[Yes.]
“Oh no, no!” Yun Jin replied, shaking his head firmly. “I decline. Power isn’t free, and I’ve seen what happens when people take shortcuts. I don’t trust you that much, mysterious floating text.”
The system flickered briefly, unperturbed, before displaying a new message.
[It is not power in the direct sense, but knowledge, unique traits, or tools. Skills, items, and classes purchased provide potential, but mastery and effectiveness depend entirely on the user.]
Yun Jin’s lips pressed into a thin line. He tapped a finger against the hilt of his blade as he considered the response. The explanation didn’t seem dishonest—but he’d seen enough demonic martial artists fall into ruin to remain cautious.
“So, you’re saying you’re just... teaching me?” Yun Jin asked, his voice skeptical. “That’s it?”
The system responded promptly:
[Correct. Skills and items are based on rank rarity. Knowledge is provided, but usage, discipline, and growth are the user’s responsibility. The Shop offers no shortcuts—only possibilities.]
Yun Jin stared at the screen for a moment longer, then let out a short, sharp laugh.
“Why didn’t you just say so earlier?” he said, grinning. “Knowledge, huh? That’s a different story. Knowledge is always welcome.”
He crossed his arms, his expression growing thoughtful. “But still, you say there are no shortcuts.” His tone sharpened. “Then what’s the catch?”
The screen flickered briefly before displaying:
[The system’s primary purpose is to nurture challengers for harder challenges.]
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow. “It does give me real battles,” he murmured, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “I suppose it checks out.”
The list of available options unfurled before him, glowing faintly in the dim air. Yun Jin’s eyes scanned the classes, lingering briefly on Arcane Blade Master before moving on.
“Blade Master?” he said, his tone thoughtful. “I’m already walking that path. I don’t need to buy some title I haven’t earned myself. What’s the point if I didn’t fight for it?”
His gaze shifted to Mage instead, curiosity sparking in his expression. “But this... magic?” Yun Jin tilted his head slightly. “I’ve never dabbled in anything like that before.”
He tapped on the Mage class.
The system responded instantly, presenting a description:
[Mage (Rank C): Focuses on elemental spellcraft and manipulation. Unlocks basic mana control and introduces magical principles.]
Yun Jin nodded, his curiosity outweighing his caution. “Alright, let’s see what this magic business is all about.”
The system flickered once.
[Mage (Rank C) purchased.]
[Initializing mana circuits. Synchronizing with user’s qi reserves...]
Yun Jin tensed as a strange sensation coursed through his body. It was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant—like unlocking a door he’d never known existed. A faint hum resonated deep within, followed by a steady pulse.
[Mana Circuit Initialized (Rank E-): The foundation of magic. Allows the user to channel mana for spells and techniques. Efficiency and reserve size depend on circuit rank.]
The system expanded:
[Qi and mana are two expressions of aura, the universal energy. Qi is tempered and internalized within the body, while mana flows outward, shaped and directed by the magic circuit. Strength depends on reserve size, circuit quality, and control.]
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
[Elemental Affinity: Light (Rank E-). You are attuned to the element of light, granting potential access to its magical properties.]
“Interesting…” Yun Jin's gaze flickering.
What can I do with it? he wondered.
Curiosity compelled him to test it.
Guiding the wild flow of mana through his circuit, Yun Jin focused on his palm. At first, it resisted, erratic and unwieldy. But as he steadied his breathing and applied his precision, the energy condensed.
With a sudden pulse, a bright flash of light erupted from his hand, flooding the darkened battlefield with brilliance.
He shielded his eyes, blinded by it intensity.
As the light faded, Yun Jin’s lips twitched into a faint grin.
“Let’s see what else you got,” he mused, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
--
[Skills:]
* Mystic Eyes of Revealing (Rank S – 100 Points): Grants the ability to perceive auras, hidden energies, spiritual presences, and concealed objects.
* Phantom Clone (Rank A – 75 Points): Creates a solid projection of the user for combat or misdirection, retaining 50% of the user’s physical abilities.
* Weapon Mind (Rank B – 50 Points): Allows communication with weapons, unlocking their personalities, insights, and hidden capabilities.
