Chen fastened his sword to his hip, adjusting the belt until the weight felt natural. As he took off toward the mountains, he focused on getting used to carrying the extra burden. He had trained with a sword before, but that was Chen. Not Michael.


    After ensuring the blade slid smoothly from its scabbard, he swung it a few times, feeling out the weight and balance. A thrill ran through him. The weapon felt right in his hands, sparking a deep excitement he hadn’t known he was capable of. Closing his eyes, he reached into his memories—Chen’s memories—drawing on past training.


    Back on Earth, he had devoured countless cultivation novels, dreaming of what it would be like to be the kind of hero who roamed free, unshackled by the mundane. Now, fate had given him that chance, and he refused to let it slip away like so many other things in his past life.


    His movements were slow at first—the sword was too heavy for him to wield properly. But rather than fight against the weight, he started using it as momentum, letting the blade''s mass guide his swings. If he was just a little stronger, he knew he could wield it with more finesse.


    Satisfied for now, he sheathed the weapon and continued toward the forest at the mountain’s base. This area was known to be home to weaker creatures, while the deeper one ventured, the more dangerous the wildlife became. He wasn’t planning to cross the first mountain range just yet—his goal was simple: find some spiritual plants or fruits to help with his training.


    After a few hours of trekking, the distant sounds of a fight reached his ears. He slowed his pace, instinctively gripping his sword. His heart pounded as he crept forward, doing his best to remain silent. The thing making all that noise probably wouldn’t hear him over its own struggle, but he wasn’t about to take any chances.


    Brushing aside a thick cluster of leaves, his eyes widened in surprise.


    In the clearing ahead, a short, green humanoid brandished a crude spear against a massive boar. A goblin. Its name hovered above its head, glowing faintly in his vision:


    [Goblin - Level 2]


    The boar, equally bloodied, snorted and stomped, baring its tusks.


    [Wild Boar - Level 2]


    Before Chen could question the strange display, a voice chimed in his mind.


    "I don''t have much power right now, but at your level, I can detect creatures around the same strength as you," Eve explained. "That''s why you''re seeing their levels."


    Chen nodded absentmindedly, his attention locked on the battle. He had no idea who would win, and for a moment, he simply watched, captivated by the raw struggle for survival.


    The fight dragged on for nearly half an hour, both creatures covered in wounds. Just when it seemed like the goblin had the upper hand, it made a fatal mistake—its foot slipped in one of the boar’s deep hoof prints. Off balance for just a second, it left itself open. The boar lunged, impaling the goblin on its tusks before tossing the limp body aside.


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    Chen''s grip on his sword tightened. Now was his chance.


    The boar stood with its back to him, its body heaving with exhaustion. It had barely survived the fight—it wouldn’t survive him.


    He moved swiftly, closing the distance in an instant. With a firm grip, he drove his sword forward, sinking the blade deep into the beast’s heart. The boar shuddered, let out a ragged breath, then collapsed. Dead.


    Chen took a step back, exhaling slowly. His first real kill.


    After confirming that the goblin was also dead, he turned his attention to the boar’s massive body. It had to weigh a few hundred pounds. Leaving it here would be a mistake—the scent of blood would draw predators soon.


    Wasting no time, he retrieved his knife and began carving into the carcass. He sliced off one of the legs and removed the tenderloins, taking only what he could carry. He knew of a cave not too far from here—it would be the perfect place to cook his kill.


    The cave had been used by his clan during a hunting expedition when he was younger. While he didn’t remember the exact location, he had a general idea. It took over an hour of searching, but eventually, he found the entrance.


    Setting down the meat, he took out the flint and steel from his pack and started a fire. The process was slow, but soon, the flames roared to life, casting flickering shadows against the cave walls.


    Sweat dripped down his body from carrying all the meat, but he ignored his exhaustion.


    "Eating the meat raw would be fine," Eve remarked in his mind.


    Chen grimaced. Not happening.


    He placed the cuts of boar meat over the fire, watching as the fat sizzled and dripped onto the hot stones. The rich scent filled the cave, making his stomach growl.


    But rather than sit idly while it cooked, he decided to train.


    "Eve, help me come up with a training plan," he requested.


    "Simple," she replied. "Break your muscles down as much as possible, then eat as much food as you can. That’s the fastest way for you to grow stronger."


    Chen frowned. It couldn’t be that easy, could it?


    "Trust me. Just work out until the boar is done cooking. You’ll understand more after you eat."


    Shrugging, he dropped to the ground and began doing push-ups.


    At first, each repetition was manageable, but as the minutes passed, his arms trembled, muscles burning with effort. When he could do no more, he switched to squats, pushing his legs to their limit. Sweat poured down his face, but strangely, he welcomed the strain.


    Just as he paused to catch his breath, Eve’s voice rang out again.


    "Eat now. Then continue."


    Only then did he notice the delicious aroma filling the cave. The meat was ready.


    Chen tore into the boar with ravenous hunger. The gamey taste was unlike the pork he remembered, but the smoky char and juicy fat made it incredibly satisfying.


    As soon as the first few bites hit his stomach, warmth spread through his body. Strength flooded back into his limbs. His muscles, weak from overexertion, began to recover almost instantly.


    He barely registered how much he was eating—by the time he stopped, he had devoured nearly half the boar.


    How was that even possible?


    "Your body is adapting," Eve explained. "Now, work out again while digesting. You’ll see."


    Chen hesitated but obeyed, dropping back into push-ups.


    This time, it felt different. His body, instead of feeling weaker, felt stronger with each movement. Every rep burned, but in a satisfying way—as if he could feel his body absorbing the energy from the meat and turning it into strength.


    An addicting sensation washed over him.


    So this was what true growth felt like.


    He continued training long after the fire dimmed, the stars above watching in silent approval.


    Tonight was only the beginning.