Arjun walked alone.
Fog around him.
Bones under his feet.
The world felt quiet.
But inside his mind…
It was loud.
Because the System spoke again.
🔊 [Breakthrough imminent: Body Tempering Stage 93/100]
🔊 [New Feature Detected: System Shop]
✅ Unlock condition: 1,000 Points
Arjun checked his status.
📌 Points Available: 1,020
He didn't hesitate.
"Open shop."
A new panel appeared.
✅ SYSTEM SHOP
💠 Techniques
Bone Crushing Grip — 600 points
Crimson Killing Intent — 800 points
Silent Blade Arts — 1000 points
💠 Items
Heavenly Recovery Pill x5 — 200 points
Poison Fog Immunity Talisman (1 day) — 250 points
Spirit Stone Bundle (Low-grade) — 300 points
💠 Special
Talent Seal Key (Fragment) — 1500 points (LOCKED)
Bloodline Lottery Spin — 2000 points (LOCKED)
Arjun stared at the options.
Then his eyes stopped at one.
Crimson Killing Intent.
He didn't need kindness.
He didn't need defense.
He needed one thing:
Fear.
He tapped it.
✅ Purchased: Crimson Killing Intent — 800 Points
🔊 [Skill Learned!]
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT (Beginner)
✅ Effect: Your presence causes panic, hesitation, mental collapse in weaker enemies.
Arjun felt it immediately.
It was like invisible blood spilled around him.
The world seemed darker.
Even the fog seemed to retreat.
He checked his points again.
📌 Points left: 220
Arjun bought only one more thing:
✅ Purchased: Heavenly Recovery Pill x5 — 200 Points
Now he had:
📌 Points: 20
📌 Recovery Pills: 7 total
Perfect.
A monster doesn't need comfort.
A monster needs endurance.
Arjun continued forward.
Then suddenly—
Something massive moved in the fog.
A corpse beast…
No.
Bigger.
Much bigger.
A creature with human bones sticking out of its flesh, its body stitched with old scars.
Its eyes glowed red.
The air around it was heavy.
The system flashed.
🔊 [ELITE ENEMY DETECTED!]
☠️ BONE GRAVE BEAST KING
Difficulty: DEATH
Arjun smiled.
He didn't step back.
He stepped forward.
"Good."
"Seven points left for breakthrough…"
The Beast King roared.
The ground shook.
Arjun activated his new aura.
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT!
The Beast King paused.
For one second.
Fear.
Even a monster felt it.
That one second was enough.
Arjun vanished.
✨ SHADOW STEP!
He appeared beside its head.
His fist pulled back like a cannon.
💥 IRON BONE FIST!!
BOOOOM!!
The beast's skull cracked but didn't break.
It swung its claw—
BAM!!
Arjun flew across the bones and slammed into a dead tree.
His ribs screamed.
Blood rushed into his mouth.
But Arjun… laughed.
He stood up slowly.
"Finally."
"A fight worth bleeding for."
He swallowed one recovery pill.
Warm energy exploded through his body.
The pain dulled.
His muscles tightened.
Then he rushed again.
Fist after fist.
Bone after bone.
The Beast King roared, tearing the ground apart.
Arjun was thrown.
Smashed.
Bleeding.
But he didn't stop.
He kept walking forward.
Every hit made him stronger.
Every wound made him colder.
Finally…
Arjun's last punch landed on the Beast King's throat.
CRACK.
Its roar died.
It collapsed.
The valley fell silent again.
The system chimed.
🔊 [Elite Kill Confirmed!]
🎁 +200 Points
🎁 Bonus Drop: Beast King Core
And then—
🔊 [BREAKTHROUGH!]
✅ Body Tempering Stage: 100/100 → 1st Layer Completed!
🔥 New Realm: IRON BODY STAGE (1/10)
Arjun's body exploded with power.
His bones became heavier.
His muscles turned denser.
His skin hardened like iron.
He stood over the corpse.
His breathing was steady.
Then he whispered:
"Rudra…"
"Your brother died too easily."
"Don't worry."
"I'll take my time with you."