Mae-Bi pushed open the cracked wooden door to his quarters, ready to rest—
Only for a shadow to fall toward him from the dark.
His body moved before his mind caught up.
He sidestepped, pivoted, and threw the figure hard over his shoulder.
THUD.
The stranger crashed into the wall and slumped to the ground with a groan.
Mae-Bi blinked, hand still raised, confused.
"...Did I just do that?"
[System Response: Reflex level enhanced after breakthrough. Reaction speed increased by 32%.]
He stared at his palm, remembering the fight... the weight of Qi moving more naturally now... the way his body responded before he even thought.
The person on the ground groaned again.
Jin.
Of course it was Jin.
"Seriously?!" Jin hissed. "I was coming to check on you!"
Mae-Bi exhaled and scratched the back of his neck. "My bad. I thought you were an assassin."
"You are an assassin!"
"...That's fair."
Jin climbed to his feet, brushing dust off his robes and glaring.
"Judging by that throw, looks like we're in the same realm now. So it's true you really broke through the third gate, huh? Pulse Opening Stage."
Mae-Bi stretched his arms lazily. "Of course. Didn't you see the impurities steaming off my body this morning ?"
Jin grimaced. "Yeah. You smelled like burnt dung and regret. I tried not to think about it."
"It was the scent of progress."
"It was the scent of dead rats."
They both laughed, and for a moment, things felt like they used to.
But then Jin leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Still... it's hard to believe. You changed in just two days. That's not like you."
Mae-Bi just smiled faintly. "People change. Or die."
"Okay, don't go all mysterious grandpa on me."
Jin waved it off. "Anyway, let's talk about the real question: What happened when you saw the Lord? I mean—how are you even still alive?"
"Of course I'm alive," Mae-Bi said, as if it were obvious. "They sent us on a mission to retrieve the pill."
"I know. First Commander briefed us while you were gone."
Jin nudged him. "Still, I should be calling you First Commander now. Never thought I'd say it, but... I'm kinda proud of you."
"Eugh, don't start," Mae-Bi said, cringing. "That's disgusting."
Jin grinned. "What? You don't like a little wholesome encouragement? Should I dress like a woman next time to impress you?"
Mae-Bi paused, expression going blank.
"Absolutely not."
He pushed Jin toward the door without another word.
"Before I puke, get out. We'll gather the squad tomorrow. I need to prep them properly for this mission. First Commander hasn't given me the departure date yet."
Jin mock-saluted on his way out.
"Roger, Commander."
The door slammed shut.
Mae-Bi leaned against it, exhaling.
The room was quiet now.
But he knew...
Tomorrow, the blood would start again.
Mae-Bi leaned back on his bedding and exhaled.
"System."
[Active.]
"You said earlier I've only used three percent of your power, right? Does that mean... there's a way to unlock more?"
[Affirmative.]
[User's current utilization rate: 3.87%]
Mae-Bi blinked. "You serious?"
[Extremely.]
[You lack muscle density, Qi stability, stamina threshold, spiritual resistance, and core elasticity.]
The system paused.
Then added—
[Also... your body weight ratio is a disgrace.]
Mae-Bi stared at the ceiling. "...Are you mocking me right now?"
[I am simply being honest. Your physique is not built for anything beyond running from responsibility.]
Mae-Bi rolled his eyes. "Fine. Then show me. A real progress book or something. Whatever you got."
There was a pause.
Then—
FWOMP.
A massive translucent window erupted in the air in front of him, floating just inches above the floor. It pulsed with faint blue light, lines of text and symbols flickering across it like constellations.
"W-Whoa!"
Mae-Bi yelped, tripping over his own foot and landing on his backside. He scrambled backward until his back hit the wall, staring wide-eyed at the screen.
"What in the seven hells is that?!"
He reached forward, trying to touch it.
His fingers passed through.
No texture. No resistance. Just a shimmer of light.
He narrowed his eyes.
"...Are you sure you're not some kind of god or Buddha?"
[Incorrect.]
[I am a system. Not divine. Not sentient. I do not care if you live or die — unless you ask me to.]
[I grant opportunities. Wishes, if you like. What you do with them is up to you.]
Mae-Bi stared at the floating screen, heartbeat finally slowing.
A part of him still didn't fully believe this was real.
But another part?
The part that had died once?
That part knew:
This was his second life.
And this time, he had help.
The screen flickered — then solidified into a clear profile window.
[SYSTEM STATUS WINDOW – USER: MAE-BI]
Name: Mae-Bi
Age: 18
Sex: Male
Cultivation Stage: Pulse Opening (3rd Stage – 1 Meridian Unsealed)
Nickname: None
System Utilization: 3.87%
Available Points: 143
Strength: Low
Speed: Medium
Qi Control: Below Average
Stamina: Medium
Talent Rating: Locked
Hidden Potential: Locked
Skills Mastered:
– Veil Step (Basic)
– Blood Shadow Form (Partial)
– Sable Fang Sword – 3rd Form (Copied)
– Reflex Sync (Passive)
– Combat Awareness (Passive)
[Warning: Current Physical Condition = Suboptimal. Recommend Adjustment.]
Mae-Bi tilted his head.
"That bad, huh?"
[You were built like a rice sack with abandonment issues.]
"...You're brutal."
[Also accurate.]
He tapped the air where the word Strength was glowing red.
"Is there a way to fix this? I mean... without the endless bone-breaking body tempering nonsense?"
[Affirmative.]
[System enhancement available. I can restructure muscle fibers, improve visual clarity, and correct balance inefficiencies. Minor internal damage will be repaired.]
"...You're saying I can miraculously get gains and better eyes?"
[Yes. But the process is painful. And you will pass out.]
Mae-Bi hesitated for half a second.
Then clenched his fists.
"Do it."
[Acknowledged.]
[Initiating Reinforcement: Phase One. Estimated Duration: 4 hours.]
A soft hum filled the room.
Mae-Bi felt a strange heat fill his limbs, followed by a piercing sting deep in his bones. His muscles tensed—then twitched uncontrollably.
His vision blurred, breath catching—
And then—
Darkness.
His body collapsed to the floor with a soft thud.
The system chimed quietly to itself.
[Beginning optimization...]