Kailash lay sprawled across the rough straw mattress in his hut, staring at the wooden ceiling.
His chest still ached from the claw marks the beast had left behind, but Nalia's bandages had done wonders, and he was healing faster than expected.
He was still bruised and sore, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the mental itch gnawing at him.
"Basic Level 2," he muttered under his breath. "I'm close… so close."
For a month, he had pushed himself harder than ever, pouring every drop of energy into his Foundational Qi Absorption Technique.
His body felt stronger, his senses sharper, and yet, that last push to reach Basic Level 2 was eluding him.
It was like trying to catch smoke, every time he got close, it slipped through his fingers.
"I just need one more big push," he groaned, sitting up and rubbing his temples.
That's when it happened.
"Ding! Store system available. Would you like to open the weekly store now?"
The familiar voice echoed in his head, causing Kailash to nearly fall off the bed. "The store?" he said aloud. "Oh yeah, the store! I totally forgot about that thing."
A grin spread across his face.
If the Store System had reactivated, it meant he had another chance to grab something useful.
And after the month he'd had, he figured the system owed him a good deal.
"Alright, let's see what you've got for me this week," Kailash said, cracking his knuckles like he was about to open a treasure chest.
He mentally selected the option to open the store, and before his eyes, a floating screen appeared, displaying various items for sale.
[Store]
1. Qi Absorption Enhancement Pill – 100 Qi Crystal
2. Spirit Condensing Blade – 150 Qi Crystal
3. Basic Swordsmanship Scroll (Intermediate) – 500 Qi Crystal
4. Cultivation Robes of the Tiger Sect – 500 Qi Crystal
5. Foundational Qi Amplifier (99% off!) – 1 Qi Crystal
Kailash's heart sank as he looked at the prices. "100 Qi Crystal for a pill?!" he groaned. "150 for a sword? Who's running this place, a scammer from Delhi's tech markets?"
He shook his head in disbelief, looking at the empty space where his balance should be.
"I don't have any Crystal! I'm broke!"
He sighed, flipping through the rest of the items. "Robes for 500 Crystal? Might as well ask for my soul while you're at it." His eyes landed on the last item.
Foundational Qi Amplifier (99% off!)
Original Price: 100 Qi Crystal
Current Price: 1 Qi Crystal
Kailash blinked. "Wait… 99% off? What's the catch?" He read the description carefully.
The Qi Amplifier promised to increase Qi absorption efficiency by 50%, effectively supercharging his cultivation speed for a short period.
It was exactly what he needed to hit Basic Level 2, if it worked.
"Alright, Store," he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the floating screen. "I see your game. You give me just enough hope, then dangle the solution in front of me like some evil overlord."
But he couldn't deny it. 1 Qi Crystal.
It was a steal.
He couldn't even remember how much Crystal he'd earned, but apparently, he had 1 Crystal.
With a dramatic sigh, he selected the Qi Amplifier. "Fine, take my Crystal. But I better level up after this, or I'm coming for you, system."
A small pill materialized on the screen, then suddenly appeared in his hand.
It was a tiny, glowing orb, warm to the touch and pulsing with energy.
"This little thing better be worth the drama," he said, inspecting the pill closely before popping it into his mouth.
The moment the pill dissolved, Kailash felt a surge of warmth spread through his chest.
His Qi, which had been sluggish and difficult to gather, suddenly responded like a lazy dog waking up to the smell of food.
He sat down on the floor in a meditative position, his focus immediately drawn inward. "Here we go," he muttered, closing his eyes and channeling the Foundational Qi Absorption Technique.
It was like a dam had broken.
The Qi in the air around him flowed toward him in a rush, swirling into his core with more intensity than he had ever felt before.
His body felt light, almost too light, like he might float away if he wasn't careful.
"Ohhh… okay, okay, this is working!" he said aloud, though his voice was shaky with concentration.
Minutes passed, then an hour.
The Qi flowed steadily, filling his core with energy. He could feel himself getting stronger, his body soaking up the power like a sponge.
Every breath seemed to draw in more Qi than the last, and his body responded, shifting, growing stronger with each pulse.
"This is it," he thought, his heart racing. "I'm going to make it to Basic Level 2!"
Suddenly, his body tensed, and his Qi began to swirl more violently.
He grit his teeth, feeling a sharp pressure building in his core.
It wasn't painful, but it was overwhelming, like standing at the edge of a cliff and knowing you were about to jump.
"Come on, come on…"
Ding!
[Congratulations! You have advanced to Basic Level 2!]
Kailash's eyes snapped open as the notification appeared.
He gasped for breath, blinking rapidly as the world around him seemed sharper, clearer.
The power surging through him was undeniable.
He had done it.
He was officially Basic Level 2.
"YES!" he shouted, pumping his fists in the air. "I did it! I actually did it!"
He jumped to his feet, feeling the newfound strength coursing through his veins.
His body felt lighter, his muscles tighter, and his mind sharper.
It was as if a veil had been lifted, and everything just… clicked.
"I could fight a hundred beasts right now," he muttered, grinning from ear to ear. "Or maybe just one… I don't want to push it."
He pulled up his status screen, eager to see the results.
[Status Update]
Name: Kailash Varuna
Age: 12
Cultivation Level: Basic Level 2
Qi: 12/20
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 7
Luck: 1
Skills: Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner), Foundational Qi Absorption (Intermediate)
Kailash stared at the screen, his jaw dropping. "Strength and Agility at 10? I'm basically a martial arts legend!"
He flexed his arms, admiring the results.
Just then, a knock on the door snapped him out of his celebratory moment.