《Virtual Ascension [Progression Fantasy | Litrpg/Gamelit]》


 Chapter 1

    Year 2199, Earth.


    A young man named Venix had just woken up from his long sleep in his dorm room.


    His eyes slowly opened, and he could feel the heavy fatigue weighing down his body.


    Reaching for his phone beside him, Venix glanced at the screen, which showed it was already 5 PM.


    "Did I really sleep almost the entire day?" Venix mumbled, disbelief creeping into his voice.


    If he remembered correctly, he had fallen asleep around 9 PM the previous night. But for some reason, his sleep this time had been ridiculously long. Even someone who loved sleeping would be surprised by how long Venix had slept.


    Venix tried to sit up on his bed, but his body felt heavy, as though a massive rock was holding him down.


    The memory of the dream from last night still lingered in his mind. He had fought a horde of monsters with no weapons, taking them down one by one with his bare hands.


    The dream had felt so real that even the exhaustion seemed to linger as he awoke.


    ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve slept more than eight hours, and it¡¯s honestly a bit terrifying!¡± Venix sighed.


    Something felt off about this long sleep. Since Venix rarely slept for more than eight hours, how had he ended up sleeping for twenty?


    Before he could ponder it further, the door to his dorm room swung open, and two guys around his age walked in.


    They were Venix¡¯s roommates: Ronan and Rael.


    Ronan had brown hair and a constantly energetic demeanor, while Rael, on the other hand, was more relaxed and always wore glasses¡ªa true bookworm.


    As soon as Ronan saw Venix, he excitedly spoke up.


    ¡°Look at you, Venix! The exams are over, and now we just wait for graduation. We¡¯ve gotta make the most of our youth! You don¡¯t want to waste it, right? Dude, have you even tried getting a girlfriend before graduation?" Ronan asked, his face radiating excitement.


    Venix glanced at Ronan, noticing his excited expression. From what he knew of Ronan, it seemed like Ronan had received some good news that day.


    Rael, standing beside Ronan, adjusted his glasses slightly.


    ¡°You should really reconsider your life choices, Ronan. You¡¯ve decided to spend your youth chasing after women. A few years from now, you won¡¯t even have enough money to treat your girlfriend,¡± Rael said calmly, his words laced with a bit of mockery but also offering what seemed like a wise piece of advice.


    Ronan turned, his face twisting into an expression of annoyance. "Oh, come on, Rael! Save your advice for someone who cares. I''ve already prepped my stomach to drain your wallet dry!"


    Venix smiled at their banter. ¡°In that case, I¡¯m in. I¡¯m starving after sleeping all day.¡±


    Rael nodded. ¡°Good, because we were planning to take you out to eat.¡±


    ¡°Hm, so are we celebrating our graduation?¡± Venix asked, slightly intrigued.


    ¡°Kind of,¡± Ronan replied. ¡°But more specifically, Rael just got his paycheck from his internship at a company. I¡¯m a bit jealous that he confidently invited us both out to eat. How much did he even earn from that company?¡±


    Rael, hearing this, calmly explained, "The money¡¯s just a bonus. I¡¯m working because it helps me apply what I¡¯ve learned faster in the real world.¡±


    Venix looked at Rael with admiration. Of course, Rael was the type to have thought wisely about his future. Unlike Venix and Ronan, who were still stumbling around, trying to figure out their paths like blind men, Rael had already made significant progress and left them both behind.


    Eventually, the three of them headed to a nearby restaurant for a meal.


    Though Venix felt exhausted, he pushed himself to walk, even though his body grew more tired with each step.


    As his energy began to drain, Venix grabbed some snacks along the way to keep him going until they reached the restaurant.


    Once at the restaurant, they all ordered their food.


    This time, Rael didn¡¯t limit how much Venix and Ronan could eat. Venix ordered more food than usual, not at all concerned about how much money Rael had on him.


    Half an hour later, Rael and Ronan stared at Venix with a mix of horror and disbelief.


    Venix had polished off all his food in no time¡ªlike someone starving and not having eaten in days.


    Ronan stared in awe, while Rael just sighed, trying to keep his smile in check.


    Rael didn¡¯t mind, even though the bill was much larger than he¡¯d expected.


    ¡°This is the first time in my life I¡¯ve eaten this much,¡± Venix said with a wide grin. ¡°Thanks, Rael. If it weren¡¯t for you, I might¡¯ve gone bankrupt today.¡±


    Rael gave a small smile. ¡°Glad you enjoyed it.¡±


    However, as they continued chatting, something unusual happened to Venix.


    His eyes suddenly caught sight of a mysterious interface that appeared in front of him¡ªsomething Ronan and Rael couldn¡¯t see.


    [ The Virtual Ascension System has been successfully linked ]


    ¡°Huh? What is this?¡± Venix muttered softly, startled.


    Ronan and Rael continued their conversation, their voices drowned out by the clatter of plates, laughter, and the soft music playing in the background. They didn¡¯t glance at Venix, as though they didn¡¯t hear anything at all.


    The glowing letters floated in front of his eyes, showing no signs of fading away.


    Venix blinked rapidly, trying to confirm if this was real or just a hallucination caused by his long sleep.


    He glanced at Ronan and Rael, but neither of them seemed the least bit surprised.


    They were still chatting, as if the screen in front of him could only be seen by him.


    Venix took a deep breath, leaning back in his chair, which felt uncomfortably hard against his back.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    His eyes remained fixed on the transparent screen floating in front of him, still glowing as before.


    ¡°It¡¯s not disappearing, huh?¡± Venix thought, half confused, half anxious.


    [ Host has been detected ]


    Venix furrowed his brows, squinting at the changes taking place.


    [ Name: Vain Venix ]


    [ Level: Mortal ]


    [ Origin Power: N/A ]


    [ Virtual World: Numan World ]


    [ Resource Point: 0 ]


    ¡°Hm???¡± Venix was stunned by the changes in the system interface.


    His surprised mutter was drowned out by the noise in the restaurant, so Ronan and Rael didn¡¯t hear him.


    His eyes remained fixed on the transparent screen hovering in front of him.


    The letters seemed carved in the air, revealing information that made his head spin. His full name was clearly displayed, with no mistakes.


    ¡°Am I hallucinating or something?¡± Venix thought, confusion creeping into his mind.


    Venix tried pinching his arm, hoping the pain would make the transparent screen disappear.


    But nothing changed. The screen remained floating in front of him.


    At that moment, a mysterious message suddenly surged into the depths of his mind.


    Venix froze, his body stiffening, his thoughts empty¡ªunable to move or think.


    A full minute passed in silence before the strange effect slowly faded.


    When his body became mobile again, Venix realized something incredible: he now instinctively understood the basics of how to use this system.


    ¡°Is this a new Virtual Reality game that¡¯s been secretly developed? How did I get early access to their project?¡± Venix wondered, his confusion deepening.


    However, the strange experience¡ªthe sudden knowledge that had filled his mind¡ªmade him feel that this wasn¡¯t just some ordinary Virtual Game.


    The Virtual Ascension System, as it was called, allowed its owner to enter and explore a Virtual World.


    In that world, the Host could gain power, evolve, and perhaps achieve even more.


    At least, that was what Venix understood from the flood of information that had been implanted in his mind.


    To control the system, Venix only needed to use his thoughts.


    With a single command in his mind, the system interface hovering before his eyes disappeared, vanishing like an illusion that had never existed.


    Venix tested the system repeatedly, opening the interface, checking his profile, and exploring each menu available.


    Everything worked smoothly, following his will without any obstacles.


    Venix''s expression grew serious, a strange unease creeping into his heart¡ªa subtle warning of danger that seemed to accompany the system¡¯s presence.


    For five whole minutes, Venix examined every corner of the system with his mind. There were no errors, no glitches. Everything worked perfectly. And that perfection was precisely what made Venix uneasy.


    When he opened the [Virtual World] menu, a single name stood out on the screen:


    [Numan World]


    ¡°So, this is the access to a Virtual World called Numan World?¡± Venix thought, his gaze fixed on the screen. ¡°Once I enter, my body in the real world will fall asleep, and my consciousness will transfer to the Virtual World to explore it?¡±


    Curiosity bubbled within Venix. He wanted to jump right in and confirm the truth.


    But logic held him back. If this was real, his body would fall asleep here in the restaurant¡ªa sight that would undoubtedly draw everyone¡¯s attention.


    Reluctantly, Venix closed the system and sighed deeply.


    "Later," he thought.


    He decided to wait until he was back in the safety of his dorm room to test the system further.


    Once his meal had digested and the sluggishness in his body began to fade, Venix finally joined the conversation with his two friends.


    Most of their talk revolved around plans for the future, exchanging advice, and occasionally cracking lighthearted jokes to liven up the mood.


    Time passed quickly. Within an hour, night had fallen.


    The three decided to head back to the dormitory before 9 PM, as the school gates would be locked after that time.


    ---


    When they arrived at the dorm, Ronan and Rael immediately collapsed onto their beds. Their long sighs and limp movements made it clear they had no energy left to do anything else.


    Venix, on the other hand, was still brimming with energy.


    Though his body lay on the bed, his eyes stayed wide open, clearly showing that something was occupying his thoughts.


    Without hesitation, Venix reopened the system.


    The system interface appeared once more, almost teasing him to delve deeper into its mysteries.


    Venix¡¯s thoughts turned toward the [Virtual World] menu.


    With a single mental command, Venix selected [Numan World] from the list displayed on the screen.


    [Please ensure that the Host is in a safe location, away from any danger, before entering the Virtual World.]


    [Would you like to proceed?]


    ¡°Proceed,¡± Venix answered in his mind.


    In an instant, he felt a powerful force pulling at his consciousness. The sensation was so sudden, like being sucked into a vortex, leaving him no chance to resist. Everything plunged into darkness.


    His awareness froze, his body unresponsive, as if erased from existence.


    But it lasted only a few seconds before the sensation vanished, replaced by a gradual return of his senses¡ªhis consciousness reigniting as quickly as it had been extinguished.


    Everything was pitch black. Venix realized his eyes were closed, but his body was slowly regaining its responsiveness.


    One by one, his senses reactivated: the coolness of the ground beneath his feet, the chill of the air brushing against his skin, and the faint sound of wind whispering past.


    A few moments passed, and finally, he felt fully in control of his body. Slowly, Venix opened his eyes.


    The sight before him immediately captivated him: a radiant moon hung high in a dark sky, casting a silvery glow over a world that felt utterly alien.


    ¡°Did I make it to the Virtual World?¡± Venix wondered, his eyes fixed on the breathtaking sky above.


    Cautiously, Venix attempted to move his body, then sat up to get a better view of his surroundings.


    However, the moment he sat up, a foul stench hit his nose like a punch.


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s that smell?¡± Venix muttered, frowning.


    His gaze darted around, scanning his surroundings. Venix quickly realized he was in a place filled with piles of scrap metal stacked high like mountains.


    The towering piles of rusted, filthy scrap metal were unmistakably the source of the stench assaulting Venix''s nose.


    Instinctively, Venix pinched his nose with his right hand and muttered, ¡°This game is way too realistic. When did Virtual Games start hitting this level of immersion?¡±


    After steadying himself, he began looking around, scanning his unfamiliar surroundings for an exit.


    His eyes swept across the area, but before he could decide on a course of action, hurried footsteps echoed in the distance, steadily growing louder.


    A group of young men and women, dressed in ragged clothing and looking utterly exhausted, came rushing toward him from afar.


    Their faces were painted with panic, and they sprinted directly toward Venix without slowing down.


    "Run! They''re coming!" one of them shouted desperately, his voice hoarse from exertion.


    Venix froze, utterly bewildered.


    Two things puzzled him.


    First, though he didn¡¯t understand the words the man had spoken, somehow he comprehended their meaning perfectly.


    Second, he had no idea who or what "they" referred to¡ªor the danger that was apparently closing in.


    Seeing Venix standing there like a statue, the man who had shouted at him ignored his inaction and kept running, rushing past him without a second glance.


    At least he¡¯d given a warning¡ªwhether Venix heeded it or not was no longer his concern. The man had no intention of being a hero.


    Still rooted in place, Venix¡¯s gaze followed the group as they hurried past him.


    Then, suddenly, the threat they had feared emerged from the shadows.


    Three cylindrical robots hovered in the air, each equipped with two long, mechanical arms that radiated an aura of cold precision and raw power.


    The machines moved swiftly, chasing after the fleeing group.


    ¡°A robot?¡± Venix murmured, his muscles tensing in anticipation. ¡°Are robots the main enemies in this world?¡±


    His instincts screamed at him to run, to follow the group and escape.


    But before he could act, one of the robots aimed a weapon embedded in its cylindrical body and fired a shot at him with blinding speed.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Venix cursed under his breath, frustration and fear lacing his voice.


    With his current lack of strength and experience, there was no way he could dodge an attack that fast.


    Bang!


    The shot exploded just before hitting him, but instead of shrapnel or fire, it transformed into a sturdy, glowing net that wrapped around Venix, binding him tightly.


    ¡°The lost sheep has been captured. Remaining sheep are fleeing north,¡± one of the robots announced coldly, its voice devoid of emotion.


    Two of the machines immediately resumed their chase, while the remaining robot approached Venix, effortlessly lifting his net-bound body.


    ¡°Prepare to meet the truth of the God,¡± the robot intoned, its tone unchanging, mechanical.


    Venix, ensnared in the glowing net, could only manage a wry smile.


    ¡°A Robot God?¡± he mused, confusion swirling in his mind. ¡°Did the robot race invade this world and force the natives to worship their so-called God?¡±


    Before he could ponder the situation further, the robot holding him moved forward, dragging his body into deeper shadows.


    "Prepare yourself, sheep,¡± the machine said ominously. ¡°The God is waiting.¡±


    As the robot carried him away, the familiar chaos of the scrap-laden wasteland receded into the distance.


    Venix¡¯s mind raced, but his body remained restrained, unable to resist or even struggle.


    The world grew darker with every step, the clanking and whirring of the robot¡¯s mechanisms echoing ominously.


    Whatever awaited him beyond the looming shadows was a mystery¡ªa future Venix couldn¡¯t predict, one he could only face head-on.

 Chapter 2

    After being captured by the Cylinder Robot, Venix was taken to a city.


    Without moving a single muscle, Venix had already achieved his initial plan¡ªa plan he hadn''t even thought through yet!


    Upon entering the city, his eyes immediately caught something intriguing. The city was bustling with humans¡ªor at least creatures that looked like humans. There was almost no discernible difference between them and the people on Earth.


    It felt strange, but also astonishing, to witness such a familiar sight in an alien world.


    Trapped in a web that bound his body, Venix struggled to free himself. He wriggled, tugged, and even bit at the web.


    But it was all futile. The web was too tough. Though it felt soft against his skin, its strength was overwhelming. Every escape attempt only caused the web to restore itself to perfection, as though it had never been touched.


    ¡°This... is too realistic,¡± Venix muttered, sighing in frustration. ¡°It feels more like the real world than just a virtual game.¡±


    Trying to calm his thoughts, Venix opened his system interface. He did this without any gesture¡ªjust using his mind.


    As he suspected, a new mission had appeared on the interface.


    [Quest: Awaken]


    [Description: Obtain the Awaken Injection and activate the Origin Fragment Realm, a hidden power within your body.]


    [Reward: 100 Resource Points]


    Venix carefully read the quest description multiple times, ensuring the details were etched into his memory. This mission might be the key to surviving in this strange virtual world.


    ¡°Captured by a cylinder robot but not thrown into a pit? Well, it¡¯s better than dying pointlessly,¡± Venix thought, trying to find the silver lining in this absurd situation.


    The cylinder robot continued its silent march, carrying Venix toward a large building at the city¡¯s center.


    The structure stood out with its gleaming metallic walls and strange symbols displayed above the entrance¡ªwhether they were letters, numbers, or mere decorations, Venix couldn¡¯t tell.


    As they entered the building, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The interior was bustling with activity. Humans¡ªor humanoid beings¡ªwere busy with their tasks.


    Some were typing on devices resembling tablets, while others moved quickly with serious expressions, carrying documents or glowing objects.


    However, their reaction to Venix was almost nonexistent. They merely glanced briefly at the cylinder robot and the "lost sheep" it carried, then returned to their routines with no hint of curiosity.


    ¡°Hmm... If I¡¯m a ¡®lost sheep,¡¯ I must not be an important one,¡± Venix thought. The workers¡¯ indifference suggested that the term was more of a casual reference to a minor nuisance rather than a significant threat.


    Whether to feel relieved or offended, Venix decided to reserve judgment until he understood what was coming next.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s ideological,¡± Venix mused. ¡°Perhaps those who refuse to worship this robot god are labeled as Lost Sheep.¡±


    It made sense. If the conflict was merely about differing beliefs, it was understandable why the city¡¯s residents wouldn¡¯t make a big deal out of it.


    The cylinder robot stopped in front of a door that opened automatically, then rolled inside, bringing Venix into a specific room.


    There, a woman stood. Her long brown hair was tied into a ponytail, adding to her professional demeanor. She wore a white coat, resembling that of a doctor, paired with glasses that sat neatly on her face.


    But what truly caught Venix¡¯s attention was her beauty. She wasn¡¯t just attractive¡ªshe was stunning! Even if she were on Earth, she could easily be a top-tier celebrity or at least a regular magazine cover model.


    Venix was momentarily transfixed, somewhat surprised. He almost forgot this was a virtual world.


    Before his thoughts could wander further, the woman¡¯s voice broke his reverie.


    ¡°Oh? Another Lost Sheep? Fine,¡± she said nonchalantly, her tone almost bored. ¡°I don¡¯t mind handling one more.¡±


    The robot placed Venix on a large table in the center of the room, handling him with surprising care¡ªor at least pretending to care about his comfort.


    On the table, Venix noticed he wasn¡¯t the only ¡°catch.¡± Another web lay nearby, holding a man trapped inside.


    The man¡¯s face was flushed with anger, and as Venix observed him, he suddenly screamed hysterically.


    ¡°You devil woman! Just kill me! I won¡¯t accept cursed devil blood in my body!¡±


    Venix stared at the man. His outburst was full of hatred but also seemed a bit... over the top.


    In his mind, Venix thought, "So even in this world, there¡¯s room for drama? This virtual realm has incredible depth and attention to detail."


    The woman, clearly unfazed, responded with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°It¡¯s been an hour. Aren¡¯t you tired of cursing me by now? Besides, this is my job. If I don¡¯t do my job, how am I supposed to buy nice clothes every week? Are you planning to cover my weekly paycheck?¡±


    ¡°You... You¡¯re sacrificing us for clothes?!¡± the man shouted in horror, his voice piercing.


    The woman pinched the bridge of her nose, visibly irritated. ¡°Enough with the nonsense! Once this is over, you¡¯re free to go back to wherever you came from!¡±


    The man slumped within the web, hugging his knees as if they were his last line of defense. Trembling, he muttered, ¡°I¡¯m already dead... This is the end...¡±


    While this drama unfolded, Venix watched intently¡ªlike an audience member enjoying an absurd theater performance.


    Eventually, his curiosity got the better of him. Politely, he raised his right hand.


    ¡°Um, excuse me. May I ask something?¡±


    The woman turned, one eyebrow arched as she noticed Venix, the newcomer to the room.


    Even the previously despairing man looked at him, his face a mixture of confusion and surprise.


    The newcomer, of course, was Venix. He stood calmly, still trapped in the web, as if participating in a class discussion rather than facing a potentially life-threatening situation.


    The language used by Venix was from Earth, but he asked the question confidently. If the system had an automatic translation feature¡ªsomething he suspected from how he understood the language of the people in this world¡ªthen perhaps it also translated the language he was currently using, making it comprehensible to the locals.


    Moreover, Venix was calm. To him, this was just a game. There was no reason to panic.


    If he died, so be it. After all, for Venix, it was a game. He would respawn after some time, maybe in a different location.


    The woman, who seemed slightly surprised by Venix¡¯s composure, finally responded.


    ¡°What do you want to ask?¡± Her tone held a faint curiosity.


    Apparently, this was the first time she had encountered a ¡°Lost Sheep¡± who reacted this way.


    Most, like the man before, would panic and scream as if the world was ending when caught and brought to this room.


    Hearing that the woman was willing to answer, Venix felt a bit relieved. At least the system automatically translated Earth languages. He didn¡¯t have to waste time learning this alien tongue just to communicate.


    ¡°I¡¯m just curious,¡± Venix said, his tone casual. ¡°What are you going to do to us?¡±


    Venix knew that gathering information was the most critical first step. Even if he had to die here, as long as he obtained useful information, it would be a fair price to pay.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The woman sighed softly, as if explaining something obvious. ¡°Nothing major. I¡¯m just going to inject the Awaken Injection into your body. Once the process is complete, you¡¯re free to go and live your life as usual.¡±


    ¡°Awaken Injection?¡± Venix raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. He clearly hadn¡¯t expected such an answer.


    "Awaken Injection? Could it be related to the quest I have?" Venix thought to himself. His mind began working furiously, piecing together the fragments of information he had just received.


    Glancing back at his system interface, Venix could only let out a small sigh.


    ¡°So, my mission gets completed just like that without needing any specific plan?¡± Venix thought. There was no relief, only a mix of disbelief and bemusement.


    But his curiosity soon took over. Venix looked at the woman with a serious gaze.


    ¡°Is this Awaken Injection supposed to awaken hidden power fragments within me?¡± Venix asked bluntly.


    The woman appeared slightly taken aback but replied nonchalantly. ¡°Well, that¡¯s correct. The Awaken Injection is meant to awaken hidden powers that cannot naturally surface.¡±


    Venix¡¯s eyes immediately sparkled with enthusiasm. He could barely contain his excitement.


    ¡°Awaken Injection? Count me in!¡± Venix declared with a half-joking tone, though his eyes shone with eager anticipation.


    The shock on the woman¡¯s face was evident. Even the man, who had been drowning in despair, now stared at Venix with a mix of astonishment and dread.


    ¡°You¡¯re crazy! You¡¯ve been possessed by demons!¡± the man shouted, pointing a trembling finger at Venix.


    Venix ignored the outburst entirely. He focused on the woman in front of him with hopeful eyes, like a child waiting for a gift. If this Awaken Injection could truly grant him power, wasn¡¯t this the perfect first step?


    The woman raised an eyebrow, as if puzzled by Venix¡¯s confidence, but eventually gave a small smile.


    ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll handle you first,¡± the woman said, her tone slightly amused.


    She stepped forward, carefully removing the net that had bound Venix. Once the net was gone, Venix stepped out casually, with no sign of nervousness on his face.


    The woman calmly led Venix to a large, pod-like machine that stood empty.


    Its surface was shiny, with small lights blinking faintly, creating a somewhat tense atmosphere.


    ¡°When you¡¯re ready, step inside. I¡¯ll take care of the rest,¡± the woman said casually, as if this procedure was routine for her.


    Venix paused for a moment, looking at the woman with slight hesitation.


    ¡°Is she really not worried that I might rebel?¡± Venix wondered to himself.


    There were no additional security measures, no tight guards.


    What Venix didn¡¯t realize was that the woman was far stronger than she appeared. For someone like her, dealing with Venix, whose strength was equivalent to an average human, was like swatting a fly.


    After pondering briefly, Venix decided to ask a question, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°May I know your name?¡±


    The woman stopped and looked at him, then gave a small smile.


    ¡°You can call me Luna,¡± she said simply, her tone friendly yet professional.


    Venix noted the name in his mind.


    This game is a bit strange. The NPCs here are too realistic, almost like real-life beings. If that¡¯s the case, building a good relationship with an NPC like Luna might be a good strategy moving forward.


    Before he could say anything further, Luna added something that left Venix puzzled.


    ¡°By the way, are you one of those hypnotized by the tribal chief?¡± Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Tribal chief?¡± Venix frowned, confusion evident on his face. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    Luna looked at Venix for a moment before beginning to explain casually.


    ¡°The Lost Sheep are mostly like that man,¡± Luna gestured towards the man who had been shouting earlier. ¡°They panic and think it¡¯s the end of the world once they¡¯re brought here.¡±


    Venix¡¯s interest was piqued, and he listened attentively.


    Luna continued, her voice calm yet compelling enough to hold Venix¡¯s attention. ¡°These people are born generation after generation, living isolated from the outside world. Their knowledge is extremely limited, and what they know comes from traditions passed down in their secluded communities.¡±


    Venix listened intently, the virtual gleam in his eyes reflecting the new information.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Luna added, ¡°some Lost Sheep start to realize something is off and uncover the truth. To hide the reality that contradicts their teachings, these people are hypnotized. It¡¯s a lengthy process, forcing them back into their old beliefs and traditions.¡±


    Venix paused, processing the information. So... someone was actively covering up the truth from those who became aware? That sounded like a dirty tactic, even for this virtual world.


    Luna observed Venix closely before concluding, ¡°And you¡¯re different from the other Lost Sheep I¡¯ve met. Most likely, you¡¯re one of the hypnotized ones.¡±


    Venix felt like something was missing from Luna¡¯s explanation, but he only nodded slightly, unsure how to respond.


    ¡°Uh, maybe,¡± Venix said hesitantly, averting his gaze.


    However, with Luna¡¯s explanation, Venix began to get a clearer picture of the situation in this world.


    Apparently, the so-called "Lost Sheep" were individuals who rejected the evolution of superpowers and tended to isolate themselves from the changes occurring around them.


    Driven by growing curiosity, Venix stepped toward the Pod standing tall in the room.


    Luna calmly moved aside, approaching the Pod¡¯s control panel.


    With a few quick taps, the Pod door slowly closed.


    ¡°The mechanism of this machine is very advanced,¡± Venix remarked, offering sincere praise.


    Curiosity swirled within him, even as his body felt increasingly tense due to the unfolding situation.


    Once the Pod was fully closed, Venix remained calm.


    Outside the Pod, Luna stood observing intently. A few seconds later, six large needles emerged from the Pod and cruelly pierced the sides of Venix''s body.


    As the needles punctured his skin, a searing heat spread throughout Venix¡¯s body, like fire. His muscles felt as though they were being squeezed by hot metal, and every breath he took felt as if he were swallowing embers. If this was a simulation, the realism was absolutely overwhelming!


    Outside the Pod, Luna stood without showing any overly surprised reaction. However, as soon as she heard Venix¡¯s scream, she glanced toward the Pod with a hint of curiosity.


    "Ahhh!!!" The loud scream reverberated through the air, clearly audible even though the Pod should have suppressed sound.


    "Hm?" Luna was taken aback and glanced slightly toward the Pod that Venix had entered. "Every Pod is tightly sealed with a strong soundproofing function. But this scream¡­ How could it be so loud outside? How intense was his scream?"


    Luna paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes.


    The Awaken Injection process was known to be extremely painful for everyone. It was expected that anyone undergoing the process would scream in agony.


    However, Venix¡¯s scream was louder than she had imagined, breaking through the sound barriers designed to maintain peace and calm in the room.


    The scream reverberated throughout the room, and Luna began to sense something intriguing. This scream, so loud, could easily rank among the top three loudest screams in the history of the Awaken Injection process.


    "This person... interesting," Luna murmured with a thin smile. "Perhaps he will have a much better Awaken quality than any of the normal Awakenings."


    Venix¡¯s scream lasted for a full five minutes, as if time slowed with every painful cry that erupted from his body.


    But eventually, the scream faded, leaving behind a deep silence.


    Luna checked the monitor in front of her, carefully observing Venix¡¯s condition inside the Pod.


    The cameras installed inside the Pod provided a clear view of what was happening.


    What surprised Luna slightly was that, after all the shaking and screaming, Venix now appeared to be either asleep or unconscious, as if his body could no longer bear the pain.


    "Normally, a regular person would scream for several minutes before stopping. But this person... he only screamed for five minutes. His scream was so loud, it might even have broken the record for this category." Luna smiled faintly, finding Venix rather entertaining.


    Meanwhile, the madman who had been trapped in the net earlier now lay unconscious on the table, his face pale.


    Venix¡¯s deafening scream had frightened him about his own fate, and his mind had collapsed before he could even experience the Awaken Injection firsthand.


    The Awaken Injection process was swift. As soon as the Awaken Injection liquid was injected, its effects immediately began.


    This process not only stimulated the body to release hidden Power Fragments, but also destroyed parts of the body, damaging bones and flesh to trigger latent potential.


    However, not everything about the process was terrifying. The Awaken Injection also contained a powerful healing element, designed to repair the damage caused by the injection.


    The healing liquid would start working as soon as the Power Fragments emerged, and the body would begin to recover naturally after the destruction.


    The Awaken Injection process could be extremely painful, but it was also filled with hope. After the power was awakened, the body would heal itself.


    For those who successfully passed this trial, superpowers would soon be theirs!


    The recovery process usually took about six hours for most people, until they fully recovered to their original state.


    At this moment, Venix was completely unconscious.


    Earlier, Venix had tried to stay relaxed, thinking that this was just a game.


    Although the Awaken Injection process was likely not easy, he had been confident he could endure the pain.


    After all, whatever happened in this virtual world should be easily solvable.


    But the reality¡­ The pain was so real, hitting him with an unexpected force.


    It felt like lightning shattering his mental defenses in an instant. Surprised and unprepared, Venix felt as though his body was made of fragile glass, shattering into pieces.


    As someone accustomed to the comforts of the modern world, the pain was so overwhelming that it made him feel trapped in the depths of hell.


    In the midst of his unconsciousness, Venix seemed trapped in a dark world.


    There, spots of color began to appear, dancing in front of his eyes as if they were a faint glimpse of hope. Yet, they were still too far away, just out of his reach.


    Six hours passed like this, time feeling thick and sluggish, until Venix gradually felt his consciousness returning.


    He slowly opened his eyes, trying to adjust to the light that suddenly flooded his vision.


    The door of the Pod holding his body opened automatically, like the response of a machine that had been pre-programmed. Venix was slightly surprised, his voice hoarse as he tried to speak.


    "Uhh... Where am I?"


    "Oh? You''re awake?" A soft voice, that of a woman, rang out, catching Venix¡¯s attention.


    He turned his head, and the face of a beautiful woman with long brown hair and glasses resting on her nose appeared before him.


    Venix furrowed his brow, feeling confused. "You..."


    The woman smiled and then calmly responded, "I¡¯m Luna. And you are... Oh, right, I forgot to ask your name. But the important thing is, you''re in a weak condition right now. You need to rest, at least for a full day."


    "Your mind isn''t fully stable, so you might have difficulty remembering many things right now."


    Venix nodded weakly, trying to recall something, but his thoughts felt too disordered.


    "Uhhh... Whatever it is, is there a bed I can use?" Venix¡¯s voice was still hoarse, his body feeling as if it had just fallen into a pit of suffering.


    Luna smiled slightly, as if she had already guessed Venix''s condition. "Of course, I¡¯ll take care of that for you."


    Luna called one of her colleagues to escort Venix to a lodging in the city.


    Luna¡¯s colleague seemed a bit confused and hesitated. Wasn¡¯t Venix one of the Lost Sheep? Since when did they get special treatment like this?


    However, Luna simply shook her head and explained briefly, "I¡¯ll handle the expenses."


    Luna had her reasons for doing this, but she didn¡¯t explain them to her colleague.


    Without saying much more, Luna¡¯s colleague obeyed and promptly escorted Venix to a lodge in the city.


    During the drive, Venix glanced at the sky, which looked beautiful. But in his current state, like a drunken person, he paid no attention to it.


    Ten minutes later, Venix arrived at a simple apartment building and was guided by Luna¡¯s colleague to his room.


    Once inside, Venix immediately walked toward the empty bed and, without a second thought, collapsed onto it.


    Within seconds, his eyes closed, and his body sank into the much-needed sleep.

 Chapter 3

    As Venix slept in Numan World, his consciousness slowly returned to the real world without his realizing it.


    Venix was so deeply submerged in his sleep, his mind and body exhausted, that nothing could wake him.


    The next day, around 10 a.m., Venix slowly opened his eyes, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of his dorm room.


    His vision was blurry, but he immediately recognized the plain white ceiling that greeted him every morning.


    A mix of relief and confusion crept into his mind.


    ¡°Is this a dream?¡± Venix thought as he tried to move his heavy body.


    Slowly, he shifted to sit up, feeling the weight of his body, still a little stiff.


    Venix rubbed his temples, trying to ease the sudden headache.


    "That was the worst experience I''ve ever had... What kind of game tortures its players like this?" Venix complained, his voice hoarse and almost weak.


    Looking around his room, Venix finally realized that both of his friends were no longer there. The dorm room, usually filled with noise and chatter, now felt eerily silent.


    "Those two must be busy with their own plans, huh?" Venix murmured quietly. Then a question suddenly appeared in his mind. "Did I have any plans of my own before graduation day?"


    As someone trying to change his fate, Venix felt he must have had something important on his mind.


    But as he tried to remember, it was as if a fog covered his memory. All the plans he had carefully thought of now vanished, reduced to nothing more than vague shadows he couldn¡¯t grasp.


    "That''s right... The System!" Venix suddenly remembered the system that had appeared yesterday¡ªsomething strange he couldn¡¯t fully comprehend.


    With focus in his mind, Venix opened the system interface.


    The screen in front of him showed information he hadn¡¯t had a chance to see or understand before. Numbers and text spun like a puzzle waiting to be solved, beckoning Venix¡¯s attention.


    [ Quest ¡ª Awaken has been Completed ]


    [ Reward: 100 Resource Points Earned ]


    [ You have received a new Quest ]


    [ Quest ¡ª Seed Origin ]


    [ Description: Determine the Main Seed Origin in the Origin Fragment Realm ]


    [ Reward: 200 Resource Points ]


    A notification floated in front of Venix, informing him that the previous quest had been completed.


    Before he could fully grasp what had just happened, the system immediately gave him a new quest.


    Venix stared at the system interface in confusion.


    Resource Points. From what little information he could understand, these points clearly mattered for unlocking something. But what? The system didn¡¯t offer any detailed explanation.


    "Is this really a game?" Venix muttered. The more he thought about it, the more things didn¡¯t make sense.


    It didn¡¯t fit with what he had experienced. Virtual Reality technology was already highly advanced in his era, but not to this extent.


    He had never heard of technology capable of creating such a real experience¡ªwhere pain felt like the torment of hell, and consciousness was thrown out without any equipment. No helmets. No Pods. No cables.


    ¡°How did I enter the Virtual World?¡± Venix thought aloud, his eyes staring blankly at the system screen. Something felt very off.


    Of course, logic tried to fight back. In this era, almost anything was possible. Earth had already entered the interstellar era, with humans scattered across four main planets: Earth, Mars, Europia, and Titania.


    The world was no longer confined to one planet but had expanded to other solar systems.


    Even so, Venix was just an ordinary person. For him, daily life remained the same as most others¡ªwork, study, entertainment. But beyond that monotonous life, there was something else that continued to stir his curiosity: the conspiracy theories scattered across the internet.


    There were rumors of secret experiments on remote planets, alien technology found in asteroids, and even reality simulations that could deceive the human mind.


    All of these theories not only intrigued him but also sparked wild questions in his mind.


    So, when this mysterious system suddenly appeared, his mind immediately jumped to one conclusion.


    Beta Tester.


    "Yeah, this must be some sort of secret technology trial," Venix said, convincing himself.


    That was the only explanation that made sense. The Virtual World felt too real to be just an ordinary game, but it wasn¡¯t plausible enough to be considered real.


    To this day, that belief still held strong.


    For him, whatever was happening, it had to be new technology being tested. Something not yet released to the public. Somehow, he had been chosen to test it.


    And that assumption, strangely, made him feel calmer.


    But deep down, there was a small unease. What if all of this wasn¡¯t just a game?


    Feeling his stomach growl, Venix got out of bed. After quickly washing his face, he left his dorm room and headed toward the school cafeteria.


    Eating was his top priority, especially after the shocking experience in Numan World that kept his mind spinning.


    Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Venix immediately dug into his meal.


    While chewing, Venix¡¯s thoughts drifted back to his earlier experience.


    ¡°It felt too real,¡± Venix thought, recalling how his body had felt crushed when undergoing the Awaken Injection.


    It wasn¡¯t just a virtual effect; the pain... it was real. So real that he could still vividly remember his own screams.


    And the people¡ªor maybe NPCs¡ªhe encountered in that world. They were alive, too alive for a game. Was this really a new technology being tested? Or was there something bigger behind all of this?


    After finishing his meal, Venix hurried back to his dorm.


    His curiosity outweighed the fear he had felt earlier. He wanted to delve deeper into the game.


    However, on his way back to his dorm, something stopped him.


    The sky.


    Venix looked up, his brow raised. There was something strange.


    Lights were dancing across the sky, forming a mesmerizing pattern.


    Green, purple, and blue streaks glowed softly, moving like waves undulating in the ocean. Unlike a usual rainbow that would stay static after rain, this... was alive.


    "Aurora?" Venix murmured. "But... it can¡¯t be an aurora here."


    He rubbed his eyes, ensuring what he was seeing wasn¡¯t an illusion. But the light remained. Not only that, the color patterns seemed to be expanding, like ink slowly spreading on a canvas.


    Without hesitation, Venix took out his phone and pointed the camera at the sky.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s capture this,¡± Venix said as he snapped a photo of the scene.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    However, when he looked at the result, his brow furrowed.


    On his phone screen, all that appeared was the plain blue sky, with no sign of the aurora or the colorful lights.


    Confused, Venix looked at the sky again. The aurora was still there. The colors still mesmerizing, moving gently like a dance in the wind. But on his phone¡¯s screen¡­ it was empty.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Venix muttered.


    Venix raised his phone again, shifting his gaze between the phone¡¯s screen and the sky.


    No change.


    The aurora was real to his eyes, but not visible on the camera. Something was definitely off.


    "Is it my eyes... or is there something else...?" Venix murmured, his voice filled with both anxiety and curiosity.


    He returned the phone to his pocket and quickened his pace back to his dorm.


    His curiosity was burning his mind. What exactly had he seen earlier? And why did that aurora... unsettle him?


    Once back in his room, Venix dropped onto his bed.


    The thoughts of the aurora he saw in the real world kept swirling in his mind. Without wasting any time, Venix opened the system with a thought in his mind.


    The real world faded as a mysterious chill crept across his body. When he opened his eyes, the calm atmosphere of Numan World greeted him, but he knew something was different.


    The first thing Venix saw when he opened his eyes was a clean, neat room¡ªnothing had changed since the last time he left this world.


    However, this familiar feeling didn¡¯t bring him any peace.


    Rising from the bed, Venix quickly walked to the window. He hastily opened it and immediately looked up at the sky.


    His eyes widened, his breath caught.


    The colorful waves were moving slowly, like a dance of light in the sky. The colors curved and merged, forming a pattern that felt unfamiliar but familiar deep inside him.


    Venix¡¯s heart raced. "This... can¡¯t be."


    Faint memories began to return to his mind.


    After receiving the Awaken Injection, his body in this world was no longer the same. At that moment, his consciousness had been in chaos, and his thoughts blurry, as if he were in a nightmare. But one thing Venix clearly remembered was¡ªthe sky.


    A sky like this, full of moving auroras.


    Venix felt familiar with the sight since seeing it in the real world that morning. The colorful waves looked identical, as if the real world and Numan World were beginning to share something in common.


    "What¡¯s really happening?" Venix¡¯s mind was full of questions, and his chest started to tighten.


    He tried to remember again.


    Before receiving the Awaken Injection, the sky in Numan World had looked normal, just like the sky in the real world he knew. But after becoming an Awaken, everything changed.


    His eyes seemed to have been given the ability to see something hidden that ordinary people couldn¡¯t.


    But this wasn¡¯t what made him panic the most.


    Venix swallowed hard, forcing himself to analyze the possibility that had crossed his mind.


    His body in the real world had also been affected by this enhancement.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± Venix muttered, cold sweat starting to form on his temples.


    Numan World should only be a Virtual Game. His body undergoing evolution and becoming an Awaken should have been limited to this world.


    However, the aurora in the real world had previously indicated something else¡ª as if what was happening to his body in this world was affecting his body in the real world.


    If that''s true, then one terrifying question arises: Does death here mean death in the real world too?


    That thought made his body tremble. His chest felt as if it were being pressed, and without realizing it, his knees gave way. His body fell to the floor with a soft thud.


    ¡°If I die here, what will happen to my body in the real world?¡± Venix¡¯s breath began to quicken, and he felt the cold sweat dampening his back.


    He wiped his face with both hands, trying to calm himself.


    Yet his mind kept racing, connecting the dots that were still unclear.


    Numan World was a world of evolution, a place where everyone could gain superpowers.


    But if the sky in the real world started resembling the sky here, would the real world also head toward the same evolutionary direction?


    ¡°That aurora... if it continues to expand, what will happen to Earth?¡± Venix thought. A horrifying image appeared in his mind: Numan World was not just a game, but a projection of the real world''s future!


    The thought made his back go cold. He felt his body tremble, not only from fear, but also from the possibility he had never imagined before.


    If the real world were to transform into Numan World, then... everything would change.


    Venix clenched his fist, trying to control the fear that enveloped him. "I need to confirm this. If my guess is right, then I can¡¯t afford to play around anymore."


    Numan World looked incredibly peaceful. Its atmosphere was calm, as though this world had never known conflict or chaos.


    But Venix knew better than to trust this deceptive calm.


    How long had this world been in the Evolution Era?


    That thought haunted him. In the early days of the Evolution Era, when superpowers first began to emerge in people''s hands, there must have been major consequences.


    The social order collapsed. Chaos reigned. The once-stable food chain turned into a war between predators.


    If that scenario really came to pass in the real world, then Numan World might hold a crucial key for him.


    This world was a place where he could study superpowers and learn how to survive in the chaos that would surely come.


    "If this isn¡¯t a game... then what is this system?" Venix muttered quietly, his emotions a mix of frustration and fear. "Damn it! If you chose me, at least help me face the dangers coming in the real world!"


    After venting his emotions, Venix took a deep breath. He returned to his bed and sat in silence, trying to calm his thoughts.


    The truth was still hazy. All of this felt like a giant puzzle, and he had no choice but to start piecing it together, one fragment at a time.


    Venix''s gaze fell on the small table beside his bed.


    A phone lay on the table, with a piece of paper on top of it. He reached out and grabbed the paper.


    The phone in this world resembled those on Earth, strengthening his suspicion that Numan World might be a depiction of Earth''s future.


    But how could the system create a virtual world like this? Did it have something to do with the concept of space and time?


    Venix flipped the paper over and read what was written on it.


    ¡°If you¡¯ve woken up and feel fine, contact me at this number: xxx-xxx-xxx.


    If you still don¡¯t feel completely healthy, continue resting until your condition improves.¡±


    The writing had been directly translated by the system, making it easy for Venix to read.


    "Luna... did she leave this note?" Venix murmured quietly.


    Without overthinking, Venix dialed the number on the phone. Within a few seconds, a dialing tone rang. Soon after, the call was answered.


    "Hello~ Luna here," a familiar, cheerful voice said.


    "Hello, Luna. Are you busy right now?" Venix asked, trying to keep his tone calm.


    "Oh? I¡¯m just finishing up some small tasks. Who¡¯s this?" Luna asked, her casual tone still intact, though there was a hint of boredom hidden beneath it.


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Venix,¡± Venix replied.


    Luna fell silent for a moment, sounding confused. "Venix? Who¡¯s that?"


    Venix sighed. "I¡¯m one of the participants of the Awaken Injection yesterday."


    ¡°Hm¡­ Ah, right!¡± Luna finally exclaimed, as if remembering something. "Are you the one who screamed really loudly yesterday?"


    Venix was taken aback.


    ¡°D-did I scream that loudly?¡± he asked, a bit embarrassed.


    "Of course! If there were a contest for the loudest scream during the Awaken Injection, I¡¯m sure you¡¯d make it into the top three without any difficulty!" Luna replied, honestly and seriously.


    ¡°¡­¡± Venix.


    Venix felt his face flush with embarrassment.


    A record?! Seriously?!


    Feeling embarrassed, Venix could only remain silent. How was he supposed to live with that achievement hanging over his head?


    "Alright," Luna¡¯s voice sounded a little playful, "Since you¡¯re the interesting Sheep, is there anything I can help you with right now?"


    Venix took a deep breath, trying to ignore the nickname that was now sticking to him.


    ¡°I want to know more about Awaken,¡± Venix said, his tone serious. ¡°What is it exactly? And what about the Origin Fragment? I want all the answers, and I hope you can help me.¡±


    On the other end of the phone, Luna smiled slightly, though Venix couldn¡¯t see it.


    "Information like that is easy to come by. There are many open sources you can study," Luna said casually. "But... if you want more in-depth information, I can help you. With one condition."


    Venix frowned. "A condition? What do you need me to help with?"


    ¡°Come to my workplace,¡± Luna replied. ¡°There¡¯s a card in the drawer of your desk. Use that to get here. We can discuss everything in person.¡±


    Following her instructions, Venix opened the drawer next to his bed and found a simple white card.


    Luna explained that the card could be used to pay for food or services in the city.


    "But don¡¯t expect too much on the amount," Luna added with a playful tone.


    After giving her address, Luna ended the call. Venix stared at the card for a moment before heading out of his room.


    On the side of the road, Venix found a metal pole as Luna had mentioned earlier.


    It had a button with a simple instruction: "Press this button to order a taxi."


    "Super advanced technology, but still needs a pole? Isn¡¯t this a bit too traditional?" Venix thought as he pressed the button.


    In a few seconds, a taxi came speeding toward him and stopped in front of him. The car looked ordinary, similar to vehicles on Earth, with four wheels spinning like normal.


    Venix felt a little disappointed.


    ¡°I thought I¡¯d see a flying car¡­¡± Venix muttered quietly.


    He got into the taxi and was immediately shocked.


    There was no driver! All that was in sight was a small screen on the dashboard.


    ¡°Please state your destination,¡± a robotic voice greeted.


    ¡°Umm¡­ to this address,¡± Venix said, giving the address Luna had provided.


    Moments later, the taxi began to move on its own at a steady speed. Even though the streets appeared empty, Venix still felt uneasy.


    ¡°A car that drives itself? If there¡¯s an accident, who¡¯s at fault? Me or this robot?¡± Venix thought to himself.


    In less than ten minutes, the taxi stopped in front of the destination building. After getting out, Venix stared at the building for a moment. A tall structure with a futuristic design, but not overly striking.


    Venix followed Luna¡¯s instructions, using the white card on the electronic door guard.


    A soft voice from the machine allowed him to enter, which made Venix feel like this was too easy.


    "Is this some kind of VIP access? Or is this card just a scam?" Venix murmured.


    After walking through several hallways, Venix arrived at a room labeled "Awaken Injection"¡ªthe same room where he had screamed at the top of his lungs just the day before.


    Just as he was about to enter, a woman¡¯s voice sounded from inside, freezing him in place.


    ¡°Kill me, but don¡¯t put that thing inside my body!¡±


    Venix froze. Wild thoughts began to whirl. "Did I enter the wrong room? Is this a torture chamber or something else?"


    Slowly, Venix stepped forward and entered, curiosity overcoming his fear.


    But before he could see who had spoken, the voice came again, more urgently this time.


    ¡°If you keep insisting, I¡¯ll bite your hand off!¡±


    Venix swallowed hard.


    ¡°What... is going on in here?¡± he thought.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the evil god will surely enjoy a young woman like you,¡± Luna said with a sinister smile, making things even worse with her words.


    Venix, who had already reached his breaking point with what he was seeing, finally spoke up.


    "Cough... Hello?" Venix said, hoping to snap the people around him out of their state.


    Luna had already noticed Venix¡¯s presence from the start, so she only glanced at him briefly without any surprise.


    The young woman turned to look, her eyes widening when she saw Venix.


    Upon seeing Venix, the woman was shocked. "You..."


    "Hm? Do you know him?" Luna asked, turning her gaze to Venix.


    Venix stared at the woman for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don¡¯t know her."


    After all, Venix had just arrived in this world, and honestly, the only person he knew was Luna. Even that had happened by accident.


    ¡°You... you¡¯re the one the tribe chief talked about!¡± the woman shouted, pointing at Venix with her trembling index finger.


    ¡°What!?¡±


    Venix and Luna looked at each other, shocked.


    Venix... the person the tribe chief was looking for???

 Chapter 4

    "Are you the one the tribe chief is looking for?" Luna asked, her curiosity evident as she looked at Venix.


    Venix, confused and unsure of what was happening, shook his head.


    "I don''t even know what that woman was talking about," he said, still bewildered.


    How could Venix possibly understand what the woman meant? His mind was filled with confusion.


    Luna turned her gaze to the young woman before her.


    "What do you mean when you say that Venix is the one the tribe chief is looking for?" Luna asked in a serious tone, her eyes narrowing.


    "You must kill him!" the young woman suddenly shouted, her voice echoing through the room.


    Luna and Venix exchanged glances, their confusion deepening.


    The tribe chief was looking for Venix... and wanted to kill him? But why?


    Luna tried to make sense of the information swirling in her mind.


    As far as she knew, Venix was just the "Lost Sheep," someone with origins similar to the young woman¡¯s. But could it be that Venix had fled from the tribe chief¡¯s territory, taking something valuable with him?


    "That''s nonsense! Why would the tribe chief want to kill me?!" Venix exclaimed, his voice filled with fear.


    Dark thoughts began to plague Venix¡¯s mind. If he died here, could he still live in the real world?


    Nervously, he rubbed the back of his neck. Even if he logged out of the game and his consciousness returned to the real world, his body would remain inactive and asleep here. The danger was too great for him to risk fleeing this situation.


    The young woman seemed like she wanted to say something, but then swallowed her words.


    Luna noticed the shift in her expression and realized the woman was clearly hiding something.


    "Tell me, what are the characteristics of the person the tribe chief is looking for?" Luna asked, her voice carrying a gentle smile that somehow felt oppressive.


    "Do you really need to ask? Open your eyes and look at him!" the young woman shouted again, her voice full of emotion. "The tribe chief said that this person will bring disaster to our world! Either you or I will die because of him!"


    "Open my eyes?" Luna was initially confused but quickly understood.


    She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again, staring intently at Venix.


    There was no change in her pupils, but Venix felt an odd sense of foreboding. It seemed like Luna was using some special trick to see things ordinary eyes could not.


    "Hmm? Interesting," Luna murmured, a small smile appearing on her face. She closed her eyes again, appearing lost in thought.


    "You must kill him!" the young woman cried again, her voice trembling with emotion.


    "What did you see?" Venix asked nervously, standing stiffly. Luna¡¯s answer now felt like a matter of life and death.


    "It¡¯s just the manifestation of your Seed Origin, nothing major," Luna replied casually, as though it were no cause for concern.


    "Seed Origin? What¡¯s that?" Venix furrowed his brow, his confusion growing.


    Luna paused for a moment before explaining, "When someone becomes Awakened and unlocks their hidden power, the Origin Fragments Realm opens. Each fragment has a different Seed Origin form."


    "Seed Origin is the foundational core of a Seedbound. You could say it¡¯s the core of your strength, something that will always be with you, even if you surpass the Seedbound level one day."


    Venix listened carefully, starting to understand a little.


    Luna continued, "Out of all the Seed Origins, one will dominate and usually be stronger than the others."


    "In the past, 90% of the Seed Origins you displayed would become your dominant Seed Origin. But now, in this era, we can replace the dominant Seed Origin with a new type if you''re not satisfied with the one you have."


    Luna¡¯s explanation sounded like that of a patient teacher, and Venix found it easy to follow.


    Coincidentally, Seed Origin was also one of the requirements for the quest Venix currently had.


    "Is my Seed Origin really dangerous, like she said?" Venix asked hesitantly.


    "Is it dangerous? Well, not necessarily," Luna answered calmly, as though it weren¡¯t something to worry about. "After all, people like us are all dangerous, right?"


    Venix looked at Luna, who seemed like an innocent young woman. Where was the danger she mentioned?


    Luna smirked slightly before adding, "By the way, I just found out that the Lost Sheep can use a certain eye technique without needing to be Awakened."


    At that, the young woman in front of them shuddered. Her expression turned fearful, as if she had just revealed an important secret to the enemy.


    "Wait until I finish this annoying daily task," Luna said casually, stretching her stiff shoulders. "After that, I¡¯ll take you somewhere so you can see your Seed Origin for yourself."


    Venix nodded obediently, letting out a sigh of relief.


    At least, his life wasn¡¯t in danger for now.


    With her strength, Luna could easily hold the young woman in place.


    Despite her resistance, the young woman couldn¡¯t break free from Luna¡¯s grip. Eventually, she was forcibly taken into the Pod, where the Awaken Injection process occurred.


    Three minutes later, the Awaken Injection process had begun.


    "Follow me," Luna said briefly to Venix.


    Without waiting for a response, Luna stepped out of the Awaken Injection room and led Venix to another location.


    A few minutes later, they arrived in a large room with a sign that read "Awaken Library." Luna opened the door and led Venix inside.


    "This place is mandatory for new Awakened," Luna explained as they walked through the hallway. "You can find an Awaken Library like this in many cities. Its purpose is to help you understand the new powers you¡¯ve gained."


    Inside, several people were busy studying.


    Most of them were Lost Sheep¡ªpeople from remote tribes who had recently realized that their long-held beliefs were wrong.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    After becoming Awakened, many of them began to understand that the world wasn¡¯t what they had believed all their lives. Slowly, they started accepting the "new truth" that lay before them.


    The authorities had taken an open approach, allowing the Lost Sheep to study their Awakened powers without any specific restrictions.


    As long as they didn¡¯t break the rules or cause trouble, they were accepted as new citizens.


    Luna stopped in front of a large mirror at the back of the room.


    "Step forward," Luna said, pointing to the mirror. "There, you¡¯ll see it for yourself."


    Venix looked at the large mirror warily, then stepped forward slowly.


    When he stood before the mirror, his reflection began to appear clearly. Venix froze in place.


    This was the first time he had truly seen his appearance in this virtual world.


    Through the mirror, Venix scrutinized every detail.


    His appearance was almost identical to his real-world self¡ªhis body shape, height, face, and even his black hair all looked the same.


    However, Venix¡¯s attention was quickly diverted. Besides his own reflection, there was something else in the mirror.


    What was that!?


    Behind his back, a horrifying tentacle creature appeared.


    The creature had nine tentacles that moved slowly, exuding a terrifying aura that pierced to the bone.


    The tentacle monster seemed alive, with each tentacle movement radiating an unspoken threat.


    Venix swallowed hard, his body stiffening. The horror of the figure was so real that it felt as though it could devour him at any moment. Just looking at it, Venix felt like he was being swallowed into endless darkness.


    "Is this the reason she said I deserve to die?" Venix turned and looked at Luna, who was standing behind him.


    "That¡¯s right," Luna replied, nodding slightly. "I didn¡¯t expect that woman could use the power of an Awakened, even though she¡¯s just an ordinary person."


    To see someone¡¯s Seed Origin manifestation, one must use an Origin Technique, which requires them to be Awakened first.


    Luna shook her head slowly before continuing, "Just by looking at it, others can already tell that your Seed Origin has an extraordinary devouring power. You¡¯re lucky to have a Seed Origin with development potential far faster than most people."


    "So, this tentacle monster is really strong?" Venix asked, a mixture of hope and doubt in his voice.


    "Strong or weak, who knows?" Luna shrugged casually. "You¡¯ll only know once you truly master its power. Sometimes, the appearance and aura of a Seed Origin can be deceptive. What looks terrifying might not be that strong after all."


    Venix looked uncertain. "So, there¡¯s no danger if my Seed Origin is this tentacle monster?"


    "That¡¯s hard to say," Luna said, shaking her head. "A Seed Origin can influence its owner, consciously or unconsciously. It depends on you. Are you strong enough to resist its influence, or will you give in to it?"


    Luna paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in before continuing, "Every Seed Origin is different. Some are neutral and don¡¯t affect their owner at all, but others are so dominant they influence their owner''s behavior. The final answer can only be found once you fully possess and understand your Seed Origin¡¯s power."


    "So," Luna continued, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Venix, "Are you not satisfied with your current dominant Seed Origin?"


    "Not exactly," Venix shook his head gently, scratching the back of his neck. "I just want to see all the available options before making a decision. If I can choose, why not?"


    A thin smile appeared on Luna¡¯s face. "In ancient times, that would have been very difficult. But now..."


    Luna turned around, waving her hand for Venix to follow her. "We live in a modern era. Technology has advanced rapidly. Follow me, I¡¯ll show you how."


    Luna led Venix to another area in the room.


    It didn¡¯t take long before they stopped in front of a machine that reminded Venix of an ATM from Earth.


    "You haven¡¯t officially registered as a new citizen yet," Luna said, turning to Venix. "So, for now, you can borrow my identity to take this manual technique."


    Luna inserted her identity card into the machine. After a few seconds, the machine beeped and confirmed Luna¡¯s identity.


    A small object came out from inside the machine, like a drawer dispensing an item.


    Luna took the item. It was a small metal box now in her hands.


    "This is the Origin Meditation Technique," Luna said, spinning the box in her hands. "This technique has been perfected hundreds of times by our predecessors. Its function is simple but very important¡ªtaking your consciousness into the Origin Fragment Realm, where your Seed Origin resides."


    Venix watched the box with curiosity.


    "Over there," Luna continued, "you will be able to see the different types of Seed Origins, including the tentacle monster you saw earlier. By using this technique, you can accelerate the development of your Seed Origin by actively helping it absorb other Seed Origins to strengthen and refine your main Seed Origin."


    Venix listened attentively, processing Luna''s explanation.


    "On the other hand," Luna added, "you can also develop other Seed Origins within the Origin Fragment Realm. When one of those Seed Origins grows and becomes stronger, surpassing the Tentacle Monster level, your main Seed Origin will automatically adjust to match the strongest Seed Origin within the Origin Fragment Realm."


    Venix nodded, understanding what was happening.


    If Earth were truly going to change in the future, this information and technology would be an incredibly valuable treasure for him!


    Luna handed the metal box to Venix, who accepted it eagerly. A flicker of curiosity shone in his eyes. The box felt light, yet there was clearly something special inside.


    With a single touch, Venix placed the metal box in his hand. Without warning, information flooded his mind, like a book suddenly opening.


    "This technology is insane!" Venix thought, astounded. It was far more advanced than anything he had previously imagined.


    "Alright, that''s just a basic introduction to Awaken. Is there anything else you''d like to ask?" Luna inquired, her calm voice indicating she was accustomed to this situation.


    Venix paused for a moment, then recalled something that had caught his attention¡ªthe aurora across the sky.


    He then asked about the Aurora in the sky and what its existence meant.


    "I almost forgot about that," Luna sighed. "Sometimes, I feel like I''ve lived too long and forgotten that the sky is supposed to be blue."


    Venix fell silent.


    He looked at Luna, who now appeared to be a young woman in her early twenties. How could she feel like a woman in her forties?


    Of course, Venix didn''t know that as one''s power increased, their lifespan could also surpass that of an ordinary human.


    Living for hundreds of years was normal, and as long as their bodies weren¡¯t severely injured, they could stay young for more than a hundred years.


    However, despite their long lives, death still claimed many in this world.


    This was because the majority of deaths in this world were caused by battles, not old age.


    Luna continued her explanation, ¡°That aurora is a sign that the Origin Era has begun. At least, that''s what we call this phenomenon.


    ¡°Back then, this world had no Awaken. Everyone relied solely on technology to survive and evolve.


    "And historical records state that the aurora filled the sky when the Origin Era began. At that time, there was no Awaken in the world, and no one was aware of the changes happening in the sky.


    "We called that aurora the Origin Source. It is the source of the awakening of the Awaken across the world."


    Venix listened intently, his pupils shrinking to small slits.


    Luna continued: ¡°After the Origin Source filled the sky and covered the whole world, ordinary humans began to awaken and naturally transform into Awaken, gaining powers far beyond regular humans.


    ¡°That era was a dark one. The world¡¯s order was shattered due to the emergence of Awaken scattered all over the world, and wars for power broke out everywhere.


    ¡°Perhaps if I went into all the details, it would take too long. The point is, the aurora in the sky signifies that this world has received the blessing from the Origin Source.¡±


    Venix fell silent, processing what he had just heard.


    If what Luna said was true, then the Origin Source had appeared on Earth.


    This meant the Awaken would soon emerge, and the real world would change, perhaps faster than he could imagine.


    But not just Earth¡ªthree other human-inhabited planets might also be facing the same fate.


    Or perhaps, they had already entered the Origin Era and awakened first.


    And if Numan World reflected Earth''s future, and the story Luna shared was true, then the real world would soon become a very dangerous place, filled with chaos and peril.


    While Luna was explaining earlier, there was one thing that had caught Venix''s attention.


    When Luna mentioned the word "Human," the system connected to Venix processed it as "Human." However, Venix''s ears heard a different word¡ª"Numan."


    So, it could be confirmed that "Numan" meant "Human."


    If translated to Earth''s language, did this world mean... Human World?


    "I have another question," Venix furrowed his brow and continued, "You mentioned people who awaken the Origin Fragment Realm, they¡¯re called Awaken. Then, you also mentioned ''Seedbound.'' What does that mean?"


    Luna smiled slightly, "That''s just a name for the level or title of someone who has reached a higher stage in their power."


    Venix nodded, trying to process everything. "How many power levels are there?"


    Luna answered calmly, "There are several. Beginners like you, who have just awakened, are called Awakened. Once you reach perfection, you''ll become Seedbound, and your power will increase significantly."


    Venix mentally noted this. "And then?"


    "Above Seedbound, there''s the Rootbound level. Above that, there''s Treebound," Luna added.


    Venix waited, sensing that there was more to come.


    "For now, the highest level one can reach is Primecore. It is the pinnacle of power in this world," Luna explained.


    Venix frowned, still processing the information. "So, Primecore is the peak of power humans can achieve?"


    Luna met his gaze before sighing deeply. There was a weariness in her eyes.


    "No," she replied softly, her eyes drifting toward the window as if looking at something far beyond. "We believe there is a level above Primecore. However... for some reason, we haven¡¯t been able to reach it and remain stuck here."


    She briefly closed her eyes, as if holding back her emotions.


    Seeing Luna in this state, Venix sensed a sudden shift in her mood.


    Her usually calm and cheerful demeanor now appeared... heavier.

 Chapter 5

    After obtaining everything she needed, Luna invited Venix into her vehicle.


    The journey through the city was calm, with Venix observing the controlled traffic while Luna provided occasional commentary.


    According to the information Luna had shared, owning a personal vehicle required special permission. Additionally, speed within the city was strictly regulated, and violations were considered breaches of the law.


    Inside the car, Venix and Luna chatted during the drive.


    "Are you sure? Although I did say I need your help, if you refuse, I still have other ways you could assist me," Luna said, glancing at Venix.


    "I think what you previously proposed is interesting enough. If it works, I¡¯ll gain multiple times the benefits, right?" Venix stroked his chin and continued, "But I am curious¡ªwhy did you choose me?"


    Luna had asked for his help in researching the Awaken stage and needed someone already at that level for a particular experiment.


    However, Venix found this puzzling.


    Surely, there were plenty of other Awaken individuals besides him. Moreover, he was a stranger to Luna. If this experiment had a chance of succeeding, wouldn''t it make more sense for Luna to work with someone she already knew well, rather than a stranger like him?


    "Every Awaken is different," Luna said, leaning back in her seat. "Each has unique Grades, and these Grades are divided into three levels: Earth, Sky, and Mythic."


    Venix raised an eyebrow slightly. "Interesting... So not all Awakens are equal?"


    "Of course. Most people only have Earth-level Grades. As for Sky-level? They are the lucky ones chosen by the heavens." Luna gave a faint smile before continuing, "But Mythic-Grade individuals? They are the movers and shakers of this world¡ªthe future wielders of extraordinary influence!"


    Venix nodded slightly, trying to process the information.


    "In theory, my experiment is solid and highly likely to succeed," Luna continued calmly. "But using Earth Awaken subjects? That would only lead to disaster. Their Seed Origins are too weak. They can''t push their power to its limits without shattering completely and having to start all over again."


    Venix raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat skeptical. "How do you know their Seed Origins will shatter? Are you just guessing?"


    Luna regarded him casually. "Of course not. I''ve already conducted direct experiments. Previously, I worked with five Earth Awaken, and the result was the same: they shattered and had to start the process from scratch."


    Venix fell silent. This sounded... a bit crazier than he had expected.


    Noticing Venix deep in thought, Luna smiled faintly. "If you have doubts, you still have time to back out now."


    After a moment of consideration, Venix shook his head. "No need. I¡¯m just as curious to see where this goes."


    Venix knew this was a high-stakes gamble.


    If it worked, he would grow stronger. But if it failed? Perhaps he would merely need to start over... hopefully.


    However, there was a worst-case scenario: Venix''s future potential could become severely limited due to failure.


    But the greater the risk, the greater the reward if he succeeded!


    Given that the real world of the future would not be a safe place, Venix understood that he needed to develop his strength as much as possible in this Virtual World.


    One question remained, though: had humanity''s leaders in the real world already accessed the Origin Source? If they had, and managed to develop a Rootbound or even a Treebound, Venix''s life¡ªand the lives of many others¡ªwould change drastically.


    Venix might end up entirely dependent on those leaders¡ªor worse, under their control.


    Noticing Venix¡¯s determination, Luna spoke with a serious tone. "After my past failures, I¡¯ve come to one conclusion: I need a Sky Awaken for this experiment."


    "To be honest, Sky Awaken are incredibly valuable. They''re like rare diamonds. Many people would gladly offer resources and money just to secure their cooperation." Luna paused briefly before adding, "And you, Venix, are a Sky Awaken."


    "If you were to work with others, honestly, they might offer you far more benefits than I could."


    Venix smirked slightly. "But at least you¡¯re honest. That makes you seem reliable enough for me."


    He gazed at Luna thoughtfully. "If I chose someone else, could they be as honest with me as you are now?"


    It might have been premature and slightly inappropriate to say this, but Venix wanted to show his goodwill toward Luna.


    Luna smiled faintly, a glint of intelligence in her eyes. "After all, you¡¯re a Sky Awaken. Sooner or later, you¡¯ll become someone influential in this world. I don¡¯t want to deceive someone like you, let alone make us enemies. That would only hurt me in the long run."


    Venix leaned back in his seat, stroking his chin as he considered Luna¡¯s reasoning. It made sense.


    Of course, if it were him, Venix might make contingency plans¡ªpossibly even extreme measures¡ªto safeguard himself against any partners or others who might pose a future threat. That way, he could ensure a clean and decisive resolution if necessary.


    "At the Awaken stage, there are three phases commonly referred to as the Early Stage, Middle Stage, and Perfect Stage. Right now, you¡¯re in the Early Stage," Luna explained calmly.