* Lightfoot Technique (Rank C – 25 Points): Enhances agility for faster movement, better dodges, and complex footwork.
* Aura Quicken Pulse (Rank D – 20 Points): Improves aura regeneration over a short period of time, aiding recovery in battle.
* Basic Swordsmanship (Rank E – 10 Points): Provides fundamental sword techniques for beginners.
[Items:]
* Fragment of the Fallen World (Rank S – 100 Points): A fragment of a destroyed world core, capable of creating a personal dimensional space dependent on soul attunement.
* Celestial Iron Sword (Rank A – 75 Points): A mastercrafted blade forged in the heart of a dying star, tempered with molten mithril, and sharpened using diamond scales.
* Starfire Dagger (Rank B – 50 Points): A sleek dagger forged from rare starfire ore. Its blade glows with faint embers and channels heat-based techniques.
* Runestone of Vitality (Rank C – 25 Points): A carved stone that enhances natural healing and endurance when carried. Permanent once attuned.
* Whetstone of Endurance (Rank D – 20 Points): Permanently enhances the sharpness and durability of a blade, improving its lethality.
* Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E – 10 Points): A sturdy and reliable iron blade for training and combat.
---
His gaze next landed on Weapon Mind under the skill section.
“Communicate with weapons? Unlock hidden capabilities?” Yun Jin’s lips twitched into a faint smile.
“I’ve always treated my blade like a companion, an extension of myself. This… could be interesting.”
He tapped the selection without hesitation.
[Weapon Mind (Rank B) purchased. 50 Points deducted.]
A ripple in his consciousness settled over him. The presence of his sword at his side felt sharper, more tangible, as though it acknowledged him for the first time.
Yun Jin flexed his fingers, testing the connection, and the faintest whisper of understanding seemed to echo back.
“A good choice,” he murmured, feeling a quiet satisfaction in his chest.
With 25 points remaining, his sharp eyes swept over the items section. His gaze lingered on the Iron-forged Shortsword.
“Simple. Reliable."
He didn’t need an elaborate weapon—at least, not yet. Power wasn’t in the tool but the hand that wielded it.
[Iron-forged Shortsword (Rank E) purchased. 10 Points deducted.]
The weapon materialized before him in a flash of light. Yun Jin reached out, grasping the hilt. It was simple, sturdy, and perfectly balanced.
This will do nicely.
[15 Completion Points remaining.]
Yun Jin glanced back at the shop list, noting the remaining points.
He felt no urgency to spend them all—better to hold onto what he had and save them for something that truly intrigued him later.
---
"Hmm... With all these skills, I wonder if I..."
Yun Jin closed his eyes.
In the silence, he turned his senses inward, focusing on the two distinct flows of energy within him.
Qi and mana—two expressions of aura, the universal energy.
Qi was tempered and internalized within the body, cultivated by absorbing aura from the outside and refining it into one’s own.
Mana, on the other hand, flowed freely, drawing energy in and releasing it outward.
He furrowed his brow slightly, delving deeper into the concept.
The strength of mana depended on three key factors: the reservoir available to the user, the efficiency of their magic circuit, and their control over its flow.
The magic circuit itself acted as a conduit—a measure of how much energy could pass through and how precisely it could be directed.
"Channeling Qi into the blade to connect with it—that’s the basic principle of martial arts."
He began channeling Qi as he had done countless times before, allowing it to flow into the weapon’s structure. The blade hummed faintly, its weight subtly shifting as the energy became one with its core. But this time, it felt different.
With Weapon Mind, he could sense every inch of the sword, as if it had truly become an extension of his body. It no longer felt like a tool—it was his arm itself, moving in perfect harmony with his will.
"Qi flows inward," he muttered. "Then mana flows outward."
Now for the unknown.
Focusing on his newly-formed circuits, Yun Jin guided mana outward, layering it over the blade like a translucent film.
The process was delicate. Slowly, the mana merged with the Qi inside the blade, and it began to pulse outward in steady ripples.
A faint glow emanated from the weapon, white and pure, as if the light of the moon had been captured within the steel.
The light pulsed gently—steady and serene.
Yun Jin opened his eyes, observing the weapon with a rare flicker of satisfaction.
[You have unlocked a skill: Aura Blade (Rank D-)]