Chapter 12: Momos, Cultivation, and the Soulbinder
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Kent slumped into his creaky chair, cracking his knuckles as the system interface popped up before him.
His gaze landed on the Spin Wheel, a familiar sight that had both blessed and cursed him in equal measure.
"Alright, let's see what we've got today," he muttered, rubbing his hands together.
His SP balance glowed brightly:
Spiritual points: 15,000 SP.
"Fifteen thousand, huh? Enough for a few spins. Time to hit the jackpot!" Kent smirked, pressing the spin button confidently.
Spin 1:
The wheel spun rapidly, its glowing sections blurring into a whirlwind of light. Kent leaned forward, his heart racing.
The wheel slowed down, stopping on…
"Stinky Momo!" ( for readers only)
A small puff of steam appeared, and a single momo floated down onto his desk.
"What the hell?" Kent muttered, staring at the momo suspiciously.
The momo was plump, perfectly shaped, and… glowing faintly. But the smell.
"Why does it smell like someone's sweaty socks were boiled in a dumpster?" Kent gagged, waving his hand in front of his nose.
Kent looked closely. Is it poop? It looks and smells like something just 💩 pooped here.
System, is this some kind of prank?" Kent asked.
After the light fades from the momo, A system notification comes. 'Stinky momo.'
Kent said what? What the hell is a Stinky momo? I never heard of it?
System you are definitely joking with me. No response from the system.
Kent sought multiple times. Hello system. System something.
Curious (and stupidly hopeful), Kent poked the momo a few times. It jiggled slightly, almost taunting him.
With a resigned sigh, he picked it up thinking it should be something like physical enhancing fruit. Making a hesitant face and weird look he took a cautious bite.
Nothing!!! The Stinky momo have no spiritual energy or any kind of power. Kent gets sad for a second. His face is like he is very disappointed 😞.
BOOM!
Flavors exploded in his mouth like fireworks. His eyes widened as he chewed.
"This… this is the BEST momo I've ever eaten!" he exclaimed. "It's even better than the ones from the best food stall!"
"System, I take back my complaints. You're a genius to make this!"
Encouraged, Kent spun the wheel again.
Spin 2: Stinky Momo.
Spin 3: Stinky Momo.
Spin 9: Stinky Momo.
By the fifth spin, Kent was surrounded by a mountain of glowing momos, each one wafting its terrible smell. His room now smelled like a poorly managed gym locker.
The empty stop of the spin wheel is all filled with momos. It is basically a guaranteed price for a spin.
"DAMN YOU, SYSTEM!" Kent yelled, throwing a momo at the wall.
Nima's voice rang out from the living room. "Stop yelling, Kent! I am watching TV. I'm trying to watch Goku fight Frieza!"
Kent sighed, slumping back in his chair.
"Fine, one more spin. Just one more. If it's another momo, I'm rioting."
Spin 10: Jackpot!
The wheel stopped abruptly, and a loud chime echoed through the room. A glowing black paper appeared in midair, floating gently before Kent.
"I FOUND IT!" Kent yelled triumphantly.
💢 Nima stomped into the room, her face scrunched up in annoyance. "What are you yelling about now?
She is very angry pulling her dress sleeves ready to beat Kent 😤.
After entering Kent's room Nima smells something really bad. 'She asked did you poop 💩 in your pants?'
Why does it smell so bad here? Do you have diarrhea? 🤧 Covering her nose.
Before Kent could respond, the black paper flew out of the system and into Nima's chest.
"AHHHHHHH!"
Nima screamed, stumbling backward.
"KENT! SOMETHING WENT INSIDE ME! I'M GONNA DIE!"
"AHHHHHHH!"
"I'M GONNA DIE!"
Kent panicked, grabbing her shoulders. "No, no, no! Calm down, Nima! It's okay! You're not gonna die!"
"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face.
"WHAT IF I TURN INTO A MONSTER?!"
"Relax!" Kent said, patting her head awkwardly. "It's… uh… probably a cultivation superpower. Nothing bad, I promise."
Nima stopped crying, sniffling loudly. "Superpower? Really?"
"Yeah! Kent gestured at the glowing screen that only he could see."
System Notification:
"Soulbinder (SSS-Rank Skill) Awakened. Host connected via blood relationship."
.
.
.
Nima's Status:
Physique: Max (10)
Cultivation: level F (Lower)
Skill: Soulbinder (SSS-Rank)
Description: Extract dead souls using chains and bind them as contracted servants. No level limit, but limited slots (0/1).
Looking at the screen Kent grinned nervously. He thinks, this damn system. Do you want my sister to become a necromancer or something?
