The inner disciple tower stood tall, polished, proud.
A symbol of order.
A symbol of power.
A symbol of the sect's "future."
But that night…
a single man walked toward it like death wearing skin.
Arjun.
His steps were slow.
Almost lazy.
But every step felt like the ground was begging him to stop.
Outer disciples watched from behind broken walls and half-collapsed buildings.
They didn't follow.
They didn't cheer.
They didn't even breathe properly.
Because they weren't watching a fight.
They were watching a disaster arrive.
And disaster didn't need an audience.
At the entrance of the inner disciple grounds, two guards blocked the path.
Both wore steel armor.
Both held long spears.
Both had the arrogant eyes of people who believed they were safe behind a name.
One of them frowned.
"Outer disciple area is behind you."
Arjun didn't stop walking.
The guard's voice sharpened.
"You can't step into inner disciple territory without permission!"
Arjun kept walking.
The second guard lifted his spear.
"Stop!"
Arjun finally stopped.
He looked at them like they were insects.
Then he asked one simple question.
"Do you know Rudra?"
The first guard smirked.
"Senior Brother Rudra? Of course."
Arjun nodded slowly.
"Good."
Then Arjun raised his hand.
Not a fist.
Not a strike.
Just a calm, open palm.
And the air around his fingers turned red.
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT.
The guards stiffened instantly.
Their pupils shrank.
Sweat exploded across their foreheads.
Their bodies screamed at them:
MOVE! RUN!
But their legs wouldn't listen.
Their fear rooted them in place.
Arjun's voice was soft.
"You were part of his world."
"So you'll die in it."
Then—
Arjun stepped forward.
His hand closed around the first guard's face.
And squeezed.
Not hard at first.
Just enough for the guard to feel Arjun's fingers digging into his skull.
The guard tried to scream.
But Arjun's palm covered his mouth.
His eyes rolled.
He tried to stab Arjun with his spear.
The spear tip struck Arjun's shoulder—
CLANG!
It didn't pierce.
It didn't even cut.
It bounced off like it hit iron plating.
The guard's face twisted in horror.
"W-what—?!"
Arjun whispered:
"Iron Body."
Then he squeezed harder.
CRACK.
The guard's skull collapsed.
Blood leaked from his eyes.
His body dropped like a sack.
Dead.
The second guard's mind broke.
He screamed and turned to run.
But Arjun was already behind him.
✨ SHADOW STEP.
The guard froze.
Because Arjun's hand was inside his chest.
Not with a blade.
Not with a weapon.
With fingers.
Arjun ripped out his heart.
A warm, beating heart.
The guard's mouth opened silently.
He collapsed.
Arjun stared at the heart for a moment.
Then—
🔊 [Devouring Body: Confirmed edible essence]
✅ Devour?
(YES/NO)
Arjun didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The heart shrank into red smoke and entered his body.
The guard's corpse dried slightly, like life had been stolen from existence.
🔊 [Devour Complete]
🎁 +300 Points
✅ Iron Body Stage: 2/10 → 2.4/10
Arjun looked at the gate.
Then he walked in.
The inner disciple grounds were peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Lanterns hung softly.
Wind chimes rang.
Training areas were clean.
Everything smelled like privilege.
The disciples here didn't know.
They didn't feel fear yet.
Because they believed outer disciples were beneath them.
Because they believed elders would protect them.
Because they believed the sect was a shield.
Arjun walked forward.
A group of inner disciples noticed him.
They frowned as if looking at dirt that walked into their home.
One of them stepped forward.
"Outer disciple? Are you lost?"
Arjun didn't answer.
Another inner disciple laughed.
"He's covered in blood. Probably a criminal."
The first one smirked.
"Maybe we should teach him manners."
They walked closer.
Arrogant.
Relaxed.
Smiling.
Until Arjun's eyes met theirs.
And the air turned cold.
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT flooded outward like a wave.
Their smiles vanished.
Their bodies stiffened.
Their instincts screamed again:
THIS IS NOT HUMAN.
One of them trembled.
"W-what are you?"
Arjun replied calmly:
"I'm the consequence."
Then he moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
✨ SHADOW STEP.
One inner disciple's head flew off before he even felt pain.
Blood sprayed across the lanterns.
Another tried to draw his sword—
Arjun punched his throat.
💥 IRON BONE FIST!
The disciple's neck exploded.
