---
After six long years of silence, a system had finally answered him.
And not just any system—a Lust System that claimed to make him the most irresistible spear-wielding heartthrob in the continent.
He had been speechless for a while. Understandably so.
But just as he finished brushing his teeth with trembling hands and wondering whether he was hallucinating, the system spoke again:
> Ding! Due to delayed activation, the Host has received a compensation gift: [Martial Soul Upgrade Card]!
His toothbrush froze halfway to his mouth.
"…Wait. What now?"
> [Martial Soul Upgrade Card]! Use it to upgrade your current martial soul to a higher form. Think of it like giving your martial soul a gym membership, a protein shake, and a hot bath all at once.
"…That sounds suspiciously convenient."
> What can I say? Being late has its perks. Shall we use it?
He didn't hesitate.
"Use it."
---
[Activating Martial Soul Upgrade Card…]
[Upgrading Steel Spear Martial Soul → Thundersteel Spear Martial Soul!]
[Innate Soul Power increased to 20!]
---
A surge of hot lightning-like energy coursed through his body.
He gasped, clutching his chest as a black light erupted from within. His martial soul materialized beside him—a sleek, obsidian spear with lightning-like veins of silver pulsing across its shaft. The air around it buzzed.
It wasn't just heavier. It felt alive.
The power of the upgraded Thundersteel Spear radiated with wild, contained energy. His spirit power flared wildly—settling at Level 20, the threshold for a Soul Grandmaster.
He stared at his hand, then at the floating spear, mouth agape.
"…I feel like I just swallowed a soul core."
> That's what she said.
"…System, please. One serious moment."
> Sorry. Couldn't help it. But hey—congrats! You're officially ready to get your second ring. You're not some average orphan anymore. You're a walking spear of seduction and lightning now.
He rolled his eyes, but the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth betrayed him.
"I need to go hunt a soul beast."
> Oh? Already eager to poke things with your long… spear?
"...System."
> Okay okay! Let's go soul beast hunting, Spear Daddy.
"…Don't ever call me that again."
---
Later That Day – Outskirts of the Soul Beast Forest
Clad in a modest set of leather armor, with a small pouch of food on his back and his Thundersteel Spear gripped tightly in hand, he ventured into the edge of a low-level soul beast forest outside White Horn City.
He didn't dare go too deep. Not yet. But thanks to his upgraded power and precise sensing, he could now track soul beasts effectively.
> Target locked! 700-year Thunderclaw Panther approaching your position.
"Seven hundred?" he muttered. "Isn't that a bit high for my second ring?"
> You're holding a lightning-infused steel spear and you just got a system booster shot. I believe in you. Besides, imagine the street cred: 'Hey ladies, I got a 700-year soul ring at 12.' Boom. Instant panties.
"…You're incorrigible."
> And you're under-leveled for your charm stat, so let's get you buffed. Here it comes!
---
A low growl echoed through the foliage. Sparks crackled in the air.
Then, out of the underbrush, it leapt—a sleek, obsidian-furred Thunderclaw Panther, its claws sparking with electricity.
Its yellow eyes locked on him.
It pounced.
He dodged sideways, rolling across the ground and slamming his spear downward. Lightning exploded on contact, clashing with the beast's thunder aura.
"Okay. You've got claws, I've got a stick. Let's dance!"
---
The Battle
The panther struck fast, claws swiping, lightning arcing. But the upgraded Thundersteel Spear moved as if it were an extension of his body.
Spear swept low—deflected. Panther leapt—countered.
They exchanged strikes for nearly five minutes, lightning flashing between them like a thunderstorm in a cage. Every time he dodged, the system helpfully chimed in:
> Nice roll! Very acrobatic. You'll impress the ladies at this rate.
Careful—tail whip incoming! That's not the kind of tail you want to get smacked by.
If you die now, I'll uninstall myself from your soul out of shame. Just saying.
"THEN STOP TALKING!"
With a loud yell, he charged the moment the panther paused. He stabbed the spear directly into its flank, lightning surging through its body with a crackling screech. The beast roared, flailed—then dropped.
Smoke curled from its fur as its form twitched once… and lay still.
He dropped to one knee, panting.
"…Holy crap. I just killed a 700-year soul beast."
> You also scared two rabbits out of a bush during your yelling. Nice multitasking.
"…Shut up and help me absorb the ring."
> Ding! Absorbing soul ring… Synchronizing Thundersteel compatibility…
Absorption complete!
---
The second soul ring, bright yellow, floated above him, then descended into his body.
Power surged again—but this time, something felt different.
His body trembled.
"…System? Why do I feel like my power is still climbing?"
> Oh yeah. Forgot to mention. coughs
Due to the leftover residual energy from the Martial Soul Upgrade, the absorption triggered a breakthrough.
His eyes widened.
> Congratulations! Host has broken through to Soul Grandmaster!
> Current Level: 26
"…WHAT?!"
> Surprise! You just skipped six levels. Who needs hard work when you've got cosmic glitches and system delays?
He collapsed onto the grass, laughing breathlessly.
"I just became a Soul Grandmaster… at age twelve… with two yellow rings."
> You're now officially hotter than 90% of the teenage population. Celebrate with some flirting! Want me to arrange a random encounter with a cute spirit beast girl? I can roll the dice.
He shook his head, still panting.
"…Later. For now… I just want to sleep."
> Sleep is for the weak. Lust is eternal. But fine, you earned a nap. Sweet dreams, Spear Daddy.
"Again with that name…?"
---
[To Be Continued…]