    "As I¡¯ve mentioned before, within the Origin Fragment Realm, there are numerous Seed Origins of various types."


    "To become the main Seed Origin, they must devour and absorb other Seed Origins to refine themselves."


    "You can directly participate in this process to accelerate absorption using the Origin Meditation Technique."


    Venix visualized the process, finding it rather intriguing.


    Luna paused briefly before continuing, "The Early Stage is the hardest for beginners. After all, their main Seed Origin¡ªeven yours, that Tentacle Monster¡ªis not yet strong enough to suppress all the other Seed Origins in the Origin Fragment Realm."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Luna gave a faint smile, as if reminding Venix of the challenges awaiting him. "Typically, once you pass the Early Stage, the subsequent stages like the Middle Stage and Perfect Stage will feel much easier."


    Venix looked confused. Shouldn''t advancing to higher levels be more difficult?


    "Why?" he asked curiously.


    Luna smiled faintly. "Why? Because at the Middle Stage and Perfect Stage, other Origin Fragment Realms will emerge. By then, the main Seed Origin you¡¯ve developed can be used to devour the Seed Origins in those new realms. That¡¯s why the later stages are simpler."


    "But my experiment deviates slightly from the normal process. Because of that, it¡¯s more dangerous and carries a certain level of failure risk."


    Venix raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her explanation.


    Luna then said seriously, "The Origin Fragment Realm operates on the principle of survival of the fittest. Whoever endures to the end becomes stronger. Those who survive such a world become the Kings of the Origin Fragment Realm."


    "Building on this concept, I had an idea. What if, at the Middle Stage and Perfect Stage, instead of using the main Seed Origin you¡¯ve developed to devour other Origin Fragment Realms, you create new main Seed Origins at each of those stages or realms?"


    "Imagine, at the final stage, you¡¯ll have three Seed Origins¡ªlet¡¯s call them A, B, and C. Then, you can choose one to devour the other two."


    Venix furrowed his brows. "So... you want me to create multiple Seed Origins just to have them devour each other later? Won¡¯t that destabilize the process?"


    Luna smiled faintly. "It¡¯s a calculated risk. Think of it this way: a tiger raised in the wild is always stronger than one raised in captivity. It¡¯s survival of the fittest."


    Venix nodded slowly, beginning to grasp the logic behind her plan.


    "If this experiment succeeds, the power and potential of your Seed Origin will increase drastically. You might even surpass an ordinary Sky Awaken!" Luna leaned back with pride before adding, "And it¡¯s not impossible that your Seed Origin could rise to the legendary level: Mythic Grade!"


    If Venix could reach Mythic Grade... it would significantly elevate his power.


    Luna looked at Venix with anticipation. "What do you think? Doesn¡¯t that sound incredibly promising?"


    On the other hand, Venix opened his mouth slightly, unsure of what to say.


    If successful, this would indeed benefit him greatly! The risks and rewards were immense, and Venix felt compelled to succeed to further enhance his strength.


    Everything Luna said made sense. However, the final outcome remained a mystery.


    Driven by curiosity, Venix asked, "Even if this works, what¡¯s in it for you? Haven¡¯t you already surpassed the Awaken stage?"


    "Of course I know that," Luna replied casually. "But if it works, the data collected will allow me to create a new Origin Meditation Technique. This technique will be invaluable for the next generation."


    Venix looked at Luna oddly, never imagining she was doing this for future generations.


    Luna grinned before continuing, "Additionally, I stand to gain a lot of money and wealth if it succeeds. As a collaborator, I certainly won¡¯t forget your contributions to this."


    Hearing that, Venix fell silent, pondering Luna¡¯s plan.


    There was undoubtedly a great risk involved, but if successful, the rewards would far outweigh the dangers.


    "Alright," said Venix with a faint smile, "now I''m very intrigued. In that case, I look forward to our cooperation."


    Luna smiled as well, satisfied to see Venix accept her offer.


    By sheer luck, Luna had stumbled upon Venix¡ªa Sky Awaken¡ªthrough her side job, a discovery that felt like a monumental stroke of fortune.


    Although Luna''s ideas and plans seemed promising, the reality was that many other researchers were also studying ways to enhance the Grade of Seed Origins.


    As a newcomer to this field, Luna faced numerous challenges, especially in finding a Sky Awaken as a test subject.


    Government authorities could not easily provide her with support either. Sky Awakens were incredibly valuable resources, highly sought after by numerous researchers.


    In fact, securing permission to open a laboratory and conduct experiments was already a significant achievement for Luna as a novice researcher.


    Ten minutes later, Luna and Venix arrived at her home.


    Luna''s residence was in an upscale neighborhood, an exclusive area filled with magnificent houses, each boasting expansive yards.


    Her house was a two-story building with an additional two basement levels that she used for experiments and research.


    Upon their arrival, the guards and household staff greeted them warmly. Luna introduced Venix to everyone.


    "From today onwards, treat him as you treat me," Luna said firmly, ensuring that her instructions were clear to all.


    Afterward, Luna escorted Venix inside and allowed him to choose one of the vacant rooms as his living quarters.


    Venix, who had never stepped into such a luxurious and spacious home, was genuinely impressed. His curiosity led him to explore every corner of the house.


    While Venix roamed around, Luna headed to her office to register his identity, making him an official resident of the city.


    Several minutes later, two guests arrived at Luna''s house.


    Luna warmly welcomed them into the living room. Both appeared professional, dressed in immaculate black suits.


    They were Jenna and Jerry, a pair of twins Luna had known for quite some time.


    Jenna was a woman with white hair, while Jerry was a man with dark purple hair.


    Jenna glanced at Luna with a curious expression.


    "So, you found a Sky Awaken from the ''Lost Sheep''? And he agreed to be your test subject?" Jenna asked, her tone slightly tinged with envy.


    Luna smiled contentedly. "Exactly."


    Jerry, who had a more serious demeanor, warned, "We need to ensure he is genuinely willing. If he has agreed to be your test subject, no one else can take him from you until the contract is complete."


    Jenna added with a cautionary tone, "And since he''s a ¡®Lost Sheep,¡¯ you are fully responsible for his actions. If he causes trouble or breaks the law, you¡¯ll have to bear the consequences."


    Luna simply nodded, unfazed. "No problem. I can handle it."


    In her view, Venix did not seem like the reckless or troublemaking type. From their interactions so far, Venix appeared quite composed.


    In truth, Luna found Venix very different from the people of his tribe she had encountered before. There wasn¡¯t even the slightest resemblance between them.


    The people from that tribe might have eventually accepted their new reality and begun adapting to modern life. But they remained cautious, kept their distance, and were always wary of others.


    Venix, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed, open, and devoid of the defensive aura typical of his kin.


    Luna called out to Venix, and he came, standing before Jenna and Jerry with a puzzled and curious expression.


    Jerry closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, they glowed with a purple sheen. The light enveloped Venix''s body.


    Naturally, Venix was startled. He took a step back but, realizing nothing was happening to him, stood still once more.


    "That¡¯s a technique to dispel hypnosis or mind control," Jerry explained flatly. "If there had been any reaction, it would indicate you¡¯re under some form of influence. But since nothing happened, you¡¯re clear."


    Venix nodded slightly, though he still felt a little confused by the process.


    Next, it was Jenna¡¯s turn. She stepped forward, and her black pupils gradually transformed into gleaming white.


    Jenna began asking Venix a series of questions. Her voice was firm but not intimidating. Venix answered casually, feeling he had nothing to hide.


    After a few minutes of questioning, Jenna nodded at Jerry, signaling that everything was in order.


    With the examination complete, the next steps proceeded smoothly. Venix''s identity was officially registered, along with a collaboration contract between him and Luna.


    The contract was signed swiftly.


    Under the agreement, Venix was required to complete the Awaken stage and advance to becoming a Seedbound under Luna''s supervision.


    Once he achieved the Seedbound level, Venix would be completely free and no longer bound by the contract.


    On the other hand, the contract also protected Venix. No other party could claim him for research or collaboration during its duration.


    As part of the deal, Luna was responsible for meeting all of Venix''s needs¡ªfood, Origin resources, or anything else¡ªthroughout the contract period.


    Additionally, Luna included a compelling clause: if her research succeeded, Venix would receive 20% of the revenue from selling the technique to the public.


    Hearing all this, Venix looked at Luna with a strange expression, feeling that her actions were excessively generous.


    From the beginning until now, Luna had been too kind to him. Too benevolent.


    He didn¡¯t know the reason behind her kindness, but it was clear Luna likely had her own selfish motives in this matter, ones he could not discern yet.


    In reality, Luna had a compelling reason.


    When she first saw Venix¡¯s Monster Tentacle, she immediately knew his Seed Origin was no ordinary one.


    Though not yet fully developed, the Monster Tentacle possessed immense potential. Luna could also sense that Venix''s Seed Origin was still in its growth stage.


    If just one of Venix''s Seed Origins was already like this, Luna could imagine that any other Seed Origin Venix chose in the Origin Fragment Realm would likely have similarly intriguing potential.


    His potential was too significant to overlook.


    Whether the experiment succeeded or not, Luna understood that Venix was someone whose good graces she had to maintain.


    In the future, as Venix continued to grow, who knew¡ªhe might become an invaluable ally to her.

 Chapter 6

    In the real world, Venix slowly opened his eyes.


    He had spent six hours in Numan World, and time in the real world moved at the same pace¡ªsix hours had passed. Among the many wonders of Numan World, its synchronization with real-world time was one of the most remarkable features.


    Picking up his phone, Venix saw that the screen displayed 5 PM.


    He got out of bed and quickly realized his two roommates had returned to the dorm. Ronan, as usual, was lounging casually with his phone in hand, a sly grin playing on his face. Meanwhile, Rael was engrossed in his laptop, focused on some serious task.


    ¡°Oh? You¡¯re awake?¡± Ronan smirked when he saw Venix standing. ¡°Lately, you¡¯ve been sleeping quite a bit. Doesn¡¯t your body ache from oversleeping?¡±


    Venix chuckled lightly. Ronan¡¯s words weren¡¯t entirely untrue. He stretched a few times to confirm that he felt fine. To his surprise, his body felt refreshed, without any hint of fatigue or discomfort.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying lucid dreaming. It¡¯s pretty fun,¡± Venix replied with a small smile before asking, ¡°By the way, have you two eaten?¡±


    Ronan waved his hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯ve got dinner plans with someone, so sorry, I can¡¯t join you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m busy,¡± Rael replied without lifting his eyes from the laptop. ¡°But I¡¯ve prepared some instant noodles for later.¡±


    Hearing their responses, Venix sighed inwardly.


    If the world really changed and chaos struck, he could imagine how devastated his friends would be when they realized all their plans were futile.


    But no.


    Venix steeled himself. He had to reach the Seedbound level before the chaos began. With Seedbound-level strength, he could help his friends face any danger that lay ahead.


    Since his friends were preoccupied, Venix decided to eat on his own. He headed to the school cafeteria, which would only stay open until 7 PM.


    As he stepped outside, Venix looked up at the sky, and his expression darkened.


    The aurora waves that had previously been confined to the city¡¯s edge now blanketed the entire area where he lived.


    This was bad.


    The spread was too fast. At this rate, Venix estimated that within a few days, the mysterious aurora might engulf the entire world.


    ¡°There¡¯s not enough time. I need to grow stronger as fast as possible!¡± Venix thought, a sense of urgency gripping his heart.


    After a 15-minute dinner, Venix checked the money in his pocket.


    A quick mental calculation told him that if he was frugal, he could buy enough instant noodles, chocolate, and snack bars to last three weeks.


    As an orphan, Venix depended on the government¡¯s monthly allowance, which he would receive until he turned 20. Rael was in the same situation, being an orphan as well. Only Ronan had a family¡ªa mother and a younger sister.


    With his remaining funds, Venix decided to stock up at a convenience store.


    It took him half an hour to fill four plastic bags with instant food and snacks. He returned to the dorm with his hands full, looking like someone who had won a lifetime supply of food.


    When he opened the dorm door, his two friends looked at him with puzzled expressions.


    ¡°Hey, man, what are you doing?¡± Ronan asked, his mouth half-open in surprise at the sight of Venix lugging so many shopping bags.


    ¡°Zombie apocalypse already started?¡± Rael quipped, pushing his glasses up.


    Venix shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°I just figured buying instant food in bulk would be more cost-effective. Simple, right?¡±


    Ronan squinted, clearly unconvinced. ¡°You¡¯ve been acting a bit odd lately. Not like you to stay cooped up in the dorm. Since when did you turn into a homebody?¡±


    ¡°Haha, just felt like it,¡± Venix laughed lightly, placing the shopping bags beside his bed.


    He knew whatever excuse he came up with wouldn¡¯t sound logical. So, he opted for a casual response to deflect their curiosity.


    Once assured that nothing seemed overly strange with Venix, Ronan and Rael decided to drop the matter and returned to their respective activities.


    Indeed, Venix¡¯s behavior was unusual, but it wasn¡¯t something they couldn¡¯t overlook. After all, everyone had their way of living.


    Although the three often offered advice to one another, they knew that, in the end, personal choices were up to the individual.


    Unless the situation became truly dire and hopeless, they wouldn¡¯t interfere.


    Venix lay back on his bed, ignoring his friends, and launched Numan World through the system.


    In the virtual realm, Venix opened his eyes in his new room at Luna¡¯s house.


    Once he was fully conscious, Venix immediately retrieved the metal box containing the knowledge of the Origin Meditation Technique and resumed his study.


    At this stage, mastering the Origin Meditation Technique perfectly was his top priority before advancing to the next phase.


    For twenty minutes, Venix focused on his learning until a knock suddenly came at the door. He stood up, opened it, and found a servant with a food trolley waiting outside.


    Allowing the servant in, Venix was a bit taken aback but let them set the food down.


    After they left, Venix sat at the small dining table in his room, staring at the array of delicious dishes before him.


    ¡°I just realized something. My body in this world has never eaten anything or felt hunger,¡± he mused aloud.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    He continued, ¡°Back in the real world, I didn¡¯t feel hungry either. I only ate at the school cafeteria earlier as a precaution in case I lost track of time or got too busy here. But does this body in the virtual world feel hunger too? And why haven¡¯t I felt it so far? Could it be because I ate in the real world, so this body doesn¡¯t experience hunger?¡±


    If this was true, it suggested a strong connection between his real-world body and his virtual self.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, does eating here prevent hunger in the real world? If so, then why did I spend all my money on instant food?!¡±


    The more Venix thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.


    Though still slightly irked, Venix decided to try the food brought in by the servant.


    His stomach was already 80% full, so this time, Venix simply wanted to satisfy his curiosity by tasting the flavors of the virtual world.


    One by one, he sampled the dishes, unable to stop himself from praising their taste.


    ¡°This is incredible¡­ This food is amazing!¡± Venix thought in awe. It was arguably the most delicious meal he¡¯d ever had in his life.


    Unfortunately, his stomach couldn¡¯t handle any more. With some reluctance, Venix returned the remaining food to the trolley and placed it outside his door.


    Feeling satiated, he refocused on studying the Origin Meditation Technique.


    He knew that delaying his learning by even a single day could diminish his chances of survival in the real world once the grand changes began.


    Without wasting another moment, Venix concentrated all his attention and abilities on mastering the technique. He studied intensely, to the point of losing track of everything around him.


    A day and a half passed quickly.


    In Numan World, the clock showed 3 AM.


    Venix sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed, fully immersed in his training.


    Dark circles under his eyes were a clear sign of sleep deprivation.


    Moments later, he slowly opened his eyes. A faint light reflected in his gaze.


    ¡°Success!¡±


    Venix exclaimed, unable to contain his happiness.


    The Origin Meditation Technique turned out to be far less complicated than he had imagined, especially for a beginner. The technique had been refined hundreds of times to make it easier for the new generation to grasp.


    Under normal circumstances, a novice Awaken could master it in about a week. But Venix? He had conquered it in less than two days.


    Wasting no time, he contacted Luna using the watch on his wrist.


    A hologram appeared, and Luna¡¯s figure came into view on the screen.


    She was still wearing her research attire, seemingly busy despite it being the early hours of the morning.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Luna asked, her tone calm and relaxed, showing no signs of fatigue.


    ¡°I¡¯ve mastered everything! The Origin Meditation Technique, and even the supplementary technique you gave me before.¡± Venix¡¯s face glowed with happiness that was hard to hide.


    Luna raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. ¡°That fast? That¡¯s amazing! In that case, get some sleep first. We¡¯ll begin everything tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Why not now?¡± Venix interjected quickly, clearly unwilling to wait.


    Luna let out a long sigh. ¡°Look at yourself. Your eye bags are already dark. You need rest to ensure your body and mind are in their best condition.¡±


    ¡°Is it dangerous if I try now?¡± Venix asked, refusing to back down.


    Luna shook her head before replying, ¡°No, it wouldn¡¯t be dangerous, not with me supervising. But¡ª¡±


    ¡°In that case, let¡¯s do it now!¡± Venix interrupted again, his voice filled with determination.


    Luna stared at Venix with a peculiar expression.


    What was driving this young man to be so impatient? Shouldn¡¯t she be the one more eager, considering this was her own research? Yet now, the situation seemed reversed.


    Luna thought for a moment before finally nodding. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll come to your room and take you to the basement.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Venix said, his face beaming.


    Luna simply shook her head as she ended the video call.


    \---


    Two minutes later, a knock sounded on his door. Venix jumped to his feet and opened it, welcoming Luna¡¯s arrival.


    Without delay, they walked to the lift and arrived at the first basement level.


    In the dimly lit room, Luna carried a box containing about 20 small glass vials. Each vial was filled with a shimmering blue liquid that looked extremely valuable.


    ¡°This is Awaken Elixir,¡± Luna explained, handing one of the small vials to Venix. ¡°It¡¯s an essential resource for Awaken. This liquid will provide you with the energy you need to train and strengthen your abilities.¡±


    Venix nodded slowly and took the small vial.


    Without hesitation, he drank it all in one gulp.


    In an instant, his body felt cool, as though doused with cold water on a sweltering day. He even heard a faint cracking sound from within, as if his bones were stretching and adjusting themselves.


    Luna continued her explanation. ¡°Awaken possess Origin Energy in their bodies. This energy is what sets them apart from regular humans.


    ¡°Origin Energy will automatically repair and strengthen your body¡ªyour bones, flesh, and muscles¡ªwithout you needing to do anything.


    ¡°This Awaken Elixir is just raw energy. It¡¯s not yet Origin Energy that you can directly utilize. You¡¯ll only have that when you reach the Awaken Early-Stage.¡±


    Venix closed his eyes briefly, sensing subtle changes within his body. The energy felt like a gentle breeze cleansing every corner of his being.


    When he opened his eyes again, he immediately asked, ¡°Can I drink another one?¡±


    Luna paused for a moment before answering. ¡°No. If you drink too much, your body will overload with energy, and it could harm you.¡±


    Venix frowned slightly and said, ¡°But... I feel like my body isn¡¯t full yet.¡±


    Luna gave him a sharp look and thought for a moment. Realizing something, she said, ¡°Follow me. We¡¯ll check.¡±


    Without further ado, they headed to the lift and descended deeper to the second basement level.


    The second level was a space designed specifically for Luna¡¯s research experiments, complete with advanced technology she had personally set up.


    Here, every movement and change within Venix¡¯s body would be closely monitored.


    Luna led him to a glass room surrounded by various futuristic machines, all crafted to support her research.


    Without preamble, Luna began attaching various equipment to Venix¡¯s body. Wires, sensors, and tiny metal nodes were connected directly to the surrounding machines.


    Five minutes later, Venix looked like a half-human, half-machine figure straight out of a legendary sci-fi story.


    ¡°I look like a cyborg now,¡± Venix remarked, glancing at his reflection.


    Luna stifled a laugh. ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t get too comfortable. You can move, but don¡¯t overdo it.¡±


    Venix nodded, testing his movements. Despite feeling odd, he could still move fairly comfortably.


    Then Luna brought over ten more vials of Awaken Elixir, placing them inside the glass room, right in front of Venix.


    ¡°Don¡¯t drink them all at once. I¡¯ll tell you when to drink,¡± Luna instructed, her gaze sharp with warning.


    ¡°Yes, boss!¡± Venix replied, his tone relaxed but tinged with excitement.


    His journey to becoming a powerful Awaken was only beginning!


    Luna stepped out of the glass room and moved to the main control desk.


    In front of her, a large monitor displayed Venix¡¯s physical condition in real-time.


    As Venix had mentioned earlier, one vial of Awaken Elixir wasn¡¯t enough to fill the energy within his body.


    Wearing a headset, Luna spoke through the microphone. ¡°Try drinking one more vial.¡±


    Without hesitation, Venix grabbed another vial and drank it quickly.


    Luna closely observed the monitor. Energy streams appeared as they entered Venix¡¯s body, but¡­ once again, his body wasn¡¯t full!


    ¡°What? Two vials still aren¡¯t enough?¡± Luna muttered in disbelief.


    With the microphone still off, Venix couldn¡¯t hear her remarks.


    ¡°Try another one,¡± Luna instructed through the microphone.


    Venix picked up the third vial and drank it. He waited a moment, then moved his body.


    ¡°It still feels the same,¡± Venix said, confused.


    Luna studied the monitor, her face growing more astonished. ¡°This doesn¡¯t make sense! Three vials of elixir still can¡¯t fill him?¡±


    Based on the data she had collected, only a handful of novice Awaken had such a vast energy capacity.


    Venix was a rare anomaly with an energy capacity far beyond the norm!


    Feeling a surge of excitement, Luna said, ¡°Try one more!¡±


    Venix drank the fourth vial. This time, he started to feel something. ¡°Um... my body feels a little warm. Is that normal?¡±


    Luna furrowed her brow as she heard that, quickly adjusting the monitor¡¯s settings.


    The screen, which had previously displayed Venix¡¯s physical data, now switched to soul analysis mode.


    On the new screen, indicators of blue energy began appearing, revealing activity within Venix¡¯s soul.


    What Luna saw left her momentarily stunned.


    ¡°This is impossible...¡± she whispered, her eyes glued to the screen.


    The energy entering Venix¡¯s body was being directly absorbed by his soul! Even more astonishingly, the rate of absorption far exceeded the passive absorption typical of an Awaken.


    Venix¡¯s soul was absorbing the energy in a way she had never seen before!


    ¡°Venix, what kind of monster are you hiding within?¡± Luna murmured softly, a hint of worry creeping into her expression.

 Chapter 7

    ¡°Good heavens! What¡¯s with this speed? The Origin Fragment Realm is absorbing all the energy in mere seconds!¡± Luna gasped, her eyes wide as she watched Venix¡¯s body transform into an uncontrollable vortex of energy.


    Every Awaken¡¯s Seed Origin typically absorbs energy automatically, but the process is usually slow. Meditation techniques were developed to accelerate it.


    However, Venix¡¯s Seed Origin was devouring energy at an extraordinary rate. Even an entire bottle of Awaken Elixir vanished without a trace in moments.


    While this might seem like an advantage, Luna, with her extensive experience and knowledge, knew that something uncontrollable often spelled disaster.


    ¡°Venix, are you certain the Tentacle Monster is the right choice as your main Seed Origin?¡± Luna asked sharply, her tone filled with unease, and her eyes reflecting deep concern.


    After all, Venix had previously mentioned that, if given options, he¡¯d consider them first.


    ¡°I... I haven¡¯t decided yet. But why do you sound so worried?¡± Venix shifted slightly, groaning as a searing heat coursed through his body.


    Luna wasted no time. Without a word, she hurried into the glass chamber where Venix was.


    Standing behind him, she said curtly, ¡°Hold still. This might hurt a little.¡±


    Venix turned his head, puzzled. ¡°What do you mea¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Luna¡¯s palm lit up with a blazing crimson glow, like a roaring flame.


    Without hesitation, Luna raised her glowing hand high and slammed it against Venix¡¯s back with full force.


    Bang!


    ¡°ARGHHH!!! What are you doing?!¡± Venix screamed, his body arching forward in agony.


    Instantly, the crimson light spread, resembling a fiery net that burned away the excess energy inside him.


    Within seconds, his pores opened wide, and streams of blue energy surged out like tidal waves, incinerating into vapor almost instantly.


    In less than a minute, all the energy in Venix¡¯s body had been completely drained. His soul was now incapable of absorbing any more energy¡ªat least temporarily.


    ¡°What did you just do to me?!¡± Venix yelled, turning to glare at Luna with a mixture of anger and confusion.


    Luna met his gaze with a guilty expression.


    ¡°The reason you could consume more than one bottle of Awaken Elixir is because your soul was absorbing that energy,¡± Luna explained softly.


    ¡°My soul?¡± Venix frowned, confusion evident on his face.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Luna continued. ¡°The Seed Origin and the Origin Fragment Realm reside within a person¡¯s soul. Your Seed Origin was actively absorbing energy at an incredible speed¡ªeven I was shocked to see it.¡±


    ¡°Since you haven¡¯t chosen your main Seed Origin yet, I had no choice but to force all the energy out of your body.¡±


    Venix grimaced as he tried to process Luna¡¯s explanation.


    Luna paused for a moment before continuing in a serious tone. ¡°And there¡¯s another reason I did this. Anything an Awaken cannot control usually leads to disaster.¡±


    Venix¡¯s face tightened, stunned by Luna¡¯s words. So her actions earlier were to save him?


    ¡°What would¡¯ve happened if you hadn¡¯t stopped me?¡± Venix asked curiously.


    ¡°The main Seed Origin, the Tentacle Monster, is on the verge of its first evolution. Once that evolution is complete, its power will skyrocket,¡± Luna explained firmly.


    ¡°And if you choose another Seed Origin afterward, trust me¡ªits chances of keeping up with the Tentacle Monster are almost nonexistent. All your energy and time would go to waste.


    ¡°The purpose of the Origin Meditation Technique is to control and focus energy, directing it to the Origin Fragment Realm.


    ¡°This energy accelerates time within the Origin Fragment Realm, allowing the process of survival of the fittest to occur more quickly there.


    ¡°Think of it like this: the Tentacle Monster has already reached Level 2. Even if you choose a new Seed Origin and it reaches Level 2, the Tentacle Monster will have advanced to Level 3 by then. Ultimately, the Tentacle Monster will remain your main Seed Origin because you won¡¯t be able to match its level.¡±


    Luna concluded her explanation with a grave tone, ensuring Venix understood the gravity of the situation.


    Hearing this, Venix slowly nodded, a mix of relief and gratitude crossing his face.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Venix said sincerely.


    He knew Luna was right. Anything he couldn¡¯t control would never yield good results.


    If it were an external issue, Venix might have let it slide. But this was different. The problem was internal¡ªsomething deeply tied to him.


    If he couldn¡¯t control his own power, he¡¯d become a slave to it.


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ll need to make some modifications to suit your needs,¡± Luna said, her expression a blend of emotions.


    She hadn¡¯t anticipated facing such a situation. From the moment she met Venix, he had been just a random individual she¡¯d encountered by chance.


    Yet this random individual had achieved things that defied belief. How could Luna not be astounded?


    Luna began removing the equipment Venix was wearing, preparing to adjust it to better fit his requirements.


    ¡°Will these modifications take long?¡± Venix asked, curious.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already thought of a solution, and it¡¯s fairly simple,¡± Luna replied while continuing her work. ¡°I just need to add an infusion method to deliver Awaken Elixir directly into your body. This way, I can also control the amount of elixir entering your system.


    ¡°This means you won¡¯t have to worry about excess energy triggering an evolution too soon.¡±


    Luna picked up a piece of metal, contemplating something in her mind.


    Once she figured it out, she continued, ¡°You¡¯ll only need to use a minimal amount of energy to perform meditation techniques. Through soul observation, I can monitor when the technique is active, and I¡¯ll support you by delivering just the right amount of elixir directly into your body.


    ¡°These modifications aren¡¯t overly complicated. I¡¯ll have everything ready within an hour,¡± Luna said confidently.


    Venix looked at her with admiration. In such a short time, she had devised such a practical solution.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll take a quick nap. Wake me when it¡¯s done,¡± Venix said, still feeling the lingering pain, as he stretched his body.


    Luna nodded without objection.


    Venix sat down in one of the chairs in the room, trying to sleep.


    Before falling asleep, he recalled how he had recently delved deeper into his system, discovering new settings and features he hadn¡¯t noticed before.


    One such feature caught his attention: a function that automatically returned his consciousness to the real world if his virtual body fell asleep or became unconscious.


    After some thought, Venix decided to disable this feature. This would allow him to sleep peacefully in the virtual world without fear of his consciousness suddenly snapping back to reality.


    Except in certain situations, Venix couldn¡¯t return to the real world and needed his consciousness to remain in the virtual world.


    An hour later, Luna woke him. She had finished modifying the equipment for Venix.


    Opening his eyes, Venix gazed at the glass chamber where he would meditate.


    Inside the chamber was a one-meter-tall tube filled with Awaken Elixir. A small hose connected to the tube, ready to channel the elixir directly into his body.


    As before, Luna assisted in attaching the equipment to Venix, ensuring every connection was secure.


    Once everything was ready, Luna checked his condition on the monitor screen.


    ¡°Your vitals are stable. Nothing unusual so far,¡± Luna said with a satisfied nod.


    Turning to Venix, she added, ¡°Now, begin meditating. Since this is your first time, it might take longer to enter a meditative state. With all this equipment on your body, you¡¯ll need to put in extra effort to relax.¡±


    Venix nodded, showing his understanding. Without delay, he began his meditation attempt.


    As an Awaken, Venix possessed an Origin Fragment Realm. This realm naturally generated a small, continuous amount of energy, providing a basic supply to an Awaken¡¯s body.


    Venix closed his eyes slowly, trying to feel the flow of origin energy within his body. Though faint at first, he gradually sensed it.


    Five minutes passed, and Venix began to feel a subtle energy coursing through his body.


    This energy felt like warm sparks, flowing gently yet full of potential. With sharpened focus, he attempted to control it, slowly directing it toward his head.


    Each spark moved gradually, like glowing specks of dust being drawn toward the same point.


    The process took quite some time¡ªhalf an hour in total. Finally, the accumulated energy was substantial enough to form Venix''s Astral Body.


    Inside his body, a miniature version of himself emerged. This Astral Body was simple, devoid of facial features or details, resembling a small stickman.


    Without hesitation, Venix proceeded to the next stage: accessing the Origin Fragment Realm located within his soul.


    Minutes later, a glowing blue line appeared, connecting Venix''s Astral Body to the Origin Fragment Realm at the core of his soul.


    This line acted as a pathway, making it easier for Venix to locate and access the Origin Fragment Realm.


    The next step was to guide his Astral Body along the line toward a place that felt like home¡ªhis soul.


    The process felt natural; there were no obstacles, only a calmness enveloping his journey.


    Quickly, Venix¡¯s Astral Body arrived at the Origin Fragment Realm.


    The sight before him was magical.


    The Origin Fragment Realm appeared as a sea of multicolored dust moving in unpredictable patterns, each hue radiating a mysterious aura. However, Venix could not fully comprehend or perceive the intricate details of this world. He merely stood still before the Origin Fragment Realm, a center of power that served as the core of an Awaken.


    Meanwhile, Luna, monitoring Venix through a screen, noticed signs indicating that he had reached the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Luna promptly injected several drops of Awaken Elixir into Venix''s body.


    The liquid flowed in, and without requiring any action from Venix, the energy from the elixir was immediately absorbed by his soul, as if this was a process long predestined.


    The energy naturally moved toward the Origin Fragment Realm.


    To Venix, everything felt instinctive, like a mechanism in his body that knew exactly what to do without his direct intervention.


    Previously, the energy flowing through Venix¡¯s body was directly linked to the Origin Fragment Realm.


    However, once his consciousness entered his soul, that energy began merging and connecting directly to his Astral Body.


    As the energy connected to his Astral Body, changes occurred rapidly.


    Hair began to grow, slowly framing the head of Venix¡¯s Astral Body. The previously featureless face started taking shape¡ªeyes, a nose, and lips emerging with increasing detail.


    Despite this, Venix''s Astral Body remained entirely blue, devoid of other colors.


    Finally, his Astral Body was complete. With his fully-formed Astral Body, Venix could see through its eyes for the first time.


    ¡°This view\... it¡¯s extraordinary,¡± Venix murmured softly, his voice a mix of awe and profound wonder.


    Before him, the Origin Fragment Realm resembled a miniature galaxy.


    The tiny specks of dust were filled with minuscule stars rotating in harmony, emitting a gentle yet mesmerizing light.


    Wasting no time, Venix extended both hands, placing his astral palms upon the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Focusing intently, Venix channeled his energy, enveloping the Origin Fragment Realm entirely.


    As his energy flowed, time within the Origin Fragment Realm began to accelerate.


    The "Survival of the Fittest" process occurring inside was intensified, accelerating the natural selection within the Origin Fragment Realm.


    However, Venix maintained control, ensuring the acceleration did not exceed the threshold or become too rapid.


    With his eyes closed, Venix allowed his consciousness to delve deeper into the Origin Fragment Realm.


    When he opened his eyes again, Venix found himself in another world.


    A world filled with majestic scenery¡ªtowering mountains in the distance, dense forests stretching far and wide, and an atmosphere that felt fresh yet brimming with mysterious energy.


    Venix had entered the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Like a spectator, Venix could see everything clearly. His gaze locked onto a peculiar sight within this world.


    ¡°That¡­¡± Venix muttered, his tone tinged with surprise.


    His eyes caught a massive, striking figure atop a mountain.


    A Tentacle Monster, grotesque and enormous, was hunting a tiger. Its long, sinuous tentacles coiled tightly around the tiger¡¯s body.


    In an instant, the tiger¡¯s life was completely drained, leaving its body an empty husk.


    Venix¡¯s body tensed, his skin prickling. Every movement of the Tentacle Monster exuded an aura so oppressive it felt like merely witnessing it from afar was enough to paralyze anyone''s courage.


    Its bloodthirsty, ruthless, and merciless nature was evident in its every action. The monster appeared far more terrifying compared to when Venix had seen it through the mirror earlier.


    ¡°This is¡­ truly horrifying,¡± Venix thought, his chest pounding as he struggled to calm himself amidst the overwhelming dread.


    Others, including Luna, who was currently monitoring Venix¡¯s soul, could only see a rough outline from the outside.


    They could not access the true essence of Venix¡¯s Seed Origin. In fact, no one could clearly perceive the core of another person¡¯s Seed Origin¡ªonly the individual themselves could.


    Within the Origin Fragment Realm, Venix began noticing something unusual at the center of the Tentacle Monster''s body.


    Previously, the Tentacle Monster had only nine tentacles connected to one another without any additional body structure.


    But now, a new form was beginning to take shape at its center, indicating that its evolution was progressing.


    Venix felt an urge to try connecting with the Tentacle Monster using the Meditation Technique he had learned.


    Through this technique, he could establish a bond with the Seed Origins in the Origin Fragment Realm, guiding and empowering them.


    When Venix attempted to connect with the Tentacle Monster, his power was effortlessly repelled, and he was unable to establish any connection.


    ¡°What!? How is it possible for it to reject my power!?¡± Venix was stunned, his Astral Body¡¯s expression clearly reflecting his confusion.


    It was important to remember that Venix was akin to a god descending into this realm. Yet this Tentacle Monster, supposedly weaker, outright rejected his power.


    Venix¡¯s emotions shifted as a newfound determination grew within him.


    ¡°No, this tentacle monster is too dangerous! No matter how strong it is, it will only become a ticking time bomb for me.¡± Resolutely, Venix decided against making the Tentacle Monster his primary Seed Origin.


    Venix knew that if no other options were available, he would have to choose a different Seed Origin.


    Swiftly, he began examining each Seed Origin within the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Each Seed Origin had a unique form¡ªmany resembled animals or even bizarre hybrids of animals and plants, their shapes strange and full of mystery.


    Venix encountered a butterfly with a humanoid body.


    He also saw a creature with the heads of a snake, tiger, and turtle. But the most striking was a figure that made Venix pause for a moment¡ªa dragon!


    The dragon had a body resembling a Komodo dragon, with two large wings on its back. When Venix saw the dragon, a sense of shock and awe overwhelmed him.


    ¡°This is it!¡± Venix could hardly contain his excitement.


    This dragon¡ªthe king of mythical creatures¡ªif any being could defeat the Tentacle Monster, it was undoubtedly this dragon!


    Without hesitation, Venix immediately attempted to connect with the dragon. This time, the connection was established quickly!


    Venix could feel the dragon¡¯s energy flowing into him, a seemingly limitless power ready to be harnessed.


    However, despite being easier to control than the Tentacle Monster, Venix understood that this dragon was driven purely by animalistic instincts. It was no more intelligent than the other Seed Origins.


    Like the Tentacle Monster, this dragon was a predator within its domain.


    With high hopes, Venix directed the dragon toward the Tentacle Monster¡¯s territory, hoping it could vanquish his enemy.


    Under Venix¡¯s guidance, the dragon flew confidently, following his lead.


    As the dragon approached within fifty meters of the Tentacle Monster''s territory, something unexpected happened.


    The dragon suddenly let out a loud roar, resisting Venix¡¯s control as he attempted to guide it closer to the Tentacle Monster.


    Venix was shocked, utterly baffled by the dragon''s sudden rebellion.


    Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the dragon turned around and fled as far as it could from the Tentacle Monster''s territory.


    Venix was stunned.


    He had never expected a creature as mighty as a dragon to flee in fear like this!

 Chapter 8

    As the dragon fled, Venix was stunned!


    Through the connection he shared with the creature, Venix could sense the dragon¡¯s profound fear¡ªso vivid it felt as if the dragon were screaming inside his mind.


    If the dragon could speak, its words might have been:


    ¡°You¡¯re asking me to commit suicide by facing that monster? Forget it! I¡¯m too young to die!¡±


    Venix was shocked by the intensity of the dragon¡¯s emotions, but he didn¡¯t give up.


    With all his might, he tried to convince the dragon to return.


    ¡°You¡¯re a dragon! A legendary and sacred beast! And you¡¯re afraid to face that little creature?!¡± Venix shouted passionately, trying to ignite the dragon¡¯s courage.


    Yet, the more Venix pushed his will upon the dragon, the stronger its resistance grew.


    Each attempt only weakened their bond further, until finally, Venix was forced to release the connection.


    Breathing heavily, Venix could only watch as the dragon retreated into the distance, feeling utterly defeated.


    ¡°All Seed Origins follow their natural instincts, and the instinct for survival is the strongest of all,¡± Venix muttered with a voice full of sorrow. ¡°One of the most primal survival instincts is avoiding danger.¡±


    Venix stood still, lost in thought.


    If even a dragon¡ªa legendary and supposedly invincible creature¡ªfeared facing the Tentacle Monster, who else could stand against it?


    But Venix didn¡¯t have the luxury of staying in despair. He knew he had to find a solution.


    With rising frustration, he began reaching out to other Seed Origins that appeared strong, leaping from one to the next, searching for potential candidates capable of rivaling the Tentacle Monster.


    Yet every time he tried, the result was the same: all the Seed Origins he encountered exhibited the same fear.


    They all fled from the Tentacle Monster¡¯s territory as if their instincts were screaming to keep away.


    Venix grew increasingly restless, his mind racing. The tension within him mounted.


    If he couldn¡¯t find a Seed Origin willing to confront the Tentacle Monster, nothing could stop it from becoming his dominant Seed Origin!


    "I may have to find a seemingly ordinary Seed Origin with extraordinary courage," Venix thought aloud. Then, suddenly, something caught his eye¡ªsomething he had overlooked before.


    It was a plain creature¡ªa vulture!


    Its appearance was unimpressive. Its feathers were dark brown, and its posture lacked any distinguishing features that set it apart from other creatures.


    Compared to the other Seed Origins, the vulture seemed like an ordinary animal that had accidentally wandered into the wrong world.


    But Venix wasn¡¯t drawn to the vulture¡¯s appearance. What captured his attention was its location.


    The vulture stood tall on the sturdy branch of a high tree, scanning its surroundings with sharp vigilance, as if carefully assessing every situation.


    Not far from where it perched, the dragon Venix had controlled earlier was fiercely battling and mercilessly preying upon various creatures.


    The dragon spewed fire from its mouth, destroying everything in its path.


    The area was a terrifyingly dangerous place, yet the vulture remained calm, showing no hint of fear.


    Venix observed the vulture intently, and what he saw next left him astonished.


    As the dragon clawed one of the Seed Origins to death, the vulture¡¯s body began to glow faintly, emitting an intimidating aura¡ªnot overly powerful, but enough to grab the dragon¡¯s attention.


    The dragon halted momentarily, provoked by the display, and turned its gaze toward the vulture.


    At the same moment, the vulture moved swiftly. Its wings flapped powerfully, propelling its body forward with remarkable speed.


    In an instant, it swooped toward the carcass slain by the dragon, seized it with its sharp talons, and quickly flew away to feed on it in a safer location.


    Venix watched the entire scene in silence, awe-struck by what he had just witnessed.


    ¡°Incredible!¡± Venix exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. ¡°This vulture is remarkable! Even though its strength might be the weakest here, its courage, composure, and strategy allow it to survive and adapt in such a perilous environment!¡±


    Venix felt a newfound determination ignite within him.


    The vulture¡¯s bravery, despite lacking overwhelming power, offered a glimmer of hope.


    Perhaps this vulture was the only Seed Origin with the courage to approach the Tentacle Monster!


    With firm resolve, Venix immediately linked himself to the vulture without hesitation.


    As he attempted the connection, it formed effortlessly, without any resistance.


    The moment their bond solidified, Venix could feel the vulture¡¯s emotions deeply.


    Calmness was the first thing he noticed, but there was also a sharp vigilance¡ªa constant readiness to anticipate anything around it.


    Though the vulture appeared serene on the surface, Venix could sense that every move it made was imbued with caution and awareness.


    The roar of an angry dragon echoed in the distance, shattering the stillness.


    The dragon, clearly enraged by the theft of its prey, let out a furious cry filled with hatred and confusion.


    But the vulture remained calm, undisturbed as it devoured its stolen meal from afar.


    ¡°Fascinating,¡± Venix murmured with a faint smile. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s see if you¡¯re brave enough to approach the Tentacle Monster!¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Using their strong connection, Venix guided the vulture to fly toward the territory controlled by the Tentacle Monster.


    100 meters...


    50 meters...


    The vulture showed no sign of stopping, even as they drew closer to the lurking danger.


    The tension was palpable, and Venix could sense a subtle resistance from the vulture.


    Yet upon deeper examination of its emotions, he realized it wasn¡¯t resistance but doubt¡ªa flicker of hesitation within the vulture¡¯s heart.


    Ahead of them loomed the Tentacle Monster¡ªthe ultimate predator of the Origin Fragment Realm.


    If the vulture felt fear, it would be completely understandable.


    But what happened next was unexpected.


    The vulture didn¡¯t flee, unlike every other Seed Origin before it.


    Instead, with extraordinary bravery, it soared higher, out of the Tentacle Monster¡¯s attack range.


    With enough distance between them, the vulture continued to advance.


    ¡°Impressive!¡± Venix exclaimed excitedly, amazed by the vulture¡¯s unparalleled courage.


    The vulture pressed on before finally stopping mid-air and circling overhead.


    Below, the enormous and fearsome Tentacle Monster continued feasting on other Seed Origins, completely unaware of the smaller, more agile vulture hovering high above.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re so resilient and fearless, I choose you!¡± Venix declared with admiration. ¡°Now, return and hunt other creatures first!¡±


    Obediently, the vulture followed Venix¡¯s instructions, flying away from the Tentacle Monster, heading toward the dragon¡¯s location.


    With its speed and agility, the vulture effortlessly navigated the air, as if nothing could obstruct its path.


    Initially, Venix only wanted to test the vulture¡¯s courage¡ªwhether it dared approach the Tentacle Monster or not.


    If the vulture had retreated, there would have been no point in supporting or empowering it further.


    But once Venix realized the vulture had the audacity to face such a formidable threat, he knew this was an opportunity to nurture the creature to its full potential.


    Venix was not tempted to confront the Tentacle Monster right away. Instead, he believed that strengthening the vulture gradually was the wiser approach before engaging in a direct battle.


    With unwavering confidence, Venix bestowed a Blessing upon the vulture¡ªa divine favor that enhanced its strength and abilities, granting it power beyond its natural limits.


    This blessing, however, was not something to be given lightly. It was a one-time opportunity for Venix to tie his destiny to the vulture. If the vulture were to perish, Venix would have to rely on the whims of nature to determine his primary Seed Origin.


    The Meditation Technique offered two ways to strengthen a chosen Seed Origin, but the second method couldn¡¯t be used recklessly.


    Empowered by the blessing, the vulture¡¯s confidence began to grow. It felt stronger, braver, and better prepared to face the challenges ahead.


    The vulture''s first step after receiving the blessing was bold: it started stealing prey killed by a dragon. Initially, it dared to take only one carcass, but as its confidence grew, so did the number of stolen prey.


    This enraged the dragon, which had initially been mildly annoyed. Its growing anger eventually escalated to the point where it attacked the vulture.


    Sensing the danger early on with its heightened vigilance, the vulture made a swift escape, leaving the dragon¡¯s territory behind.


    However, Venix was dissatisfied with the vulture¡¯s passive approach.


    ¡°Its progress is slower than I anticipated,¡± he mused. The vulture seemed content waiting for opportunities to scavenge kills made by others, lacking the initiative to take bolder actions.


    Responding to this, Venix gave clear guidance:


    ¡°When the opportunity arises, attack! Don¡¯t just wait for them to die¡ªyou can take them both down one after another, or even simultaneously. Don¡¯t hesitate to seize the initiative!¡±


    The vulture listened intently to Venix¡¯s directions and began implementing them.


    Gradually but surely, the vulture¡¯s hunting style changed. No longer passive, it became more aggressive, actively seeking opportunities to attack and steal prey.


    With Venix¡¯s guidance strengthening their bond, their teamwork improved significantly. They hunted in tandem, supporting each other at every turn.


    \---


    Meanwhile, outside the Origin Fragment Realm, Luna summoned her servants to retrieve the Awaken Elixir stored on the first underground floor.


    Luna knew Venix was undergoing a crucial process, and she needed to ensure there was enough elixir to sustain his meditation.


    ¡°It¡¯s been twelve hours already,¡± she murmured softly, her eyes fixed on the monitor. ¡°How much longer will this boy continue meditating?¡±


    The monitor displayed a highly active Origin Fragment Realm, yet Venix showed no signs of stopping.


    From the display, Luna could tell that Venix¡¯s Seed Origin was still in the form of a Tentacle Monster, meaning he hadn¡¯t succeeded in replacing or displacing it with another Seed Origin.


    She observed how Venix was carefully manipulating time within the Realm, slowing it down deliberately. This suggested that Venix was determined to prevent the Tentacle Monster from evolving too quickly while strategizing to strengthen his chosen Seed Origin.


    Inside the Origin Fragment Realm, Venix and the vulture continued their efforts with growing success.


    ¡°Keep attacking the dragon¡¯s back!¡± Venix commanded.


    With incredible speed, the vulture soared through the air, diving down to strike the dragon¡¯s back repeatedly.


    Bang!


    ¡°Roarrrr!!!¡± The dragon bellowed in pain.


    The vulture¡¯s relentless assaults disrupted and wounded the dragon continuously. Its tough, armored skin had begun to crack, exposing raw flesh beneath.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± Venix ordered.


    The vulture swiftly distanced itself from the dragon, scouting for other prey in the vicinity.


    By now, the vulture had grown significantly stronger. Its size had increased, and its once-pristine feathers were now darkened, exuding a menacing aura. Its power felt increasingly formidable.


    Using his divine observation, Venix identified the three strongest Seed Origins in the Realm: the Tentacle Monster remained the most powerful, followed by the dragon, and then a six-headed serpent.


    Despite its growth, the vulture was still no match for these three creatures. Its courage was its greatest asset, but its raw strength was still insufficient for a direct confrontation.


    \---


    The Tentacle Monster had undergone further evolution, and Venix observed a small fetus forming at its core.


    ¡°It looks like a human fetus,¡± Venix muttered, his eyes narrowing at the sight.


    He realized the Tentacle Monster¡¯s growing strength demanded that he accelerate the vulture¡¯s development.


    The vulture occasionally attacked both the dragon and the serpent, aiming to inflict serious damage by targeting specific points. Every Seed Origin slain caused the Origin Fragment Realm to shrink, forcing the remaining creatures into closer proximity and more frequent battles.


    Although the vulture sustained injuries, its increasingly robust body allowed it to recover quickly.


    Unlike the dragon¡¯s hardened armor, the six-headed serpent was less durable, and the vulture¡¯s repeated strikes began to take a toll.


    Venix sensed the opportunity.


    ¡°Finish the serpent!¡± he commanded.


    The vulture dove toward the serpent¡¯s injured head, its claws glowing crimson. It launched a ferocious attack, tearing through the serpent¡¯s flesh.


    Shing! Rip! Splurch!


    Blood sprayed as the vulture¡¯s claws gouged deep wounds.


    Though the serpent resisted, it was visibly weakening. The vulture hesitated, ready to retreat, but Venix urged it on.


    ¡°Keep attacking! Dig deeper!¡±


    Trusting Venix completely, the vulture resumed its assault, clawing through the serpent¡¯s flesh.


    The serpent¡¯s corrosive blood splattered onto the vulture, burning its feathers and skin. Yet, the vulture¡¯s natural resilience allowed it to endure.


    Eventually, the vulture was thrown back by the serpent¡¯s spasms, blood spraying everywhere.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough! Fall back!¡± Venix ordered.


    Though wounded, the vulture retreated, watching as the serpent weakened further from blood loss. Its regeneration was too slow to counteract the damage.


    After several tense minutes, the serpent¡¯s movements slowed.


    ¡°Now, absorb it,¡± Venix instructed.


    The vulture descended, its claws glowing with a dark red aura as it began extracting the serpent¡¯s life essence. The serpent¡¯s body withered rapidly, and within moments, it was no more.


    \---


    The vulture¡¯s transformation was remarkable.


    Now at level 3 (early stage), it was still behind the dragon (mid-stage) and the Tentacle Monster (late-stage, nearing level 4), but its newfound abilities were promising:


    1\. Inferno Annihilation ¨C A devastating ultimate attack, unleashing a core explosion that could annihilate everything nearby.


    2\. Undying Resolve ¨C A survival skill allowing the vulture to endure a fatal blow, leaving it with a single point of life.


    ¡°These will be crucial,¡± Venix thought, his enthusiasm growing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop now! Keep hunting! We can¡¯t let the Tentacle Monster get too far ahead!¡±


    Feeling Venix¡¯s fervent emotions, the vulture immediately responded. Its sharp gaze swept across its surroundings, quickly locking onto a group of Seed Origins fleeing from its presence.


    The vulture, once more patient, now displayed a look of dissatisfaction. Watching those creatures escape stirred a sense of challenge within it.


    With refined hunting techniques, the vulture decided to pursue them¡ªthis hunt would undoubtedly be more exhausting, but it was also an opportunity to further hone its strength.

 Chapter 9

    Two days had passed.


    Luna stood outside the glass chamber, her gaze fixed on Venix, her expression unreadable.


    She stared at him in confusion. As a novice¡ªespecially one fighting in the Origin Fragment Realm¡ªhow could Venix endure for so long?


    What Luna didn¡¯t realize was that the synchronization between Vulture and Venix had grown stronger, making Venix¡¯s Astral Body more solid and defined than ever before.


    Instead of weakening over time, as typically happened with an Awaken¡¯s Astral Body, Venix¡¯s condition was improving, enabling him to last even longer.


    With a continuous supply of Awaken Elixir, combined with Venix¡¯s experiences in the Origin Fragment Realm and his bond with Vulture, Venix was able to endure an extraordinary amount of time.


    Meanwhile, Venix was fully immersed in the virtual world.


    He no longer cared about the real world¡ªthe one he was supposed to inhabit.


    In the Origin Fragment Realm, Venix was eager to work alongside Vulture.


    Over the last two days, Vulture had reached the peak of Level 3, while the Dragon also stood at the same level, though it was on the verge of breaking through to Level 4.


    However, the Tentacle Monster stood in a league of its own, easily advancing to Level 4¡ªsomething Venix could not prevent. All he could do was watch helplessly as it grew stronger.


    The Tentacle Monster¡¯s appearance had drastically changed. At its core was a dark purple humanoid figure of a child, with nine massive tentacles fused to its back.


    ¡°We can¡¯t delay any longer,¡± Venix muttered gravely, his gaze fixed on the Dragon.


    The Dragon looked exhausted, its back covered in wounds far worse than before.


    If not for its formidable natural regeneration ability, it would have fallen to Vulture and Venix long ago.


    Now, the only way to catch up to the Tentacle Monster¡¯s level was to consume the Dragon.


    Vulture had grown significantly in size, now reaching a third of the Dragon¡¯s size. The Tentacle Monster, on the other hand, matched Vulture in sheer bulk.


    ¡°Attack its back!¡± Venix commanded, his eyes gleaming with determination.


    Following Venix¡¯s lead, Vulture launched an aggressive assault on the Dragon¡¯s back.


    The attack was effective, but time was not on their side. The Dragon¡¯s resilience was immense. If the battle dragged on, Vulture would eventually lose.


    Until now, Venix had been methodically wearing down the Dragon¡¯s back, employing the same strategy he¡¯d used against the Snake before.


    However, the damage inflicted was always countered by the Dragon¡¯s regenerative abilities.


    The result? Almost nothing.


    With no other choice, Vulture fought with unrelenting ferocity, trying to create a massive opening on the Dragon¡¯s back.


    The battle grew so intense that other Seed Origins in the vicinity fled, avoiding the small apocalypse unfolding before them.


    Vulture¡¯s beak began to glow with a brilliant red light. Its body dove sharply, striking the Dragon¡¯s nearly shattered back.


    Shiiiiing! Slam! Craaash!


    ¡°Roaarrrr!!!¡±


    The hardened armor covering the Dragon¡¯s back shattered instantly, exposing the soft flesh beneath.


    ¡°Now! Keep attacking!¡± Venix shouted, his voice filled with determination.


    Without hesitation, Vulture began tearing into the exposed flesh with its beak and claws.


    The Dragon¡¯s corrosive blood flowed freely, making every attack increasingly perilous.


    However, the blood was no trivial matter. It was far deadlier than the Snake¡¯s blood. Vulture¡¯s body, already caked in dried blood, now appeared even more gruesome, mingled with the Dragon¡¯s darker red blood.


    The Dragon roared, thrashing wildly. With all its might, it began to ascend into the sky, attempting to throw off Vulture, which clung to it like a parasite.


    But Vulture, too, was beginning to show signs of exhaustion. Its body was riddled with wounds, and the corrosive effects of the Dragon¡¯s blood only worsened its condition.


    Seeing the wounds on the Dragon¡¯s back, Venix realized this was their final opportunity.


    ¡°Use Inferno Annihilation!¡± Venix commanded firmly.


    Quickly, Vulture released a glowing red orb from its mouth, planting it into the gaping wound on the Dragon¡¯s back.


    ¡°Hurry! Escape!¡± Venix urged.


    Vulture wrenched itself free with all its might, attempting to flee.


    But the Dragon wasn¡¯t about to let it go. It unleashed every ounce of its strength to chase after Vulture.


    ¡°Damn it! If it stays close to you, the explosion will hurt you too!¡± Venix yelled in panic.


    Vulture desperately tried to distance itself, but the Dragon pursued relentlessly, like a shadow that couldn¡¯t be escaped.


    The Inferno Annihilation attack had drained nearly all of Vulture¡¯s energy, drastically slowing its flight.


    Venix thought quickly. He knew that if this continued, Vulture wouldn¡¯t be able to escape.


    Then an idea struck him.


    ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t move!¡± Venix shouted decisively.


    Vulture hesitated. Stop in front of such a massive enemy? But with the trust they¡¯d built, Vulture chose to believe in Venix.


    It halted mid-flight and stayed still.


    ¡°Brace yourself! Prepare for impact!¡± Venix shouted again, ensuring Vulture followed his orders.


    Vulture immediately adopted a defensive stance, spreading its wings wide to create a natural shield with its remaining strength.


    Seconds later, the attack landed.


    The Dragon¡¯s massive wings and claws struck Vulture with full force.


    Bam! Whooosssshhhhh!


    Vulture¡¯s body was sent hurtling to the ground, crashing into the earth with tremendous force.


    Boom!!!


    The impact created a massive crater, leaving Vulture sprawled in its depths, wounded from head to toe.


    Before the Dragon could celebrate its victory, the glowing orb embedded in its back began to tremble, erupting with catastrophic power.


    Boom!!!


    The explosion resembled a miniature sun, engulfing the entire Origin Fragment Realm in a fiery inferno.


    As the light faded, the Dragon¡¯s limp form hung suspended in mid-air, lifeless.


    Its body, now sporting a massive hole through its chest, plummeted to the ground.


    Boom!!!


    The Dragon lay motionless, devoid of any signs of life.Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Quick! Absorb its corpse!¡± Venix ordered with labored breaths.


    Despite its injuries and its strength depleted by 90%, Vulture slowly rose.


    Its body wobbled, but its resolve remained unshaken. It flew toward the Dragon¡¯s corpse, landing on the massive wound, and began absorbing it hungrily.


    Several other Seed Origins crept closer, drawn by the scent of death, hoping to capitalize on the situation.


    But they didn¡¯t know who they were dealing with.


    As it absorbed the Dragon¡¯s corpse and regained a fraction of its strength, Vulture sprang into action.


    With precise ranged attacks, it mercilessly slaughtered them, defending its prey.


    Watching this, Venix let out a sigh of relief. The process had gone more smoothly than he had anticipated.


    Now, all that was left was to wait for Vulture to fully absorb the Dragon¡¯s corpse.


    The process was slow due to Vulture¡¯s weakened state, significantly reducing its absorption speed.


    In six hours of real-world time, Vulture had only managed to absorb half of the Dragon¡¯s body.


    But the results were extraordinary.


    Absorbing the Dragon¡¯s corpse pushed Vulture to Level 4, triggering a higher form of evolution.


    Its appearance now radiated menace, exuding an aura of newfound power.


    At Level 4, Vulture experienced a massive boost in strength.


    Its passive regeneration ability, which had already surpassed most Seed Origins, received a tremendous upgrade. Its recovery rate now rivaled that of the six-headed Snake it had previously defeated.


    Even as Vulture absorbed the Dragon¡¯s corpse, Venix noticed something remarkable: its depleted energy slowly replenished, and its wounds healed faster than expected.


    For Venix, this was good news¡ªat least for now.


    Even more astonishingly, the evolution to Level 4 not only enhanced its regeneration abilities but also accelerated its energy absorption rate.


    In just two hours, the massive Dragon¡¯s corpse had been entirely absorbed.


    Vulture¡¯s body now shone with its newfound strength, radiating an intimidating aura.


    Turning his gaze toward the distance, Venix focused on the Tentacle Monster.


    Venix assessed the situation carefully.


    ¡°Vulture has surpassed the Tentacle Monster¡¯s level,¡± Venix murmured thoughtfully, his voice tinged with caution. ¡°But the gap isn¡¯t wide enough to guarantee victory.¡±


    The Tentacle Monster was no ordinary foe.


    Even though its level was slightly lower than Vulture¡¯s, its terrifying abilities made it a force even the Dragon feared.


    From Venix¡¯s observations, the Tentacle Monster¡¯s greatest strength lay in ensnaring its prey and slowly absorbing them.


    Venix had never seen it engage in direct combat with other Seed Origins. It simply trapped and drained them, rendering them powerless.


    Venix took a deep breath, preparing himself for the inevitable confrontation.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Venix said quietly but firmly. ¡°The final battle. Vulture, are you ready?¡±


    Vulture stared at the distant Tentacle Monster, its eyes narrowing. There was no hesitation, only resolve.


    ¡°Go!¡± Venix commanded.


    Without a moment¡¯s delay, Vulture shot toward the Tentacle Monster, its wings slicing through the air with blinding speed.


    The air around them seemed to tighten, heralding the impending clash¡ªa showdown between the top predators of the Origin Fragment Realm!


    "Be careful with its tentacles. Each one is extremely dangerous," Venix warned with a tense tone. "If it grabs you and you don¡¯t escape immediately, it will absorb you completely."


    Venix had been observing the Tentacle Monster for quite some time¡ªlong enough to grasp the horror of this enemy.


    Above the gloomy skies, Vulture hovered, eyeing its primary opponent below on the ground.


    The Tentacle Monster, with its nine tentacles, moved with unnerving agility and coordination, leaving almost no openings¡ªno blind spots to exploit.


    Venix felt a sharp pain in his head as he racked his brain for a new strategy.


    But strategies that had worked against a Dragon or a six-headed Serpent would be ineffective here.


    This opponent was too different.


    "I¡¯m leaving everything to you," Venix sighed, acknowledging his limitations. "I don¡¯t have much combat experience, and my suggestions might end up being more of a hindrance to you."


    Deep inside, Venix felt a tinge of frustration.


    If only he could remember Luna, still out there somewhere, perhaps he could seek her advice and take a break from this.


    But ever since entering the Origin Fragment Realm, his mind had been consumed with developing his Seed Origin, casting aside all thoughts of the outside world as if it no longer mattered.


    Vulture, on the other hand, remained calm¡ªeven in this dire situation.


    If it were just a wild vulture, it might have been timid and refrained from taking reckless actions, relying on its natural instincts to survive and merely awaiting its end.


    But now, after working with Venix, Vulture had changed. Its combat style was more measured, more strategic, and far bolder.


    Even so, this fight was no less daunting for it.


    Despite facing an opponent that seemed invincible, Vulture harbored no hesitation. It shot forward at incredible speed, directly targeting the Tentacle Monster!


    The final battle for the throne as King had begun.


    A crimson aura radiated from Vulture¡¯s body, encasing it in deadly energy. Its wings, now like swords, seemed capable of slicing through anything with a single sweep.


    Its beak and talons glowed sharply, ready to tear through its foe.


    Vulture¡¯s first attack struck like lightning, creating a deafening boom in the air. The Tentacle Monster flinched, caught off guard by the bird¡¯s sudden charge.


    In one fluid motion, Vulture swung its wing at a tentacle attempting to block its path.


    Slish!


    One tentacle was severed cleanly, dropping to the ground like a felled tree branch.


    Venix¡¯s eyes gleamed at the sight.


    But his relief was short-lived.


    Almost immediately, the severed tentacle began to move, reconnecting with the main body like liquid merging into itself.


    Seeing this, Venix¡¯s heart sank to the pit of despair.


    ¡°Damn it... how are we supposed to win against regeneration like that!?¡± Venix cursed, his voice filled with anger.


    Vulture, though startled, did not retreat.


    It hovered steadily, preparing for its next strike. Meanwhile, Venix¡¯s mind raced, cycling through potential strategies. How could they possibly defeat an enemy that seemed indestructible?


    After pondering briefly, Vulture attempted to flee, hoping to escape the looming danger.


    But the remaining eight tentacles swiftly blocked its escape route, trapping Vulture in an endless fight.


    On the ground, the humanoid figure controlling the Tentacle Monster grinned victoriously, its gaze fixed on Vulture with a ravenous hunger.


    ¡°Attack the humanoid controlling the tentacles!¡± Venix shouted, clarity striking him like a lightning bolt. ¡°That¡¯s the core of the Tentacle Monster!¡±


    Vulture listened intently to Venix¡¯s instructions and immediately shifted its attack toward the humanoid figure at the center of the tentacles.


    Slash!


    Vulture¡¯s initial strike grazed the humanoid¡¯s skin, but the wound healed instantly, as if it had never been there.


    ¡°Damn it! Even its humanoid form has regenerative abilities!?¡± Venix yelled, his expression souring. Despair began to take hold of him. ¡°This is impossible! This monster has no weaknesses! Even the Dragon¡¯s Seed Origin would struggle against it!¡±


    Unable to inflict any significant damage on the humanoid¡¯s body, Vulture found itself increasingly cornered.


    Its legs were now firmly gripped by two massive tentacles, leaving no room for escape.


    Venix¡¯s heart churned with anger and bitterness. After all this effort, were they truly powerless against the Tentacle Monster?


    Worse still, this wasn¡¯t even a fight¡ªit was a one-sided slaughter.


    ¡°Vulture only has two abilities left¡ªInferno Annihilation and Undying Resolve... But what¡¯s the point?¡± Venix muttered, his face twisted in frustration. ¡°After Inferno Annihilation, what can it do? Even if Vulture survives using Undying Resolve, it¡¯ll only buy a few more seconds...!¡±


    Doubt clouded Venix¡¯s mind as he wondered whether Inferno Annihilation could even leave a mark on the Tentacle Monster.


    ¡°If only the Buff I provided had been stronger... Maybe there¡¯d be a chance...¡± Venix thought regretfully.


    But then, as if struck by a sudden realization, an idea sparked in Venix¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Meditation techniques provide two Buffs that support the main Seed Origin,¡± Venix recalled quickly. ¡°The first Buff enhances the Seed Origin¡¯s power, while the second is... Astral Bond.¡±


    Astral Bond was a technique known to significantly boost the strength of a Seed Origin.


    Venix continued musing, ¡°Astral Bond is meant for the final stage of Seed formation, requiring a massive surge of power to fully merge the Seed. And this technique sacrifices an Awaken¡¯s Astral Body to activate the Bond.


    ¡°If an Awaken¡¯s Astral Body is destroyed, it won¡¯t recover until they reach the Seedbound stage,¡± Venix remembered the warning. ¡°That¡¯s why this technique is only recommended for the final stages of an Awaken¡¯s development.¡±


    After a moment¡¯s contemplation, Venix realized what he had to do.


    Astral Bond could provide the tremendous power boost necessary to save Vulture and turn the tide of the battle.


    ¡°It¡¯s now or never!¡± Venix gritted his teeth, making the decision with unwavering determination.


    Outside the Origin Fragment Realm, Venix¡¯s Astral Body opened its eyes.


    In an instant, his Astral Body began to liquefy, merging with the Origin Fragment Realm, signaling the commencement of a high-risk process.


    Elsewhere, Luna, still outside, quickly sensed the change in Venix¡¯s soul.


    ¡°That boy... He¡¯s using Astral Bond? At this stage? Does he not understand the risks of this action?¡± Luna¡¯s face froze, a look of concern crossing her features.


    She knew she could easily stop the process with her power.


    But seeing the resoluteness in Venix¡¯s decision, Luna chose to refrain. She couldn¡¯t interfere with such a decisive choice.


    Within the Origin Fragment Realm, a dramatic transformation overtook Vulture.


