Du Shentian made his way toward the Awakener Association, his steps steady yet carrying a faint sense of urgency as the events of the previous hours continued to replay in his mind. The building stood tall and structured, a place where countless awakeners began shaping their paths, and today, he had officially stepped onto that same road.
Without wasting any time, he headed directly toward the exchange corner, where various awakeners were lined up, trading resources, monster cores, and rare items for Union Coins. The atmosphere was lively, filled with quiet negotiations and the faint tension of competition, but Du Shentian paid no attention to any of it.
He stepped forward and placed the demonic cores of both the first-tier and awakened-tier demonic rabbits onto the counter, his expression calm as he waited for the evaluation to be completed.
The staff member examined the cores carefully, scanning them one by one with practiced precision before finally nodding.
After a brief calculation, the result was given.
He received approximately 6,000 Union Coins.
Du Shentian glanced at the amount and nodded slightly to himself, not particularly surprised, as it matched exactly what his master had predicted earlier. That small confirmation further strengthened his trust in the system's judgment.
Without lingering there, he moved to another section of the Association, where foundational techniques were distributed to newly awakened individuals.
He requested the Basic Source Energy Absorption Art, a fundamental cultivation method that was provided free of cost to all awakeners within Dragon Sanctuary 007. The process was straightforward, and within moments, the technique was handed over to him.
After collecting it, he immediately proceeded toward the techniques section, where more advanced and specialized abilities were available for purchase.
There, he bought Basic Lightning Control for 5,000 Union Coins.
The moment the transaction was completed, he could feel the weight of his earnings disappearing almost instantly.
After finishing all the necessary purchases, Du Shentian took a moment to calculate his remaining money, his expression turning slightly thoughtful as he realized just how quickly everything he had earned had been spent.
Most of his hard-earned Union Coins had already vanished—used on essential growth tools like the Source Energy Art, Basic Lightning Control, and now, he still needed a place to stay.
He then walked toward the information corner, where a receptionist was managing lodging and general inquiries for awakeners.
"I need a room for one month," he said calmly.
After a brief check, the cost was stated.
It was approximately 1,000 Union Coins.
Without hesitation, he paid the amount and secured a small room, ensuring he had a place to stay while continuing his training.
As he left the counter, a thought crossed his mind.
All the money he had earned today was already gone.
Every single coin had been invested back into his growth.
But instead of feeling regret, he felt a quiet sense of resolve.
From tomorrow onward, he would become stronger.
And once he became stronger, earning money would no longer be a problem.
More importantly—
He would finally be able to send money to his siblings.
That thought alone was enough to push away any hesitation.
After that, he made his way to his assigned room.
The room was simple, nothing luxurious, but it was clean and quiet—perfect for training and cultivation.
He sat down on the bed, exhaling softly as his body finally began to feel the accumulated fatigue from everything that had happened.
He picked up the Basic Lightning Control and Basic Source Energy Absorption Art, preparing to start studying them immediately.
However—
Just as he was about to begin, something suddenly came to his mind.
His master's words.
Complete the weekly missions today.
Du Shentian frowned slightly.
He did not feel like doing them at that moment.
His body was already exhausted, and mentally, he just wanted to rest.
But he knew one thing very clearly—
If he failed to complete them before the next day, his master would return.
And the consequences would not be pleasant.
With a sigh, he stood up again.
"I really don't want to do this right now…" he muttered.
But he still moved.
He changed into a jogging outfit and headed toward the open ground behind the inn, where there was enough space for physical training.
Without hesitation, he began running.
Step after step, his body pushed forward, his legs gradually growing heavier as fatigue began to set in, but he did not stop.
After finishing the required distance, he moved on to push-ups, his arms trembling slightly as he forced himself to complete each repetition.
Then came squats.
Then sit-ups.
Each exercise pushed his already tired body further toward its limits, but he endured everything without complaint.
Two hours later—
He finally completed the entire task.
A system prompt appeared before him.
[Congratulations, Host, on completing the weekly mission.]
[Reward: +25 Stat Points.]
Du Shentian let out a long breath before returning to his room, his body aching intensely with every movement.
"My body is literally hurting like hell," he said as he collapsed onto the bed. "I can't even move a muscle… I can't even…"
He paused.
"…Ah, I still need to study."
Despite his exhaustion, he forced himself to sit up again and picked up the Basic Source Energy Absorption Art.
He had already made a decision.
He would not use Source Points to improve this technique.
Because once he obtained the Beginner Set for 10 Achievement Points, he would gain the Primordial Source Energy Absorption Art, which was far superior.
Using Source Points on this basic technique would be a waste.
So instead—
He began studying it manually.
