Reality

[Initiating system process: #####...]

[Warning: The process will be extremely painful. It is recommended to consume a Heavenly Marrow Pill.]

I blinked in confusion. 'What's a Heavenly Marrow Pill? Where would I even find one right now?'

I had no idea what I was in for, but I wasn't exactly in a position to question the system. The process had already begun, and before I could even consider my options, my body was assaulted by an overwhelming wave of pain.

[Process starting...]

It felt as though my very soul was being torn from my body. My muscles locked up, and I felt like I was being crushed under an invisible weight. My vision blurred as the pain intensified, my body jerking uncontrollably.

I gasped, trying to grab onto something, anything, but it was useless. The world around me dissolved into darkness, and I collapsed onto the floor, unconscious.

---

I awoke some time later, my body cold and stiff, lying motionless on the ground. My head throbbed, and my muscles ached as if I had been through some kind of trial. I took shallow breaths, forcing myself to sit up, my surroundings coming into focus slowly.

'What happened? Was that real?' I thought, rubbing my temples. My body felt different—stronger. It was subtle, but there was no mistaking the new power that coursed through me.

I stood up, still groggy, and took a few shaky steps. My body felt more attuned to the environment, almost as though I could sense everything around me in greater detail. Every breath I took, every movement, felt more deliberate.

'Did I just… awaken something? Did that process work?' I wondered, looking around the room, half-expecting someone to be watching. But no one came. No one knocked. The house remained eerily quiet.

'Good. At least I'm not being spied on… yet.'

I let out a sigh of relief, though I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. Something about this world, about my very existence here, was not the same as it had been before. But before I could dwell too much on it, my thoughts were interrupted by a cold, mechanical voice.

[System ready.]

I paused, heart pounding. 'The system… it's still here.'

"System," I muttered, still adjusting to the sensation of this new power within me. "How strong are cultivators in this world?"

[The strongest cultivator on this planet is as strong as a Golden Core realm cultivator . A Golden Core cultivator could easily destroy this planet.]

I blinked. 'Golden Core? I've heard of it. Back on Earth, Golden Core was considered one of the higher stages of cultivation. But if it could destroy the planet… I had no idea it was that powerful.'

[That is human ignorance.]

I couldn't help but smile bitterly at the system's blunt response. "I guess you're right. What else do I not know about this world?"

[There are realms beyond Golden Core, but they are beyond your current understanding.]

'Great,' I thought. 'Not only am I starting from nothing, but I'm in a world with cultivators who can obliterate entire planets. No pressure.'

I took a deep breath, trying to focus. "How do I begin cultivating?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "And is anyone spying on me right now?"

[Presence detected within the house.]

'Of course. There's always someone watching.' I grimaced, frustration bubbling up. 'It's like they're just waiting for me to do something wrong.'

"Can I start cultivating without anyone noticing?" I asked, half-expecting the answer.

[Anyone sensitive to energy fluctuations will detect your cultivation.]

I sighed. 'That's just great. If I try to cultivate too quickly, someone will definitely notice. But if I do nothing, I'll be stuck here forever, with no way to improve. What a mess.'

"What do I do then? How long will it take me to reach Golden Core?" I asked, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down on me.

[If you don't die, approximately 40 years.]

I stared at the screen, my mind racing. 'Forty years? That's… a long time. And that's assuming I don't get killed along the way. If I stand out too much, if I grow too powerful, I'll be hunted down by everyone. My family doesn't have the power to protect me. If I'm not careful, I'll end up dead before I ever reach that level.'

"Forget it," I muttered under my breath. "Maybe living as a rich man's son isn't so bad. At least I don't have to worry about starving."

I got up from the floor, stretching my limbs as I made my way toward the dining area. The familiar smell of rice filled the air. It was simple, but it felt comforting—just a reminder of the ordinary life I used to have.

I grabbed a bowl and sat down, the warmth of the meal grounding me. But as soon as I took a bite, another notification appeared before my eyes.

[System task released.]

You have the following options:

1. Cultivate for 10 days

2. Cultivate for 100 days

3. Cultivate for 1,000 days

Penalty: Death

My heart sank. 'Death? Seriously?!'

I swallowed hard, trying to push the fear away. "System, do you have anything that can hide my spiritual energy?" I asked, half-hoping for an easy solution.

[Item: Heaven-Sealing Stone — Conceals spiritual Qi from your body and creates an isolated cultivation space.]

[Price: 1,000 units of Cosmic Energy.]

'What the hell is Cosmic Energy?' I thought, stunned by the price. 'I don't even know what that is! And 1,000 units? Ridiculous.'

"Can't you just give it to me for free?" I asked, though I knew it was a long shot.

[As a first-time buyer, you may exchange it for 70 years from your Fate Wheel.]

I blinked, the shock slowly turning to disbelief. 'Seventy years of my life? That's… insane!'

"How much time would I have left if I did that?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

[50 years.]

I stared at the screen, my mind reeling. 'Fifty years… That's it? If I sacrifice my time now, I'll have half the lifespan I should have. Is that really worth it?'

I didn't respond immediately. I poured myself a glass of water, letting the cold liquid calm my nerves.

"My life is a mess," I muttered, staring at the glass in my hand. The weight of my choices pressed down on me, and I could feel the system waiting, its presence like a shadow looming over me.

[Are you sure you want to proceed?]

[Yes] [No]

I hesitated for a long moment, staring at the options. 'Do I really want to sacrifice that much of my life?'

But then, I thought of my situation. What other choice did I have? If I didn't get stronger, I would remain stuck here, forever at the mercy of those around me. Maybe if I played the system's game, I could carve out a future for myself. Maybe I could find a way to survive and thrive in this brutal world.

I selected "Yes."

A brilliant light flashed in front of me, and a crystal-clear stone appeared in my hand. It was small but exuded a powerful aura. It shimmered with an unnatural radiance, its beauty almost blinding.

"System, is there any powerful presence nearby?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.

[None detected at the moment.]

I exhaled, relieved, though the tension in my shoulders remained. 'At least I have some time before I need to worry about that. I need to focus on the next steps.'

I locked the door behind me and turned back to the system.

"How do I begin cultivating?"

[You require a cultivation art to begin.]

I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!" I snapped.

[You must kill a genetic lifeform to unlock the System Cultivation Art Lottery.]

I froze, my mind going blank. "Any kind of lifeform?"

[Yes.]

'Kill?' I thought, my stomach twisting. 'I'm supposed to kill something to unlock my cultivation art? What kind of world is this?'

I shook my head, trying to stay calm. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

[Low-level tasks are not automatically announced.]

I grimaced. 'Of course they're not. That would make things too easy.'

[Estimated success rate: 100%.]

I took a deep breath. 'Looks like I don't have a choice. I'll have to do this if I want to move forward.'

---