Lu Zheng's mind raced as he fought to suppress the noise that threatened to escape his lips. He was acutely aware of the person inside the dimly lit room—the very one he sought revenge against, the one who had once been his benefactor but had betrayed him. The weight of his predicament pressed heavily on him, and the pain coursing through his body was almost unbearable.
As he lay there, a creeping numbness enveloped him. He struggled to move his limbs, but they felt like lead, unresponsive to his commands. The realization that he was on the brink of losing consciousness surged through him, and Lu Zheng gritted his teeth, determined to awaken every fiber of his being.
*Focus,* he reminded himself, forcing his mind to clear. He needed to find the corpse—the one he had killed not long ago, the key to receiving the mysterious voice's blessings. The task seemed simple: stab his nails into the lifeless body. Yet, in his current state, it felt monumental.
He strained to recall the location of the corpse, the memory flickering like a candle in the wind. It had been left in the shadows, hidden from view, but he knew it was close. Lu Zheng summoned every ounce of willpower he had left, pushing through the pain and the numbness that threatened to consume him.
With great effort, he managed to roll onto his side, his body protesting with each movement. He could feel the cold air against his skin, a stark contrast to the heat of his anger and desperation. Slowly, he began to drag himself toward the place where he had left the body, each inch a battle against the overwhelming fatigue.
Finally, he reached it, the sight of the corpse igniting a flicker of determination within him. It lay still, a haunting reminder of his own actions and the dark path he had chosen. Lu Zheng's heart raced as he positioned himself closer, his heart pounding in sync with the urgency of his task.
*Just a simple stab,* he thought, feeling the weight of the voice's expectations bearing down on him. He summoned his remaining strength and extended his fingers, nails glinting in the dim light. The moment felt surreal, the gravity of it settling heavily in the air.
But as he prepared to pierce the flesh, doubt seeped into his mind. What if this was a mistake? What if the power he sought was not worth the price? Yet, the voice echoed in his head, reminding him of his goals, of the revenge he sought, of the strength he desired.
With a surge of resolve, Lu Zheng plunged his nails into the corpse, feeling the resistance of the flesh give way beneath him. A rush of energy flowed through him like a tidal wave, and he could feel the warmth of blood seeping into his fingertips, the connection igniting the dormant power within.
The moment was electrifying, and Lu Zheng closed his eyes as the darkness enveloped him. He could feel the mysterious voice resonating through him, its presence amplifying his strength. It was as if a bond was forming, one that would change him forever.
"Embrace it," the voice urged, a low hum of satisfaction threading through its tone. "Let the pain and the darkness empower you."
Lu Zheng felt the numbness begin to fade, replaced by a fierce intensity that surged through his veins. He was no longer just a victim of his circumstances; he was a force to be reckoned with, fueled by his desire for vengeance and the power he had just unlocked.
As he pulled his nails free from the corpse, he could sense a shift within himself. The darkness that had once threatened to consume him now felt like an ally, a source of strength he could wield. He was ready to rise, ready to confront the man who had wronged him.
In that moment, he realized that this was only the beginning. With the voice's guidance and the newfound power coursing through him, Lu Zheng was determined to reclaim his destiny and make those who betrayed him pay. He would rise from the depths of despair, transformed and ready to seize his vengeance.