Then he thinks I can't tell Nima anything about her powers. She will definitely get angry. Let's just keep it a secret. It's not like she will find out everything by herself.
" It's all good! So… how do you feel?" he asked.
Nima tilted her head thoughtfully. "I don't know… but I feel like there's a big, dark space inside me. It's like I can hold something there."
"Interesting," Kent muttered. "Try sensing spiritual energy. Close your eyes and concentrate."
Nima did as he said, her small face scrunching up in focus. A moment later, her eyes shot open in excitement.
"I feel it!" she shouted. "I can feel the spiritual energy! I can absorb it!"
She immediately jumped up, twirling around the room in a happy dance.
Ding!
+20,+76,+99... SP copied (Joy).
"I'M AN AWAKENED NOW!" she yelled, beaming.
Kent watched her, smiling faintly. But inside, he was fuming.
"DAMN YOU, SYSTEM!" he thought angrily. "She can level up so easily now! Meanwhile, I'm stuck farming SP like a clown just to buy my way up!"
After her celebration, Nima saw some stinky momo's on Kent's bed. What is this?
Kent said it's stinky momo's wanna try it? It's really good.
She yelled, nooooooo' it's smell….
Before she could finish the sentence.
Kent saw an opportunity and her mouth was wide open. He quickly grabbed a slinky momo, and put it inside her mouth.
He grabs her mouth and covers it with hands. Don't spit it out he Says, chew it. You will thank me.
+9 sp from Nima. (Angry)
She started chewing the Stinky momo.
+19 sp from Nima. (Satisfaction)
Hmmm. Yummy 😋. I want more.
Kent says no. I will sell it in the market tomorrow.
She accused Kent saying. You have another little sister outside. I know. You wanted to give her all the yummy foods.
He sighed deeply. "Alright, alright take some and go do your homework. I'll cook dinner."
After dinner, Nima fell asleep almost instantly, snoring softly💤💤💤.
Kent peeked into her room and noticed something strange— she was sleeping without a hint of worry covered under a soft blanket. Faint moonlight was coming inside the room through the window.
With the moonlight there was also blue and white mix colours spiritual energy coming and entering her body.
'Spiritual energy….+1…. +1….. +1…..'
Her body seemed to absorb spiritual energy automatically, as naturally as breathing.
"It must be because of her maxed-out physique," he muttered. "Meanwhile, I have to grind for every scrap of progress." ....."Ughh!"
"Damn you weird system."
Then Kent leaves Nima's room. Yawning and scratching his head. I am sleepy 🥱 too. Let's go to bed. I have to sell slinky momo's tomorrow.
The next morning, Nima woke up feeling more energized than ever. She feels like something is calling her from the ward.
She stretched her arms and wandered into the yard, noticing a few dead ants and a cockroach lying near the vegetable patch.
She is now sure that it's coming from the dead insects, she closed her eyes and focused on the dark space she felt inside her. Slowly, she reached out toward the dead ant.
It all comes to her naturally. As if-like breathing. She knows what to do. Her instinct is guiding her.
WHOOSH!
The ant's soul materialized faintly, glowing like a tiny wisp of light. It floated into her hand before disappearing into the dark space.
Nima's eyes widened. "Whoa! What's happening!"
Encouraged, she turned her attention to the cockroach and tried the same thing. The ant's soul disappeared, replaced by the cockroach's.
"Huh… so only one at a time," Nima murmured.
Then, a mischievous grin spread across her face. "I know exactly what to do with this!"
Kent was snoring loudly💤, sprawled out on his bed like a starfish arms and legs are spread. Nima crept into his room silently, holding the cockroach soul in her hand.
"Time to wake up, big brother," she whispered, grinning wickedly.
"BOO!"
She shoved the glowing soul toward Kent's face. He jolted awake with a loud yell, tumbling off the bed in a tangle of blankets.
"WHAT THE—NIMA?!" he shouted, clutching his chest. "Are you TRYING to give me a heart attack?!"
Nima burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face, Kent! Priceless!"
Kent groaned, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Seriously? You're using your superpower for pranks now?"
"Why not?" Nima said, sticking out her tongue.
Kent sighed but couldn't help smiling faintly. "Well, at least you're figuring things out on your own. That's impressive."
Nima puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course! I'm a genius, not like you!"
Ding!
+30 SP copied (Pride).
As Nima walked off, Kent slumped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Floating notifications were there.
Nima:
Level: F- Mid level.
"She's already mid-F rank," he muttered. "At this rate, she'll surpass me in no time. I can't let that happen!"
He clenched his fists. "I've got two days before the special class starts. I need to do something… anything to get ahead!"
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