    As soon as Astral Bond was activated, Vulture¡¯s body surged with overwhelming power.


    The two tentacles gripping its legs disintegrated effortlessly under the sheer force of the unleashed energy.


    The humanoid controlling the Tentacle Monster was visibly shocked, sensing the sudden and immense change in its adversary.


    At this moment, Venix and Vulture became one.


    What Vulture saw, what Vulture felt¡ªVenix experienced it all.


    Though they were united, control over Vulture¡¯s body remained with Vulture, while Venix served as an observer, sensing every pulse of its existence.


    ¡°Use Inferno Annihilation,¡± Venix commanded, his voice firm and authoritative.


    Without hesitation, Vulture unleashed a sphere from its beak. The orb was a deep purple, far darker than before, exuding an energy far more dangerous and mysterious.


    ¡°Plant your feet into the ground! Then strike the sphere!¡± Venix shouted with fiery resolve.


    Vulture planted its feet and struck the purple orb with its sharp attack, triggering the explosion.


    Even if it meant its own destruction, Vulture showed no hesitation in following Venix¡¯s orders.


    Boom!!!


    The sound of the explosion reverberated like the roar of an apocalyptic force, shattering the silence of the realm.


    The devastating blast annihilated everything in its vicinity, like a nuclear bomb obliterating an entire city without leaving a trace.


    Both Vulture and the Tentacle Monster bore the full brunt of the explosion.


    Venix felt waves of unbearable pain, nearly losing consciousness.


    Vulture¡¯s body staggered, almost completely destroyed.


    It was charred and burned, its feathers and skin peeling away, leaving behind only brittle bones on the verge of collapse.


    Yet, thanks to its feet firmly rooted in the ground, Vulture remained standing against the blast¡¯s force.


    Were it not for the Undying Resolve ability, Vulture would have been reduced to nothing but dust.


    The Tentacle Monster fared no better. Its body was utterly devastated, leaving behind only a gleaming black orb amidst the ruins.


    As the explosion¡¯s aftermath subsided and the dust began to settle, Venix and Vulture could clearly see the black orb lying not far ahead.


    ¡°Heh... Absorb that black orb...¡± Venix spoke, his voice brimming with unmistakable killing intent.


    The true core of the Tentacle Monster had finally been exposed!

 Chapter 10

    "Absorb the Black Orb."


    Venix''s voice echoed in Vulture''s mind, piercing the oppressive silence around them.


    Despite his body being nearly destroyed and barely holding together, Vulture summoned all his strength to touch the Black Orb with what remained of his wing¡ªnow little more than bone.


    As the skeletal remains of his wing made contact with the orb, a crimson glow enveloped Vulture''s wing bones.


    The absorption began.


    With the aid of the Astral Bond, everything related to Vulture¡ªhis speed, his absorption ability¡ªwas significantly amplified.


    Whoosshhh\~


    An overwhelming surge of energy poured into Vulture''s body, and slowly, new flesh began to form on his nearly obliterated wings.


    Venix sensed the speed of the absorption and was shocked by how quickly it was happening¡ªfar faster than ever before.


    The Black Orb quivered, as though trying to resist.


    However, with no physical body to shield it, the Black Orb could only surrender, feeling its power forcibly absorbed by Vulture.


    The damage inflicted on the orb was severe, making recovery impossible in the short term.


    Second by second, the Black Orb shrank, its energy siphoned into Vulture''s body, which continued to regenerate.


    New flesh and feathers began to cover Vulture, his condition improving rapidly. Despite lingering injuries, Vulture felt far stronger than before.


    Meanwhile, the Tentacle Monster also began regenerating its body. Its humanoid form reappeared, and its nine severed tentacles started growing back. However, the regrown tentacles were noticeably smaller and weaker than before.


    The Astral Bond had a limited duration and could not last forever.


    Had it not been for the strength of Venix''s Astral Body, the effects of the technique would have already ended.


    "We can''t defeat it through normal combat or simply kill it. The only way is to fight for mutual absorption," Venix declared firmly.


    Had the Tentacle Monster been at full strength, this plan would have been impossible.


    However, thanks to Vulture¡¯s earlier suicidal assault, he had managed to gain a crucial time advantage¡ªa fleeting opportunity to weaken the Tentacle Monster and seize control.


    As soon as its regrown tentacles became functional, the Tentacle Monster moved with determination.


    Nine large tentacles coiled tightly around Vulture, attempting to absorb him.


    Though the tentacles appeared terrifying, they were inherently fragile.


    The Tentacle Monster''s true strength lay in its ability to absorb its enemies upon contact.


    Previously, Vulture had effortlessly severed the tentacles, demonstrating that while they could entangle and restrain, they lacked the power to inflict significant damage on his body.


    What made the Tentacle Monster truly dangerous was its unnatural ability to absorb and heal itself.


    This was the core of its terrifying power¡ªthe capacity to survive by leeching off its foes and its astonishing regenerative abilities.


    However, in terms of raw physical strength and combat capabilities, the Tentacle Monster was far weaker than Vulture.


    Venix finally grasped the essence of the monster''s fighting style.


    The Tentacle Monster did not aim to kill its opponents directly but to absorb them alive.


    And in this absorption battle, the Tentacle Monster held the upper hand.


    But Vulture was no ordinary foe. He possessed extraordinary capabilities, enhanced by the buffs provided by Venix.


    Even so, the Tentacle Monster''s absorption ability was superior to Vulture''s, even with the early advantage he had seized.


    The Tentacle Monster absorbed faster and more powerfully, placing immense pressure on Vulture.


    "If you lose, it will be the end of us entirely!" Venix said, his voice tinged with anxiety.


    Outside, Luna watched Venix¡¯s soul through the monitor, her face filled with shock. What she saw on the screen startled her.


    The position of the Primary Origin Seed had shifted.


    The Tentacle Monster, which had previously dominated, was now being overtaken by Vulture.


    However, the shift was brief. In a flash, the Tentacle Monster reclaimed its position.


    This tug-of-war repeated endlessly, a constant battle for dominance.


    Vulture seized control for a mere second, only for the Tentacle Monster to take it back.


    This time, the Tentacle Monster maintained its dominance for a longer duration, signaling a slight advantage in absorption.


    Venix observed intently, his anxiety mounting. Though he could see Vulture¡¯s struggle to absorb the Tentacle Monster, the fight was far from over. The monster still had a slight edge in their contest of mutual consumption.


    Luna, confused, continued to observe the changing data.


    "Venix is trying to replace the Tentacle Monster with Vulture? But why Vulture?" she wondered, sensing something amiss.


    In the real world, Vulture was just an ordinary animal¡ªa choice that seemed illogical to replace the Tentacle Monster.


    Although an Origin Seed held immense power regardless of its form, a unique and specialized form naturally had more advantages than a simple animal.


    Vulture, while strong, was limited compared to the Tentacle Monster, which possessed unique abilities.


    But Luna wasn¡¯t just puzzled by Venix''s decision¡ªshe was also intrigued by the data emerging from the shift in the Primary Origin Seed.


    "If I can collect enough data, I might be able to release a more advanced version of the Meditation Technique!" Luna murmured, her face alight with rekindled passion for research.


    Still, Luna remained concerned for Venix¡¯s condition.


    It seemed Venix did not want the Tentacle Monster to become his Primary Origin Seed. If Venix failed, all his efforts would have been in vain.


    "Unfortunately, I can¡¯t help him. The battle inside the Origin Fragment Realm is too isolated for any external interference," Luna sighed, frustration etched on her face.


    Back in the Origin Fragment Realm, Vulture''s situation grew increasingly dire.


    Despite gaining an early advantage and weakening the Tentacle Monster, the two were now locked in a nearly even tug-of-war. The longer they fought, the clearer it became that the Tentacle Monster was slowly overpowering Vulture.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "If only Vulture had a little more time, he might have been able to suppress the Tentacle Monster from the start," Venix muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.


    All hope now rested on Vulture.


    There was nothing more Venix could do to assist him.


    He had already given everything to Vulture.


    Venix¡¯s Astral Body was nearing its limit, and the Astral Bond, which had granted Vulture extraordinary strength, would not last much longer.


    "A truly incredible battle, Vulture," Venix said softly, his voice barely audible in the suffocating silence.


    Hearing Venix¡¯s words, Vulture sensed the deep tone of farewell in his voice.


    To Venix, their time together had only been a few days, but for Vulture, they had shared years together.


    In that short time, the bond they had formed was incredibly strong.


    That was why Vulture, despite his primal instincts, continued to obey Venix¡¯s commands.


    Vulture didn¡¯t just trust Venix¡ªhe regarded him as a friend and leader worth following, even in such a critical situation.


    Vulture retaliated with all his might, severing two tentacles. But the severed limbs writhed and tried to rejoin the main body.


    Seeing this, a wild idea struck Vulture.


    Without hesitation, he opened his mouth wide and swallowed the severed tentacle whole!


    As the tentacle slid into his stomach, Vulture felt a resistance, as if the piece was trying to absorb energy from within his body.


    Even so, only a small portion of the Tentacle Monster¡¯s essence remained in that severed piece. Even if it absorbed Vulture¡¯s energy, it wouldn¡¯t reconnect with the Tentacle Monster¡¯s main body.


    Aware of this, Vulture wasn¡¯t threatened. His own energy absorption was far stronger than the severed tentacle''s attempt to drain him!


    Without mercy, Vulture quickly digested the piece, breaking it down completely within his body, turning it into energy to fuel himself.


    This process hampered the Tentacle Monster, which now had to regenerate its lost limb.


    However, this regeneration took slightly longer than before.


    Venix, with his divine perspective, could perceive far more than Vulture could.


    Venix quickly noticed the shift.


    ¡°The Black Orb¡¯s size is shrinking!¡± Venix exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with a startling discovery. ¡°Even if only slightly, this is enough to weaken it! The shrinking is caused by... the Tentacle Monster¡¯s regeneration!¡±


    Venix had finally uncovered the Tentacle Monster¡¯s primary weakness.


    It turned out the Tentacle Monster couldn¡¯t regenerate endlessly! There was a cost each time it did so.


    ¡°Keep cutting and eating its tentacles!¡± Venix ordered firmly.


    The tentacles were far easier to sever than the humanoid body of the Tentacle Monster.


    Vulture, now brimming with confidence, swiftly severed another tentacle and swallowed it whole.


    The humanoid face of the Tentacle Monster twisted drastically. It let out a loud, anguished scream, furious and in pain as its body continued to weaken.


    ¡°Keep going!¡± Venix urged, his voice showing signs of strain. He could feel the Astral Bond¡¯s effects wouldn¡¯t last much longer.


    Meanwhile, outside, Luna was closely observing the unfolding events and noticed a significant change.


    Vulture had now managed to seize the position of the main Seed Origin. Though the Tentacle Monster occasionally regained it, the intervals were much shorter than before, and Vulture¡¯s dominance became increasingly apparent.


    ¡°Did Venix succeed?¡± Luna whispered, her voice filled with awe at the accomplishment.


    Yet beneath her admiration, Luna was acutely aware that Venix¡¯s Astral Body wouldn¡¯t hold out for much longer.


    While Vulture was able to suppress the Tentacle Monster now, that advantage was likely temporary, dependent on the Astral Bond. Without its support, Vulture would revert to being weak, and the opportunity for victory would vanish entirely.


    The disparity in strength, with and without the Astral Bond, was enormous.


    ¡°I need to do something!¡± Luna muttered anxiously, her voice nearly inaudible in the silent room.


    If the Astral Bond ended prematurely, all of Venix¡¯s efforts would be in vain, and their last chance for victory would slip away.


    Clenching her teeth, Luna steeled herself.


    She couldn¡¯t let it end like this.


    With firm resolve, Luna walked toward the glass chamber where Venix was meditating and stepped inside.


    Venix appeared deeply immersed in stillness, his eyes tightly shut as he concentrated on maintaining the Astral Bond.


    ¡°I can help Venix by sacrificing my own Astral Body and extending the duration of his Astral Bond,¡± Luna murmured, her voice resolute despite the doubts lingering in her heart.


    All this time, Luna had been reluctant to take such a step.


    Sacrificing her Astral Body would only prolong the Astral Bond¡¯s duration without adding any extra power or buffs.


    Extending the Astral Bond might allow Vulture more time to achieve victory, but if he failed, it would all be for nothing.


    Luna knew the severe consequences of this action. Damaging her Astral Body would significantly slow her power development for years to come.


    Without certainty of success, Luna hesitated to use this technique.


    But this time, the circumstances were different.


    Vulture had already managed to suppress the Tentacle Monster slightly, and by giving him more time, there was a real chance he could win.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let Venix¡¯s struggle go to waste,¡± Luna murmured, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.


    With steady steps, Luna placed her hand on Venix¡¯s back, her palm radiating a brilliant golden light.


    A unique wave of energy flowed from her body into Venix¡¯s.


    Venix¡¯s nearly transparent Astral Body began to absorb the golden energy, slowly regaining its form. What had been on the verge of fading away became solid and clear, as if revitalized.


    ¡°Hm? What¡¯s happening?¡± Venix wondered, startled by the sudden influx of energy into his Astral Body.


    His Astral Body, which had been nearly drained, now had enough energy to last a little longer.


    Venix didn¡¯t know what was happening, but it was an excellent opportunity for him!


    His chances of guiding Vulture to victory now felt closer than ever.


    Venix understood that once the Astral Bond ended, Vulture would likely fall prey to the Tentacle Monster, even though he had grown much stronger.


    The Tentacle Monster¡¯s abilities were so terrifying that they couldn¡¯t be measured by raw strength alone.


    But now, the tide was turning, reigniting Vulture¡¯s resolve.


    With fierce determination, Vulture tore through the monster¡¯s tentacles, attacking with a vengeance, as if driven by a deep-seated grudge. He devoured every severed piece without hesitation.


    ¡°Keep going, Vulture! You can beat it!¡± Venix cheered passionately.


    The size of the Black Orb continued to shrink rapidly, and a major transformation began to take place within Vulture¡¯s body.


    The feathers on Vulture¡¯s body, previously brown, began to change as he digested more of the Tentacle Monster¡¯s flesh.


    Slowly, dark purple spots started to appear across his body.


    The purple markings seemed like signs of poisoning, but Venix knew better. This wasn¡¯t poisoning; it was a sign that Vulture was evolving¡ªundergoing a significant transformation that would drastically enhance his abilities.


    Two minutes passed, and Vulture¡¯s feathers had completely turned dark purple, giving him a menacing yet awe-inspiring appearance.


    At that moment, the changes within Vulture¡¯s body began to intensify.


    Previously, the Tentacle Monster¡¯s flesh resisted digestion, making the process difficult.


    Now, however, Vulture could digest the monster¡¯s flesh effortlessly.


    His digestion speed skyrocketed, becoming unstoppable.


    Seeing this transformation, Venix couldn¡¯t contain his joy.


    Even though the Astral Bond would soon expire, the results of this evolution assured him that victory was within their grasp.


    Nine of the Tentacle Monster¡¯s tentacles were gone, with only a few remnants left.


    Without hesitation, Vulture began targeting the humanoid body of the Tentacle Monster, attacking with relentless ferocity.


    A series of five consecutive strikes finally severed the humanoid body into smaller chunks.


    Vulture devoured each piece, determined to overcome the humanoid flesh, which was far more difficult to digest than the tentacles.


    But with his newfound evolution, Vulture¡¯s digestion capabilities had grown so much that he could handle even this challenge.


    Piece by piece, the Tentacle Monster¡¯s humanoid body was consumed.


    At last, only the Black Orb remained¡ªthe Tentacle Monster¡¯s final essence.


    The Black Orb, now much smaller than before, fit perfectly into Vulture¡¯s mouth.


    Quickly, Vulture swallowed the Black Orb whole.


    As soon as it entered his body, a massive explosion occurred within him.


    Boom!


    The Black Orb fought back fiercely, attempting to destroy Vulture from the inside.


    But Vulture¡¯s greatest strength now lay in his digestion! His unparalleled digestive power made him unstoppable.


    The Black Orb¡¯s resistance was futile against Vulture¡¯s overwhelming digestion. Slowly but surely, Vulture gained the upper hand, breaking it down completely until it could no longer fight back.


    ¡°It¡¯s over! Excellent work!¡± Venix exclaimed jubilantly. Victory was finally theirs.


    Just seconds before the Astral Bond expired, Venix was confident that Vulture would fully digest the Black Orb, even without the bond¡¯s support.


    As the Astral Bond¡¯s effects faded, Venix saw that Vulture continued to contain and digest the Black Orb, steadily neutralizing it.


    Venix was certain that, with time, Vulture would absorb the Black Orb entirely.


    Finally, a few seconds later, Venix¡¯s consciousness was pulled out of the Origin Fragment Realm, returning to his physical body.


    Venix opened his eyes, feeling an exhaustion he had never known before, as though every ounce of his strength had been drained.


    ¡°Did you succeed?¡± Luna¡¯s voice came from behind him, filled with concern.


    ¡°I... somehow managed to change the position of the main Seed Origin, but... Wait! What happened to you!?¡± Venix asked in alarm, noticing blood trickling from Luna¡¯s lips.


    Luna smiled faintly, attempting to appear calm despite the blood continuing to drip.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s not life-threatening,¡± Luna replied, casually wiping the blood away.


    Venix paused, then recalled the final moments when the Astral Bond had almost expired.


    He remembered the sudden surge of mysterious energy that extended the bond¡¯s duration just long enough to secure Vulture¡¯s victory.


    Connecting the dots, Venix finally realized who had provided that crucial assistance.


    If he hadn¡¯t figured it out sooner, he would have felt foolish and perhaps even slammed his head against a wall.


    Luna¡¯s intervention had been pivotal at that critical moment.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Venix said softly, his voice filled with deep gratitude.


    He didn¡¯t know exactly what Luna had done to help, but without her intervention in those final seconds, the outcome of the battle could have been drastically different.


    Thanks to Luna¡¯s timely sacrifice, the future for Venix¡ªand perhaps for both of them¡ªnow lay on a vastly different path.

 Chapter 11

    Luna tidied everything up and returned to her monitor.


    On the other side, Venix rested in a glass chamber.


    Venix felt as though his body was being crushed by an invisible weight. Every movement was slower, heavier¡ªnot due to a lack of energy or nutrients, but because he had lost his Astral Body. The exhaustion ran deeper than he expected, as though a part of himself was missing.


    Luna experienced something similar, but her strength was far superior to Venix¡¯s, allowing her to maintain her normal state.


    After leaving the Origin Fragment Realm, Venix¡¯s thoughts returned to the real world, and his expression darkened.


    What had happened to his body in the real world? Venix hoped it was unharmed and without complications.


    At the same time, a system notification popped up, reporting the completion of his quest, followed by another unexpected alert.


    [ Quest "Seed Origin" Completed ]


    [ Reward: 200 Resource Points Earned ]


    [ New Quest Unlocked ]


    [ Quest: Perfect¡ªEarly Stage Awaken ]


    [ Reward: 500 Resource Points ]


    [ Hidden Quest Completed ]


    [ Hidden Quest: "A New Hope #1" ]


    [ Reward: 100,000 Resource Points Earned ]


    Hidden quests existed in the Numan World! Somehow, Venix had completed one!


    And the reward was staggering¡ª100,000 Resource Points!


    Although Resource Points couldn¡¯t yet be utilized, the sheer number displayed on the screen left Venix stunned. One hundred thousand! It was more than he had ever imagined. For a brief moment, his body felt lighter, as if some of the burden on his mind had lifted. He knew this reward would be immensely useful when the time came.


    Venix traced his actions in the Numan World and found only one possible trigger for the Hidden Quest: helping with Luna''s research.


    "Was Luna''s research heading in the right direction? If I continue assisting her, will she succeed?" Venix wondered with a sense of excitement.


    Despite the virtual nature of this world, everything within it felt real to Venix. Even Luna seemed like a genuine human, not just a collection of data.


    Luna had helped him significantly during critical moments. As someone who always repaid kindness, Venix felt compelled to assist her further if he could.


    Luna busied herself in front of her monitor, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.


    Venix watched her with anticipation. His expression was serious, though his heart raced as he awaited her response. He yearned to hear that her research was progressing well, but as time dragged on, a palpable tension filled the air.


    Thirty minutes later, Luna approached Venix, carrying her monitor with an elated expression.


    "Are the results promising?" Venix asked.


    Luna''s broad smile was almost uncontrollable, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.


    "Promising? They''re not just promising; they''re extraordinary! We''ve gathered so much valuable data!" Luna''s hands trembled slightly, unable to contain her excitement.


    Venix was stunned; he hadn¡¯t anticipated results this good.


    "You understand the core of my research, don¡¯t you? Using the principle of survival of the fittest to strengthen the Seed Origin.


    "Even with your help, I still need to collect more data and conduct tests with other Awaken to refine the research direction further.


    "But the battle between Vulture and the Tentacle Monster exceeded my expectations!" Luna beamed with excitement. "The process of competing for the main Seed Origin provided incredibly valuable data."


    Venix nodded, his gaze fixed on Luna. "Can this data truly help your research?"


    "Not just help," Luna replied, her eyes gleaming. "This data could change everything!"


    "With it, I can modify a Meditation Technique more suited for developing the Seed Origin. The final battle proved my theory that the principle of survival of the fittest truly can strengthen the Seed Origin significantly!"


    Luna passionately explained her research while Venix listened intently.


    Luna looked at Venix seriously and exhaled slowly. "The issue is that your case is unique. That Tentacle Monster isn¡¯t as simple as we thought. Even after using Astral Bond, Vulture struggled against it.


    "Thanks to all of this, I now have an idea for my next research phase. And it¡¯s all because of your help, Venix!" Luna exclaimed excitedly.


    "I''m glad I could help," Venix replied with a faint smile.


    Luna continued, "The modification technique I gave you before was merely a preliminary step. Its purpose was to form a second and third Seed Origin to grow stronger through competition. But now, I have a new idea."


    The Modification Technique Luna had developed was still basic and rudimentary, lacking the strength needed for more significant effects.


    Luna sighed, glancing at her monitor. "The fight between Vulture and the Tentacle Monster truly opened my eyes. I realized that only battles with evenly matched opponents can fully maximize the Seed Origin''s potential. For that reason, I plan to create Meditation Technique 2.0.


    "With this new technique, I¡¯ll divide the Origin Fragment Realm into 100 separate areas. In each area, level-1 Seed Origins will battle each other until only one victor remains in each zone.


    "Then, the 100 victors will fight again in 50 areas, and so on. This way, only Seed Origins of the same level will compete, igniting their full potential!"Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Luna explained in detail, her eyes alight with passion.


    Hearing her explanation, Venix was both surprised and impressed.


    "That¡¯s a brilliant idea," Venix said.


    However, Luna¡¯s expression turned somber for a moment. "But I have bad news for you, Venix."


    "What is it?" Venix asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.


    Luna looked at Venix gently. "Since you¡¯ve already undergone Astral Bond, you can¡¯t directly participate in battles in the Origin Fragment Realm anymore. This new modification technique won¡¯t work for you."


    Venix waved his hand dismissively and smiled. "It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m already satisfied with what I¡¯ve achieved so far."


    In the Origin Meditation Technique, it was stated that 90% of the Seed Origins in the second and third Origin Fragment Realms would remain consistent.


    As such, it was highly likely that the Tentacle Monster would also be present in those realms, making it unnecessary for Venix to do the same things as before.


    Even with the new modification technique dividing the 100 enclosed areas, Venix believed the technique wouldn¡¯t be very helpful if the Tentacle Monster were present in the Origin Fragment Realm.


    During the final battle, no other Seed Origin would be capable of challenging the Tentacle Monster without Astral Bond. They simply wouldn¡¯t be strong enough to corner it.


    Moreover, if the Tentacle Monster evolved further and became more powerful, the situation could become disastrous for Venix. Its normal form was already incredibly challenging¡ªwhat if it mutated to a higher level?


    For this reason, Venix felt no need to use the new modification technique. The current version was sufficient for him.


    Despite the high likelihood that the Tentacle Monster would dominate the second and third Origin Fragment Realms, Venix wasn¡¯t worried.


    After all, if the previous main Seed Origin had been a dragon, then the Seed Origin that defeated the dragon would possess strength equivalent to a dragon.


    The same logic applied to Vulture now. Its strength was roughly on par with the Tentacle Monster. Even if, in the final stages, Vulture faced two Tentacle Monsters, it could potentially trigger a new mutation level for itself.


    Seeing Venix remain calm, Luna felt somewhat relieved. From the first Seed Origin process, she had also realized that her latest modification technique might not significantly impact Venix.


    Luna explained that although Venix couldn¡¯t directly participate in the meditation process as before, he could still observe and control the Seed Origin Vulture to avoid targeting the second and third Origin Fragment Realms. This would allow new Seed Origins to form naturally.


    With Venix and Vulture¡¯s current bond, achieving this was a simple matter.


    Additionally, the meditation technique helped expedite an Awaken¡¯s training process.


    Without an Astral Body, Venix couldn¡¯t accelerate energy absorption into his soul or process it.


    However, because of Venix¡¯s unique Seed Origin, his energy absorption rate remained the same as it had been when the Tentacle Monster was his main Seed Origin.


    Thus, Venix¡¯s training speed hadn¡¯t decreased at all.


    After understanding the overall situation and confirming everything was fine, Venix began to worry about his condition in the real world. He decided to rest and sleep.


    At the same time, Venix continued receiving the Awaken Elixir fluids connected to his body.


    The fluid worked automatically, supplying raw energy to his body even while he slept.


    After bidding farewell to Luna, Venix exited the virtual world. His consciousness was pulled back to the real world.


    \---


    Returning to the Real World


    In the real world, with his eyes still closed, Venix slowly began to feel his own body as each of his senses gradually reactivated.


    He opened his eyes and saw a white ceiling above him.


    "Venix is a good man. I still remember how he begged me, calling me Big Brother Nan, asking for help with the huge mess he was in," Ronan¡¯s voice echoed throughout the room, his tone barely masking the anger he felt.


    "Once, Venix got into trouble with six big guys! As his Big Brother, how could I let my little brother suffer like that!?" Ronan continued passionately.


    "So, what did you do then?" asked a woman, her voice soft and pleasant to the ears.


    "What else? Of course, I helped Venix! I fought all six of them! Even though I got pretty banged up, I managed to teach them a lesson. They wouldn¡¯t dare mess with Venix again!" Ronan replied, clenching his fist triumphantly.


    The woman looked at Ronan with an expression of admiration.


    Ronan exhaled slowly, trying to calm his anger, then said, "But I¡¯m sure those guys didn¡¯t take their defeat lightly. They must¡¯ve come back for Venix and caused him to end up like this. Look at him... I..."


    Suddenly, Ronan realized that, at some point, Venix¡¯s eyes had opened.


    Now, Venix was silently staring at him.


    "Eh? Venix? You¡¯re awake? Hahaha! Great!" Ronan quickly stood up, his demeanor shifting dramatically.


    Venix looked at Ronan with a puzzled expression, the corner of his mouth twitching.


    Since when did I get into trouble with six big guys!? Not a single word of that story is true! Venix thought.


    His anger flared instantly.


    His thoughts raced, and his body instinctively wanted to rise, his fists ready to teach Ronan a lesson. But as his eyes caught sight of the IV needle inserted in his hand, the surge of anger dissipated momentarily, quickly cooling his temper.


    Seeing Venix attempting to sit up, Ronan reflexively stepped back, keeping a safe distance.


    After a brief moment of thought, Venix let out a long sigh, deciding to ignore Ronan''s words.


    He turned to the young woman standing beside Ronan and said with surprise, "Aren¡¯t you Jiyu, our junior?"


    "That¡¯s right. I came to accompany Big Brother Ronan. I¡¯m sorry if I intruded," Jiyu replied politely, bowing slightly.


    "Eh, of course not! I¡¯m just curious, since when have you been close with Ronan?" Venix asked. Then, he shifted his gaze to Ronan and continued, "What happened? Why am I here?"


    Ronan scratched his head and coughed lightly before responding, "You¡¯ve been asleep for a whole day, and we never saw you wake up. Even the food you bought earlier was left untouched.


    "We tried to wake you up, but all our efforts failed. In the end, we reported it to the school authorities, and you were brought here."


    Hearing Ronan''s explanation, Jiyu shot him a sharp glance, realizing she had just been fed a lie.


    Venix smiled bitterly after hearing the story. He realized he had neglected the real world, becoming too absorbed in the virtual world.


    After checking his own body, Venix didn¡¯t feel anything amiss.


    He slowly moved his fingers, feeling the warmth in his body gradually return. The tension that had weighed on his muscles in the virtual world seemed to evaporate. However, a lingering worry remained in his heart¡ªwas he truly safe in the real world?


    If he became too engrossed in the virtual world and lost touch with reality, he might not even know why he¡¯d been attacked.


    "When the doctor examined me, did they find anything wrong with my body?" Venix asked, trying to gauge his own condition.


    "Even the doctor was puzzled by your condition," Ronan replied. "No illness or abnormalities were found. They said your body was completely normal and healthy. They have no idea why you fell into a coma."


    Venix nodded slowly, feeling more at ease knowing his body was fine.


    Since Venix was now awake, Ronan asked Jiyu to inform the doctor.


    Ten minutes later, a doctor arrived to check on Venix once more.


    After confirming everything was in order, the doctor allowed Venix to go home if he felt well enough.


    Naturally, Venix didn¡¯t want to stay in the hospital any longer and decided to leave right away.


    \---


    On the Way Home


    Half an hour later, Venix left the hospital with Ronan and Jiyu. The distance between the hospital and the school wasn¡¯t far¡ªit took less than ten minutes on foot.


    Jiyu didn¡¯t mind the walk. However, Ronan seemed a bit worried since Venix had just been discharged. He was concerned something might happen to his friend during the journey.


    "I¡¯m fine," Venix reassured Ronan. Besides, he didn¡¯t have the money to take public transportation or a taxi.


    Borrowing money from Jiyu or Ronan felt too embarrassing for him, so he reasoned that walking was a good way to get some exercise and recover his strength.


    Along the way, Venix noticed several people wearing black police uniforms.


    The uniforms were distinctly different from the usual gray ones.


    The farther they walked, the more frequently Venix saw officers in black stationed at various points.


    "Since when did the police become so active?" Venix asked, somewhat puzzled.


    "Oh, right, you probably haven¡¯t heard about this yet," Ronan replied. "Two days ago, the new head of the Police Department assigned many officers to guard various locations throughout the city. They said it was to prevent chaos in case something happens."


    "Chaos?" Venix narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.


    The meaning of "chaos" understood by Ronan was vastly different from what Venix envisioned.


    For Venix, the term might imply a specific threat¡ªa shift in the real world unknown to most people.

 Chapter 12

    Returning to his dorm room, Venix ate the snacks he had purchased a few days earlier.


    Four plastic bags lay neatly on his bed, untouched.


    Venix offered some food to Jiyu and Ronan, but they had other plans and left him behind.


    As they departed, Rael contacted Venix, asking how he was doing.


    Rael was currently at the company where he interned. Due to specific reasons, Rael had to stay at the company for a few days, with temporary accommodations near its location.


    After reassuring Rael that he was fine, Venix ended the call.


    The clock showed 3 p.m.


    After some thought, Venix decided to unwind by going outside to clear his mind.


    His battles in the Origin Fragment Realm had mentally exhausted him.


    Leaving the school grounds, Venix wandered through the city where he lived.


    As he strolled, Venix glanced at the evening sky.


    The sky radiated waves of vibrant colors stretching across the horizon. The hues blended seamlessly, forming soothing patterns that calmed Venix¡¯s heart.


    However, to Venix, the sky seemed unusually vibrant, filled with radiant waves covering its entire expanse.


    On his walk, Venix noticed many police officers in black uniforms stationed at various points.


    At one street corner, some officers stood idly, arms folded across their chests, occasionally letting out wide yawns. They glanced around occasionally, seemingly indifferent to their duties.


    In contrast, Venix also spotted officers with sharp, serious expressions, vigilantly observing their surroundings.


    The stark difference in demeanor didn¡¯t escape Venix¡¯s notice.


    Among six officers, only one exuded a sense of seriousness, which made Venix slightly suspicious.


    "The movements of the Police Department are odd. Suddenly, the department head was replaced, and officers were ordered to patrol various areas," Venix mused.


    "If this is connected to the advent of the Origin Era, then certain factions may already have access to Origin powers," he thought.


    Feeling uncertain, Venix used his phone to search for the latest news.


    As expected, not only his city but others also exhibited similar unusual activity, with measures in place to prevent chaos.


    However, the authorities didn¡¯t disclose clear reasons for the disturbances to the media.


    Frowning, Venix searched international news outlets.


    Reports revealed that other nations faced similar issues.


    Although their approaches varied, the goal was the same: maintaining stability.


    The sudden movements sparked online discussions, with many speculating about terrorism.


    Venix shook his head lightly, hoping his guesses were just baseless worries and not reality.


    Lost in thought, Venix continued walking, his mind swirling with concerns.


    Although Venix might gain access to Origin powers earlier than most and possessed the Numan World foundation for rapid development, other factors worried him.


    For instance, to what extent had humanity in the real world integrated with Origin powers? What was the highest level they had achieved? Was it Rootbound? Or Primecore?


    If chaos ensued, as Luna had mentioned in Numan World, the world¡¯s order would collapse, leading to power struggles everywhere.


    In such a scenario, humanity would regress to ancient survival instincts, where the survival of the fittest dictated life.


    With these worries, Venix felt a tightness in his chest. Thoughts of impending chaos overwhelmed him, like relentless waves.


    As he pondered while walking, the sound of children playing reached Venix''s ears.


    Turning to the side, Venix saw a medium-sized soccer field where a children''s match was underway.


    He paused for a moment, a faint smile gracing his face. With light steps, he approached an empty seat and sat down, watching the children enthusiastically chase the ball.


    While watching, Venix observed the players¡¯ expressions.


    Some were catching their breath, while others wore fierce, determined faces, showing how seriously they took the game.


    "Excuse me, is this seat taken? May I sit here?"


    A man''s voice came from beside Venix.


    Turning, Venix saw a young man seemingly in his early twenties.


    Raising an eyebrow slightly, Venix smiled politely.


    "Of course," Venix replied gently, his tone relaxed.


    The man sat beside him, and they both continued watching the match.


    "Is your younger sibling playing here?" the man asked.


    Venix shook his head. "No, I don''t have any siblings. I happened to pass by and found this game interesting, so I decided to watch."


    "Children¡¯s matches can be captivating, can¡¯t they?" the man said.


    "I just needed a moment to clear my mind, so I stopped here," Venix replied with a small smile.


    "Relaxing, huh... It¡¯s been a while since I last relaxed," the man said softly. Realizing the oddity of his words, he quickly added, "Ah! Forget I said that."


    The man coughed lightly, looking slightly embarrassed.


    Venix didn¡¯t mind and quickly changed the subject. "Are you here to pick up your sibling playing soccer?"If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The man nodded. "That¡¯s right. My younger brother has loved soccer since he was a kid. He dreams of becoming a professional player someday."


    Venix smiled faintly, observing the man. "That¡¯s a wonderful dream. Soccer is fascinating, full of strategy and teamwork. But... maybe a bit challenging in times like these?"


    The man smiled and replied, "Yeah, the competition is tough. On top of that, I can¡¯t afford to provide him with the nutrition he needs, which means he¡¯ll have to work extra hard to achieve his dreams."


    Venix regarded the man thoughtfully and found his reasoning plausible.


    Without adequate nutrition, becoming a professional athlete would indeed be difficult.


    Chatting with a stranger helped Venix feel a bit more at ease.


    Unintentionally, Venix asked the man, "What would you do if the world suddenly changed drastically?"


    "Changed? How so?" the man asked.


    Leaning back in his seat, Venix replied casually, "Let¡¯s say monsters suddenly appeared and began attacking the world, dismantling global order and laws. In such a world, what would you do?"


    The man furrowed his brow, pausing for a moment before responding, "I¡¯d do whatever it takes to survive."


    "If you couldn¡¯t fight off the threats and ended up dying, would you regret it?" Venix pressed.


    The man hesitated briefly before answering, "If I died protecting my brother, I wouldn¡¯t regret it. That would be enough for me."


    "You really love your brother, don¡¯t you?" Venix remarked, looking at him intently.


    "He¡¯s the only family I have. Whatever I do, I always think of him first," the man replied with a smile.


    Venix felt a pang of emotion at his response. As an orphan, he longed for the experience of having siblings in his life.


    The two continued their lighthearted conversation, discussing various topics.


    Unnoticed, the day grew later.


    The man¡¯s younger brother approached and politely greeted Venix.


    Not long after, the siblings said goodbye to Venix and headed home.


    The soccer field gradually emptied.


    Venix closed his eyes, letting the gentle breeze soothe him in the fading light.


    ---


    [ Quest "Awaken Perfect-Early Stage" Completed ]


    [ Reward: 500 Resource Points Earned ]


    Venix slowly opened his eyes, his expression growing serious.


    [ New Quest Unlocked ]


    [ Quest: Awaken Injection #2 ]


    [ Reward: 500 Resource Points ]


    His gaze remained calm, steady like flowing water.


    [ Quest "Awaken Injection #2" Completed ]


    [ Reward: 500 Resource Points Earned ]


    [ New Quest Unlocked ]


    [ Quest: Awaken Middle-Stage ]


    [ Reward: 500 Resource Points ]


    At that moment, Venix felt a sudden weight in his chest, as though a mysterious force was pressing heavily around him.


    His brows furrowed, and his pupils slightly contracted as he sensed something intangible, something that unsettled his body and soul.


    Thump-thump.


    His heartbeat grew louder and more powerful, echoing through his mind.


    Lifting his head, Venix looked toward the sky, now painted in mesmerizing hues.


    Ba-dump!


    The final heartbeat reverberated through his being, and in that instant, everything changed.


    It felt as though the real world around him was slowly dissolving. Each breath he took felt unfamiliar¡ªnot just the air, but the very essence of the universe around him seemed altered, as though a veil had lifted, revealing an unseen layer.


    This sensation mirrored the time Venix spent in Numan World!


    More precisely, it reminded him of the moment he became an Awaken. In Numan World, he felt a unique difference that didn¡¯t exist in the real world.


    In reality, Venix could only be described as a Pseudo-Awaken. Due to certain seals, he hadn¡¯t truly become an Awaken in the real world.


    Because of this, he sensed something within him pulling energy from the surroundings. However, without a suitable vessel, that energy merely hovered around him, unable to enter his body.


    This was Origin Source! An energy that only Venix could perceive in Numan World.


    Origin Source was akin to invisible air¡ªundetectable to ordinary people, but an Awaken could feel its presence, even if they couldn¡¯t see it.


    Then, as though a critical point had been reached, an invisible shackle binding the Earth shattered!


    Though Venix couldn¡¯t see or hear it directly, his instincts told him something had broken.


    At that moment, his system interface appeared before him.


    ---


    [ You have reached Awaken Early Stage, unlocking further system functions ]


    [ Inventory menu unlocked ]


    [ Virtual-to-Real World transfer feature unlocked ]


    [ Virtual Ascension feature unlocked: Transfer the strength achieved in Virtual World to the Real World ]


    [ Detected: The Origin Era has arrived ]


    [ The Host now has body protection in the real world when entering the Virtual World ]


    [ Virtual Barrier: Consumes 100 Resource Points to create an invisible barrier around the Host when entering the Virtual World. The barrier can withstand one full attack from an Awaken (Early Stage). ]


    [ Barrier strength increases with the Host¡¯s power progression. ]


    [ When the barrier is attacked, the Host will receive a warning through the system. ]


    [ The barrier lasts ten days unless destroyed. ]


    ---


    Venix¡¯s expression shifted as he saw the system unveiling numerous features. The ability to transfer his Virtual World strength to the real world was particularly significant!


    Moreover, the Virtual-to-Real transfer feature would undoubtedly prove invaluable and immensely beneficial.


    As his heartbeat gradually steadied, the discomfort dissipated. However, Venix was acutely aware that the Origin Era had truly arrived!


    It wasn¡¯t just him¡ªseveral individuals in black police uniforms showed similar reactions.


    Anyone who had come into contact with the power of Origin could distinctly sense this monumental change deep in their hearts.


    Guided by his thoughts, Venix accessed the system and reviewed his profile.


    ---


    [ Name: Vain Venix ]


    [ Level: Pseudo-Awaken (+) (Awaken Early-Stage) ]


    [ Origin Power: Pseudo-Vulture ]


    [ Virtual World: Numan World ]


    [ Resource Points: 101,300 ]


    ---


    A (+) symbol was displayed on his profile. Using his thoughts, Venix clicked on it.


    ---


    [ Consume 500 Resource Points to transfer power to the Real World? ]


    [ Please ensure the Host is in a safe location, as the transfer process requires time and is not instantaneous. ]


    ---


    Scanning his surroundings, Venix considered his options.


    Although the Origin Era had just begun, this was the first day. No Awaken individuals would appear immediately, and even if they did, they wouldn¡¯t yet possess the power to wreak havoc.


    Trying to calm his nerves, Venix rose from his seat and returned to his school dormitory.


    Ideally, he wanted to find a more secluded and hidden place. However, his concern for his two friends kept him from straying too far.


    In terms of sustenance, Venix had already proven that eating in the Virtual World also provided nourishment for his physical body in the real world.


    The connection between his Virtual World body and his Real World body was deep and intricate, making them feel almost like one.


    Upon reaching his dormitory, Venix found it empty¡ªRonan hadn¡¯t returned yet.


    Lying on his bed, Venix accessed the system and consumed 500 Resource Points to initiate the power transfer.


    ---


    [ 500 Resource Points consumed. Seal release process initiated. ]


    ---


    Watching the system screen, Venix¡¯s expression momentarily shifted.


    ¡°Seal?¡± he murmured softly, confusion flickering across his face. A sudden tension gripped his chest, though he couldn¡¯t fully grasp the implications.


    Before he could delve deeper, an intense wave of pain surged through his body and soul!


    Venix groaned in agony, struggling to suppress a scream.


    If his cries were too loud, they might attract the attention of other dormitory residents or even the school authorities.


    The pain felt as though his body was being torn apart¡ªnot physically, but within his very soul.


    It was as if hundreds of needles were piercing directly into the depths of his being. His body trembled, drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through.


    The ordeal lasted two excruciating minutes before finally subsiding.


    Breathing heavily, Venix¡¯s face was deathly pale.


    ---


    [ Pseudo-Awaken has advanced to Awaken (Early-Stage) ]


    [ Origin Power Pseudo-Vulture has evolved to Vulture ]


    ---


    A faint smile crept across Venix¡¯s face. With this, he could at least face some of the challenges that lay ahead.


    Before he could rest, the Seed of Vulture within his soul began rapidly absorbing the Origin Source now permeating the Earth.


    Although he couldn¡¯t see it, Venix could sense that the Origin Source was being drawn toward him, forming a swirling vortex in the sky.


    Realizing this, Venix¡¯s expression grew tense.


    At the same time, several black-uniformed officers turned their gazes toward the vortex in the sky.


    On the rooftop of a tall building, a man in his early thirties with strikingly handsome features and an elegant demeanor observed the phenomenon.


    This man was Jasper, the newly appointed head of the Police Department in Venix¡¯s city.


    ¡°It¡¯s begun, huh? Such a nuisance. The first Awaken has emerged in the city under my watch,¡± Jasper muttered, letting out a faint sigh, clearly displeased.

 Chapter 13

    Venix''s face was pale, his eyes wide with panic, as if suffocating under an unbearable weight. Anxiety spread quickly, piling on the already heavy burden in his mind.


    Even though he couldn¡¯t see it, it didn¡¯t mean others couldn¡¯t.


    Moreover, Venix was acutely aware that he hadn¡¯t mastered any techniques related to Awakening¡ªonly Meditation Techniques.


    If his location were discovered due to the massive amounts of Origin Source he was absorbing, it would spell big trouble.


    "Stop! Stop absorbing the Origin Source!" Venix screamed in his mind, his heart pounding like a drum. Every second felt like a ticking time bomb, as if his world would collapse if the energy continued to flow unchecked.


    Unexpectedly, the result was better than he had anticipated. The energy surging through his body began to subside, as though the crushing weight on his back had lifted entirely.


    The pull of energy from his body weakened and eventually disappeared.


    The swirling Origin Source in the sky also gradually dissipated.


    Sensing the situation return to normal, Venix let out a long sigh, his previously tense shoulders feeling slightly less burdened. Although his heart remained on high alert, he felt marginally safer.


    Elsewhere, several police officers clad in black, who were rushing toward the Origin Source vortex, were one by one astonished as the vortex vanished into thin air.


    Jasper, standing atop a building, was equally stunned by its sudden disappearance.


    "Impossible! How could the vortex just disappear?" Jasper growled, his anxious eyes scanning the sky. "Someone must be pulling the strings from behind the scenes!"


    It wasn¡¯t possible for an ordinary human, ignorant of Origin Power, to do such a thing.


    Narrowing his eyes, Jasper clenched his fists and spoke resolutely. "Pinpoint the exact location of the vortex! This Origin Blessing couldn¡¯t have disappeared for no reason."


    "Inspect every affected area and double the patrols. If we fail, my superiors will never forgive us!"


    "Understood, Captain."


    A woman¡¯s voice echoed through the air, and moments later, a shadow swiftly departed from the rooftop.


    Jasper''s expression hardened as he murmured softly. "Stopping the Origin Blessing so quickly? This new Awaken must have a strong bond with their Seed Origin to halt the process."


    "Who is this person? If they¡¯re just an ordinary individual, it¡¯s impossible for them to act so swiftly and erase their traces."


    Jasper¡¯s face grew grim and complex.


    "This is going to be troublesome. With such a strong connection to their Seed Origin, this person will become incredibly powerful if left unchecked."


    "It¡¯ll be fine if we identify them and recruit them under our banner. But if their identity remains unknown, they¡¯ll become a threat."


    "At this rate, the territory under my supervision will become a danger zone!" Jasper massaged his temples, feeling the weight of the situation grow heavier.


    While measures were already being taken, Jasper could only hope his team could locate this person without further complications.


    ---


    Meanwhile, Venix was meditating on his bed.


    What shocked him was that during this meditation, his Astral Body had entirely vanished. It was gone without a trace.


    This meant that the Astral Body he sacrificed in the Virtual World was the same true Astral Body tied to his real-world self.


    Even without an Astral Body, Venix could still observe and communicate in a rudimentary way with his Seed Origin during meditation.


    In his vision, the Vulture didn¡¯t look much different from how it appeared in the Virtual World.


    However, now the Vulture seemed to have just entered its initial phase¡ªsimilar to when Venix first became an Awaken¡ªits form slightly transparent.


    The main difference was that the Vulture in the real world was a complete version, no longer a fragment of a Seed Origin.


    As such, the Vulture no longer had to struggle against other Seed Origins and only needed energy to begin anew smoothly, without many obstacles like in the Virtual World.


    The transfer of power had merely created a perfect framework for Venix. To refine this framework, he needed a significant amount of energy to nourish the Vulture.


    "If I had been even a moment slower, my position might have been exposed," Venix muttered, exhaling in relief.


    Even so, Venix suspected that others might already know of his presence and would likely increase their personnel to monitor areas within the range of the Origin Source vortex.


    "I need to learn the basic techniques of an Awaken in the Numan World, or I¡¯ll remain lost in this world without a clear direction," Venix resolved.


    He exited his meditation and opened his eyes.


    Checking his system, Venix accessed his Inventory, finding it completely empty.


    Then, he opened the transfer feature, surprised to see that the transfer menu closely resembled the Inventory interface.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Do I have to deposit items in the Virtual World before I can withdraw them here in the real world?" Venix mused quietly.


    After inspecting the system for a while, Venix decided to enter the Virtual World once again.


    Additionally, he consumed 100 Resource Points to create a Barrier that would protect his body.


    And with that, Venix returned to the Numan World, opening his eyes once more.


    Back in the Numan World, Venix sat upright, staring ahead.


    There, Luna was seated with four individuals he had never seen before. They appeared to be engaged in a serious discussion, though their voices were muffled by the distance.


    As soon as they noticed Venix was awake, the people in black clothing nodded slightly toward him in a simple greeting.


    "You¡¯re finally awake!" Luna exclaimed, her face lighting up like a child receiving a cherished gift.


    Venix offered a small smile, though his curiosity began to stir. "What is it this time? Good news?"


    Luna approached, nearly bouncing with excitement. "More than that! Grandmaster Ardyn wants to meet us!"


    "Grandmaster who?" Venix raised an eyebrow at her.


    "Grandmaster Ardyn! Primecore! The bearer of the Mythic Seed Origin!" Luna spoke quickly, as if uttering the name of a living legend.


    Venix froze for a moment, his eyes widening. "Wait... we''re really going to meet someone like that? Why would he want to meet us?"


    "Maybe it''s luck. But whatever the reason, you need to prepare! This is a huge moment!" Luna grinned widely, her enthusiasm almost contagious.


    From his title alone, Grandmaster Ardyn was clearly a significant and powerful figure in this world.


    "Isn''t it amazing? We''ve been waiting for you to wake up before heading out to meet him," Luna added with a radiant smile.


    Venix couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing excitement within him. Establishing a connection with such a high-ranking figure could make all his goals much easier to achieve.


    Luna then assisted Venix in removing his gear and urged him to change into more appropriate attire.


    Given Venix''s lifestyle, he wasn¡¯t particularly interested in dressing extravagantly. However, Luna insisted¡ªafter all, they were about to meet someone of immense importance.


    With no other choice, Venix donned a black tuxedo, with Luna''s attendants helping him get ready. The outfit made him appear remarkably refined.


    Gazing at his reflection in the mirror, Venix was surprised by how dramatically his appearance improved simply by wearing the right clothes.


    Once everything was in order, four individuals dressed in black escorted Venix and Luna to a limousine.


    The lavish treatment was overwhelming, leaving both Venix and Luna slightly uneasy with the grandeur.


    The two entered the vehicle, and their journey began.


    Inside the limousine, Luna informed Venix that they were heading to Numan City¡ªa place where all nations convened and collaborated to address global issues.


    Essentially, Numan City was the center of power in this world.


    Hearing Luna''s description of Numan City filled Venix with admiration.


    Along the way, Luna handed Venix a bottle of Awaken Elixir to drink.


    As Venix''s Seed Origin reached perfection, his powers as an Awaken would surpass those of ordinary humans. He could feel the extraordinary potential slowly awakening within him.


    Luna explained that the Awaken Elixir served as a raw energy source, primarily to nourish one''s body.


    Because Venix had already become an Awaken, the elixir didn¡¯t significantly enhance his physical capabilities. He was only marginally stronger than the average human.


    However, with the Seed Origin reaching its full maturity, the Awaken Elixir would be absorbed by it. The Seed Origin would then refine the raw energy and redistribute it into Venix¡¯s body, enabling him to strengthen himself further or unleash powerful techniques.


    Luna mentioned that for Venix to progress to the second level of the Origin Fragment Realm, he could no longer rely on raw energy for training. He would have to harness his own energy instead.


    This revelation made Venix understand why his physical strength and abilities hadn''t improved much before.


    Luna continued giving Venix bottles of Awaken Elixir, one by one, until he had consumed five in total.


    After several gulps, Venix felt his stomach brimming with energy. His body had reached its limit, rejecting any additional intake.


    Noticing this, Luna''s eyes sparkled with excitement. Venix''s capacity for energy far exceeded that of ordinary Awaken. Unbeknownst to him, he had already broken records held by others.


    Venix, unaware of his exceptional feat, regarded the experience as normal, finding nothing unusual about it.


    Their limousine eventually arrived at a private train station accessible only to a select few.


    Upon arrival, they exited the vehicle, and the four attendants in black led them toward a luxurious, single-carriage train.


    During the walk, Luna informed Venix that high-class transportation in this world primarily consisted of high-speed trains and private jets.


    "Are there no large beasts we can ride through the skies? Like dragons or phoenixes?" Venix asked curiously.


    "Dragons and phoenixes are mythical creatures. How could we possibly have them as mounts? According to records, during the early Origin Era, those sacred beasts appeared. But once humanity gained the power to defeat and kill them, it took less than a century for both species to go extinct," Luna replied calmly.


    Venix¡¯s gaze grew complicated. That explanation made sense¡ªsacred beasts would naturally face extinction once humans had the means to hunt them down.


    After all, every part of such creatures would undoubtedly be invaluable and could grant significant power to those who possessed them.


    Even in the real world, Venix was well aware of humanity''s greed when it came to exploiting essential resources.


    Although people often protested and condemned such actions, the greedy always found ways to bypass scrutiny and claim valuable resources for themselves.


    Reflecting on this, Venix began to sense potential issues in the real world as well.


    "When Awaken begin appearing across the globe, chaos will ensue. But once the chaos subsides and the survivors shift their focus to Origin resources, even greater turmoil may arise," Venix thought to himself.


    Luna, oblivious to Venix''s thoughts, continued, "Of course, there are plenty of Origin Beasts that can serve as mounts. But riding them isn¡¯t very comfortable. For long journeys, most people prefer trains for the sake of convenience."


    Venix opened his mouth, ready to argue, but found himself unable to refute Luna''s reasoning.


    To someone like Venix, who had lived in the modern world, riding a giant bird as transportation would seem incredibly cool.


    However, for Luna and others who lived in this world, riding beasts was an everyday experience, something far less novel.


    "What about teleportation? That should be more practical, right?" Venix tilted his head, his curiosity genuine.


    Luna paused, her brows furrowing slightly. "Teleportation? How do you know about that?"


    "Of course, I do. I mean, it sounds faster than a train," Venix replied confidently.


    Luna knew Venix as ''The Lost Sheep,'' meaning he came from an isolated place, detached from the modern world. How could someone with such a background be familiar with teleportation? While the knowledge wasn¡¯t exactly rare, it felt strange for Venix to know about it.


    Luna sighed and regarded Venix with a mixture of wonder and confusion. "Teleportation does exist, but it''s ridiculously expensive. You might need energy the size of a volleyball to do it, but for me? I¡¯d require resources as large as a small mountain just for one trip."


    "That much?" Venix''s eyes widened in shock.


    "Yes. Unless it''s an emergency, almost no one uses it," Luna added, her tone matter-of-fact. "It''s not as practical as you think."


    Venix nodded, finally understanding her explanation.


    The two boarded the exclusive train carriage, guarded by a dozen individuals.


    Inside, Luna and Venix enjoyed the luxurious amenities provided solely for them.


    The guards remained outside the carriage, ensuring their privacy.


    "This journey will be quite long. It will take at least 12 hours to reach Numan City," Luna remarked, gazing out the window.


    Venix rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.


    Twelve hours felt like an eternity. Since time in the Virtual World and the Real World flowed at the same rate, it meant Venix had little to do for the next 12 hours.


    Looking at Luna, Venix decided this was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Origin Era or delve into other topics.

 Chapter 14

    Although Venix had learned some things about the Origin Era, his knowledge was incomplete, and there were still many questions he wanted answers to.


    The train began to move, its wheels clattering slowly, carrying them away from the station with the sound of the wind gradually fading.


    Venix gazed out the window, watching the cityscape recede into the distance.


    As the train traveled, Venix turned to Luna and asked, "Can you tell me more about the Origin Era?"


    Luna turned her head, her eyes meeting Venix''s. She rested her chin on her right palm, her smile faint yet enough to momentarily stun Venix. "What do you want to know?" she asked.


    Luna''s posture was elegant, her allure amplified by the way she carried herself.


    However, despite Luna''s captivating presence, Venix averted his gaze. His expression hardened, and his lips pressed into a firm line, as though bracing himself for the weighty question on his mind.


    "What is the biggest difference between the Origin Era now and the Origin Era in ancient times? More specifically, is there any distinction in how the Origin Era began?" Venix asked, his tone serious.


    In the real world, his body had achieved the status of a true Awaken, and the moment he became a true Awaken, the Origin Source seemed eager to flood him with immense energy.


    This didn¡¯t happen in the Virtual World, which had also entered the Origin Era before Earth.


    Venix suspected that one or two factors had caused this phenomenon in the real world.


    "Of course, there¡¯s a significant difference between the current Origin Era and its early stages," Luna replied, gazing out the window. "Historical records indicate that in the early stages of the Origin Era, all Awaken of that era were much stronger than the Awaken of our time."


    "Much stronger? How could that be?" Venix¡¯s face darkened, his instincts telling him that the issues in the real world wouldn¡¯t be easily resolved.


    "Surprised? I was too when I first learned about this," Luna said with a sigh before continuing. "How could the Origin Era of the past have produced Awaken far stronger than those of today? In this era, we have Origin Meditation Techniques, abundant Origin resources, and countless other powerful Techniques. In the past, during the early days of the Origin Era, they had no such advanced Techniques, and Origin resources were extremely scarce. They even had to kill one another for the meager Origin resources available."


    "So, to this day, I only trust about 50% of this information. History might have been exaggerated by its authors," Luna said, her tone dismissive, as if not easily swayed by historical accounts.


    Yet, an unsettling feeling stirred within Venix, as though a heavy weight pressed on his chest. His heartbeat quickened, his mind filling with doubts that refused to dissipate.


    This was because Venix had experienced the differences in the real world firsthand and suspected that some aspects of the history Luna recounted might hold a kernel of truth.


    "Do the historical records explain why Awaken of the past were stronger than those of today?" Venix asked, a strange nervousness creeping into his voice.


    Luna was silent for a moment before answering, "The records state that when Awaken were naturally born in that era, they received an Origin Blessing that instantly elevated their strength to the Seedbound level, bypassing the Awaken stage effortlessly."


    Hearing Luna¡¯s reply, Venix¡¯s heart churned with chaos.


    "That sounds absurd, doesn¡¯t it?" Luna said, glancing at Venix with a wry smile. "They skipped the Awaken stage and became Seedbound directly. And due to the Origin Blessing, the average quality of their Seed Origin was Sky, with Mythic quality appearing more frequently during that time."


    Venix¡¯s heart pounded violently, a chill creeping through his entire body as though a shadowy presence loomed over his thoughts.


    The historical accounts indeed seemed wildly implausible.


    If the real world hadn¡¯t changed, Venix too would have doubted their veracity.


    However, Venix had personally sensed the Origin Blessing during his transformation into a true Awaken in the real world.


    Had Venix not restrained his Seed Origin Vulture from absorbing Origin energy, he might have experienced the Origin Blessing more fully.


    Unlike Luna, who remained skeptical of the history, Venix, having felt a fleeting moment of that Blessing, believed there was an 80% chance it was true.


    "If a newly Awaken individual could instantly reach the Seedbound level, what value does my current strength as an Awaken hold?" Venix thought, frustration bubbling within him, as though his efforts so far had been rendered meaningless.


    "What do you think? Do you believe those historical accounts?" Luna asked Venix, her smile enigmatic.


    Venix wanted to nod but, after a moment''s thought, he shook his head slightly instead.


    Luna seemed satisfied with Venix¡¯s response, as if she¡¯d found someone who shared her skepticism toward such historical claims.


    "Even though it sounds improbable, there are elements of history that make me question whether it¡¯s true or not," Luna said seriously. She continued, "You must understand that at the Awaken stage, one¡¯s strength is only slightly superior to that of ordinary humans. It¡¯s only after completing the first stage and obtaining a perfect Seed Origin that their power truly surpasses that of ordinary humans."


    Venix mulled over this, finding it reasonable. When he became Awaken, he only felt his strength slightly outmatched that of regular humans, comparable to a professional athlete¡¯s level.


    Luna continued, "That¡¯s why I believe an Origin Blessing existed in the past, but it wasn¡¯t as exaggerated as the historical records suggest. During the early stages of the Origin Era, chaos erupted across various regions of the world."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "If Awaken emerged the same way as they do today, with limited Origin resources, could they have caused such widespread chaos? Their strength, only marginally above that of ordinary humans, would have been easily subdued by the authorities if it weren¡¯t extraordinarily powerful."


    Luna explained her perspective, which she deemed more plausible than the historical accounts.


    Venix touched his chin, his eyes fixed on Luna as he processed her words. A faint sense of conviction began to take root, even as lingering doubts clouded his thoughts.


    "It seems I need to accept the Origin Blessing and directly reach the Seedbound level in the real world," Venix thought.


    This decision seemed logical, considering the future threats he might face could be at the Seedbound level. With his current strength as an Awaken, Venix couldn¡¯t protect himself, let alone his friends.


    Additionally, Venix urgently needed stronger Techniques.


    "Do you have any recommendations for Techniques I should learn?" Venix asked Luna.


    "That''s right, you haven''t learned any Techniques aside from the Meditation Technique," Luna said with a nod, then continued, "Is there a particular type of Technique you''re interested in?"


    Venix thought for a moment.


    In essence, he didn¡¯t need a powerful or overly complex Technique. What Venix required at this moment was a simple Technique he could learn quickly¡ªsomething that could at least protect him in the real world if something were to happen.


    "No need for something overly powerful, just a Technique that doesn''t take long to master. Besides..." Just as Venix was about to continue, an idea suddenly struck him. "Umm... We talked about the Origin Era in its early stages earlier. If you lived in that time, what kind of Technique would help you survive?"


    With this request, the Techniques Luna recommended could be more suitable for Venix''s needs in the real world.


    "What kind of Technique would I use in such an era? Hmm, that''s quite interesting; I''ve never thought about it before," Luna said with growing interest. "First of all, it would need to be versatile, adaptable to various conditions, and able to avoid battles when necessary."


    Venix felt a wave of satisfaction internally. With Luna now intrigued, the two began discussing the various dangers that might occur during that time period.


    Luna suggested a Movement Technique. With this, if something happened, they could escape and avoid combat as much as possible.


    She also commented that evasion and running were more energy-efficient than using offensive Techniques.


    Additionally, in that era, it was difficult to distinguish between friends and foes. With the likelihood of facing multiple enemies, conserving energy and avoiding combat were essential survival strategies.


    One by one, Techniques were mentioned by Luna, while Venix could only give a rough idea of each. Luna searched her holographic wrist display for a list of available Techniques.


    Luna''s citizenship status was higher than Venix''s, allowing her access to far more resources.


    "We''ll make plenty of money later, and you''ll get your share¡ªit won''t be a small amount," Luna said with a smile. "If you want to buy these Techniques, that''s fine because you''ll have enough money for them. Just make sure to invest in the best Techniques you can get."


    Venix nodded in agreement with Luna¡¯s advice.


    Eventually, Luna carefully curated a list of Techniques for Venix, dividing them into three categories: Earth, Sky, and Mythic.


    The Earth category was relatively easy to learn and didn''t take much time. The Sky category required extra effort and a little longer to master.


    As for the Mythic category, these were the best Techniques tailored to Venix''s requests, demanding significantly more time and effort to learn.


    In total, Venix received hundreds of Techniques recommended by Luna:


    179 ¡ª Earth Techniques


    67 ¡ª Sky Techniques


    4 ¡ª Mythic Techniques


    The two of them spent two hours compiling this list, which Luna had written and sent to Venix.


    "You can purchase them in Numan City. All the Techniques are available for you to buy there," Luna said with a cheerful smile.


    Venix glanced at the extensive list of Techniques, his head starting to spin. His previously clear mind now felt overwhelmed, as if the sheer number of Techniques clouded his focus.


    According to Luna, out of the 179 Earth Techniques, most were outdated and no longer effective in modern combat.


    Only the Sky Techniques met the standards for contemporary battles.


    Luna also recommended the 4 Mythic Techniques, each incredibly powerful yet challenging to learn:


    1. Faceless Technique ¡ª A powerful disguise Technique capable of altering body shape and bone structure. This Technique came in various versions, from Awaken to Primecore!


    2. Heavenly Flow Technique ¡ª A support Technique enabling smoother and more efficient energy control, allowing Techniques to be executed with greater effectiveness. Though it seemed weak at first glance, this Technique could significantly boost one''s combat strength in high-level battles.


    3. Abyssal Embrace ¡ª A unique Technique allowing the user to manipulate their aura to either strengthen or suppress it. Luna mentioned this Technique was renowned for saving countless lives.


    It could intimidate opponents.


    For instance, if Venix were at level 1, he could exude an aura so menacing it would feel as if his opponent were facing a level 10 enemy.


    Alternatively, he could conceal his true strength, appearing harmless while hiding his true potential.


    This Technique was simple but required mastery equivalent to Mythic-level Techniques. Luna explained that its creator was merely a Rootbound. Upon his death, he laughed joyfully, having successfully terrified tens of thousands of individuals stronger than him.


    4. Celestial Origin Body Technique ¡ª A body Technique enhancing the user''s physical aspects. Uniquely focused on harmonizing the user with their Seed Origin, it unlocked their Seed Origin¡¯s maximum potential.


    These four Mythic Techniques were relatively weak in their initial stages but would reveal their true strength as the user''s power grew.


    After finalizing the Technique list for Venix, Luna snapped her fingers. A red ring suddenly materialized out of thin air and landed on her fingers.


    Venix widened his eyes in surprise, having never seen such a capability before.


    "Don''t look so shocked," Luna said, glancing at Venix before continuing, "This is a Spatial Ring¡ªa valuable item capable of storing numerous objects within it.


    "Simply wear it on your finger, and you can access it using your power.


    "The Spatial Ring is bound to the user¡¯s Seed Origin, so once it''s bound to you, only you can access it.


    "However, with certain advanced techniques, it¡¯s possible to break the bond and steal the items inside."


    Luna handed the Spatial Ring to Venix, who accepted it cautiously.


    After placing it on his finger and following Luna''s instructions, Venix successfully bound the Spatial Ring to himself.


    With a wave of her hand, Luna summoned twenty bottles of Awaken Elixir onto the table.


    "I only brought fifty bottles. Keep these in your Spatial Ring. You can get more when we arrive in Numan City," Luna said calmly.


    Venix nodded and carefully stored the twenty bottles of Awaken Elixir into his Spatial Ring.


    After five minutes of practice, Venix smoothly mastered how to retrieve and store items within the Spatial Ring.


    Luna handed him the remaining Awaken Elixir, and Venix stored all of them into the ring on his finger.


    "So, this thing works like an inventory in a game?" Venix thought to himself.


    The idea reminded Venix of the inventory system he had in his personal system.


    With his thoughts, Venix accessed his system inventory.


    To his surprise, he now saw two inventory screens.


    One screen was empty, while the other contained bottles filled with a blue liquid.


    They were the Awaken Elixirs he had stored in his Spatial Ring!


    Curious, Venix clicked on one of the Awaken Elixirs in the alternate inventory screen to transfer it into his system inventory.


    [Do you wish to transfer (Awaken Elixir) into the system inventory?]


