Arin's body stirred as he groaned, his head pounding from the remnants of his ordeal. He blinked several times, adjusting to the dim light of the room. Pushing himself up onto his elbows, he noticed something unusual.
"Strange…" Arin muttered, frowning as he scanned his surroundings. The room was clean—no trace of the black ooze, no stench, no lingering grime. It was as if the vile mess had never existed.
"Did the system… clean up afterward?" he asked aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief.
-[Affirmative.]-
The calm, mechanical voice rang in his ears, startling him slightly.
"Wait, you cleaned this? Why?" Arin sat up fully, his fingers grazing the smooth, spotless floor.
-[Efficiency is paramount. Maintaining a clean environment promotes optimal physical and mental conditions for cultivation. Allowing the filth to remain would hinder your progress.]-
"Well, that's convenient," Arin muttered, running a hand through his hair. His fingers paused midway when he realized how silky and smooth it felt.
He glanced down at his hands—his skin was glowing, free of blemishes, as if polished by divine waters. His reflection in the glossy surface of the nearby cabinet caught his eye. He staggered toward it, his jaw dropping as he took in the transformation.
His previously lean frame now carried a defined musculature. Chiseled abs and broad shoulders made him look like a warrior carved from marble. His height had increased noticeably, and his once-tired face now bore a refined sharpness, his features strikingly handsome. His hair flowed like silk, framing his glowing, rejuvenated skin.
"Is this... really me?" Arin whispered, touching his reflection as if it might vanish.
-[The effects of the Tier 1 low-grade cleansing pill have refined your body, eliminating impurities and optimizing your physical form. The process ensures enhanced strength, resilience, and vitality.]-
Arin smirked, clenching his fists and feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. "This… this is incredible! No more shall I be pushed around like some inhuman object. I've got a chance now—a real chance to protect myself."
-[Your determination is noted. However, strength alone is insufficient. Cultivation requires discipline, strategy, and perseverance.]-
Arin nodded. "You're right. This is just the beginning."
As he turned to leave, something else caught his eye—the clock on the wall. His brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait a minute. How come it's only 18:00? I feel like I spent days in that blood-red desert dimension!"
-[Time within the system's dimensions flows at a ratio of approximately 1 day to 1 hour in the real world.]-
Arin's eyes widened. "So, if I train there for an entire day, only an hour passes here?"
-[Correct. This feature allows you to maximize efficiency without disrupting your daily life in the real world.]-
A grin spread across Arin's face. "That's... genius. I won't have to make excuses or worry about anyone noticing. This is perfect."
-[Efficient utilization of the system's dimensions is key to rapid progress. However, over-reliance may lead to mental fatigue. Proper balance is advised.]-
Arin yawned, his body reminding him of the toll the transformation had taken. Stretching his toned arms, his shirt lifted slightly, revealing the sculpted abs underneath. He admired his reflection once more but shook his head with a chuckle.
"Alright, I'll call it a day. Rest is important, too."
But as he turned toward his bed, the thought of leveling up stirred in his mind.
"Then again…" He smirked, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes. "Why stop now? The stronger I get, the better prepared I'll be for whatever's coming next."
As if on cue, the system chimed.
-[Ding!]-
-[Transportation location finalized.]-
-[Sending Host to Broken Star Dimension: 657:886.1]-
"Broken Star Dimension again?" Arin's grin widened. He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing in the silent room. "Those damned rats won't know what hit them this time. I'm going to wipe them out for good."
-[Confidence noted. However, overconfidence can lead to strategic failure. Proceed with caution.]-
"Yeah, yeah," Arin replied, waving his hand dismissively. "Let me enjoy the moment."
The system ignored his sarcasm.
-[Countdown for transportation commencing.]-
-[Host's transportation shall begin in...]-
-[10...]
-[9...]
-[8...]
Arin's heart pounded with anticipation. He tightened his fists, his adrenaline surging.
-[7...]
-[6...]
-[5...]
The air around him began to hum with energy, a faint glow surrounding his body.
-[4...]
-[3...]
The floor beneath him shimmered, fracturing like glass as the world around him blurred.
-[2...]
-[1...]
-[Now Beginning the Dimensional Transportation.]-