The alley was silent save for the shallow, ragged breaths tearing from Kairen's chest. His body ached with every movement, his skin bruised and torn from days of hunger and fights in the slums. Yet above the pain, a faint light shimmered in his vision—the orb that had appeared two weeks ago when his consciousness was about to fade.
He had survived the 14-day trial by a hair's breadth. And now, as the orb pulsed gently, its voice rang clear.
[ Initialization Complete. Infinite Growth System Online. ]
Kairen's eyes widened. "S-System…?"
[ Host recognized. Soul integration successful. ][ Vital functions stabilized. Restoration protocol active. ]
A warm current flooded through him, not erasing his injuries but knitting them enough to hold him upright. His mind, however, was a tempest. This wasn't a fever dream. It was real.
The orb glowed brighter, casting its light over the filthy bricks and refuse of the alley.
"Host," the system intoned, "to survive in this world, you must first understand the structures of power. All paths differ, yet they are bound by one truth: strength determines destiny."
The Path of Cultivators
The air rippled. Suddenly Kairen was no longer in the alley but standing before mountains that pierced the heavens. Rivers of mist swirled around monks seated in lotus positions, their bodies glowing with inner light.
"The cultivators of the Celestial Empire walk the path of body and soul. They refine themselves against the limits of mortality, seeking to transcend."
Symbols appeared one by one before him.
Body Refinement (Lv. 1–10): Tempering muscles, bones, and organs into weapons.
Qi Gathering (Lv. 1–10): Drawing spiritual energy into the body, laying the foundation of cultivation.
Core Formation (Lv. 1–10): Condensing energy into a golden core.
Nascent Soul (Lv. 1–10): Birth of a soul-self, capable of leaving the body to command energy directly.
Ascension Realms… blurred, as though forbidden.
"These levels define their journey. Each stage is a wall. Each level a climb. Few rise beyond Qi Gathering. Fewer still glimpse the path of Ascension."
Just the first realm was already divided into ten steps. Power here wasn't just talent—it was decades of clawing upward.
The Path of Tamers
The vision shifted to jungles and endless plains. Children raised hands toward beasts—wolves, lions, scaled serpents. Threads of glowing light connected them, soul to soul.
"In the Beastlands, strength is measured by your bond. A tamer's companion is both shield and sword."
Initiate (Lv. 1–10): Forming the first bond with a beast.
Beastkin (Lv. 1–10): Sharing senses and instincts.
Alpha (Lv. 1–10): Commanding packs, bending beasts to the will of the soul.
Symbiosis (Lv. 1–10): Becoming one with a creature in body and spirit.
Kairen saw a boy merge with a massive wolf, their bodies shimmering, their howls united.
The Path of Spiritualists
The scene darkened, stars blooming in the void. Figures robed in white floated, their eyes glowing. Spirits of flame, water, and shadow danced at their command.
"The Sanctum of Spirits commands forces unseen. Their path is communion."
Whisperer (Lv. 1–10): Hearing faint echoes of spirits.
Invoker (Lv. 1–10): Calling minor spirits into the world.
Channeler (Lv. 1–10): Allowing spirits to flow through the body, granting power.
Embodiment (Lv. 1–10): Fusing with greater spirits, wielding their might.
A man fused with a storm spirit split mountains with a single gesture.
The Path of Knights and Mages
The vision turned to armored knights beneath banners, swords glowing faintly, and robed magi weaving circles of flame and frost.
"Where some worlds separate blade and spell, Eternia demands balance."
Knights: Apprentice → Iron Knight → Silver Knight → Gold Knight → Rune Knight → Sacred Knight.
Mages: Novice → Apprentice → Adept → Magus → Archmage → Grand Magus.
Simpler in structure, but their growth was steady—and deadly.
Kairen's head spun. Cultivators, tamers, spiritualists, knights, mages—each with levels, hierarchies, mountains to climb.
The Races of Eternia
The tapestry of visions flared, showing countless forms.
"Elves of the Eternal Forest, born with affinity for spirit and song. Dwarves of the Shattered Peaks, masters of forging and stone. Dragons, sovereign beings whose breath reshapes worlds. Demons of the Abyss, born of shadow and hunger. And more—beings of nightmare and wonder."
Kairen saw a dragon ripping through armies, an elf weaving vines into spears, a demon's wings blotting out the sun.
"This world is not kind to the weak," the system whispered. "Here, prey is devoured. Here, only the strong write history."
Kairen clenched his fists. The slums had already taught him that lesson.
Mechanics of Infinity
The orb pulsed again, brighter.
[ Core Principle: Your growth has no ceiling. Every skill, every path is yours. There is no maximum level, no ultimate realm. ]
[ Unique Features: ]
Cross-Path Integration: Combine abilities across paths.
Attribute Infinity: No stat caps. Growth is limitless.
Skill Evolution: Any skill can evolve infinitely.
System Quests: Constant challenges with scaling rewards.
"No ceiling…?" Kairen whispered.
"Impossible," he muttered, trembling.
"Host," the system replied, "impossible is merely what the weak call the undiscovered."
Bloodline Whispers
The orb flared crimson.
[ Warning: Latent Bloodline Detected. Resonance Unstable. Sealed for Host's safety. ]
Kairen stiffened. "Bloodline… sealed? What does that mean?"
"This body was not ordinary," the system intoned. "Though discarded in the slums, its lineage is strong. Resonance has recognized you, but awakening would destroy your current form. Until you are stronger, it must remain sealed."
Fragments flickered in his mind—faces he'd never seen, a lullaby he'd never heard. His chest tightened.
This body's family… were they someone powerful?
No answer came.
The First Long-Term Quest
[ Quest Unlocked: Path of Infinity. ]
Objective: Reach Level 10 in any path within one year.
Optional: Attempt fusion of two paths.
Reward: Unlock Bloodline Fragment.
Failure: Severe regression of attributes.
A year? Cultivators spent lifetimes stuck at Qi Gathering. Tamers died before reaching Symbiosis. Failure meant regression—death.
But fire burned in Kairen's chest. "I'll do it," he swore.
[ Acknowledged. Quest Accepted. ]
Attribute Surge
[ Quest Chain Initiated: Starter's Blessing. ]
Bonus Reward: Beginner's Growth Surge.
Warmth surged through him. Bones cracked faintly, muscles twitched.
[ Strength +3. Agility +3. Endurance +3. Willpower +2. ][ New Skill Acquired: Meditation (Lv. 1). ]
Kairen gasped. The world felt different. His breath was steady, his wounds dulled. He punched a wall—cracks spiderwebbed across the stone.
"This… this is just the beginning."
The Warning
The orb dimmed suddenly.
"Host, caution. Growth this rapid leaves traces. Already, your actions disturb the slums."
Footsteps crunched at the alley's mouth.
Kairen spun. A tall figure stood there, broad-shouldered, torchlight gleaming across a scarred face. The man didn't move. He only watched.
The system whispered one final line before fading.
[ New Directive: Conceal. Survive. Grow. ]
The shadow stepped forward. His eyes gleamed with something sharp, something dangerous.
This was no scavenger. No thug.
Someone had noticed.
And Kairen's secret was no longer safe.