Mist still clung to the edges of the forest when Seraphina finally stepped beyond its shadowed border, her compressed form keeping her exaggerated curves hidden. The suppression of her G‑cup bust and rounded hips felt strange, almost like wearing armor over her own body, but she had learned to move with the subtle tension of her muscles coiled and ready. Her short, cropped hair—merely an extension of her compressed form—swung lightly with each step, giving her the tomboy impression she intended. Beneath the gentle sway of her limbs, Fire Qi hummed in her veins, but she kept it controlled, not daring to reveal the slightest hint of her power to anyone in this unfamiliar territory.
The path ahead sloped downward, lined with cobbled stones from centuries of use by the villagers who lived just beyond the treeline. She could see smoke curling lazily from chimneys in the distance and hear the faint murmur of voices—children laughing, merchants calling out prices, and the occasional bark of a dog. The sunlight dappled through the treetops, warm and comforting against her skin, but her mind remained alert. She had learned too much in the forest to approach even a peaceful village carelessly.
As she descended, she passed a stream that cut across her path, water clear and teeming with fish. She crouched for a moment, letting her hand brush the surface, feeling the flow of Qi through the water as she drew it in with a controlled breath. Each inhale sent a spark of energy through her system, and she noted the subtle gain in her EXP with a pleased smile.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active
EXP Gained: +1
Her steps resumed, careful yet light, toes gripping stones and moss alike. She had practiced walking silently for hours in the forest, and now the skill paid off. Not a single villager noticed her as she entered the outskirts, giving her time to study the village before making herself known.
The village itself was modest: wooden huts with thatched roofs, cobbled paths winding between small gardens where herbs and vegetables grew in tidy rows, and a central square where merchants displayed their wares. A small market bustled with activity—a woman sold bread, a boy carried jugs of water, and a man repaired leather shoes. She noted each person, each movement, all potential allies or sources of work.
Her gaze fell on a small notice board at the center of the square. Notices of tasks for adventurers were pinned there—delivery work, escorting villagers to nearby forests, collecting herbs. She stepped closer, scanning the paper.
"Messenger work… herb gathering… pay per task…" She muttered to herself. "This will be enough for a start, and it keeps me active. Perfect."
She had expected the village to be wary of strangers, but as she adjusted her posture, her compressed tomboy form gave her an approachable aura. Her trousers and shirt were simple, functional, and loose enough to hide her Core Formation body while still accentuating the subtle grace she moved with. Even with suppression, her movements betrayed strength—graceful arcs, fluid steps, and a light bounce in her stride that could charm even the unobservant eye.
The first person she encountered was Elder Haron, a tall, thin man with silver hair and a lined face that spoke of decades overseeing the village. He was inspecting the notice board and glanced up as she approached.
"You there," he said, voice deep but curious. "Are you looking to work?"
"Yes, sir," Seraphina replied, bowing slightly, hands folded behind her back. "I can deliver messages, carry items, gather herbs… whatever is needed."
Haron's eyes narrowed as he assessed her. "You're young. Strong enough for the work, I hope?"
Seraphina smirked lightly. "Stronger than I look, sir."
He allowed a small smile. "Very well. Start with the herb gathering. Lina will show you the gardens."
From behind a wooden stall, a cheerful young woman stepped forward. Lina, the village herbalist, had dark hair tied in a simple braid and eyes that sparkled with curiosity. "I'll take you to the best spots," she said, voice light. "Try not to break anything… or step on the herbs."
Seraphina followed her through winding paths to the herb gardens, feeling the weight of her compressed form and the coiled energy in her muscles. Every step, every breath was a cultivation exercise, even if she didn't intend it. She bent to pluck leaves carefully, mindful of her posture, the way her arms shifted, and the subtle shifts in her hips suppressed by Core Formation control. Each careful movement increased her mastery over her compressed form and Fire Qi integration.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active
EXP Gained: +60
"Wow," Lina whispered, glancing at her work. "You move like… like a professional already. How did you learn?"
Seraphina chuckled softly. "Let's just say the forest was… educational."
As the morning passed, Seraphina's movements grew even more precise. She inhaled slowly, drawing Qi from the surrounding environment, letting it flow through her lungs and into her muscles. The process was simple but effective. Her Core Formation cultivation allowed her body to absorb energy directly from the atmosphere, enhancing strength, agility, and endurance with each breath.
[System Notification]
Core Formation Qi Inhalation Technique Acquired
Effect: Gains 1 EXP per minute through environmental Qi absorption
Her gaze swept the horizon while kneeling to pick herbs. A rustle in the bushes caught her attention—a small deer, timid and wide-eyed, emerged from the edge of the trees. She froze, suppressing her presence further. The deer sniffed the air, clearly sensing her but dismissing her as an unimportant being. Seraphina smiled under her breath. Even in compressed form, she could influence the environment subtly, her presence graceful enough to charm the weak-willed animal without needing to fight. The deer bounded away, and she returned to her work.
"Careful with that root," Lina said, noticing her fingers near a particularly rare herb. "It needs to stay intact for drying. Break it and we lose its potency."
