### Chapter 4: The River's Edge
The next night, Tae-Hyun stared at his monitor, finger hovering over the login prompt for "Murim: Heavenly Lotus." His heart thudded, a mix of fear and anticipation threatening to choke him.
Would today's pain be worse? Would another quest force him to kill? He glanced at the window—beyond, neon lights flickered over the Seoul skyline, oblivious to the Murim world crouched behind a digital doorway.
> [Login Initiated…]
He closed his eyes. The system whirred. The world shuddered.
He landed beside a rushing river, moonlight glinting off dappled water. Gone was the grim forest from before; now, he stood on slippery stones, the air tinged with moss and mist.
Instantly, a notification blinked:
> [Quest: Slay the River Serpent]
> Reward: Cultivation Breakthrough, Unique Item Drop, Access to River Sect Reputation
Tae-Hyun swallowed. *A serpent?* Would it be some oversized snake, or one of those legendary beasts from old Murim tales?
Before he could ponder, a shriek split the silence. A sleek, scaled body surged from the river—teeth flashing, tail whipping through the fog. It was massive, at least eight meters long, scales glimmering sapphire in the moonlight.
His legs almost buckled. This was no regular game encounter.
> [River Serpent – Level 7]
> Qi Pressure: Intimidating. Your body's strength is insufficient.
He clenched his fists, channeling Flowing Water Fist stances. His Qi Vein pulsed—still weak, but enough to ready his nerves.
The beast lunged. Tae-Hyun threw his body sideways, rolling on wet stones, barely avoiding the snapping jaws. He countered with a punch, focusing on the flow—the art let him strike with the river's own rhythm.
It had no effect.
The serpent whirled, tail slamming into his side. Pain exploded in Tae-Hyun's ribs again; the sensation was more than a sharp sting—his vision went black, breath shuddering. He staggered, but didn't fall.
Don't panic. *Remember the scroll.* Flow. Blend. Yield.
He stepped back, using water to his advantage, sliding along slick rocks, narrowly dodging again.
But the river's current turned traitorous—a stone shifted, his ankle twisted, and he crashed into the cold water.
The serpent darted in, mouth yawning wide, ready to swallow him whole.
For a heartbeat, Tae-Hyun pictured himself dying here alone, his real body found lifeless in his apartment. The fear crystalized; he refused to die as trash.
"NO!" he roared, surging energy into his fist—his Qi, weak but burning, erupted.
His punch landed directly under the serpent's jaw. *Crack!*
A burst of cerulean light flashed; the monster howled and recoiled, scales rippling. A system message flickered:
> [Critical Hit!]
> [Martial Comprehension increased.]
Pain throbbed through his body, but adrenaline and Qi burned away hesitation. He channeled the Flowing Water technique again, this time pushing himself past what the scroll described—moving not as a student, but as a survivor desperate to live.
He repositioned; the serpent lunged—
And Tae-Hyun ducked, plunging his hand into the water, grabbing a heavy stone.
The beast's maw opened; he slammed the rock inside its throat and followed with two flawless punches—one, two, three—Qi pulsing each blow.
The serpent thrashed, eyes glazing over, then finally slumped into the moonlit river, blood streaming crimson.
Breathless, soaked, Tae-Hyun stared at the corpse. For a moment, all he could hear was his own ragged breathing.
> [Quest Complete: Slay the River Serpent]
> [Cultivation Breakthrough]
> [Unique Item Drop: Jade Qi Seed]
> [River Sect Reputation: Unlocked]
Warmth shivered through his entire body; his Qi swelled, filling his veins, strengthening his heart and mind. The Jade Qi Seed glowed—a fragment of raw energy. He clutched it, feeling the air vibrate.
"It… I did it," he whispered.
He hadn't just survived—he'd grown.
This wasn't a game anymore. It was a trial by blood, and he had passed.
***
### Chapter 5: System Upgrades
Back at the riverbank, Tae-Hyun slumped for a moment, letting relief roll over him. The Jade Qi Seed in his hand pulsed softly, a living ember of power.
Suddenly, the System Guide shimmered into view: a translucent, icy-haired woman, her robes swirling like mist.
"Azure Snow Fairy?" Tae-Hyun asked, remembering her from yesterday's scroll.
She eyed him with amused detachment, as if he were a child poking at a dragon's tail.
"You survived, login candidate. Acceptable performance, for a gutter rat."
Tae-Hyun glared. "Can you actually help, or just insult me?"
A faint grin tugged at her lips. "You're not ready for real Murim yet. But your river victory triggers your first system upgrade. Open your status window."
Tae-Hyun did:
> [Status Window – Jin Tae-Hyun]
> Strength: 5 → 7
> Speed: 4 → 6
> Vitality: 4 → 7
> Qi Control: 1 → 2
> Martial Comprehension: 2
Azure Snow Fairy nodded. "Absorb the Jade Qi Seed, and your meridians will grow. But remember: each death stains your soul. Lose too many lives in this realm, and both worlds will forsake you forever."
He shivered, recalling the murderous reality behind every fight. There was no reset, no comfort—but also, no ceiling for growth.
"Can I absorb it here?" he asked nervously.
She gestured elegantly. "Place it to your heart. Let your Qi guide you, not your fear."
Gritting his teeth, Tae-Hyun pressed the Jade Seed to his chest. Heat surged along his veins, filling him with power and clarity. His mind sharpened; his muscles shivered.
The system text glowed, triumphant but ominous:
> [Meridian Opening 2/12]
> [Cultivation Stage: Foundation Awakening]
> [New Techniques Unlocked: Water Flow Step, Qi Pulse Strike]
He staggered, overwhelmed.
Azure Snow Fairy faded, her voice lingering: "Two worlds. One life. Grow, or perish like all the failed candidates before you."
Tae-Hyun stared at the river, rain falling softly. Every quest, every fight—he would win, or he would die.
But now, for the first time, he felt something new:
Hope.
***
⚔️ End of Chapters 4–5.