Arthur blinked, then slowly grinned. "You know what… you're pretty amazing, System."
[Of course. I am.]
"…Yeah…" Arthur muttered after a long pause, unsure whether to feel comforted or disturbed. He shook his head and took out the blue Spirit Orb, intending to examine it again.
But the moment he did—
Boom!
A sudden, oppressive wave of energy exploded through the air, crashing into Arthur's chest like a hammer. The orb nearly slipped from his fingers as he stumbled back, gasping.
"W-What the hell?" he choked, eyes wide. The entire room seemed to vibrate.
Then it clicked. Seok Yung's grandfather… he was about to break through.
Arthur threw on his outer robe and rushed out the door, drawn toward the surging energy like a moth to flame.
Outside, the sky had dimmed slightly, a strange golden hue bleeding across the clouds. At the heart of the estate stood the central pagoda—a towering structure that rose high enough to scrape the sky. It loomed like a monument to power, its massive doors closed but pulsating with a steady, rhythmic force.
Energy rippled from the pagoda like distant thunder beneath stone—pressurized soul force so thick Arthur could taste it on his tongue.
A crowd had already formed outside, all keeping their distance from the pagoda's gates which has been opened from the shockwave of energy. Elders stood in silent reverence. Among them, Arthur spotted familiar faces: Grandmaster Kim, Seok Yung, Seok Kang—the current head of the Seok family—and several other elders Arthur hadn't seen before, each radiating their own powerful aura.
He made his way toward Grandmaster Kim, standing respectfully beside him.
"Grandpa," Arthur whispered, his voice low with awe. "What's happening?"
Kim didn't look away. "Don't blink. Watch closely. This… is the soul force path's breakthrough. A sacred moment few ever get to witness. Observe, and remember everything."
Arthur's gaze snapped forward, locking onto the figure seated at the very heart of the pagoda.
Seok Hung—Seok Yung's grandfather—sat in perfect meditation at the center of the chamber. His body was motionless, but the air around him was alive, swirling with pure soul force that streamed into him like flowing rivers of light. It condensed above his head, pooling, refining—until it spiraled inwards, compressing to a dense, glowing core.
The pressure was suffocating. Even standing outside the pagoda, Arthur felt like a mountain was slowly settling on his chest.
Then it happened.
Wuuummmmm—
Seven soul rings burst into existence around Seok Hung's form, each one orbiting his body with rhythmic precision. The rings pulsed with color: one blue, two purple, three gold, and the final one—a deep crimson, almost black.
Arthur's eyes widened. "Seven… Seven soul rings? I've only seen two before, on Seok Yung…"
He watched, transfixed. Each ring seemed to hum with ancient power. It was like staring at a miracle woven into light.
Then, in a single breath, the atmosphere ruptured. A dome of soul force erupted from Seok Hung's body, a shockwave so intense that everyone except Grandmaster Kim was shoved back several steps—Seok Kang, Seok Yung, even the proud family elders had to steady themselves.
Arthur threw up an arm to shield his eyes as dust and energy kicked up around him.
Then, silence.
Seok Hung's body slowly began to rise into the air. His robes fluttered, untouched by the wind. His eyes opened—calm, golden, ancient. And just like that, the soul rings receded back into his body, and the pressure vanished.
He descended gently, landing with the grace of a feather.
Arthur stood frozen, chest tight with wonder.
Then, Seok Hung's eyes fell on Kim—and the solemn grandeur of the moment was shattered by a broad grin.
"Well, well," he said, his voice strong and clear, "Old man Kim finally decided to show his face after all these years."
Kim crossed his arms, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "Hmph. At least I showed up. Unlike someone who's been hiding in a pagoda for half a decade."
The two old men laughed—loud and hearty.
For a moment, it was like time had turned back. Two titans of an older era, not as enemies or rivals—but as old friends, weathered by time and bound by a shared past.
Arthur stood quietly, absorbing it all.
And somewhere deep in Arthur's gut, something stirred.
A desire. A spark.
I want to reach that level too… No—beyond it.
Meanwhile, the two old men, completely ignoring the awe-struck crowd still gathered outside the pagoda, had already fallen back into their usual rhythm—bickering like children.
