Five months had passed since Terry locked himself away, dedicating every second to training and refining his technique.
His breathing method had evolved beyond anything he could have imagined. He had discovered a way to channel energy into his hand, creating a faint, invisible wave of heat.
At first, he was thrilled.
"This is it—my first real technique!"
But excitement quickly turned to frustration.
The heat wave was weak.
Even when he aimed it at his own hand, all he could feel was a slight warm breeze. It wasn't enough to burn or even cause pain.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
New Ability Acquired: Heat Pulse (LVL 1)
Effect: Emits a weak thermal wave from the palm. Currently non-lethal.
Terry gritted his teeth.
"If I can't even cause pain with this, then I'm still weak."
Still, he refused to stop. If this ability was real, then it could be refined—strengthened.
So he trained relentlessly, experimenting with different ways to enhance the technique:
Slowing his breathing to focus his energyCompressing the heat before releasing itVisualizing the energy moving like a flame
The progress was agonizingly slow, but deep down, Terry knew—he was on the right path.
A Man Marked for Death
While Terry had been training, his name had spread like wildfire across the internet.
His forum was thriving, with thousands of members discussing training techniques, Ki control, and future survival strategies.
But not everyone was excited about his growing influence.
Several organizations, both governmental and private, had labeled him as a dangerous figure.
The U.S. government had flagged him as a "potential bio-terrorist."The World Martial Arts Federation had put out warnings against "false teachings."Underground factions saw him as a threat to their control.
And worst of all, some people wanted him dead.
Several hitmen had already tried to track him down. All had failed.
But Terry knew—hiding forever wasn't an option.
The Birth of a Mercenary Empire
If he wanted to survive, he needed power—and money.
So, Terry made a bold decision.
Through the Vanguard network, he announced the creation of a mercenary organization.
The Shadow Vanguard.
A covert elite force of trained individuals who would take on missions for money—assassinations, intelligence gathering, sabotage.
The goal wasn't just survival—it was domination.
With funding from their missions, Terry could:
✔ Purchase safehouses and supplies
✔ Fund research into Ki techniques
✔ Recruit more powerful individuals
✔ Expand the influence of the Vanguard
Evolution of Power
As Terry's influence grew, so did his abilities.
He had mastered several core techniques:
Enhanced Physical Attributes – His strength, agility, and endurance had doubled from his baseline. He could run for hours without stopping, strike faster than the eye could follow, and react to danger with almost superhuman precision.Ki Circulation – He could now sense the flow of energy within his body, though he still struggled to properly manipulate it.Heat Pulse LVL 2 – While still not lethal, the wave of heat had grown stronger. Those who stood too close could feel an uncomfortable burning sensation on their skin.
Yet, despite all this… he wasn't satisfied.
"I need more."
He knew that when the portals opened, true monsters would arrive.
Humans would be nothing but prey—unless they were prepared.
The Shadow War Begins
With the Shadow Vanguard now active, Terry prepared for the next phase of his plan.
He wasn't just a fugitive anymore.
He was about to become the most dangerous man in the world.
And when the invasion came…
He would be ready.
Terry had spent months hiding, always on the move, evading the reach of governments, organizations, and assassins. But now, with the Shadow Vanguard growing rapidly, he needed a permanent base of operations—somewhere secure, hidden, and capable of housing his mercenary empire.
After careful analysis, the System provided the perfect location:
[SYSTEM: RECOMMENDED SAFE LOCATION]
South Korea – Baengnyeong Island
Remote and difficult to accessExisting underground military tunnelsClose proximity to advanced technology hubsLow government surveillanceThe Birth of the Black Fortress
Baengnyeong Island was a strategic yet overlooked location. While the Korean military used parts of it for operations, the abandoned tunnels beneath the island provided the perfect hideout.
With his growing network of operatives, Terry led a covert mission to seize and fortify the tunnels. Within weeks, the underground facility had transformed into a high-tech hidden fortress equipped with:
✔ Advanced security systems
✔ Training grounds for elite operatives
✔ Data centers for intelligence gathering
✔ Supply caches and escape tunnels
✔ Encrypted communication servers
It was impenetrable. Undetectable. A true fortress of shadows.
A Global Movement
From his base in Korea, Terry expanded the reach of the Shadow Vanguard beyond anything he had imagined.
The Forum exploded, with hundreds of thousands now seeking to learn his breathing technique.Cryptocurrency funding flooded in, allowing the group to acquire advanced weapons, technology, and resources.Secret training camps formed in remote locations, where followers learned to harness their Ki and enhance their physical and mental abilities.
Despite the governments trying to shut down his online presence, his videos and guides kept spreading. The underground internet, deep web, and private encrypted channels ensured that his teachings could never be erased.
The Evolution of Power
With months of brutal training, Terry had pushed his limits, unlocking new abilities beyond anything he had expected:
Heat Pulse LVL 3 – No longer just a warm breeze, it could now scorch surfaces and cause minor burns.Ki Reinforcement – By focusing his breathing, Terry could harden his muscles, increasing his strength and durability beyond human limits.Sensory Awareness – He had begun to sense movements and intentions of those around him, making it easier to dodge and counter attacks.
Still, it wasn't enough.
"I need more. If I want to survive when the portals open... I need to become something greater than human."
The World Strikes Back
With his power growing and his influence spreading, the world's superpowers finally acknowledged what Terry had become:
"He is no longer just a fugitive. He is a global threat."
The CIA labeled him as a terrorist mastermind.The Korean government issued a bounty for his capture.The United Nations held emergency meetings on how to handle the Shadow Vanguard.
And then, the assassins came.
Elite special forces. Mercenaries hired by governments and private corporations. Even rogue cultivators who saw him as a challenge.