The System of Desires
Chapter 2 — First Fight, First Blush
Kai woke before dawn.
The Shen Clan compound was quiet, dew still clinging to the grass. He stretched, feeling his body hum with energy—stronger than yesterday, somehow. Maybe the medicine had worked, or maybe the System was already helping him adjust.
[Status Check Updated.]
A translucent screen popped up.
Status — Kai Shen
Realm: Mortal 3rd Stage (Peak)
Qi Reserves: 42/100
System Points: 0
Main Quest: Revive the Shen Clan
Sub-Quest: Make First Companion Blush (Progress: 0%)
Kai muttered, "Blush quest. Right."
He walked to the small courtyard well, splashed water on his face, and stared at his reflection.
"You died on Earth," he told himself. "You got a second chance. No more wasting time."
By the time the sun rose, the clan compound was stirring. Farmers headed toward the spirit fields, servants swept the courtyard, and the sound of wooden practice swords clashing echoed from the training yard.
Kai decided to head there. He needed to know just how rusty this body was.
Training Yard
A group of clan juniors were sparring when Kai arrived. Their laughter died the moment they saw him.
"Young Master Kai," one of them said stiffly, bowing.
Kai nodded, smiling. "Relax. I'm not here to pick a fight."
The juniors exchanged uneasy glances. The Kai of old always picked fights here.
"Actually," Kai said, picking up a wooden sword, "I need a sparring partner. Any volunteers?"
Silence.
Finally, a tall boy with a scar across his cheek stepped forward. "I will."
Kai grinned. "Good. Don't hold back."
The boy nodded, gripping his sword.
The spar started slow—just testing moves—but soon the boy struck hard. Kai parried, muscles remembering the rhythm.
Clack!
Clack!
Kai ducked, swept the boy's legs, and pressed the wooden blade to his throat.
The boy froze.
Kai stepped back, breathing hard but smiling. "Thanks. I needed that."
The juniors were staring at him as though they'd seen a ghost.
"Y-Young Master," one of them stammered. "You've… improved."
Kai shrugged. "Let's just say I had an epiphany while unconscious."
As Kai left the yard, a soft voice called out.
"Young Master."
Lian stood nearby, holding a tray of steaming buns.
"You skipped breakfast again," she said, frowning slightly.
Kai chuckled. "Caught me. Guess I was too focused on training."
She thrust the tray toward him. "Eat. You'll collapse again if you don't take care of yourself."
Kai took a bun and bit into it. "Thanks, Lian. You're too good to me."
She blinked, surprised at the genuine warmth in his tone.
Kai noticed the faint pink rising to her cheeks.
[Sub-Quest Progress: 50%]
Kai smirked. Halfway there.
"So," he said casually, "what do you think of me?"
Lian nearly choked. "Wh-What kind of question is that?"
Kai shrugged. "I mean… you've been looking after me all this time. You must think I'm worth something."
Her face went red. "I—You—! Young Master!"
She turned on her heel and hurried away, leaving Kai grinning like an idiot.
[Sub-Quest Complete: Make First Companion Blush.]
Reward: +10 System Points
New Ability Unlocked: Minor Desire Sense — You can faintly sense when a person feels attraction toward you.
Kai blinked as a faint, warm pulse echoed in his mind, pointing in Lian's direction.
"...Oh, this is going to be dangerous," he muttered, but he was still smiling.
The First Fight
Later that day, Kai went outside the compound to clear his head. The rolling hills were peaceful—until a rustling sound came from the brush.
A wild boar, its tusks glowing faintly with spiritual energy, charged toward him.
[Threat Level: Low — Spirit Beast, Rank 1.]
Kai's heart pounded, but he didn't run. He grabbed a fallen branch, holding it like a spear.
The boar charged again.
Kai sidestepped, stabbing at its side. The branch cracked but left a shallow wound.
"Okay," Kai muttered. "Need to aim better."
The boar turned for another charge.
This time, Kai waited until the last moment and then leapt aside, slamming the branch down on its skull. The beast collapsed, twitching before going still.
[Victory. +5 System Points. Qi increased by 10.]
Kai dropped the branch, breathing hard. "Alright… that wasn't so bad."
Then he heard clapping.
He spun around—and froze.
A young woman stood on a rock nearby, watching him. She was tall, dressed in a tight black outfit that marked her as someone not from the Shen Clan. Her hair was short, her expression amused.
"Not bad," she said. "For a spoiled clan brat."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
She leapt down gracefully, landing without a sound. "Me? Just passing through. Name's Yue."
"Yue," Kai repeated.
She tilted her head. "You've got spirit. I like that. Maybe I'll stick around and watch what you do next."
[Potential Companion Identified: Yue — Compatibility 72%]
Kai groaned inwardly. "Of course."
Yue smirked. "Relax. I'm not here to kill you. Yet."
With that cryptic line, she turned and vanished into the trees.
Kai stood there, branch still in hand, heart racing.
"System," he muttered, "I think I just met trouble."
[Affirmative. High potential for future alliance or conflict detected.]
Kai sighed. "Great. Because my life wasn't complicated enough already."
That evening, he sat in his courtyard again, meditating. The fight had left him sore but strangely energized.
He could still feel the warmth of Lian's blush in his mind. And Yue's sharp gaze haunted him.
"This world is insane," Kai said softly. "But… maybe it's exactly what I needed."
The System chimed softly.
[New Quest: Impress Yue.]
Objective: Demonstrate strength or wit to gain Yue's interest.
Reward: +30 System Points, Unlock [Qi Condensation Guidance].
Kai grinned, excitement sparking in his chest.
"Alright then," he whispered. "Challenge accepted."