Akira Kurogane trudged through the Kurogane Clan's sprawling estate, cherry blossoms drifting like lazy pink snow. The path wound past training grounds where disciples practiced sword forms wrapped in faint qi threads. He could feel their stares—pity mixed with contempt.
Level 1. Qi Gathering 1%. Essence Devour at 10% efficiency. His status hovered in the corner of his vision like a persistent game HUD. After yesterday's scrap with Ryuuji and his lackey, he'd spent the night meditating with box breathing, pushing that tiny qi spark a fraction further. No dramatic breakthrough, but his meridians ached less, and the System had dinged a passive: [Qi Circulation Lv.1 – Minor regeneration boost].
If this were Overlord, I'd be role-playing as an undead overlord by now. Instead, I'm the trash noble about to get publicly dumped. Classic face-slap setup.
A burly guard at the main hall entrance sneered. "Young master. The elders await. Try not to embarrass us further."
Akira met his gaze evenly. "Lead the way."
The grand hall was packed. Clan elders sat on raised platforms, qi auras thick as fog. In the center stood a haughty young man in ornate robes—Takeda Hiroshi, heir to the rival Takeda Clan. Beside him, a girl in flowing silk: Miyuki Takeda, his former fiancée. She avoided Akira's eyes.
Betrothal arranged when we were kids to merge clans. Now that I'm a cultivation cripple, they're cutting ties. Textbook young master arrogance.
The clan head—Akira's "father," a stern Core Formation elder—spoke first. "Akira Kurogane. Your incompetence has shamed our lineage. The Takeda Clan requests annulment of the engagement. Do you object?"
Akira stepped forward. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
In Re:Zero, Subaru would rage or cry. In Solo Leveling, Sung Jin-Woo would just smirk and wait for the glow-up moment.
He bowed slightly—polite, but not submissive. "I accept the annulment."
Gasps. Even Hiroshi looked surprised.
Miyuki finally met his eyes, confusion flickering.
Hiroshi laughed. "Wise choice, cripple. A mortal like you doesn't deserve her. But to save face… how about a 'friendly' duel? One strike. If you can even block my qi-infused palm, I'll gift you 50 spirit stones as consolation."
The elders murmured approval. A perfect humiliation.
Akira's lips curved. Here it comes. The classic 'you dare challenge me?' moment.
"Accepted."
The crowd parted. A qi barrier shimmered up—basic arena to prevent fatalities.
Hiroshi cracked his knuckles. [Takeda Hiroshi – Qi Gathering 7th Layer – Wind Palm Technique] appeared faintly in Akira's vision. The System helpfully labeled it.
Overconfident. Perfect.
Hiroshi lunged, palm glowing green with wind qi. Fast. Strong enough to shatter stone.
Akira didn't dodge. He inhaled—box breathing, 4-4-4-4—and channeled his pitiful qi into his right arm. Then he applied Modern Insight.
Wind is just compressed air. Redirect force vectors. Basic physics.
He angled his forearm at 45 degrees, palm open like a sloppy aikido block he'd half-remembered from a dojo demo video.
Impact.
Wind qi exploded outward—but instead of blasting him back, it swirled around his arm, redirected harmlessly.
Hiroshi staggered, eyes wide. "What—?!"
Akira countered. Not with qi. With a simple shove to Hiroshi's overextended shoulder—leverage, not power.
Hiroshi tripped, face-planting into the dirt.
Silence.
Then—
[Critical Exploit: Redirected Force – Bonus EXP +200][Level Up! Level 2 Reached][Free Stat Points +2][Essence Devour Activated – Absorb residual wind qi: +30 Essence]
Akira allocated: Agility +1, Spirit +1. Felt sharper already.
The elders stared. Hiroshi scrambled up, face red.
"You… how?!"
Akira shrugged. "You said one strike. I blocked. Stones?"
Hiroshi snarled, tossing a pouch. "Take it and crawl back to your hole!"
Miyuki stepped forward hesitantly. "Akira… you…"
He met her gaze. In most isekai, this is where the girl regrets it and switches sides. But I'm not here for harem drama yet.
"I release you from any obligation," he said quietly. "Good luck."
He turned to leave.
But the System pinged—loud in his head.
[Hidden Quest Triggered: Humiliate the Arrogant]Objective: Make the Takeda heir lose face publicly.Reward: Zero Protocol Unlock – Glitch Step (Lv.1) – Short-range spatial flicker (costs high essence, risky deviation)Bonus: If completed without killing intent detected by heavens – Title: Silent Defier
Akira paused at the hall doors.
Oh? Extra sauce.
He glanced back at Hiroshi, who was still fuming. "One more thing."
Hiroshi growled. "What now, trash?"
Akira smiled—cold, like Ainz when he decided to flex.
"You forgot something. In a duel… winner takes spoils."
Before Hiroshi could react, Akira activated Essence Devour at close range—siphoning the ambient qi from Hiroshi's lingering wind palm.
Hiroshi gasped, staggering as his aura dimmed slightly.
[Essence Gained: +150][Qi Gathering Progress: 15%]
The crowd erupted in shock.
Hiroshi clutched his chest. "You… you stole my qi?!"
Akira walked out into the cherry blossoms.
Like Rimuru eating skills. Except I'm just… borrowing. Permanently.
Notifications flooded:
[Title Acquired: Silent Defier]Effect: +15% stealth and qi concealment when hiding power. Enemies 1 realm higher have 10% chance to underestimate you.
He laughed under his breath.
One public L for the young master, and I'm already snowballing. If this keeps up… maybe I can hit Qi Gathering Realm before the clan trial.
But as he vanished into the outer grounds, a shadowy figure watched from the rooftops.
A woman in black robes, eyes glowing faintly.
[Hidden Observer: ??? – Foundation Establishment Realm]Thought: The Forsaken Zero stirs. The heavens sealed him for a reason…
To be continued...