Chapter 6: Dungeon dives

The scent of blood still clung to the air, thick and metallic, as the last echoes of battle faded into silence. The cavern was dim, shadows dancing across stone walls as flickers of residual energy shimmered from spent spells. Jin stood near the wolf corpses, chest rising and falling in short, sharp breaths. His limbs trembled—not from fear, but from something deeper.

A fire had awakened.

And then it came.

[System Notification: Mission Complete]

Threats Eliminated: 6 Wind Wolves

Total EXP Gained: +250

Level Up Achieved → Level 2

Bonus Reward Unlocked: First Battle Completion

A deep chime echoed in Jin's mind—like a bell rung by the heavens themselves. A new interface shimmered into view before his eyes.

[Reward Selection: Choose One]

➤ Tyrant Body Cultivation

There once lived a tyrant whose body was unmatched—unshakable even by swords and storms. This technique forges the user's physique into an indomitable fortress.

Six Stages: Bronze → Copper → Iron → Silver → Gold → Mythril

➤ Tiger King's Divine Claws

Born from the bloodline of the Tiger King, this martial art forms spiritual claws capable of rending through armor and bone alike. Each strike fueled by fury and focus.

Five Techniques: Claw Slash → Diamond Cutter → Tyrannic Claw → Flawless Cutter → Heavenly Golden Slash

Jin's breath slowed. His eyes scanned the two options, weighing each word with care. His arms still ached from hauling gear. His ribs still stung from the force of running. He had no sword. No armor. Just grit.

"Claws sound powerful…" he murmured, voice barely audible.

But then he clenched his fists, feeling the weakness in them.

"No," he decided. "Before I wield power—my body must become power."

His voice firmed.

"I choose: Tyrant Body."

The moment he spoke, searing light erupted behind his eyes. It wasn't blinding—but revealing. Knowledge poured into him like a waterfall, burning and illuminating all at once. His muscles clenched involuntarily as foreign movements, breathing rhythms, and energy routes engraved themselves into his bones.

[Reward Selected: Tyrant Body Cultivation – Stage 1: Bronze]

[New Technique Acquired: Tyrant Body – Bronze Form]

A powerful tremor pulsed through his body. His veins itched. His bones felt… denser. Stronger. His breathing deepened, lungs expanding with more ease. Already, something had changed.

[System Update]

Name: Jin

Title: None

Level: 2

Magic Power: 10

Stamina: 5

EXP: 150 / 300

Bloodlines:

• Ancient Azure Dragon (Not Activated)

• Blood Demon Bloodline (Dormant)

Cultivation Method: Paragon Heaven Manual

Technique: Tyrant Body – Bronze Form

Fragments: Wind Element Fragment ×6

Available Attribute Points: 10

He exhaled slowly. A smile tugged at the edge of his lips.

"I took the first step."

Meanwhile… hundreds of miles away, deep within the royal palace—

The warm glow of chandeliers flickered over a silk-draped chamber. The scent of perfume and sweat mingled in the still air. The soft rustle of sheets followed a satisfied sigh as Second Queen Molana lay nestled against the bare chest of a rugged man.

Captain Roger—commander of the Royal Guard.

Molana ran a finger lazily along his scarred jawline, lips curled into a sly smile.

  "So," she purred, voice thick with post-coital amusement, "you meant it when you said you'd raise morale."

Roger smirked, hand resting on her waist.

  "I aim to serve, Your Grace. Call it… strategic motivation."

Her smile faded slightly as her tone cooled.

  "And what of Lana and the boy? They were supposed to be dead by now. I hate loose ends."

Roger's expression darkened. He sat up, the sheets falling from his torso.

  "They won't survive the night," he said, voice steel. "I'll send an elite detachment. No more slip-ups."

Molana's eyes glinted with venomous delight. She rose with feline grace and poured herself wine.

  "Good. That woman… and her little bastard… are thorns beneath my heel. He's not even a true prince. Just some bloodless brat from a ruined line."

She raised the cup to her lips, pausing.

  "That boy… Jin. He's becoming a nuisance."

Roger turned to dress, pulling on his armor piece by piece.

  "He'll be a corpse soon enough."

Molana watched him go, her gaze lingering. Then she turned toward the velvet-draped windows.

Outside, the moon hung blood-red in the sky.

Back in Moon Lotus City—

The forest loomed quietly outside the city walls. The party of adventurers was winding down, tending to wounds and counting gains. But Jin stood apart, hands clenched, eyes burning.

He had no noble rank.

No cultivation heritage.

No one but his mother by his side.

And yet, in that moment—he felt limitless.

Above, clouds gathered slowly.

Unseen by all, the gears of fate shifted once again.

And the storm was just beginning.