"Last time we crossed paths, we were almost on equal footing," Seok Hung said with a smug grin. "But now? Heh. I could beat you into the ground with one hand."
Grandmaster Kim's eye twitched. "Equal footing, my ass. I used to beat the crap out of you so often, your bruises had their own bruises. Don't make me believe your breakthrough addled your memory, you senile fossil."
"Oh?" Seok Hung raised a brow. "Big words from a coward who only shows up once a decade! You really want me to flatten that arrogant face of yours right now?"
"Oh, please," Kim scoffed, cracking his knuckles. "You couldn't flatten a dumpling, much less me."
They both took a step forward, spiritual pressure already starting to stir between them like a brewing storm.
Seok Kang, standing off to the side, paled instantly.
If these two monsters start fighting here… the entire mansion is going to be reduced to gravel.
He stepped in with the kind of calm urgency only a man in constant fear for his roof tiles could possess.
"Father, you've just broken through. You need to stabilize your soul force first. And Grandmaster Kim has been waiting patiently to see you. This… really isn't the time to spar, don't you think?"
Seok Hung rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… I suppose you're right. No sense in turning my victory into your funeral just yet."
"Victory, he says…" Kim muttered under his breath. "The old man has finally gone mad."
Arthur had been quietly observing the whole exchange, unsure whether to laugh or duck for cover. But when Kim suddenly took another challenging step forward, Arthur quickly grabbed his sleeve and tugged gently.
"Grandpa," he whispered, "do you really want to kill us all just to show off your old man strength?"
Kim froze, then glanced down at Arthur's serious face.
"What are you talking about, brat? I was just going to lightly spar. What kind of monster do you think I am?"
Arthur didn't even blink. "The kind that swings his cane and causes earthquakes."
Before Kim could retort, Arthur quickly clapped a hand over his mouth. "He's just joking," Arthur said to Seok Hung with an awkward laugh. "Completely joking. Please don't incinerate us."
Seok Hung stared at the boy, then raised a curious brow. "This kid… Who is he? Don't tell me—have you actually taken in a disciple?" He turned toward Kim with a mixture of disbelief and mild horror. "You? With your temper? I figured you'd snap the kid in half by breakfast."
Kim swatted Arthur's hand off his mouth. "Hmph. Don't act so surprised. Just because you couldn't raise a proper disciple doesn't mean I can't."
Seok Hung narrowed his eyes. "Wait a second… are you telling me this brat actually survived your training? And your cooking?"
"Oi!" Kim snapped. "I haven't poisoned anyone in years! And this brat hasn't eaten my cooking yet. I didn't get any chance."
Arthur, meanwhile, was sweating bullets behind Kim. Is Grandpa really that terrifying? What the hell does his cooking taste like for Seok hung to say like that.?
Seok Hung folded his arms, studying Arthur with genuine interest now. "You've got guts, boy. If you've lasted even a week under this old demon, you've already earned my respect."
"Not just guts," Kim said proudly, his voice unusually warm. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. This brat—he's walking both the cultivation path and the soul force path. At the same time."
The air grew still.
Even Seok Hung, who had laughed off nearly everything so far, froze in place. He looked at Arthur for few minutes in silence. The elders of the seok family were also in shock, talking to each other in whisper.
"…You serious?"
"Dead serious. And he doesn't even have special constitution, or any blessings."
"None?"
Seok Hung let out a low whistle. "Now that's something I never thought I'd see. This is the first time i have seen a case like this. Hah… maybe the heavens really are stirring."
Arthur stood there awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "Uhh… thanks, I guess?"
Kim smirked, placing a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "He's reckless, stubborn, and shameless. But he's got spirit. Reminds me of someone I used to know."
"You mean me?" Seok Hung grinned.
"I was thinking more along the lines of a drunk donkey, but sure—if the shoe fits."
The two old men burst into another round of laughter, and Arthur couldn't help but smile.
He had no idea what lay ahead. No certainty about his dual-path future. But somehow, standing between these two relics of an older, stronger world—he felt something solid take root in his chest.
"I have come here for my own personal matters, but i meet this brat in this city, strolling through the street and with some rate, he became my disciple."
"Now, i want you to help this brat. This will be a favour, and i will return it when you need my help." Grandmaster kim said seriously.
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