As Zane read through the details on the floating screen, he immediately noticed something.
His name was the same as his previous life, but there was an option to change it.
Changeable? Why would I need to change my name? Am I supposed to start a new identity?
Then, his eyes moved to the age section.
Age: 0/20
He frowned.
Zero makes sense since I'm a baby… but what does 20 mean? Does it mean I'll only live for 20 years?
A chill ran down his spine.
That's way too short! What kind of messed-up system is this?!
He tried complaining.
"Hey, System! Why is my lifespan only 20 years?!"
But… no response.
A deep frown settled on his face.
So, it only talks when it wants to? Useless.
He sighed and moved on, reading the Cultivation section.
Cultivation: None
His brows furrowed.
Cultivation? Isn't that a farming term? Does this thing want me to become a farmer?!
That didn't make sense. But since there was no explanation, he couldn't understand it right now.
Skills: None
Skills…? Like combat skills? Do farmer's need skills, probably farming related skills?
The more he read, the more confused he became.
With a deep sigh, he moved on to the next section:
---
System Features:
- Corrupts every technique, cultivation method, and skill host practices
- Prevents all harmful side effects of corrupted techniques
- Corrupted techniques are more lethal but weak against Divine techniques
---
Zane read it twice, then a third time.
His expression darkened.
The hell is this system even talking about?
Corrupt every technique? So, it makes everything I learn… what? Evil? Tainted? Twisted?
And what's this about techniques being more lethal but having a weakness against Divine techniques.
He felt like he was reading a game description in a language he barely understood.
Zane slapped his own cheek.
Slap!
A sharp sting spread across his skin.
His eyes widened.
"Ow. Okay, this is definitely not a game. That hurt."
He sighed again.
Damn it… I wish I played more games in my past life. Maybe I'd understand all these weird terms better.
But he never had time for things like games or entertainment.
His entire life had been spent fighting, killing, training, and sleeping with women. That was all he knew.
And now, he was stuck in a world with a lifespan of 20 years and a Cultivation system.
Great. Just great.
He continued reading.
Missions:
Main Mission: Find and capture the lost system assistant and return it to the system.
Reward: Unlock additional system features + obtain System Assistant
Zane's eyes narrowed.
So the system isn't talking because its assistant is missing? The assistant is the one who normally does the talking?
That means… once I find it, I can actually ask questions.
That made sense.
This system assistant must be like an advanced AI…
That realization made him feel slightly relieved. At least once he completed this mission, he could start getting some real answers.
Then, his eyes moved to the Temporary Mission.
Temporary (Once-in-a-Lifetime) Mission: Join a sec
Reward: Gain a Corrupted Divine Body related to the sect chosen.
Zane frowned.
"Sects? What the hell is that? Is it like a gang?"
And divine body?
"That sounds powerful, but what does it actually do?"
His head was starting to hurt.
Everything in this world was completely foreign to him.
He didn't understand this system or what was happening. Probably 'cultivation' means something different here…
Then, he looked at the woman.
Only this naked lady, who is probably my mother, can answer my questions. And what's that purple energy surrounding her?
Let's wait until she comes out of meditation.
After a few minutes, the woman in front of him opened her beautiful purple eyes.
The moment she did, a small, dagger-like sword made of pure purple energy formed at her fingertip.
Without hesitation, she placed it against his tiny neck.
Zane froze.
Is she doubting that I'm not a normal baby because I didn't cry?
Let's give a fake cry to survive.
"Ahh… Waaahh… Aha… Waaahh!"
His weak baby cries filled the air.
Seeing him cry, the woman hesitated for a moment before withdrawing the sword.
Though it had only been there for a second, Zane still felt a sharp sting on his neck. Instinctively, he reached up with his tiny hands, rubbing the spot.
"What the hell?! That was painful!"
His mind raced.
"How did she even make a sword out of thin air?! Someone please explain!"
And despite being unbelievably beautiful, why was she so violent?!
He watched as the woman started mumbling in a strange language, her voice calm yet unreadable.
Then, she placed a glowing jade pendant against his neck. Zane flinched but felt nothing.
Afterward, she stood up and put on her clothes, which looked somewhat like ancient Japanese or maybe Chinese robes.
Zane's baby hands shot up to cover his eyes.
"Don't look! She's my mother! I can't get horny in a baby's body!"
Trying to shake off his thoughts, his attention shifted back to her actions.
His eyes widened in shock.
With a flick of her hand, she gathered the scattered white crystals from the ground and stored them into her ring.
Then, with another simple motion, the golden translucent barrier around them disappeared—vanishing into the small ring on her finger.
"Wait… WHAT?! How did she do that?! A whole barrier just disappeared into her ring?! Is that some kind of storage space?!" He mumbled.
Realization hit him.
Am I in a magical world? Does 'cultivation' mean becoming a magical being? If I train, can I also produce swords with my fingers?
His mind spun.
No wonder she looked fine after giving birth. On Earth, women take days to recover, but through meditation, she absorbed the energy of those stones and healed instantly!
He clenched his tiny fists.
I need to try this!
Closing his eyes, he focused. He tried to mimic what she had done, emptying his mind, sensing the energy around him, waiting for some mysterious power to flow into his body.
...