As the torrent of unfamiliar memories settled in his mind, Anos shifted his focus outward, finally taking in his surroundings. He lay in a small, modest room—familiar yet strange. This time, there were no flickers or distortions in his mind; every detail slotted neatly into place, as if he had lived here all his life.
He was Anos now—a 19-year-old reclusive orphan. His parents had died when he was four. For a few short years, distant relatives had taken him in… until they decided a more luxurious life was worth more than his company. They had left him with nothing but a small apartment and a monthly allowance of 2,000 yuan.
Alex—the man he had been before—didn't mind. Even with this new life's memories merging into his own, he knew he was ultimately a different person. A quiet, detached existence suited him far more than the complications of family ties.
Just as he was beginning to process his situation, a crisp, mechanical chime echoed inside his head.
[Welcome to the world of Swallowed Star]
[The host is bound to the Infinite Modifier]
[For every opportunity the main character of this realm receives, you may modify the quality or quantity to suit your needs.]
A slow grin spread across Anos' face.
"Sweet," he murmured. "I can just sit back and enjoy the fruits of Luo Feng's hard work."
The name flickered in his mind—Luo Feng. In this world, he wasn't just some teenager. He was destined to be humanity's spearhead in a universe teeming with alien races, ancient ruins, and technology that bent the laws of physics. Right now, though, Luo Feng was just an ordinary delivery worker in Yangzhou City, living in a cramped rental apartment with dreams bigger than his paycheck.
Anos knew the timeline. Humanity had yet to truly touch the stars. The Grand Nirvana Period was still fresh in history—when a mysterious virus swept across the Earth, killing billions but leaving survivors stronger, faster, and more resilient. Cities had been rebuilt, governments had shifted, and the Fighter profession had emerged: warriors and spiritualists who defended humanity from the monsters that now roamed the wilderness.
And soon, Luo Feng would awaken his spiritual powers—the first step toward his legendary rise.
Anos leaned back against the wall, eyes half-lidded. He didn't need to struggle. His system gave him the luxury of patience. All he had to do… was wait.
A few days later, the familiar chime returned.
[Detected: Luo Feng is awakening spiritual powers.]
[The host has a choice—modify quality or quantity.]
Anos tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Quantity can be built up later. Quality, though…"
[Choice confirmed: Quality selected.]
[The host has received the highest form of mental energy—World Energy. Its power, control, intricacy, and range exceed normal mental energy by a factor of one thousand.]
The moment the notification faded, something shifted deep within him.
It began as a quiet ripple in the back of his mind—like the surface of a still lake trembling under an unseen wind. Then it surged outward, flooding through his consciousness in a wave of clarity so sharp it felt like his very soul had been polished.
He gasped, clutching the edge of the bed as the sensation expanded beyond his body.
The walls, the air, even the faint hum of electricity in the building—he could feel it all. Not in a vague, fuzzy sense, but with pinpoint precision, as though every particle within a hundred meters was etched into his mind's eye.
His breath quickened. So… this is World Energy.
He willed it to move. Instantly, his awareness stretched further, slipping through walls and floors like they didn't exist. His neighbors' movements became as clear as if he were standing beside them. A faint breeze through an open window on the fourth floor danced along his senses. Even the heartbeat of a stray cat sleeping in the alley below pulsed in his perception.
It wasn't just power—it was control. The precision was so absolute that, if he wanted to, he could count the grains of dust suspended in the sunlight across the room.
If this is a thousand times stronger than mental energy, he thought, then even Luo Feng's strongest telekinetic feats will look like a child playing with magnets.
To test it, he focused on a pen lying on the desk. World Energy wrapped around it without resistance, each contour of the object mapped perfectly in his mind. It didn't feel heavy—it felt… obedient. With the smallest thought, the pen lifted, hovered, then spun in intricate circles fast enough to blur.
A grin crept across his face. "Yeah… I can work with this."
For the first time since waking in this world, Anos felt a genuine thrill stir in his chest. This wasn't just an advantage. It was domination—hidden beneath the guise of a quiet, unassuming orphan.
And the world had no idea what was coming.