Chapter 3: Awakening – The World Unfolds
Lâm Dạ stood still before the beast's corpse. Its massive body still twitched faintly, and the heat radiating from its charred, purple-black scales reeked of burnt flesh. The glow from the burning wreckage painted his face red, smeared, and trembling.
But amid the blood, smoke, and cries of grief… he felt a pull — invisible but irresistible, as if thousands of thin threads were wrapping around his skin, dragging him toward the monster's body.
"Get back, Lâm Dạ! It's dangerous!" — Mạt Sa Yên's voice rang out behind him as she rushed forward to grab his arm.
But he couldn't retreat. The gemstone embedded in his chest was vibrating violently, as if it would shatter any second.
Lâm Dạ stepped closer, even as his whole body felt like it was burning from the inside out. When his hand touched the cracked, dry scales of the beast—
BOOM!!!
A surge of energy exploded — wild, raw, and volcanic.
His body was flung backward, crashing through the wooden roof of a nearby house. His back tore open; dust and splinters flew everywhere. Shouts echoed:
"He's hurt!! Get him out!!"
But Lâm Dạ — writhing in pain — did not pass out.
A torrent roared through his mind. No more voices. No more blood. No more fire.
Only a deep, thunderous echo:
"Heavenly Gift Activated: PLUNDER"
Type: Absorption – Copy – Transfer
Function: Steal attributes, abilities, or innate talents from living or dead matter. Store in "Black Gem."
Side effect: Temporary loss of control if the spirit is weak.
Note: Can "grant back" stolen powers to another target.
---
Lâm Dạ's eyes widened. Dozens of spiral symbols surged into his consciousness, piercing straight into his brain. He screamed — not from pain, but because the sheer force was scorching his nerves.
"It… gave me this?"
He gripped the ground. Blood dripped from his nose. But inside his chest — where the black gem resided — a bright glow burned like a metal forge.
"This feeling… Is it the beast's? No… it's mine now."
Mạt Lý and Sa Yên ran to him and found Lâm Dạ on his knees, pale-faced but with eyes blazing. Behind him, a hazy vortex appeared — like a barrier created by the gem.
"You… have bonded with it," Mạt Lý murmured, gaze darkening.
Sa Yên said nothing. But in her heart, something stirred.
"He's... not ordinary anymore."
---
✴️ [New Ability Gained: Demon King's Iron Sinew]
Temporarily hardens the body, enhancing resistance against physical attacks.
Origin: Mutated skeletal structure of an unknown beast.
---
Lâm Dạ looked up at the sky, where two crimson moons still hung.
"If I can take… then I can survive in this world."
And for the first time since arriving here, he smiled — not from joy, but because he now understood a part of the fate promised by the gem.
The campfire blazed through the night. The scent of roasted meat, ash, and blood still lingered.
Villagers gathered in a circle — some cried, some sat in silence. By the ashes of three fallen hunters, a mourning ritual began with a long, wailing chant — an ancient tongue passed down through blood and tears.
Lâm Dạ sat quietly, the firelight reflected in his eyes. The awakening of his Heavenly Gift still burned in his chest — powerful, tempting… dangerous.
A figure in fur robes approached — Mạt Lý.
"Come with me," the elder said, not looking back.
They left the crowd, climbing a grassy hill by the cliffs. The red moonlight lit up the scarred face of the village chief.
"Lâm Dạ, you've stepped onto a path with no return," he said solemnly.
"What path?" Lâm Dạ asked softly.
"The path… of one who bears an Ancient Heavenly Gift."
"I know you don't understand yet. So let me tell you… the truth about this world you now walk in."
---
🌍 "This world… is not just one land."
"This place is called the Interdimensional Realm – a cluster of overlapping territories ruled by four great races: Human, Demon, Spirit, and Beast."
"Each race has its own talents and cultivation path. But they all share a single goal: to dominate the Realm and ascend to godhood."
---
🧑🌾 Human Race – The most populous
Adaptable, inventive, and fast learners.
They've formed empires, kingdoms, duchies, and holy dynasties.
Excel in: Magic, Swordsmanship, Alchemy, Beast Taming.
"You're human. But the humans may not accept you… not if they learn of your Plunder ability."
---
😈 Demon Race – Inhabitants of the Blood Abyss and Dark Pits
Born of demonic energy, live by instinct and power.
Ruled by blood, forged the Blood Demon Theocracy.
Cultivation paths: Dark Magic, Soul Drain, Forbidden Spells, Demon Body Enhancement.
"Savage, but loyal and united. Our most dangerous foes."
---
🧝♂️ Spirit Race – Children of nature's veins
Highly intelligent, long-lived, peace-loving.
Dwell in the Spirit Blossom Realm, guarding ancient forests and energy veins.
Mastery in: Spirit Cultivation, Healing, Herbal Arts, Soul Communication.
---
🐾 Beast Race – Not humanoid, but sentient creatures
Three main branches:
Demonic Beasts – Ferocious, imbued with dark energy, born to fight.