    A system notification appeared suddenly, making Venix''s eyes light up. He immediately selected ''Yes.''


    [Resource Points will be consumed to transfer items into the system inventory.]


    Venix quickly checked the number of Resource Points he currently had displayed at the bottom of the system interface.


    100,800 Resource Points.


    He then noticed that transferring one bottle of Awaken Elixir required only 1 Resource Point.


    "Am I... too rich?" Venix thought doubtfully.


    For some reason, Venix felt like his situation shouldn¡¯t have been this easy...

 Chapter 15

    [50 Awaken Elixir has been transferred to the System Inventory]


    [50 Resource Points have been used]


    Venix stared at the system interface, his fingers frozen in midair. Although he had spent several Resource Points, the number hadn¡¯t decreased at all. He stared at the screen longer, hoping the numbers might change, but they remained unaltered and stable.


    Afterward, Venix attempted to use the system¡¯s Inventory to retrieve and store the Awaken Elixir.


    The process was much easier compared to using a Spatial Ring, and from an external perspective, its usage appeared quite similar.


    Luna observed Venix engrossed in playing with the Spatial Ring and smiled faintly.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t opened your eyes yet, have you?¡± Luna asked suddenly.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Venix raised an eyebrow, surprised, and paused for a moment. ¡°Opened my eyes? What do you mean?¡±


    Venix touched his face to confirm his eyes were open and not closed.


    Luna laughed at his reaction and explained, ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. It¡¯s more like a minor enhancement to your vision, allowing you to see more things.


    ¡°You can currently only see the sky full of Auroras, but you can¡¯t yet see the Origin Energy around you.¡±


    ¡°Do I need to learn a special Technique for that?¡± Venix asked curiously.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s a simple trick, nothing that can be called a Technique. Here, let me teach you how,¡± Luna said enthusiastically.


    She began explaining the steps to Venix.


    Her explanation was patient, her words flowing gently and systematically.


    Venix sat upright, his eyes locked on Luna¡¯s face, each word she spoke feeling like a critical instruction. Like a student learning a new lesson, he paid close attention, trying to absorb every detail.


    For ten minutes, Luna guided Venix through the process, after which Venix took a moment to reflect before trying it himself.


    In truth, it wasn¡¯t difficult.


    Venix simply had to channel energy to his eyes and gradually concentrate it there.


    Under Luna¡¯s guidance and supervision, Venix felt at ease as he tried it out. If anything went wrong, Luna was ready to intervene and save him.


    Venix focused his attention on his eyes, carefully channeling energy. Every small cluster of energy flowed into his eyes, merging seamlessly with them. His eyes absorbed the energy slowly, leaving no trace behind, like sand sinking into water.


    The process lasted for several minutes.


    Finally, Venix heard a faint cracking sound from his eyes, but it caused no pain or discomfort.


    When he opened his eyes, a thin, almost invisible fragment fell from them.


    This thin fragment had been blocking Venix¡¯s ability to see more of the hidden elements in the world.


    As his eyes opened, Venix saw faint, transparent waves moving around him.


    These thin waves were only faintly visible and didn¡¯t obstruct his vision at all.


    Venix looked at Luna, his gaze now sharper after the change in his eyes.


    Her appearance hadn¡¯t changed, but something new was clearly visible. A thin yellow wave, like a soft morning mist, enveloped her body, signaling that she wasn¡¯t just an ordinary human.


    ¡°Eh? Your body is glowing with a yellow aura,¡± Venix said spontaneously.


    ¡°That¡¯s because of my Seed Origin. Every Awaken who has obtained their Seed Origin and completed the first stage will have an aura visible to others, indicating that they¡¯re not ordinary humans,¡± Luna replied casually.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Hearing this, Venix immediately grew concerned. ¡°Can that Aura be hidden?¡±


    Luna raised an eyebrow, giving Venix a strange look. ¡°The ¡®Mortal Cloak¡¯ Technique I mentioned earlier can hide your Seed Origin Aura. But are you sure you want to hide it?¡±


    At that time, Venix often talked about concealing his power, as if he planned to hide among the crowd like a fugitive.


    While the Technique could conceal the Seed Origin Aura, it was futile in Numan World because trained Awaken and Seedbound could easily see through such disguises.


    Venix didn¡¯t care whether Luna thought him strange. This Technique was crucial for him to use in the real world, to hide from prying eyes.


    Of course, Venix possessed powerful Techniques like Abyssal Embrace, a Mythic Technique far superior and more effective.


    However, that Technique was incredibly difficult and required significant time to master, whereas Venix needed a quick solution.


    If he failed and his true identity as an Awaken was revealed in the real world, Venix would have no choice but to accept the consequences.


    At the very least, he would have tried, leaving no regrets even if it didn¡¯t work out.


    Venix immediately remembered the name of the ¡®Mortal Cloak¡¯ Technique to purchase it as soon as he reached Numan City.


    The wristwatch he wore carried identification and payment methods Venix could use for shopping.


    Even though he didn¡¯t have money at the moment, he could borrow from Luna to buy the Technique.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Additionally, Venix resolved to stay confined to his room for several days.


    If an Awaken or perhaps a Seedbound encountered him in the real world, his true identity would be exposed with just one glance.


    Until he mastered the Mortal Cloak Technique, he wouldn¡¯t leave his room!


    ¡°How many hours until we arrive?¡± Venix asked Luna.


    ¡°About nine hours. If you want to sleep or rest, go ahead. The journey is safe, and the chances of a sneak attack are very slim,¡± Luna replied casually.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll sleep first,¡± Venix said succinctly.


    He found a reclining chair and adjusted it into a sleeping position.


    Lying down, Venix exited the Virtual world and returned to reality.


    Opening his eyes in the real world, Venix saw the familiar ceiling of his dorm room.


    Sitting up in bed, he glanced around his dorm and noticed his two friends were absent.


    ¡°Rael probably won¡¯t return to the dorm for the next few days. And Ronan¡­ did he rent a hotel room or something tonight?¡± Venix muttered under his breath as he climbed out of bed.


    It was already dark, and night had fallen.


    Venix opened his dorm room window, gazing at the sky filled with Auroras, as if eternal and unchanging.


    ¡°I hope both of them are okay,¡± Venix said, sighing.


    After realizing that Awaken individuals emerging during the early stages of the Origin Era might soon reach the Seedbound level, Venix became more cautious and fearful of the outside world.


    He was only at the Awaken level¡ªhow could he face the threats posed by a Seedbound?


    "Should I accept the Origin Blessing or not?" Venix frowned in thought.


    If he accepted the Origin Blessing and became a Seedbound, how would those who had already accessed Origin power on Earth react?


    Although this was merely his speculation, based on developments across the globe reported in various news outlets, Venix was 90% certain that certain groups¡ªor even the leaders of humanity¡ªhad already created a powerful army wielding Origin power.


    There were approximately 5 billion humans on Earth, and according to Luna, at least 60% of them could awaken their powers naturally during the early stages of the Origin Era.


    That meant there would be at least three billion Seedbound individuals!


    This was an overwhelming number, and Venix would hardly stand out in the eyes of humanity''s elite or other factions.


    Moreover, factions might emerge across the world, and as a low-ranking member, Venix would likely be deployed as a front-line soldier, facing high-risk situations.


    On the other hand, if Venix refused the Origin Blessing, he would be unable to protect himself against threats at the Seedbound level.


    Both choices seemed to lead to unfavorable outcomes, leaving Venix with no room for maneuvering.


    "The Origin Era has only just begun. The number of Awaken individuals isn''t too high yet, and chaos hasn''t broken out." Venix gazed blankly at the aurora-filled sky. "I''ll decide when the situation starts to turn worse."


    Returning to his bed, Venix decided to meditate.


    Although Meditation Techniques wouldn¡¯t offer much help, Venix could observe his Seed Origin Vulture and calm his mind for now.


    Venix lay down to meditate.


    No specific posture was required for meditation. What mattered was finding a comfortable position and relaxing the body to enter a meditative state.


    After about 10 minutes, Venix successfully entered a meditative state while lying down.


    He observed his Seed Origin Vulture, which was still quite translucent, indicating that it needed more energy to complete the first stage of Awaken.


    He then remembered that he had forgotten to consume an Awaken Elixir in the real world and transfer the item through the system.


    However, Venix chose to postpone this, as he currently needed peace of mind to figure out a solution to his dilemma.


    After 30 minutes of meditation, many ideas began to surface in Venix''s mind.


    "There¡¯s nothing I can do in the real world," Venix thought. "But I do have the Virtual Ascension system that grants me access to the Virtual World.


    "Now that I can transfer items from the Virtual World to the real world, I have numerous options if I find useful items in the Virtual World.


    "When I reach Numan City, I can search for items that might be beneficial in the real world." Venix opened his eyes, his thoughts clearer.


    There was no need to rush any decisions. For now, everything was still under control.


    Next, Venix accessed the Transfer feature through the system.


    Instantly, the system''s Inventory screen appeared before his eyes.


    Selecting the Awaken Elixir item, Venix attempted to transfer it to the real world.


    [1 Resource Point is required to extract this item to the real world.]


    Venix accepted this without hesitation; after all, he currently had an ample supply of unused Resource Points.


    The item transfer process to the real world was completed within seconds.


    Now, the Inventory menu displayed an (R) symbol next to the Awaken Elixir, indicating that the item could be extracted to the real world.


    Using his thoughts, Venix summoned one bottle of Awaken Elixir into his hand.


    "This is real... If I transfer all available Origin resources from the Virtual World, wouldn¡¯t I become extremely wealthy by selling them in the real world?" Venix entertained the idea briefly.


    But he soon dismissed it.


    He realized that wealth without the power to protect it would only invite trouble.


    If Venix could amass sufficient strength, perhaps he could consider this plan in the future.


    Furthermore, Venix already had plenty of Resource Points for various needs.


    For now, though, Resource Points could only be earned through Quests and Hidden Quests.


    Reflecting on how he''d accidentally completed a Hidden Quest earlier, Venix understood that his Resource Points were just enough for his personal needs in the real world.


    This realization prompted Venix to use his Resource Points wisely and avoid spending them on random or unnecessary items.


    As he progressed to higher levels, the number of Resource Points required might increase significantly.


    Venix transferred all his Awaken Elixirs to the real world, spending an additional 50 Resource Points.


    In total, he used up 100 Resource Points to bring 50 Awaken Elixirs into the real world.


    After consuming one bottle of Awaken Elixir, Venix immediately entered a meditative state to connect with the Vulture.


    Entering the meditative state again, Venix was slightly surprised that the Vulture didn¡¯t absorb the energy flowing into his body and remained motionless, abiding by his previous request.


    Conveying his thoughts, Venix instructed the Vulture to absorb the energy within his body but not from external sources.


    The Seed of Vulture immediately grew lively, rapidly absorbing the energy within Venix''s body like a sponge soaking up water.


    As the Vulture absorbed more energy, it became clearer and stronger.


    Several hours later, Venix emerged from his meditative state and began consuming the Awaken Elixirs one by one.


    3 Awaken Elixirs.


    7 Awaken Elixirs.


    10 Awaken Elixirs.


    The process continued, and Venix felt his body heating up rapidly.


    The Vulture absorbed the energy at an incredible pace, resembling a parched creature eagerly drinking water.


    This process lasted for six full hours, leaving Venix drenched in sweat from the rising temperature of his body.


    After consuming 43 bottles of Awaken Elixir, the Seed Origin Vulture let out a cry within his soul, finally reaching the Early-Stage Awaken perfectly! This matched the power level Venix had achieved in the Virtual World!


    Feeling the changes in his body, Venix was thrilled.


    His strength had increased rapidly, and with a single punch, he felt he could easily shatter a wall.


    Resisting the urge to test his strength immediately, Venix instead drank five more bottles of Awaken Elixir, allowing the energy to circulate through his body and replenish his own reserves.


    Energy spread to every cell in his body, revitalizing it.


    Then, Venix attempted to break the barrier in his vision, following the same steps he had learned in the Virtual World under Luna''s guidance.


    Carefully and methodically, he absorbed clusters of energy into his eyes until a cracking sound echoed in his mind.


    Opening his eyes, thin fragments fell from them.


    "I did it!"


    Venix smiled in delight. Despite having prior experience in the Virtual World, the process still carried risks, and a single misstep could have been disastrous.


    Stretching his body, Venix climbed out of bed to test his enhanced abilities by looking out the window.


    But as he moved, Venix noticed something unusual.


    He raised his hand, its movements graceful yet appearing to ripple through the air.


    Waving his hand before his eyes, the world around him seemed to shift, as though a stream of energy flowed through the space.


    A new sight unfolded before him, leaving Venix stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief at the extraordinary view before him!

 Chapter 16

    Venix moved his hand through the air repeatedly, as if trying to grasp something unseen.


    Something faint brushed against his senses, and immediately, he felt an unusual surge. It was like a thin wave touching his skin.


    "Is this because I can now see the Origin Energy dispersed around me and feel its faint touch?" Venix muttered softly, his voice filled with awe.


    The sight of Origin Energy in the real world mirrored what Venix had seen in the Virtual World.


    However, in the real world, the sensation was far more intense. Every movement of his hand felt more tangible, like touching the still surface of water, creating gentle ripples in the air around him.


    It was completely different from what Venix experienced in the Virtual World, which only gave his eyes the ability to perceive something beyond normal sight.


    "It seems... the Origin Energy here is much thicker and more abundant than in Numan World," Venix murmured, his tone laden with amazement.


    The Origin Energy in Numan World felt so thin compared to that in the real world, which had just entered the Era of Origin.


    Seeing something like this naturally solidified Venix''s belief that humans on Earth who became Awaken would truly surpass the Awaken stage and become Seedbound!


    "Damn!" Venix growled, staring blankly at his hand, which suddenly felt so heavy.


    "Why is all this happening at once?" He quickly rubbed his temples, trying to dispel the headache spreading through his head.


    Casting aside the overwhelming thoughts in his mind, Venix opened the curtains of his room and gazed outside.


    "That..." The moment Venix looked out his window, a shocking sight greeted him!


    A massive vortex had appeared in the sky! Like a terrifying tornado, capable of easily destroying the buildings around it.


    Yet, this tornado did not damage the surrounding structures¡ªnot even a scratch.


    "Origin Energy? Someone is receiving an Origin Blessing!? And... why is its size so enormous?!" Venix cursed under his breath.


    At this moment, a massive tornado vortex hovered above the sky!


    This signified that at least one person was receiving an Origin Blessing there!


    "No way... this... is too fast," Venix whispered, drowning in the fear creeping over him.


    He felt a tightness in his chest, as if the world outside his window was trying to swallow him whole.


    Quickly, he pulled the window curtains shut, deciding not to look any further, though the tension still gnawed at him.


    Venix was terrified at this moment. The thought of stepping outside and witnessing more vortexes in the sky would only heighten his anxiety.


    ---


    Meanwhile, at the Police Department.


    Jasper and a dozen others sat meditating together in a special room.


    The tornado vortex Venix had seen earlier originated from these people¡ªnot newly awakened Awaken!


    Jasper kept his eyes closed, intensely focused.


    Within his body, Jasper could feel his Seed Origin strengthening further, reaching another level of evolution!


    "Origin Blessing is indeed as powerful as they said! Not only new Awaken, but every human on Earth who has already been exposed to the power of Origin receives a Blessing that significantly boosts their Seed Origin!" Jasper thought to himself, feeling a surge of enthusiasm in his heart.


    The immense growth in his power made Jasper more confident: "With the strength I now possess, maintaining order will become much easier!"


    The process that Jasper and the others underwent lasted for about thirty minutes before it finally ceased, and the tornado vortex above the sky rapidly dissipated.


    Jasper opened his eyes, a flash of golden light shining within them.


    "Congratulations, Captain," a woman¡¯s voice echoed, "You have reached the level of Rootbound!"


    Jasper was momentarily silent, his wide-open eyes revealing his astonishment. However, as the golden light flickered within them, pride began to replace his confusion.


    Upon hearing the woman¡¯s words, the dozen others behind Jasper were stunned, gazing at him with deep admiration.


    They immediately stood up in unison, bowing toward Jasper.


    "Congratulations, Captain!"


    Jasper waved his hand casually, dismissing their excessive reactions.


    "I didn¡¯t expect the Origin Blessing to be so powerful that I easily surpassed the Seedbound level and became Rootbound!" Jasper thought, marveling internally.


    After calming his mind and maintaining his composure, Jasper stood, tidying his wrinkled clothing.


    At that moment, a shadow landed in front of him¡ªa striking woman with long black hair in formal attire stood before Jasper.


    Jasper glanced at her briefly while continuing to adjust his clothing. "Have any new Awaken been found?"


    The woman, her expression serious like that of a soldier, responded, "We¡¯ve located two Awaken and brought them with us. Initially, they resisted, but after being subdued by our strength, they eventually surrendered and agreed to come along."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "Two people, huh? In just one day, there have already been a dozen Awaken appearing in the city I oversee," Jasper remarked with a slight nod. "What about the first Awaken who interrupted the Origin Blessing process?"


    Venix¡¯s earlier actions had drawn significant attention from Jasper.


    In addition to maintaining order in his region, Jasper¡¯s duties also included recruiting all newly awakened individuals within his jurisdiction.


    "There¡¯s no information we¡¯ve been able to uncover so far. If we conduct a more meticulous search, examining every individual within the area, we might find them," the woman replied.


    "Examining every single person? No, that would draw unnecessary attention." Jasper shook his head. "Lord Asori speculated that peace will only last for a week before chaos starts to unfold. Our task is to recruit as many new Awaken as possible to our side before they form their own factions to oppose us."


    "Understood, Captain!" the woman replied earnestly, then added, "However, it seems the Captain should personally inspect one of the Awaken we¡¯ve detained."


    "Hm? Is one of the new Awaken particularly powerful?" Jasper asked, intrigued.


    "No," the woman shook her head. "But this woman is very unique. She has the ability to awaken others or, more accurately, to accelerate the process."


    Jasper frowned, dissatisfied with the vague explanation. "Explain it properly. It¡¯s your duty to assess the abilities of each new Awaken."


    The woman grew slightly nervous and quickly clarified, "When this woman became an Awaken and received the Origin Source Blessing, she became a Seedbound. At that moment, she held someone¡¯s hand in fear."


    "However, when this happened, it seemed as though she unconsciously activated her ability, using it on the person she touched."


    "To our astonishment, that person immediately transformed into an Awaken and received the Origin Blessing directly."


    Jasper listened to the explanation, his expression filled with amazement. "She can turn ordinary humans into Awaken directly? Even before their time?"


    "More or less, that¡¯s the nature of her ability," the woman confirmed with a nod.


    "Fascinating!" Jasper clapped his hands, a wide grin spreading across his face. "You¡¯ve captured a valuable asset! I¡¯ll personally report your accomplishment to Lord Asori, Lucy."


    Lucy, the woman, felt a surge of pride upon hearing Jasper¡¯s praise.


    "Let¡¯s meet this woman. With her ability, we can recruit more Awaken within this one week," Jasper said, brimming with enthusiasm.


    ---


    Elsewhere, Venix locked himself in his room, unwilling to glance outside.


    "Where is that kid? Has something happened to him?" Venix muttered as he held his phone, trying to contact Ronan to check on his whereabouts and situation.


    It was already 3:00 a.m., and for some reason, Venix felt an overwhelming worry about Ronan.


    He kept trying to call Ronan repeatedly, even sending him text messages to inquire about his condition.


    "If something happens to Ronan..." The thought struck sharply, sending a chill down his spine. A gripping fear clawed at his throat, and he held his breath, hoping it was just his imagination.


    After countless attempts, the call finally connected.


    "Where are you!? Don¡¯t you know how unsafe it is outside right now!? Look at the police patrolling the streets¡ªit¡¯s clear they¡¯re monitoring for some sort of danger!" Venix lashed out, his voice filled with frustration.


    But in the next moment, a woman¡¯s voice responded on the other end of the line.


    "The Ronan you¡¯re referring to is currently occupied. Would you like to leave him a message?" she said calmly.


    The unfamiliar voice made Venix¡¯s face pale instantly. This wasn¡¯t Jiyu¡¯s voice¡ªthis was someone completely different. A sense of unease clawed at his heart.


    "Who are you? Where is Ronan right now?" Venix demanded, his tone cautious yet riddled with worry.


    "You can call me Lucy, and Ronan is currently at the Police Department for certain matters," the woman, Lucy, replied evenly.


    Hearing this, Venix¡¯s heart sank.


    The Police Department!?


    If a faction wielding Origin powers already existed on Earth, the Police Department was likely its stronghold!


    And Ronan was there!?


    "Are they okay? What happened to him? Is he in danger? And what about Jiyu? Didn¡¯t Ronan leave with her?" Venix asked hurriedly.


    "Your friend is fine, and he¡¯s not in any kind of trouble. Besides, he is indeed with his female friend named Jiyu. So, you can relax," Lucy replied calmly.


    Venix¡¯s face darkened immediately.


    He took a deep breath, trying to stay composed and spoke as though his concern was purely about Ronan and other trivial matters, avoiding any odd behavior.


    After asking questions for a full two minutes to express his concern, Venix ended the call.


    As soon as he hung up, he exhaled heavily.


    "There¡¯s no trouble or violation from Ronan or Jiyu. This means there¡¯s a 70% chance that Ronan or Jiyu has already become Awaken," Venix thought, feeling a chill run down his spine.


    Of all the people in this city, why does it have to be Ronan!?


    Venix opened his system and quickly checked his Inventory. Several bottles of Awaken Elixir were lying there, but it wasn¡¯t enough. There was nothing that could help him save Ronan if things got worse.


    No item could protect Ronan from a life-threatening situation like this.


    "I¡¯ll have to borrow money from Luna later to buy rare items in Numan City that can save someone¡¯s life when they¡¯re in danger," Venix muttered under his breath. "If Ronan becomes an Awaken, his power would surely reach Seedbound. And I, just a minor Awaken, wouldn¡¯t even stand a chance against him!"


    Guilt crept into Venix¡¯s heart.


    Maybe it was because of the system that allowed Venix to access the Virtual World earlier, connecting him to the power of Origin.


    However, the real world¡¯s developments moved much faster, leaving Venix little time to grow further.


    "Even if I receive the Origin Blessing, it won¡¯t make a difference. Only specific items I can get in Numan World might help Ronan if he¡¯s truly become Awaken," Venix thought grimly.


    If the Police Department only had Seedbound-level strength, chaos would already have broken out today.


    But since the situation was still under control, it meant they could suppress a Seedbound with ease!


    Venix glanced at the clock on his phone screen.


    "I¡¯ll reach Numan City around 5 a.m. There¡¯s still a little over an hour to go," Venix muttered.


    After pondering for a moment, Venix decided to enter the Virtual World through his system.


    There was nothing he could do in the real world, but in the Virtual World, Venix could ask Luna to teach him the basics of Technique knowledge to make it easier to learn Techniques in the future.


    Entering the Virtual World, Venix slowly opened his eyes.


    He stood up from his chair and saw Luna busy talking to someone on a holographic screen through the watch on her wrist.


    "What!? That doesn¡¯t make sense! I was the one who found it first, and the contract has already been approved! Why are you trying to take it from me!?" Luna¡¯s voice rose, her face red with anger.


    "We¡¯re willing to pay a high price for you to relinquish it," the man on the holographic screen said, making an offer to Luna.


    "No! Forget it! If you keep insisting, feel free to contact Grandmaster Ardyn!" Luna snapped furiously and ended the call abruptly.


    Venix looked at Luna with confusion and curiosity. "It seems like that person made you really angry."


    This was the first time Venix had seen Luna this upset.


    "Yeah, he always acts so entitled!" Luna said, gritting her teeth, her face still flushed with anger.


    "Sorry if I disturbed your rest," Luna added, sounding a bit apologetic.


    Venix walked closer and sat at the same table as Luna, shaking his head. "No need to apologize. You didn¡¯t disturb my rest at all."


    After all, Venix wasn¡¯t actually sleeping here.


    "How much longer until we arrive?" Venix asked, his tone calm but still firm.


    As for Luna¡¯s earlier issue with the man, although Venix could guess what it was about, he wasn¡¯t interested in getting involved.


    Venix did care about Luna, as her actions had been very helpful to him from the beginning.


    However, he had no desire to delve deeper into the problems of this Virtual World unless absolutely necessary.


    "For about an hour more, we¡¯ll arrive," Luna replied calmly.


    On the other hand, Luna felt slightly relieved that Venix didn¡¯t ask further about the matter.


    Venix nodded and said, "Then, for the next hour, can you teach me the basics of Technique knowledge so I can master Techniques more easily in the future?"


    Venix¡¯s desire to learn was burning stronger now than ever before!

 Chapter 17

    Within the next hour, Luna began teaching Venix the fundamental principles of Origin power.


    Luna moved her hand gracefully. A holographic screen appeared in the air, emitting a shimmering blue light. Within it, an energy diagram formed, rotating slowly like the current of a flowing river.


    ¡°Look, Venix. Origin energy doesn¡¯t just flow like a river; it can also be condensed into a weapon. Like this.¡± Luna tapped her finger, and the diagram transformed into a radiant sword of light.


    ¡°Condensing energy into the form of a sword sharpens and strengthens your attacks. This is basic knowledge. As for Techniques, they¡¯re far more complex and follow specific patterns,¡± Luna added.


    Venix¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment.


    ¡°This... is like magic,¡± he murmured, his voice barely audible, as though he couldn¡¯t believe what he had just witnessed.


    Luna chuckled softly. ¡°Magic? Then you haven¡¯t even seen half of what¡¯s possible.¡±


    Luna continued, ¡°The concept of Techniques is indeed intricate, but at its core, it¡¯s about controlling your own energy and shaping it for a specific purpose, like when you use the Meditation Technique.¡±


    Venix studied earnestly, listening intently. Occasionally, he would ask questions to clarify things he didn¡¯t understand.


    As time passed, Venix absorbed every explanation Luna offered with incredible speed, as if his mind had been reborn.


    Every word from Luna¡¯s lips sank in and settled, like water absorbed by parched soil.


    Unknowingly, his ability to learn had increased significantly¡ªfar surpassing his previous capacity, which now seemed like mere dust in comparison.


    This improvement was a benefit of the Awaken Early-Stage. Beyond enhancing physical strength and imbuing Origin energy into their bodies, an Awaken¡¯s brain and mental faculties also received significant upgrades.


    However, this didn¡¯t mean someone would instantly become intelligent or wise.


    If the brain and memory of an ordinary human could be likened to a glass of water, then the brain and memory of an Awaken like Venix could be compared to a large basin capable of holding hundreds of glasses.


    This simply meant Venix had a vast amount of empty space to fill with new knowledge, making his learning process much more effective.


    An hour later, the train they were on finally came to a stop.


    Luna halted her explanation, and Venix did the same.


    After waiting briefly, Venix finally arrived at Numan City!


    Venix and Luna stepped out of the train, surrounded by six bodyguards.


    The sight of Luna and Venix flanked by guards drew the attention of people nearby.


    On the other hand, Venix observed the people of Numan City one by one.


    The moment they exited the train, Venix felt as if he had entered an entirely different world.


    Numan City, with its towering buildings and broad streets, seemed like a realm beyond anything he had ever imagined, unlike anything he had known before.


    The contrast was stark, especially in the clothing of Numan City¡¯s residents, most of whom wore similar attire.


    Their garments, primarily black with blue accents, appeared diverse yet elegant.


    ¡°Numan City is the hub of power in this world. In addition to the significant research happening here, most of the people in this city are chosen individuals.


    ¡°Each of them is remarkable and possesses a unique strength that earned them an invitation to Numan City,¡± Luna explained, noticing the curious expression on Venix¡¯s face.


    Venix nodded, taking in her explanation.


    The two were then ushered into a waiting vehicle.


    In no time, the vehicle sped off without delay.


    After a ten-minute journey, they arrived in front of a grand building. Towering white pillars and gleaming marble walls reflected the sunlight, resembling a presidential palace in the real world¡ªyet more majestic and captivating.


    They stepped out of the car, greeted by a man waiting for them in front of the building.


    This man had blonde hair, a gentle demeanor, and an approachable presence. His strikingly handsome face could easily charm anyone.


    ¡°Allow me to introduce myself: I¡¯m Frans Leoric, but you can call me Leoric,¡± he said with a warm smile.


    ¡°You can call me Venix,¡± Venix replied with a slight nod.


    Meanwhile, Luna froze for a moment, her mouth slightly agape, eyes wide. She hadn¡¯t expected the man before her to be someone extraordinary. Her hand instinctively moved to cover her lips, but she stopped herself.


    Venix turned to Luna, puzzled.


    ¡°Is Leoric so handsome that Luna is shocked into silence?¡± Venix wondered to himself.


    Leoric maintained his friendly smile, seemingly unaware of Luna¡¯s reaction. ¡°Grandmaster Ardyn has been waiting for both of you in his dojo. I¡¯ll take you there directly.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Venix said politely.


    Leoric began leading them toward Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s dojo.


    Venix moved forward, following Leoric, but noticed that Luna remained frozen, unmoving.


    Left with no choice, Venix gently pulled Luna to snap her out of her daze.


    Once she regained her senses, Luna turned her face aside, embarrassed.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    ¡°I heard from Grandmaster Ardyn that thanks to you, the Meditation Technique development has advanced significantly,¡± Leoric said, glancing back at Venix with a serious expression.


    ¡°Umm... To be honest, I think Luna deserves most of the credit for this achievement, doesn¡¯t she?¡± Venix replied hesitantly.


    ¡°Of course, Luna has contributed greatly. However, I was referring to your Seed Origin,¡± Leoric said calmly before continuing, ¡°The data Luna collected has been sent to the research center and analyzed further.


    ¡°The final battle between Vulture and Seed of Chaos is why the data Luna gathered from you is so valuable!¡±


    ¡°Wait... Seed of Chaos? What¡¯s that?¡± Venix asked, his face puzzled.


    Leoric slapped his forehead. ¡°Right, neither of you know about this.¡±


    Venix turned to Luna, who also appeared confused.


    ¡°You called it the Tentacle Monster, didn¡¯t you? Well, it does look like one. However, its true name is Seed of Chaos,¡± Leoric said with his signature warm smile.


    Venix furrowed his brow, still unsure.


    He turned to Luna, asking her, ¡°Seed of Chaos? What is that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking the wrong person!¡± Luna replied, clearly frustrated.


    Leoric chuckled before explaining. ¡°Seed of Chaos is the name given by Grandmaster Orion.¡±


    Grandmaster Orion had referred to it with an air of mystery: Seed of Chaos. The words echoed in Venix¡¯s mind, as though concealing some hidden dark force.


    ¡°Grandmaster Orion? The one with prophetic abilities?¡± Luna asked in shock.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Leoric nodded before continuing, ¡°Only a select few are aware of this prophecy, including the ¡®lost sheep¡¯ scattered across the world.¡±


    ¡°The lost sheep?¡±


    Venix and Luna exchanged uncertain glances.


    ¡°Hahaha! There are many secrets you both have yet to uncover. But with your current contributions, you¡¯ll learn about them sooner or later,¡± Leoric said with a pleased smile.


    Unbeknownst to them, the three had arrived at Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s dojo. The three-story structure loomed tall, surrounded by sturdy stone walls, with large windows at the top radiating golden light.


    ¡°Go ahead. Master just finished his daily training and is waiting for you inside,¡± Leoric said calmly.


    Luna and Venix exchanged a brief glance before stepping forward together.


    They opened the dojo doors and entered one by one. Inside, a vast training area stretched out before them, with only one figure visible.


    The man stood tall, his long black-and-white hair tied back, cascading elegantly. His muscular physique was evident, each movement radiating an aura of immense power. The atmosphere around him was thick with an invisible pressure.


    For a brief moment, Venix felt a heavy weight in the air, as though the very presence of the man was suffocating.


    ¡°You¡¯ve both arrived,¡± the man¡¯s voice broke the silence, and in an instant, the pressure dissipated.


    He turned to face them with a warm smile.


    "You can call me Grandmaster Ardyn, like everyone else," he said warmly and with a welcoming tone.


    Venix frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing.


    Although Grandmaster Ardyn appeared friendly and approachable, there was something different about him.


    Unlike other Awaken he had encountered on his journey, Grandmaster Ardyn''s aura was incredibly subtle, almost imperceptible, yet his power was unmistakable.


    His control over his power was so refined that it could deceive others'' perceptions!


    "Greetings, Grandmaster Ardyn." Luna bowed nervously.


    Venix followed suit, bowing and greeting Grandmaster Ardyn as well.


    "No need to be so formal," Grandmaster Ardyn said with a slight wave of his hand before continuing, "There are two reasons why I¡¯ve summoned the two of you here today."


    Grandmaster Ardyn looked at Venix and Luna kindly.


    "First, it¡¯s for research. Thanks to your contributions, Luna, you¡¯ve been granted permission to come to Numan City and even participate in further research alongside Venix to gather more data," Grandmaster Ardyn explained.


    "Thank you, Grandmaster!" Luna bowed again, her gratitude evident.


    Grandmaster Ardyn smiled faintly before turning his gaze to Venix. "And the second reason... Aside from bringing you here for research purposes, it¡¯s also for your safety, Venix."


    "My safety?" Venix pointed to himself, confusion etched on his face.


    He was just someone who had arrived in this world a few days ago. Somehow, it seemed like he was a criminal who needed to be hunted down!


    "It¡¯s because of your Seed of Chaos," Grandmaster Ardyn said with a sigh.


    "Seed of Chaos? The prophecy mentioned by Leoric? What exactly is that?" Venix was growing more curious about the meaning of Seed of Chaos.


    "Among the Primecore in this world, Grandmaster Orion is someone who possesses the ability to foresee the future," Grandmaster Ardyn said softly, then continued, "At least a year ago, Old Orion mentioned that a human would come, who, upon Awakening, would birth the Seed of Chaos."


    Venix and Luna frowned, trying to digest this new information.


    Grandmaster Ardyn continued, "Old Orion said that the arrival of the Seed of Chaos signals the destruction of our world."


    Venix and Luna were stunned by this revelation.


    Especially Luna, who had heard of the famed Grandmaster Orion and knew of his prophetic abilities.


    "You¡¯ve never heard of this prophecy?" Venix turned to Luna, asking seriously.


    "I don¡¯t know everything, okay!?" Luna snapped, annoyed by Venix''s question.


    Venix coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.


    Previously, Venix had been quite fearful and worried. To lighten the mood, he had posed the question to Luna, hoping to ease the tension.


    And unexpectedly, it worked!


    "So, Venix is the target of Grandmaster Orion now?" Luna asked worriedly. "Then, does that mean Grandmaster Ardyn also..."


    "Hm? Believe in that old fool¡¯s prophecy? Ptui! If not for that old man¡¯s prophecy, our situation wouldn¡¯t be this complicated now!" Grandmaster Ardyn said with a sour expression.


    Hearing this, Venix and Luna sighed in relief. At least Grandmaster Ardyn was on their side.


    "Then, what exactly did the prophecy say?" Venix asked, his curiosity deepening.


    How could his arrival lead to the world¡¯s destruction? Was he really so powerful that the Primecore would feel threatened by him?


    Even if the Seed of Chaos¡ªessentially the Tentacle Monster¡ªwas truly powerful and dangerous, wasn¡¯t the Primecore capable of killing it effortlessly?


    "The prophecy didn¡¯t say much. It merely stated that the Seed of Chaos would devour everyone one by one until no living creature remained in this world," Grandmaster Ardyn explained.


    Venix frowned. Every prophecy, whether in novels or movies, was always like this¡ªcryptic and requiring guesses throughout the entire process.


    "Fortunately, you managed to make the Vulture your Seed Origin. Otherwise, that old man¡ªOrion¡ªwould be hunting you relentlessly," Grandmaster Ardyn said.


    Venix swallowed hard, feeling a chill down his spine. The threat felt very real.


    "But it¡¯s precisely because of the Seed of Chaos that we¡¯ve gained something extraordinary," Grandmaster Ardyn continued. "The data we collected from your battle in the Origin Fragment Realm¡ªit''s invaluable. Without it, we wouldn¡¯t have figured out how to further enhance the quality of Seed Origin."


    Venix frowned. "Data? What do you mean?"


    Luna interjected, "Venix, your battles¡ªespecially when using Astral Bond¡ªproved that Seed Origin must be forged through intense conflict. That¡¯s the key to strengthening them."


    Grandmaster Ardyn nodded. "Exactly. Until now, researchers like Luna have only been able to make minor improvements to the quality of Seed Origin. But your data showed us that only through fierce battles and mutual devouring can Seed Origin reach its full potential. And with that data, we can measure its limits so it doesn¡¯t break during intense combat."


    Venix looked at the two of them, trying to process their explanation. "So, does that mean... I was just lucky?"


    "Not just lucky," a faint smile appeared on Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s face. "It also means you¡¯re the only one who has managed to do this so far. But don¡¯t let your guard down¡ªthe battles ahead will be far more challenging."


    Venix swallowed hard, starting to grasp what Grandmaster Ardyn meant.


    "90% of the Seed Origin in the second and third Origin Fragment Realms are the same, aren¡¯t they?" Venix asked cautiously.


    "That¡¯s correct," Grandmaster Ardyn nodded.


    Venix gulped and said, "Most likely, the Tentacle Monster¡ªno, I mean the Seed of Chaos¡ªwill occupy the position of the second and third Seed Origin."


    "If the first Seed Origin, the Vulture, loses in the final battle, will the Seed of Chaos become my Seed Origin?"


    At first, Venix had been quite confident.


    But now, he felt the Seed of Chaos was still shrouded in mystery.


    The Vulture had barely defeated the Seed of Chaos through immense effort, with Luna¡¯s and his own significant contributions. And that Seed of Chaos hadn¡¯t even been in its perfect form yet!


    How strong would the Seed of Chaos be in its perfect form?


    The Vulture had grown immensely powerful, its strength rivaling that of the defeated Seed of Chaos, albeit in a different form.


    Then, Venix realized that each Seed Origin possessed unique abilities.


    What if the Seed of Chaos had an even more absurd ability in its perfected state?


    If two fully-formed Seeds of Chaos appeared in the final battle, could the Vulture stand a chance against both?

 Chapter 18

    "Vulture managed to defeat the Seed of Chaos, even though it was still incomplete." Grandmaster Ardyn crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Venix sharply, as if analyzing every detail of his movements.


    "Hmm... My people have conducted advanced analyses regarding your situation. Given your current condition, the chances of Vulture succeeding are minimal." Grandmaster Ardyn''s voice was heavy, imbued with deliberation.


    Luna turned her gaze toward Venix, her eyes catching the uncertainty etched clearly on his face¡ªhis lips pressed slightly together, brows furrowed, as if every word he had just heard weighed heavily on his mind.


    "So, pursuing this path and developing the second and third Seed Origins would be extremely dangerous for me?" Venix asked, his voice laden with hesitation, his lips trembling faintly.


    "Absolutely. However, if you choose not to proceed, you can abandon this plan and instead consume the newly emerged Origin Fragment Realm with your Seed of Vulture," Grandmaster Ardyn said seriously.


    Venix closed his eyes, his breath labored. The words he had just heard flowed like an uncontrollable river in his mind. He tried to calm himself, but the tension in his chest only deepened his doubts.


    At the same time, Venix began questioning his very identity.


    Who was he? Why did he possess a system that transported him to the Virtual World? And why did he carry the mysterious and seemingly dangerous Seed of Chaos?


    In both the real world and the Virtual World, every path before him was laden with thorns. There was no safe route, no risk-free option he could traverse effortlessly.


    Each fork in the road bristled with peril, and Venix had no choice but to tread through the treacherous paths, uncertain whether he would survive or not.


    The prophecy mentioned by Grandmaster Orion¡ªdespite Venix¡¯s skepticism toward prophecies¡ªprovided a grim warning: the Seed of Chaos was not something to be underestimated.


    With a hesitant glance, Venix asked, "If I may, why does Grandmaster Ardyn want to help me?"


    Venix lifted his head, meeting Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s gaze.


    There¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch, Venix thought. He knew there was always a price to pay for any aid offered.


    Even if the cost wasn¡¯t extracted now, Venix was certain he¡¯d have to pay it eventually.


    Grandmaster Ardyn turned to face Venix, his expression calm.


    "First and foremost, it¡¯s about research and data collection," Grandmaster Ardyn said in a flat tone. "The data we gain from you is invaluable. Without you, it could take us decades to achieve similar results."


    Venix furrowed his brows. "I don¡¯t understand this point at all. I understand that this research can improve Seed Origin quality and refine Meditation Techniques further.


    But in the end, it¡¯s just a Meditation Technique. Even if a perfect Meditation Technique is created, how could it possibly be important enough to impact the entire world?"


    To Venix, the whole premise seemed absurd.


    The Awaken level was the weakest stage and merely served as a foundation for an individual. But was it really worth so much attention¡ªeven to the point of involving a Primecore¡ªto drive this project forward?


    Luna and Grandmaster Ardyn remained silent, their steady gazes unnerving Venix, making him feel as though he¡¯d misspoken.


    "Did I say something wrong?" Venix asked softly, his eyes flickering away as if bracing for an unwelcome answer.


    Luna let out a small sigh, while Grandmaster Ardyn shook his head.


    "You said nothing wrong," Grandmaster Ardyn replied, then continued, "Your doubts are reasonable. Why go through all this trouble?"


    Grandmaster Ardyn stepped forward, slowly approaching Venix and Luna.


    Venix¡¯s heartbeat quickened as Grandmaster Ardyn drew nearer. Each step seemed to weigh heavier, yet the warm smile on Ardyn¡¯s face only deepened Venix¡¯s confusion. He hesitated, torn between retreating and standing his ground, unsure whether to respond or remain silent.


    "I¡¯m going to show you something," Grandmaster Ardyn said, placing a firm hand on Venix¡¯s shoulder.


    Suddenly, a gentle yet powerful energy enveloped Venix¡¯s body. It felt like the soft caress of sunlight on his skin, but with an intensity that far surpassed anything he¡¯d ever known.


    The energy coursed through him, soothing every fiber of his being, reminiscent of the serenity found in the depths of a tranquil ocean.


    Before Venix could react or voice any questions, Grandmaster Ardyn used his energy to lift Venix out of the dojo and ascend into the sky.


    Venix¡¯s heart raced as his body soared skyward, like a rocket hurtling toward the moon.


    In mere seconds, Venix found himself in outer space, with the planet Numan World visible beneath his feet.


    Were it not for the protective aura shielding him, Venix¡¯s body would have been torn apart by the sheer velocity and harshness of the vacuum.


    Amid the expanse of space, Venix beheld the stars with unparalleled clarity, their radiant glow creating an awe-inspiring spectacle.


    "Extend your hand forward," Grandmaster Ardyn instructed suddenly.


    Though hesitant, Venix complied, reaching his hand out as directed.


    As his hand moved forward, it was abruptly stopped by an unseen force.


    "This¡­ A Barrier?" Venix asked uncertainly.


    "Yes. This is the Barrier that shields our world¡ªyet also imprisons us," Grandmaster Ardyn said with a heavy sigh. "And it¡¯s precisely because of this that someone like you, an ordinary Awaken, is so crucial to us."


    Venix turned his head to look at Grandmaster Ardyn, who now bore an expression of deep regret.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "What does this Barrier signify?" Venix asked, his face a mix of bewilderment and unease.


    "We call it the Origin Source," Grandmaster Ardyn said softly.


    "This is the true form of the Origin Source?" Venix asked, as if uncovering a profound truth.


    Grandmaster Ardyn shook his head. "No. The Origin Source is just a name. Its true form remains unknown to us."


    Grandmaster Ardyn extended his hand, touching the invisible Barrier with a longing expression.


    "During the Origin Era, this Barrier didn¡¯t exist. In ancient times, before the Origin Era, we launched rockets into space, leaving our world¡¯s orbit.


    But now, that¡¯s impossible. I can fly and easily reach space, but no further than this." Grandmaster Ardyn clenched his fist.


    Amid Venix¡¯s astonishment at the shift in Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s demeanor, the elder¡¯s fist slammed against the Barrier.


    Buzzing¡ª


    A muffled sound reverberated, and the invisible Barrier rippled like water disturbed by a single touch.


    Venix swallowed hard, a cold sweat forming as he realized the sheer force behind that strike. If even a fraction of that power grazed him, his body would be shredded beyond recognition.


    "This Barrier protects us but also confines us," Grandmaster Ardyn said softly, continuing, "Only when the average strength of Awaken individuals in this world weakens does this Barrier manifest to shield our world from alien invasions."


    Venix¡¯s heart trembled at the implications of this revelation.


    If what Grandmaster Ardyn said was true, Earth¡¯s future would grow far more complex.


    As humans on Earth fought and killed one another, they were unknowingly imprisoning themselves.


    Suddenly, Grandmaster Ardyn did something that sent Venix¡¯s emotions into a tumultuous whirl. Without warning, Ardyn knelt before Venix, leaving him utterly speechless.


    Venix¡¯s mouth opened, but no words escaped.


    "Please, Venix! I beg of you¡ªhelp me save this civilization!" Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s desperate plea echoed, reverberating through Venix¡¯s ears and heart.


    Venix bit his lip, his chest heaving, confusion clouding his mind as he struggled to process this dramatic shift.


    "Grandmaster..." Venix''s voice was barely audible, trapped in an overwhelming maze of doubt and confusion.


    "Our situation is dire!" said Grandmaster Ardyn, lifting his head to meet Venix¡¯s gaze. "Few truly realize this, but if we don¡¯t resolve this crisis, sooner or later, we¡¯ll be annihilated!"


    Venix remained silent, staring at Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s expression, which was etched with despair.


    "We signed a peace treaty and managed to hold on for two decades. But as time goes by, minor frictions have grown into significant issues among us.


    "Each year, fewer and fewer humans are able to Awaken. According to our calculations, if no major breakthrough occurs within the next fifty years, we¡¯ll be trapped here until every last one of us perishes in this world!" Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s eyes turned red as he spoke.


    Venix could feel the intense emotions behind his words, as though decades of accumulated grievances were being laid bare in this moment.


    "I could bind you or force you into this test," Grandmaster Ardyn said with a serious tone, "but such methods would make your Seed of Vulture¡¯s chances of success incredibly slim. Only by cooperating can we raise our odds of success! Even if we fail, at least we¡¯ll have tried our best!"


    Venix looked at Grandmaster Ardyn with a complicated expression, unable to comprehend how the situation had spiraled into this so abruptly.


    He recalled his past interactions with Grandmaster Ardyn¡ªa dependable and benevolent senior who seemed capable of bearing the burdens of everyone around him.


    Seeing him like this, Venix began to understand something.


    Perhaps bringing him here wasn¡¯t just to show him the invisible Barrier imprisoning their world. It was also to grant them privacy, away from prying eyes.


    Grandmaster Ardyn was a pillar of strength in Numan World, someone many placed their trust in, including Luna, who regarded him as the true leader of humanity in this realm.


    It was for this reason that Luna readily accepted Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s invitation to bring Venix to him.


    At least four Primecore had approached Luna, offering to buy Venix. Yet she turned them all down, unwilling to trust them.


    Grandmaster Ardyn had to maintain his composure in front of others and the public, if only to perpetuate the illusion that things weren¡¯t as hopeless as they truly were.


    Only the Primecore and a select few individuals knew the grim reality of Numan World.


    Thus, within high-level circles, some had begun contemplating extreme measures to shatter the invisible Barrier and free their civilization from the prison of this world.


    "Grandmaster Ardyn... Please, rise," Venix said softly.


    "I don¡¯t know what this Seed of Chaos is," Venix admitted, "but Old Orion said it grows stronger the more it devours others."


    Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s gaze remained firm. "Once this crisis is resolved, I swear on my Seed Origin¡ªyou may devour me and any of my followers willing to pay this price of exchange!"


    Rumble~ Rumble~


    Thunder rumbled, echoing in the space around them and sending chills down Venix¡¯s spine.


    "That is my vow. Should I fail to keep it, I will be destroyed by the Origin Source itself," Grandmaster Ardyn declared with unwavering conviction.


    A sense of dread crept into Venix''s heart. The atmosphere grew heavier as fear took root deep within him, spreading like an inescapable shadow. His body felt paralyzed, and every word spoken by Grandmaster Ardyn seemed to freeze the very space around them.


    It wasn¡¯t just the gravity of the situation¡ªit was the sheer realness of Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s emotions. Too real for a virtual world.


    Venix wanted to curse. To curse this system.


    Was this truly a virtual world? How could it feel so real?


    The despair etched on Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s face and the lingering resonance of his voice echoed in Venix¡¯s mind.


    His resolve to avoid further entanglement with Numan World began to waver.


    With a heavy sigh, Venix relented. "Grandmaster Ardyn... There¡¯s no need for such drastic measures. It¡¯s just a test, right? I can participate¡ªit¡¯s beneficial to me if it succeeds anyway."


    Grandmaster Ardyn shook his head slightly. "There¡¯s something I haven¡¯t told you."


    Still kneeling, Grandmaster Ardyn lifted his gaze to meet Venix¡¯s. "If you succeed, your Seed of Vulture will evolve, becoming far stronger¡ªwith limitless potential."


    Venix blinked in confusion. Wouldn¡¯t that be advantageous for him?


    With just a bit of reasoning, it seemed clear he¡¯d willingly undergo the test.


    "However..." Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s tone turned grave. "If you fail, the Seed of Chaos will also evolve¡ªbecoming even more perfect than before."


    "If it fails, so be it. I don¡¯t mind having the Seed of Chaos, even with its inherent dangers," Venix said, attempting to diffuse the tension.


    Grandmaster Ardyn didn¡¯t budge. "Old Orion shared a prophecy with the Primecore in private." His voice carried a weight that made Venix¡¯s heart clench. "The danger isn¡¯t you¡ªit¡¯s the Seed of Chaos itself."


    Venix furrowed his brow, confusion clouding his thoughts. Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s words felt profound, yet something in them eluded him¡ªa puzzle he couldn¡¯t piece together.


    "More specifically," Grandmaster Ardyn continued, "if you fail, you might lose your life¡ªconsumed and controlled by the Seed of Chaos."


    Venix¡¯s body froze as the words sank in.


    His mind drifted to his meditation sessions and his ventures into the Origin Fragment Realm.


    During one such session, he¡¯d attempted to connect with the Seed of Chaos, only to be flatly rejected by it.


    According to the Meditation Technique, such a rejection was supposed to be impossible.


    A Seed Origin was an intrinsic part of an Awaken¡ªa fragment inseparable from the essence of their being.


    Venix hadn¡¯t thought much of it at the time, dismissing the danger and ignoring why he couldn¡¯t establish a connection with the Seed of Chaos.


    If Grandmaster Orion¡¯s prophecy held true, he might be devoured and enslaved by the Seed of Chaos.


    "Could this system be some manifestation of the Seed of Chaos¡¯s power?" The unsettling thought sent shivers down Venix¡¯s spine.


    The system was bizarre, appearing suddenly in his otherwise ordinary life.


    If Seed Origins were extensions of an Awaken¡¯s essence, then the Seed of Chaos felt like a foreign invader within him.


    Aside from the Seed of Chaos, the only other foreign entity bound to him was the Virtual Ascension System.


    What if the Seed of Chaos¡¯s emergence was tied to the system¡¯s appearance?


    Shaking off his reverie, Venix cast his gaze upon Numan World below.


    "No, it doesn¡¯t make sense. If the system caused the Seed of Chaos to manifest, why grant me access to this Virtual World?


    "And without this access, when the Origin Era arrives on Earth, the Seed of Chaos would fully mature and take over my body!"


    As realization dawned, Venix¡¯s doubts about the system began to diminish.


    Still, a sense of foreboding lingered.


    "Grandmaster Ardyn, I... I need to meditate and try something," Venix said abruptly.


    Grandmaster Ardyn, still kneeling, looked slightly taken aback by Venix¡¯s sudden resolve.


    Under his watchful eyes, Venix crossed his legs and sat in the void of space.


    Protected by Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s energy, Venix could maintain his seated posture in the vacuum of space.


    Quickly, he slipped into meditation.


    Grandmaster Ardyn remained silent, observing him intently.


    Moments later, Venix¡¯s expression darkened.


    "This... This can¡¯t be possible..." Venix muttered to himself, as if confronted by an impossibility.

 Chapter 19

    Venix felt a faint tremor within his chest, his mind beginning to blur. He gazed blankly into the depths of his soul, as though something within was stirring.


    Previously, Venix had instructed the Seed of Vulture to attack the second Origin Fragment Realm that had emerged within his soul.


    The Seed of Vulture would do nothing without Venix''s command, and Venix had earlier told Vulture not to attack the second Origin Fragment Realm or channel energy into it, causing its development to progress extremely slowly.


    Today, Venix learned the name of the tentacled monster: Seed of Chaos. When Grandmaster Ardyn frequently spoke of the Seed of Chaos, Venix sensed that this situation was far from simple.


    At the very least, even if Vulture emerged victorious, the matter would not end easily.


    Venix did not know what the Seed of Chaos truly was or what signs marked its presence.


    Plagued by numerous dark speculations in his mind, Venix finally decided to test his theories.


    He attempted to send the Seed of Vulture into the second Origin Fragment Realm, the usual method an Awaken would use to complete the Awaken stage and become a Seedbound.


    However, to Venix''s shock, Vulture could not enter!


    Deep within his soul, Vulture struck an invisible barrier that shielded the second Origin Fragment Realm from external interference.


    "What exactly is this Seed of Chaos?!" Venix shouted, his eyes wide with frustration.


    "How can it block Vulture''s entry?!" Without pausing, he issued panicked commands to Vulture, hoping to find a loophole.


    The more Vulture unleashed its strength against the barrier, the more the leftover energy from its attacks was rapidly absorbed by the Origin Fragment Realm, accelerating its development.


    Venix hurriedly commanded Vulture to stop and retreated from the second Origin Fragment Realm.


    "This makes no sense!" Venix exclaimed internally, his face clouded with deep frustration.


    Moments later, Venix emerged from his meditative state with a look of dissatisfaction plastered across his face.


    "What were you doing just now?"


    The voice of Grandmaster Ardyn echoed in Venix''s ears.


    Venix looked up, startled to see Grandmaster Ardyn still kneeling before him, bowing as if in worship of a deity.


    "It''s nothing. I was merely inspecting my Seed of Vulture and assessing whether it''s strong enough to proceed with the experiment," Venix replied, a calm smile gracing his face.


    Venix had no intention of revealing the truth to Grandmaster Ardyn. In fact, he had no plans to be honest at all.


    Even if Vulture had been able to enter the second Origin Fragment Realm, Venix would likely still have attempted to continue the experiment due to his unease with Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s actions and requests.


    Now that Vulture could not enter, Venix had no other choice.


    At the same time, Venix was determined not to become too entangled in this Virtual World and prioritized the real world above all else.


    For that reason, Venix wanted his current actions to be seen as assistance to Grandmaster Ardyn, allowing him to leverage this relationship to obtain crucial items that could prove useful in the real world.


    Grandmaster Ardyn stared at Venix and said, "My people have prepared a few things to aid your Seed of Vulture¡ª"


    "I trust you, Grandmaster Ardyn. I¡¯ll cooperate with you," Venix interrupted firmly, though his heart grew heavy from the lies he had just uttered.


    Grandmaster Ardyn''s eyes gleamed. "Truly? Then¡ª"


    "But, of course, I¡¯ll require something in return," Venix interjected again, waving his hand. "And Grandmaster Ardyn... Could you stop bowing? We can discuss matters while seated face-to-face."


    Venix was not the type to enjoy being worshipped or seeing others prostrate themselves before him. It did not please him; it only made him uncomfortable.


    Grandmaster Ardyn quickly stood, tidying his slightly rumpled robes, and sat down across from Venix.


    The warm smile returned to Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s face, giving off the impression of a kind and approachable senior, as if nothing troubled him.


    Venix sighed in relief at this sight.


    After calming his emotions, Grandmaster Ardyn said, "I¡¯ll do my best to fulfill all your requests. Even if you ask for some beautiful women to warm your bed, I¡ª"


    "No, no, no! I don¡¯t want that¡ªI need something else!" Venix flailed his arms, his face flushing with embarrassment at the unwanted suggestion.


    Grandmaster Ardyn observed Venix¡¯s flustered expression and easily deduced his thoughts.


    "Of course, I¡¯ll fulfill your other requests to the best of my ability. Those women are merely a bonus," Grandmaster Ardyn said with a mysterious smile, as though he fully understood how to cater to Venix''s desires.


    "No! Can we focus on serious matters instead?" Venix quickly interrupted.


    If the people of Numan World learned of this, they would be utterly shocked and enraged that Venix dared to cut off Grandmaster Ardyn mid-sentence!Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Fearing Grandmaster Ardyn might persist in his unwelcome offers, Venix hurriedly stated his true needs. "I require an item essential for saving my life in critical situations. Suppose a sudden explosion occurs near me; I need something that can protect me in such moments."


    Venix had no way of predicting the dangers that awaited in the real world, but based on his description, nearly any imminent threat could be mitigated with such an item.


    "Hmm? You¡¯ll be safe there. With me present, I¡¯ll ensure your protection from any harm caused by others!" Grandmaster Ardyn thumped his chest, vowing to safeguard Venix.


    Venix shook his head. "No one can predict future circumstances. What harm is there in having a backup plan to ensure my survival?"


    Grandmaster Ardyn regarded Venix with a curious glint in his eyes.


    "There are many items that can handle such situations, like the Barrier Crystal, which creates a shield around you to prevent injuries," Grandmaster Ardyn mused, stroking his chin.


    Venix''s eyes lit up at the mention of such an item!


    "But¡­ Perhaps the Teleportation Crystal would be far more helpful," Grandmaster Ardyn added thoughtfully.


    "Teleportation Crystal?" Venix''s eyes gleamed. From the name alone, he could infer its function.


    "Yes, a Teleportation Crystal. It¡¯s an incredibly rare artifact, only producible by the Primecore," Grandmaster Ardyn explained. "All you need to do is activate the crystal with a small amount of power, and it will teleport you randomly within a 10-kilometer radius."


    "Can I buy one? I don¡¯t have money right now, but I could borrow from Luna to get it!" Venix exclaimed eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement.


    "Even if you emptied Luna¡¯s entire savings, you wouldn¡¯t be able to purchase this item." Grandmaster Ardyn shook his head. "This artifact can only be created by Primecore, but the process is extraordinarily difficult and yields only a limited quantity."


    Venix''s enthusiasm dimmed upon hearing this.


    Grandmaster Ardyn offered a gentle smile. "Producing this item isn¡¯t easy and poses a significant danger to us. Establishing connections with Space energy is extremely challenging and perilous. At most, I can produce five Teleportation Crystals in a year."


    "Five? That¡¯s more than enough!" Venix¡¯s excitement reignited.


    "Very well, I¡¯ll make one for you later. I don¡¯t have any on hand now, as all the Teleportation Crystals I¡¯ve made have been distributed to certain individuals," Grandmaster Ardyn explained.


    Venix nodded in understanding. "That¡¯s fine¡ªfive will more than suffice for my needs!"


    Grandmaster Ardyn smiled without further comment.


    Venix had no idea just how valuable a single Teleportation Crystal was. Even the direct descendants of Primecore were limited to owning just one¡ªand no more.


    "Your first request is settled. Do you have any other wishes?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked kindly.


    Venix nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"


    Then, Venix used the watch on his wrist to bring up a list of Techniques that Luna had carefully curated earlier.


    A holographic screen emerged from the watch, displaying the list of Techniques for Grandmaster Ardyn to see.


    "I¡¯d like to acquire these Techniques!" Venix said eagerly.


    Grandmaster Ardyn scanned the list one by one. Gradually, his expression turned peculiar.


    Noticing the change, Venix asked, "Is something wrong?"


    Grandmaster Ardyn turned to Venix, shook his head slightly, and smiled. "No, it¡¯s just that this list reminds me of someone... But anyway, the Techniques you¡¯ve listed seem more suited for chaotic times, like an era of war."


    Venix nodded quickly. "We don¡¯t know what the future holds. Of course, I need to prepare everything in advance."


    Grandmaster Ardyn smiled and said, "I have a similar list. What you¡¯ve noted here are merely Techniques available to the public. I have access to far superior ones."


    Venix¡¯s eyes sparkled. "I wouldn¡¯t mind that at all!"


    Grandmaster Ardyn fell silent for a moment, appearing deep in thought.


    After about five seconds, he added, "I¡¯ll also provide you with some special Techniques that will be extremely useful later."


    Venix immediately stood and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Grandmaster Ardyn!"


    Grandmaster Ardyn waved a hand dismissively.


    The conversation then shifted as Venix relayed all his desires to Grandmaster Ardyn. Most of Venix¡¯s requests revolved around items that could save his life or tools to help him overcome opponents stronger than himself.


    The first thing Venix thought about was weapons. If he could acquire a powerful and special weapon, perhaps he could defeat a Seedbound using his abilities as an Awaken.


    Unfortunately, Grandmaster Ardyn explained that the use of weapons by an Awaken was different.


    Ordinary weapons could not fully unleash an Awaken¡¯s power, and special weapons for an Awaken were connected to their Seed Origin.


    This meant that a Seedbound¡¯s weapon could not be used by an Awaken and would instead harm the wielder.


    Therefore, Grandmaster Ardyn suggested that Venix use a sealed weapon.


    A sealed weapon was one whose true power had been restricted, allowing it to be used by someone weaker.


    This was similar to the weapons of a Primecore, which were sealed to suppress their power so that an Awaken could wield them at a Primecore level.


    When an Awaken advanced to the level of Seedbound, the seals would gradually be removed, transforming the weapon into one at the Seedbound level.


    Its strength wouldn¡¯t be as great as other weapons of the same level, but its materials were incredibly strong and valuable, making it indestructible except under an attack from a true Primecore.


    Though Venix didn¡¯t receive the kind of weapon he had initially hoped for, he was still pleased to have such a weapon.


    With that, Grandmaster Ardyn noted down Venix¡¯s requests one by one, promising to fulfill them gradually in the future.


    "Alright, I¡¯ve written down all your wishes," said Grandmaster Ardyn with a smile. "Now it¡¯s time for you to return. I¡¯ll send you back to Luna, and the two of you can look for Leoric to escort you to the experiment site."


    "Of course." Venix stood and bowed deeply before Grandmaster Ardyn.


    Grandmaster Ardyn raised his hand, ready to send Venix back.


    However, Venix suddenly interrupted.


    "Wait!" Venix said abruptly.


    Grandmaster Ardyn paused and looked at Venix. "Is there something else you want?"


    Venix gently shook his head. "No, it¡¯s just that..."


    His face looked hesitant, as if the words he wanted to say were hard to express.


    "If something is troubling you, just say it. I¡¯ll do my best to help," Grandmaster Ardyn said.


    Venix looked deeply into Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s eyes.


    "If¡­ if I fail this experiment," Venix hesitated briefly before continuing, "and if the Seed of Chaos takes over my body... please kill me and destroy my body completely so there¡¯s nothing left."


    Venix¡¯s expression turned resolute after he spoke those words.


    Grandmaster Ardyn smiled calmly and replied, "I¡¯ll think about it when the time comes."


    With a wave of his hand, Grandmaster Ardyn sent Venix flying back to Numan City.


    Venix exhaled, relieved that he had managed to express what was on his mind.


    Although Venix wasn¡¯t sure whether dying in the Virtual World would mean death in the real world, based on what he knew, this was still a Virtual World, not reality.


    Indeed, his Virtual body affected his real body, but only to a limited extent.


    Thus, Venix made a bold assumption: his real body might be injured but not die if his Virtual body perished.


    And if the Seed of Chaos truly took over his body, it would mean game over for Venix.


    So, he hoped to buy some time in the Virtual World, delaying the Seed of Chaos¡¯s progression and searching for a solution, granting himself a final chance.


    As Venix returned to Numan City, Grandmaster Ardyn remained floating in space alone, not following him back.


    "You all saw that, didn¡¯t you? What do you think?" Grandmaster Ardyn suddenly spoke, though no one else seemed to be present in the void of space.


    One by one, figures began to emerge from the emptiness, surrounding Grandmaster Ardyn.


    In total, five figures appeared¡ªtwo women and three men.


    Grandmaster Ardyn snorted coldly, as if he had been aware of their presence all along.


    "A group of Primecore like you has nothing better to do than eavesdrop on others?" he said icily.


    The five individuals who had appeared were all Primecore!


    Including Grandmaster Ardyn, there were now six Primecore gathered in one place!


    The surrounding space grew heavy and cold, as if on the brink of exploding into battle at any moment.

 Chapter 20

    Six Primecore stood in the vast emptiness of space, their bodies radiating distinct auras that reflected their unique powers.


    The vacuum seemed to pulse with tension, underscoring the rarity of such a gathering.


    Grandmaster Ardyn regarded each of them with an icy gaze. It was no secret that the relationships between the Primecore were fraught with discord.


    The three men present were Orion, Malric, and Solan. Apart from Grandmaster Orion, who bore an aged visage akin to Ardyn, the other two exuded youthful charisma, their appearances strikingly handsome.


    On the opposite side, Elara and Zaira stood with an air of grace, their beauty weaving an illusion of gentleness. Yet Elara¡¯s sharp, blade-like gaze and Zaira¡¯s cold, thin smile hinted at nightmares lurking beneath their serene exteriors.


    Elara, her fiery red hair gleaming like molten flames, cast a piercing glance in the direction Venix had departed.


    ¡°This experiment is too dangerous,¡± she whispered, her tone smoldering like fire in the dark. ¡°If it fails, the Seed of Chaos won¡¯t just be a nightmare¡ªit¡¯ll be the end of us all.¡±


    ¡°The greatest risk standing before me now¡ªis you, Elara,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn replied, his voice cutting like frost.


    Elara¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, her movements relaxed yet calculated. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ardyn. I haven¡¯t done anything¡­ yet.¡±


    Ardyn¡¯s stare remained cold. Despite her youthful and seemingly innocent demeanor, he harbored no trust toward Elara.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we just seal it?¡± Zaira asked, her gaze drifting to where Venix had gone.


    Malric, who carried an air of calm mystery, turned to Grandmaster Orion.


    ¡°What do you think, old Orion? Will a seal suffice to stop the Seed of Chaos?¡± Malric¡¯s tone was calm but piercing.


    ¡°A seal might delay it, but it won¡¯t eliminate the threat,¡± Orion replied, his voice heavy with the weight of years. ¡°The Seed of Chaos cannot die. Killing it merely silences it for a while.¡±


    Silence descended upon them. Orion¡¯s wise and piercing gaze seemed to stretch beyond the horizon, pulling the Primecore into their own introspections.


