[WARNING: SYSTEM INFORMATION DUMP]
"So I really reincarnated. And with a system, too." Von muttered to himself, eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the glowing screen before him. His heart raced, but a smile slowly formed on his lips.
"Seems like I'm one of the reincarnates who has unlocked a system, just like those characters I read about in novels."
[WELCOME TO THE SIN'S SYSTEM]
(Please add a command word to open the system at will)
[Status]
Name: Von Celest Fray [Carl Bringston]
Age: 6 [26]
Body Cultivation: Beginner (Low) (+)
Mana Cultivation: Beginner (Low) (+)
Soul Cultivation: Beginner (Low) (+)
Mana Core: 1 (+)
Affinity: (+)
Bloodlines: (+)
Talent: (+)
Physical Strength: [10] (+)
Soul Strength: [10] (+)
Mental Strength: [12] (+)
System Points: [20] (Details)
Black Points: [20] (Details)
Techniques and Skills: (+)
Inventory [Locked]
System Shop: [Locked]
As Von scanned the screen, a deep sense of excitement surged within him. "So, this is where I stand? I'm practically the weakest cultivator in this world right now." He chuckled softly, trying to keep his nerves in check. "But it's okay because I have a system that can help me grow stronger."
"But wait... Why do I have Soul Cultivation? From what I know about this world, cultivation is divided into two parts—'Mana Cultivation' and 'Body Cultivation.'"
His eyes narrowed in thought, and he then noticed the option to set a command word. A playful grin spread across his face.
"Oh, you want me to set a command to open the system? Alright, let's go with something classic, just like those novels I adore."
With confidence, he declared, "STATUS OPEN!"
The system complied instantly, and the screen flickered before him, signaling that the system could now be accessed at will. Von's curiosity grew even more. As a former computer engineering graduate and a game developer, understanding how the system worked felt natural to him.
After setting the command, Von immediately tapped the "+" button beside his Body Cultivation to explore how upgrades worked. With his background, he could easily decipher the mechanics of the system.
A prompt appeared on the screen:
[Upgrade Body Cultivation to Beginner Level (Middle)]**
[Cost - 3 Black Points]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
"Alright, so 3 Black Points are required to upgrade my Body Cultivation... Let's check how much it costs to upgrade Mana and Soul Cultivation."
[Upgrade Mana Cultivation to Beginner Level (Middle)]**
[Cost - 3 Black Points]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
[Upgrade Soul Cultivation to Beginner Level (Middle)]**
[Cost - 3 Black Points]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
"Seems like the cost for all upgrades is the same. But I won't upgrade just yet. I still need to figure out how to earn Black Points."
"I should also check the cost of upgrading my Mana Core," Von muttered. "From what I know, only two Mana Cores can be formed in a person's body. I already have one Mana Core—the Mana Heart."
[Add Mana Brain]
[Cost - 1,000 Black Points]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
"What the hell? Why is it so expensive? Well, it makes sense though. In this world, having two Mana Cores is highly valuable. People who've awakened just one Mana Core often only reach Grand Master Rank during their entire lives."
Von's mind wandered back to his Uncle Michael's teachings about Mana Cores.
He recalled Uncle Michael's explanation, "A Mana Core is crucial for those who wish to harness magical powers or enhance their physical abilities. It serves as a reservoir, storing cultivated mana that can be used for spells, boosting physical attributes, or amplifying attacks. A well-developed Mana Core strengthens the body's defenses by reinforcing it with magical energy and enhances offensive power by channeling mana into strikes."
"With time, the Mana Core evolves, improving its capacity and control over mana. But care must be taken when cultivating it, for overloading it can lead to instability or destruction."
"In the end, the Mana Core is the foundation of power, allowing individuals to reach their full potential. As you cultivate and strengthen your Mana Core, it not only enhances your abilities but also elevates your cultivation rank, unlocking greater power and mastery."
Von snapped back to reality and decided to check his affinity.
[Add Affinity]
[Cost - 10 Black points]
[Type - Fire]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
He stared at the screen for a moment, feeling a flicker of hope. Finally, he would have an affinity. During the awakening ceremony, he had discovered he didn't possess one, and it had left him feeling disheartened.
