How dare you! You have a death wish? Then die!"
Void's brows lowered. He released a sliver of his pressure.
The old man's face drained of color. His knees buckled. What… what level is this monster? he thought as his bones cracked under invisible weight. In mere seconds, he was crushed to death—without Void ever lifting a finger.
Void tilted his head. "Huh. I'm getting the hang of this. Didn't expect him to die so soon, though. Even with more pressure than I used in Black Fire Town, he resisted longer. Interesting…" He looked at the boy. "Now what am I supposed to do with you?"
He carried the boy inside and called out. "System, what should we do with… this?"
[First of all, Host, he is a human, not a thing. Second… I don't know.]
Void gave the System a flat look.
[Don't look at me like that. I'm not a doctor.]
Void chuckled. "Fine. Anyway, how many System Points did that old bastard give me? He seemed stronger than those town weaklings."
[Indeed. Stronger than the entire Black Fire Town combined. You received 80 points. Your total is now 130.]
Void's grin widened. "Not bad. Before he died, he muttered something about a sect… I couldn't catch it. Anyway, I can make a new skill now, right?"
[Yes, Host.]
The boy stirred awake, eyes fluttering open. Seeing Void, he flinched.
"Hey brat, you awake? Why was that old man chasing you?"
"I—I don't know…" The boy's voice trembled.
"Calm down. He's gone. I killed him. Just tell me why."
"You… killed him?!" The boy stared. "W-What is your cultivation level, sir?"
"That's not important. Answer the question."
The boy hesitated, then spoke. "That man… he took me off the streets. I was a beggar. He's the elder of a great sect. He used me for experiments, made me do horrible things. It hurt so much… so I ran. He came to catch me."
Void's expression darkened. "I see. You don't need to fear him—or that so-called great sect. As long as you're with me, no one can harm you. And while we're at it, what's your name? I can't keep calling you 'boy.'"
The boy looked down. "I… don't have one. Since birth, no one's ever given me a name. Even he only called me 'boy.'"
Void's eyes softened. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Then from today onward, you have a name. Leon. How's that?"
The boy blinked, then smiled faintly. "Leon… it's a great name. Thank you, sir."
Void blinked. "Sir? Kind? No one's ever called me kind before…" He waved it off. "Anyway, once you recover, you can go wherever you want."
Leon hesitated. "Wh… what's your name, sir?"
Void smiled. "Void."
"Void… what a strange name…" Leon thought to himself. He killed even that old man… yet his words are so warm. Could he… would he accept me…? No, I can't ask that.
Void returned with food and fruit. "Leon," he said. "Do you want to be my disciple?"
Leon's eyes lit up. "Of course! From now on, should I call you Master?"
Void grinned. "Yes. Call me that." He chuckled. "Eat, then sleep. Recover."
"Yes, Master."
Void stepped back outside, sitting under the tree again. "System, what do you think about the boy?"
[Host, the boy is… extraordinary. No, 'extraordinary' is too small a word. His talent is ridiculous. Host, remember when I explained the System features? You also have a feature related to disciples.]
Void snapped his fingers. "Right. You said my future will be harsh. I'll need disciples who can stand beside me. This feature sounds interesting."
[You can set the disciple filter to whatever level you desire.]
"Then choose the highest of the highest. Only the best of the best talent shall come under me. Whenever such a child appears, notify me."
[As you wish, Host.]
Void looked back at the house. "System, how old is Leon?"
[Fourteen.]
"A fourteen-year-old disciple, huh…" Void
smirked. "We'll see what kind of monster you'll become. By the end of the day, I've found my first disciple. Hahaha…"
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