    Even Elara, typically brimming with confidence, lowered her eyes, while Zaira clenched her fingers tightly.


    The prophecy Grandmaster Ardyn had shared with Venix was far from fully revealed.


    The Seed of Chaos was more terrifying than Venix had imagined. Even the Primecore had debated fiercely over Venix¡¯s existence, unsure whether he should be eliminated or spared.


    After much deliberation, they concluded that harming Venix might only make it easier for the Seed of Chaos to seize control of him.


    Grandmaster Solan, who had a relaxed demeanor, remarked, ¡°We can¡¯t even solve our own problems, and now, the Seed of Chaos emerges to add to our burdens.¡±


    Grandmaster Orion closed his eyes briefly and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect its arrival to be this soon. I initially thought it would take at least a decade. Yet, here we are, only a year since the prophecy reached me.¡±


    ¡°There is no clear or better path than this,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn declared coolly. ¡°If I can help eliminate the Seed of Chaos, we not only gain a far superior Meditation Technique but also rid ourselves of its threat. Venix will become the pillar of our world¡ªhis potential far surpasses all of ours!¡±


    Grandmaster Solan eyed Grandmaster Ardyn steadily. ¡°If the boy succeeds, and if he demands your life, you won¡¯t refuse him.¡±


    ¡°So what?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn laughed. ¡°Even if I must sacrifice myself to ensure the survival of our civilization, I¡¯d gladly trade my life for its safety.¡±


    One by one, the Primecore fell silent.


    Among them, Grandmaster Ardyn stood out as the one most willing to set aside personal interests for the greater good.


    In contrast, the other Primecore prioritized their own agendas over the collective well-being of their world.


    ¡°If you and the boy fail, we¡¯ll deal with it ourselves,¡± Grandmaster Malric said calmly before his figure blurred and vanished in an instant.


    Grandmaster Solan and Grandmaster Zaira waved their hands, their forms disappearing just as swiftly.


    There was nothing more to say. The agreement had been set long before Venix¡¯s existence was revealed, and Grandmaster Ardyn showed no intention of renegotiating it.


    ¡°If you need my help, you know where to find me,¡± Grandmaster Elara said with a teasing smile.


    Grandmaster Ardyn snorted coldly. ¡°If I had a gun with two bullets, and we were in a room with you and Venix, I¡¯d shoot you twice.¡±


    Elara chuckled and gazed at Ardyn with a coquettish grin. ¡°You¡¯re so cruel to a young woman like me. But¡­ I like it.¡±


    A moment later, Elara¡¯s figure blurred and vanished into the void, her melodious laughter lingering in the vacuum of space.


    Grandmaster Orion shook his head slightly and sighed. ¡°I hope you¡¯re right, and that you succeed.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    Ardyn turned to Orion, his expression softening slightly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that of all people¡­ you¡¯d be the one to support me now.¡±


    Orion gave a faint smile. ¡°It¡¯s a simple Technique. Offering it doesn¡¯t mean I fully endorse you.¡±


    Ardyn regarded Orion intently. ¡°The Heavenly Scholar Technique, which you¡¯ve passed down to only two disciples in your entire lifetime¡ªyou¡¯re just handing it over to Venix?¡±


    ¡°The Heavenly Scholar Technique is the culmination of my life¡¯s work,¡± Orion said softly. ¡°With it, the boy might find enlightenment at a critical juncture and turn the tide against the Seed of Chaos.¡±


    Ardyn frowned. ¡°You know, I can offer you more than my previous deal if you¡¯d sell that Technique to me¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Orion snapped, his tone cold. ¡°I¡¯ll never sell it to anyone¡ªnot even you!¡±


    Ardyn exhaled heavily at Orion¡¯s sharp retort.


    With a flick of his wrist, a small jade stone appeared between Orion¡¯s fingers. With a gentle push, he sent the jade toward Ardyn.


    ¡°Prophecies are merely warnings,¡± Orion said softly. ¡°You¡¯ve seen the results of my attempts to stop the inevitable on my own terms. Even when I succeeded, the outcomes only grew worse.¡±


    Ardyn chuckled dryly. ¡°Truly, Old Orion, I¡¯m disappointed in you. Not only did you worsen the situation, but you also cut off our hopes and trapped yourself here.¡±


    Orion raised his gaze to the endless expanse of space. ¡°I¡¯m more disappointed in myself than you¡¯ll ever be.¡±


    With that, Orion¡¯s figure began to fade, disappearing before Ardyn¡¯s eyes.


    Ardyn caught the jade stone, his powerful fingers gripping it so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His expression darkened, the weight of the world seemingly resting on the small artifact in his grasp.


    ¡°I cannot fail,¡± Ardyn said, his face resolute.


    ---


    On his return journey to the Numan World, Venix felt as though he didn¡¯t need to do anything¡ªthe coordinates of his destination seemed preordained.


    Fortunately, Venix wasn¡¯t afraid of heights. Otherwise, his face would be ghostly pale by now.


    He landed swiftly on the roof of a massive building, distinctly different from Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s previous dojo.


    Waiting for him on the ground were Luna and Leoric, standing side by side.


    They greeted Venix briefly, without probing into what had transpired in the cosmos.


    Leoric led Luna and Venix into the structure, which turned out to be an experimental facility prepared specifically for Venix and other subjects.


    The three entered the building, drawing the immediate attention of those inside, who greeted Leoric with warmth and deference.


    Leoric returned the greetings with his usual charming smile and laughter.


    Venix glanced at Luna, puzzled.


    Was Leoric this popular with everyone?


    Catching his look, Luna gave a faint, wry smile and shook her head slightly.


    She couldn¡¯t explain it here, especially with Leoric present.


    Moreover, Luna felt too self-conscious around Leoric. Even the slightest glance from him made her lower her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.


    Finally, after numerous greetings, the trio reached an elevator door.


    ¡°This facility is tailored for you, Venix. The research lab is in the basement,¡± Leoric explained as he pressed the elevator button.


    Moments later, the doors opened, and the three stepped inside.


    Leoric pulled out a card from his coat and swiped it across the scanner. A hidden set of buttons lit up, revealing nine underground levels.


    He pressed the button for the ninth floor, and the elevator began its descent.


    As the elevator hummed downward, Venix stared at the glowing button, his thoughts churning. After a moment, he broke the silence.


    ¡°If I succeed¡­ will the Meditation Technique be enough to shatter the boundaries of this world?¡± he asked, his voice tinged with hope.


    Leoric shook his head slowly. ¡°No. It¡¯s just the first step. We¡¯ll need time, new generations of Awaken, and the results¡­ could take years. Perhaps even lifetimes.¡±


    ¡°But you have the Awaken Injection,¡± Venix pressed, confused. ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a matter of producing enough Awaken? In a year, the results should start to show.¡±


    Luna interjected softly, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. You already know the truth. Why do you think we can¡¯t restore the power of the Awaken in this world?¡±


    ¡°Because the Awaken aren¡¯t strong enough?¡± Venix guessed hesitantly.


    There are three levels of Awaken quality, and the goal of this research is to create the latest Meditation Technique to enhance the quality of an Awaken.


    "Yes, that''s one of them," replied Luna with a slight nod. "However, if we lack quality, we can compensate with quantity."


    "That... makes sense," said Venix, agreeing with Luna''s explanation.


    Although quality is indeed the main focus, it doesn¡¯t mean quantity cannot rival or even surpass quality.


    ¡°The problem isn¡¯t just power,¡± Luna added weakly. ¡°The number of Awaken we have¡­ is pitiful.¡±


    Leoric chimed in bitterly, ¡°They¡¯re as fertile as barren soil. Compared to ordinary humans, the fertility rate among Awaken... is extraordinarily low.¡±


    "Which is why, not only do we lack quality, but the quantity of Awaken is also far too insufficient."


    Venix finally realized that the problem was far more complicated than he initially thought. Many aspects contributed to the dire situation they were facing.


    "But... we could use the ''The Lost Sheep,'' couldn''t we? There must be a significant number of them, enough to meet the minimum quota for unlocking the prisons in this world," Venix suggested, recalling the figures of The Lost Sheep he encountered when he first entered the Virtual World.


    ¡°The Lost Sheep are no coincidence,¡± Leoric said, turning to him with a faint smile. ¡°They are part of a plan, tools deliberately created to save this world.¡±


    ¡°Created?¡± Venix¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    If he remembered correctly, The Lost Sheep were people from isolated tribes who rejected the progress of the modern world.


    But now, the truth was revealed¡ªthe leaders of this world had intentionally created The Lost Sheep!


    Leoric paused briefly before continuing, ¡°They were isolated, cut off from the outside world. Their task... was singular¡ªto reproduce. To produce ordinary humans, like livestock raised for harvest.¡±


    Venix''s heart trembled upon hearing this!


    The term "The Lost Sheep" was not merely a nickname¡ªit was a harsh reality.


    Venix froze, his heartbeat accelerating with each word Leoric uttered. Those people he had thought to be ordinary tribal communities were nothing more than livestock, bred and raised for future harvest.


    ¡°Cruel, isn¡¯t it?¡± said Leoric, his calm smile hiding a deep bitterness in his eyes.


    Venix turned to look at Luna, who appeared unfazed upon learning this truth.


    "I didn¡¯t know about this before, and I only found out when you left with Grandmaster Ardyn," Luna said softly. "There¡¯s a reason why I didn¡¯t interrogate that woman, the one who ordered me to kill you when you had just become an Awaken."


    Luna turned her gaze back to Venix and said, ¡°Anyone working at the Awaken Injection facility¡ªwe¡¯re forbidden from questioning anything they say. Even if we accidentally learn something, we¡¯re not allowed to ask about it or share it with others.¡±


    Venix felt his chest tighten, as though the air in the room had suddenly vanished. The puzzle that had haunted him for so long now fell into place, but instead of relief, a new burden crushed him like a massive hammer.


    He recalled the oddness in Luna¡¯s behavior in the past, when she discovered that The Lost Sheep could see his Seed Origin, the Seed of Chaos.


    Although Luna had shown a strong interest, she didn¡¯t probe further and had sent The Lost Sheep to the pod for Awaken Injection.


    After that, Luna never mentioned the strangeness of that woman again.


    Venix also remembered Leoric¡¯s earlier statement that only certain individuals and The Lost Sheep were aware of the Seed of Chaos!


    Piecing together all of this information, everything finally became clear to Venix.


    The Lost Sheep were people deliberately imprisoned to give birth to humans, treated like actual livestock!

 Chapter 21

    Although this was a Virtual World, Venix couldn¡¯t suppress a sense of pity as he watched The Lost Sheep being treated like livestock.


    To him, the sight was not just saddening but also fundamentally incompatible with his principles of humanity.


    As a modern human, even though Venix had begun interacting with the powers of Origin and was attempting to adapt to these changes, his morality as a contemporary Earthling persisted within him.


    The Lost Sheep could be described as slaves¡ªa practice long abolished in the real world.


    However, with the advent of the Origin Era in the real world, perhaps morality was no longer a value everyone needed to uphold.


    "Is Numan World truly a depiction of Earth''s future?" Venix wondered to himself, confusion clouding his mind. His gaze drifted far away, as though searching for answers amidst the shadows of a world he had yet to fully comprehend.


    Initially, Venix thought Numan World represented the future of Earth.


    But the more Venix explored Numan World, the more he realized¡ªdespite the high likelihood that Earth would follow a similar trajectory to Numan World¡ªthere were key differences that made him doubt whether Numan World was truly a civilization connected to Earth.


    Although their appearances were identical, who could definitively state that humanity was a unique race born solely on Earth?


    "I understand it''s cruel. If you''re angry or feel otherwise, it''s entirely justified," said Leoric calmly.


    Venix lifted his head, staring at Leoric''s back. "Though cruel, I can somewhat grasp why such actions were taken."


    Leoric offered a faint smile but chose not to elaborate.


    Meanwhile, Venix began piecing together a larger picture from the fragments of information he had gathered.


    Indeed, the enslavement of The Lost Sheep was brutal. Yet, perhaps several decades ago, their situation had been far worse than it was now.


    Given what he knew of the impending Origin Era in the real world, Venix could easily envision the chaos it would bring.


    Currently, in Numan World, it seemed as though they had progressed further and were beginning to stabilize their social and moral structures, moving beyond the chaotic era.


    The elevator doors opened with a soft hiss, revealing a vast chamber that seemed endless.


    The air inside was cold, as though the temperature was meticulously controlled by machines operating beyond the walls.


    In front of Venix stood a massive structure forged from black steel, towering sturdily like an unyielding fortress.


    Its surface gleamed under dim light, reflecting the bluish glint of computer screens scattered around the room.


    At the heart of the building, a large iron door commanded attention¡ªsealed tightly, as if guarding something of immense importance.


    Venix''s gaze swept across the room. Along the building¡¯s outer walls, rows of monitors were neatly arranged, most displaying rapidly flickering data.


    Yet many of the chairs in front of them were vacant, with only six individuals¡ªmen and women¡ªworking diligently, their fingers flying over keyboards.


    Large machines stood silent in the room''s corners, like steadfast sentinels, adding to the cold and mechanical atmosphere.


    "This is the Awaken Hall, where you''ll reside in the future," Leoric said, guiding the two of them further inside.


    Venix and Luna observed their surroundings with curiosity and awe. Luna, in particular, seemed mesmerized by the advanced equipment she had never seen before in her life.


    "The Awaken Hall is fully equipped. It has a library, training facilities, and other amenities to meet the needs of Awaken individuals," Leoric explained. "Unlike the research you conducted with Luna previously, here, you simply need to stay inside, and we can monitor everything clearly. You''re free to do as you please."


    As the three approached the entrance, the men and women overseeing the monitors turned around and greeted them.


    "This is Luna, who will join you later. And this is Venix¡ªa name you''re undoubtedly familiar with," Leoric introduced them.


    The mention of Venix''s name caused the six individuals to immediately change their expressions. Their faces turned serious as they bowed respectfully.


    "Please guide us," they said in unison, catching Venix off guard with their unexpectedly warm reception.


    Startled by their gesture, Venix hastily bowed in return.


    Leoric smiled gently, turning to look at Venix. "Inside, there are six others already. Five of them are Sky Awaken, and one is a Mythic Awaken."


    "Mythic Awaken?" Venix¡¯s face lit up with admiration upon hearing there was a Mythic Awaken inside.


    Leoric nodded softly. "Including you, there will now be two Mythic Awaken here."


    "Two Mythic Awaken? That''s incredible..." Venix''s face showed awe before realization dawned on him. "Wait, you mean me? There will be two Mythic Awaken including me?"


    Pointing at himself with a look of surprise, Venix¡¯s voice wavered slightly. Even Luna appeared shocked, as if this was news to her.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "Your Seed of Vulture has indeed reached Mythic quality. While it can''t compare to a naturally born Mythic Seed Origin, it¡¯s only a matter of time before your Seed of Vulture achieves true Mythic status," Leoric explained with a casual smile.


    Venix turned to Luna, a hint of doubt in his eyes.


    Luna massaged her temples, feeling slightly overwhelmed. She hadn¡¯t realized that Venix''s Seed Origin had reached Mythic quality!


    No wonder Venix held such immense value for the direction of their research!


    Leoric then instructed the staff to open the entrance and escort Venix inside.


    The room was vast, its walls seemingly stretching endlessly. The ceiling was high, adorned with soft lights resembling the glow of morning sunlight.


    It felt unnatural for an underground space¡ªmore like a grand hall hidden from the outside world.


    Leoric guided Venix and Luna through reinforced metal doors, confidently introducing every corner of the room.


    A large gray sofa, a swimming pool, and several relaxation areas created an atmosphere akin to a home.


    The walls were painted pristine white, exuding a sense of spaciousness and tranquility, far removed from the cold and stifling environment typically associated with a prison.


    The air within was warm, carrying a faint aroma of vanilla mixed with cedarwood.


    Leoric paused in front of a small door.


    "This is your room, Venix," Leoric said, opening the door.


    Inside was a neatly made bed, a meditation area, and a digital control panel softly glowing on the wall.


    "If you need anything, just press one of those buttons," Leoric continued, pointing to the illuminated buttons. Each button featured a small icon¡ªa plate of food, an energy drop, and other symbols representing daily necessities.


    Venix nodded, committing the details to memory.


    Leoric then proceeded to show Venix room after room.


    In one, two individuals were engrossed in books within the library. Finally, Leoric led them to another expansive room.


    Opening the door revealed a large training ground.


    "This is the training area," Leoric said, his voice calm yet firm. "As an Awaken, the energy you possess is enough to enhance your body. But without proper training, your physical development will remain limited, preventing you from reaching your maximum potential."


    While Leoric explained, a young man with white hair was practicing in the training ground.


    He wielded a Heavy Club¡ªa massive mace twice the size of his head.


    The white-haired man fought against five training dummies. To Venix¡¯s amazement, despite the mace''s imposing weight, the man¡¯s attacks were lightning-fast! It was as if the mace in his hands were as light as a sword!


    The man¡¯s body moved nimbly from left to right, and as soon as an opportunity arose, he swung his mace at the training dummy, sending it flying a full ten meters with ease!


    "That''s Hokki, the Mythic Awaken I mentioned earlier," Leoric said with a smile on his face.


    In less than a minute, Hokki effortlessly defeated six of the training dummies.


    Afterward, Hokki turned to Leoric and the others, bowing deeply to greet their arrival.


    Leoric nodded slightly before inviting Venix to try out the training area.


    The training dummies here had a maximum strength equivalent to that of a Seedbound. With certain enhancements, they provided excellent training capabilities for both Awaken and Seedbound individuals.


    Leoric explained to Venix how to adjust the dummies'' difficulty level, selecting the Early-Stage Awaken setting.


    Next, they chose their weapons.


    The training area offered a wide variety of weapons, including small daggers typically used by assassins.


    Venix examined the arsenal and decided on a sword.


    Having no prior combat experience, let alone with weapons, Venix chose something he felt somewhat familiar with¡ªbased on depictions he had seen in movies and shows back on Earth.


    Leoric began teaching Venix how to wield an Awaken weapon.


    Weapons in the Numan World were highly advanced, equipped with special cores that linked the wielder¡¯s Seed Origin to the weapon¡¯s Core Crystal. This made channeling their power into the weapon significantly easier.


    After just three minutes of instruction, the sword in Venix¡¯s hand was enveloped in a dark purple energy that resembled the aura of the Seed of Vulture.


    However, the energy surrounding his sword undulated like flowing water and lacked sharpness.


    Leoric reassured him that this was normal and that his proficiency would improve with time.


    Leoric then left the training room, allowing Venix to face the dummy alone. Luna observed quietly from outside.


    Taking a deep breath, Venix felt the weight of the sword in his hand. Swiftly, he lunged at the dummy.


    But in a split second, his blade met only air¡ªthe dummy dodged effortlessly, causing his attack to miss.


    The dummy, armed with a wooden sword, countered by striking Venix¡¯s sword.


    Clang!


    Venix¡¯s grip faltered as if the weapon were too heavy, and the sword flew from his hands.


    The dummy quickly followed up, striking Venix with its wooden sword.


    Thud!


    Venix¡¯s body was flung several meters away, landing flat on his back.


    The dummy ceased its movements as soon as Venix fell.


    For a few seconds, Venix lay there, staring at the lights hanging from the ceiling of the training room.


    "Even with useful techniques, without combat experience¡­ I¡¯ll never become a true Awaken," Venix thought to himself.


    He slowly stood up and retrieved his sword, which lay not far from where he had fallen.


    There was no sign of disappointment on Venix¡¯s face. Despite the mild pain and minor injuries, his expression remained focused, his eyes filled with determination.


    Calmly, he raised his sword again, stepping forward to face the dummy once more.


    And so, the minutes passed.


    Over the next several minutes, Venix managed to land only two exchanges with the dummy, and he still lost each time.


    By now, Venix¡¯s body had grown somewhat numb. The dummy¡¯s wooden sword delivered only basic strikes without added strength, causing him only minor injuries.


    Hokki, observing Venix¡¯s repeated defeats at the hands of the weakest dummy, smirked mockingly.


    After waiting for over five minutes, Leoric and Luna decided to leave, leaving Venix alone in the training room.


    Leoric had already shown Venix around the facilities, and from this point onward, Venix would be staying here.


    Undeterred, Venix continued training with the dummy, ignoring everything else around him.


    Despite constant defeats and beatings from the dummy, Venix did not feel frustrated. On the contrary, he felt exhilarated!


    "If this were real combat, I would¡¯ve died countless times fighting an opponent," Venix thought.


    He began to grasp a harsh truth he couldn¡¯t escape.


    Even with Seedbound-level power¡ªan impressive feat¡ªit meant little if he couldn¡¯t master the art of combat. Without experience, he realized he would always lose and might perish against more skilled foes.


    In that sense, this training was a blessing for Venix¡ªthe one thing he truly needed right now!


    An hour passed swiftly.


    Outside the training room, Master Ardyn had arrived and was speaking to a man dressed in white, resembling a doctor.


    Meanwhile, the monitoring area, previously occupied by only six individuals, now held a larger group.


    They all took their places, carefully observing everyone inside¡ªespecially Venix.


    ¡°Is there truly no other way?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn asked, his brows furrowed as he scanned a document outlining how they were assisting Venix.


    ¡°The boy has already lost his Astral Body. Even with the resources we have, we can only temporarily restore his Astral Body to its final state for another Astral Bond,¡± the man replied solemnly.


    ¡°You mentioned that the Meditation Technique you developed could help his condition?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn asked, his expression grave.


    ¡°At first, we believed so,¡± the man sighed before continuing. ¡°However, this latest Meditation Technique enhances all aspects of the Seed Origin. If he uses it, not only will the Seed of Vulture grow stronger, but so will the Seed of Chaos¡ªpotentially resulting in two fully strengthened Seeds.¡±


    Grandmaster Ardyn closed his eyes and sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯ll prepare everything later. If you think of anything else, report to me immediately.¡±


    The man nodded seriously before returning to his work.


    Grandmaster Ardyn gazed ahead, his vision piercing through the walls obscuring the view, locking directly onto Venix.


    ¡°I hope the Heavenly Scholar Technique can help him progress further,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn murmured softly, clenching his hands tightly.

 Chapter 22

    Venix trained relentlessly for four hours, his body now covered in bruises and purplish-black marks. Every movement felt heavy, his muscles burning, the pain a stark reminder of the intensity of his recent training session.


    Six hours had passed in the Virtual World. Venix decided to return to his room before logging out and going back to the real world.


    Leoric and Luna had left long ago, and Venix realized this an hour ago.


    Upon reaching his room, Venix collapsed onto his bed. His body felt unbearably heavy, as though every muscle was screaming for rest. He lay there helplessly, letting the exhaustion overwhelm him.


    His hands were numb, trembling slightly after struggling to maintain a grip on his sword during the encounter with the Puppet. The pain radiated through his arms, forcing him to clench the sword tighter, leaving his hands completely numb now.


    Venix opened his system interface and navigated to his Inventory.


    Inside, several bottles of Awaken Elixir lay scattered. They shimmered faintly, as though offering a lifeline to counter his overwhelming fatigue.


    These Awaken Elixirs had been transferred by Venix to make them available in the real world. Yet, he could still summon them without restrictions in the Virtual World.


    With his body¡¯s energy entirely depleted, Venix downed one Awaken Elixir in a single gulp and closed his eyes briefly.


    "How was your training, Venix?"


    A voice echoed in Venix¡¯s room, startling him. He jumped off the bed, standing alert.


    When he looked ahead, he saw a familiar figure. It was Grandmaster Ardyn!


    ¡°Hmm? Your reaction is quite sharp,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn remarked, observing Venix with mild surprise. ¡°But tell me, how did you manage to get beaten up by such a weak Puppet?¡±


    Venix fell silent, his mind racing for an answer, but no words came. The silence felt oppressive, weighing on his chest and making him reluctant to speak.


    Gradually, Venix¡¯s tense muscles began to relax.


    He bowed his head respectfully, his exhausted body making the gesture slower than it should have been.


    "Greetings, Grandmaster Ardyn," he said, his voice strained as he tried to mask his weariness.


    "There¡¯s no need for such formalities," Grandmaster Ardyn replied with a smile, waving dismissively. "The Seed of Vulture should give you an edge in direct combat, thanks to its strong instincts."


    Venix pondered the statement for a moment and found it logical.


    He recalled his experience in the Origin Fragment Realm, where his Astral Body merged with the Vulture.


    At that time, Venix felt all the instincts and sensations experienced by the Vulture.


    In general, a Seed Origin grants its user power derived from its essence, with its instincts serving as the foundation of that power. However, Venix hadn¡¯t felt such instincts.


    "Venix doesn¡¯t have an Astral Body, Master. Please keep that in mind," Leoric¡¯s voice sounded from an unseen direction, as if monitoring the conversation.


    Grandmaster Ardyn nodded, as though reminded of this fact. "True, you lack an Astral Body. That explains why your performance is subpar."


    "Hm? Isn¡¯t an Astral Body only used for Meditation Techniques?" Venix asked, his face puzzled.


    "Of course not. That¡¯s just one of its uses. With an Astral Body, you can connect directly to your Seed Origin, allowing you to access its abilities and instincts.


    "Without an Astral Body, you can only manipulate the origin energy within your body, and in a crude manner," Grandmaster Ardyn explained.


    A glint of understanding flashed in Venix¡¯s eyes as he realized the reasoning.


    The Astral Body indeed serves as the primary link between a user and their Seed Origin. Without it, direct connection to the Seed Origin is exceedingly difficult.


    Grandmaster Ardyn shook his head slightly. "That¡¯s not important right now. For the moment, I¡¯ve brought you something."


    Grandmaster Ardyn snapped his fingers, and a green jade stone appeared in mid-air.


    The jade stone floated, moving toward Venix.


    "What is this?" Venix eyed the jade stone with confusion and suspicion. Though it appeared ordinary, something about it held his gaze.


    The jade stone glowed with a soft green light. Its appearance seemed unremarkable, yet as Venix stared, a longing stirred within his soul, as though he were beholding a priceless treasure.


    "This is an extremely valuable technique, Venix," Grandmaster Ardyn said, his face betraying a hint of envy. "So valuable that even I feel slightly jealous seeing you get the chance to learn it."


    Venix slowly reached out and touched the jade stone.


    [Detected: Host has come into contact with a Great Origin Technique.]


    Venix was slightly startled, not expecting the usually silent system to respond upon his touch.


    [Analyzing Great Origin Technique...]


    [99 seals detected, locking the Great Origin Technique.]


    [Host is authorized to unlock seal #33 and access its contents.]


    Venix¡¯s eyes blinked as he noticed the system interface loading, indicating that the process was ongoing.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    [Seal #33 contains the core knowledge necessary to learn the Great Origin Technique.]


    [Assessing the value of the Great Origin Technique...]


    "Have you examined its contents?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked, noticing Venix¡¯s dazed expression.


    Venix quickly snapped out of it and cleared his throat. "I sense this technique is far from ordinary, so I¡¯ll take a closer look first."


    "Of course," Grandmaster Ardyn replied calmly.


    Venix then closed his eyes, accessing the information within the jade stone.


    In truth, he was waiting for the system to finish analyzing the jade stone.


    Accessing the jade stone¡¯s information was akin to using a metallic box to study Meditation Techniques in the past.


    Now, he merely needed to channel his energy into the jade stone, and the information stored within it would flow into his mind.


    Three minutes later, the system notification he awaited finally appeared.


    [Great Origin Technique: Heavenly Scholar Technique has been fully analyzed.]


    [The knowledge contained within cannot be freely distributed or copied to another object.]


    [Host has access to the core of the Great Origin Technique.]


    [Would you like to store the entire contents of the Great Origin Technique in your memory?]


    Seeing the system interface, Venix¡¯s heart trembled.


    Store the entire Great Origin Technique in his memory!?


    Just from the system¡¯s response, Venix knew this technique was extraordinary¡ªsomething only the most exceptional individuals could create!


    "Store the entire contents of the Great Origin Technique!" Venix declared eagerly in his mind.


    [95,000 Resource Points are required to store the technique¡¯s contents in the Host¡¯s soul. Proceed?]


    "95,000!? That much!?" Venix was utterly shocked by the cost.


    He had only ever spent 2 Resource Points to transfer Awaken Elixirs to his Inventory and summon them in the real world.


    This was a steep price. However, Venix felt it was worth it!


    He still had 100,000 Resource Points, leaving 5,000 for other purposes.


    "Proceed!" he instructed in his mind.


    [95,000 Resource Points have been used. Extracting the contents of the Technique is in progress.]


    [Time remaining until the process is complete = 5 Hours : 46 Minutes : 57 Seconds]


    Venix watched as his Resource Points dwindled rapidly, leaving only 5,000 points.


    He exhaled heavily, as if he had just stolen classified information from a nation.


    Opening his eyes, Venix took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. His face betrayed an attempt at composure, even though he knew deep down that he had undertaken something monumental and risky.


    ¡°How is it? Is that Technique difficult to learn?¡± asked Grandmaster Ardyn curiously.


    Venix scratched his head, realizing he hadn''t fully focused on the information flooding into his mind.


    ¡°Of course, this Technique is incredibly difficult. I might need a long time to study it gradually,¡± Venix replied after pondering for a moment.


    Grandmaster Ardyn nodded. ¡°Study the Technique well. This is something Old Orion gave to you.¡±


    ¡°Orion? Grandmaster Orion? The one who foresaw the Seed of Chaos?¡± Venix asked, his expression shifting.


    ¡°Correct. That¡¯s him. This Technique has reached the Great Origin level. If you can fully master it, you¡¯ll become extraordinary! Of course, not as strong as me,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn said confidently.


    Venix looked at Grandmaster Ardyn with doubt.


    Honestly, even someone like Grandmaster Ardyn seemed to desire this Technique. If that was the case, wasn¡¯t this Technique immensely powerful and exceptional, even for someone of Ardyn¡¯s caliber?


    Sensing Venix¡¯s hesitation, Grandmaster Ardyn smirked. ¡°The Heavenly Scholar Technique isn¡¯t specifically designed for combat but focuses on enhancing one¡¯s comprehension when studying or creating new Techniques.¡±


    Venix¡¯s eyes lit up at this revelation.


    ¡°The Heavenly Scholar Technique is incredibly powerful, at least in supporting someone¡¯s growth. Grandmaster Orion has always been ahead of all Primecore in matters of Origin Techniques. However, in terms of combat strength, no one compares to me, of course.¡± Grandmaster Ardyn chuckled as he said this.


    Venix smiled faintly but still harbored lingering doubts.


    ¡°Why would Grandmaster Orion help me and give me this Technique to study alone?¡± Venix asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Of course, because he supports our current research,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn replied, then continued, ¡°If we succeed, not only will we eliminate the threat of the Seed of Chaos, but you will also become a pillar of strength in this world¡¯s future.¡±


    Venix considered this and found it reasonable.


    Grandmaster Ardyn gave a faint smile, then pulled out a ring from within his robe and tossed it to Venix.


    Venix swiftly caught the ring.


    ¡°This ring contains various Origin resources, like Awaken Elixirs and others, which can replenish your energy.


    ¡°I¡¯ve also included many Techniques you desire within it. However, for now, they are only at the Earth level. More advanced Techniques will come later,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn said calmly.


    Hearing this, Venix¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement!


    Finally, what he needed was here!


    ¡°Your situation is quite unique, so you just need to naturally develop the second Origin Fragment Realm until the second Seed Origin is born,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn said seriously. ¡°Since this process is automatic and your Seed of Vulture is more than sufficient to complete it, you can focus on whatever you wish, whether training or something else.¡±


    ¡°I will do my best,¡± Venix replied after thinking for a moment.


    ¡°Just make sure to keep your energy reserves sufficient for yourself and avoid accelerating the birth of the second Seed Origin,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn reminded him, then added, ¡°What we need is time to gradually find a solution.¡±


    Venix nodded, understanding.


    After that, the two conversed for several minutes before Grandmaster Ardyn took his leave.


    Before leaving, Grandmaster Ardyn hesitated slightly, then turned back to Venix and asked,


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need a woman to warm your bed?¡±


    Venix¡¯s mouth twitched.


    ¡°No!¡± Venix firmly refused.


    ¡°No need to worry. You have privacy features in your room. Just press this button, and all cameras and surveillance devices will be disabled, so no one can monitor you,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn said, pointing at a button.


    Venix shook his head vehemently. ¡°No, no need.¡±


    ¡°If you manage to bring forth life through one of the women, it will contribute to this world. A virgin man has a higher chance of creating new life,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn said.


    ¡°No!¡± Venix¡¯s face turned sour.


    If he truly had a child in this Virtual World, it would be a nightmare! Venix still wanted to pursue romantic relationships in the real world, even having children. However, he didn¡¯t want to spend his first experience in the Virtual World on such matters!


    Grandmaster Ardyn tried harder. ¡°I could also send in men to¡ª¡±


    ¡°No! I need nothing, and I will ask for nothing else!¡± Venix¡¯s face turned pale.


    While same-gender relationships were accepted in the real world, Venix was not among those who embraced them.


    Grandmaster Ardyn sighed in regret and finally left Venix alone in his room.


    After Grandmaster Ardyn departed, Venix sat on his bed, feeling a cold sweat soaking his body.


    Outside the research room, Grandmaster Ardyn encountered odd stares from Luna and Leoric, among others.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn asked, annoyed.


    Everyone hurriedly diverted their gazes, not daring to meet his eyes.


    Only Leoric mustered the courage to speak.


    ¡°Master... why would you propose such a thing to Venix? How does that relate to the research?¡± Leoric asked, curious.


    ¡°Look at your age, Leoric. You still don¡¯t understand these things,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn said, shaking his head. ¡°Experiences like that are invaluable and never dull. If Venix finds satisfaction in such experiences, he¡¯ll work harder to succeed in the experiment.


    ¡°Even if one of the women bears Venix¡¯s child, it would be a tremendous boon! Venix would surely strive with all his might to witness his own child¡¯s birth!¡±


    Leoric stared at Grandmaster Ardyn, dumbfounded.


    Not only Leoric but everyone else also wore varied expressions, as though Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s logic made a strange kind of sense.


    Psychologically, it could indeed provide Venix with higher motivation to work harder!


    Though the effect might be small, it was invaluable in such a dire situation!


    Grandmaster Ardyn felt pleased as he observed everyone analyzing his earlier suggestion.


    Meanwhile, Venix, resting in his room, suddenly felt a chill down his spine, shivering violently.


    ¡°Is the Seed of Chaos already gaining dominance in the second Origin Fragment Realm?¡± Venix muttered softly, his body trembling in fear.

 Chapter 23

    After completing all his business in the Numan World, Venix returned to the real world.


    In his room, Venix slowly opened his eyes.


    At that moment, the phone beside him vibrated intensely.


    Frowning, Venix picked up his phone and saw that Ronan was calling.


    Answering the call, the line connected immediately.


    "Where have you been!? What are you doing!? I''ve been calling you so many times!" Ronan''s voice was loud, forcing Venix to hold the phone away from his ear slightly.


    Venix forced a wry smile on his face, his soft voice sounding slightly awkward. "I fell asleep earlier, so I didn''t realize you were calling."


    "You¡¯ve been sleeping a lot this past week. Is something wrong with your body?" Ronan asked worriedly.


    Sitting on his bed, Venix checked his own body.


    It felt a bit stiff, but otherwise, everything seemed fine.


    "There''s nothing wrong with my body. I''m fine," Venix replied.


    "Could it be a sign that you''re about to become an Awaken?" Ronan asked cautiously.


    "Hm?" Venix''s heart stirred instantly!


    He began recalling the events that had just occurred.


    Previously, Ronan had been at the Police Department, and it was highly likely that Ronan had become an Awaken!


    Venix rubbed his temples rather hard. Too many things had happened today, making it easy for him to forget important matters.


    Since Ronan mentioned "Awaken," it meant Ronan had indeed become one! Perhaps he had even reached the Seedbound level!


    "I''m on my way home. Wait for me; I''ll explain everything to you!" Ronan said quickly before hanging up the call.


    After ending the call, Ronan, who was on his way, began to think: "Venix has been sleeping a lot lately... What¡¯s wrong with him? I know the world is changing, but I don¡¯t want to lose him in all this chaos."


    Ronan continued his journey, feeling increasingly worried about Venix.


    Meanwhile, in his dorm room, Venix let out a heavy sigh. "I hope Grandmaster Ardyn works quickly, and I can get the Teleportation Crystal."


    Venix planned to give each of his friends a Teleportation Crystal to use in critical situations.


    He then opened his system and accessed his Inventory.


    Currently, within his Inventory was a metallic box containing an Origin Technique!


    "One Earth Technique costs 50 Resource Points to store in the Inventory," Venix said with a heavy breath.


    His remaining Resource Points were only 5,000¡ªa significantly reduced amount.


    Consuming 50 Resource Points, Venix retrieved the Technique into the real world.


    "Mortal Cloak Technique. With this, I can stay calm when facing other Awaken," Venix said softly.


    This was only a temporary solution to conceal his identity as an Awaken.


    At least for now, Venix had no intention of revealing his identity as an Awaken to others.


    "Ronan is also an Awaken, but he probably hasn¡¯t learned Awaken Techniques and can¡¯t see the aura of other Awaken yet," Venix muttered softly.


    If Ronan found out, so be it. As long as this information didn¡¯t reach the Police Department, Venix would be fine.


    With that, Venix began studying the Mortal Cloak Technique seriously.


    In just ten minutes, Venix had memorized the Technique in its entirety.


    Memorizing the content of the Technique was much easier. Mastering the Technique itself, however, was the challenging part.


    Closing his eyes, Venix immediately attempted to execute the Mortal Cloak Technique.


    Due to his lack of an Astral Body, Venix''s control over the Seed of Vulture was significantly weaker.


    Nevertheless, thanks to their bond, even without an Astral Body, the Vulture cooperated remarkably well with Venix.


    Using his mind, Venix guided the Vulture to spread and control energy throughout his body.


    The Vulture then created a thin layer of energy enveloping Venix''s body, like a cloak concealing his aura.


    Once the layer fully covered his body, the next step was to suppress the aura of the Seed Origin that leaked from his body.


    This was a bit tricky, akin to removing oil clinging to the skin.


    Slowly but surely, Venix''s aura was suppressed, no longer seeping out from his body.


    The aura was only slightly restrained, making it invisible externally. However, if a more experienced Awaken appeared, such a simple trick would be easily detected.


    Venix slowly opened his eyes, surprised at how smoothly the process went.


    "I didn¡¯t expect¡­ it¡¯s even easier than I thought. Is it because the Seed of Vulture is so compatible with this Technique?" he murmured, his voice almost inaudible.


    Each Origin Technique had a certain compatibility with the user¡¯s Seed Origin.


    For instance, with a Fire Technique, if Venix''s Seed Origin were water-based, while he might still be able to use the Fire Technique, manifesting it would be far more difficult.


    Venix stood from his bed and looked in the mirror.


    No trace of the Seed Origin¡¯s aura was visible on his body, signifying the Technique¡¯s success.


    "The Technique worked¡­ but am I strong enough to survive? Or even protect others? I¡¯m just one of many Awaken, and somehow, this world feels larger and more terrifying," Venix sighed emotionally.


    Then, after mastering the Mortal Cloak Technique, something dawned on him.


    "It seems I can learn this Technique in the Virtual World without transferring it to the real world, can¡¯t I?" Venix rubbed his chin thoughtfully, feeling a twinge of regret.


    He hadn¡¯t expected the process to be far easier than anticipated and not as time-consuming.


    Returning to his bed, Venix picked up his phone to check the latest news.


    Before he could start browsing, the door to his dorm room opened, and Ronan entered.


    Venix raised his head and looked at Ronan.


    "You¡­ What happened to you!?" Venix''s heart trembled as he stood up abruptly.


    Ronan¡¯s face was bruised, and both his hands were wrapped in bandages.


    Ronan waved his hand casually, his face showing a hint of excitement. "I just did some training. It¡¯s nothing."


    Venix regarded Ronan quietly. Through his eyes, he could see a fiery red aura enveloping Ronan, confirming Ronan¡¯s identity as an Awaken.


    Although he had already guessed it, Venix sighed inwardly.


    "Hmm¡­ You really aren¡¯t an Awaken," Ronan said, his gaze fixed on Venix.


    "Awaken? What¡¯s that? And anyway, what on earth happened to you?" Venix asked, mixing his lies with genuine concern.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Ronan¡¯s lips curled into a smile. "You wouldn¡¯t believe it, but superpowers have arrived in our era!"


    Ronan spoke with visible excitement.


    "What superpowers?" Venix asked, maintaining his feigned ignorance.


    "Look at this!" Ronan said, raising his right hand into the air.


    Ronan¡¯s empty hand rose into the air. With a swift motion, a blazing streak of red fire erupted from his palm, creating a surge of heat that vibrated through the surrounding air.


    Fwoosh!


    Venix¡¯s pupils contracted in shock. This was the first time he had witnessed an Awaken in real life displaying their power.


    "You¡­" Venix muttered bitterly.


    It was because he could feel the vibrations enveloping him, making his chest feel tight. The power radiating from Ronan was like a searing flame ready to consume, far beyond anything he could ever hope to muster.


    If this fire were to strike him, Venix was certain he wouldn¡¯t survive¡ªhe¡¯d be gravely injured, if not outright destroyed.


    "Look at this! Isn¡¯t it amazing, Venix? I can feel the power at my fingertips, like I could change everything with just one tiny move. I wonder¡­ how far can I push this? Incredible, isn¡¯t it!?" Ronan exclaimed enthusiastically.


    "Venix, this world is changing¡ªheading toward a new era! An era far brighter than anything before!"


    Venix stared at Ronan, his gaze dazed.


    A brighter era? Venix feared this marked the beginning of Earth¡¯s collapse, potentially mirroring the fate of Numan World, trapping its inhabitants within their own domain.


    Moments later, Ronan began explaining everything he knew about the Awaken to Venix.


    Though Venix had already been aware of the Origin Era beforehand, he wasn¡¯t particularly surprised when Ronan confirmed Earth was now entering the Origin Era.


    Not only Earth, but Mars, Europia, and Titania had also simultaneously entered the Origin Era¡ªor so Ronan told him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not allowed to share this information freely. However, Captain Jasper made an exception for new recruits. We can inform close friends, family, and loved ones about it,¡± Ronan said proudly.


    "What about Rael? Does he know?" Venix asked calmly.


    "I¡¯ve already told him. But what¡¯s with your reaction? You¡¯re so much calmer than Rael! Even Rael, who usually keeps his composure, was utterly shocked and jumped around like a monkey!" Ronan said, dissatisfied.


    ¡°I¡­ My brain¡¯s just processing things a bit slowly?¡± Venix replied hesitantly, trying to excuse himself.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been sleeping too much, you know that?¡± Ronan shot Venix a serious look. ¡°Rael and I actually thought you might become an Awaken because of how weird you¡¯ve been acting lately.¡±


    ¡°If I became an Awaken, the first thing I¡¯d probably do is steal some money!¡± Venix declared bluntly.


    Ronan nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought at first too. But apparently, there¡¯s already a network of Awaken preparing, waiting for the Origin Era to arrive.¡±


    Ronan then introduced Captain Jasper and the Police Department to Venix.


    He recounted all that had transpired and revealed that at least half of humanity was expected to awaken, meaning Venix himself would most likely become an Awaken too!


    ¡°Captain Jasper has Origin Techniques and many other resources that can help us! I¡¯ve already recommended you, Rael, and my family in case they awaken. The Captain will accept all of us into his ranks,¡± Ronan said enthusiastically.


    Venix narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing something was off.


    ¡°Hurry, pack your things! We have to move closer to the Captain¡¯s headquarters!¡± Ronan said, his tone still brimming with excitement.


    ¡°Hm? Now?¡± Venix asked hesitantly, his gaze fixed on Ronan.


    ¡°Of course! There¡¯ll be tons of people awakening! When that happens, chaos will¡ª¡±


    Ronan hadn¡¯t finished speaking when a massive wave of force slammed into their building.


    Venix had sensed it a split second earlier, his body tensing. But Ronan¡ªa Seedbound¡ªfelt it even more intensely.


    BOOM!!!


    The explosion struck with a force that shook Venix to his core, as if the world had flipped upside down in an instant. Tremors shook the ground beneath them, making the air heavy and stifling with heat.


    The building quaked violently, as though caught in the throes of an earthquake.


    Ronan¡¯s face turned pale. Venix, equally stunned, widened his eyes but remained speechless.


    The blast deafened them both, erasing the world¡¯s sounds and leaving only a piercing, oppressive ringing. For a full minute, they heard nothing.


    When the ringing finally subsided, Venix shook Ronan by the shoulders, his voice high-pitched.


    "What happened!?" Venix demanded, panicked.


    Ronan shook his head, his face ashen, his eyes wide with fear.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Ronan¡¯s body trembled, his breaths ragged as though he had just run hundreds of kilometers.


    Meanwhile, Venix¡¯s heart pounded like a war drum. Tension surged through his body, and the Seed of Vulture within him stirred violently, as though warning him of a greater danger.


    Without hesitation, Venix darted toward the door. His hand trembled as it gripped the handle, but he didn¡¯t care. Ronan, after taking a deep breath to steady himself, hurriedly followed.


    It was already midday when Venix stepped outside. Far in the distance, he could see a mushroom-shaped plume of smoke rising into the sky.


    The sight made Venix¡¯s heart twist with dread and turmoil.


    Ronan, a few seconds behind Venix, also caught sight of the towering smoke.


    He stared at it, his body trembling. Moments ago, he had felt invincible. But now, fear crept into him, extinguishing his fiery enthusiasm.


    "That¡¯s¡­" Ronan swallowed hard, his body quaking uncontrollably.


    Venix turned back and shouted, "Go now! Get your family to safety!"


    Ronan looked at Venix with worry. ¡°But what about you¡­?¡±


    ¡°I can take care of myself!¡± Venix snapped. ¡°Bring Rael, too!¡±


    Ronan hesitated, torn. But despite his concern for Venix, his family¡¯s safety took precedence.


    ¡°Go quickly!¡± Venix urged again.


    Gritting his teeth, Ronan leapt into action, moving swiftly.


    ¡°Meet me at the Police Department!¡± Ronan shouted as he ran.


    Venix nodded in acknowledgment.


    Once Ronan was gone, Venix turned his attention toward the falling missile.


    "That area... it looks like a forest area..." Venix murmured softly.


    Venix wanted to pack some essentials he might need before running away to hide. However, before he could do so, he noticed something unusual.


    Looking around, Venix realized that plants and a tree had rapidly grown in the area surrounding his school.


    "When did they grow that big!?" Venix cursed in his heart.


    Less than a day since the Era Origin began, and chaos seemed to be approaching at an alarming rate!


    "Luna said there were Dragons in the Era Origin as well..." Venix pondered, and his sense of foreboding deepened.


    Who said the Era Origin would only grant power to humans? What if every living being within it¡ªplants or animals¡ªalso received the Origin blessing?


    Venix stared at the plants growing rapidly, their roots piercing the ground with unnatural force. The trees, once ordinary, now exuded an unfamiliar and menacing aura, as if they had not just grown but awakened.


    Quickly thinking, Venix muttered, "This is more than just a normal change. These plants... they carry something primal, something we¡¯ve never had before. I realize now, the power of the Origin isn¡¯t a blessing solely for humans¡ªit¡¯s for all living creatures!"


    "This is very bad!"


    Venix rushed back to his room in a panic.


    Grabbing his bag, Venix stuffed it with a set of simple clothes and any food he could find.


    As he exited his room, Venix hurried toward the school gate.


    To his surprise, there were already many people and even students running frantically ahead of him.


    Grrrrr~


    A low growl echoed, sending an uncontrollable shiver down Venix''s spine.


    Beside him, Venix was startled to see a large tiger-striped cat entering one of the classrooms.


    Its movements were graceful, yet its glowing eyes radiated a threat toward the three men and two women standing in the corner of the room.


    "No! Mimiw! Don¡¯t come any closer!" one of the women begged desperately, her hands outstretched, trying to stop the predator''s advance.


    But the large cat ignored the woman¡¯s cries. Its body crouched low, its tail whipping the floor with a sharp whap-whap. Then, in an instant, it pounced toward them!


    Slash!


    The cat¡¯s sharp claws tore through the air at lightning speed, slashing into one of the men.


    With a single strike, his body was torn apart, blood spurting violently across the floor.


    A piercing scream filled the room, followed by the heavy thud! of the man¡¯s body hitting the ground.


    Blood pooled on the tiles as the large cat stood there, its claws drenched in red.


    Venix''s eyes widened in shock at the scene unfolding before him. His breathing grew heavy, and a wave of nausea swept over him as he watched.


    A thought suddenly emerged in Venix¡¯s mind: "I can¡¯t let this continue. This world is turning into something I no longer recognize. I must become stronger, faster! Otherwise, I¡¯ll just end up as another victim."


    Venix felt guilty watching the carnage. For some reason, he felt like he should have been able to do more!


    A powerful desire arose within Venix¡ªa yearning to reach greater strength!


    The Vulture residing within Venix¡¯s soul sensed his overwhelming emotions, filled with anger and intense guilt.


    Suddenly, the Vulture¡¯s eyes opened wide.


    Simultaneously, Venix¡¯s eyes, once dark black, turned a shadowy purple, radiating a dark, chilling aura.


    In an instant, Venix felt immense power surging through his body, a force he could control at will. The emotions weighing him down were replaced by a dominant battle instinct.


    With a slight movement, dark purple energy enveloped his hands, forming razor-sharp claws that looked lethally dangerous.


    Now, Vulture and Venix had become one. Without an Astral Body, such a state should have been impossible.


    Yet, their merging created an inseparable bond.


    Venix could feel the Vulture''s rage perfectly blending with his own emotions. There were no more boundaries between them; they had become a single entity. Together, they were unstoppable.


    Fueled by burning anger, Venix launched himself forward. His attack targeted the large cat, his energy-infused claws slashing with full force.


    The large cat was startled and enraged by the sudden assault. However, Venix¡¯s energy claws easily pierced through its body, tearing its flesh apart with brutal precision.


    The cat let out a cry of pain, but Venix didn¡¯t stop. He continued his relentless onslaught, ensuring the creature had no chance to fight back.


    Flesh and blood flew everywhere. The cat''s body was shredded beyond recognition. It didn¡¯t stand a chance of surviving.


    A minute passed.


    Slowly, Venix regained his composure. The Vulture¡¯s energy surrounding him had dissipated, leaving him utterly exhausted from the excessive energy usage.


    He looked down at the mangled remains of the large cat¡ªa mutilation too horrific to describe. Fresh blood covered the room, its metallic scent saturating the air.


    Confusion clouded Venix''s mind. He tried to process what had just happened, but his consciousness seemed stuck in the flood of rage from moments earlier.


    His eyes shifted to the corner of the room.


    There, four of his fellow students stood trembling, staring at him with expressions of sheer terror. Their faces were pale, clearly traumatized by what they had just witnessed.


    ¡°Th-Thank you¡­¡±


    A soft, trembling voice came from one of them, a girl standing at the front. Her eyes were filled with tears, a mixture of confusion and fear. Although her lips expressed gratitude, her gaze betrayed shock at seeing Venix.


    Venix opened his mouth, attempting to respond, but before he could say a word, a loud rumble echoed from the distance.


    WHOOSH!


    A missile shot through the school ceiling. With tremendous force, it struck the floor of the room they were in.


    BOOM!!!


    A deafening explosion obliterated everything. Blinding light filled the room, followed by an unbearable wave of heat. The entire classroom was engulfed in flames.


    Venix¡¯s body was thrown violently against the wall. His vision blurred, and his ears could only register a piercing ringing. Dimly, he saw the shadows of the four students breaking apart, their bodies shattered into tiny fragments by the force of the blast.


    Amid the thunderous roar and consuming fire, Venix felt his own body beginning to disintegrate. His skin burned as the flames devoured him to the bone.


    At that moment, he realized his body was slowly dissolving, like wax melting in the searing heat of hellfire.

 Chapter 24

    Flames engulfed the entire city, thick smoke billowing upward into dark clouds that loomed ominously in the sky. There had been no warning signs that such a catastrophe would strike today. Everything happened so suddenly.


    Fighter jets roared across the skies, their wings gleaming as they reflected the faint light piercing through the smoke. The planes were familiar in design, their bodies emblazoned with logos that unmistakably marked them as allies. Yet, despite being from the same side, destruction was inevitable.


    A bright red laser shot through the air, striking one of the jets and causing it to explode instantly.


    Boom!


    The aircraft disintegrated into fragments, which rained down to the ground below.


    Above the chaos, a man wreathed in flames floated steadily in the air. The fiery aura surrounding him illuminated his figure, making him appear almost otherworldly. Using his blazing power like rocket propulsion, he launched bursts of fire from his hands to maintain his position.


    His face was tense, his lips tightly pressed, and his brows furrowed sharply. Eyes that were once calm now glowed intensely, filled with fire that seemed to erupt from within him. Every breath he took felt like embers igniting, consuming every other emotion he might have felt.


    The man was Ronan, who had just ensured his family¡¯s safety before returning to the battlefield. He hovered in the air, gazing at a distant school¡ªhis old school, a place that had witnessed many pivotal moments in his life.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be... it can¡¯t...¡± Ronan murmured, his voice trembling as his eyes turned red. His body shook, overwhelmed by a crushing wave of guilt.


    The school was now a skeleton of its former self. Once-strong and towering walls had crumbled into heaps of debris strewn across the dust-covered ground. Flames still licked at the ruins, reducing the remnants to ash that scattered in the wind.


    With a heavy chest, Ronan shot toward the ruins of the school.


    The world around him seemed to blur; only the sound of the wind roared in his ears. He accelerated, ignoring the frantic calls from his comrades below.


    ¡°Ronan! What are you doing? Get back in formation, now!¡± a sharp, urgent voice pierced through the din of the ongoing battle.


    But Ronan ignored it. He clenched his jaw, his heart refusing to stop. His gaze remained fixed ahead.


    Without warning, a shadow shot past him. Ronan barely had time to register the sudden surge of heat before a powerful force struck him from behind.


    Thwack!


    The impact sent him reeling, throwing off his balance and knocking the air from his lungs.


    ¡°The mission is more important,¡± a cold, emotionless voice declared.


    In front of him, Lucy hovered calmly, her sharp eyes delivering a wordless warning.


    ¡°Move!¡± Ronan shouted, his fists blazing with roaring flames. The air around him shimmered with heat, stinging the skin.


    But Lucy calmly raised her hand, deflecting the attack as if it were nothing. With a swift motion, she struck Ronan in the abdomen.


    Thud!


    Ronan''s body doubled over as pain shot through him. He gasped, his eyes wide, saliva spilling from his mouth.


    ¡°This is your final warning,¡± Lucy said coldly, her tone sharp. ¡°Until the mission is complete, no one is allowed to leave. If you care about your family, you know the risks of disobeying this order.¡±


    Ronan staggered, clutching his stomach. Though his body was weakened, his eyes still burned with hatred.


    ¡°Are you... threatening me?¡± Ronan rasped, his voice barely audible.


    ¡°Get back in formation.¡± Lucy ignored the question. With a swift, hard kick, she sent Ronan hurtling to the ground.


    Bam!


    Crash!


    The earth quaked as his body slammed into the ground, leaving a small crater at the impact site. Ronan coughed, blood dripping from his lips.


    Above him, Lucy stared down with an emotionless expression. She scoffed before returning to her position in the formation.


    For her, discipline was paramount. If Ronan continued to defy orders, she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to use force again.


    ---


    Elsewhere, Jasper sat at his desk, his face pale, eyes wide with shock. A video call was connected, and panic replaced his usual calm demeanor.


    On the screen, the stern face of Lord Asori was clearly visible. A middle-aged man with white hair framing both sides of his face, Lord Asori exuded an undeniable aura of authority. Each line on his face seemed to tell of hidden wisdom.


    ¡°Lord Asori, what¡¯s happening? Why are fighter jets attacking the city?¡± Jasper asked, his voice trembling with worry.


    ¡°The smoke of war has begun to rise,¡± Lord Asori replied gravely. ¡°Prepare yourself.¡±


    ¡°War?¡± Jasper¡¯s body trembled.


    ¡°Yes. Not just in your city, but across the world. A sudden offensive has begun. Nuclear weapons have been launched. Five major cities have already been destroyed by nuclear blasts.¡±


    ¡°Five major cities...¡± Jasper repeated, stunned, his face ashen with disbelief.


    Even though he was a Rootbound, a nuclear weapon was absolute death for him.


    ¡°The world¡¯s major powers are making their move,¡± Lord Asori continued. ¡°\*\*They¡¯re targeting strategic locations, including pre-identified nuclear facilities. We don¡¯t know the full scale yet, but one thing is certain¡ªwar has begun. Many are exploiting this chaos to eliminate rivals and strike at me through you.\*\*¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Those words echoed in Jasper¡¯s mind, a looming shadow of imminent danger.


    ¡°Mobilize your forces,¡± Lord Asori commanded. ¡°Use every resource at your disposal. In six hours, I want you to form a full formation and launch a counterattack on Dormu¡¯s territory.¡±


    Jasper nodded slowly. ¡°Understood, Lord Asori. I will follow your orders.¡±


    The call ended. Jasper rose from his chair, his expression grim.


    ¡°Bring the woman named Jiyu here,¡± Jasper instructed two subordinates standing by the door. ¡°It¡¯s time she serves her purpose.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The two immediately left to carry out the order.


    ---


    Outside, hundreds of Seedbound from various power levels had gathered around the secret headquarters of the Police Department.


    These Seedbound were tasked with defending the city against enemy attacks, and their coordination rendered the enemy fighter jets¡¯ assaults futile.


    Enemy jets were shot down with ease, their missiles destroyed mid-air before they could strike the ground.


    Having returned to the formation after his encounter with Lucy, Ronan watched the scene with mixed emotions. He had known this secret base housed many Seedbound, but he had never imagined their numbers would be so vast.


    The hidden base lay underground in an isolated forest area¡ªthe very site the enemy had first attacked with a massive explosion.


    Through precise formation and coordination, the Seedbound had rendered the enemy jets powerless, destroying them one by one.


    Ronan surveyed the battlefield once more. The air reeked of gunpowder and dust, obscuring his view. Yet he couldn¡¯t ignore the reality before him¡ªhundreds of Seedbound standing united as one.


    They had just repelled the largest assault Ronan had ever witnessed, their combined strength keeping the city from falling.


    The explosions echoed in his mind. But now, only silence remained.


    Ronan took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly.


    "This is only the beginning," Ronan thought, his eyes fixed on the sky turning crimson under the fading light of dusk.


    For now, everything was quiet. Too quiet.


    The sky gradually darkened. Dozens of fighter jets had been destroyed, and the assault had ceased for the moment.


    The situation felt marginally safer. A few Awaken had been assigned to guard the city outskirts, tasked with reporting any incoming attacks.


    Finally, Ronan could afford a brief rest, even if only for a short while.


    His body was battered, his emotions in tatters. Yet, he forced himself to remain upright.


    With heavy steps, he made his way to a large building that had become a temporary refuge for survivors.


    The building was packed. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people crammed inside, seeking safety amidst the chaos. And this was just one of many such shelters scattered across the city.


    Ronan stood at the threshold, his heart heavy as he surveyed the scene inside. Cries pierced the silence, an expression of profound sorrow.


    Pale, despairing faces met his gaze, each one bearing untold stories of loss.


    In a corner of the room, a little girl sat alone. She clutched a half-burned doll tightly, as if it were the last link to the world she once knew. Her vacant eyes stared ahead, as if her soul had sunk into darkness she could not comprehend. Her hands gripped the doll more tightly, seeking warmth that no longer existed.


    Ronan took a deep breath, but the air felt heavy in his lungs. The sight pierced his heart, evoking a sadness he had never before experienced.


    Not long ago, he had confidently told Venix of a brighter future¡ªa future where this world would rise stronger than ever.


    Yet here, surrounded by a sea of grief and despair, reality hit him like a tidal wave.


    Perhaps the truth was this: a more chaotic era was unfolding.


    Ronan stepped deeper into the building, trying to block out the sights and sounds around him. He had one goal: to find his own family.


    After several minutes of anxious searching, he finally spotted them.


    His mother lay weakly atop a thin stack of blankets; her cough was hoarse and labored. Beside her, his younger sister, Nina, clung to their mother¡¯s hand, her face unable to hide her fear.


    In another corner, Rael sat cooking over a portable stove. His movements were slow, almost mechanical, as though his mind was elsewhere.


    The sight struck Ronan like a blow to the chest¡ªa pain he couldn¡¯t put into words. He took a deep breath, steeled himself, and stepped closer.


    "Mother..." Ronan crouched beside her, his eyes scanning every detail, from the cold sweat on her brow to her labored breaths.


    "What happened, Nina?" he asked, striving to maintain his composure.


    Nina lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I... I don¡¯t know! She suddenly struggled to breathe after the explosions kept coming."


    Hearing this, Ronan clenched his jaw. He turned away, his teeth grinding in frustration, cursing their predicament. This world was utterly broken.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Venix?¡± Rael¡¯s voice suddenly cut through the air, sharp and abrupt, breaking the tense silence. His hands froze, no longer stirring the pot.


    Ronan stiffened. The question felt like a blade to his chest. He shook his head slowly, unable to meet Rael¡¯s gaze.


    "You don¡¯t know where he is?" Rael pressed, his tone more urgent this time.


    Ronan finally replied in a low voice, "One of the jets¡­ fired a missile. It hit the school."


    Rael¡¯s face turned pale.


    "What¡­" Rael stammered, his voice barely audible. "Are you¡­ sure?"


    Ronan closed his eyes, trying to calm the guilt gnawing at him. "If I had stayed calm, I might have been able to save Venix."


    Rael gripped his knees tightly, unable to speak. Memories of childhood with Venix flooded his mind, and the loss felt like a gaping hole opening within him.


    Ronan recalled the last moments he¡¯d spent with Venix, the moment he had to leave him behind.


    If only he hadn¡¯t panicked, Ronan thought, he might have taken Venix with him, instead of abandoning him at the school dormitory.


    That guilt rooted itself deeply in Ronan¡¯s heart.


    "Rael..." Ronan tried to speak, but no words could convey what he felt.


    Rael patted Ronan¡¯s shoulder gently, cutting off his unspoken sentence.


    "This chaos came so suddenly. There was nothing you could have done," Rael said, attempting a calm smile, though his eyes betrayed the pain he felt.


    Rael returned to his cooking, seeking distraction. But Ronan knew better. Behind the calm facade, Rael was concealing profound sorrow.


    Rael and Venix had been friends since childhood, surviving hardships together as orphans. Losing Venix in the midst of this turmoil felt like losing a part of himself.


    If only Rael had become an Awaken earlier, perhaps he could have done something to save Venix.


    Perhaps¡­ Venix would be here now, still with them.


    In silence, Rael continued cooking. Ronan chose not to say anything more.


    Ten minutes later, the food was ready. Rael distributed small portions to everyone.


    Ronan took his share, eating slowly despite the guilt that still haunted him. Beside him, Nina patiently fed their mother small bites, ensuring she gained strength, even if just from a few morsels.


    Rael, on the other hand, ate quickly and silently. Within minutes, his plate was empty. Without a word, he stood, his movements stiff and unnatural.


    "Where are you going?" Ronan asked, concern clear in his tone.


    Rael shook his head slightly, avoiding Ronan¡¯s gaze. "Just stepping outside. I need some air."


    Without waiting for a response, Rael walked toward the exit.


    Ronan turned to Nina. "Can you manage Mother on your own for a while?"


    Nina nodded, though her expression revealed slight anxiety. "It¡¯s fine. You must have something more important to do. I¡¯ll take care of her."


    "Thank you. I won¡¯t be long."


    Ronan stood, leaving the rest of his meal for Nina, and followed Rael outside.


    The night air bit at his skin. The eerie silence of the city was broken only by the rustle of leaves in the wind. Ronan quickened his pace, scanning the distance for Rael.


    He found him at the edge of a guardrail, his body slightly hunched, staring at the dark ground below.


    Ronan approached quietly.


    "I never thought Venix would leave us so soon," Rael said without turning, his voice laden with grief.


    Ronan stood beside him, exhaling heavily. "It¡¯s my fault. I could have taken Venix with me."


    Rael lifted his head slightly but kept his gaze forward. "Did he say anything to you before it happened?"


    "He told me to save my family," Ronan replied, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "He asked me to make sure you were safe. He said he could protect himself."


    Rael gave a small, sad smile, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Of course, he would say that. We grew up with no one, learning to rely on ourselves."


    Ronan looked up, his eyes on the night sky. The stars shone brightly, indifferent to the chaos below.


    Everyone felt the weight of grief and loss, just as Rael and Ronan did.


    Those who didn¡¯t¡­ were likely the ones who had caused all of this chaos.

 Chapter 25

    Venix dreamed a very long dream.


    At this moment, he was in a mysterious dream realm.


    The sky arched endlessly, a serene celestial carpet that soothed the soul. Fields of grass swayed gently in the rhythm of the wind, creating a silent harmony that felt like whispers of the universe. Here, peace wasn¡¯t just a feeling¡ªit was a reality that transcended the limits of the mind.


    In one area, there were trees bearing various fruits he could eat.


    In his dazed and unaware state, not realizing it was a dream, Venix spotted a tall, massive tree that stretched skyward, piercing through the clouds.


    Driven by intense curiosity, Venix stepped forward, approaching the colossal tree.


    However, as he walked, he sensed something strange about his body and lowered his gaze.


    Stretching out his hands, Venix saw that they had transformed into wings with captivating, dark-purple feathers.


    ¡°I¡¯m... a bird?¡± Venix murmured, his voice awkward, almost resembling a chirp. He stared at his outstretched dark-purple wings, his initial shock gradually morphing into deep curiosity.


    He flapped his wings, clumsily, as if attempting a dance with a body unfamiliar with its rhythm.


    The wind caressed his feathers gently, a warmth he had never felt before, giving a comforting sensation.


    But gravity¡¯s unrelenting pull dragged him down, and he crashed heavily to the ground. Frustration surged within him, a heavy burden pressing on his chest¡ªa stark reminder of a limit he couldn¡¯t yet surpass.


    Venix continued trying, refusing to give up, creating an odd spectacle of a bird hopping joyfully toward the massive tree.


    Time was an abstract concept in this dream world, and after immense effort, Venix finally reached the base of the towering tree.


    To his surprise, he found large fruits scattered beneath it.


    The fruits were as big as watermelons.


    Venix approached one of the fruits, opened his small beak, sliced it with his bird-like beak, and ate a small portion.


    As he bit into the fruit, a refreshing, icy sensation spread throughout his entire body.


