After Sirius left, the shadowed figure clenched his teeth, his voice low and venomous.
"Stella… what do you see in that bastard that I don't have?"
His fingers dug into his palms as jealousy twisted his face.
"If only you had chosen me instead of him…"
A cold smile crept onto his lips.
"It doesn't matter. Once I remove him, you'll belong to me."
***
Silverwing Empire
Night had fallen, and as always, Blake was cultivating.
"Wonderful," Blake muttered softly. "Cultivation really does feel magical… addictive, even."
He exhaled, calming his mind.
"Oh right. It's time to sign in. Today's the 50th day—and according to the system's pattern, I should definitely get something good."
"System, my friend," Blake said inwardly, hope rising in his chest.
"Sign in."
"Sign-in confirmed. Congratulations, host, for receiving: Suit of Carbon Viltronium (4th rank, superior quality)."
Suit of Carbon Viltronium (4th rank, superior quality):
A futuristic nanotech suit indestructible to any attack below the 5th rank. It can withstand up to one hundred strikes from a 5th-rank practitioner (warrior or mage). Equipped with advanced camouflage capable of hiding the wearer from anyone below the 5th rank. Includes repulsor blasters on both hands.
O_o
"…Is this for real?"
Blake froze, his mouth hanging open. For a moment, his mind went completely blank. Then excitement surged so violently through him that he nearly laughed out loud.
"Calm down," he warned himself hurriedly. "Calm down. I can't make any noise here."
He slipped off the bed and summoned his status panel.
***
Host: Blake
Rank: 1st Rank (mid grade)
Physique: Human (2nd rank high grade)
Talent: Heat Vision
Mana Core Affinity: Fire, Water
Sutras:
Silent Sutra (5th rank, 100%)
Fire Sutra (1st rank mid grade, 100%)
Water Sutra (1st rank mid grade, 100%)
Berserker Sutra (3rd rank early grade → 2nd rank high grade)
Dark Infernal Dragon Sutra (3rd rank peak grade(not yet started))
Storage:
Golden Shield Talisman, autograph of Sydney Sweeney, 1st rank sword (low quality), 1st rank shield (good quality), 1st rank bow (low quality), Suit of Carbon Viltronium (4th rank, superior quality)
**
"Haha… a superior-quality suit!"
Blake stared at the reward, laughter echoing silently in his chest.
"To think I'd get a Viltronium suit—and one of superior quality at that."
In this world, items were divided into qualities: low, good, excellent, and superior. Superior-quality items were rare to the point of legend.
"System," Blake said, excitement barely contained, "it's time to suit me up."
At his thought, the suit emerged from nothingness. Black nanomaterial spread across his body, crawling over him like a living organism—much like the symbiotic alien from the movies of his previous world.
Once fully equipped, Blake quietly slipped out of the dormitory and headed toward the pond behind the outer garden.
"I feel like that genius billionaire playboy from the movies," Blake chuckled inwardly.
He leapt onto a tree, moving with monkey-like agility as he bounded across branches.
"No flying," he reminded himself. "That'd get me caught instantly."
Within five minutes, he reached the pond. He leaned forward to inspect his reflection—only to see a pitch-black silhouette staring back.
"Huh? No colors? No face design?"
"The host may freely modify the suit's appearance."
Blake's eyes lit up. He gave the system a mental thumbs-up.
"Alright then… bat-like eyes, jet-black body. Perfect for the night."
When he looked again, he stiffened.
What stared back at him wasn't a man—it was a menacing shadow, a dark figure that seemed to swallow light itself.
"…Damn. That's terrifying," Blake muttered.
"I almost scared myself."
After admiring the suit, another thought crossed his mind.
"Let's test the repulsors."
The repulsors converted mana directly into destructive beams.
"Alright," Blake thought. "Let's do it."
He raised his hand and fired.
BOOM!
A violent explosion erupted at the center of the pond. Water vaporized instantly, steam billowing skyward as shockwaves rippled outward.
"Holy shit…" Blake stared in disbelief.
"Only ten percent of my mana for that?"
His heartbeat quickened.
"…Then how does this compare to my heat vision?"
Before he could test it, a sharp voice cut through the steam.
"How dare you trespass on Rodrick family territory!"
Blake turned sharply.
An old man stood behind him, white hair cascading down his shoulders, a thick beard framing his stern face.
"Damn it," Blake cursed inwardly.
"If I knew the repulsor would cause that much destruction, I wouldn't have tested it."
The old man's gaze bore into him.
"State your name," the old man demanded, "and explain what you're doing here."
"Before asking someone else's name," Blake replied calmly, "shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
The old man's eyes narrowed.
"…My name is Slake Rodrick."
Rodrick?
Blake's heart skipped a beat.
"And now," Slake continued, "tell me who you are."
Slake Rodrick… Why haven't I heard that name before?
What Blake didn't know was that Slake Rodrick—over two hundred years old—was believed to be long dead, and was one of the Rodrick family's strongest hidden pillars.
"I am… Vengeance."
"Vengeance?" Slake repeated.
"You may call me that."
Slake studied him carefully.
"What are you doing in my family's territory?"
"…."
How the hell do I explain that I was just testing a reward?
Before Blake could answer, another figure appeared beside Slake—a man who looked similar, though slightly younger.
"Big brother," the newcomer said, "is he the one who caused the explosion?"
"Yes," Slake replied quietly. "I was stalling him while waiting for you. I sense danger from him."
So he was stalling for time…
Blake's mind raced.
Then—
"Now!"
"Grand Fireball!"
"Scorched Meteor!"
Slake unleashed a massive fireball, while his younger brother appeared behind Blake, hurling a condensed meteor straight at him.
Blake didn't even have time to react.
BOOM!
Flames engulfed him as the meteor struck head-on. The earth shattered beneath his feet, lava spreading outward. The pond evaporated in an instant.
The ground trembled violently.
"…That's it?" Slake's younger brother muttered, watching the inferno.
"I thought he'd be tougher."
Slake said nothing.
He stared into the raging flames, his expression grim and unreadable.