---
Arthur examined his new body… testing his muscles, the sensation of strength, and the flow of mana running through him. At that moment, the system reappeared—its form looking different, more polished and advanced than before.
The system exclaimed with overwhelming excitement:
[Arthuuur… look at my new capabilities! We've both become so much stronger!]
Arthur replied with his usual coldness, though a faint hint of amusement slipped into his tone:
"Don't get too excited… this tiny evolution won't make us legends. We're still weak."
The system shrieked in frustration:
[Are you kidding me?! Look at your statistics after the evolution!]
A notification sounded.
Ding
---
Status Window
[Name]: Arthur Gray — Mike
[Age]: 13
[Rank]: Civilian — Unclassified
[Race]: Human (Corrupted)???? [Undefined Error]
[Origin]: Unknown?
[Physical Condition]: Strong — Active
[Cursed]: 4 curses????
[Body Synchronization]: 53.12%
Tip:
[Increase synchronization to avoid future power instability.]
---
Notable Traits
• Emotional Coldness
• High Intelligence
• Combat Analysis Capability
• Extremely High Mental Resistance
---
Statistics After Mutation
• Strength: 14.27% → 20.89%
• Magic Power (New): 20.89%
• Endurance: 15.50% ← 20.90%
• Intelligence: 58.50% ← 74.97%
• Luck: 18.54% ← 18.55%
• Mana: 14.50% ← 21.81%
• Charisma: 74.00% ← 80.00%
---
Special Elements
• Shadows
• Corrupted Lightning
• Corrupted Plant
• Corrupted Flame
System description:
[All elements are tied to the new corruption energy in the host. Anything touched by corruption will be consumed completely—depending on the host's strength.]
---
Skills
• Insightful Eye — Lv. 1
Analyzes abilities, weaknesses, and possible trajectories.
[New functions unlocked after evolution.]
---
• Pebble Throw — Lv. 1
A nearly useless skill…
Though it might distract a squirrel.
And maybe a monster, if it's stupid enough.
[Upgradeable]
---
• Iron Will — Lv. 3
A will that defies pain, poison, and temptations.
Allows movement even when the body is destroyed.
Properties:
• Blocks mental and spiritual attacks
• Reduces pressure from powerful auras
• Lessens damage from natural elements
---
• Voracious Devour — Max Level
Devours all forms of life and power, converting them into physical development.
Works on any being that possesses "Life" or "Energy."
---
• Sequential Movements — Lv. 1
Automatically evolves and changes its name when wind, shadow, light, or lightning elements awaken.
[Evolution condition met]
---
• Advanced Skill: Lightning Step — Lv. 2
Allows movement at speeds dependent on lightning mastery.
[Upgradeable]
---
• Shadow Veil (New)
Allows the host to vanish and move inside shadows.
[Not upgradeable]
---
• Shadow Manipulation (New)
Shapes shadows into weapons depending on the host's strength.
[Not upgradeable]
---
• Corrupted Vines (New)
Summons contaminated vines for attack or restraint.
[Not upgradeable]
---
• Flame of Ruin (Locked)
Host is far too weak to use this.
---
• Corrupted Cluster (New)
A stone-like armor coated in corruption that absorbs energy and reflects it back at enemies.
---
System Notice
[The corruption aura has been sealed inside the host. If anyone senses it, they will assume you belong to the Abyss.]
---
Arthur's eyes widened slightly as he examined the window.
These powers… were not ordinary.
The system said proudly:
[Yes, dear… this is what true power feels like! We're now as strong as Eliara!]
Arthur didn't reply.
He activated Shadow Manipulation, and the shadows flowed around his body, forming dark clothes to replace his torn ones. Simple… but fitting.
He said calmly:
"This power is still weak compared to heroes… we need training."
The system nodded:
[True. But your martial arts from your old world won't help you here. You need a teacher.]
Arthur replied:
"I know the perfect one."
The system asked nervously:
[Who?]
Arthur smirked faintly:
"Ever heard of the title… the Blood-Crazed Woman?"
Silence filled the air…
Then the system screamed:
[…!! Are you insane?! She doesn't distinguish between humans and abyssal creatures!]
Arthur said indifferently:
"I know… and don't play dumb. You know why she became like that."
The system sighed:
[Fine… but what about your sister?]
Arthur raised an eyebrow:
"Sister?"
The system gasped:
[Yes, you have a sister! Didn't I give you the body's memories?]
Arthur shouted:
"You didn't!"
The system laughed awkwardly:
[Alright, alright… I'll give them now.]
Memories poured into Arthur's mind like a storm.
A shattered childhood… fear… betrayal…
A little sister cursed by mana corruption…
And crushing loneliness.
When it ended, his breath was shaky.
He whispered:
"How did this kid… survive all this? Even I didn't live like that."
The system replied sadly:
[This world is advanced… but deadly. Many lived the same.]
Then it asked seriously:
[Will you abandon the last member of your family… to go train?]
Arthur stayed silent for a long time, then asked:
"Tell me… can you access the internet?"
The system answered proudly:
[Yes. I can hack anything, monitor anything, and I have storage as well.]
Arthur smiled slightly:
"Good. It's the year 3108, February. Moonshadow Arsenal is still at rock bottom. I want you to invest all the money in my account to buy as many shares as possible."
The system hesitated:
[But that money is for your sister's treatment… what if it fails?]
Arthur replied:
"I have a backup plan. We'll extract all the Sap of the Fetus Tree and store it. If we need money… we'll sell it on the black market."
The system stayed silent, then chuckled:
[Right… how could I forget your nature?]
It added:
[Alright, everything is invested. But 8 million only buys 8% of the company.]
Arthur said confidently:
"A Great start."
The system replied:
[Done. I hacked the bank to finish the paperwork.]
Arthur nodded:
"Good. Let's go collect the rest of the sap."
But the system suddenly interrupted:
[She's in Tsukinori Continent — The Silent Moon. And we only have one ticket. You also didn't bring an ID or a phone. They won't let you use any transportation to return.]
Arthur scowled:
"And whose fault is that? You woke me up like that!"
Silence.
[…]
Then Arthur asked:
"Listen… you can give me skills, right?"
The system answered reluctantly:
[Yes and no. I can give you a random skill under strict conditions.]
Arthur thought for a moment:
"Can you combine skills?"
The system answered instantly:
[No… but I might be able to add them to my list.]
Arthur said:
"Try it."
Moments passed before the system returned:
[It's done.]
Arthur said:
"Good… combine Shadow Veil with the transportation ticket."
Long silence.
[…]
[Excuse me....?]
Arthur said coldly:
"Combine them."
The system panicked:
[You're joking… how—]
Arthur cut it off impatiently:
"Just do it."
The system grumbled:
[I'm not responsible for what happens later…]
A new notification appeared.
Ding
• New Skill: Teleportation Gate
Description:
Opens a relocation gate, covering the host with black smoke for concealment.
Transfers the user to any location they think of, as long as they have sufficient mana.
[Not upgradeable]
The system widened its eyes and mouth in absolute shock:
[…You maniac! You actually got a permanent teleportation skill!]
Arthur gathered all the sap from the Fetus Tree, then said:
"Let's get out of here."
He activated the skill, black smoke wrapped around him… and he vanished.
---
Not far away…
A girl with pointed ears stood silently.
Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth to keep herself from screaming.
She saw… everything.
---