Chapter Seven: What Cannot Be Seen

The cave was still sealed behind him, as if the stones had chosen to swallow him whole.

Ashen sat in silence, his eyes half-open, his body trembling under the effect of the technique carved into him. It wasn't heat… it was something deeper. Something crawling beneath the skin, threading itself between muscles, etching itself into the bone.

He whispered to himself:

"This isn't just a technique... it's a curse."

He tried to stand, but his legs betrayed him. He collapsed, but didn't scream. Deep inside, he knew… what had begun could not be undone.

In the cave's darkness, the walls began to emit a faint hum. Then, from nowhere, new symbols started carving themselves slowly into the stone, as if unseen fingers of light were writing them.

He approached, and read.

The symbols gradually turned into images, then into a clear scene: a human body being torn apart and rebuilt.

Then a voice… unlike anything he had ever heard. It was as if the mind itself was speaking:

"The primordial body… is not a technique, but a path."

"Each rank is a door that opens to the entity hidden in your bones."

"And each door requires blood as sacrifice, a mark to be carved, and flesh to be reforged."

Ashen's breath froze.

Then the voice continued… not in words, but like a stream of knowledge being injected directly into his memory.

—

The Primordial Body Technique:

An ancient physical technique engraved on the shards of primordial blood, representing the result of thousands of brutal experiments on bodies. When refined, the user's body transforms into the "Demon of War Form," granting terrifying powers across stages.

It is divided into four main ranks, each requiring:

A certain amount of blood from rare beasts (specific to the rank)

A number of primordial carvings (to activate the abilities)

A minimum blood cultivation stage

—

First Rank: Bone Engraving (Blood Trainee)

Requires carving 3 primordial marks into the bones

Uses the blood of three volcanic or iron-type beasts

Can be refined at the start of the Blood Trainee stage

Unique ability: Primordial Iron Skin

The skin becomes a regenerating layer with the hardness of black iron. Normal blades can't pierce it, and it offers base resistance to energy attacks.

Side Effect: It can break the stage's physical limit, allowing the user to reach up to 12,000 kg of strength.

—

Second Rank: Muscle Expansion (Blood Warrior)

Requires carving 6 marks into the muscles

Needs the blood of a shapeshifting beast

Can be refined at the start of the Blood Warrior stage

Unique ability: Explosive Pulse

The user releases a sudden muscular burst, temporarily doubling speed and impact force. It causes a deadly surge in motion, ideal for ambush strikes or escape.

—

Third Rank: Blood Core (Blood Master)

Requires carving 9 marks into the bone marrow and heart

Refined using the blood of a clan leader or high-tier beast

Unique ability: Heart of Eternal Frenzy

The user forms a secondary heart infused with primordial blood, boosting energy output and physical explosions. Each strike amplifies itself, allowing continuous activation of "Blood Frenzy" without exhaustion.

—

Fourth Rank: Complete Form (Blood General)

Requires 12 primordial carvings across the full skeleton

Needs blood from three pure lineages or the essence of an ancient clan

Must possess full control over blood and have entered the "Great Blood Battle" state

Unique ability: War Demon Frame

The user activates a terrifying temporary form that elevates strength, speed, and reaction to the Blood General level. Horns of black bone emerge, and a pure killing aura radiates. This state turns the user into an unstoppable war demon for 10 minutes, followed by hours of agonizing cooldown.

—

Ashen gasped, clutching his chest… he felt something being engraved inside him.

"Are these… the beginning marks?" he asked himself, noticing black shadows forming beneath his skin, fine lines slowly moving.

But before he could think further…

He felt a gaze.

A real one… piercing through his flesh, touching his marrow.

He turned quickly.

No one.

But on the wall… a new drawing appeared: an eye. A single eye, staring back.

Below it, a short inscription:

"We see you."

A shiver ran down his spine.

Then… a voice, inhuman, whispered in his ear:

"Never forget… the body being reshaped is always being watched."

Ashen took two steps back.

"What is this? Who are you?"

But no answer came.

Only darkness… and slow pulses of pain, as the technique continued to inscribe itself within him.

He smiled despite it all, and muttered:

"Let whoever wants to watch… my body will be a curse to those who touch it."

Then the eye on the wall faded.

And he was alone.

But he didn't feel alone.

He knew… he was no longer alone inside his own body.