"System, can you add a sort of XP tracker to my status screen?" Solace asked, his voice calm as he sat perched on yet another massive tree branch. The forest was eerily quiet around him, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of magical creatures.
[Sure, however it will only last until the mortal realms. After level 500, cultivation takes a different turn.]
A new window appeared in his vision, displaying his status:
[Level 4 - 0/800 XP]
Solace nodded to himself, appreciating the clarity. He had been steadily climbing in level after each successful assassination. The tracker would keep him focused on his progress, a reminder of just how much farther he had yet to go. He had long accepted the fact that this new life would require constant growth, relentless effort, and, most of all, tempering himself.
With the new XP tracker in place, Solace's focus turned back to his task.
He moved silently through the forest, blending into the shadows like a ghost. Hours passed as he scouted and assassinated, always on the lookout for his next target. His hands never strayed far from the katana, the blade now a part of him. He had assassinated four more magical beasts, each one more challenging than the last. His skills were improving rapidly, but he had yet to reach the kind of fluidity he desired.
Eventually, as night began to fall, he found a quiet spot on a thick tree branch, resting his back against the trunk. His body was weary, but the satisfaction of completing his task was undeniable. He had gained much over the past few days.
He glanced at the system's notification, reviewing his rewards:
[Faceless Mask]
-This mask will completely hide your face. Only your eyes will be visible.
[500 Mana Stones]
-Form of currency in this world.
Solace ran a finger over the mask in his inventory. It was all black with on eye holes. The mask would be useful when he wanted to conceal his identity, but right now, he was only training alone so he had no need to use it.
After receiving his rewards, Solace allowed himself to relax. The constant tension of the past few days was starting to catch up with him. He let out a quiet sigh and, for the first time in a long while, let his guard down.
He dozed off quickly, the cool night air and the rhythm of the forest lulling him to sleep.
The next morning, he awoke early, the first rays of the seven suns peeking over the horizon. There was no time to waste. He had a purpose now. Every day, every hour, was an opportunity to grow stronger.
"Train. Train. Train," Solace whispered to himself as he stood up, stretching his limbs. His focus had become single-minded over the last few months. It wasn't just about leveling up anymore—it was about becoming the perfect assassin, mastering his skills, and pushing himself past the limits of mortality.
For months, he repeated this routine, immersing himself in the brutal cycle of training and assassinations. He survived off the meat of the beasts he killed, honing his combat techniques with each fight. It wasn't just about using his katana; it was about integrating his Space and Shadow affinities into every movement. His sword arts became more refined, his ability to manipulate the environment with space and shadows more fluid. Every swing of his blade, every shift in his position, felt like a part of an intricate dance that he was finally mastering.
Six months passed in what felt like the blink of an eye.
During this time, his cultivation had skyrocketed. From Level 20, Solace surged all the way to Level 150. His speed of progress far surpassed anything that was considered normal, thanks to his unique race, the Aethernal. The recursion of his bloodline, combined with his intense training and the constant assimilation of essence from the beasts he killed, had sped up his cultivation to an unprecedented rate. He had leveled faster than anyone could have predicted, his essence and strength growing exponentially.
His combat skills were no longer limited to basic attacks and swaps. He had learned to bend shadows to his will, to use space as a weapon. He could fold the fabric of space itself to disorient and trap his enemies. His sword became an extension of his will, the blade cutting through the very essence of the world.
Solace wasn't just fighting anymore; he was becoming a force of nature. His shadowy form moved with a deadly grace, his katana flashing with the speed and precision of a seasoned assassin. He had crossed the threshold from apprentice to expert—and he was only getting started.
[Ding!]
[Level 150 - 0/1500 XP]
Solace looked at the new level tracker with a sense of accomplishment, but the fire in his heart was far from quenched. The mortal realms were just the beginning. He still had much further to go, and each day was an opportunity to push himself beyond the limitations of his current form.
He stood up and looked out over the endless forest, the shadows and space responding to his call as if they were his true companions.
"One step closer," Solace muttered, his eyes narrowing with determination. "The true path lies ahead."
And with that, he moved once again, as silent and deadly as the shadows he commanded. His training was far from over, but now, he was ready for what lay ahead.