Time passed slowly.
His eyes scanned every line, his mind carefully analyzing each concept, breaking down the complex instructions into something he could understand and apply.
Three hours later—
He finally reached the Entry Level requirement.
Du Shentian leaned back slightly and exhaled.
"My God… this art is quite tough," he said to himself. "Not impossible, but definitely complicated. Still… manageable."
Without resting, he moved on to Basic Lightning Control.
By the time he finished studying both techniques—
It was already 6 in the morning.
His eyes were heavy, dark circles forming beneath them, and his entire body was screaming for rest.
But he shook his head.
"I can't sleep now," he muttered. "I need to test the absorption art first."
He sat cross-legged and began cultivating.
The moment he activated the technique, he could feel a faint flow of energy gathering around him, slowly being drawn into his body.
One hour passed.
He opened his eyes slightly, checking his status.
His Source Points had increased.
From 50 to 52.
A small increase.
But for him—
It was proof.
"It works…" he said, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Encouraged, he continued cultivating.
Time passed again.
Four more hours went by.
It was now 10 in the morning.
At that moment—
The system reappeared.
[You did not sleep the entire night, did you?]
[You entered deep meditation. I attempted to call you for over an hour, but you did not respond.]
Du Shentian opened his eyes and replied immediately.
"Sorry, Master. I was in deep cultivation. I didn't hear your voice."
The system's tone turned slightly serious.
[You must be cautious when entering deep cultivation.]
[During that state, your awareness of the outside world is significantly reduced.]
[You could be killed without even realizing it.]
Du Shentian nodded.
"I understand. I'll be careful next time."
The system continued.
[Only enter deep cultivation when someone you trust is guarding you.]
Du Shentian smiled faintly.
"I have you, Master. That means I'm safe, right?"
The system fell silent for a moment.
Then—
It chuckled softly.
[You trust me too much.]
[Remember this—if you fail your missions, I could also be the reason for your death.]
Du Shentian's expression hardened slightly.
"I won't let that happen," he said firmly.
Then he added,
"My Source Points have reached 60 now."
The system responded.
[At least you have been productive.]
[You can now upgrade your cultivation from Unawakened to Awakened.]
Du Shentian's eyes lit up.
"Master… I can finally break through?"
[Yes.]
Without hesitation, he selected the option.
In an instant—
His cultivation changed.
From Unawakened—
To Awakened.
A surge of energy spread through his entire body, refreshing him completely.
His stats updated.
Strength: 20 → 30
Speed: 20 → 25
Endurance: 10 → 15
Combat Power: 70
Du Shentian clenched his fists, feeling the power within him.
"Yes!" he said excitedly. "I've reached the Awakener stage!"
"My body feels completely different… refreshed… like all my exhaustion is gone."
He immediately asked,
"Why did my exhaustion disappear?"
The system explained.
[Each time you break through, your body undergoes a full recovery process.]
[That is why fatigue, injuries, and exhaustion are temporarily removed.]
Then it added a warning.
[Do not rely on this too much.]
[As your level increases, the energy required for breakthroughs will also increase.]
[If you attempt to break through in an unstable condition, you may severely damage yourself.]
Du Shentian's expression turned serious.
"I understand. I'll be careful."
The system then said,
[Now we move forward.]
[You still have achievements to complete.]
[I am aware that you intend to acquire the Primordial Source Energy Absorption Art.]
[That is why you did not spend Source Points on the basic version.]
Du Shentian laughed.
"Of course."
"Show me the system interface."
A panel appeared.
Host: Du Shentian
Race: Human
Cultivation: Awakened
Title: Butt Maniac (1 Star)
Ability: Weak Lightning (F-Rank)
Skills:
Swordsmanship – Beginner Level 5
Hand-to-Hand Combat – Beginner Level 2
Basic Lightning Control – Entry Level
Basic Source Energy Absorption Art – Entry Level
System Skills: None
Source Points: 0
Stat Points: 25
Strength: 30
Speed: 25
Endurance: 15
Combat Power: 70
The system observed briefly.
[Host, it appears you have completed your weekly mission.]
Du Shentian nodded.
"Yes."
"Now… it's time to get stronger."
A new panel appeared.
Mission: Kill 10 First-Tier Demonic Beasts in One Day
Reward: +25 Stat Points
Du Shentian looked at it and sighed slightly.
"Master… this is quite a tough mission."
But even as he said that—
His eyes were already filled with determination.
Because now—
Turning back was no longer an option.
End of Chapter 13
Author's Note
This is my first novel, so there may be mistakes along the way. Please feel free to point them out so I can improve.
Also, English is not my first language, so there might be some inconsistencies.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story!