Sogen halted beneath the towering trees of the Kiang Forest.
"This should be far enough."
The distant scent of blood and ash no longer reached him. Only the rustling leaves answered his voice.
He stretched lazily. "Alright, time to check the harvest. I should have nearly sixty thousand system coins by now."
Silence.
Sogen frowned. "Hey, System. I didn't receive the reward for killing the Ember Serpent."
"Host… are you serious right now?"
He placed a hand over his chest, eyes wide with false innocence.
"System, are you doubting my integrity?"
"Host, do you think I'm some roadside vendor you can swindle? Or a broken game with infinite-money glitches?"
"Come on, don't be so cold."
"Attempt fraud again and I may truly deduct future rewards."
Sogen sighed dramatically.
"You're too stingy. In my previous life, every novel system was like a loving mother—handing out divine artifacts, beauties, and mansions. But you? You're just a heartless shopkeeper."
"This is not a wish-fulfillment simulator."
"And the coins you give are pitiful! What's the point of those heavenly treasures in the shop if I can only afford the packaging?"
The system paused, as if gathering patience.
"Host, strength unlocks privileges. Also, an excellent feature exists: currency exchange. One system coin equals ten gold coins. A generous ratio. Now smile and say cheese."
Sogen nearly choked.
"You money-sucking demon! Am I a walking gold vein for you to mine?!"
"World balance must be preserved.
Unlimited resources would collapse causality. However, I will offer a hint—start a business."
Sogen rubbed his chin.
"Not bad… a business does sound reasonable. But what kind? I'm from a modern world, yet all I did was cram formulas. I should've learned cooking—at least I could open a restaurant and become rich."
He sighed toward the sky.
"There's a saying: if you can't start a good business, start a bad one."
"Host, that proverb does not exist."
"A great person said it."
"Name?"
"…Goldiscroll."
"Did you just combine two shop items?"
"Alright, I made it up! Can't you play along once?"
The system wisely went silent.
"Whatever. Let's return to the workshop. My empire needs planning."
By dusk, Sogen reached Rudriger's forge.
Inside, the old craftsman was polishing a newly forged sword. He glanced up.
"Boy, finished your business?"
"Yes, sir."
Rudriger's gaze swept over him.
"You killed Vilkan and his men, yet you don't even smell of battle."
Sogen scratched his cheek. "Maybe luck?"
The old man snorted. "Luck is also a blade—those who wield it survive."
He waved him away.
"Go rest. Today's work is done."
Sogen wanted to ask about the Dark Shadow Blade, but exhaustion pressed on his bones. The Solar Sword Technique had drained him more than expected.
He returned to his room and collapsed into sleep without even checking his rewards.
In Blood Phantom Sect
"You are all trash!"
A fist smashed into the stone wall. Cracks spread like a spiderweb.
"I was one step from the King Realm! One step from becoming a core disciple!"
The youth's eyes burned crimson.
"Now my path is ruined—and my brother is dead!"
This was Kristin, Vilkan's elder brother.
A disciple knelt nervously. "Senior Brother, we searched everywhere. The killer left no traces."
Kristin looked ready to devour someone alive.
After a long silence, he spoke coldly.
"Then there is only one path left."
He strode toward another courtyard.
A short while later, Kristin knocked on a wooden door.
It opened to reveal a calm young man.
"Kristin? Why the urgency?"
"Kahir Henista," Kristin said. "You remember the debt you owe me?"
Kahir's expression turned serious.
"I never forget promises."
The Henista Family was famed across Hamar—though calling it a "town" was an insult. Hamar dwarfed many Earth cities.
They built their fortune on perfumes, empowered by their hereditary talent: Smell Description. Grades varied, but Kahir possessed a rare D+ Grade, enough to secure him a seat as an Inner Disciple.
"My brother was murdered," Kristin said. "I need you to find the culprit."
"Take me to the scene."
They soon arrived at the Kiang Forest.
Kahir closed his eyes and released his talent.
Moments passed.
His brows slowly knitted.
"Strange… I sense only Vilkan's men and the mercenaries. No third presence."
Kristin's face darkened. "Impossible."
Unknown to them, the Stealth Suit had devoured every trace of Sogen's existence.
Lasaar, the mercenary leader, had already gambled—reporting Vilkan's death while hiding the truth. As the sole "witness," Kristin could not touch him.
"So even you can't find him?" Kristin asked hoarsely.
Kahir shook his head, equally unsettled.
"I've never encountered such emptiness."
Kristin suddenly roared at the sky.
"AAAAAH—!"
His killing intent shook the leaves.
"Whoever you are… I will find you."
Blood dripped from his clenched fists.
"And I will tear you apart with my own hands."