Seraphina nodded, adjusting her grip. "Got it." She flexed her fingers, feeling Qi pulse along the veins in her arms, reminding her of the power she controlled, yet kept hidden.
By midday, she had gathered a significant bundle of herbs. Lina clapped her hands. "Perfect. Elder Haron will be pleased. Let's deliver these next."
The messenger work began immediately. Seraphina carried the herbs to a distant house on the edge of the village, following cobbled paths and small bridges over streams. Each step was careful, yet every movement refined her balance and agility. The villagers she passed glanced at her with curiosity, noting the boyish tomboy appearance. Her short hair, loose trousers, and simple shirt hid her true form completely, yet her natural aura of vitality—suppressed but undeniable—gave her an air of competence and charm.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active
EXP Gained: +120
At the house, she knocked gently. A middle-aged woman opened the door, surprised to see such a young messenger. "Oh! You brought the herbs already?"
"Yes, ma'am," Seraphina said with a smile, handing over the carefully bundled plants.
The woman examined them and nodded appreciatively. "You've done a good job. Here's your payment." She handed her a small pouch of bronze coins.
Seraphina placed the pouch in her satchel, her system automatically converting it into shop points for later use.
[System Notification]
Shop Points Gained: +15 SP
Her first task complete, she returned to the village center to report to Elder Haron. He smiled slightly. "Efficient," he said. "If you keep this up, there will always be work for you."
The afternoon passed with more tasks: delivering messages to other parts of the village, picking herbs with Lina's guidance, and assisting Rin, the shy apprentice messenger, who struggled to keep up with the pace. Seraphina found herself giving gentle advice, adjusting his posture, and showing him how to bend, lift, and step without strain. Her suppressed form allowed her to demonstrate without revealing her true Core Formation strength.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active
EXP Gained: +240
At one point, a sudden rustle in the market startled her—a fox darted between the stalls, eyes glinting with curiosity. Seraphina froze instinctively, drawing on Fire Qi to alert her body. The fox stopped and stared, confused by her suppressed presence yet charmed subtly by her aura. Without a word, it trotted away. No combat, no danger—just a minor test of her awareness.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active
EXP Gained: +60
By late afternoon, Seraphina found a quiet corner near the village river to rest. She placed her bundle of herbs carefully beside her and took a long drink from her water skin. Her muscles throbbed pleasantly, a testament to the work and passive cultivation combined. Each breath drew Qi from the environment, increasing her EXP steadily.
[System Notification]
EXP Gained: +120
She glanced at her system screen:
[Status Interface]
Name: Seraphina Vale
Height: 5'5"
Cultivation Path: Core Formation — Layer 1
Basic Stats:
Strength: 27+3
Agility: 28+5
Endurance: 28+10
Balance: 28+5
Stat Points: 24 (Unassigned)
Techniques:
• Fireball — Advanced
• Fire Fist — Mastery (Partial)
• Fire Palm — Mastery (Partial)
• Fire Step — Advanced
• Fire Guard — Intermediate
• Qi Infusion — Mastery
• Compressed Form — Active/At Will
• Core Formation Qi Inhalation Technique — Active
EXP: 560 / 3000
Shop Points: 30 SP
Inventory: None
She smiled, feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. The day had been long, the tasks simple yet exhaustive, and every step contributed to her cultivation. The passive technique she had acquired allowed her to gain EXP at absurd speed, far beyond any ordinary mortal. She felt her body responding—the compressed muscles relaxing, her suppressed form holding strong, and her senses alert to the faintest movements.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the village, Seraphina reflected on the day's work. She had interacted with villagers, learned the lay of the land, delivered herbs, guided Rin, and subtly exerted her charm without revealing her true power. Her Core Formation cultivation had progressed, and her passive technique ensured she gained more experience than she could ever in a single day of combat in the forest.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active
EXP Gained: +240
Her mind wandered to tomorrow—more herbs, more messages, perhaps even exploring the outskirts of the village. For the first time, she felt the delicate balance of living among humans: the mundane yet vital tasks, the interaction, the subtle cultivation of relationships and skills.
She flexed her fingers, feeling Fire Qi coil within, suppressed yet ready. Her compressed form had proven perfect for this environment: strong enough to handle physical labor, agile enough to avoid mishaps, and subtle enough to prevent unnecessary attention.
Sitting by the river, Seraphina let herself relax fully for the first time since leaving the forest. The village seemed quiet now, the villagers engaged in evening routines, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves around her. She inhaled deeply, allowing Qi to flow through her lungs, muscles, and nerves.
[System Notification]
Passive Core Formation Cultivation Active — EXP Gained: +1 per minute
Her first day in the village was complete. She had survived, thrived, and cultivated, all while maintaining a carefully constructed tomboy façade.
As darkness approached, Seraphina allowed herself a small, mischievous smile. "By the time anyone knows who I really am," she whispered, "I'll be untouchable… and having way too much fun pretending to be ordinary."
Her body relaxed, yet her senses remained alert. Every muscle, every fiber, every breath contributed to her rapid cultivation. She was Core Formation now, progressing at a speed unmatched in the world, and the village would never suspect that beneath the ordinary tomboy appearance lay a being of terrifying potential.