Energy core.
It was an ethereal part of the body, connected through various lines of streams that channeled the flow of power, and its location was in the middle of the body.
It was already widely known that, unlike other parts, if one destroyed their energy core, there was a high chance of death, and for the few who survived, the person was going to be eternally crippled and largely scarred for life.
But this bead... offered another one.
It was one thing to lose their core, and it was another whole matter to gain an extra core.
It was basically a second chance. And for those who had their cores intact? It was heaven.
"H-How do I use it?" He quickly asked, his voice trembled with anticipation.
[USER MUST CONSUME THE BEAD]
"Okay."
He nodded, resolute. Opening the box, he revealed a swirling blue orb, pulsing faintly like a distant star.
"I'm starting." He announced and swallowed it.
[USER HAS INGESTED AN ARTIFICIAL ENERGY CORE.]
[SEARCHING SUITABLE LOCATION]
[LOCATION FOUND: HEART]
[TRANSPLANT PROCESS BEGUN]
A radiant blue aura enveloped him, warm and electric, for thirty minutes before fading into his skin.
[TRANSPLANT SUCCESSFUL]
[ENERGY OF AURA WARRIOR DETECTED IN SECOND CORE]
Baines exhaled, feeling a new pulse within him, stronger than he'd imagined.
"Nice..." The intensity of the glow had already hinted at something more than just an empty core, but its occurrence was something else.
Just seconds ago, he had been without any speck of energy. Now, he had two cores, one with the energy of a warrior-level martial artist.
"They...really are collections."
Moving on, another elixir caught his eye.
[SCANNING...]
[HUGE AMOUNT OF HEAT ENERGY CONTAINED]
[NOT ADVISED TO INGEST AT CURRENT STATE]
"So, I'm not strong enough..." He nodded in understanding, but that didn't erase the smile on his face. He just stored it.
Next was a leather-bound tome.
[SCANNING...]
[MARTIAL ART: DUAL CULTIVATE TECHNIQUE]
"Now this is it." He grinned.
The basis of it was practicing two cultivation methods simultaneously in the same body. Then, stacked with having two energy cores and a dual cultivation technique. He could practice four energy cultivations in his body.
It was invaluable.
He went over to another collection. It was also a book, so his anticipation was through the roof, and it didn't disappoint.
[SCANNING...]
[ORIGIN ARTS CULTIVATION – GATHERS PUREST ENERGY INTO ENERGY CORE IN THE FORM OF STARS]
[COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER CULTIVATION METHODS]
Baines laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. "Hah... I pity those I'm taking revenge on."
Looking around, the rest were similar, just various weapons and books. However, he decided to check only one of them.
The latest collection, his father's.
This time it was a sword.
[SCANNING...]
[BLADELESS SWORD]
"Bladeless. I like the name." Then he unsheathed it.
"What?" He frowned. It was only a hilt. There was no blade.
"Hey, 'Eye,' is this sword complete?"
[SWORD IS COMPLETE]
"Then what is the issue?" He studied it. He knew his father wouldn't place something inferior in the collection.
[BLADE APPEARS BASED ON LEVEL OF SWORDSMAN]
'In honor of you, father.' He vowed softly. 'I will learn the sword.'
With that vow, he stored the rest without checking them. 'I can't wait here forever.'
At the base of the ancestral chamber's stairs, he bowed deeply.
"Ancestors, I'll restore the Baek name. I will create a world where this won't happen again. They will think twice before saying our name. They will risk their generations if they want to speak to us. This I swear."
He had finished what he came for and more. He raised his head and ascended the stairs.
Whoosh....
The lights dimmed behind him as he ascended, the chamber sealing shut.
Reaching the basement, the floor closed behind him, then he froze.
"C- C-Cecilia...?" His voice wavered.
Seated in a wheelchair, just a few steps from his position, was an older teenage girl looking at him with an unreadable yet piercing expression.
The Baek merchant family had long been known for their business acumen.
From a young age, each member was expected to develop a trade, then hone those skills as they grew older.
But beyond their business expertise, they all had a trait unique to them.
Each family member specialized in a different sector of commerce.
For Baines, it was plants. He had an innate understanding of their uses and value, and an ability to turn them into a profitable venture.
And the girl in front of him, Cecilia, his older sister, was a master of entertainment. From plays to pleasure businesses to sword dance entertainment, she knew them all. Though it was also what took her legs.
Now, in the absence of half their family, she had assumed leadership of the whole merchant franchise. Despite being so young, she led with a clear head and the mind of experience.
"You went there..." Cecilia's voice was calm yet laced with certainty. She raised a hand to silence him before he could speak. "I already know what you're planning."
"Revenge, right? I've always seen it in you. And I know that no matter what I say, it won't change your mind. I want to tell you not to go down this path, but that would make me a hypocrite." She took a deep breath.
"So instead, I'll say this: do what you must, but don't give them an easy death."
Baines's breath hitched. The tears he had held back for so many years came rushing down in full force.
Ironically, it was at the moment he resolved to be strong that he broke down.
He had intended to slip away unnoticed, but this sister of his had read him like an open book.
"I will bring us back," he vowed, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "I promise."
A soft smile appeared on Cecilia's lips. That was all she needed to hear.
After sharing a brief but firm embrace, Baines left the basement and returned to his room.
Before lying down, he paused before a mirror, studying his reflection.
He was still just a boy, twelve years of age. His face had a childish look; however, the anger behind it wasn't that of a child's. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, partially covering his brown eyes that carried a faint crimson hue.
Whether it was his natural feature, a result of the bloodshed, or simply the burning drive for revenge, he couldn't tell, and he didn't care.
Staring at himself, he reaffirmed his goal and reiterated his first plan.
After a quick shower, he dressed in all black. His first plan didn't require extravagance, just practicality.
SWING…
Opening a hidden door in his room, he stepped into what appeared to be an indoor garden.
Neatly arranged rows of plants and flowers lined the space, filling the air with a soothing aroma. The ambiance was one of tranquility and relief, an almost surreal contrast to the world outside.
This room had been his anchor, the one thing that kept him from spiraling into despair. There were times he had contemplated ending his life, but this sanctuary reminded him of what he still had to fight for.
On the road to becoming the strongest, he would never forget his roots, which were what he was currently looking at.
Gathering the plants, he placed them carefully into his dimensional pouch before leaving the manor.
On his way out, no maid or guard stopped him, and he knew whose work that was. When he stepped outside, he glanced up at a familiar window.
His sister was watching him from their mother's room.
If he had gone to see his mother before he left, he wouldn't have stepped out of the manor at all.
'I'll be back. Mom, Sister…'
Leaving no room for hesitation, he turned and walked away.