    Every fiber of his being seemed to awaken, subtly vibrating as if he had infused himself with an unfamiliar energy¡ªa relief filling him, as though a heavy burden had been lifted.


    The fruit¡¯s taste was exquisite and delicious. Slowly, he continued to eat one bite at a time.


    Even as his bird stomach swelled from overeating, Venix did not stop and remained unaware of his body¡¯s condition.


    At that moment, he felt warmth in his stomach as the food he consumed was digested.


    Within seconds, his swollen stomach shrank back down, as though an unseen force was working within.


    Yet his small body now appeared slightly larger, a newfound strength coursing through him, bringing an odd weight to his avian form¡ªsomething growing within him that he couldn¡¯t halt.


    Dreams are reflections of the soul, where the deepest secrets are revealed in strange and beautiful forms.


    But often, dreams are mere veils masking harsher realities. While Venix soared in an endless realm, his body in the real world faced far more imminent danger¡ªa conflict trying to claim his life before he could even comprehend his destiny.


    At that moment, Venix''s body lay unconscious on the floor. A mysterious symbol was etched into the ground, with Venix at its center.


    Outside the formation of the cryptic symbols stood Grandmaster Orion, activating the formation with his power, attempting something with Venix.


    Grandmaster Orion¡¯s body glowed with a soft green light, enveloping Venix, who lay at the formation¡¯s core.


    In the corner of the room, Grandmaster Ardyn watched the entire process.


    His eyes fixed on Venix¡¯s unmoving body, a mix of worry hidden behind his cold exterior. His clenched fists behind his back betrayed his unease.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening to this child?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn thought, his gaze sharp on Venix.


    A wave of near-unbearable anxiety washed over him, gnawing at his chest. Every passing second felt heavier, and the uncertainty stifled his breath.


    Earlier, everything had seemed normal.


    After Grandmaster Ardyn bid him farewell, Venix appeared to be resting and sleeping on the monitor.


    But the normalcy didn¡¯t last long.


    For unknown reasons, the Seed of Chaos suddenly awakened rapidly! Becoming the second Seed Origin and taking its place alongside the Seed of Vulture on the throne within Venix¡¯s soul.


    The birth of the Seed of Chaos was abrupt and didn¡¯t come without a cost.


    Venix¡¯s body trembled violently, his skin turned pale and translucent, revealing his shrinking tissues as an unseen force drained him.


    Every fiber of muscle and vein seemed to dry out, as though the world forced him to relinquish everything to survive.


    Seconds felt like eternal torment, and the world around him crumbled into dark shadows.


    From the monitor, it was detected that both Vulture and Venix appeared inactive, as if their true selves were elsewhere.


    And the Seed of Chaos cruelly absorbed Venix¡¯s body to fuel itself.


    Venix¡¯s body slowly lost its shape, like a flower wilting under the scorching sun.


    His once radiant skin grew pale, clinging to the now-prominent bones beneath.


    Every second felt like an unavoidable death, and the air in the room grew tense as though witnessing a tragedy that couldn¡¯t be stopped.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The Seed of Chaos didn¡¯t just drain Venix¡ªit devoured his life essence, turning it into fuel for its growth!


    At that moment, Venix aged rapidly.


    Had it not been for the research team¡¯s intervention, Venix might have been drained dry to death.


    Thanks to Luna¡¯s prior experience dealing with Venix, they used infusion techniques to deliver Awaken Elixir into his body, meeting the Seed of Chaos¡¯s energy demands.


    The researchers feared that a third Seed Origin might emerge after the second one perfected itself.


    Fortunately, once the Seed of Chaos became complete, the absorption process halted and didn¡¯t proceed autonomously.


    From then on, with the research team¡¯s help, Venix¡¯s drained body was slowly restored.


    And from that point, Venix remained unconscious.


    Grandmaster Orion tended to Venix using his methods for an entire hour.


    After an hour passed, the green energy enveloping both Venix and Grandmaster Orion gradually dimmed, and Grandmaster Orion opened his eyes.


    ¡°How is he?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn asked, his tone sharp despite the evident tremor.


    Grandmaster Orion sighed, his gaze fixed on Venix with a puzzled look. ¡°Strange... This kid shows signs of severe injury, yet there isn¡¯t a single mark¡ªon his body or his soul.¡±


    ¡°So, what does that mean? Can he be saved?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn pressed, his worry barely masked by his authoritative tone.


    Venix held immense value for their world¡¯s salvation. If he couldn¡¯t be saved, they¡¯d have to find another way to address their dire situation.


    Grandmaster Orion stared at Venix¡¯s body and sighed heavily. ¡°I know this is excessive, but it might be the only way to stabilize him quickly.¡±


    Grandmaster Orion snapped his fingers, producing a golden, apple-sized fruit that radiated brilliance.


    ¡°That¡­¡± Grandmaster Ardyn stared in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯ve had that fruit all this time!?¡±


    "Ardyn, you talk too much," said Grandmaster Orion sharply, though his eyes betrayed a hint of exhaustion. "If I didn''t believe in your path¡ªdespite how often it feels like a foolish gamble¡ªI wouldn''t have bothered saving this child."


    Orion stared at Ardyn for a moment, long enough to make the air between them heavy, before resuming his task.


    Grandmaster Ardyn returned the gaze deeply. "Great Origin Fruit... Because of this fruit, three great nations fought, and hundreds of thousands perished."


    "Do you want to discuss the past in a situation like this?" Grandmaster Orion frowned.


    Grandmaster Ardyn sighed heavily. "Apologies. Please continue."


    With that, Grandmaster Orion used his power to slice the golden apple into tiny pieces, reducing it to what looked like a fine dust.


    Using his abilities, Grandmaster Orion pushed the minute pieces of the golden apple into Venix''s mouth, guiding them until they entered his body.


    "Sometimes, Ardyn," Orion said in a flat yet meaningful tone, "I''m grateful I was never strong enough to defeat you. Perhaps there''s a greater destiny in that failure."


    Grandmaster Ardyn fell silent at those words. If Grandmaster Orion had been stronger than him, perhaps the situation would be even more desperate than it was now.


    And perhaps... Grandmaster Orion harbored regrets even deeper than Ardyn''s own.


    On the surface, Grandmaster Orion appeared to be a calm and wise man. With his formidable prophetic abilities, Grandmaster Orion always seemed a step ahead of everyone else.


    At the same time, however, Grandmaster Orion was exceedingly cunning. Only the Primecore knew the extent of the chaos and death that Orion had caused.


    After all the pieces of the golden apple had entered Venix''s body, Grandmaster Orion slowly stood up.


    "Tell me, Old Orion... Have you seen a future different from the one my methods will create?" Ardyn asked softly.


    "Prophecies come as they will," Orion replied slowly, his gaze fixed on the unconscious Venix. "I am not a god, Ardyn. I merely relay the message¡ªand sometimes, I hate how little control I have."


    Grandmaster Ardyn remained silent.


    That explanation made sense. If Orion could wield his prophecies at will, he would be invincible, even against stronger enemies.


    "Do you believe his method can solve two problems at once?" Ardyn asked calmly.


    "No." Grandmaster Orion shook his head honestly. "The more I interfere to alter a dire prophecy, the worse the outcome."


    Grandmaster Orion turned to face Grandmaster Ardyn. "Perhaps my prophetic ability exists only to deliver messages to others, and I cannot directly participate in changing future prophecies."


    Grandmaster Ardyn studied Orion deeply but said nothing.


    "If you need my help again, call me," said Grandmaster Orion.


    Then, Grandmaster Orion left the room.


    Watching Orion leave, Grandmaster Ardyn''s emotions turned complex.


    Grandmaster Ardyn quickly summoned someone to move Venix''s body elsewhere.


    With the Great Origin Fruit, Venix''s condition would stabilize¡ªsooner or later.


    Grandmaster Ardyn trusted this, knowing that the fruit had caused hundreds of thousands of deaths in the past.


    Quickly, Venix''s body was transferred to a treatment room, guarded meticulously by ten assigned doctors.


    Grandmaster Ardyn monitored Venix through a display showing the condition of his soul.


    Within an hour, a movement was detected deep within Venix''s soul.


    "The Seed of Vulture... It seems to be responding and reactivating," said a researcher who noticed the signal emanating from Venix''s soul.


    The Seed of Vulture appeared like a statue. Though its form was present, it was inactive, as if in a state of suspended animation.


    "Hm?" Grandmaster Ardyn turned toward the monitor showing the signal.


    Gradually, the signal became more active, like the sudden awakening of a heartbeat.


    All researchers watched Venix''s condition intently, while the doctors on duty gathered in the treatment room, prepared to address any unforeseen developments.


    The Seed of Vulture''s signal grew stronger, as if struggling to come back to life.


    Within a minute, the signal captured on the soul monitor grew increasingly intense, signaling that good news was imminent!


    Deep within Venix''s soul, the Seed of Vulture, which had been dormant, suddenly opened its eyes in an instant!


    At the same time, Venix, lying in the treatment room, calmly opened his eyes.


    "Finally..." Ardyn whispered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation but tempered with caution. He knew Venix''s awakening was only the beginning of a much greater challenge.


    "Grandmaster... Something''s wrong with Venix!" a researcher suddenly shouted, drawing everyone''s attention.


    Grandmaster Ardyn''s heart sank. Had something gone wrong with Venix?


    ---


    Six hours passed swiftly.


    Now awake, Venix had undergone thorough examinations of his body, soul, and mental state¡ªeach assessed meticulously.


    The evaluations lasted six full hours!


    In the room where Venix was located, Grandmaster Ardyn, Leoric, and several others were present to question him.


    However, at that moment, Venix ignored them, his focus absorbed by the system interface before him.


    [You have been killed.]


    [Your body in the Virtual World contains a fragment of your true life essence, granting you a chance to rise again.]


    [Detected: The Host is a lifeform chosen by the Seed of Chaos.]


    [Due to the uniqueness of the Seed of Chaos, you cannot truly die or be destroyed.]


    [System Detection: The Seed of Vulture is the Host''s primary Seed Origin.]


    [Warning: The Seed of Chaos has forcefully awakened and claimed the position of secondary Seed Origin.]


    [Body Status: The unique properties of the Seed of Chaos enable the Host''s revival in the real world. Revival process initiated.]


    [Time required for full revival: 3 Years: 2 Months: 3 Days.]


    [System suppressing immediate revival in the real world. Host will fully awaken after the required time and upon exiting the Virtual World.]


    [Detected: Great Origin Fruit has entered the Host''s body.]


    [Time for revival significantly reduced...]


    [Revival in the real world is now ready!]


    [Upon exiting the Virtual World, the Host will be fully revived in the real world (Please prepare new clothing).]


    [Host''s development in the Virtual World has exceeded system expectations.]


    [Quest reset for Host adaptation.]


    [You have received 2,000 Resource Points for completing the previous Quest.]


    [You have received 50,000 Resource Points for completing the Hidden Quest.]


    [Quest reset to adapt to the changes...]


    [New Quest received!]


    [Quest: Numan World.]


    [Quest Description: Collaborate with powers in the Numan World to create a superior and advanced Meditation Technique!]


    [Quest Completion: 53.23%.]


    [Quest Reward: ???]


    Venix read each notification from the system in a daze.


    He exhaled deeply after finishing the stream of notifications. Slowly, a realization took hold: his life was no longer just about survival.


    The people in the Virtual World, of their own accord, had granted him new hope. But with hope came greater responsibility.


    Without the Great Origin Fruit, he would have waited three long years to return!


    Furthermore, the direction of the Quest had shifted, presenting a clear path he had to follow.


    And the Quest Reward, shrouded in "???", left Venix wondering what immense rewards awaited him if he succeeded!

 Chapter 26

    "Venix, can you hear us?"


    Leoric''s voice was firm, sharp enough to draw anyone''s attention. He waved his hand in front of Venix¡¯s face, trying to snap him out of his daze.


    Venix blinked rapidly, his cheeks flushing as a faint cough escaped his throat, attempting to mask the sudden embarrassment tickling at him.


    "Apologies," Venix said hoarsely. "I was just lost in thought. What¡¯s going on?"


    Grandmaster Ardyn fixed his gaze on Venix, his voice brimming with curiosity. "We need to ask about your Seed of Vulture. Can you explain what really happened?"


    Everyone in the room turned their attention to Venix, pens and paper ready in their hands, poised to document his every word.


    "Seed of Vulture?" Venix¡¯s face reflected confusion, his brows knitting together as if trying to make sense of the words.


    Thinking of his Seed Origin, Venix suddenly realized something was different about himself.


    For reasons unknown, he could perceive everything with extraordinary clarity¡ªthe sights, the sensations, even the unseen tension emanating from the people in the room.


    "You..." Leoric paused, his sharp gaze boring into Venix, searching for answers. His voice lowered, trembling like a whisper that reverberated. "You¡¯ve merged with the Seed of Vulture."


    Venix froze, his lips pressed into a tight line. The words swirled in his mind, shaking the foundation of his understanding and leaving ripples of uncertainty.


    "I... merged with the Seed of Vulture?" Venix muttered softly, almost questioning himself.


    Had he truly become one with the Seed of Vulture?


    Even Venix himself was unsure of how to explain it.


    Though he couldn''t pinpoint what had happened, he did his best to answer each question posed to him, though his words often stumbled, as if searching for the right explanation.


    He recalled the burning desire for power coursing through every cell of his body, and how the Seed of Vulture had responded, granting him something indescribable.


    Venix¡¯s case was extraordinarily rare and unique.


    In the annals of Numan World, losing one¡¯s Astral Body typically marked the end of their journey.


    Even those who survived often found themselves trapped at an insurmountable barrier in their progression.


    But Venix was different. He had not only endured but had grown, breaking through boundaries long deemed unshakable.


    The Seed of Chaos was akin to a ticking time bomb within Venix, yet it also allowed him to progress rapidly despite lacking an Astral Body.


    With this trajectory, Venix conducted a thorough self-assessment and meticulously documented every detail he could recall.


    \---


    Grandmaster Ardyn led Venix to a special meditation chamber, one designed for utmost solitude, where only the two of them remained.


    "Begin meditating," Ardyn instructed. Venix quickly entered a meditative state.


    In his meditation, Venix felt his consciousness floating in a vast emptiness. He could only observe, a mere spectator within himself.


    Had he still possessed his Astral Body, he might have explored the depths of his soul more freely, uncovering the secrets buried within.


    But now, as he sank deeper into meditation, Venix discovered a shocking truth¡ªhe did have an Astral Body, after all!


    Or more accurately, the Seed of Vulture had become a second Astral Body for him.


    "Keep meditating. We¡¯re gathering the data," Ardyn¡¯s voice echoed in Venix¡¯s mind, laced with enthusiasm.


    Thanks to Venix¡¯s unique situation, Grandmaster Ardyn and the researchers were achieving unprecedented results.


    With the hypothesis that a Seed Origin could function as an Awaken¡¯s Astral Body, they were developing advanced meditation techniques focused on strengthening the bond between a Seed Origin and its host.


    Grandmaster Ardyn had even summoned Grandmaster Orion to further investigate these findings.


    When it came to research and technique development, Orion was unparalleled.


    \---


    In the depths of his soul, Venix examined the body of the Seed of Vulture with an intense curiosity. For reasons he couldn¡¯t explain, the scene felt oddly familiar.


    "So, I just need to keep meditating, and they¡¯ll pick up the signals from my soul to collect data?" Venix murmured softly.


    At this moment, the Seed of Vulture occupied its throne as the first Seed Origin.


    In the distance, Venix noticed a dark shadow moving slowly. When his eyes focused, he realized it was the Seed of Chaos, standing with an almost imperceptible yet terrifying presence.


    The Seed of Chaos had taken a humanoid form, its pitch-black body oozing ink-like fluid from every pore. Nine tentacles extended from its back, writhing as if they had minds of their own. Its glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness, radiating an unspoken menace.


    Venix observed the Seed of Chaos with a heavy heart.


    Sensing his gaze, the Seed of Chaos turned and locked eyes with Venix!


    The body of the Vulture, controlled by Venix, trembled slightly before he quickly averted his gaze, unwilling to look at the Seed of Chaos any longer.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Let¡¯s take a walk," Venix whispered.


    Without further thought, the Vulture¡¯s body shot away from its throne, gliding rapidly through the void of his soul¡¯s ocean.


    After leaving the vicinity of the Seed Origin, Venix finally felt a sense of relief.


    "The Seed of Chaos is far more terrifying than the last time I faced it!" Venix muttered, the lingering fear still clutching at him.


    As the Seed of Chaos had stared at him, Venix had felt a creeping chill, as though the nine tentacles were slithering through the air, brushing against him with an unspoken threat, waiting to ensnare him.


    \---


    Once Venix had calmed his inner turmoil, he became aware of a faint sensation above him.


    "Hmm? What¡¯s this? Why do I feel a certain connection up there?" Venix lifted his gaze, looking not at a typical sky but at the void within his soul, as though searching for something unseen.


    "The human soul mirrors the body¡¯s structure. The Seed Origin is located below the soul¡¯s abdomen, and above that lies the chest or head of the soul," Venix murmured softly. "The Astral Body is born in the soul¡¯s head. Could this faint connection be my Astral Body?"


    A theory began to form in his mind.


    He had lost his Astral Body. But what if he could restore it, this time in the form of the Astral of Vulture?


    What Venix was experiencing was something entirely new, an uncharted territory no one had ever explored.


    As such, the current situation was something Venix had to navigate on his own!


    With determination, Venix soared higher, ascending deeper into the recesses of his soul.


    If he could restore his Astral Body, it would be an incredible achievement!


    The Vulture under Venix''s control continued to fly upward, passing through the chest of his soul, then through the throat.


    Finally, Venix reached the head of his soul and was greeted by a shocking sight!


    "What is that?!" Venix exclaimed in astonishment.


    In the head of his soul, Venix saw a portal radiating a gentle light.


    Beyond the portal stretched a mesmerizing world: an expanse of lush green meadows as far as the eye could see, with a towering tree reaching into the sky, its sprawling branches painting the heavens. A mysterious energy pulsed from this world, as though calling Venix to enter.


    Venix had never heard of another world existing within the soul apart from the Origin Fragment Realm. This was entirely outside his knowledge.


    Hovering closer, Venix stood directly before the portal.


    "This... looks familiar..." Venix murmured softly.


    The view of the world beyond the portal evoked a strange sense of familiarity within him.


    Venix touched the portal with the wings of the Vulture, encountering no resistance or danger.


    Frowning slightly, Venix moved his entire body forward and stepped fully into the portal.


    In an instant, Venix landed on the green meadow¡ªthe world beyond the portal.


    "What is this place?" Venix frowned, glancing around.


    In this verdant world, two distinct areas stood out.


    The first was a small forest filled with diverse trees, their leaves ranging in color from green, yellow, and black, to other shades. Even their trunks varied widely.


    In the other area, Venix saw an enormous tree towering like a World Tree.


    The tree''s trunk gleamed green. From afar, Venix could feel a faint connection linking him to the tree.


    "Could this be some hidden power unknown to Awaken? Beyond the Origin Fragment Realm, is there another world buried within one''s soul?" Venix pondered with a furrowed brow.


    Driven by curiosity and the instincts he had fused with the Vulture, Venix decided to fly closer to the massive tree.


    At this moment, Venix could fully sense the vast difference between an Awaken unconnected to their Seed Origin and one who was bonded to theirs.


    The difference was like night and day¡ªutterly incomparable.


    When bonded with a Seed Origin, particularly one with a strong combat aspect, it heightened the user¡¯s instincts and senses in battle to extraordinary levels.


    This was why Awaken, even on Earth, adapted rapidly to combat with others of their kind, regardless of prior experience.


    Before long, Venix reached the base of the colossal tree and saw strange fruits scattered around its roots.


    Intrigued, Venix approached the fruits and sniffed them cautiously. Detecting nothing amiss, and driven by curiosity, he took a small bite of one.


    A refreshing sensation coursed through his body instantly. Venix felt a surge of energy vibrating through him, filling every fiber of his being with an exhilarating vitality.


    Simultaneously, fragments of information embedded themselves in his mind.


    [Heavenly Scholar Technique (Mastery Lv0): 0.20%]


    "Hm?" Venix was startled. "The Heavenly Scholar Technique? Isn''t this the name of the Great Origin Technique given to me by Grandmaster Orion?!"


    Venix quickly recalled the Great Origin Technique he had received from Grandmaster Orion.


    One by one, the memories came flooding back.


    When he received the jade stone containing the Great Origin Technique, the system had informed him that the technique¡¯s contents could be stored in exchange for a large number of Resource Points.


    Venix wasn¡¯t sure how much time had passed since he last lost consciousness, but the system only needed six hours to steal the technique, meaning it had already been securely stored within his mind!


    "Wait! Does that mean this portal is the manifestation of the stolen Great Origin Technique?" Venix exclaimed in shock. "Is this the result of copying a sealed technique in secret?"


    Venix remembered the system mentioning that the technique''s contents would be stored within his soul. However, he never anticipated it would manifest like this!


    Seeing this result, Venix realized he would need his Astral Body to gradually comprehend the stolen Great Origin Technique.


    Without the Astral Body, it would be impossible to access the stolen technique!


    "Who created this system?! All the information I get is so vague! Now I have to figure out where the technique¡¯s knowledge is stored?!" Venix muttered, frustrated.


    Without his Astral Body, he might only be able to grasp the truth once he reached the Seedbound level and fully comprehended this power.


    And that would depend on his ability to reach the Seedbound stage using the Seed of Vulture, not the Seed of Chaos.


    Deeply frustrated, Venix tried various methods to unlock the secrets of the Great Origin Technique.


    Every step he took was marked by doubt but also by unyielding determination. He knew this tree was not just a source of knowledge but also the key to the power he needed to confront the uncertainties in his life.


    Approaching the massive tree trunk, Venix touched it with his wing. Instantly, subtle information began flowing into his mind.


    "So, I simply need to connect directly with this tree." Venix nodded.


    Still in his bird form, Venix sat down, leaning against the colossal tree trunk as he began studying the Great Origin Technique methodically.


    Five minutes later, Venix realized the information was coming in too slowly. He then tried spreading his energy throughout his body to envelop the tree trunk.


    Immediately, the flow of information quickened!


    "It worked!" Venix exclaimed excitedly, shutting his eyes once more to immerse himself in his studies.


    Grandmaster Ardyn had mentioned that this technique was so powerful that even a Primecore like him felt envious of it. Given this rare opportunity, even if it had been stolen, Venix couldn¡¯t let this chance slip away.


    And so, Venix plunged deeper into the sea of knowledge within his soul.


    The more Venix studied, the faster he absorbed and understood the technique.


    What Venix didn¡¯t notice, however, was that as his understanding deepened, tiny fibers of the tree trunk¡ªalmost invisible to the naked eye¡ªbegan to darken into a purplish-black hue.


    If Grandmaster Orion were to witness this, even if he had willingly handed over the technique, he would have been utterly shocked.


    This was because Venix had successfully stolen the technique itself!


    The Great Origin Technique wasn¡¯t just any ordinary technique; it was intrinsically linked to something mysterious, and its creator was the true owner of the technique.


    Though others could learn it, the true owner retained the ability to sever anyone¡¯s connection to it, erasing the technique from their minds.


    This was why Grandmaster Orion had no fear of it being stolen, as he held absolute control over it.


    Yet, what Venix had accomplished was different!


    By studying the technique from Grandmaster Orion, Venix had fundamentally altered the essence of the Great Origin Technique itself.


    Thus, if Venix succeeded in claiming this great tree as his own, it would be equivalent to creating his own version of the Great Origin Technique, independent of Grandmaster Orion¡¯s original!


    It was as though Venix had stolen another¡¯s novel, published it, and claimed it as his own work.


    And, somehow, the world would believe it was truly Venix¡¯s creation.


    Even if Venix''s version was compared side-by-side with the original, people would see them as distinct works, despite their similarities in content.

 Chapter 27

    Venix immersed himself in understanding the Heavenly Scholar Technique. Each time he pondered, the concept of Origin Power became increasingly vivid, as if these ideas gently flowed into his mind like a tranquil river.


    Every new piece of knowledge sent a light tremor through his heart, akin to finding a key that unlocked doors to a world he had never imagined before.


    Beyond his ambition to master the Great Origin Technique, he felt an indescribable joy¡ªa surging delight whenever he achieved a new understanding.


    The learning process brought Venix deep satisfaction, like solving pieces of an intricate puzzle.


    This was in stark contrast to his school days when thick books seemed like impenetrable codes. Now, every small step felt meaningful, though occasionally accompanied by the frustration of renewed confusion.


    ¡°So, this is what Rael must feel when studying passionately,¡± thought Venix, basking in simple happiness.


    Venix allowed himself to sink into the flow of meditation. His mind delved deeply, peacefully, like a still lake, with no distractions except for the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.


    ---


    Time flew by swiftly. Two days later, Venix was still meditating in the secluded chamber, accompanied by Grandmaster Ardyn.


    Over the past two days, Grandmaster Ardyn had carefully observed him, wary of any sudden, unforeseen occurrences.


    Additionally, with Grandmaster Orion''s assistance, the Meditation Technique had progressed significantly, nearing completion. All the necessary data had been gathered six hours earlier. However, since Venix appeared to be comprehending something profound, Grandmaster Ardyn refrained from interrupting him.


    Another five minutes passed uneventfully.


    After hours of exploring the depths of comprehension, Venix felt his mind on the verge of overflowing. He held his breath briefly, giving himself space to absorb all the gathered insights before proceeding further.


    He cautiously opened his eyes, as if awakening a new soul from a long slumber, feeling his body reconnect with the Seed of Vulture.


    Before him, the system interface displayed his progress:


    [Heavenly Scholar Technique (Mastery Lv0): 9.78%]


    "Just a little more to reach 10%. But no matter how much I try to understand it, I can''t fully grasp it," Venix sighed heavily.


    The system¡¯s mention of Mastery Lv0 indicated to Venix that this technique likely had several mastery levels before it could be completely conquered. He suspected that significant changes would occur upon reaching 10%.


    ¡°Such a shame,¡± Venix muttered, shaking his head regretfully.


    Yet, even though the result was not as he had hoped, the Heavenly Scholar Technique had deepened his fundamental knowledge of Origin Power. Just visualizing it allowed him to easily identify flaws in the Mortal Cloak Technique he had previously studied and discover ways to enhance its efficacy.


    Since there was nothing more to be done at that moment, Venix exited his meditative state and returned his consciousness to his physical body.


    Opening his eyes slowly, Venix saw Grandmaster Ardyn sitting in front of him, watching him calmly.


    ¡°You¡¯ve awakened. That¡¯s excellent,¡± said Grandmaster Ardyn with a faint smile. ¡°The data gathered is sufficient. Next, we need you to test the newly improved Meditation Technique.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Venix pointed at himself, bewildered. As a novice in the field of techniques, he felt unqualified.


    ¡°Of course. You¡¯re the only person who can directly test this technique!¡± Grandmaster Ardyn stated confidently.


    After a moment of contemplation, Venix agreed.


    Grandmaster Ardyn guided him out of the chamber and led him elsewhere.


    On the way, Grandmaster Ardyn explained, ¡°Although you haven¡¯t completely eradicated the Seed of Chaos, proving that the Seed Origin can fully integrate with its user is a pivotal step in enhancing the quality of the Seed Origin.¡±


    Venix¡¯s face showed hesitation. ¡°Has no one in history achieved this before?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn shook his head. ¡°Your case is quite unique. You lost your Astral Body, which, for most Awaken, imposes limits on their development.¡±


    Venix nodded slightly in understanding.


    The Meditation Technique was designed to accelerate the development of the Seed Origin. However, it required the presence of an Astral Body; without one, the technique could only observe and not interfere.


    Grandmaster Ardyn continued, ¡°The Seed of Vulture absorbed the essence of the Seed of Chaos. While not in its perfect form, it¡¯s enough for Vulture to sustain the rapid growth of the Seed Origin, reducing the significance of the Astral Body and Meditation Technique, much like when the Seed of Chaos was present.¡±


    He turned to look at Venix, walking beside him. ¡°Many factors contribute to why you can fully control the Seed of Vulture. This is why your role is crucial in maximizing this Meditation Technique.¡±


    Venix took a deep breath. ¡°I will do my best to help.¡±


    The system indicated that this was a Virtual World, and the actions of the people here were immensely aiding him. It would be dishonest to say that Venix didn¡¯t feel gratitude toward this Virtual World.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    With curiosity, Venix asked Grandmaster Ardyn, ¡°Grandmaster... how long was I unconscious?¡±


    Grandmaster Ardyn stroked his chin briefly before replying, ¡°By counting the elapsed time, you¡¯ve been unconscious for 32 days and 17 hours.¡±


    Hearing the answer, Venix¡¯s heart sank.


    Time in the Virtual World was identical to that in the real world. This meant a month had passed since the Origin Era emerged in the real world.


    In that time, chaos might have spread across the globe.


    Shortly after, they arrived at the door of another chamber.


    Upon entering, they saw six human figures inside. A formation circle bearing strange symbols was inscribed on the floor. Two such formation circles were present, each with a man and woman seated cross-legged at its core, eyes closed.


    On a line connecting the two formations sat Grandmaster Orion, overseeing both circles.


    Grandmaster Ardyn and Venix¡¯s entrance caught the attention of three others standing behind Grandmaster Orion.


    ¡°That white-haired old man is Old Orion,¡± Grandmaster Ardyn briefly introduced to Venix.


    Venix immediately looked at Grandmaster Orion with a gaze filled with awe and respect.


    This was the man who had given him the Great Origin Technique! The very creator of it!


    ¡°Well? Have you encountered difficulties with the first part of the Heavenly Scholar Technique?¡± Grandmaster Orion asked, opening his eyes and gazing at Venix.


    Hearing his words, the three others behind him looked at Venix with envy.


    Startled, Venix quickly bowed respectfully and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve studied it for some time. But there are parts I can¡¯t understand no matter how hard I try.¡±


    ¡°Memorizing it is straightforward, but grasping its essence is the real challenge,¡± Grandmaster Orion nodded gently. ¡°Since I¡¯m here, we can talk later, and I¡¯ll guide you in understanding it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Grandmaster!¡± Venix bowed again, genuinely grateful.


    After a brief introduction, Grandmaster Ardyn raised their current topic. ¡°How is the progress on the Meditation Technique? Can we achieve our desired outcome?¡±


    "We can''t determine that with certainty yet. All we can do is proceed carefully and test it gradually," Grandmaster Orion said, shaking his head before continuing, "The reason the Seed of Vulture bonded so deeply with Venix is due to a profound connection between the two. That bond is one of the key requirements for achieving the kind of results you did with Venix."


    "Can the Meditation Technique strengthen the bond between a Seed Origin and an Awaken?" Venix asked curiously.


    "It can, but the process is very slow," Grandmaster Orion replied with a faint smile. "Only within the Origin Fragment Realm do Seed Origins feel more alive. However, once they become perfected Seed Origins, their sense of vitality diminishes significantly, almost as if they become more like living machines."


    "So... the best way to strengthen the bond between a Seed Origin and an Awaken is during the early stages, before the Seed Origin becomes perfected?" Venix deduced.


    "That''s correct," Grandmaster Orion confirmed. "On the other hand, I¡¯ll also need your experiences within the Origin Fragment Realm to make some adjustments."


    A man standing behind Grandmaster Orion added, "Such as why you chose Vulture over other Seed Origins present there. Was there something unique or any other reason that led you to select Vulture?"


    Furrowing his brow, Venix reflected on the past. "If we''re talking about uniqueness... Vulture only had one notable trait: its courage in approaching the Seed of Chaos without the slightest fear."


    "Anything else?" the man pressed further.


    Venix lifted his head and shook it. "Nothing else."


    "That''s it?" Grandmaster Ardyn looked at Venix in surprise. "Did Vulture display anything else, like unique abilities or similar traits?"


    "No," Venix answered, shaking his head again.


    "Interesting," Grandmaster Orion remarked with a smile. "When you chose Vulture, was it already a formidable predator?"


    "A formidable predator? I think... not really," Venix replied hesitantly.


    At the time, Vulture could hardly be called a powerful predator; it was more akin to a skilled thief.


    "Tell us everything about how you came across Vulture and chose it as the Seed Origin to nurture," Grandmaster Orion said calmly.


    Venix had no objections to recounting the tale and began narrating his encounter with Vulture, from the beginning to the end.


    He detailed the scene where Vulture stole prey from a Dragon and showed no fear in entering the Dragon¡¯s territory.


    At the mention of a Dragon, everyone, including the two Primecore present, was slightly taken aback.


    "A Dragon? Do you possess a Seed of Dragon?" a man asked, envy evident in his tone.


    Venix nodded. "The Dragon''s power was extraordinary, coupled with its incredibly tough, nearly indestructible scales."


    "Why didn¡¯t you choose the Dragon as your Seed Origin?" the man asked again, puzzled by Venix¡¯s decision to select Vulture over the Dragon.


    After all, it was a Dragon¡ªa legendary mythical creature with unparalleled strength and unique abilities of its race.


    Venix shook his head, letting out a soft sigh. "Of course, I would have chosen it if it were possible. But the Dragon didn¡¯t dare approach the Seed of Chaos¡¯s territory. If I had chosen it and helped it grow stronger, what would be the point if it feared confronting the Seed of Chaos?"


    The man opened his mouth, unable to refute Venix¡¯s words.


    It was a valid and logical argument.


    The Seed of Chaos was the strongest predator in the Origin Fragment Realm. If the Dragon couldn¡¯t even dare venture into its territory, nothing would change, and the Seed of Chaos would remain Venix''s primary Seed Origin.


    "Fascinating, truly fascinating. You made an excellent choice in selecting Vulture and even managed to defeat the Seed of Chaos in the first round!" Grandmaster Orion laughed as he said this.


    Grandmaster Orion understood the Seed of Chaos better than anyone else.


    Even if other Primecore listened to his prophecy, they wouldn¡¯t be able to perceive the Seed of Chaos as closely or as clearly as Grandmaster Orion could.


    In his dreams, in those prophecies, Grandmaster Orion had seen that the Seed of Chaos was a unique entity, one he couldn¡¯t fully comprehend¡ªmore akin to a higher-level existence in the universe.


    Grandmaster Orion continued questioning Venix about every detail, scrutinizing even the smallest actions of Vulture.


    This interrogation took half an hour before Venix had shared all the necessary details.


    Grandmaster Orion fell silent, pondering for a few minutes. Everyone, including Venix and Grandmaster Ardyn, dared not disturb him.


    Finally, Grandmaster Orion opened his eyes and said, "I understand why the bond between Vulture and Venix is so strong."


    Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. "What is it? Have you found the answer, Old Orion?"


    "It¡¯s just a theory, but it¡¯s a plausible one," Grandmaster Orion replied before explaining, "The reason the bond between Venix and Vulture is so strong is that Vulture experienced a significant transformation after being chosen by Venix."


    Grandmaster Ardyn frowned. "Every Seed Origin undergoes a significant change after being chosen by an Awaken. What makes this different?"


    "Because Vulture ranked among the weaker predators," Grandmaster Orion elaborated. "Vulture lacked the strength to hunt its own prey and resorted to stealing from others, showing it wasn¡¯t a true hunter but rather a thief."


    Venix rubbed his nose, feeling slightly embarrassed. For some reason, he disliked hearing Grandmaster Orion describe Vulture that way, even though it was true.


    "Thanks to Venix¡¯s presence, Vulture gradually evolved, transitioning from a passive thief to a skilled hunter," Grandmaster Orion continued.


    Grandmaster Ardyn opened his mouth, about to say something, but Grandmaster Orion didn¡¯t give him the chance and pressed on.


    "Unlike the Seed Origins of most of us and other Awakens, we typically select Seed Origins that are already strong, merely accelerating their evolution," Grandmaster Orion pointed out.


    Everyone began reflecting on this and found it reasonable. Even Venix felt the logic in it, something he hadn¡¯t considered before.


    "So, to simplify it in layman¡¯s terms, a poor person we help will feel much more grateful and indebted to us than if we were to assist someone already wealthy, whose life wouldn¡¯t change much," Grandmaster Orion concluded proudly.


    Venix was stunned by Grandmaster Orion¡¯s words, which likened Vulture to a poor individual.


    His heart felt uneasy hearing it, yet everything Grandmaster Orion said made perfect sense!


    It wasn¡¯t because of any unique actions by Venix or Vulture but because Vulture was so impoverished that its bond with Venix became unshakably strong!

 Chapter 28

    Everything Grandmaster Orion said made perfect sense, leaving no one with any grounds to argue.


    After all, throughout the history of Awaken, how many had chosen a weak Seed Origin?


    Venix¡¯s situation was extraordinarily unique. The presence of the Seed of Chaos brought him an unwelcome sense of threat.


    And coincidentally, Vulture was the only entity bold enough to approach the Seed of Chaos!


    "With all that you''ve mentioned, do you have a solution to enhance the Meditation Technique?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked seriously.


    "Yes, but this Meditation Technique will only benefit new Awaken who have yet to form their first Seed Origin," Grandmaster Orion replied, then continued, "The young woman¡¯s idea¡ªLuna, I believe her name was¡ªis quite good. We must incorporate additional abilities into the Meditation Technique and various variations that could aid the chosen Seed Origin."


    "Luna?" Venix paused, recalling her figure. "She¡¯s doing well, isn¡¯t she?"


    Grandmaster Ardyn smiled meaningfully, turning to look at Venix. "She¡¯s fine. In fact, she¡¯s observing us from outside right now. Venix, do you have feelings for her?"


    "No. I just wanted to ensure she¡¯s doing well," Venix replied, shaking his head slightly and exhaling in relief.


    "In that case, allow me to offer some advice. Luna may be more interested in Leoric, but with a little assistance from me, you could¡ª" Grandmaster Ardyn began laying out his plan to Venix.


    But Venix covered both his ears with his hands, unwilling to listen to what Grandmaster Ardyn had to say next.


    "There are more important matters to discuss, Ardyn. Save the talk about women for later," Grandmaster Orion''s voice cut sharply.


    "At least Venix knows how to be a real man¡ªunlike you, living like a monk!" Grandmaster Ardyn retorted, his eyes narrowing in mockery as he crossed his arms. A faint smirk played on his lips, as though he felt superior.


    "And what¡¯s wrong with that?" Orion countered coolly. "Not having a partner doesn¡¯t make me any less of a man."


    Everyone was puzzled as to why the discussion had veered into personal territory.


    Then, Grandmaster Orion turned to Venix with an appreciative glint in his eyes and a smile on his face.


    "Good, kid!" Grandmaster Orion smiled in satisfaction. "Don¡¯t waste your time chasing love. Being single is a blessing¡ªfocus on becoming stronger."


    Venix shook his head firmly, his expression showing deep disagreement. He restrained the urge to voice his feelings further.


    After all, Venix had no desire for romantic relationships with anyone in this world, which was, in essence, a Virtual World!


    Despite appearing real, Venix maintained clear boundaries with this world.


    Even as Venix shook his head forcefully, Grandmaster Orion¡¯s smile remained intact.


    For some reason, Grandmaster Orion felt Venix was a suitable candidate to become his personal disciple.


    Unfortunately, with the threat of the Seed of Chaos, this couldn¡¯t happen now.


    After some private conversation, Grandmaster Orion returned to the main topic, presenting his ideas for developing the Meditation Technique.


    It was impossible to force others to choose weak Seed Origins like Venix, even with certain advantages. Doing so would only limit the abilities and uniqueness they could achieve.


    For instance, Venix¡¯s Seed of Vulture. While it appeared strong and had achieved Mythic quality, the abilities and uniqueness gained by its user were limited and not particularly plentiful.


    Thus, in Grandmaster Orion''s plan, they needed to create a situation where the chosen Seed Origin felt like the weakest predator in that world.


    To create this situation, Grandmaster Orion mentioned Luna¡¯s plan¡ªcreating a barrier to restrict the movement of Seed Origins.


    In Luna''s plan, it was akin to setting up a Battle Royale among the Seed Origins, making each victor a strong prey to be conquered rather than weak prey for others.


    However, Grandmaster Orion¡¯s approach was different. His idea was to use barriers to confine the chosen, initially strong Seed Origin and allow the others to grow first, thereby making the chosen Seed Origin weaker in comparison to the others.


    Once the chosen Seed Origin lagged far enough behind the others, this was when the Awaken¡¯s role would become more valuable to their chosen Seed Origin!


    "I call this trick: ''Fooling the Rich Until They Believe They''re Poor,''" Orion concluded with a satisfied tone, a faint smile on his face.


    Everyone who heard him was stunned.


    It sounded like a cheap trick, but theoretically¡­ it might actually enhance the bond between a Seed Origin and an Awaken!


    Grandmaster Ardyn applauded. "Brilliant! It wasn¡¯t a waste to call you here."


    Hearing this comment, Grandmaster Orion frowned in displeasure. Since when had his help ever been useless to others!?


    However, Grandmaster Orion simply gave Grandmaster Ardyn an annoyed glance, too lazy to argue further.


    "Sit before me, Venix," Grandmaster Orion instructed.


    "What are you doing? What about those two?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked, pointing to the two Awaken who were still meditating.


    While meditating, they couldn¡¯t hear or feel anything happening outside their bodies.


    To communicate with someone meditating, the simplest and most common method was telepathy.


    Grandmaster Orion cast a brief glance at the two. "There¡¯s not much else I need to focus on with them. Let them meditate a bit longer¡ªperhaps they¡¯ll discover something important."


    Grandmaster Ardyn looked at the two meditating Awaken and sighed slightly. For some reason, they seemed neglected ever since Venix arrived.


    Hesitantly, Venix sat across from Grandmaster Orion.


    "Prepare Formation #61 for me," Grandmaster Orion said casually.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Understood!" replied the three individuals standing behind Grandmaster Orion in unison.


    The three Orion¡¯s assistants began moving swiftly. One took shimmering blue crystal powder and sprinkled it across the floor, drawing intricate patterns. Another dipped a small brush into glowing red liquid, leaving trails of what looked like tiny flickering flames.


    A soft etching sound echoed, each stroke forming geometric patterns like ripples of energy radiating outward, emitting a mystical aura that filled the room.


    Venix watched curiously, trying to understand what they were doing, but the materials were unfamiliar to him.


    A faint metallic scent filled the air as the circle slowly began to glow.


    "Watch closely. This technique is simple, but you need to understand its details," Grandmaster Orion said.


    He began explaining the steps slowly, his voice calm yet authoritative. Venix listened intently, committing every detail to memory.


    "Hm, this seems simpler than the Mortal Cloak Technique," Venix thought.


    But despite its simplicity, he knew the technique served a greater purpose.


    The explanation of the technique lasted for five minutes, after which Venix began to slowly comprehend its contents.


    In just a few minutes, Venix had grasped the technique''s essence¡ªit was indeed simple.


    "This is a straightforward technique I created, an auxiliary to the Meditation Technique. This technique is called the Soul Invasion Technique, but the part you¡¯re learning is merely the gateway for me. This way, I don¡¯t need to exert extra effort to enter your soul," explained Grandmaster Orion.


    Venix nodded softly. No wonder the technique seemed simple.


    "Soul Invasion? From the name alone, it sounds terrifying," said Grandmaster Ardyn, casting a doubtful look at Grandmaster Orion.


    "If I intended to harm him, a single breath of mine would suffice!" Grandmaster Orion snorted, his raspy voice brimming with suppressed fury.


    Moments later, Formation #61 was swiftly completed.


    Following Grandmaster Orion¡¯s instructions, Venix sat at the center of the formation.


    He then quickly entered a meditative state again. The more often he used the Meditation Technique, the more adept Venix became at utilizing it.


    Within his soul, Venix¡¯s consciousness entered the body of the Seed of Vulture. Using the guidance provided earlier, Venix practiced the simple technique Grandmaster Orion had taught him.


    Though doubts lingered in his heart, as Orion had said, if he intended harm, such elaborate steps were unnecessary.


    Even if Orion¡¯s goal was to destroy Venix¡¯s soul, Venix doubted that the Grandmaster would resort to such complicated measures.


    Grandmaster Ardyn had once told him that the Seed of Chaos could not die. After experiencing death in the real world and receiving confirmation from the system, Venix could verify this truth.


    Destroying or annihilating his soul wasn¡¯t a solution; instead, it might hasten the complete emergence of the Seed of Chaos, which would then rapidly take over Venix''s body.


    \---


    In the outside world, after Venix entered meditation, Grandmaster Orion began to use the Soul Invasion Technique.


    Grandmaster Orion closed his eyes, and a green glow radiated from his body.


    A small figure, resembling a hazy shadow with Orion¡¯s facial features, slowly emerged from his forehead.


    The figure was not physical¡ªit looked like a luminous mist hovering in the air, yet every movement exuded authority.


    As the Soul Body approached Venix¡¯s body, the air around them seemed to tremble, as though unable to withstand the energy emanating from Grandmaster Orion.


    Inside his soul, Venix, now in the form of the Seed of Vulture, felt a chilling cold piercing to his bones. His soul trembled as Orion¡¯s presence entered his mind, bringing a dominating aura.


    Only a Primecore possessed a Soul Body, incomparable to the frail and vulnerable Astral Body.


    If an Astral Body ever left its main body, it would disintegrate instantly.


    Grandmaster Orion¡¯s Soul Body hovered closer to Venix¡¯s meditating body.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, Orion¡¯s Soul Body entered Venix without resistance.


    \---


    A soul is a mysterious thing. Even for Grandmaster Orion, entering another person¡¯s soul was extremely dangerous if not done carefully.


    Thus, an auxiliary technique was necessary to ensure Orion¡¯s Soul Body was welcomed as a guest within Venix¡¯s soul.


    In the form of the Seed of Vulture, Venix saw Orion¡¯s Soul Body entering his soul and approaching him.


    "Can you truly control the Seed of Vulture entirely?" Orion asked, gazing at the Seed of Vulture intently.


    "I can," Venix replied briefly, his beak moving as he nodded slowly.


    Orion smirked slightly. "Interesting... I never thought such a thing was possible. This is truly extraordinary."


    As someone renowned for his expertise in techniques and innovation, Grandmaster Orion was deeply intrigued by new, unexplored phenomena.


    "Hm?" Feeling something unsettling, Grandmaster Orion turned to the side.


    When Orion looked over, his gaze met the Seed of Chaos.


    There it was, sitting atop a black throne that floated, shrouded in pulsating dark mist like a beating heart. Its pair of glowing red eyes stared intensely, radiating searing hatred.


    The throne itself seemed crafted from dark matter, faintly shimmering like a dying star in the void. Each second felt elongated, the air around them grew heavy, binding Orion¡¯s soul with the entity''s mere presence.


    Orion''s heartbeat quickened, his body warning him of an unimaginable danger.


    Yet, he showed no weakness, holding his ground while the Seed of Chaos remained silent, observing with deadly calm.


    This was the very Seed of Chaos that had haunted him for the past year!


    "This Seed of Chaos appears mature," Orion thought, his sharp gaze measuring the latent threat. His typically calm eyes now narrowed slightly as he assessed. "However, compared to the form it took in my dreams, this is like an infant, not yet fully grown."


    Shaking his head slightly, Grandmaster Orion returned to the matter at hand.


    "I will examine the Seed of Vulture. Do not resist or try to push me away," Orion commanded firmly, his eyes locking onto Venix.


    Venix felt his chest tighten.


    "How\... painful will the process be?" Venix asked softly.


    Orion raised an eyebrow. "If you resist, it will be excruciating. If you comply, it will feel like a chill running through you. Your choice."


    Venix hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, I¡¯ll trust you, Grandmaster."


    Orion allowed a small smile. "Trust is the first step. But remember, this is not without risk."


    Orion¡¯s Soul Body emitted green energy that enveloped the Seed of Vulture. This allowed him to examine the Seed of Vulture more thoroughly and feel its essence directly.


    While Numan World¡¯s technology was advanced enough to monitor someone¡¯s soul and gather data, machines were still machines. For a master like Grandmaster Orion, a direct examination was the simplest way to assess the situation.


    After all, soul monitors couldn¡¯t capture auras or other unique qualities perceptible only to living beings, much like robots couldn¡¯t understand human emotions.


    \---


    Without resistance, Grandmaster Orion examined everything freely.


    Venix felt a cold sensation creeping through his body, like being dragged under a sharp light that laid every part of him bare. His soul¡¯s essence felt powerless, exposed to something much larger and stronger.


    A chilling sensation crawled across his form, like icy needles slowly piercing from within. Even the beak of his Seed of Vulture form trembled slightly, reflecting the discomfort seeping into his mind.


    Swallowing his shame and frustration, Venix forced himself to stay composed. Yet his heartbeat quickened as Orion¡¯s intense scrutiny continued unabated.


    This research would greatly benefit Numan World and, simultaneously, help Venix confront the Seed of Chaos in the future.


    The process lasted a full hour before Grandmaster Orion finally withdrew from Venix¡¯s soul.


    \---


    Using telepathy, Orion instructed Venix to end his meditation, bringing his consciousness back to his body.


    Opening his eyes, Venix saw Grandmaster Orion stroking his chin in deep thought.


    "There are many factors allowing Venix to merge with the Seed of Vulture. Without certain fortunes and numerous other elements, it would be impossible for other Awaken to achieve the same result," Orion remarked after a moment¡¯s thought.


    Grandmaster Ardyn, who had been waiting for the entire hour, frowned. "So, is it impossible for other Awaken to merge with their Seed Origin?"


    If so, it meant they had lost a significant opportunity.


    "To achieve what Venix has, yes, it¡¯s almost impossible. However..." Orion paused before continuing, "While it¡¯s impossible at the Awaken level, over time, at the Seedbound, Rootbound, and higher levels, we can continue forging their bond with their Seed Origin until they fully merge."


    Grandmaster Ardyn scowled. "Speak plainly!"


    Venix glanced at Ardyn in confusion. Why did he seem so impatient around Grandmaster Orion?


    "Merging with the Seed Origin takes time. Achieving results like Venix in a short span is impossible!" Orion replied with an irritated expression.


    Only then did Grandmaster Ardyn nod in understanding. Achieving Venix¡¯s results in over a month was unthinkable.


    If Venix¡¯s unconscious state wasn¡¯t counted, it meant that within just a few weeks, he had reached this outcome since becoming an Awaken.


    \---


    "We will continue to develop the Meditation Technique, progressing from the Awaken level to Seedbound, Rootbound, and beyond," Orion stated confidently.


    "Don¡¯t forget us Primecore. Make one for us too," Ardyn added, his tone serious yet slightly demanding.


    "Get lost!" Orion waved dismissively. "If you want one, you¡¯ll have to buy it from me!"


    "Damn! You hoard treasures at home and still want to charge others!?" Ardyn growled angrily.


    Venix quickly stood and distanced himself from the two, retreating to a far corner of the room.


    If not for his manners, Venix might have already bolted out, away from the ticking time bomb created by the two Grandmasters.

 Chapter 29

    Grandmaster Orion and Venix moved to another room to discuss the Heavenly Scholar Technique.


    Inside, Grandmaster Orion raised his hand in a fluid motion, creating a spherical Barrier that immediately imprisoned the two of them.


    A powerful aura enveloped them, like an invisible shield separating them from the outside world. Cameras and other surveillance devices lost their signal instantly, erasing their trace.


    Outside, Grandmaster Ardyn stood before a monitor, his eyes narrowing as Orion sealed their conversation with the Barrier. His lips pressed tightly together, and his arms crossed over his chest trembled in suppressed anger.


    "That stingy old man! He¡¯s still as selfish as ever!" Ardyn muttered with a scowl, his expression reflecting deep frustration.


    The discussion between Venix and Orion lasted a full hour, and finally, the Barrier imprisoning them vanished with a wave of Orion''s hand.


    On the monitor, Venix appeared deeply satisfied and cheerful. Orion, however, looked puzzled as he observed Venix.


    After expressing his gratitude to Orion, Venix exited the room and headed straight to the library.


    Shaking his head slightly, Orion left the building dedicated to monitoring the Awakened for research purposes.


    "We need to talk," Orion transmitted telepathically to Ardyn.


    Ardyn¡¯s face turned serious, and the two quickly exited the underground facility.


    Within minutes, they arrived at Orion''s residence.


    Five Primecores resided in Numan City, including Ardyn and Orion.


    In his study, Orion turned his back to Ardyn, gazing out the window as he spoke. "Merging with the Seed Origin may be one of the solutions we can use to destroy the prison."


    Ardyn glanced at the soft and inviting sofa, then walked over to it and settled in comfortably.


    With a relaxed smile, Ardyn responded, "You mean if one of us fully merges with the Seed Origin, we could surpass the Primecore limit?"


    Orion turned and fixed Ardyn with a sharp gaze. "Exactly. Each time we ascend to a new Realm, from the Awakened Realm to the Seedbound Realm, our connection to the Seed Origin deepens. The power granted by the Seed Origin grows stronger as we develop."


    The Seed Origin granted unique abilities to the Awakened. As their strength increased and they reached new Realms, these unique abilities also became more potent.


    Ardyn shook his head slightly. "Even if we break through the Primecore Realm, is there any guarantee that power will be enough to destroy that cursed prison?"


    Orion pondered for a moment before sighing.


    Since the prison''s appearance, the progress of the Awakened had been severely restricted, and Primecore was the highest Realm they could achieve.


    Orion, Ardyn, and the others had reached the peak of the Primecore level, meaning no matter how hard they trained, no further growth could be achieved.


    As a result, their power had stagnated for decades, creating a certain equilibrium among the Primecores.


    "Even so... we have to try," Orion said with determined eyes.


    Ardyn frowned. "You know I¡¯d easily agree to this and even ask for your help. So why bring me here to discuss something already decided?"


    Orion looked at Ardyn calmly but intensely, then spoke words Ardyn didn¡¯t want to hear.


    "Elara has a greater chance of achieving this than any of us," Orion said calmly.


    Boom!


    A deafening explosion reverberated through the room. Ardyn stood trembling, an overwhelming energy radiating from him like an uncontrollable wave.


    The once-cozy sofa was instantly obliterated, its fragments scattering through the air, signifying an uncontainable rage.


    His face flushed with anger, and his eyes burned with fury, ready to destroy anything in his path.


    Ardyn glared at Orion menacingly. "Of all people, why her, that insane witch?!"


    Orion replied, "Her Seed Origin possesses a uniqueness we cannot ignore..."


    A powerful punch whizzed past Orion''s ear, shattering the wall behind him into dust.


    Boom!!!


    Ardyn glared at Orion with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "At the cost of nearly our entire population?! Even after that, there¡¯s no guarantee she¡¯ll succeed, is there?"


    "It¡¯s a last resort," Orion said seriously. "Would you rather see our entire civilization wiped out, or sacrifice a majority to save a fraction?"


    Ardyn¡¯s cold stare bore into Orion.


    Suddenly, sirens wailed, and people began flying toward Orion¡¯s residence. The commotion had attracted Numan City¡¯s security forces, who responded swiftly.


    "Only if Venix fails to eliminate the Seed of Chaos," Orion added.


    Ardyn snorted, smoke flaring from his nostrils. "Even if Venix fails, I will never support that witch''s plan."


    Apart from the research aimed at developing Meditation Techniques, many other ideas existed to address the problems of their world, including some extremely radical ones.


    Ardyn suppressed the energy radiating from his body and said coldly, "I won¡¯t hesitate to stop you if the time comes and you still support that insane witch''s plan."


    In the next instant, Ardyn vanished from his spot.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Orion shook his head slightly and murmured softly, "The Seed of Chaos is an entity we cannot destroy..."


    \---


    Venix sat at a library table, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Each time he turned a page, he delved deeper into the text, occasionally smiling in satisfaction as he grasped something new. The quiet library seemed alive with the enthusiasm radiating from his face.


    At the moment, Venix glanced at his system interface.


    \[Heavenly Scholar Technique (Mastery Lv1): 10.01%]


    After listening to Orion''s explanation and clarifying his doubts, Venix had mastered 10% of the technique! This also brought his Mastery level to one!


    When Venix reached Mastery Lv1, something unexpected happened.


    A small tree appeared within his soul!


    This tree bore a striking resemblance to the one containing the Heavenly Scholar Technique. However, its purplish-black hue mirrored the color of the Seed of Vulture''s body.


    Some of its leaves, however, retained a green color, making it strikingly distinct at a glance.


    Venix didn¡¯t understand its significance, but with the tree¡¯s presence, he felt his memory and comprehension improve drastically!


    Thus, Venix immediately headed to the library to test its effects.


    The result was very satisfying! In no time, he could easily learn everything and store it in his memory.


    Venix picked up books on history, combat, and weapon techniques.


    By studying history, Venix could better understand the Origin Era that took place in the real world and what changes it had undergone.


    Learning about combat theory and weapon techniques was essential to equip him with the ability to protect himself upon returning to the real world.


    "I can''t return to the real world right now\... People have already reached the Seedbound Realm. Even if I go back, there''s little I can do," Venix thought to himself.


    At the same time, he worried about his two friends, Ronan and Rael, and could only hope they were safe and well.


    Venix felt a great gap within himself¡ªwhether it was his strength or the looming threat of the Seed of Chaos¡ªwhich left him unable to take any meaningful action in the real world.


    "The Seed of Chaos is the main threat... If it takes over my body, whether it''s in the real world or this virtual realm, both will fall victim to the Seed of Chaos," Venix muttered, shaking his head slightly, trying to dispel his concerns and focus on training.


    Venix had no idea how massive the threat of the Seed of Chaos truly was. Even the Primecore dared not act against it or find a way to confront it, illustrating that once the Seed of Chaos awakened, its rise was utterly unstoppable.


    Thus, Venix''s primary plan was to save himself first.


    If he couldn''t even save himself, there was no way he could save anyone else.


    \---


    Time flew quickly; a week passed in the blink of an eye.


    In the training room filled with several practice dummies and bright lights, Venix stood surrounded by a dozen training dummies.


    His face remained calm, but every movement he made reflected high vigilance.


    The single-handed sword hanging at his waist felt heavy, yet he never once glanced at the weapon.


    Every second, his eyes stayed focused, every motion following a nearly flawless rhythm, as if the air in the room grew heavier with the intensity he brought.


    Venix stepped back slowly. In a barely noticeable motion, he pulled out two small daggers from his waist. The blades began to glimmer, shrouded in an aura of energy blazing like purple fire.


    Without warning, Venix hurled the daggers.


    Stab! Stab!


    The blades flew with perfect precision, piercing the heads of two dummies in front of him.


    With a soft cracking sound, both stopped and fell lifelessly, like puppets losing their strings.


    However, there was no time to celebrate. The other dummies began to move, one of them charging forward with its sword raised high, its sharp blade gleaming menacingly as it struck at Venix.


    Slash!


    With agility honed over the past week, Venix twisted his body, dodging by the narrowest margin. He slid sideways, like a shadow gliding across the floor, as another dummy''s attack came hurtling toward him with terrifying speed.


    Venix kept moving, his feet agile like a monkey navigating a battlefield. He drew two more daggers, swung them, and threw them in one swift motion.


    Stab! Stab!


    Two more dummies fell, the clinking sound of metal echoing as their bodies hit the ground.


    Venix didn¡¯t stop. His breathing remained calm and steady, his body weaving between enemy attacks, searching for openings to strike.


    In the corner of the room, Hokki stood still, his eyes observing sharply. A mocking smile formed on his lips as he watched Venix fight relentlessly.


    "Fighting a dozen dummies that don¡¯t even compare to an Awaken''s strength? Is he really trying to build confidence by defeating the weak?" Hokki thought cynically.


    The dummies were so weak that they weren¡¯t even a challenge for novice Awaken fighters.


    Hokki was confident he could defeat a hundred of those dummies with just a few attacks.


    Thirty seconds later, Venix had taken down all the dummies that had been set against him.


    Then Venix moved to the control panel and reactivated the previously defeated dummies, bringing them back to life.


    This time, Venix increased the number of opponents to twenty, and another battle began.


    \---


    Outside the training room, where people monitored the activity within, Luna rested her chin on her hand, watching Venix as he fought against the twenty dummies.


    Luna frowned, her eyes intently focused on the monitor screen.


    "What is he doing?" Luna muttered, her voice slightly raspy.


    "Fighting weak dummies to gain basic experience is understandable, but it''s been five days, and he''s still fighting dummies of this level?" Luna gritted her teeth in frustration, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table with an air of irritation.


    It seemed as though Venix was having fun battling weak dummies, without making any meaningful progress.


    "He trains with a different purpose."


    A man''s voice came from behind Luna.


    "Ah!" Luna gasped, turning to see the handsome figure of Leoric standing behind her.


    However, perhaps due to familiarity, Luna no longer felt embarrassed in Leoric''s presence.


    "Though it looks boring to watch, it''s quite fascinating if you measure it," Leoric said with his trademark charming smile.


    Luna frowned in confusion. "Measure what? How many dummies he''s defeated?"


    Luna wasn¡¯t an Awaken who focused on combat, so her knowledge of fighting styles was limited.


    Leoric leaned in, pressing several buttons on the keyboard and moving the mouse to control Luna¡¯s monitor screen.


    Luna felt a little nervous and startled but tried to stay calm.


    With a few clicks, Leoric brought up the training history data for Venix.


    "Look at his first day of training. He adapted quickly and defeated the dummies with ease," Leoric said, pointing to the data from Venix''s first day of training.


    The data showed detailed information, such as how many dummies were defeated, how many times Venix attacked, and other statistics.


    "On the first day, Venix defeated fifty dummies before getting exhausted," Leoric said, then displayed the data for Venix''s second day: "And look at this, on the second day, he managed to defeat seventy-three dummies using a single-handed sword."


    Luna studied the data on the monitor, paying close attention.


    Leoric then changed the screen to show data from the third day: "On the third day, Venix switched to throwing daggers and defeated eighty-two dummies."


    Luna stared at the data, comprehension dawning in her expression. "So Venix defeats more dummies every day?"


    Leoric shook his head with a soft smile. "That''s not the point."


    He then displayed the data from the fourth day, which showed Venix defeating one hundred and thirty-four dummies, and the fifth day, where Venix took down two hundred and thirty dummies, with the count still ongoing.


    "This isn¡¯t about how many dummies Venix has defeated," Leoric said gently before continuing, "It¡¯s about how well he controls his energy and increases the efficiency of his attacks. If you look at these numbers, you¡¯ll see just how far Venix has progressed."


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn¡¯t realized how much Venix had improved until now!


    "Venix is training to use his energy far more efficiently and powerfully. This practice focuses on how much energy is required for each attack to kill a dummy. You can see here that there are moments when Venix¡¯s attacks failed to kill the dummy," Leoric explained, showing a video of one of Venix''s failed dagger throws that didn¡¯t pierce the dummy¡¯s head.


    Luna looked at Leoric in admiration. "But doesn¡¯t this limit his combat experience?"


    Stronger dummies had more diverse movements and attacks, providing greater combat experience compared to weaker ones.


    "That¡¯s true as well. In combat training, there¡¯s no right or wrong path," Leoric nodded. "However, if you¡¯re facing five enemies in one place and you use 40% of your energy to kill just one, the wisest choice is to retreat, not continue the fight."


    At the beginner level, combat experience was the most important. But at higher levels, managing energy consumption for each attack was the key to determining the outcome of battles!


    If Fighter A could attack fifty times, while Fighter B could attack seventy times, Fighter B¡¯s chances of victory were significantly higher than Fighter A¡¯s.

 Chapter 30

    Time passed swiftly over the last three days. It felt as though it was only yesterday that he had begun training, yet now he had already achieved quite a bit.


    In the training room, Venix held a one-handed sword, his eyes locked onto a mannequin that collapsed with a loud thud, hitting the floor as its residual energy faded away.


    Venix took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the training room briefly before he agilely stepped back, walking toward the control machine. His right hand was already poised to summon a new mannequin.


    In front of the control screen, Venix studied the numbers that displayed his progress.


    "I¡¯ve nearly perfected my energy control," Venix thought, feeling satisfaction coursing through him. "With this, I have stamina far more enduring than most people in the real world."


    After delving deeply into the knowledge of Awaken combat, one fact was repeatedly emphasized: an Awaken''s energy was extremely limited.


    Thus, even if a Seedbound faced dozens of Awaken, if they could only kill 19 of them before running out of energy, that Seedbound could still be defeated by a single remaining Awaken.


    While the physical strength of a Seedbound was superior, it didn¡¯t mean their bodies could withstand an Awaken¡¯s attacks without any energy left.


    A Seedbound''s body was far stronger because energy flowed through it. If their energy was depleted, their physical durability would drastically diminish.


    By controlling his energy consumption during every attack and technique, Venix would hold a significant advantage over others.


    "The third Origin Fragment Realm emerged four days ago. Now, it¡¯s just a matter of time before the third Seed Origin appears." Venix sighed heavily.


    Unlike before, when Venix could meticulously control the progression of his Seed Origin.


    After the emergence of the Seed of Chaos as his second Seed Origin, his authority over the energy within his body was sometimes forcibly seized by the Seed of Chaos.


    Venix had reported this, and Ardyn had only told him that when the time came, they would be ready to assist him.


    Venix was informed they could temporarily manifest his Astral Body and perform an Astral Bond. How this would be done, Venix didn¡¯t know. Ardyn had merely stated that everything had been arranged.


    With a light touch, Venix clicked on the control screen, summoning the weakest mannequin available for testing.


    With steady steps, Venix advanced. His sword swept through the air, leaving a trail of violet aura that slashed forward and struck the mannequin, leaving behind a shimmering wound that resembled poison.


    Buzz\~


    The slash left a poisonous-like mark on the mannequin¡¯s body, and Venix stepped back to observe the results.


    The mannequin remained standing, though its body began to tremble. Despite Venix''s cut leaving a mark that slowly corroded it, the mannequin continued its assault, its movements slow but relentless.


    With his current level of experience, Venix effortlessly maneuvered around the mannequin without difficulty.


    Ten seconds later, the mannequin''s movements began to stiffen, like a robot running out of power.


    The next moment, it collapsed and lay motionless on the floor.


    Venix smiled in satisfaction, feeling a brief warmth of victory within him.


    "I''m stronger than I thought," Venix murmured, sensing a significant shift in his power.


    With that, Venix sheathed his sword and exited the training room, heading to his quarters.


    Inside Venix''s room, there were piles of books and metallic boxes containing various techniques.


    Grabbing one of the metal boxes, Venix began studying its techniques calmly.


    After analyzing numerous techniques, Venix had realized one thing.


    Any technique created by someone else was merely a foundation to provide an understanding of how the technique functioned.


    To maximize results or further improve, individuals needed to refine the technique themselves.


