How to upgrade your Potential (2)

Opening the door of the luxury car, I stepped out, the faint scent of leather and polish still clinging to me. For a moment, I was struck again by how unfair this world truly was.

The driver gave me a respectful nod, and I waved him off with a subtle gesture. "You can head back now."

As the sleek vehicle pulled away, my gaze turned to the sprawling city before me. A buzzing crowd swarmed the streets, the hum of voices, clattering footsteps, and flashing neon signs crashing into my senses like a wave.

Overwhelming.

I adjusted the black ring on my finger, grounding myself. This wasn't the time to stand around gawking.

Buzz.

Buzz.

> [Train Number 576 departs in 5 minutes.]

Found it!

The notification flashed on my new watch. My eyes narrowed slightly. Five minutes…

No hesitation. No time to waste.

I broke into a sprint, weaving through the tide of people as fast as I could without drawing too much attention. Missing this train wasn't an option.

My destination was clear. I needed to find one of the Four Ascension Manuals—specifically, one compatible with me and, more importantly, one that wouldn't disrupt the main plot.

There was only one that fit those criteria.

And luckily, it was close enough that I didn't have to use any far-travel systems yet.

It was critical I secured it before the story's events started to snowball. If I failed… there was no way I could stand against the main characters.

The manual I sought was special—described in the novel as being tailored for hybrids with a single elemental affinity. In other words, it was perfect for the current me.

The Blossom of Heaven.

That was its name.

In the novel, a minor villain stumbled upon it by sheer luck and sheer sacrifice. Though he wasn't truly compatible with it, the manual still carried him to heights most could only dream of.

If I can claim it before anyone else…

My lips curled slightly.

Then I'll have the foundation I need to survive in this world.

---

"Huff… Huff…"

I sat slumped in my seat, chest heaving as my lungs screamed for air. My body trembled slightly, drenched in sweat from the desperate sprint.

This body… it's pathetic.

That brat—he hadn't even tried anymore. No effort to get stronger, no discipline, no fire. He let his potential rot.

What a damn waste.

Clenching my fists, I forced myself to steady my breathing, each inhale and exhale deliberate, dragging my mind back under control.

The train lurched forward, pulling out of the station. I let my gaze drift to the window, the city lights blurring into streaks of color as the world outside began to race past.

My destination was clear: the Dark Forest, just beyond the empire's borders. Find the tree colored in pure white.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

But that's only the first step.

What comes after… I don't have the slightest clue.

The novel never described what actually happened there. It only mentioned how the villain stumbled upon the manual. And after he obtained it? He wasn't even himself anymore.

A chilling thought.

But really… how different is that from me?

There's a high chance I died in my previous life. And now, thrust into this one, I'm scrambling to survive in a world that doesn't care whether I live or die.

If I find the manual, maybe I stand a chance. If not… I'll die again.

At least this time, it'll be in a more luxurious environment.

No loved ones. No connections. No one to grieve me. No drawbacks.

What a sad, pathetic thought in the end.

My reflection stared back at me faintly in the glass—red eyes gleaming in the dim light of the train.

Resignation.

The landscape outside began to shift. Forests crept in from the horizon, the endless urban sprawl fading behind me.

One path lay ahead of me now. A path that wasn't going to be remotely fun.

But it's the only one I have.

---

It had taken hours to get here. Hours of staring at the passing scenery, hours of wrestling with my thoughts. But finally, the train slid to a halt with a muted hiss.

Ding.

The doors opened silently.

I was one of the few who stepped out.

The station was almost deserted. Only the faint hum of mana-powered lamps and the distant chirping of birds greeted me.

The sun still hung high, but in a few hours, it would dip below the horizon. If I didn't want to stumble through the forest in pitch-black darkness, I couldn't afford to waste time.

Let's move.

It took another half hour of walking to reach the forest's entrance.

When I finally stood before it, a cold, eerie sensation washed over me.

The trees loomed tall and gnarled, their blackened branches clawing at the sky like the twisted fingers of the dead. The air itself seemed heavier here—thick, almost suffocating.

No wonder people avoided this place.

For generations, the Dark Forest had been the centerpiece of countless horror stories and myths. Some spoke of grotesque beasts that slaughtered anyone daring to step foot inside. Others claimed strange voices would whisper in your ear, driving you mad.

It was said that once, long ago, this forest overflowed with monsters so vile they devoured entire hunting parties without leaving a trace.

Most of them should've been wiped out by now. At least, the truly strong beings shouldn't still be alive… right?

…Still, I couldn't let my guard down.

Not when I didn't even know how to properly wield a sword.

Tch. Even that brat—the arrogant Mikael—would have been better than this current me.

What a humiliating thought.

Clenching my fists to stop the trembling, I took a hesitant step forward. The moment my foot crossed the threshold into the woods, an invisible weight seemed to press against my chest.

I couldn't sense mana yet—not properly—but even then, I felt it. A sinister energy curling through the air like tendrils, brushing against my skin.

The tree in white. That's what I was here for.

I didn't know its exact location, but I remembered the vague description from the novel: North, somewhere deep in the forest.

I activated the compass on my watch. A faint holographic projection flickered to life above it, pointing me northward.

And so, I went.

Step by step. Deeper and deeper.

Time lost all meaning. Hours could have passed, or maybe only minutes. The further I walked, the darker the forest grew—even though the sun hadn't yet set.

Occasionally, I heard things.

The sharp cries of unseen monsters in the distance.

The rustle of movement in the shadows.

The crunch of leaves behind me when I wasn't moving.

Each time, my legs threatened to lock in place, terror rooting me to the spot.

This isn't my world.

I'm not made for this.

The thought screamed louder and louder in my mind.

Why am I trying so hard?

Why not just turn back?

But every time the temptation to run clawed at me, I forced myself forward.

Because I knew—deep down—that if I turned back now… it'd be as good as signing my death certificate.

No.

I can't.

I won't.

There's only one way forward.

Even if this path is drenched in blood and despair.