His spine snapped.
His body dropped like a puppet with cut strings.
The last one screamed and ran.
Arjun let him run.
Because fear spreads faster than blood.
He wanted them to know.
He wanted the tower to understand:
A predator has entered.
The inner disciple tower doors were massive.
Black wood.
Steel reinforcements.
Runes carved for defense.
Normally, even strong disciples couldn't break it.
But Arjun didn't stop.
He placed his palm on the door.
His eyes went cold.
🔊 [Devouring Body: Analysis]
✅ Defensive Runes detected
✅ Material: Ironwood + Spirit Steel
✅ Suggested method: Devour Rune Energy + Break physically
Arjun whispered:
"Devour."
His palm glowed red.
The runes flickered.
Then dimmed.
Like candles being suffocated.
The door's protective aura died.
The sect's "defense" was eaten alive.
Then Arjun punched.
💥 IRON BONE FIST!!!
BOOOOOM!!!
The massive doors exploded inward.
Wood splinters flew like arrows.
The tower shook.
Inside…
hundreds of inner disciples turned their heads.
Training stopped.
Talking stopped.
Laughter stopped.
Arjun walked in.
Slow.
Covered in blood.
Behind him, the broken doors looked like the entrance to hell.
A senior inner disciple stood up from a higher floor.
His cultivation was strong.
His aura sharp.
He shouted:
"WHO DARES BREAK THE INNER DISCIPLE TOWER?!"
Arjun looked up.
And smiled faintly.
Then he said the sentence that shattered the sect's peace forever:
"Everyone inside…"
"…kneel."
The tower erupted in rage.
"KILL HIM!"
"HE'S INSANE!"
"OUTER TRASH THINKS HE CAN COMMAND US?!"
Dozens charged him at once.
Swords.
Spears.
Techniques.
Energy blasts.
Arjun didn't dodge.
He walked forward through it all.
Blades struck him—
CLANG!
Spears stabbed—
CLANG!
Fire techniques exploded—
His clothes burned, but his body didn't.
Because he was iron.
Because he was hunger.
Because he was no longer made of fear.
Then Arjun raised his fist and slammed it into the ground.
💥💥💥 IRON BONE FIST — EARTH SHATTER!
The floor cracked.
A shockwave traveled upward through the tower.
Disciples lost balance.
Some fell down stairs.
Some smashed into walls.
Some broke bones without being touched.
Arjun walked among them like a butcher.
One punch.
One kill.
One step.
One scream.
Blood sprayed the walls.
The tower became a slaughterhouse.
And Arjun's system rang like music.
🔊 +30
🔊 +40
🔊 +35
🔊 +50
🔊 +60
Arjun's aura grew heavier.
His eyes grew darker.
He didn't even blink.
He didn't even breathe hard.
He just killed.
And devoured.
And walked forward.
On the top floor…
a bell began ringing.
The emergency bell.
The sect alarm.
The whole Iron Mountain Sect finally understood.
Something had gone wrong.
Something had come home.
And it was hungry.
Outside, Elder Vayu stood in the ruined courtyard watching the inner tower from a distance.
The tower shook.
Blood mist seeped out like smoke.
Screams echoed.
Elder Vayu's expression didn't show horror.
It showed calculation.
He whispered to himself:
"So…"
"The Devouring Body is real."
He narrowed his eyes.
"And the seal is breaking faster than expected…"
Then he smiled faintly.
"Good."
"Let them die."
"Let him grow."
"Let him become sharp enough…"
"…to cut the enemies I can't."
Back inside the tower…
Arjun reached the center hall.
A massive banner hung from the ceiling:
INNER DISCIPLES ARE THE FUTURE OF THE SECT
Arjun stared at it.
Then he walked forward.
He grabbed the banner.
And ripped it in half.
RRRRIP!!!
The hall went silent.
Only dripping blood could be heard.
Arjun turned to the trembling inner disciples around him.
And spoke softly:
"This is my future now."
Then he raised his fist again.
And his eyes glowed red.
🩸 DEVOURING BODY — FULL RELEASE (UNSTABLE)
The system screamed.
🔊 [WARNING: Talent is evolving beyond control!]
🔊 Talent Seal Key Fragment nearby…
📌 Location: Tower Core Vault
Arjun smiled.
His voice was calm.
But it sounded like a death sentence.
"Open the vault."
"Or I'll open you."