    For example, an Awaken with a water-type Seed Origin might create a water-arrow technique.


    That technique could be quite powerful, but if someone else with the same water-type Seed Origin learned it, the results would never be as strong as its creator''s.


    This was because every Seed Origin was unique. Even if both were water types, the essence of their Seed Origin differed.


    Thus, the other user would need to refine the technique to align with their own Seed Origin.


    After memorizing the contents of the technique for a few minutes, Venix opened his eyes, slightly surprised by how easily he could recall every detail.


    Without hesitation, he moved on to the next technique, memorizing it at a pace that was almost imperceptible.


    Venix felt that the Heavenly Scholar Technique was extraordinary¡ªfar surpassing his expectations.


    Deep within his soul, where a dark purple tree resided, there were countless smaller trees surrounding the large purple one.


    Each of those smaller trees stored Venix¡¯s memory of a technique he had memorized!You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    An hour passed, and Venix sensed someone approaching his room, halting his studies.


    Moments later, Ardyn entered Venix''s room and took in the sight of the piles of books and techniques scattered across it.


    "Enjoying yourself with that old man¡¯s techniques?" Ardyn said with a tone of envy.


    "I''m loving it. Learning new things is surprisingly enjoyable," Venix replied with a smile.


    Ardyn shook his head slightly and retrieved a small cloth bundle from within his clothing, tossing it to Venix.


    "Here, as promised¡ªfive Teleportation Crystals," Ardyn said, grinning.


    Venix extended his hand, catching the small cloth bundle.


    Opening it, Venix retrieved a small black stone held between his fingers.


    Holding it, Venix could feel a mysterious force emanating from it, almost as if it wanted to pull his body into the stone.


    "Next, the one-handed sword you requested, along with the other items." Ardyn snapped his fingers, producing a black sword in his hand and handing it to Venix.


    He also provided a few other cloth bundles Venix had requested.


    "Strange, isn¡¯t it? Why do you suddenly need these items?" Ardyn asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "Even if I tried to escape with five Teleportation Crystals, I know I couldn¡¯t outrun you, Grandmaster," Venix said honestly.


    The items Venix had requested were suspiciously tailored toward a potential escape plan. However, Venix now understood better.


    Since Ardyn had fulfilled his request without question, it meant everything was still within his control.


    Ardyn had a straightforward and open personality. If they worked well together, even strange requests could be granted.


    But Ardyn was also cautious. If Venix¡¯s requests involved items that could endanger many people or couldn¡¯t be controlled, Ardyn would undoubtedly reject them.


    Venix carefully inspected each item one by one.


    While Venix lacked knowledge about Awaken items, his system could identify the objects he held.


    Venix did not recognize the items belonging to the Awaken, but he possessed a system capable of identifying the items in his hands.


    \[Storing ''Teleportation Crystal'' into the Inventory will consume 5,000 Resource Points.]


    \[Storing ''Acceleration Pill'' into the Inventory will consume 100 Resource Points.]


    \[Storing ''Energy Recovery Pill'' into the Inventory will consume 100 Resource Points.]


    \[Storing ''Black Torment Sword'' (Treebound Seal) into the Inventory will consume 20,000 Resource Points.]


    "Hm? Treebound Seal?" Venix was startled internally, but he kept his composure outwardly.


    In their agreement, Ardyn had promised him a weapon sealed at the Primecore level. However, what Venix received was a weapon sealed at the Treebound level.


    Though slightly disappointed, Venix knew it was impossible for a newly Awakened individual like him to discern the true level of the weapon in his possession.


    After a moment, Venix continued inspecting each item using his system, identifying them by name alone.


    Aside from the discrepancy with the sealed weapon, all the other items he had requested were delivered as promised.


    "You¡¯re starting to remind me of Orion," Ardyn remarked suddenly, observing Venix.


    Venix was slightly taken aback. He turned to his side, looking at Ardyn.


    "Apologies," Venix said softly. "I don¡¯t want the Seed of Chaos to take over my body, so I¡¯ve been studying diligently to better prepare myself for when the time comes."


    He exhaled deeply, feeling as though a heavy weight pressed against his chest. The limitations he felt became increasingly evident.


    After mastering the first level of the Heavenly Scholar Technique, Venix felt as though he were drowning in a sea of knowledge. The people in the Numan World began to feel like shadows¡ªmere tools to further his goals.


    Unconsciously, this created a distance between him and Ardyn, making him more withdrawn recently.


    "I understand. I was merely commenting," Ardyn replied calmly.


    "If I manage to rid myself of the Seed of Chaos, treat me to a lavish meal, alright?" Venix said with a small smile.


    "Of course," Ardyn replied with a faint smile of his own.


    Ardyn then retrieved something from his clothes and tossed it to Venix.


    The object was a rounded jade stone. Venix reached out and caught it.


    "This is Orion¡¯s response," Ardyn said calmly before turning to leave.


    "If I fail, find another way to eliminate the Seed of Chaos," Venix said before Ardyn exited his room.


    Ardyn nodded gently and left.


    Holding the jade stone in his hand, Venix immediately channeled his energy into it.


    The message contained within the jade echoed in Venix¡¯s mind.


    The transmission lasted for a full ten minutes before finally concluding.


    Opening his eyes, Venix appeared deep in thought.


    "It¡¯s now or never," Venix murmured to himself.


    He then entered a meditative state in his room, closing his eyes.


    When his consciousness arrived at the body of the Seed of Vulture, Venix whispered softly.


    "Exit the Virtual World," he said.


    Instantly, Venix¡¯s consciousness, which had been in the Virtual World, was forcibly pulled into the boundless skies!


    \---


    Earth, the real world.


    The morning sun had just risen, illuminating the Earth¡¯s surface.


    More than a month had passed since the Origin Era had arrived on Earth.


    The planet¡¯s condition was now vastly different from what it had been a month prior.


    The urban landscapes, once filled with towering buildings and wide, bustling streets, had transformed completely.


    Skyscrapers were now ruins, severely damaged. Roads that had once been teeming with vehicles were now in disarray.


    Most strikingly, forests and vegetation had sprouted throughout the cities, turning what was once a prosperous metropolis into a ghost city trapped within a dense jungle.


    In a forested area amidst unrecognizable ruins, a charred, blackened mass of flesh quivered faintly under the debris.


    The burnt flesh wriggled, slowly cracking open to reveal fresh tissue emerging beneath its surface.


    Rapidly, the flesh began to regenerate. The new, pristine tissue, as soft as a baby¡¯s skin, grew at an astonishing rate, forming nine small tentacles before finally evolving into a tiny fetus.


    The process continued, and the fetus¡¯s body matured to that of a toddler, then to a child, all in an incredibly short time.


    This grotesque transformation occurred so swiftly that anyone who witnessed it would surely feel repulsed and horrified.


    In less than five minutes, the small mass of flesh had morphed into the body of a healthy adolescent.


    Suddenly, the teenager¡¯s body opened its eyes and stood up, surveying its surroundings.


    The young man was Venix, now returned to the real world!


    "The process of regenerating a body from a lump of flesh is excruciatingly painful," Venix thought to himself.


    Yet, his expression remained calm, his brow furrowed slightly.


    His body was completely naked, not a single thread covering him. Every part of him was exposed.


    Venix had anticipated this.


    Opening his System Inventory, he transferred the clothing he had prepared in the Virtual World and moved it into the real world.


    A spherical object appeared in Venix¡¯s hand, and he pressed it against his body.


    Instantly, the sphere melted and spread across his skin. The black liquid gave him an eerie, intimidating appearance.


    As the liquid fully enveloped him, colors began to emerge, transforming it into a brown hunting outfit.


    "This is highly efficient. I need to acquire more items like this," Venix said softly, satisfied with the garment¡¯s practicality.


    Scanning his surroundings, Venix frowned. The ruins felt eerily familiar.


    "I... I was killed near the school grounds," he muttered under his breath.


    Amidst the ruins, Venix also spotted fragments of blackened, charred flesh.


    He stared at it silently for ten seconds before taking a deep breath and leaping away from the site.


    The Origin Era had begun, and judging by the current situation, this city now resembled a ghost town.


    Utilizing the techniques he had learned in the Numan World, Venix moved swiftly and nimbly across the challenging terrain.


    Not far from where he had been reborn, Venix perched on a tree and spotted a group of people hiding in the bushes.


    "They¡¯re Seedbound..." Venix noted the distinct pressure emanating from their auras.


    With the knowledge he had gained in combat, Venix knew it was possible for an Awaken to kill a Seedbound in a surprise attack.


    However, the energy consumption required for such an ambush would be immense.


    Not wanting to stir up trouble or waste time, Venix silently moved on, seeking a safer place.


    There was a reason Venix had returned to the real world earlier than planned, altering his original strategy.


    And Orion¡¯s answer had given Venix a glimmer of hope for defeating the Seed of Chaos!

 Chapter 31

    Venix stepped through the dense forest outside the city, his sharp eyes catching sight of the shadows of human camps hidden deep within the woods.


    The camps appeared primitive, surrounded by makeshift wooden fences, while a few watchtowers stood tall, scanning the area with vigilant eyes.


    It wasn¡¯t just one or two camps Venix stumbled upon¡ªit was dozens.


    Each human camp housed groups of people numbering in the dozens, and every single one of them was a Seedbound.


    At one point, Venix was spotted by someone, which led to him being pursued.


    With agility, Venix reached into his system inventory and pulled out an Acceleration Pill, swallowing it without hesitation.


    In an instant, his body felt lighter, and his legs moved faster than the wind. His pursuer could only see a cloud of dust rising as Venix disappeared into the shadows of the dark forest.


    Frowning as he glanced back, Venix murmured doubtfully, "That person seemed a bit slow\..."


    The Acceleration Pill doubled his speed but halved his physical strength. Its effects would last for a full hour.


    However, Venix realized he hadn¡¯t needed to use the pill and felt he had acted too hastily.


    "This feeling is making me so uncomfortable..." Venix muttered in frustration, sensing something amiss about himself.


    Shaking his head, Venix turned toward the inner city.


    The social system of Earth was still a mystery to Venix. He had no idea why people had formed their own groups outside the city limits.


    ¡°There are no monsters here at all¡­¡± Venix muttered under his breath as he scanned his surroundings.


    He had occasionally seen ordinary animals like snakes and rabbits, but none of the monsters he sought.


    The monstrous cat Venix had slain before his death was what he was now hunting for.


    Origin Blessing wasn¡¯t limited to humans; it encompassed all living creatures on Earth, including plants.


    "There should be monsters here," Venix said softly, his gaze sweeping across the unnervingly peaceful area. "In the history of Numan World, even dragons could appear without warning."


    His thoughts spiraled with suspicion, sensing that something was wrong. The forest was too quiet, the ground too pristine¡ªan unnatural sight for the beginning of the Origin Era.


    The area was so immaculate that it didn¡¯t match the history Venix knew from Numan World.


    Ten minutes later, Venix reached the inner city area.


    Pausing for a moment, Venix touched the fabric of his clothing, channeling a trace of energy.


    Immediately, his brown hunter¡¯s outfit morphed into modern casual wear typical of Earth.


    The clothing Venix wore could be altered at will. It came with several preset styles, but if someone wanted to create their own design, they only needed to imagine it in their mind and transfer that image to the clothing.


    Satisfied with the result, Venix nodded and continued his journey cautiously.


    Two minutes later, he arrived at the city center.


    The city center was markedly different from the other areas.


    This section was surrounded by iron wire fences, and within, no trees or plants could be seen. This starkly contrasted with the other areas, which were lush with greenery.


    A simple gate stood guarded by two Seedbound. Observing from a distance, Venix could tell from their posture that the guards were professionals, likely experienced in such roles.


    Venix then noticed a woman approaching the gate. Several questions were posed to her.


    After a series of inquiries that Venix couldn¡¯t hear, a piece of paper bearing strange symbols was handed to the woman.


    The woman bit her thumb with trembling hands, her expression tense, as blood dripped onto the symbol-laden paper. The drops quivered as if coming alive, animating the symbols.


    Suddenly, the symbols writhed and flowed across the paper, eventually merging with the woman¡¯s thumb.


    "A Blood Contract?!" Venix gasped in shock.


    Aside from studying Numan World¡¯s history, Venix had also delved into various forms of knowledge, including techniques shrouded in mystery and uniqueness.


    The Blood Contract was a method that essentially enslaved its signer!


    ¡°This place... It used to be the location of the Police Department, didn¡¯t it? Could Ronan also be bound by a Blood Contract?¡± Venix thought, unease gnawing at him.


    Besides Ronan, there was also Rael, who might have become a Seedbound, as well as Ronan¡¯s mother and younger sister.


    Venix wanted to act immediately, to crush such absurd rules without hesitation.


    ¡°No wonder people are forming their own camps outside!¡± Venix finally understood why so many human camps had sprung up.


    He remained hidden, continuing to observe.


    Simultaneously, Venix transferred various virtual items he might need, one by one, starting with Crystal Teleportation.


    He spent 20,000 Resource Points to summon two Crystal Teleportations into the real world.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The Treebound Sword was too costly to bring into the real world, so Venix had never stored it in his inventory, keeping it instead in his Spatial Ring.


    Next, Venix retrieved two black bracelets from his inventory, costing him a total of 1,000 Resource Points.


    These bracelets contained throwing knives that Venix had trained with extensively. Each bracelet held a hundred knives, ready for use.


    The bracelets functioned like a Spatial Ring but were far more efficient for combat scenarios.


    After donning the bracelets, Venix transformed his clothing into a long-sleeved outfit to conceal them.


    He continued his silent observation, reducing even his heartbeat and pulse to make himself harder to detect.


    Ten minutes later, another Seedbound approached the gate.


    Like before, the Seedbound had to sign a Blood Contract to gain entry.


    Although Venix had critical plans to execute, unease gnawed at him, and he searched for a way to enter.


    While the fence was low and could easily be scaled, a red line on the ground ran parallel to the fence, indicating a formation likely meant to detect intruders.


    The red line was absent only at the gate, suggesting it was the only safe point of entry.


    "If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll have to wait until night to sneak in," Venix thought.


    It was still morning, and night was a long way off.


    Half an hour later, after several Seedbound had entered through the gate, a middle-aged man holding the hand of an eight-year-old girl approached the gate.


    The man and the girl were ordinary humans, not Seedbound!


    Narrowing his eyes, Venix focused on the scene to see what would happen next.


    Blood Contracts could only be used on Awakened individuals or Seedbound, rendering them useless on ordinary humans.


    The guards spoke sternly to the man, who nodded repeatedly as if agreeing to their terms.


    After glaring at the man with threatening eyes, the guards allowed him and the girl to pass without further action.


    "That¡¯s it!" Venix¡¯s eyes gleamed slightly.


    If ordinary humans could enter the gate, Venix could too!


    Closing his eyes briefly, he felt the energy coursing through his body.


    In one fluid motion, he activated the Mortal Cloak Technique, rendering his presence unremarkable and concealing every defining feature.


    Although there were stronger techniques, the simplest one¡ªMortal Cloak¡ªwas sufficient to conceal his true identity as an Awaken, creating the illusion of being an ordinary human.


    In the Numan World, where countless techniques had been developed over centuries, the Mortal Cloak Technique was considered useless.


    However, in the real world, although it wasn¡¯t a guarantee of complete anonymity, the chances of it succeeding were high enough!


    But at this moment, the Seed of Chaos was attempting to disrupt Venix¡¯s Mortal Cloak Technique.


    Frowning, Venix immediately examined his Seed Origin.


    Having reached a certain level of mastery, Venix no longer needed to meditate just to check his Seed Origin.


    Currently, the Seed of Vulture was spreading its energy to maintain the Mortal Cloak Technique, but the Seed of Chaos was creating vibrations that interfered with the energy¡¯s concentration, causing cracks in the Mortal Cloak Technique.


    ¡°Sooner or later, I¡¯ll erase you,¡± Venix muttered coldly as he created a simple isolation barrier to contain the area around the Seed of Chaos with his energy.


    The Seed of Vulture remained the primary Seed Origin, holding all the energy and authority, despite the Seed of Chaos being a secondary Seed Origin.


    Yet, even without any authority, the Seed of Chaos could still disrupt the Seed of Vulture¡¯s control!


    The Seed of Chaos was a rule-breaker¡ªit even had the ability to oppose those very rules!


    After suppressing the Seed of Chaos to stop its interference, Venix quickly moved to find a quiet spot to emerge in a secluded area.


    He found the perfect place: a narrow alley. He altered his appearance to look like someone who had survived countless disasters, dressing in tattered clothing.


    Touching his face, he smeared ash and soot from the scorched walls onto himself, making his disguise more convincing.


    It wasn¡¯t perfect and had several flaws, but it would suffice. Venix hoped the guards wouldn¡¯t be too meticulous when dealing with a mere human and overlook his imperfections.


    Venix drew a throwing knife and considered cutting himself with a shallow wound. After a moment of thought, he shook his head and abandoned the idea.


    Moments later, Venix limped out of the alley, heading toward the gate.


    He tried walking with a stagger, mimicking the gait of a weak and injured human. However, his movements were too stiff and unnatural, making him an easy target for suspicion.


    Shaking his head, Venix decided to walk normally, only slowing his pace slightly.


    If this failed, so be it. He could find another way or wait until he became a Seedbound in the future.


    Besides, Venix was prepared with a Crystal Teleportation and an Acceleration Pill should anything unexpected happen.


    Walking at a steady pace, Venix approached the gate guarded by two Seedbound.


    Mentally preparing for the upcoming encounter, Venix reached the gate and stopped before the guards.


    Both guards stared at him with sharp, scrutinizing eyes.


    ¡°An ordinary human,¡± one of them said.


    His companion nodded and added, ¡°Since you¡¯ve come here, you must know the terms for entering Sundance City.¡±


    Venix was slightly surprised to hear the place had its own name¡ªSundance City¡ªsomething new to him.


    It seemed the name ¡®Sundance¡¯ referred to the organization behind this encampment.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Venix replied flatly, nodding despite having no idea what the terms were.


    ¡°If you become an Awaken in the future, you¡¯ll be required to sign a contract with us. If you break it, there will be no mercy¡ªwe¡¯ll make an example out of you for anyone else who dares defy the agreement,¡± the guard said coldly.


    Venix nodded again without responding further.


    The guards¡¯ gazes were as sharp as swords, piercing through Venix and making his chest feel tight. Their intimidating aura seemed to command his body to retreat.


    However, Venix remained calm, unfazed by the pressure. Though he was just an ordinary Awaken, he felt no real threat.


    The pressure they exuded was intended to suppress the Seed Origin of others. But against an ordinary human, its effects were significantly diminished.


    ¡°Enter, and someone will assign you tasks. Remember, you are not allowed to leave without direct orders from your superiors,¡± the guard ordered.


    Then, an invisible flash of light appeared in their eyes, enveloping Venix.


    Venix immediately felt something latch onto him. Though invisible, it was tangible¡ªlike a marker that would track his movements.


    Saying nothing more, Venix was allowed to pass through the gates and into Sundance City.


    After stepping through, Venix let out a quiet sigh, thinking to himself, This Seed of Chaos¡­ it¡¯s really trying to get me killed!


    He extended his palm, gazing at it briefly before clenching his fist tightly, steeling his resolve.


    Sundance City was divided into three distinct zones. The outermost area housed the guards and the entrance.


    The middle zone was where ordinary humans performed menial tasks under the orders of their superiors.


    And the core area served as the Seedbound¡¯s residence, equipped with far superior facilities.


    A Seedbound inspected Venix briefly before escorting him to the city¡¯s middle zone.


    Once there, Venix finally saw more humans. However, moments later, his attention was drawn to something shocking: dozens of Monster corpses lying around the area!


    The Monsters, each towering about five meters tall, lay lifeless on the ground¡ªa stark and alarming sight for newcomers.


    There were various creatures: a snake, a rabbit, and a chicken, each grotesque in appearance and massive in size.


    The Monster corpses were sprawled out, and ordinary humans were using sharp tools to slowly carve their flesh. The meat was incredibly tough, making it difficult to cut.


    Once carved, the Monster flesh was transported elsewhere to be cooked.


    ¡°Ptui! What is this!? The meat is still tough, and you dare say it¡¯s cooked!?¡±


    A man¡¯s angry voice rang out, catching Venix¡¯s attention. He turned toward the source of the commotion and paused.


    Seeing Venix halt, the Seedbound escorting him also stopped, glaring at Venix with a frown.


    ¡°Who told you to stop!?¡±


    The Seedbound¡¯s voice was filled with authority as he roughly grabbed Venix¡¯s shoulder.


    But Venix didn¡¯t flinch. His movements were deliberate, his gaze slow and deliberate as it shifted to lock eyes with the Seedbound.


    That look wasn¡¯t just cold¡ªit was like a bottomless abyss, dark and brimming with silent menace.


    At that moment, the Seedbound¡¯s breath caught in his throat. His body froze¡ªnot by choice, but from something unseen yet deadly, as if death itself had come knocking.


    And that danger was now far too close to him!

 Chapter 32

    Venix quickly shut his eyes, as though trying to escape a cold, piercing gaze directed at him. It felt as if an immense weight had brushed against his very soul.


    He wasn¡¯t aware that his gaze alone could startle a Seedbound and trigger a fleeting but profound sense of danger.


    ¡°Apologies, I was slightly distracted,¡± Venix said, his voice lowered, his gaze shifting slightly as if something troubling weighed on his mind.


    The Seedbound scrutinized Venix with hesitation. The sense of danger he had felt earlier disappeared as quickly as it came, as though it had been nothing but an illusion.


    However, the man understood that a Seedbound¡¯s instincts were rarely wrong, making it hard to dismiss the notion that what he had felt was no mere figment of his imagination.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± the Seedbound said in a calmer tone, treating Venix with a hint more respect.


    Every Seedbound who joined Sundance City harbored the same feeling: they didn¡¯t truly belong there. To them, the city felt more like a transient base than a home.


    If not for the benefits of joining, most wouldn¡¯t have considered aligning themselves with this place.


    The blood contract tied their fates, but it only bound them to a particular Master and came with relatively few restrictions.


    For this reason, even though the Seedbound harbored suspicions about Venix, he chose to let it slide¡ªespecially since the brief sense of danger he felt earlier seemed genuine.


    He wasn¡¯t interested in knowing whether Venix was an enemy or how Venix had managed to mask himself as an ordinary human so effectively.


    The Seedbound carried a strong disdain for Sundance City¡¯s leadership, a sentiment shared by most of the Seedbound who had joined.


    The blood contract only forced obedience when a ¡®Master¡¯ issued an unrefusable command. It did nothing to prevent hidden agendas or subversive schemes.


    Venix couldn¡¯t quite gauge the Seedbound¡¯s thoughts as the man guided him. One thing was certain, though: he was fortunate not to have become a target for now.


    Soon, Venix was assigned to cook Monster meat, a task requiring significant time to complete.


    To his surprise, however, the Seedbound gave him a day off, saying he could start work the next day.


    The man even showed Venix an abandoned mall, now repurposed as a shelter for ordinary humans to rest and sleep.


    Leaving Venix alone inside, the Seedbound disappeared.


    Watching him leave, Venix furrowed his brow. ¡°Strange¡­¡±


    Regardless of the circumstances, he felt a wave of relief at having safely entered Sundance City and securing a chance to inspect it further.


    Inside the mall, rows of ordinary humans lay on the floor, wrapped in simple blankets, fast asleep.


    Some were eating from medium-sized bowls, their movements slow and deliberate.


    Venix¡¯s eyes landed on a small girl clutching a half-burnt doll. She walked toward the food distribution area, indifferent to the world around her.


    After receiving her portion, the girl retreated to a corner of the mall and ate her food slowly. Her expression was flat, devoid of the innocence one might expect of someone her age.


    Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Venix hesitantly approached the food distribution counter.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you before. Are you new?¡± a middle-aged woman asked as she handed out food, her gaze fixed on Venix.


    He nodded softly. ¡°I just arrived today.¡±


    The woman nodded back. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    Venix paused briefly before responding, ¡°Venix.¡±


    She wrote his name down. ¡°Each person gets two meals a day. Would you like to claim yours now?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He nodded again.


    The woman instructed someone to fetch a bowl of food for Venix, which was handed to him shortly after.


    Holding the bowl, Venix glanced at the corner where the small girl sat before deciding to approach her.


    The girl noticed him coming and instinctively tightened her grip on her food, her body tense, as if preparing to defend what was hers.


    Her cold gaze met Venix¡¯s, filled with suspicion. She clutched her food even tighter, fearing he might take it from her.


    Ignoring her wary stare, Venix sat about a meter away and opened his own bowl.


    The food inside appeared to be porridge mixed with unidentifiable ingredients.


    Using the plastic spoon provided, Venix scooped a small amount and tasted it.


    ¡°It¡¯s bland¡­ and unpleasant,¡± he thought.


    After a moment of consideration, he retrieved an Awaken Elixir from his inventory. Pretending to rummage through his pocket, he pulled out the small bottle.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Opening it, Venix poured a small amount of the blue liquid into his porridge and stirred it in evenly.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the girl watching him closely.


    Caught in the act, she quickly turned away, pretending not to have seen anything.


    ¡°Do you want this?¡± Venix asked, holding up the Awaken Elixir.


    The girl glanced at him briefly before looking away again, her expression icy.


    ¡°It¡¯s not poison,¡± he assured her. ¡°A friend gave it to me. It¡¯s meant to be mixed with food to meet the body¡¯s needs.¡±


    He took another bite of his porridge, now mixed with the elixir, and swallowed. The taste was slightly better than before.


    ¡°See? I¡¯ve eaten it¡ªit¡¯s safe,¡± Venix said with a small smile.


    The girl cast him a sidelong glance but remained silent.


    ¡°It makes the food taste a little better,¡± he added.


    Her expression shifted slightly at his words, doubt flickering in her eyes.


    ¡°I mean no harm,¡± Venix said as he stood and moved closer to her. ¡°You can try a little, okay? If you don¡¯t like it, that¡¯s fine.¡±


    The girl stayed silent, offering no response.


    With a gentle smile, Venix poured a small amount of the Awaken Elixir into her bowl. She didn¡¯t resist.


    While the elixir was primarily for Awakened individuals, Venix had learned in the Numan World that it could also supplement a regular human¡¯s diet in small quantities.


    Awakened individuals and Seedbound required far more sustenance than ordinary people to meet their bodies¡¯ heightened needs.


    This explained why humans were employed to cook Monster meat¡ªit was one of the few foods capable of sustaining Seedbound physiology.


    Monster meat was notoriously tough and chewy. In the Numan World, specialized techniques existed to make it tender and digestible.


    However, in the real world, where the Origin Era had only begun a month ago, such developments had yet to emerge.


    Perhaps the leader of Sundance City possessed such cooking methods but kept them secret.


    The girl stirred the porridge in her bowl and took a small bite.


    Her eyes lit up instantly. The food tasted far better than before!


    She looked up at Venix, silently asking for more of the elixir.


    Venix shook his head slowly, concern evident in his eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t have any more. Your body might not be able to handle it.¡±


    Ordinary humans could consume the Awaken Elixir, but only in limited amounts.


    Disappointment dimmed her gaze as she returned to her food.


    Each bite seemed to rejuvenate her, and soon, she was devouring her meal with newfound enthusiasm.


    Venix found the sight odd. Though the elixir improved the taste slightly, it was still a bland meal.


    What he didn¡¯t realize was how precious food had become. For ordinary humans and even some Seedbound, it was a blessing.


    Regardless of the taste, they had learned to adapt for the sake of survival.


    Having never experienced the struggles of someone like the girl, Venix couldn¡¯t comprehend how a slight improvement in flavor could transform a meal.


    When the girl finished the last bite of her porridge, she clutched her stomach, a deep sense of fulfillment washing over her.


    Smiling faintly, Venix offered the bottle of Awaken Elixir. ¡°You can keep this, but don¡¯t overuse it.¡±


    The girl looked at the bottle in his hand before gently shaking her head in refusal.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Venix asked, confused by her rejection.


    Her voice was soft, barely audible. ¡°Others will take it from me.¡±


    Hearing this, Venix froze.


    Without turning, he already knew there were people watching them, their curiosity piqued by the Awaken Elixir in his possession.


    In a lawless world like this, possessing anything valuable only made you a target.


    Venix tucked the bottle back into his pocket and smiled reassuringly.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± he asked gently.


    ¡°Alice,¡± the girl replied softly.


    ¡°A beautiful name,¡± Venix said sincerely.


    After that, Venix had a brief conversation with Alice while slowly finishing his meal.


    Ten minutes later, Alice fell asleep on the floor, clutching her half-burnt doll.


    Seeing Alice, Venix sighed inwardly. A child like this, living alone in this chaotic world.


    Half an hour passed, and many people came in and out of the mall building.


    At that moment, among the crowd entering the mall and queuing to receive their food rations, Venix squinted his eyes and spotted a figure in the crowd.


    The figure was a man, thin and bruised across his face. In addition, the man seemed to struggle to stand upright, his legs trembling as if they could give out at any moment.


    The man Venix saw was Rael, the friend he had been searching for!


    Earlier, when a Seedbound was scolding someone for their poor cooking, Venix, who was initially just curious, noticed that the person being scolded by the Seedbound had a resemblance to Rael.


    However, Rael''s appearance was vastly different. The glasses that usually rested on his nose were gone, and he looked far more pitiful than most people.


    Other ordinary humans, like Alice, did not have injuries or emaciated bodies like the sick. Their tired appearance was merely a result of the lack of food their bodies needed.


    Rael''s appearance was strikingly different and stood out among the other ordinary humans.


    Venix did not approach Rael immediately; he chose to wait patiently.


    Three minutes later, Rael received his food ration and went to a quieter corner of the room.


    Taking a deep breath, Venix stood and walked toward Rael.


    Venix''s heart felt like it was being pierced by a dagger. His gaze locked onto Rael, but his mind was in turmoil, spiraling in an indescribable pain.


    On the other hand, Venix did not expect Rael to still not be an Awaken and to remain an ordinary person.


    With trembling hands and his head bowed, Rael took a bite of his food.


    Venix desperately wanted to take Rael away from here using the Crystal Teleportation. However, at the same time, Venix had another plan to confront the Seed of Chaos by gathering assistance in the real world.


    Taking Rael out of Sundance City would only put him in greater danger.


    Venix reached Rael, but Rael lowered his head even further, as though he had experienced similar situations before.


    Taking another deep breath, Venix shattered the Mortal Cloak Technique and released an invisible energy around him, enclosing himself and Rael within it.


    While using the Mortal Cloak Technique, Venix couldn¡¯t use his powers or spread his energy to enhance his perception of his surroundings.


    The concept of the Mortal Cloak Technique was to trap all energy and Seed Origin within his body, ensuring not a trace of it leaked into the outside world.


    The room was filled with the sound of footsteps and clattering plates, but in the silent corner where Rael sat, there was only a heavy stillness. His shoulders drooped, his breaths were short as if he carried the weight of the world.


    Venix crouched and looked at Rael, who still had his head bowed. "Rael..."


    Hearing his name, Rael¡¯s body flinched slightly, as if it had been a long time since someone called him by his name.


    With difficulty, Rael raised his head to see the face of the person before him.


    Even though Venix had smeared charcoal and sand on his face, his features were still easily recognizable.


    "Ve¡ªVenix!?" Rael said in a hoarse, astonished voice. He looked at Venix as though seeing a ghost.


    "Rael... what happened to you? Why do you look like this?" Venix asked softly, his eyes burning slightly at the sight of his friend¡¯s condition.


    A suppressed rage bubbled within Venix, forcing himself to stay calm and avoid any reckless actions that might create unnecessary chaos.


    "Y¡ªYou... H¡ªHow are you still alive!?" Rael said, his face filled with shock, remembering that Ronan had confirmed Venix¡¯s death after finding pieces of his body in the school ruins.


    "I¡¯ll explain later," Venix replied in a hoarse voice. "Where is Ronan? Is he okay?"


    Ronan had already become a Seedbound, so his condition should have been much better given his status.


    "R¡ªRonan..." Rael swallowed hard. "H¡ªHe... He¡¯s been killed..."


    Plop.


    Venix¡¯s body weakened instantly, and he fell to the floor. Tears welled up in his eyes, a mixture of anger and grief burning inside him.


    He knew this was something difficult to avoid in this era.


    For a moment, Venix¡¯s gaze turned blank. In the end, he could do nothing to save his own friend!

 Chapter 33

    Venix recalled the last day he spent with Ronan.


    At that time, Ronan had just become a Seedbound, his face radiating an unquenchable enthusiasm.


    He talked endlessly, detailing every aspect of his newfound power with sparkling eyes, almost making Venix forget the doubts that had once clouded his mind.


    Ronan¡¯s confidence soared like the stars in the night sky, reminding Venix of an endless cosmic expanse.


    Venix could still remember how Ronan was so certain that Earth¡¯s civilization was about to enter a golden age, surpassing all of its past achievements.


    But now, all of that had turned to ashes¡ªRonan included.


    ¡°Ronan¡­ he was killed in the war,¡± said Rael hoarsely, his voice cracking. He coughed repeatedly, clutching his chest as if the words themselves weighed too heavily to be spoken.


    Venix stared at Rael''s frail body, feeling a tightness in his chest for a brief moment.


    But he quickly took a deep breath, setting aside the grief pressing against him. He focused his mind on channeling energy into Rael¡¯s battered body, carefully checking for the hidden wounds beneath his tattered clothing.


    It became evident that Rael¡¯s body carried severe internal injuries, a testament to the grueling trials he had endured over the past month just to survive.


    Though Venix wasn¡¯t trained in medicine, one glance was enough to tell him that Rael¡¯s condition was dire.


    Venix furrowed his brow, his sharp gaze probing Rael as though attempting to uncover the secrets behind his exhausted face. ¡°Tell me¡ªwhat really happened? How did you end up like this?¡±


    Quickly, Venix accessed his inventory system, his eyes darting with precision as he searched for what he needed.


    He retrieved a pale green pill, an item specifically prepared for situations like this¡ªto heal significant physical injuries.


    ¡°Swallow this,¡± Venix said firmly but gently as he carefully opened Rael¡¯s mouth and placed the pill on the edge of his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t move too much. Let your body do the work.¡±


    With his strength, Venix aided in pushing the pill into Rael¡¯s system.


    A minute later, Rael began to feel his body recovering. The healing effects of the pill seeped through him, steadily restoring his vitality.


    ¡°What¡­ what did you give me?¡± Rael asked, astonished.


    The pill¡¯s effects were so potent that the changes in his body were almost immediate.


    ¡°It¡¯s a healing pill. If I explained where it came from, we¡¯d be here all day,¡± Venix replied, shaking his head slightly before continuing, ¡°Now, tell me¡ªwhat¡¯s been happening over the past month?¡±


    Rael let out a long, heavy sigh, the sound resonating deep in his chest as though carrying the weight of his burdens.


    He looked at Venix, as if searching for the courage to speak, before finally recounting the events of the past.


    When fighter jets attacked their city, leaving countless dead, a combined force of hundreds of Seedbound from the Police Department had managed to repel the assault.


    Hearing there were hundreds of Seedbound, Venix silently cursed.


    The strength hidden by the Police Department far exceeded anything Venix had anticipated.


    With unwavering confidence, the leaders of Sundance City had rallied hundreds of Seedbound to counterattack their enemies.


    Though Rael no longer looked like the person he once was, he explained that those in charge had long been aware of the factions possessing Awaken powers.


    That¡¯s why the counterattack was launched within less than a day¡ªproof that the enemy¡¯s location was already known.


    Venix had suspected as much. But he hadn¡¯t expected the numbers to be so vast.


    And perhaps there were hundreds of other factions across the globe building armies of Awaken.


    And this was just Earth. What about other planets, like Mars, Europia, and Titania?


    How far had they progressed along the path of Origin?


    Ronan, who had been among the first recruits to join the Police Department, also fought in that war.


    Briefly, Ronan had told Rael that they had won the battle, successfully driving back their enemies¡ªwho turned out to be residents of a neighboring city.


    Rael also mentioned that at the time, Ronan appeared different, burdened, as if he had been forced into it.


    Then came the rise of Monsters, a real threat looming over humanity.


    Rael explained how the Seedbound worked tirelessly to hunt and slaughter Monsters. Even if the Monsters fled the city, the Seedbound would chase them down, leaving no escape.


    That¡¯s why Sundance City had such a substantial supply of Monster corpses in their storage.


    Ronan had said that within a Monster¡¯s body lay a Monster Core, along with other components crucial for a Seedbound¡¯s advancement.


    Thus, while Monsters brought danger, they also offered blessings to the Seedbound, providing valuable resources to enhance their powers.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Two weeks ago, Rael mentioned that Ronan¡¯s mother had passed away in this very mall building. Ronan had tried to seek medical assistance for her, but his requests were ignored by his superiors, who claimed they had more critical missions to attend to.


    Under such conditions, Ronan had been forced to continue hunting Monsters. Rael even recalled a moment when a seductive woman threatened to strangle Ronan¡¯s younger sister, Nina, unless Ronan followed her orders.


    Rael said Ronan had begged for Nina to become an Awaken, agreeing only then to comply with their demands.


    After a long debate, Nina was finally transformed into a Seedbound and signed a contract with the leader of Sundance City.


    That was the last time Rael saw Ronan.


    A few days later, Nina, now a Seedbound, approached Rael to inform him that Ronan had fallen in battle.


    Nina explained that during a Monster hunt, Sundance City¡¯s hunting group was ambushed by enemies, resulting in the death of every member, including Ronan.


    At the time, Nina told Rael that she was being reassigned elsewhere¡ªlikely their final goodbye.


    Before leaving, Nina handed Rael a small cloth bag containing two Monster Cores.


    These were items Ronan had prepared to give to Rael once he became an Awaken.


    But with Ronan gone and Nina leaving, she had no choice but to pass them directly to Rael.


    ¡°Let me guess¡­ You were hunted by the Seedbound in Sundance City, and they stole the Monster Cores from you?¡± Venix asked coldly.


    Rael smiled bitterly. ¡°That¡¯s right. I knew how valuable they were, so I refused to give them up easily.¡±


    Venix¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°You tried to fight them?¡±


    ¡°Sharp as ever, aren¡¯t you?¡± Rael replied with a cynical smile.


    The two Monster Cores were stolen, and Rael failed to protect the precious items.


    His resistance angered the Seedbound, leading to his mistreatment¡ªbeing denied daily rations and subjected to humiliation.


    This explained his emaciated condition, worsened by the grueling labor he was forced to do for the Seedbound.


    Venix, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t blame Nina for entrusting the valuable items to Rael.


    Inexperience and ignorance of humanity¡¯s greed often blinded people to such mistakes.


    Venix himself had once intended to give an Awaken Elixir to Alice with good intentions, only for Alice to realize that possessing something valuable could be a curse for the weak.


    With a long sigh, Venix struggled to suppress the anger brewing within him.


    ¡°Now it¡¯s your turn¡­ How are you still alive?¡± Rael asked, curiosity filling his face.


    Ronan and Rael had both seen Venix¡¯s corpse¡ªidentifiable by the unmistakable cut to his neck.


    If it had been a hand or foot, survival might have been remotely possible. But the neck? Not even a Seedbound could survive that.


    ¡°Would you believe me if I said I was reborn today?¡± Venix replied calmly.


    ¡°I get it. Everyone has their secrets,¡± Rael said with a relaxed smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been honest with you,¡± Venix sighed.


    Sometimes, the truth was harder to accept than a lie.


    ¡°Venix¡­¡± Rael said softly, looking at him, ¡°Are you a Seedbound?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no,¡± Venix replied, meeting Rael¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯m at the Awaken level but haven¡¯t reached Seedbound yet.¡±


    Rael froze. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡±


    To Rael, an Awaken was someone who had awakened their powers, while Seedbound was simply the next level.


    Venix sighed. ¡°Awaken and Seedbound are two entirely different things. They¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, a deafening siren blared throughout Sundance City, waking everyone from their sleep.


    Hearing the siren, Venix felt a surge of tension.


    ¡°A group has entered Sundance City illegally,¡± Rael said, shaking his head slightly, as though accustomed to this.


    Venix turned to look at him. ¡°Why would they enter Sundance City? Are they looking for war?¡±


    Rael responded calmly, ¡°They¡¯re here to steal resources needed by the Seedbound. It¡¯s happened several times before.¡±


    Seeing Rael¡¯s calm demeanor, Venix frowned. ¡°Why are you so indifferent? Have you given up on living?¡±


    The enemies had come to attack this place, and it was natural that this situation was quite dangerous, especially for ordinary humans like Rael.


    "Their target is far from here," Rael shook his head slightly. "The warehouse storing the Seedbound resources is located in the core area of Sundance City, where the Seedbound reside."


    The enemy''s previous attacks were similar to this one, neither disturbing nor targeting ordinary humans without clear reasons.


    "They don¡¯t care about us, ordinary humans, because, in the end, aside from making us work for them, we¡¯re useless to them," Rael said with a cynical smile.


    As Rael had said, Venix noticed that the people who had been woken up by the blaring sirens were now lying back down, trying to resume their sleep without a hint of worry.


    Seeing this, Venix finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Venix pulled out ten healing pills and handed them to Rael.


    "This is the perfect opportunity for me to leave this place," Venix said as he placed the ten pills into Rael¡¯s open palm, which then closed around them tightly.


    "You¡¯re leaving?" Worry flashed across Rael''s face. "That contract isn¡¯t simple. If you leave, they¡¯ll kill you in seconds!"


    Rael had once witnessed a Seedbound who tried to steal resources from the storage warehouse and planned to flee Sundance City. But before the person could escape, a voice stopped him, rendering him immobile.


    After that, the voice ordered the traitor to skin himself alive.


    To Rael''s shock, the man actually skinned himself, accompanied by horrifying screams and pleas for mercy.


    "Who said I made a contract with them?" Venix replied with a small smile. "I entered Sundance City as an ordinary human."


    "How is that possible?" Rael was stunned.


    Venix shook his head and said, "Do you remember why I was always asleep, even to the point of being taken to the hospital with the help of you two?"


    Rael immediately recalled an incident from a month ago when his life had been running smoothly as planned. Though it had only been a month, Rael felt as if ten years had passed during that time.


    "I already had Awaken powers back then," Venix said gently, continuing, "My powers took me into a dream world where I had to complete certain tasks to gain strength."


    Venix shared half the truth with Rael, concealing the Virtual Ascension system.


    Rael looked at Venix with a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Then, the reason you didn¡¯t wake up for days back then¡­"


    "I was on a specific mission in the dream world," Venix explained. "If I failed, I would die, and there was no way to stop the mission midway."


    Rael fell silent at this revelation.


    "I also have an important mission in the dream world now," Venix added. "If I fail, I might lose myself. Even though I want to take you away from this place, failing would put you in danger as well."


    Rael smiled and patted Venix on the shoulder. "I trust you."


    Whether Rael truly believed him, Venix couldn¡¯t tell.


    "At most, one month," Venix said, continuing, "I¡¯ll come back here and take you away."


    "I¡¯m just an ordinary human. I¡¯d only be a burden to you," Rael admitted, aware of his own limitations.


    "I might be able to help you become an Awaken," Venix said with a serious expression.


    Hearing this, Rael¡¯s eyes lit up slightly. "Really?"


    "Where do you think I got those pills from? I can bring some items from the dream world into reality," Venix explained honestly.


    Rael glanced at the pills in his hand and felt slightly reassured.


    "I¡¯ll wait for you then," Rael said after a brief moment of consideration.


    "Don¡¯t cause any trouble, and be careful," Venix said firmly.


    It was impossible to completely convince Rael, but Venix had done his best.


    If Venix were in Rael¡¯s position, he would likely feel the same way, perhaps even suspecting that his friend simply didn¡¯t want to carry a burden on his back.


    With that, Venix said his goodbyes to Rael and left the mall building.


    Seeing Alice, who was trying to sleep, Venix sighed, knowing he couldn¡¯t give her anything and would only end up making her a target for others.


    Venix took out an Acceleration Pill from his inventory and swallowed it.


    Using it twice in succession would weaken his body for a few days, but Venix didn¡¯t mind.


    Amid the blaring sirens, Venix saw colorful lights in the sky, indicating that the battle had already begun.


    "It¡¯s time to go," Venix said softly but firmly.


    In the midst of this chaos, the Seedbound were focused on blocking those entering Sundance City, paying no attention to Venix as he carefully approached the perimeter fence, preparing to leave Sundance City.

 Chapter 34

    Venix moved swiftly, his feet landing gracefully as if the trees themselves were natural footholds that never faltered beneath him.


    Every leap showcased the rhythm of his trained body, while the wind howled fiercely in response to his ever-increasing speed.


    Blood trickled slowly from the wounds on his left shoulder, soaking through his already torn clothes.


    A few drops fell to the ground, creating crimson stains that stood out starkly against the dark forest floor.


    From his system inventory, Venix retrieved something: a bright green healing pill. With trembling fingers, he held it between both hands. In one swift motion, he swallowed it, feeling the pill cool his burning throat.


    "Without the Acceleration Pill, I would''ve died at their hands," Venix muttered, his voice almost drowned out by the wind. His gaze remained sharp¡ªno hesitation, no fear¡ªonly sheer determination gleaming in his eyes.


    With the Acceleration Pill coursing through him, Venix''s body seemed to glide faster than the wind itself. Each movement felt lighter, as if even gravity adjusted to accommodate his breakneck pace.


    Seedbound in the real world were indeed strong, but without Origin Techniques, their power remained raw and unrefined.


    In his mind, Venix envisioned a world yet to come.


    "The Survival Realm hasn''t manifested in the real world yet..." he thought, picturing the looming darkness that would engulf it.


    "But once it does, the power of Seedbound here will explode." Venix''s face tensed slightly, revealing a flicker of anxiety beneath his otherwise unwavering confidence.


    The Survival Realm was knowledge Venix had obtained from Numan World.


    It was said that a portal would appear, leading to another world.


    That world was teeming with monsters and unique beasts, along with various Origin Plants found within it.


    Essentially, the world beyond the portal was filled with dangerous creatures, requiring caution in its exploration.


    It was not only a world of peril but also a land of hope.


    An abundance of Origin resources lay hidden within ancient ruins left behind. These locations, brimming with secrets and techniques capable of transforming one''s power, awaited discovery by those brave enough to seek them.


    Numan World did not create Origin Techniques from scratch but perfected those they retrieved from the Survival Realm, refining them with their own strength.


    Venix gazed up at the clear sky, his eyes fixed on the auroras dancing above.


    The colorful lights exuded an almost unreachable beauty, as if offering hope amidst the chaos he faced.


    "Origin Blessing..." Venix whispered, his voice nearly lost in the wind. His thoughts lingered on uncertain hope, a mix of anticipation and unease over the challenges ahead.


    The reason he had returned to the real world was to obtain an Origin Blessing from it.


    When he had died, the system had informed him that the Seed of Chaos had been forcibly awakened due to his death, enabling his resurrection.


    With the birth of the Seed of Chaos in his body in the real world, his Virtual World form underwent the same evolution, mirroring the increase in his real-world strength.


    With this, Venix dared to pursue the Origin Blessing to further empower his Seed of Vulture.


    Beforehand, Venix had directly consulted Grandmaster Orion regarding his plan.


    If an Awaken received an Origin Blessing, would all their Seed Origins be strengthened?


    If the Origin Blessing also enhanced the Seed of Chaos, it would pose a fatal risk.


    Fortunately, Grandmaster Orion''s response reassured Venix.


    Grandmaster Orion explained that, in his observation, the Seed of Chaos was an entity of far greater value and should not even exist in a low-level world like Numan World.


    The Origin Era merely awakened the Origin Fragment Realm hidden within human souls, paving the way for someone to become Awakened.


    The Origin Blessing could not be granted to foreign entities, only to beings born in that world.


    Grandmaster Orion also mentioned that if a civilization or individual stronger than Numan World entered this world, newly entering the Origin Era, they would not receive the Origin Blessing and would likely face suppression of their power.


    In Numan World''s historical records, Grandmaster Orion found references to a mysterious figure who occasionally appeared in the world, aiding Numan World in gaining a deeper understanding of the Origin Era and sharing their knowledge.


    Grandmaster Orion further noted that the Origin Era belonged to the beings native to the world and that external entities could not claim it.


    Based on this explanation, Grandmaster Orion concluded that the Origin Blessing would not enhance the Seed of Chaos, as that entity was on a level far beyond the Origin Era itself.


    With this understanding, Venix decided to proceed, though he resolved only to use the Origin Blessing as a last resort.


    Venix continued moving forward, his eyes scanning every gap in the forest, but it became increasingly clear that finding a safe hiding spot was becoming harder.


    Every area he explored felt too exposed, lacking the concealment he needed.


    After searching for ten minutes, Venix grew frustrated at the seeming impossibility of finding a place untraveled by others.


    "I can only hope luck is on my side..." Venix muttered, his voice muted but tense.


    His gaze shifted quickly, as if watching every sound emanating from the forest.


    Venix scoured the area again, his eyes darting sharply in every direction, until he finally discovered a sufficiently hidden location behind a line of trees. The spot seemed modest but adequate to conceal him from passersby.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The place Venix chose was simple, surrounded by four trees that left enough room for him to sit.


    Seated in the middle of the space encircled by trees, Venix pulled out a scroll from his inventory. The scroll bore mysterious formation symbols painted across its surface.


    This scroll had cost him 1,000 Resource Points to bring into the real world!


    Placing the scroll before him, Venix extended his palm over it and channeled energy into the paper.


    As he infused the scroll with energy, the symbols began to glow, their light intensifying with the flow of energy. Every line and circle on the scroll seemed to come alive, shining with an almost mesmerizing hue.


    A fine white dust began to spread within a five-meter radius around Venix.


    The particles gradually coalesced, as if binding to one another.


    Five minutes later, a blue barrier emerged, enclosing Venix within it.


    Slowly, the blue hue of the barrier turned white before finally becoming invisible.


    From the outside, Venix''s figure, nestled among the four trees, vanished without a trace.


    Inside the barrier, Venix could see the outside world clearly.


    "Stage one... successful?" Venix whispered, his tone filled with uncertainty.


    This scroll had been custom-made by Grandmaster Orion, who had explained that if Venix could clearly see the outside world, it meant the invisible barrier had been successfully activated, rendering Venix undetectable by the naked eye or ordinary observation techniques.


    "Stage one of the formation consumed 80% of my energy..." Venix paused, staring at the scroll before him.


    Grandmaster Orion stated that activating this formation would consume a significant amount of energy. Moreover, this was just the initial stage; there were still three more stages to go!


    The other three stages were necessary to create a strong protective barrier capable of withstanding a full-force attack from Rootbound.


    Venix was concerned that his Origin Blessing might be stronger than he had anticipated.


    After all, the Seed of Vulture had absorbed part of the Seed of Chaos¡¯s essence, further enhancing its power.


    Venix recalled the moment when the Origin Blessing began merging with his body after he became an Awaken in the real world.


    In mere seconds, he felt a surge of overwhelming power, almost like a tornado.


    Typically, people needed several minutes to gather the energy of their Origin Blessing.


    But Venix only took seconds, almost causing a great phenomenon in the sky.


    If he had waited any longer, Venix feared the phenomenon would have been mistaken for a legendary treasure manifesting on Earth!


    In the history of the Numan World, several powerful figures who received Origin Blessings created similar grand phenomena, often misinterpreted as the emergence of legendary treasures.


    For that reason, Venix had planned everything meticulously, preparing a Crystal Teleportation device to escape in case the area became crowded with curious onlookers.


    Venix consumed an Awaken Elixir and refined the raw energy within his body, transforming it into his own energy.


    Once his energy was fully replenished, Venix directed it back into the scroll, draining it once again.


    This process took quite some time, and night began to fall.


    Finally, after exhausting his energy four times, Venix fully activated the scroll¡¯s formation. The formation symbols on the scroll vanished, leaving behind an ordinary white parchment.


    Venix let out a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion from the long process.


    A faint smile crossed his face before he inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, returning his consciousness to the Virtual World.


    At the same time, his body in the real world became shielded by an invisible barrier capable of withstanding attacks from Awaken Middle-Stage enemies, consuming 200 Resource Points.


    With Earth¡¯s weakest Seedbound level, this barrier wasn¡¯t strong enough to resist their attacks fully. However, it was sufficient to alert Venix if anyone attempted to strike his hiding place.


    Back in the Numan World, Venix exited his meditative state and opened his eyes.


    Seeing the pile of books and metal boxes in his room, Venix paused for a moment, then decided to head to the library to retrieve more books and techniques.


    \---


    A week passed quickly.


    Over the past week, Venix had delved into many aspects of Origin Formation and various Earth Origin Techniques.


    His knowledge grew richer, but the deeper he immersed himself in this realm, the more he realized he was merely a drop in the vast ocean of knowledge.


    Venix had initially thought that the more he learned and became knowledgeable, the more competent and confident he would be¡ªsomeone dependable.


    However, Venix was wrong. Though he had amassed an extensive wealth of knowledge in his mind, it didn¡¯t mean he became an all-knowing individual.


    It was like the human eye, capable of observing the world, yet it could only see in one direction and not a full 360 degrees.


    Thus, no matter how much knowledge or how many techniques Venix learned, his thoughts always narrowed to one thing he deemed most important, blinding him from seeing the entirety of his acquired knowledge.


    Aside from studying, Venix also practiced various combat techniques specifically designed for his Seed of Vulture, which had been developed by a specialized research team.


    Even so, Venix felt far from ready to face the Seed of Chaos directly.


    At this moment, Venix was meditating.


    Controlling the body of the Seed of Vulture, he observed the Seed of Chaos, calmly seated on its throne.


    Behind it, the third Origin Fragment Realm had already appeared, slowly expanding while siphoning a small portion of Venix¡¯s energy.


    Feeling uneasy, Venix controlled the Seed of Vulture¡¯s body to approach the third Origin Fragment Realm.


    Floating just outside the third Origin Fragment Realm¡¯s barrier, Venix¡¯s discomfort intensified over time.


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible to force an entry.¡± Venix gazed at the third Origin Fragment Realm and sighed.


    If he could devour the Seed Origin within it, Vulture would grow stronger, and his chances of confronting the Seed of Chaos might improve.


    ¡°Ever since I returned to the real world, I¡¯ve felt uneasy,¡± Venix remarked, his frustration evident. ¡°Could something major be about to happen in the real world?¡±


    Awakens had a sharp sixth sense, and most of their instincts proved accurate.


    Shaking his bird-like head, Venix hovered outside the third Origin Fragment Realm, closed his eyes, and entered a state of deep meditation.


    Venix reflected on his experiences since the Virtual Ascension system appeared.


    At first, Venix had thought the system was just an ordinary virtual game, but he was wrong.


    He believed the Numan World was Earth in the future, but after delving deeper, he realized Earth and the Numan World were two entirely different realms.


    When he became a Pseudo-Awaken in the real world, Venix saw an aurora in the sky and realized his system was far from ordinary.


    From that moment, Venix sought more power to prepare for the coming Origin Era in the real world.


    But change came quickly. The Origin Era arrived, and Venix found himself powerless, unable even to help his own friends.


    During that period, Venix felt constantly hunted by time. Danger crept in slowly, until it ultimately killed him without warning.


    Sometimes, Venix thought he had never been given a chance to rest since becoming an Awaken.


    Reflecting on his life experiences, Venix noticed something peculiar.


    ¡°After I died in the real world and lived in the Virtual World, I felt far more relaxed and patient,¡± Venix mused, piecing the puzzle together. ¡°I never felt at ease as an Awaken, as if I were constantly being pursued by something... That feeling disappeared when my real-world body died, only to return after I came back to life in the real world.¡±


    Venix suddenly opened his eyes and looked down at the third Origin Fragment Realm beneath him.


    ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with my body in the real world!¡± Venix declared after analyzing everything.


    He didn¡¯t know what was wrong with his real-world body, but he sensed a significant difference.


    The Seed of Vulture¡¯s body began to glow as it ignited with a purple flame, launching attacks against the invisible barrier surrounding the third Origin Fragment Realm.


    Boom! Boom!


    Venix attacked relentlessly.


    The remaining energy from his strikes was quickly absorbed by the third Origin Fragment Realm.


    Venix didn¡¯t care and continued his assault with all his strength, attempting to break through the barrier.


    Boom! Boom!


    Venix didn¡¯t stop, undeterred.


    However, on another level, Venix was focused on something else.


    As the third Origin Fragment Realm absorbed the residual energy from his attacks, Venix noticed that the absorption rate was unusually slow, unlike before with the second Origin Fragment Realm.


    ¡°Hahaha!¡± Venix laughed at this, then turned to glare at the Seed of Chaos still seated on its throne.


    ¡°You¡¯re alive, aren¡¯t you? Seed of Chaos? You¡¯re not just some ordinary Seed Origin that can¡¯t speak, are you!?¡± Venix challenged, his gaze sharp.


    The Seed of Chaos ignored Venix, not even sparing him a glance.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t talk, I¡¯ll force you to,¡± Venix declared, a defiant grin spreading across his Vulture face.


    With those words, Venix exited his meditation, returning his consciousness to his real-world body.


    As his awareness returned, Venix held a communication device in his hand and spoke a single decisive sentence.


    ¡°I¡¯m accelerating the formation of the third Seed Origin,¡± Venix announced, his resolve firm.


    Meanwhile, those outside were shocked by Venix¡¯s sudden decision and quickly contacted Grandmaster Ardyn to intervene and make a swift judgment.

 Chapter 35

    Currently, Venix had been transferred to another room.


    In this new room, a large cylinder filled with Awaken Elixir was connected directly to Venix''s body.


    Sitting upright on the floor, Venix kept his eyes tightly shut. His expression was calm but intense, his concentration evident. Meanwhile, Grandmaster Ardyn and Grandmaster Orion stood silently in the corner of the room, exchanging occasional glances as the silence thickened the air.


    "Why did you tell me to support his decision?" Grandmaster Ardyn asked softly.


    Grandmaster Orion, gazing at Venix in meditation, replied, "Because only Venix can change his own fate."


    Grandmaster Ardyn frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. "What we need is more time to help Venix grow stronger in utilizing his Seed of Vulture, not to recklessly accelerate this process!"


    Their original plan had been to give Venix time to develop in other areas, ensuring he would be better prepared to face the Seed of Chaos in the future.


    "Venix has been asking me a lot of questions," Grandmaster Orion said, his tone gentle but thoughtful. "Strange ones, mostly revolving around the history of the early Origin Era."


    Grandmaster Ardyn scoffed, not bothering to respond.


    "If you truly want to help him, trust him," Grandmaster Orion continued, his voice firm. "The same way you trusted him with those valuable resources."


    "The last time I trusted you, the results were less than satisfactory," Grandmaster Ardyn replied with a cynical smile.


    Grandmaster Orion remained silent, offering no rebuttal.


    Meanwhile, Venix was deeply focused, channeling his energy toward the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Controlling the Seed of Vulture within him, Venix hovered above the Origin Fragment Realm, pouring his energy into it. However, the realm fiercely resisted, blocking Venix''s access at every turn.


    A smirk formed in Venix''s mind as he observed this.


    "I wonder," he muttered to himself, staring down at the Origin Fragment Realm below, "Why is it that in the real world, misfortune always seems to follow me, danger arriving one after another? Yet in the Virtual World, everything flows so smoothly. Too smoothly, even."


    Ever since he had been captured by the Robot, met Luna, Awakened, and progressed to this point, everything had unfolded almost effortlessly. However, in the real world, even when Venix tried to evade trouble, misfortune always seemed to find him, building up from minor inconveniences to major crises.


    Reflecting on this contrast, Venix stared into the void, his thoughts restless. Why was the Virtual World so seamless, while reality was fraught with endless challenges?


    At first, Venix had thought this was simply the path predetermined for him by the Virtual Ascension System. But as his journey progressed, too many coincidences seemed to align perfectly.


    Despite the Origin Fragment Realm¡¯s resistance, Venix knew that with his persistent flow of energy and the Awaken Elixir coursing through his veins, he wouldn¡¯t run out of energy anytime soon. The barrier couldn¡¯t hold forever.


    For an hour, Venix sustained this effort, feeling the resistance of the Origin Fragment Realm begin to falter. During this time, he observed the Seed of Chaos atop its throne. Strangely, the Seed of Chaos only glanced at him a few times, making no moves otherwise.


    "Grandmaster Orion said the Seed of Chaos is a unique entity, perhaps possessing a consciousness akin to a human¡¯s," Venix thought to himself. "Could it be that the Seed of Chaos hasn¡¯t reached the threshold for such awareness yet?"


    His lips pressed into a tight line, his brows furrowing as unanswered questions clouded his mind. According to Grandmaster Orion, the Seed of Chaos was fundamentally different from the Seed Origin, its level not even equivalent.


    The Seed Origin itself was surrounded by mysteries that remained unexplored in Numan World. Venix¡¯s own case¡ªbeing bonded to the Seed of Vulture¡ªwas a recent discovery.


    Perhaps, in the vastness of space, in regions inhabited by more advanced beings, the Seed Origin could undergo further evolution, becoming even more formidable.


    Pushing thoughts of the Seed of Chaos aside, Venix focused back on channeling energy into the Origin Fragment Realm. A day passed swiftly, and his progress reached 70%.


    However, unlike his experience with the first Seed Origin, the third Seed Origin remained invisible to Venix, shrouded and obscured.


    After brief contemplation, Venix emerged from his meditative state. Upon opening his eyes, Grandmaster Ardyn and Grandmaster Orion immediately approached, concerned about his condition.


    Understanding the value of transparency, Venix relayed everything he had experienced, including the peculiar resistance of the third Origin Fragment Realm.


    Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s expression turned grave, his brow furrowing deeply. On the other hand, Grandmaster Orion stayed silent, his piercing gaze hinting at deep contemplation.


    After five minutes of quiet deliberation, Grandmaster Orion spoke. "This is highly unusual. You can¡¯t access the Origin Fragment Realm, even with your Seed of Vulture?"


    "No," Venix admitted, shaking his head.


    He explained honestly that he couldn¡¯t enter the Origin Fragment Realm with his Seed Origin¡ªa rare and nearly impossible occurrence. Despite this, Grandmaster Ardyn, far from disappointed, appeared deeply engrossed in finding a solution.


    Venix exhaled quietly in relief. After all, he had previously misled Grandmaster Ardyn.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    When asked to devour the third Origin Fragment Realm using his Seed of Vulture, Venix had declined with various excuses. It was natural for Grandmaster Ardyn to harbor some frustration over this deceit, a fact Venix understood.


    What Venix didn¡¯t realize was that Grandmaster Ardyn and the research team had long suspected something unusual about him. Their theories were alarmingly close to the truth.


    "The Seed of Chaos is too unruly," Grandmaster Ardyn said sternly. "It can easily disrupt the authority of the main Seed Origin."


    Grandmaster Orion nodded in agreement. "If Venix fails with the first Seed Origin, he¡¯s finished¡ªthere will be no second chances."


    Curious, Venix raised a brow. "Does that mean because of the Astral Bond, I can¡¯t freely choose a second Seed Origin?"


    "That¡¯s part of it," Grandmaster Orion admitted. "But the first Seed Origin is the foundation for any Awaken. Based on our data, the first Seed Origin always holds unique advantages over the second and third."


    Venix nodded gently, recalling his past struggles and Luna¡¯s sacrifices, which made him sigh softly in his heart.


    Grandmaster Ardyn turned and looked at Grandmaster Orion. ¡°Given the current circumstances, do you think it¡¯s wise to expedite the process?¡±


    Grandmaster Orion pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°Based on the situation Venix described, there might be one or two reasons why the Seed of Chaos is deliberately slowing down the development of the third Seed Origin.¡±


    He then shifted his gaze to Venix. ¡°Perhaps the Seed of Chaos has done something that came at a significant cost, and now it needs time to fully recover.¡±


    Venix had guessed as much and nodded in agreement.


    Grandmaster Ardyn sighed and said, ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll make the preparations.¡±


    With that, Grandmaster Ardyn turned to leave.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Venix called out immediately. ¡°What are you going to prepare, Grandmaster?¡±


    Grandmaster Ardyn paused briefly, glanced back, and smiled gently. ¡°Of course, to help you. Continue your efforts, and when the final battle arrives, I¡¯ll have everything ready for you.¡±


    With those words, Grandmaster Ardyn left the room.


    Venix stood there with a puzzled expression and turned to Grandmaster Orion, hoping for an explanation.


    ¡°That¡¯s his choice,¡± Grandmaster Orion said calmly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to concern yourself with it.¡±


    Venix frowned, feeling a subtle unease in his heart.


    Still, this wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on it or seek answers.


    Guided by Grandmaster Orion¡¯s advice, Venix received a new perspective and clearer strategies.


    ¡°Is this really possible?¡± Venix asked, looking at Grandmaster Orion.


    ¡°In theory, it is,¡± Grandmaster Orion replied. ¡°However, the outcome may vary. I¡¯ve gathered enough data to craft a technique like this.¡±


    Grandmaster Orion then instructed Venix to wait as he meditated to finalize the technique he had been envisioning.


    Bored, Venix took out a technique scroll from his Spatial Ring. His left hand trembled slightly as he pressed it to his wrist.


    Closing his eyes, he saw letters and words forming in his mind, each word carrying a weight he had to comprehend. The air in the room grew increasingly heavy.


    The atmosphere inside the room was tranquil, but outside, many researchers were busy preparing everything.


    The data they could gather from Venix was invaluable, and they intended to make full use of their machinery when the time came.


    Twelve hours later, Grandmaster Orion opened his eyes and began teaching Venix the new technique.


    The technique was complex and profound, causing Venix to frown deeply.


    Fortunately, Grandmaster Orion, as the creator of the technique, could guide Venix to understand it more quickly.


    Three hours later, Venix had grasped the theory behind the technique. The next challenge was the hardest part¡ªapplying it in practice.


    Venix meditated again, channeling his control over the Seed of Vulture and floating outside the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Recalling the technique, Venix flapped his birdlike wings, generating an energy wave that resembled a small ripple.


    He tried to control the ripple, but it collapsed almost instantly.


    Unyielding, Venix tried again and again, enduring over a dozen failures.


    At last, he managed to maintain the ripple¡¯s form and began adding energy to it.


    Slowly, the ripple grew larger as more energy was infused.


    When the wave trembled and seemed on the verge of collapse, Venix ceased adding energy and first stabilized it.


    Once stabilized, he resumed channeling energy, allowing the wave to grow even further.


    Eventually, the energy wave expanded to an enormous size, rivaling the scale of the Origin Fragment Realm itself!


    Taking a deep breath, Venix flapped his wings to the side, directing the massive energy wave toward the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Boom!!!


