Arin gagged violently, his body convulsing as the vile stench of the black ooze assaulted his nostrils like a battering ram.
"Blurrghhh!"
He couldn't hold it back anymore. The acidic burn of vomit tore through his throat as he regurgitated, black gunk splattering onto the floor in thick, slimy globs mixed with noxious bile. The putrid sight and stomach-churning stench triggered another wave, and he felt his body lurch again.
"No! Not after everything!" Arin's trembling hands shot up to cover his mouth as he clenched his jaw tight, his teeth grinding together. His voice, muffled by his hands, trembled with desperation. "Not after all the pain I just endured. It wasn't for nothing. It can't be for nothing!"
He squeezed his reddened, tear-filled eyes shut, as if sheer willpower could keep the bile from surging up again. His body heaved, the pressure unbearable, but he forced himself to swallow the acrid taste back down.
"I've come too far... too far to let this beat me," he whispered hoarsely, his words barely audible as he fought against the rebellion of his own body. "I survived that infernal torment... I won't let it be wasted. Not now. Not ever!"
The effort left him gasping for air, his breaths shallow and rapid, his chest heaving as if he had run a marathon. His limbs quaked like leaves in a storm, the sheer force of his determination holding him together even as his body begged to collapse.
But his strength, already stretched beyond its limits, finally gave way.
His vision blurred as darkness crept in at the edges, his knees buckling beneath him. He swayed unsteadily, the world spinning violently, before he crumpled to the floor. His body landed in the thick, viscous pool of black sludge with a sickening squelch, the foul-smelling ooze clinging to his clothes and skin like tar.
Unconsciousness claimed him before he could resist any further, pulling him into its silent void.
Hours passed. Arin's motionless body lay crumpled on the cold floor, the black ooze congealing around him. His once-favorite shirt and pants, now utterly ruined, clung to his skin, soaked through with the vile substance.
The room reeked of decay, the stench so oppressive it was difficult to imagine breathing clean air again. And yet, amidst the filth and stench, a remarkable transformation was unfolding within Arin's body.
Deep inside, the Tier 1 low-grade pill continued its work. It wasn't just cleansing him of impurities; it was rebuilding him from the ground up.
Meridians, long dormant and underdeveloped, began to open like forgotten pathways rediscovering light. His circulatory system glowed faintly as energy flowed through his veins in steady waves. His muscles, his bones, his very essence—everything was reforged with a resilience and strength he had never known before.
Then came the golden light.
It started as a soft shimmer, barely noticeable, but quickly grew brighter, enveloping his body like the dawn breaking through a storm. The black sludge began to crack and flake away, revealing clean, radiant skin beneath. Even his matted hair seemed to regain its luster as the impurities were purged completely.
The room, once suffocatingly foul, now carried the scent of fresh flowers. The stench had vanished, replaced by a pure, cleansing aroma that felt almost holy in its sweetness.
Arin's eyelids fluttered, and with a sudden gasp, his eyes snapped open. His chest rose and fell as he took deep, steadying breaths. For a moment, he was disoriented, his surroundings a blur. But then he saw him—Old Varlin.
His grandfather stood before him, proud and unyielding as always, his hands clasped behind his back. Despite the sternness of his posture, there was warmth in his eyes, a rare softness that made Arin's heart ache with a mixture of pride and longing.
"Well done, Arin," Old Varlin said, his deep voice resonating like a soothing balm. "You've endured your first trial, and it was no small feat. Your body has been refined, and your spirit awakened. But mark my words—the path you've chosen is no ordinary one. It will test your will, your strength, and your resolve. Many fail, and few rise. I expect you to be among the few."
Arin, still groggy, forced himself to sit up. His muscles felt sore yet oddly invigorated, as though he had been broken and rebuilt stronger than before.
"Grandfather…" he croaked, his voice hoarse and dry. "I thought... I thought I wouldn't survive."
Old Varlin chuckled, his gruff exterior melting into a warm smile. "And yet, here you are. Stronger. Better. Don't waste what you've been given, boy. Ascend. Leave behind the realm of mortals and carve your name among the immortals. I believe in you."
As his words faded, so did his image.
"Wait!" Arin reached out, but Old Varlin's figure had already dissolved into the ether, leaving only silence.
"Was it... real?" Arin whispered, his voice trembling with uncertainty and emotion.
The familiar chime of the system pulled him from his thoughts.
-[Congratulations: You have officially stepped onto the path of cultivation.]-
The mechanical voice was cold yet oddly comforting.
-[Achievement Unlocked: Access to the system has increased by 20%. Features such as the System Store, Creation, and Editing remain locked.]-
-[Notice: Interactive feature unlocked.]-
-[System Note: The path of cultivation is a rebellion against one's own fate. Those who tread this road either soar to great heights or face tragic ends.]-
-[Current Level: Stage 1 Body Refining Cultivator.]-
"Yes!" Arin rasped, his voice raw but filled with triumph. "Finally, something's going my way!"
His excitement was short-lived as he noticed the grime and filth still clinging to the floor around him.
-[Observation: Immediate cleaning of the environment is recommended for optimal cultivation.]-
Arin groaned. "Great. You help me rebuild my body, but I still have to scrub floors?"
He laughed bitterly, glancing around the wreckage of his once-tidy parlour. The black sludge had dried into cracks in the floor, and the air, while fragrant now, still carried an undertone of rot.
"Yeah, no kidding. I'll get to that after I... after I figure out how to stand."
-[Suggestion: Begin with light stretches to acclimate your body to its enhanced state.]-
Arin groaned as he sat up, his muscles groaning in protest despite their newfound strength. "You're real bossy for a system, you know that?"
-[Clarification: The system prioritizes host survival and efficiency. Manual labor is outside its scope.]-
He rolled his eyes, a tired but genuine smile creeping onto his face. "Fine. I'll handle it. But don't expect me to be happy about it."
Despite his grumbles, he couldn't deny the thrill coursing through him. For the first time in years, he felt alive—truly alive.