With a quiet sigh, he dismissed the option.
His gaze shifted to the next screen: Bloodlines.
[Upgrade Bloodlines to Rank 1]
[Cost - 10 Black Points]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
From the books he had read before regaining his memories, Von knew that Bloodlines were ranked in seven stages:
- Rank 1
- Rank 2
- Rank 3
- Rank 4
- Rank 5
- Emperor
- Sovereign
"It seems like my Bloodline is just average, since the starting upgrade is Rank 1. But that's fine. As long as I can gather enough Black Points, I'll improve my Bloodline's rank," Von said, nodding to himself.
Next, Von checked his Talent Rank. Though he knew his talent had been below average during the awakening ceremony, now that the system allowed for upgrades, he could change that.
A wide grin spread across his face as he stared at the screen.
[Upgrade Talent Rank]
[Cost - 50 Black Points]
[Confirm] - [Cancel]
After reviewing his Talent, Von moved on to check the details of the System Points.
[SYSTEM POINTS]
[Used to upgrade Physical, Soul, and Mental Strength.]
[Can be obtained through daily training provided by the system.]
[Can be obtained by hunting Mana Beasts. Points vary based on the rank of the Mana Beast killed.]
"So, daily training and hunting Mana Beasts, huh?" Von mused. "This world may be tough, but with this system, I have a chance to get stronger." He glanced at his System Points—only 20 for now.
After reviewing his System Points, Von checked his Black Points next.
[BLACK POINTS]
[Used to upgrade Body Cultivation, Mana Cultivation, Soul Cultivation, Talent, Bloodlines, and Mana Core.]
[Can also be used to purchase items, techniques, and spells in the shop.]
But as Von read more about how to obtain Black Points, his eyes widened in shock, his heart sinking.
[The Black Points are essential for the host's cultivation. Without them, the host cannot advance in cultivation.]
[Black Points can be obtained by committing atrocities against others. The host may use any means to carry out such actions.]
[The host may also earn Black Points by completing missions given by the system. If the host fails or refuses to comply, the host will die.]
[The points vary depending on how the atrocities are committed.]
Von's blood ran cold. His entire body froze as disbelief gripped him. His thoughts raced, struggling to comprehend the words on the screen.
"Commit... atrocities?" He whispered, voice trembling. "Is this some kind of twisted joke?"
His hand shook as he stared, rereading the text over and over again, hoping it would change, but it remained the same. The system—the very thing he had been so excited about—was demanding he commit acts of cruelty, malice, and horror in exchange for power.
"No... This can't be real…" Von muttered under his breath, his voice quivering. He felt the weight of the words crushing his chest. *Is this system... is it forcing me to become a monster?*
What kind of path am I being led down? Von thought, trembling. Tears welled up in the corners of Von's eyes, not from fear, but from a deep, soul-shattering sense of betrayal. He had been so excited when he first received the system, imagining that he would become like the protagonists in the novels he read. But now, he saw that the very power he had been given was steeped in darkness—its foundation built on bloodshed, suffering, and twisted choices that no one should ever have to make.
What kind of path is this? His mind churned with dread, spiraling into chaos as the weight of his own realization pressed down on him. His body trembled, not from the cold, but from the crushing burden of a fate he hadn't chosen—a path from which there was no escape.
"Is this... is this the will of the one who reincarnated me?" he whispered, his voice trembling, the words barely escaping his lips. The question gnawed at him like a festering wound, and he couldn't shake the haunting thought that the one who had reincarnated him had manipulated him into this cruel existence, binding him to a system that demanded atrocities in exchange for power.
"Am I nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game?" His mind raced, each thought more terrifying than the last. "Is this what the one who gave me this second chance desires? But why? Why must I commit atrocities just to survive, to grow stronger?"
The questions consumed him, each one darker than the last, until Von felt as though his entire world was crumbling around him. The system that he had once thought of as his cheat code for this life now felt like a sinister force—its true nature, a poison slowly seeping into every corner of his being..