    The Origin Fragment Realm shook violently under the impact of the colossal wave. Venix immediately felt it weaken, as though it had been damaged.


    ¡°Did it work?¡± Venix asked, a hint of surprise and joy in his voice.


    The technique Grandmaster Orion had created was brutal, designed to shatter someone¡¯s future!


    Its purpose was to obliterate the Origin Fragments within and destroy them, thereby weakening the Origin Fragment Realm. The resulting Seed Origin would be imperfect and riddled with flaws.


    While cruel, in the right circumstances, this technique was a powerful tool for Venix.


    ¡°Sometimes, being overly cautious and secretive isn¡¯t always the best approach,¡± Venix thought to himself.


    Had he been more open earlier, he might have been able to weaken the Seed of Chaos even further with this technique.


    And if he were lucky, he might even destroy the Seed of Chaos entirely!


    Unbeknownst to Venix, when Grandmaster Orion had entered his soul, he had examined not only the Seed of Vulture but also Venix¡¯s entire soul, uncovering the truth more quickly.


    That was why Venix had felt so exposed during the examination; Grandmaster Orion had thoroughly scrutinized his entire being!


    It was during that inspection that Grandmaster Orion had secretly devised this technique, anticipating its future necessity.


    This was but one of many plans Grandmaster Orion had laid out for Venix.


    Previously, Grandmaster Orion had needed a little more time to perfect the technique, which was why he had meditated and asked Venix to wait.


    The massive energy wave had drained 90% of Venix¡¯s energy. He needed to rest and replenish his reserves before he could use the technique again.


    The residual energy from the wave surrounded the Origin Fragment Realm.


    Unlike before, when the realm consciously repelled incoming energy, this time it voraciously absorbed the residual energy into its world.


    Had the Origin Fragment Realm not absorbed it, Venix wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to reclaim the energy he had expended.


    Pressing his lips tightly together, Venix allowed a small smile to form¡ªthough only he knew the meaning behind it.


    Slowly, he drew a deep breath and opened his eyes, feeling his body reconnect with reality after being immersed in meditation for so long.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± Grandmaster Orion asked as soon as Venix opened his eyes.


    ¡°It worked,¡± Venix replied with a satisfied nod. ¡°I can feel that the Origin Fragment Realm has weakened and isn¡¯t as strong as it was.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Grandmaster Orion said with a relieved sigh. ¡°Use the technique again. Even if the Seed of Chaos emerges as the third Seed Origin, it will be far weaker than the second Seed Origin.¡±


    Venix nodded eagerly.


    He then recounted how the Origin Fragment Realm had actively absorbed the residual energy from the previous wave.


    Hearing this, Grandmaster Orion¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°There¡¯s no doubt about it¡ªthe true consciousness of the Seed of Chaos has awakened. Such deliberate actions wouldn¡¯t be possible if its true consciousness hadn¡¯t surfaced.¡±


    ¡°I had the same suspicion,¡± Venix said gravely. ¡°But I¡¯ve tried to communicate with the Seed of Chaos repeatedly, and it ignores me entirely. It acts as though it¡¯s just an ordinary Seed Origin with only its natural instincts.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s deliberately hiding its presence,¡± Grandmaster Orion said, furrowing his brow. ¡°The Seed of Chaos is a unique entity that chose you as its reincarnation. While it¡¯s inherently a powerful being, it¡¯s now riddled with weaknesses and may not be as formidable as we¡¯ve assumed!¡±


    Hearing this, a chill ran through Venix¡¯s heart.


    He had yet to discern the true power of the Seed of Chaos within the second Seed Origin. The barriers between them prevented direct confrontation.


    Venix had always regarded the Seed of Chaos as a terrifying adversary.


    But from Grandmaster Orion¡¯s words, he began to wonder¡ªwhat if he had been wrong all along? What if the Seed of Chaos was far weaker than he had imagined?

 Chapter 36

    Venix furrowed his brow, his mind brimming with confusion and mounting frustration.


    The more he guessed, the harder it became to discern right from wrong.


    But at least one thing seemed certain: the Seed of Chaos was not yet in a state ready for battle.


    Following his earlier plan, Venix employed a technique created by Grandmaster Orion, continuously weakening the Origin Fragment Realm with all his might.


    Currently, the Origin Fragment Realm had reached 95% completion, nearing the birth of the third Seed Origin.


    Sensing the looming danger, the Origin Fragment Realm absorbed the remaining energy around it to accelerate the process¡ªa promising sign for Venix.


    He spent two days working, and under Grandmaster Orion''s guidance, everything went smoothly.


    In total, Venix had used the technique three times, weakening the Origin Fragment Realm consecutively.


    Now, immense waves hovered outside the Origin Fragment Realm, and with a flap of their wings, they surged and struck it once more.


    Boom!!


    The Origin Fragment Realm quivered, immediately pulling in the scattered surrounding energy.


    This time, its vibrations grew far more intense.


    The galaxy-like Origin Fragment Realm rapidly contracted, condensing into a single point.


    Particles of multicolored dust converged toward this focal point, and the form of the third Seed Origin began to take shape.


    Venix''s heartbeat raced as he instantly heightened his vigilance.


    The third Seed Origin formed gradually, needing only a few more minutes before its full manifestation.


    ¡°That¡­¡± Venix stared intently at the third Seed Origin, confirming that it was another Seed of Chaos!


    However, this second Seed of Chaos was vastly different from the first.


    It appeared as a small toddler, and unlike the first, its body was entangled by just four tentacles.


    This was in stark contrast to the first Seed of Chaos, which had an adult appearance and wielded nine menacing tentacles.


    Clearly, this second Seed of Chaos was much weaker than the first.


    A sense of relief washed over Venix. With this weaker Seed of Chaos, his chances of victory grew significantly.


    Moreover, the third Seed Origin would become the first prey contested between Venix and the Seed of Chaos.


    Before Venix could relax or catch his breath, a sudden, intense trembling erupted within his soul''s ocean.


    At that moment, the thrones of the first, second, and third Seed Origins shook violently, pulling toward each other in a unifying motion.


    The Awaken stage was akin to a seed split into three parts. Once the Origin Fragment Realm fully transformed into the Seed Fragment, these parts would reunite into a complete seed.


    And it was during this unification process that the final battle would begin!


    Venix''s expression darkened as he attempted to halt the Seeds¡¯ unification. However, he could only delay it briefly before the three seeds began to gravitate toward each other.


    "This is bad!" Venix was unprepared. Worse, he had exhausted his energy by repeatedly using the technique.


    Because of this, the Seed of Vulture would become the weakest contender.


    Unable to stop the process, Venix quickly exited his meditative state, his consciousness returning to his physical body.


    Opening his eyes, Venix saw Grandmaster Orion approaching and placing a hand on his abdomen.


    Seeing Venix awake, Grandmaster Orion said, ¡°Do not resist. I¡¯ll try to slow down the unification of your Seed Origins.¡±


    While external parties could not directly intervene in the development of an Awaken¡¯s Seed Origin, they could delay its progression during critical moments.


    Grandmaster Orion focused intently, channeling waves of energy into Venix¡¯s body. The energy pushed forward, like a strong current attempting to stem an uncontrollable tide.


    Bang!


    A repelling force echoed in Grandmaster Orion¡¯s mind, and to his shock, he found his energy blocked from entering Venix¡¯s body.


    "My power is being repelled¡ªit won¡¯t enter your body!" Grandmaster Orion said grimly.


    This had never happened before.


    Venix¡¯s body remained connected to a tube of Awaken Elixir, prompting Grandmaster Orion to call for the elixir to be administered.


    The researchers outside quickly infused the Awaken Elixir into Venix''s system.


    Grandmaster Orion immediately sensed the elixir entering Venix''s body with ease, bringing a brief sigh of relief.


    But the next moment, Venix began choking and coughing violently as his body forcibly rejected the newly administered Awaken Elixir, vomiting it out entirely.


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Grandmaster Orion exclaimed, instinctively stepping back in shock.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    He realized there was nothing wrong with Venix. The one causing this was undoubtedly the Seed of Chaos itself.


    Even in its weakest form, the Seed of Chaos could impose its own rules within Venix¡¯s body, preventing external aid.


    The only one capable of defying these rules was Venix himself.


    After all, this was Venix¡¯s body, governed by absolute authority that no one else could alter.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to Ardyn,¡± Grandmaster Orion said, his face serious.


    He touched Venix¡¯s body, and in the next instant, Venix¡¯s vision blurred.


    When clarity returned, Venix found himself in another chamber, facing Grandmaster Ardyn, meditating at the room''s center.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop it. It¡¯s time for you to act according to your plan,¡± Grandmaster Orion said solemnly.


    Venix hadn¡¯t had time to process the sequence of events, let alone react.


    Now, Venix stood at the center of a formation, with Grandmaster Ardyn meditating outside the circle.


    Grandmaster Ardyn did not open his eyes or respond.


    The next moment, a golden light emanated from Grandmaster Ardyn, and an apparition identical to him emerged, hovering in the air.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Venix exclaimed, shocked at the sight of the golden figure floating before him.


    ¡°Hurry, enter meditation!¡± Grandmaster Orion urged, offering no explanation, compelling Venix to comply.


    With little choice, Venix hastily returned to his meditative state, shifting his consciousness into the Seed of Vulture.


    At that moment, he felt a rumbling within as the throne of the Seed of Vulture moved closer to the still, statue-like Seed of Chaos.


    Though his Seed of Vulture had little remaining energy, Venix braced himself for the worst.


    Suddenly, Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, firm yet calm: ¡°Do not resist.¡±


    Oddly, Venix felt reassured upon hearing it.


    Though he had grown closer to Grandmaster Orion recently, his trust in Grandmaster Ardyn ran deeper.


    Outside, the golden specter of Grandmaster Ardyn melded into Venix''s body.


    Moments later, a mysterious, high-level energy surged into Venix, flowing directly into his soul.


    In his soul¡¯s ocean, Venix sensed a peculiar vibration as his astral body¡¯s former location rippled, as though the void itself would soon rupture.


    Golden energy gathered, converging into Venix¡¯s astral body¡¯s vacant spot, vanishing into an unknown dimension.


    Shortly after, a tiny golden orb formed where his astral body once resided.


    In another instant, part of Venix¡¯s consciousness forcefully split, transferring to the forming golden orb.


    "My astral body... it¡¯s being reborn?¡± Venix murmured, a glimmer of hope igniting within him.


    The golden energy rapidly coalesced, transforming the small orb into a humanoid form¡ªhis complete astral body restored.


    But Venix¡¯s consciousness now existed in two places simultaneously. It was overwhelming.


    "Focus on your astral body and use Astral Bond!" Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s commanding voice cut through Venix¡¯s disorientation.


    Under Grandmaster Ardyn''s guidance, Venix tried to focus his consciousness on his true Astral Body, and the situation slightly improved. Venix finally managed to control his Astral Body.


    Quickly, Venix activated the Astral Bond he had used in the past.


    A golden line appeared before Venix, guiding him to the location of the Seed of Vulture.


    Without hesitation, Venix allowed his Astral Body to move on its own, gliding swiftly toward the Seed of Vulture.


    In just a matter of seconds, Venix¡¯s Astral Body fully merged with the Seed of Vulture, entering a state of Astral Bond!


    Once the Astral Body merged with the Vulture, Venix¡¯s consciousness became unified, no longer split as before.


    Venix felt an overwhelming nausea in his mind, but the body of the Seed of Vulture, tightly intertwined with his own, did not function like a normal living body, leaving him unable to expel his discomfort.


    Moments later, a golden thread appeared and fused with the body of the Seed of Vulture.


    It was Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s mysterious energy, directly connected to Venix!


    "Burn your Astral Body to recharge the Vulture¡¯s energy," said Grandmaster Ardyn seriously, before adding, "I can support you for now, so don¡¯t worry about your Astral Body disappearing too quickly."


    Hearing Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s instructions, Venix resolutely began burning his Astral Body, and energy started flowing, filling the Seed of Vulture¡¯s body.


    With the Vulture brimming with energy and fortified by the Astral Bond, Venix felt an overwhelming surge of power as he controlled the Seed of Vulture¡¯s body.


    "I can¡¯t support you forever, and time is our enemy. Accelerate the unification of the Seed Origin and defeat the Seed of Chaos!" Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s voice grew more urgent.


    Venix squinted, focused, then moved his hands in sharp, decisive gestures, pushing the unification process of the Seed Origin to advance more rapidly.


    Each Seed Origin began moving quickly, approaching one another like magnets ready to merge.


    In Venix¡¯s vision, he saw the form of the mature Seed of Chaos growing larger before him.


    Moments later, a trembling sound echoed.


    Bang!


    The three Thrones of the Seed Origin fully united!


    At this moment, the barrier separating them from the Seed of Chaos began to gradually dissolve.


    Though Venix felt significantly stronger, he did not act recklessly.


    Just as the barrier separating them completely vanished, Venix swiftly disappeared from his position, moving at incredible speed!


    In the blink of an eye, Venix was in the area of the third Seed Origin, and with his bird-like wings wielded like a blade, he slashed the head off the infant Seed of Chaos with a single strike!


    Slash!


    With past experience, Venix knew that engaging the Seed of Chaos in direct combat was extremely difficult due to its extraordinary regenerative abilities.


    With a ruthless heart, Venix opened the Vulture¡¯s mouth and consumed the infant Seed of Chaos¡¯s head!


    Venix didn¡¯t dwell on the taste, swallowing it firmly into his stomach.


    In the next instant, a red light shot toward him at immense speed, slamming into his body with tremendous force.


    Bang!


    Venix felt the terrifying power of the Seed of Chaos, and his body was flung into the air like a broken kite.


    Quickly stabilizing himself, Venix stopped his uncontrolled flight.


    Once grounded, Venix stood and gazed at the two Seeds of Chaos now standing side by side.


    "You''re not as strong as I imagined!" shouted Venix confidently, feeling like he had the upper hand.


    From the earlier collision, though the Seed of Chaos was immensely powerful, Venix had been caught off guard by the sudden attack, which had caused him to be flung into the air.


    However, Venix understood that direct combat was not the Seed of Chaos¡¯s greatest strength, and he could sense that he was slightly more powerful than the Seed of Chaos!


    Using his past tactic of consuming parts of the Seed of Chaos, he believed victory was within reach!


    But in the next moment, Venix¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    At that very moment, the two Seeds of Chaos voluntarily fused, increasing the power of the mature Seed of Chaos!


    Venix had not anticipated this, assuming that each Seed of Chaos would fight to become the dominant entity.


    Sensing the state of the newly merged Seed of Chaos, Venix realized it had not yet fully unified, and this was his golden opportunity!


    Without delay, Venix surged toward the Seed of Chaos.


    Whooosssshhhhh \~


    With his full strength, Venix tore off one of the Seed of Chaos¡¯s tentacles with his bird beak, while his bird-like claws struck the Seed of Chaos''s body, attacking it ferociously.


    Boom!


    The Seed of Chaos¡¯s body was flung backward, leaving the severed tentacle clutched in the Vulture¡¯s beak.


    Hastily, Venix swallowed the tentacle, which still writhed in his mouth.


    Without waiting for the tentacle to be fully digested, Venix lunged at the Seed of Chaos again.


    This was a golden opportunity to further weaken the Seed of Chaos.


    Boom!


    Venix struck the Seed of Chaos again, which was still unprepared for combat, slicing off more tentacles.


    Slash! Slash!


    Venix gave no room for the Seed of Chaos to recover, launching relentless attacks and swallowing the severed parts of the Seed of Chaos.


    Meanwhile, the Seed of Chaos regrew its lost parts rapidly, with the regeneration visible to the naked eye.


    But Venix knew the Seed of Chaos paid a price for this regeneration, further weakening it!


    With blazing determination and unwavering confidence, Venix continued his assault on the Seed of Chaos, with the current situation leaning heavily in his favor as the victor!


    "You¡¯ve developed impressively¡­ Even a Primecore sacrificed itself to aid you? While slightly troublesome, it¡¯s been quite helpful in replacing what I lost."


    A man¡¯s voice echoed.


    The Vulture¡¯s body under Venix¡¯s control trembled intensely. His heart chilled, and an ominous foreboding swept over him.


    The voice came from within his own body!

 Chapter 37

    Venix¡¯s movements abruptly halted as that voice echoed in his heart. His attack froze mid-air, his body stiffening for a moment.


    Quickly, Venix clenched his teeth, as though trying to suppress the creeping anxiety, and launched another strike at the Seed of Chaos.


    Boom!


    Another attack struck the Seed of Chaos, but Venix was growing increasingly uneasy.


    From the very beginning, he had been suspicious. Orion had also supported his theory¡ªthat the Seed of Chaos wasn¡¯t like the Seed Origin and most certainly had a consciousness of its own.


    For that reason, Venix had tried to speak to the Seed of Chaos to confirm if it truly possessed self-awareness.


    No matter what Venix did, the Seed of Chaos remained silent. Its gaze was vacant, as if it felt nothing, cloaked only in an unyielding silence.


    ¡°A good fight, and you¡¯ve even taken the risk of accelerating the process, going against your original plan.¡±


    The voice of a man resonated again in Venix¡¯s mind, followed by a surge of consciousness so powerful it seeped from the Seed of Vulture¡¯s body, pressing down on his mental bubble with unexpected strength.


    ¡°So, you finally show yourself,¡± Venix said bitterly.


    Even though he had prepared himself for the worst, Venix hadn¡¯t expected things to unfold like this!


    ¡°I had intended to deal with you gently, but unfortunately, you rejected that option.¡± The voice of the Seed of Chaos sounded in Venix¡¯s mind, accompanied by a heavy sigh.


    In the next instant, Venix¡¯s consciousness was crushed, and the Seed of Vulture¡¯s body was partially taken over by the Seed of Chaos.


    ¡°Goodbye,¡± the Seed of Chaos said flatly, as if it were a trivial matter to him.


    Venix gave a bitter smile, his lips curling into a grim expression as he felt the bubble of his consciousness being compressed, a heavy weight bearing down on his soul.


    The Seed of Chaos pressed down on his awareness swiftly and powerfully, and Venix, lacking experience in battles of possession and mental warfare, was at a significant disadvantage.


    ¡°Exit the Virtual World!¡± Venix gritted his teeth, feeling a surge of determination building within him. The final trump card in his mind was now his only choice: Origin Blessing.


    \[Anomaly detected. Host consciousness cannot fully return to the real world.]


    The system interface appeared, warning Venix.


    Venix didn¡¯t have the luxury to care and forcibly split his consciousness into two!


    For the first time, Venix¡¯s awareness existed in two realms simultaneously: the real world and the Virtual World!


    He focused his consciousness on the real world, abandoning the fragment of himself still present in the Virtual World.


    Within his soul, the Seed of Vulture, which had remained dormant on its throne, suddenly opened its eyes.


    There was no need for his consciousness to fully inhabit the Seed of Vulture now; Venix could control it remotely.


    ¡°Accept the Origin Blessing!¡± Venix immediately commanded the Seed of Vulture to open itself and receive the Origin Blessing.


    The Seed of Vulture¡¯s body suddenly split apart, revealing a cluster of black mist within.


    In the next moment, Venix sensed an immense pressure building in the sky. Looking up, he saw a massive tornado of Origin energy forming above him!


    Rumble \~ Rumble \~


    Lightning crackled across the darkened sky as the clouds thickened ominously.


    Whoosshhh


    All the Origin energy swiftly gathered at a single point, forming an even larger tornado!


    Elsewhere, the residents of Sundance City noticed the anomaly in the distant sky.


    Jasper, a former captain of the Police Department, looked up, his gaze piercing the heavens to see the colossal tornado forming above.


    ¡°Is a new Awaken being born?¡± Jasper muttered, standing upright. ¡°No, this seems more like the birth of a treasure! This sight is exactly as Lord Asori described!¡±


    Excitement surged through Jasper as he quickly summoned all the Seedbound under his command and called Lucy to move toward the tornado''s location.


    Without hesitation, Jasper leaped into the air, flying toward Venix¡¯s position at tremendous speed.


    Midway to his destination, Jasper collided with a shadow moving at incredible speed.


    Bang!


    Jasper was forced back slightly, steadying himself in the sky.


    In front of him stood a strikingly beautiful woman with black hair, dressed in purple.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve finally appeared after hiding for so long,¡± Jasper said calmly, unsurprised by her sudden appearance.


    ¡°Fortune seems to favor you. Everything good always falls into your lap,¡± the woman said coldly.


    Jasper smirked slightly. ¡°I hadn¡¯t planned to intervene personally. My forces are more than enough to claim that treasure!¡±


    ¡°In your dreams!¡± the woman shouted furiously.


    Boom!


    The two clashed, their battle exploding into a fierce spectacle of speed and power!If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Meanwhile, Lucy led her forces swiftly toward Venix¡¯s location.


    Other Seedbound groups, who had set up their camps independently, also noticed the strange phenomenon in the sky and began gathering their forces to move quickly toward Venix.


    The purple-clad woman¡¯s faction, which had been lying in wait, also mobilized toward Venix.


    One by one, groups emerged. In total, five major factions were converging on the same destination!


    Each group harbored its own plans, many intending to attack Sundance City.


    Sundance City had long been the dominant power, with a vast number of Seedbound members. They had slain 70% of the monsters that had appeared, amassing a wealth of Origin resources!


    Jasper had anticipated this and had prepared Sundance City to adopt a defensive stance, avoiding unnecessary excursions.


    Back where Venix was, the tornado above his head had grown even more dazzling.


    Various ethereal beasts began to form in the sky, their translucent figures radiating immense power.


    A shimmering aurora arched across the sky, adding an extraordinary beauty to the phenomenon.


    Venix¡¯s unease deepened as he observed the spectacle. If this phenomenon grew any more dramatic, wouldn¡¯t it attract even more unwanted attention?


    Yet Venix had no time to dwell on such concerns; he had his own pressing issues to address!


    Unbeknownst to Venix, the Origin Blessing had erected a barrier spanning a kilometer radius, ensuring the process proceeded smoothly.


    At that moment, a vibrant light descended, moving directly toward Venix¡¯s position.


    Venix closed his eyes, embracing a brief moment of silence before sensing a torrent of energy rushing through his soul.


    A vast surge of power flooded into his being, coursing swiftly into his Seed of Vulture.


    In the real world, there were currently only two Seed Origin: the Seed of Vulture and the Seed of Chaos, with a third Origin Fragment Realm beginning to form.


    \[ Host has received Origin Blessing ]


    \[ Only Seed of Vulture is worthy of obtaining Origin Blessing ]


    \[ Does the Host wish to proceed? ]


    Venix¡¯s eyes widened in shock, not expecting the system to intervene in this matter!


    ¡°Proceed!¡± Venix shouted.


    \[ Locking Seed of Vulture as the sole recipient of the Origin Blessing ]


    Simultaneously, Venix felt an intense surge of energy erupt from within the Seed of Vulture!


    Boom!


    Clenching his teeth, Venix entered a meditative state, and his consciousness delved into the body of the Seed of Vulture.


    At that moment, Venix experienced something extraordinary!


    A mysterious, unfamiliar energy flowed into the Seed of Vulture, triggering a significant transformation.


    The previously dark purple Seed of Vulture began to darken further, shedding all traces of purple, turning into a pitch-black entity.


    The Vulture¡¯s body trembled as its purple pupils transformed. The black pupils now gleamed with a golden ring encircling them, creating an even more captivating appearance.


    Venix could sense changes within the Seed of Vulture, though he couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly what had transformed.


    The third Origin Fragment Realm started to ripple violently, accelerating the formation of the Seed Origin at an incredible pace.


    Gazing toward the Origin Fragment Realm, Venix observed the fragments converging at a single point, where the shape of the third Seed Origin began to materialize.


    As Venix had predicted, the achievements he attained in the Numan World were directly influencing the real world.


    The infant form of the Seed of Chaos became visible, its four tendrils extending from its back.


    Quickly, the Seed Origin began to merge, just as it had previously in the Numan World.


    Bang!


    The Seed Origin coalesced rapidly, reaching the same level that Venix had attained in the Numan World.


    Before Venix could move, time seemed to accelerate as the infant Seed of Chaos merged with its adult counterpart, a fragment of which fused with the Seed of Vulture itself.


    Simultaneously, the Seed of Chaos began to change, with several of its tendrils disappearing on their own.


    This scene bore a striking resemblance to what had occurred in the Virtual World!


    \[ Anomaly Detected ]


    \[ Host¡¯s Progress Delayed Due to Anomaly ]


    \[ The Host¡¯s condition in the Real World and the Virtual World is identical. Therefore, the system is merging the leveling-up process in both worlds into one. ]


    With that, Venix¡¯s consciousness fully returned, reuniting in the Virtual World!


    At that moment, in the skies above the Numan World, a multicolored light appeared and descended toward Venix¡¯s body.


    Grandmaster Ardyn and Grandmaster Orion were stunned by this sudden event.


    The Primecore, observing from afar, were equally astonished by the appearance of the multicolored light in the sky.


    Within fractions of a second, all Primecore and the inhabitants of the Numan World became aware of what the light represented.


    Origin Blessing!


    It had been centuries since the Origin Blessing vanished from their world. Now, the Origin Blessing had reappeared, albeit in a form quite different from the one recorded in history.


    Somehow, the Virtual Ascension System had transferred the Origin Blessing directly into the Virtual World.


    ¡°Origin Blessing? Do you have a way to obtain the Origin Blessing and teach it to Venix?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn telepathically asked Grandmaster Orion, his voice seething with anger.


    If Grandmaster Orion had a method to obtain the Origin Blessing, their research wouldn¡¯t have needed to go this far!


    On the other hand, Grandmaster Orion appeared equally shocked and perplexed. If he had such a method, he wouldn¡¯t have willingly supported Elara¡¯s plan!


    Grandmaster Orion recalled the moment Venix had asked him about the Origin Blessing. At the time, Grandmaster Orion had assumed Venix was merely curious about what the Origin Blessing was and its effects.


    Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Venix would actually acquire it!


    Meanwhile, Venix felt a peculiar vibration as the Origin Blessing began to manifest above the Numan World, its immense power seeping into him.


    Swiftly, his Seed of Vulture¡¯s body darkened, mirroring the transformation of the Seed of Vulture in the real world.


    The next moment, Venix felt the consciousness of the Seed of Chaos pressing against his own.


    With the Origin Blessing as a newfound enhancement, Venix wielded even greater strength!


    With a fierce surge of will, Venix began to resist and suppress the consciousness of the Seed of Chaos.


    Though inexperienced, Venix¡¯s newfound strength allowed him to easily subdue the consciousness of the Seed of Chaos!


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    The voice of the Seed of Chaos echoed in disbelief and terror within Venix¡¯s mind.


    Hearing the Seed of Chaos¡¯s voice, Venix gritted his teeth and continued to press harder, determined to annihilate it completely!


    The Seed of Chaos screamed in fear, fueling Venix¡¯s resolve to crush it further.


    At that moment, a transformation began to take place in Venix¡¯s Astral Body.


    Previously, his Astral Body had only performed an Astral Bond, temporarily merging with the Seed of Vulture.


    But now, with the Origin Blessing¡¯s empowerment, his Astral Body and the Vulture began to fully unite!


    The body of the Seed of Vulture gradually transformed, taking on a humanoid shape.


    Venix¡¯s form began to emerge, replacing the Vulture¡¯s body.


    His facial features appeared, his form became more defined, and a black garment adorned his Astral Body, complete with a cloak resembling the Vulture¡¯s feathers.


    Venix¡¯s once-short hair now extended longer, jet black and lustrous.


    The previously bright blue hue of his Astral Body now mirrored his real-world appearance!


    His facial complexion became a flawless white, fully replicating his real-world visage.


    Grandmaster Orion and Grandmaster Ardyn, observing Venix, were stunned by the profound changes occurring in his soul.


    Grandmaster Orion couldn¡¯t see it directly but could sense Venix¡¯s Astral Body evolving! It was nearing the level of a Soul Body, though still far too weak to be classified as one.


    Grandmaster Ardyn, on the other hand, witnessed Venix¡¯s Astral Body merging with the Vulture and transforming entirely into a miniature version of Venix.


    ¡°Impossible!¡± exclaimed Grandmaster Ardyn, his voice laced with disbelief.


    The next moment, however, Grandmaster Ardyn felt something emanate from Venix¡¯s transformed Astral Body¡ªsomething faint now burning brightly!


    ¡°That¡­¡± Ardyn¡¯s voice trembled, sensing an entity that shouldn¡¯t exist in this world.


    At the same time, Venix found himself at an impasse, unable to suppress the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness any further.


    ¡°Well done.¡± The Seed of Chaos¡¯s voice resonated in Venix¡¯s mind, brimming with mockery and sarcasm.


    Venix¡¯s body trembled, sensing something amiss!


    ¡°You¡¯ve reached True Origin at the Awaken level¡­ With this, you¡¯ve created the perfect vessel for me!¡± The Seed of Chaos¡¯s voice reverberated in Venix¡¯s mind, filled with elation!


    Suddenly, Venix felt an unexpected resistance¡ªa small fragment of the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness began to seep out, spreading like a virus and claiming every corner of his mind!

 Chapter 38

    If previously their battle of consciousness resembled two bubbles pressing against each other to reduce the enemy¡¯s size, the situation now had shifted entirely.


    The Seed of Chaos'' Consciousness Bubble was small and cornered, while Venix''s Consciousness Bubble was dominant and massive.


    However, the Seed of Chaos took a different approach. Instead of directly clashing with Venix¡¯s Consciousness Bubble, it began invading it, turning parts of Venix¡¯s consciousness into its own!


    Their consciousness bubbles merged like two water droplets joining together¡ªa large bubble glowing bright blue and a smaller one shrouded in deep black.


    The black bubble began secreting a liquid that invaded the blue bubble, pressing against Venix¡¯s consciousness.


    ¡°Damn it! What are you doing?!¡± Venix roared, his voice hoarse and broken, laden with anxiety that was barely contained.


    His Consciousness Bubble started to erode, slipping out of his control.


    Venix desperately tried to suppress the Seed of Chaos¡¯ invasion, but it was futile. The Seed of Chaos¡¯ Consciousness Bubble was like an indestructible force, impervious to Venix¡¯s efforts.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fret too much, alright? If anything, I¡¯m thankful,¡± the Seed of Chaos said with a sharp grin, its eyes glinting with menace. ¡°Your body is just perfect for me.¡±


    Venix struggled to fend off and block the viral invasion within his consciousness bubble. Yet, all he could do was delay the virus, unable to stop it entirely.


    Venix''s Astral Body, which the Seed of Chaos now referred to as the True Origin, began to transform.


    Venix''s once-black pupils, encircled by golden rings, began shifting into an ominous crimson, making him appear more terrifying and enigmatic.


    Behind the True Origin Venix, something stirred, and moments later, a tentacle erupted from his back, tearing through his clothing.


    ¡°What...? Venix¡­ could lose like this?!¡± Grandmaster Ardyn gasped, his eyes wide and breath caught in disbelief.


    One by one, tentacles emerged from Venix¡¯s back¡ªsixteen in total, far more than the Seed of Chaos had ever possessed.


    The True Origin Venix wore a serene smile as his hand reached forward.


    The Seed of Chaos, watching from the side, approached Venix like an obedient pet.


    Controlled by the Seed of Chaos, True Origin Venix used all sixteen tentacles to ensnare the Seed of Chaos'' body, devouring it hungrily.


    The Seed of Chaos closed its eyes, sensing the changes within the True Origin Venix.


    ¡°My awakening is far from perfect, and I¡¯ve lost much,¡± the Seed of Chaos remarked with a sigh. ¡°But this True Origin is a fine gift. I can gradually restore myself in time.¡±


    Moments later, the Seed of Chaos lifted its gaze, locking eyes with Grandmaster Ardyn, who stared at the transformed True Origin Venix.


    The Seed of Chaos grinned cruelly. ¡°Your efforts weren¡¯t in vain¡ªyou¡¯ve given me a marvelous body.¡±


    Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s mind reeled. Despite the Seed of Chaos appearing weakened, he felt immense pressure, as though he were an ant facing a tiger.


    Without hesitation, Grandmaster Ardyn severed his golden astral body from Venix and quickly returned to his physical form.


    Upon reuniting with his body, Grandmaster Ardyn opened his eyes slowly, his mouth tightly shut. But within seconds, his body trembled violently, and he coughed harshly, blood spilling from his lips.


    The technique he had used earlier was perilous, requiring a steep and painful price.


    Grandmaster Orion turned his attention, composed yet alert, and began assisting Grandmaster Ardyn in healing his injuries.


    ¡°Hurry¡­¡± Grandmaster Ardyn forced his mouth open, struggling to speak. ¡°Venix¡­ is lost! The Seed of Chaos has taken over his body!¡±


    Grandmaster Orion¡¯s face turned cold.


    With a wave of his hand, a pre-prepared hidden formation activated, materializing into a cubic prison that trapped Venix within.


    Black chains emerged from the prison, piercing Venix¡¯s hands, feet, and abdomen, sealing his movements and power completely.


    Moments later, Venix opened his eyes, his pupils now glowing blood-red.


    Venix tilted his head, observing the chains binding him.


    He then lifted his gaze, staring directly at Grandmaster Orion with his crimson pupils. ¡°You¡¯re the one who foresaw my arrival?¡±


    Grandmaster Orion¡¯s heart pounded rapidly, as though the prophecy from his dreams was now unfolding before his eyes.


    Venix smiled calmly. ¡°In the end, you have nothing to worry about. After all, this isn¡¯t your real world. It¡¯s more of an illusionary realm for you.¡±


    Grandmaster Ardyn and Grandmaster Orion stared at Venix with a mixture of seriousness and confusion, unable to fully grasp the meaning behind Venix¡ªor rather, the Seed of Chaos¡¯¡ªwords.


    Attempting to move his hands, the Seed of Chaos examined the situation with eerie composure.


    ¡°Sealing me here won¡¯t change anything,¡± the Seed of Chaos said, its voice calm yet sinister. A wicked smile lingered on its face. ¡°Sooner or later, I¡¯ll devour every one of you, even if this is merely an illusionary world.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Given its current power, breaking the seal was impossible. Still, the Seed of Chaos remained unshaken. It understood its strength and knew it could never truly be killed.


    The Seed of Chaos had its own means to escape the seal, though it required time. And since this was a Virtual World rather than the real one, it felt no urgency.


    Grandmaster Orion turned his focus to assisting Grandmaster Ardyn with his recovery.


    Meanwhile, members of Primecore began entering the research chamber, eager to witness the prophesied Seed of Chaos.


    In the depths of his consciousness, Venix despaired. Ninety percent of his Consciousness Bubble had been invaded by the Seed of Chaos, leaving him unable to control his own body.


    Now, Venix stood alone in the vast expanse of his mind¡¯s ocean, his form intact.


    Around him, the endless blue sea of his consciousness was marred with invading streaks of black, spreading and consuming the blue.


    Hatred consumed Venix, his heart heavy with unbearable regret.


    ¡°I was such a fool¡­¡± he muttered, his voice hoarse, cracked by frustration. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I see this coming?¡±


    Venix had been suspicious from the start¡ªever since his death in the real world.


    When training in the Virtual World against Puppets wielding real weapons capable of injuring his body, Venix realized something.


    He felt no fear at all! Even when confronting a Seedbound in the real world or recklessly entering Sundance City, Venix remained calm, unshaken by fear.


    This realization dawned on Venix, making him aware of a truth that could lead to his death if he continued to act recklessly¡ªhe had lost the ability to sense danger.


    As an ordinary human, Venix knew himself well enough to understand that such rapid development was impossible without fear residing in his heart.


    Yet, on the other hand, without fear of danger, he had been able to push his limits further.


    One reason Venix refrained from fighting stronger Puppets in the training room was his latent fear. Without that fear of danger and death, he could have unintentionally ended his own life.


    However, reflecting on his death in the real world left Venix feeling uneasy. It was peculiar¡ªhe hadn¡¯t felt any fear or discomfort, which was entirely unnatural.


    And the core issue was the Seed of Vulture.


    Both Venix and Grandmaster Orion had suspected for a while that the consciousness of the Seed of Chaos had emerged. There was no way Venix could have entered his Origin Fragment Realm without the intervention of the Seed of Chaos.


    The consciousness of the Seed of Chaos may have fully surfaced when the second Seed Origin was born¡ªright when Venix was killed in the real world and left unconscious in the Virtual World.


    Something strange happened after that: Venix was able to control his own Seed of Vulture body. According to Grandmaster Orion¡¯s analysis, this was highly plausible and might even be a prerequisite for ascending to a higher level.


    Yet no one, including Venix, questioned one glaring detail¡ªthe original consciousness of the Seed of Vulture had vanished!


    Seed Origins possessed a primitive form of consciousness, akin to that of wild beasts.


    But when Venix controlled the Seed of Vulture¡¯s body, he hadn¡¯t considered why its consciousness had disappeared so abruptly.


    Now it was clear¡ªSeed of Chaos had replaced the Seed of Vulture¡¯s consciousness when Venix was unconscious.


    The Seed of Chaos had remained silent, showing no signs of life as it concealed itself, taking the place of the Seed of Vulture¡¯s awareness.


    Because it refrained from taking overt actions, Venix¡ªstill a novice¡ªhad been unable to detect its presence.


    This meant the Seed of Chaos had likely been aware of all their plans!


    Even his doubts about its consciousness and the plan to use the Origin Blessing¡ªeverything had already been known to the Seed of Chaos.


    Perhaps, the Seed of Chaos had even encouraged Venix to follow through with the plan, ensuring the formation of the True Origin it so desired.


    Its initial weakness had merely been a ploy to buy time for the True Origin to fully manifest.


    It was only now that Venix could piece together all the oddities and missteps he¡¯d overlooked in the past.


    \---


    "The Seed of Chaos may have the ability to interfere with the authority governing one¡¯s soul. But... have you ever considered that you, too, possess a far greater authority and can suppress it?"


    A voice, both unfamiliar and profoundly familiar, resonated within him.


    "Who¡¯s there?!" Venix spun around sharply, his gaze scanning his surroundings.


    Before him stood a figure, and the sight left him utterly speechless.


    "You..." Venix¡¯s voice faltered as he stared at the figure in disbelief.


    "Yes," the figure said with a faint smile. "I am you."


    Standing before him was someone identical to Venix, even down to their attire.


    But there was something undeniably different about this Venix¡ªtheir face bore deep wrinkles, and their eyes held a weariness that spoke of countless years of hardship.


    "Who are you?" Venix instinctively stepped back, his guard up.


    A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. Could this be the Seed of Chaos, disguising itself to deceive him further?


    "I am from the future," the older Venix said, his expression a mixture of calm and gravity, his eyes carrying the weight of years.


    Venix¡¯s thoughts reeled, refusing to accept the words.


    His future self? Impossible!


    "I know it¡¯s hard to believe, but trust me," the older Venix said, letting out a weary sigh. "We have a larger mission¡ªto destroy that cursed entity."


    Hatred flashed across the future Venix¡¯s face, his disdain for the Seed of Chaos so intense it felt almost palpable. If the Seed of Chaos were laid out before him, he looked as though he¡¯d gleefully devour it alive.


    "That creature is strong but not invincible," the future Venix continued, his voice steady but resolute. "I¡¯ve spent countless years developing this technique specifically for this moment."


    \---


    Meanwhile, the Seed of Chaos, now controlling Venix¡¯s body, remained still. The process of the Origin Blessing wasn¡¯t yet complete.


    With nothing left to hinder it, the Seed of Chaos was poised to fully manifest itself.


    "You think you can stop the Origin Blessing?" the Seed of Chaos taunted the members of Primecore and the others who frantically attempted to disrupt the process.


    The Seed of Chaos laughed mockingly, its scornful tone making the entire room feel like a gathering of fools.


    Grandmaster Orion, unfazed, met its gaze coldly. "If you cooperate, we¡¯ll release you and even help you grow stronger."


    The offer startled everyone present. Grandmaster Ardyn¡¯s eyes blazed with anger as he glared at Orion.


    Marlin, Solan, and Zaira exchanged puzzled looks. Was Orion seriously proposing to collaborate with a threat he himself had foretold?


    "If you promise to destroy the prison trapping us in this world, I and the others will dedicate all our resources to aiding your growth," Orion said firmly.


    His words hung in the air, leaving the room in stunned silence. If such an agreement were possible, it would be a significant boon for them.


    But the real question lingered¡ªwhat price would they have to pay for the Seed of Chaos¡¯s cooperation?


    The Seed of Chaos burst into raucous laughter, as though hearing the most ridiculous joke of all time.


    "You¡¯re not even real!" it sneered, its voice dripping with mockery. "This treasure is truly remarkable¡ªreplicating the real world and preserving its essence within this illusion!"


    The Seed of Chaos knew all about the Virtual World and had long set its sights on this treasure.


    What it hadn¡¯t expected was for Venix to somehow obtain it.


    Though the Seed of Chaos harbored doubts, its ultimate aim was clear¡ªeverything would belong to it.


    But just as it prepared to speak further, its expression shifted. A look of shock and disbelief swept across its face.


    "Impossible!" the Seed of Chaos growled, its voice trembling with outrage.


    Everyone present watched in confusion as the Seed of Chaos seemed to battle something unseen.


    Grandmaster Orion narrowed his eyes, pondering deeply.


    Inside the True Origin, within the realm of consciousness shared by Venix and the Seed of Chaos, a seismic shift had begun.


    Guided by his future self, Venix had taken decisive action, targeting the consciousness seized by the Seed of Chaos.


    Using the technique imparted by his older self, Venix struck, fracturing the Seed of Chaos¡¯s control into dozens of smaller fragments.


    Piece by piece, Venix shattered the Seed of Chaos¡¯s dominance, reducing it to countless fragments scattered across his mind.


    With its consciousness forcibly divided, the Seed of Chaos grew weaker, its overwhelming control diminished.

 Chapter 39

    Venix had once felt his consciousness split in two.


    At that time, his head spun as if the world were whirling beyond his control, and his body resisted every movement, incapable of adapting to the chaos unfolding within.


    Now, the consciousness of the Seed of Chaos had been divided into hundreds of tiny fragments!


    Venix couldn¡¯t begin to fathom what it would feel like to shatter one¡¯s consciousness into hundreds of pieces.


    Yet, the voice of Venix from the future rang out, commanding and resolute, "That¡¯s still not enough. We must divide it further¡ªinto thousands, even tens of thousands of fragments!"


    After all, the Seed of Chaos was no ordinary entity. With boundless experience and immense mental fortitude, its strength was formidable.


    "This is our body," declared Venix from the future with unshakable certainty. "We are like gods navigating the ocean of our own soul and consciousness¡ªnothing can stand in our way."


    The concept of soul and consciousness was a complex and mysterious one. Even for the Primecore, delving into the soul of an Awaken was fraught with danger if done recklessly.


    "Are you sure the Seed of Chaos won¡¯t kill us? I mean, won¡¯t it kill me?" Venix asked, his voice trembling even as his hands moved swiftly to divide the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness further.


    "It¡¯s impossible for it to kill you," Venix from the future replied with a sinister smile. "Essentially, it cannot kill you. It¡¯s more about controlling the soul and consciousness of your body but never fully erasing you."


    "Why?" Venix frowned, finding it hard to wrap his head around the idea.


    "Because that entity seeks to seize something from this universe," answered Venix from the future, his expression cold and focused as he continued splitting the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness into hundreds of fragments.


    Satisfied with his progress, Venix from the future continued, his eyes gleaming with intent, "Only someone born and living within this universe can claim that thing."


    Hearing this, Venix furrowed his brow, his thoughts swirling as the revelation felt immense and incomprehensible.


    Venix from the future paused briefly before adding, "Because the Seed of Chaos isn¡¯t from this universe!"


    Boom!


    The consciousness bubble of the Seed of Chaos trembled violently, as though struggling to bear the weight of this truth.


    "Not from this universe?" Venix choked, his throat dry as the enormity of the information sank into his awareness.


    "That¡¯s correct," affirmed Venix from the future, smiling with satisfaction at the outcome. "An outsider cannot directly enter this universe. Therefore, that entity had to transform itself into a Seed Origin and manipulate someone native to this universe."


    In the next instant, Venix felt a fraction of control over his True Origin returning to him.


    "You! How can you possibly do this!?" The voice of the Seed of Chaos resounded in Venix¡¯s mind.


    Venix remained silent, his focus unwavering as he continued fragmenting the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness.


    From the future, Venix laughed maniacally. His sinister laughter filled the space as he delighted in the sight of consciousness bubbles shattering into countless pieces.


    Gradually, the tables turned as the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness began to weaken.


    "Stay here and keep destroying its consciousness bubbles!" Venix from the future shouted.


    Venix nodded, swiftly withdrawing part of his own consciousness, ceasing his partial control over his True Origin body.


    The Seed of Chaos perceived that Venix had retreated into his sea of consciousness without reclaiming his True Origin body.


    This had been a trap meticulously laid by the Seed of Chaos! Had Venix reasserted control over his body, it would have allowed the Seed of Chaos to counterattack and restore its fragmented consciousness.


    "This child is unusual!" the Seed of Chaos muttered through clenched teeth.


    Left with no choice, the Seed of Chaos relinquished its control over Venix¡¯s body and fully entered the sea of consciousness!


    Previously, the Seed of Chaos had held the upper hand by dwelling in the sea of consciousness, where its strength was far superior to Venix¡¯s control over his own body.


    Although powerful, the Seed of Chaos was neither omnipotent nor invincible. Its advantage lay in its vast knowledge and countless techniques unknown to its adversaries.


    The Seed of Chaos had never anticipated this outcome. After all, entering the Sea of Consciousness was supposed to be impossible for Venix!


    In truth, Venix himself didn¡¯t know how he had entered his own Sea of Consciousness¡ªit had simply happened. Even Grandmaster Orion was unaware of the existence of a secondary sea of consciousness within one¡¯s Astral Body, let alone how to access it.


    And the sole explanation was that it had been orchestrated by Venix from the future!


    The Seed of Chaos promptly abandoned its control over Venix¡¯s True Origin and fully immersed itself in the sea of consciousness.


    Simultaneously, Venix¡¯s True Origin, which had appeared as the Seed of Chaos, reverted to its original form.


    Venix¡¯s physical body outside went limp, motionless, confusing everyone around him.


    The Seed of Chaos descended, landing in the sea of consciousness.


    "The guest has arrived! Proceed with the next step!" Venix from the future shouted upon seeing the Seed of Chaos¡¯s presence.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Venix immediately focused all his efforts, attempting to control the Seed of Chaos¡¯s fragmented consciousness bubbles.


    After all, this was his own body! And the Seed of Chaos wasn¡¯t at its peak, meaning their strengths were now evenly matched.


    What set the Seed of Chaos apart was its unique invulnerability and its vast repository of origin techniques and knowledge.


    Armed with this understanding, Venix realized that the Seed of Chaos was not an all-powerful, unbeatable entity!


    In the physical world, if the Seed of Chaos had access to its true form, defeating it would be nearly impossible.


    But in the sea of his own soul and consciousness, the Seed of Chaos was nothing more than vulnerable prey!


    Neither the Seed of Chaos nor even Grandmaster Orion had anticipated this, for their knowledge of such matters was woefully limited.


    With all his might, Venix took control of the Seed of Chaos¡¯s consciousness waves and burst them like popping bubbles!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The sound of explosions echoed repeatedly, and with each burst, the Seed of Chaos¡¯s form trembled as though it were physically struck.


    Venix gritted his teeth, determined to dominate even more of the Seed of Chaos¡¯s fragmented consciousness.


    Meanwhile, Venix from the future approached the Seed of Chaos and mercilessly struck its face!


    "This is for Ronan!" he shouted, his voice seething with hatred.


    "This is for Ronan¡¯s sister, Nina!" Venix roared again, delivering another blow to the Seed of Chaos with unrelenting fury.


    Hearing the cries, Venix felt compelled to listen further.


    But he had a critical task at hand: destroying the Seed of Chaos¡¯s fragmented consciousness bubbles.


    Venix from the future continued to call out names, his fists and feet pummeling the Seed of Chaos without mercy.


    The Seed of Chaos¡¯s choice to fully retreat into the sea of consciousness had been the right one. But at the same time, it would also serve as its grave, now that Venix understood the truth!


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    More consciousness bubbles burst, and the Seed of Chaos¡¯s face grew increasingly tormented.


    "Who... Who are you really!? How do you know techniques like this!?" the Seed of Chaos roared, its voice filled with rage.


    The technique it referred to was the one that fragmented its consciousness into thousands¡ªno, tens of thousands¡ªof tiny pieces!


    This technique was immensely powerful, something even the Seed of Chaos had never encountered before.


    "After being trapped in this world for tens of thousands of years... Could it really be that I achieved nothing?" Future Venix laughed cruelly, relentlessly beating the now-defenseless Seed of Chaos.


    The Seed of Chaos wanted to flee and regain control of Venix''s body immediately. However, doing so would mean his consciousness and essence would be swiftly defeated by Venix!


    With Venix shattering the bubbles of his consciousness and Future Venix pummeling his corporeal form, the situation was entirely in Venix''s favor, leaving the Seed of Chaos with no opportunity to counterattack.


    Rage boiled within the Seed of Chaos.


    He had calculated every possible variable, even subtly guiding Venix to obtain the True Origin and setting all of Venix''s plans in motion.


    The Seed of Chaos had been supremely confident in his ability to seize control of Venix''s body. He knew that while he was powerful, he was not invincible.


    Future Venix''s earlier guess had been accurate: the Seed of Chaos''s greatest strength in such situations lay in his advanced knowledge and techniques.


    If the Seed of Chaos were to face the Vulture, bonded to the Astral Bond and receiving the Origin Blessing, he would stand no chance of winning in a direct confrontation.


    Thus, when Venix was killed and the Seed of Chaos had been fully resurrected, he became aware of everything about both the Virtual World and the real world.


    At that time, fully taking over Venix''s body had been impossible due to the forced nature of his awakening, which had exacted a certain cost.


    After analyzing Venix''s situation thoroughly, the Seed of Chaos had realized that a direct battle would yield no positive results. Furthermore, the Vulture''s unique ability to absorb parts of the Seed of Chaos rendered his regenerative powers insignificant.


    So, the Seed of Chaos had shifted his focus to overtaking the Vulture''s consciousness¡ªa far easier task.


    And without Venix going through all of this, it would have been impossible for him to obtain the True Origin, making Venix far less valuable to the Seed of Chaos.


    In essence, the Seed of Chaos had gambled with a 99% chance of victory.


    Yet with Future Venix''s presence, that negligible 1% had destroyed his odds of winning, reducing them to nearly zero.


    "You... You''re not the Venix of this timeline!" the Seed of Chaos roared, finally realizing Future Venix''s identity as another blow struck his jaw.


    "So what if I''m not?" Future Venix sneered, unleashing the rage he had bottled up for countless years.


    The Seed of Chaos gritted his teeth, glaring at Future Venix. "How could you possibly enter this universe''s River of Time!?" he spat, fury dripping from every word.


    "Do you think I''m foolish enough to tell you?" Future Venix smirked coldly. "I know you can''t die. Even if we defeat you here and kill you, you''ll simply be reborn!"


    Boom!


    Future Venix unleashed his full strength, delivering a devastating blow to the Seed of Chaos''s abdomen.


    The bubbles of consciousness belonging to the Seed of Chaos were now reduced to a mere 10%. Meanwhile, Venix''s bubbles had dwindled to just 5%, leaving the entire consciousness realm almost empty of any fragments.


    The Seed of Chaos knew the situation was dire, and any chance of turning the tide was practically nonexistent. Nearly all of his strength had been spent invading Venix''s consciousness like a virus, leaving him unable to utilize other techniques in this state.


    His expression was grim; it was undeniable that he had failed.


    "I admit it," the Seed of Chaos said with a twisted smile. "I''ve lost today. But I will return in the future to torment everyone close to you!"


    Moments later, his form disappeared, his consciousness retreating to reclaim control of Venix''s body.


    "This is bad!" Future Venix''s face turned pale with concern.


    Meanwhile, Venix, still focused on destroying the bubbles of consciousness, felt a wave of confusion.


    "Quick, reclaim your body! I''ll handle the remaining bubbles of the Seed of Chaos!" Future Venix shouted urgently. "He''s going to kill your body in the Virtual World! Your bodies in the Virtual and Real Worlds have become one. If you die in the Virtual World, you''ll die in the Real World too!"


    Venix''s face contorted in alarm. "You said he wouldn''t dare kill me!"


    "The situation has changed!" Future Venix wore a conflicted expression. "Victory is within our grasp; there''s no way he can turn the tables now. So for his final move, if we both perish, it''ll end in a stalemate. He might survive, but you''ll be utterly destroyed!"


    Venix cursed Future Venix in his heart, frustrated at how unreliable even his future self seemed to be. Without delay, he focused on reclaiming his body.


    In the next instant, Venix felt his control over the True Origin returning. However, it was only partial control¡ªhe could only move half of his body.


    "Too late!" The right side of Venix''s face twisted into a cruel grin. "This self-destruct technique cannot be stopped!"


    The left side of Venix''s face tensed, sensing impending disaster.


    His True Origin body was now absorbing all available energy around it. Venix could even feel his soul being drawn in, transforming into a source of power!


    In a desperate attempt, Venix tried to halt the process, willing his True Origin to cease the absorption.


    Despite his efforts, the True Origin body refused to stop, continuing to compress the energy into a dense core.


    If this continued, Venix feared that his True Origin would soon explode, obliterating both his soul and body from within.


    Just as despair began to set in, a figure suddenly appeared before him.


    "I am here."


    Venix lifted his head, recognizing the figure as the Soul Body of Orion, the Grandmaster he had encountered before.


    "Grandmaster..." Venix uttered stiffly, unable to believe that Grandmaster Orion had entered his soul.


    "How did you enter this boy''s soul!?" the Seed of Chaos roared, his face flushed with rage and confusion.


    He had already fortified Venix''s soul, making it impervious to invasion by any Primecore''s Soul Body!


    Grandmaster Orion''s Soul Body touched Venix''s True Origin. A surge of immense power flowed into the True Origin, temporarily halting the energy absorption.


    "The technique I taught Venix grants my Soul Body access for a full year," Orion explained, working diligently to dissolve the dense core of energy. "I trusted that this would be useful against you in the future, and it seems my timing was perfect."


    "I''ll kill you!" the Seed of Chaos bellowed, his voice reverberating through the soul''s realm with fury.


    "Goodbye," Orion said softly as he shattered the dense core, transforming it back into liquid energy.

 Chapter 40

    The Seed of Chaos'' final strike had failed, and it mocked itself with bitter laughter.


    It had never crossed its mind that it would lose to these weaklings. Worse yet, the one who defeated it wasn''t even a real living being but merely a copy of the Original World!


    Venix sighed in relief, his tensed shoulders finally feeling lighter. His True Origin body returned to normal, free from the strange sensations that had plagued him.


    Even though his body was back to normal, Venix remained on high alert. His gaze was fixed ahead, his focus locked on the battle within the sea of consciousness that was far from over. The Seed of Chaos'' consciousness still roiled within him.


    Slowly but surely, Venix regained control over his True Origin body, while the Seed of Chaos'' consciousness dimmed, waiting to disappear entirely.


    Future Venix worked tirelessly, bombarding the Seed of Chaos'' consciousness faster, fearing it might retaliate with a final desperate act.


    A minute later, Future Venix launched an attack on the Seed of Chaos'' last fragment. His face displayed a faint smile, and his sharp eyes seemed to declare, "I¡¯ve won."


    As the Seed of Chaos faded, Venix felt something unsettling.


    In the depths of his heart, a voice whispered, "I am not dead¡­ I will wait for you in a darker future."


    The next moment, the Seed of Chaos'' consciousness vanished completely, leaving no trace behind.


    At that moment, Venix experienced a profound shift, as if he had just surfaced from the depths of an ocean to take a breath of fresh air. For the first time in what felt like ages, he could fully control his body.


    The Origin Blessing continued, though its effects were not as intense because the true victor had not yet emerged.


    Once the Seed of Chaos'' consciousness was entirely obliterated, the Origin Blessing unleashed its full power, bestowing its energy entirely upon Venix!


    His True Origin body glowed golden, and his tiny bubble of consciousness, which had been reduced to just 5%, rapidly expanded and recovered under the blessing''s influence.


    At the same time, Grandmaster Orion felt a shift. His Soul Body was pushed out, leaving Venix''s body entirely.


    Grandmaster Orion¡¯s soul returned to his own body, and he opened his eyes sharply.


    ¡°What¡¯s the result?¡± asked Grandmaster Ardyn, his voice filled with anxious concern. His pale face betrayed his stress.


    The others nearby also looked at Grandmaster Orion with bated breath, waiting for his assessment.


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Orion raised a hand, his tone firm. ¡°Venix has just regained control of his body from the Seed of Chaos. We must wait until the Origin Blessing concludes to confirm if it is truly him.¡±


    ¡°Venix took back his body? How is that possible?¡± Grandmaster Ardyn asked, still in disbelief. He vividly recalled Venix¡¯s dire state earlier and found it impossible that someone could recover from such a condition.


    Grandmaster Orion shook his head, his gaze deeply fixed on Venix. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Meanwhile, Venix felt a surge of limitless power coursing through him.


    At the same time, the three thrones of the Seed Origin began to merge and align, though faint lines indicated they were not yet fully fused.


    Ordinarily, a Seed Origin would sacrifice itself to merge the three Seed Fragments into a complete Seed. This would result in the Seed Origin merging fully with the core power of an Awaken, granting greater strength and control.


    However, Venix¡¯s Seed Origin¡ªhis Seed of Vulture¡ªhad already fused entirely with his Astral Body, becoming his True Origin.


    Supported by the Origin Blessing, which provided essential energy and assistance, Venix¡¯s evolution bypassed the manual process of merging.


    This was the same reason Awaken individuals in the real world became Seedbound so quickly. The Origin Blessing guided them, skipping steps that would otherwise take years.


    And now, Venix was undergoing the same transformation.


    His True Origin moved instinctively, as if driven by a natural impulse, guiding him through this unprecedented state.


    The True Origin approached the nearly fused Seed and extended its hand, releasing an immense surge of energy to force the Seed¡¯s complete unification!


    Merging the Seed fully required vast amounts of energy and would typically take an incredibly long time.


    Hence, the Astral Bond technique was created to bolster the Seed Origin during this final stage. Inspired by the Origin Blessing, this technique magnified the Seed Origin''s power exponentially.


    The energy within Venix¡¯s True Origin drained rapidly, but with the continuous replenishment from the Origin Blessing, the power flow remained uninterrupted. It was funneled relentlessly into the Seed.


    Gradually, the thin cracks between the Seed fragments began to disappear, as if they had never existed.


    Once the Seed was fully unified, an unexpected phenomenon occurred.


    The Seed greedily absorbed Venix''s energy, creating a void around itself as if trying to unlock something mysterious.


    Seeing this void, Venix instinctively wanted to retreat. However, his body continued to adhere to the Seed, compelled by some unseen force.


    Moments later, the situation shifted dramatically.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Boom!


    The Seed exploded, and Venix''s vision went black. Panic surged within him, fearing something had gone terribly wrong.


    Five seconds later, Venix¡¯s sight returned. He found himself standing on solid ground.


    Looking around, Venix was stunned.


    Somehow, he had arrived in a strange world, barren beneath his feet yet with a sky above that shimmered like a tranquil blue sea. It reminded him of his soul''s ocean.


    He stepped cautiously, realizing the ground beneath him was not ordinary earth. He stood on a small floating island suspended in the air, daring him to venture further.


    Before him, Venix saw his dark Seed, now three times larger than his body in this realm.


    The dark Seed descended toward the ground, which split open willingly to accept it.


    Slowly, the Seed sank deep into the earth, and the surface sealed itself, leaving no trace of its passage.


    Seconds later, Venix''s True Origin body sat cross-legged atop the ground where the Seed had been planted.


    Moments passed, and Venix felt his body forming a profound connection with the Seed buried beneath him. Energy flowed back and forth between them, enhancing both.


    Suddenly, black smoke emerged from the ground, coalescing into a single point. Gradually, the smoke took the shape of a living being.


    Venix watched the black smoke cautiously, his wariness heightened by the fear that the Seed of Chaos might reappear.


    Fortunately, his fear proved unfounded. The smoke solidified into a form that Venix instantly recognized.


    Vulture!


    The living Vulture landed on the ground, staring at Venix seated above.


    As he gazed at the creature, Venix felt an inexplicable warmth. It was as if he had reunited with a long-lost part of himself.


    This was the consciousness of the Seed of Vulture, which had once been lost.


    Now that Venix had reached the Seedbound level, the Vulture had been reborn, becoming the first living entity in this world.


    It was also the symbol of the Seed itself, proof that it had been forged from the Seed of Vulture.


    The Vulture let out a triumphant cry, its eyes gleaming with joy as it regarded Venix.


    It flew over, landing on Venix''s shoulder and nuzzling its head against his face.


    Venix remained silent, his hand trembling as he touched the Vulture''s body. In a soft, heartfelt voice, he whispered, "Thank you."


    Venix lowered his head, his fists clenched tightly.


    This success was the result of many interconnected factors. However, the starting point was undoubtedly the Vulture. If it had failed, there was no way the outcome would have been the same, even with the same process.


    At this moment, the Origin Blessing had reached its final stage.


    Venix felt a strange change within himself, as if something vast and powerful was slowly growing, ready to erupt.


    "An exclusive ability from the Seed Origin?" Venix quickly guessed what was about to happen.


    When someone reached the Seedbound level, their Seed Origin would awaken a unique, exclusive ability that the user could freely harness.


    This unique ability was divided into two types: Active and Passive.


    For instance, the legendary prophecy ability of Grandmaster Orion originated from his Seed Origin and fell into the Passive category.


    Of course, there was the possibility that such abilities could evolve into Active abilities, though this would require a price for each use.


    Venix''s spirit burned with anticipation. His heart raced as he awaited the ability that would mark a turning point in his life.


    Based on the records he had studied, Earth Awakened individuals would typically receive one or two unique abilities. Sky Awakened individuals would receive at least three, and it was extremely rare for them to gain four.


    Meanwhile, Mythic Awakened individuals would receive a minimum of five unique abilities, and it wasn¡¯t unheard of for them to gain up to seven!


    As for Venix, after acquiring the Seed of Vulture and arriving in Numan City, Leoric had stated that his Seed of Vulture had reached the lowest Mythic quality.


    Now, with his Astral Body and Seed Origin merging into a True Origin, its quality was bound to surpass even the Mythic grade!


    "Will I gain ten unique abilities? No, I mustn''t be greedy. Eight would still be incredible!" Venix muttered excitedly.


    Moments later, his unique ability fully awakened! Knowledge about it was instantly transmitted directly into his mind.


    With great enthusiasm, Venix began to explore his new ability.


    "The first ability: Essence Assimilation... It sounds incredibly powerful!" Venix thought about it for a moment, processing the information flowing into his mind.


    "Essence Assimilation," he repeated slowly, feeling the immense strength behind the name.


    But as he studied the ability further, Venix grew puzzled. Why was there only one unique ability?


    Opening his eyes, his breath caught. He tried to reassure himself, "This ability must be too powerful. Perhaps I need to wait... Maybe it will evolve."


    Venix still felt the Origin Blessing connected to him, empowering him.


    Yet, seconds later, the connection abruptly severed, and the skies of Numan World returned to normal, showing no trace of the Origin Blessing.


    "Don¡¯t tell me... Is it really just one?" Venix spoke in a restrained voice, disbelief etched into his face.


    How could he only have one unique ability?!


    \[ Origin Blessing has ended. ]


    \[ Congratulations to the Host for successfully reaching the Seedbound level! ]


    The system notification appeared just in time, confirming Venix''s doubts.


    "Just... one?" The corners of Venix''s mouth twitched as he fought against the frustration welling up within him. His once-soaring hopes now crumbled, reduced to dust.


    Taking a deep breath, Venix tried to calm himself. "This must be an incredibly powerful ability! What if it combines the strengths of ten abilities into one?"


    Venix quickly closed his eyes, diving into the knowledge of his ability stored in his mind.


    Time passed slowly, and Venix''s expression grew darker and darker.


    Moments later, he opened his eyes, his face still clouded with gloom.


    "Essence Assimilation... It¡¯s a Passive ability, and every technique or power I use will perfectly align with my Seed Origin, forcibly altering the essence of the technique or power itself." Venix took a deep breath. It was a strong and incredibly unique ability.


    However, the more he understood this Passive ability, the more he felt that it... actually weakened him!


    "If I learned the Flame Phoenix Technique, what would happen? The technique would transform into Flame Vulture..." Venix pressed his chest, feeling a wave of frustration. "Flame Vulture is clearly weaker than Flame Phoenix... This means that even though the technique becomes perfectly attuned to me, it doesn¡¯t necessarily make it stronger."


    Every technique had a powerful essence to reach its peak strength. However, Venix¡¯s Passive ability forcibly altered that essence into the essence of the Vulture, thereby weakening the technique itself!


    Venix gently shook his head. No matter what, he was still grateful to have survived this day.


    With the help of the Virtual Ascension System, Venix believed he could grow rapidly, surpassing even the people of the real world.


    If his techniques were weak, it didn¡¯t matter! With a high enough level, his fists alone would be strong enough to defeat enemies in a single strike!


    After calming himself, Venix remembered the people of Numan World.


    Venix knew that this was a Virtual World created by the system, and the people living in it weren¡¯t real beings.


    Yet, his success today, and all the progress he had achieved, came from the Numan World!


    Whether it was Luna, Ardyn, Orion, or the entire research team, they had all helped Venix grow bit by bit.


    Even Venix, who had once tried hard to impose strict rules on himself to avoid emotional attachment to this Virtual World, now felt slightly conflicted because the help he had received felt so real.


    Venix wasn¡¯t someone with a strong personality or extraordinary intelligence. He was just an ordinary human who had suddenly gained the Virtual Ascension System.


    His character couldn¡¯t ignore the massive contributions he had received from the people of Numan World.


    Closing his eyes, Venix¡¯s consciousness exited his soul sea and returned to his body.


    At this moment, Venix¡¯s body was still bound by the sealing chains prepared by Grandmaster Orion.


    Opening his eyes slowly, Venix saw the figure of Grandmaster Orion gazing deeply at him and the pale face of Grandmaster Ardyn.


    Aside from these two important figures, there were nearly ten others Venix didn¡¯t recognize.


    Looking at Grandmaster Orion and Grandmaster Ardyn, Venix offered a stiff smile. "Thank you."


    Venix¡¯s voice was soft as tears began to fall down his cheeks, dripping onto the floor.