Spirit Beasts – Intelligent, capable of forming contracts, peaceful.
Wild Beasts – Gigantic, savage, magic-resistant, nearly indestructible.
"High-tier beasts form their own territories and dominions, as powerful as kingdoms."
"Remember the beast from last night? That was a Tier-3 Frenzied Beast — just shy of evolving into a Wretched Beast, stronger than any warrior."
---
🧬 "What about cultivation?" Lâm Dạ asked.
Mạt Lý looked up and replied slowly:
"All beings follow 9 cultivation stages — called 'Ranks,' from Mortal to Divine."
"Each Rank splits into Early – Middle – Late – Peak stages."
"Within each, there are cultivation paths — called 'Classes.'"
💠 Common Classes:
Swordsman – Fast, lethal, sword arts experts.
Mage – Elemental magic users, long-range.
Body Cultivator – Enhances physical body, melee combat.
Dark Cultivator – Controls dark forces, spirits, forbidden spells.
Alchemist – Crafts weapons, talismans, potions, artifacts.
Beast Tamer – Forms contracts with beasts for combat.
Beastblood Warrior – Absorbs beast bloodlines, temporarily transforms.
"Each Class has 9 levels. The higher you climb, the closer you get to divinity."
"And you… you can steal skills, talents, even essences from others. No one has possessed such an ability in 300 years."
---
Lâm Dạ clenched his fists. His eyes gleamed.
"Then… I can surpass them all?"
Mạt Lý stared at him, then said quietly:
"If you live long enough."
A cold wind swept over the hill. The red moon tilted westward.
Far off in the night, the roar of a Spirit Beast King echoed.
The wind stayed cold.
Lâm Dạ remained silent for a long while. Part of him couldn't believe how vast this world was. Another part questioned why a mere village chief knew so much.
But… it didn't matter. Because the world was too vast — and he couldn't remain an outsider forever.
"Village chief." — Lâm Dạ stood up, firm.
"I want… to join the hunting team."
Mạt Lý didn't look back. After a pause, he chuckled softly.
"I knew you'd say that. Fine. Tomorrow morning, Sa Yên will take you to meet Mạt Hùng — the hunting team's leader."
He turned and handed over a plain, gray iron sword — unadorned, no markings, just a commoner's blade.
"Take it."
As Lâm Dạ grasped the hilt —
a warm pulse rose from his chest.
Ting...
[PLUNDER ACTIVATED]
→ Item Detected: Basic Iron Sword
→ Material: Forged iron alloy, low durability
→ Analyzing hidden skill: Basic Swordsmanship
→ Absorb skill?
→ [YES / NO]
Lâm Dạ froze.
"What the…?" — He inhaled sharply.
"Just touching a sword… and I can steal its hidden combat art?"
He chose "YES."
Metal clashing sounds rang in his head. A series of basic sword techniques appeared: stance – strike – quick slashes – precise kill zones.
Lâm Dạ blinked in awe. His lips moved unconsciously.
"Basic swordsmanship… from a trash sword like this…"
"This power… is freaking insane."
He couldn't help but laugh — for the first time since waking up in this world, he felt alive.
---
🌄 The next morning
The village still bore the weight of sorrow, but life had begun to stir again.
Lâm Dạ stood before Sa Yên's tent, knocking lightly on the wooden door.
"Sa Yên. It's me. The chief said… you'd take me to meet the hunting captain."
Moments later, the leather curtain lifted. Sa Yên stepped out — face like stone, ash-red hair tied high, hand resting on her bow by instinct.
She glanced at the iron sword on Lâm Dạ's waist.
"You planning to die young?"
Lâm Dạ scratched his head, smiling awkwardly:
"Trying to live. So I've got to learn how to fight."
She didn't respond, just nodded and walked ahead.
---
🏹 Hunting Grounds – Outskirts of the village
Behind a rocky hill, a clearing filled with wooden stakes, beast hides, traps, and monster bones. A group of warriors trained: throwing spears, setting traps, sharpening weapons.
At the center stood a man built like a boulder — bare-chested, scar running from neck to belly, eyes like knives.
Mạt Hùng — Hunting Team Captain.
"That him?" — his gravelly voice boomed.
Sa Yên nodded.
"His name's Lâm Dạ. He's… a bit unusual."
Mạt Hùng approached, eyeing Lâm Dạ from head to toe — no hostility, but no respect either.
"Looks like a twig…"
"Ever hunted before?"
Lâm Dạ gripped his sword tight.
"Never. But I want to learn."
Mạt Hùng chuckled — not mockingly, but like someone who had seen weaklings become monsters.
"Good. I don't need you strong right away. I need you to survive."
"This afternoon, join our first trial run. No hunting — just observe. But if you fall behind, I'll leave you in the woods."
Lâm Dạ nodded without hesitation:
"I won't fall behind."
Mạt Hùng grinned wide:
"Good. Then from now on… welcome to the real darkness of this otherworld."