On the third day, Noah felt something strange.
While he was breaking rocks, he noticed the blue crystals weren't all the same. Some shone brightly, some trembled slightly as if they were breathing. One—small, hidden beneath a mass of stone—was giving off a faint sound, like a whisper.
He leaned closer.Touched it with his finger.
At that very moment, the ground quaked.A glowing screen appeared before his eyes:
Interaction with a Pure Source detected.Condition: Extract the crystal without breaking it.
Noah froze. The slaves around him saw nothing.The officer was far away.But the old man in the corner—tall, thin, with eyes that seemed to watch the world from beyond—looked at him.He didn't move his lips, but slowly nodded, as if saying: "Do it."
Carefully, with only his fingertips, Noah traced the cracks. He felt energy seeping from the crystal, flowing into his body like a gentle current.
If I use the pickaxe, I'll break it.If I take too long, the officer will come.
Slowly, as if pulling a beating heart from a chest, he drew the crystal out of the stone.
A flash of blue light exploded between his fingers.Mission complete.
The crystal began to disintegrate. Pain surged through Noah's veins, like an electric charge tearing him apart. After a short while, the pain ceased—just in time, before the officer's return. Noah went back to work, pretending nothing had happened.
Yet something had changed.The system screen now appeared at his will.
Stats:
Strength: F
Vitality: F-
Perception: F+
Unknown Energy: G
Noah frowned at the new stat, then made a vow: the only way to survive was to get closer to the old man.
That evening, he repeated the same routine, but began rationing his food—leaving himself only water and a large piece of bread, while saving the rest. He had now gathered thirty crystals.
At night, when the others chatted, Noah approached the old man."What was that thing?" he asked.
The old man glanced at him with boredom."Why should I answer you?"
Noah, expecting this, pulled out a small pouch and revealed ten stones."Do you think that's enough?" the old man said coldly. "Ask me one question, and I'll answer."
Noah hesitated. He remembered the system's warning—others would see his class as a threat. He forced a calm voice:"I… have no class."
The old man's eyes sharpened."If you're lying, I'll kill you."
Noah trembled, but held his ground. The old man finally spoke:"The substance you absorbed is pure energy. Its origin is unknown, but it is the foundation of every class. With it, you can ascend into higher classes."
"I… I've lost my memory," Noah lied, his voice uneasy. "Can you explain more?"
"It's not uncommon for slaves to lose their memories. Sometimes they are forced to." He pointed at Noah's system screen. "Classes are divided into ranks: G < F < E < D < C < B < A. Most people here are stuck at G or F. Common classes. Weak classes. Each class grants you skills, shaped by its nature. For example, most slaves here have the 'Bandit' class, rank F. Their main skill is simply intimidation. The easier a class is to obtain, the weaker it is.
"There are four ways to acquire a class:
To be born with a gift, like elemental benders.
To inherit it, like noble titles.
To be granted one by the system itself.
Or to earn it through great deeds.
As for stats, they can be trained—but only up to a point. To go further, you'll need special methods."
He leaned closer."I have a way to help you grow that pure energy. But you'll owe me a favor."
Without thinking, Noah said: "I agree. I swear I'll repay you."
"Then let us bind it through the system. Here, we make contracts in its name. And one warning—never reveal loyalty to any god. If you do, you may end up burned."
A glowing screen appeared:
Technical pact: Energy cultivation method in exchange for one service. Accept?
Noah accepted.
"You can read, can't you?" the old man asked, removing his shirt. Strange runes were tattooed across his chest and stomach. Somehow, Noah could read them. The moment he did, a system notification appeared:
Class: StrangerSkills:
Absolute immunity to class-based effects (cannot be controlled, drained, or tracked).
Ability to understand and speak the world's language.
[Locked]
Drawbacks:
Marked as prey by all who fear the unknown.
Noah ignored the warning and focused on the text. It described a bizarre exercise, a breathing technique mixed with blood circulation. He practiced until he memorized it.
"Now try it," the old man said.
Noah repeated the technique. At first, nothing. Then—
Something burst in his head.It was as if closed doors had swung open.He saw the flow of blood through his body.Time slowed. The movements of chains, the heartbeats around him, even the trembling of the earth became clear.
The sensation vanished, but he now understood the technique. He checked his system:
Stats:
Rank: F+
Class: Stranger (X)
Strength: F
Vitality: F-
Perception: E
Unknown Energy: G
The old man smirked."Not bad. You've got some talent. Keep practicing—you'll see what pure energy can do."
"Thank you," Noah whispered.
"Don't thank me. You'll repay this favor."
That night, Noah trained until exhaustion and fell asleep.
The next morning, he woke to screams. The officer was mercilessly whipping a young slave with blond hair and blue eyes—even before the drums of labor had begun. Today, his cruelty was worse than ever.
During the lunch break, Noah bought an extra piece of bread and water. He walked over to the beaten boy and offered it.
The youth looked at him in shock and suspicion. But hunger won, and he accepted.
After finishing, he whispered:"My name is Chris, from the Kingdom of Light. I swear—I will repay your kindness."