[Scanning... Analyzing compatibility based on weapon type, elemental resonance, user affinity, soul spirit nature...]
[Please wait...]
Arthur's heart pounded, anticipation building in his chest. Then, softly glowing golden letters flickered into existence before his eyes—an elegant translucent interface, visible only to him.
[Best Match for Soul Ring – Heavenly Dragon Spear:]
[Name: Ironspike Gale Wolf]
Type: Wind / Sharpness
Habitat: Ironwood Cliffs, Mountainous Wind Zones
Temperament: Aggressive, territorial, cunning. Known to hunt prey in coordinated pack ambushes, launching razor-sharp wind spikes from its tail and fangs.
Description:
The Ironspike Gale Wolf is renowned for its piercing wind-based attacks, mimicking the linear thrust of a spear. Unlike chaotic gusts, its abilities focus on precision and control, releasing sharp, compressed wind blasts in a straight trajectory. Its true danger lies in its agility and sudden bursts of power—striking swiftly and retreating before its prey can react.]
Arthur read the details, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.
"Precise wind strikes... just like a spear thrust. This is perfect."
He closed the encyclopedia and turned to Grandmaster Kim, who had been watching him with a faint smirk, arms crossed as though reading Arthur's mind.
"Grandpa, I've decided which spirit beast I want," Arthur declared confidently.
Kim chuckled softly, shaking his head as if amused by the boy's decisiveness. "You figured that out in mere minutes, huh? Bold." His expression turned serious. "But listen carefully. I'll help you capture your first spirit beast. After that—you'll hunt your soul rings alone. If I hold your hand through everything, you'll never sharpen your instincts. You'll end up strong in rank but weak in battle—and such strength crumbles before true warriors."
Arthur met his gaze, steady and resolute. "I understand, Grandpa. I'll take responsibility for my own strength. I won't disappoint you."
Satisfied with the boy's answer, Kim gave a nod. "Alright then. Tell me about this spirit beast of yours."
Arthur straightened. "It's called the Ironspike Gale Wolf. A wind-type beast. Its abilities align perfectly with the spear—focused on sharpness and precision wind spikes. I think it'll give me the right first soul ring."
Kim raised a brow, clearly intrigued. "Ironspike Gale Wolf... interesting choice. I've heard a little about them. Where do these wolves live?"
Arthur glanced at the encyclopedia once more. "They inhabit Ironwood Cliffs and the Mountainous Wind Zones."
Kim frowned slightly, stroking his beard. "Hmm. Both locations are far from here. If we're heading toward the capital, this will be a pretty big detour."
He muttered thoughtfully, calculating routes in his head. "It normally takes fifteen days to reach the capital. With this detour—factoring in the hunt, the battle, the absorption of the soul ring, and the return—it'll cost us at least a full month."
He sighed, clearly re-evaluating his training schedule. "I wanted to teach you some martial arts forms and my personal breathing techniques for two full months... but looks like I'll have to adjust. Your breathing technique is already decent, so we'll shorten that part. Once we reach the capital, I'll focus on drilling martial arts into your bones for one month instead."
He fixed Arthur with a sharp gaze, voice low and firm. "Arthur, don't forget—you're cultivating two paths at once. You don't have the luxury of wasting a single moment. The road ahead will be hell. But if you endure now, your foundation will be stronger than almost anyone in this kingdom. Build your strength through struggle—and your future will open before you."
Arthur clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "Yes, Grandpa. I'll work hard. No shortcuts."
Kim smiled faintly. "Good."
After some time, the flying taxi began descending toward the city gates. They disembarked and stepped onto the main road. Though Grandmaster Kim could easily fly across the continent using his martial arts, he chose not to. Arthur was still a beginner—he needed to walk, to fight, to sweat.
And as for renting a carriage or vehicle? Kim refused. "Real strength is forged by your own legs," he said simply.
Their journey began on foot, heading toward the distant Ironwood Cliffs. Kim took the lead, sometimes silent, sometimes giving Arthur pointers as they trekked through forests and rocky slopes. He pushed Arthur into minor beast fights, had him run steep trails to build stamina, and explained survival tactics between rests.
Ding!
In the quiet forest trail, where only the crunch of boots against fallen leaves echoed, a sudden system notification jolted Arthur from his thoughts. Three translucent panels materialized before his eyes, their golden glow stark against the cool green shadows of the trees.
[Monthly Mission – Obtain your first soul ring for your first soul spirit.
Time Limit: 1 Month
Reward: 1,000,000 SP, Soul Bone of the hunted soul spirit.
Failure Penalty: Unable to use soul force for 1 month.]
[Monthly Mission – Break through Body Tempering Realm and reach Qi Gathering Realm.
Time Limit: 1 Month
Reward: 1,000,000 SP, Gold-grade Spear.
Failure Penalty: Unable to use Qi and physical strength for 1 month.]
[Quarterly Mission – Enroll in Sable Star Academy within 3 months.
Time Limit: 3 Months
Reward: 3,000,000 SP, Direct upgrade to Peak Sub-stage of Qi Gathering Realm.
Failure Penalty: Severe Qi Backlash – risk of Qi deviation and cultivation failure.]
Arthur stared at the hovering missions, his mind racing.
"Three missions at once... and not a single one is easy."
Sweat trickled down his back despite the cool forest breeze. The stakes weren't just high—they were life-altering. If he failed even one of these missions, his progress would come to a screeching halt. Soul force sealed, strength crippled, or worse—Qi deviation, the bane of cultivators, where one's foundation could shatter permanently.
He clenched his fists, his heart hammering against his ribs.
"Looks like the system really wants to push me to my limits. No time to slack off. If I want to survive in this world, let alone thrive, I have to meet these deadlines."
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. A determined glint sparked in his eyes.
"First, the Ironspike Gale Wolf. I'll get that soul ring. Then break through to the Qi Gathering Realm... and finally, I'll step into Sable Star Academy, no matter what it takes."
Without wasting another second, Arthur dismissed the mission screens and quickened his pace, his footsteps crunching against the leafy forest floor as he caught up with Grandmaster Kim, who was already several paces ahead, walking like an old sage who owned the whole world.
But Arthur's mind was still tangled in questions. Curiosity gnawed at him until he finally whispered in his heart, "System, in that first mission, what exactly is a soul bone?"
For a brief moment, silence.
Then—
[This information will cost 100,000 system points. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ]
A cute emoticon popped up alongside the message, as if the system was cheerfully robbing him blind.
Arthur almost tripped over a root. "What the—You little—! Are you seriously charging me for asking questions now? You didn't charge me a single point before when I asked you dozens of things, and now it's suddenly 100,000 points?!"
He glared at the floating text with the kind of betrayal usually reserved for old friends who suddenly asked to borrow money.
The system, unbothered by his indignation, responded calmly—
[Answering to the host— Your newbie protection period has ended. From now on, all information queries will cost system points. Pricing varies depending on the depth and rarity of the information.]
[⊂((・▽・))⊃]
Arthur's eye twitched. He could practically hear the system humming a cheerful tune as it robbed him with a smile.
"Stingy little gremlin... You're like a little extortionist," Arthur grumbled under his breath, shaking his head. "At this rate, you'll charge me for breathing too."
The system's panel flickered briefly.
[Breathing is free... for now. (＾∇＾)ﾉ♪]
Arthur nearly faceplanted.
.
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