Hundreds of miles away from Leo—far beyond untamed forests and ancient rivers—an old kingdom stood.
Its structures were not primitive.
They were monumental.
Stone towers etched with symbols that predated recorded history pierced the sky. Vast plazas lay silent beneath a sun that had watched civilizations rise and fall long before humans learned to write.
Within the deepest hall, a being slowly opened his eyes.
The moment they did, space itself seemed to tremble.
"…I sensed something," the being murmured.
A shadow detached itself from the pillars and knelt.
"My liege."
"Check the far west," the being commanded calmly. "There was a fleeting disturbance."
"Yes, my lord."
The shadow hesitated. "What was that presence?"
The being's gaze turned distant.
"It does not matter—for now," he replied. "The days of the end draw near. I must strengthen myself."
A low vibration rolled through the hall.
"Sithorn shall conquer."
Meanwhile, far away and completely unaware of the dangers quietly aligning against him, Leo continued living.
Training.
Hunting.
Building.
With his newly gained efficiency and expanding knowledge base, strange prey that once terrified him became manageable. His territory grew wider. His movements sharper. His judgment colder.
Processing mortar allowed him to reinforce structures. Forging improved as he experimented with stronger alloys. Strength training pushed his limits daily.
Then—
Another breakthrough.
Exercise – Lv 5
His muscles no longer merely grew.
They transformed.
Leo began researching herbs and medicines more deeply, testing safely on captured animals before applying results to himself. He entered a stable farming period, cultivating edible plants and maintaining sustainable food sources.
Once, he nearly brought down a dinosaur—striking from high ground with terrifying speed and precision.
Too bad it had been part of a herd.
Retreat saved his life.
Training never stopped.
One evening, beneath a cliff face worn smooth by time, Leo felt it.
An epiphany.
Exercise – Lv 5 → Evolution Detected
Internal Energy System: Martial Arts
An art that strengthens both the external body and internal circulation.
Something awakened.
Energy surged inward, then outward.
BOOM.
The ground beneath him cracked as his body transformed from the inside out.
His bones refined.
Organs strengthened.
Circulation optimized.
The answer settled clearly in his mind.
"The first realm of training…" he whispered, eyes shining. "The Body-Building Realm."
"And beyond it—an Innate Realm."
He straightened.
For now, he had surpassed the human limit.
His lifespan doubled.
Estimated Lifespan: 240 Years
His eyesight sharpened, capable of picking out minute details at extreme distances. Coordination became instinctive, effortless.
Leo clenched his fists, feeling power respond naturally.
"…Amazing."
With this level of strength, hesitation felt unnecessary.
The jungle no longer loomed like a prison.
It felt like a hunting ground.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Time to explore more," he said quietly.
He stepped forward.
"Let the hunt begin."