Jin Kang never expected death to come so suddenly, nor to be so mundane.
One moment he was crossing a usual city street, headphones in, grinning at the latest update of "Masked Overlord" on his phone. The next, tires screeched, glass shattered, and everything went blank.
He remembered disappointment more than pain—a single regret.
"I never got to see a real OP MC in action… one who truly hides everything."
Darkness swept in. Jin Kang was falling—down, down, weightless and lost. Then, just as randomly, he awoke.
The first thing he noticed was the cold. The second, the sheer silence.
He blinked, eyes adjusting to gloomy candlelight and rough stone walls. Damp straw cradled his legs, and he felt the burn of aching muscles beneath unfamiliar clothes—a coarse gray robe that clung to him with the chill.
For a panicked moment, he wondered if he'd survived. Maybe a hospital room with very bad interior design? But the scents—herbs, distant incense, old parchment—were not urban.
He sat up. The world seemed lighter, sharper. Jin Kang's body felt both fragile and potent, as if power lay coiled just beneath the surface.
He flexed his hands—smooth, youthful, not his own.
A heavy wooden door creaked open. A stern old man in a dark blue robe entered, eyebrows bristling at Jin Kang's confusion.
"You managed to sleep through the morning prayers again, Jin Kang?"
Prayers? Jin Kang searched his mind, panic racing for answers. Memories flashed—martial sect, young disciples training at dawn, endless talk of Qi, swordplay, and honor. It wasn't from his life, yet it was nestled in his mind, clear as yesterday.
A voice thundered in his head:
System Activated: Masked Sovereign System
Mission: Survive. Remain underestimated.
Jin Kang jolted, breath sucked in. "System…?" he whispered.
The elder frowned. "You're hearing voices now? Come. Outside."
Jin Kang followed, trying not to stagger. He felt it—latent strength pulsing in every limb. Was this the gift he'd always wished for? OP from the start, just like all those novels he loved?
But it came with a system reminder, hovering at the edge of consciousness:
Mission 1: Conceal your talent. Let none suspect your strength.
Reward: Hidden Qi Sense unlocked.
He took a shaky breath, recalling dozens of stories where MCs revealed themselves too soon, lost their freedom, caught enemies' eyes. No, he vowed. I'll play the fool. That's my mask.
The sect was alive with activity, young disciples sparring and meditating beneath ancient pines. Jin Kang kept his gaze low, copying how "Weak Jin Kang" had lived before. Conversations surged around him.
Lin Mei, her proud voice bright above the rest, was arguing with a rival:
"Another disciple failed to break through last night. I swear this new group is weaker than ever."
She looked at Jin Kang and wrinkled her nose. "Why are you always late and dirty? You'll never be chosen for an inner test."
Lin Mei was the sect leader's daughter, and everyone knew it—not just by her lineage, but by the way she moved across the training ground. With her sharp eyes and perfect sword posture, she radiated a mix of pride and expectation, always a little aloof and always ready to challenge anyone who dared fall behind. When Lin Mei spoke, even the senior disciples listened, half hoping to impress her and half afraid to disappoint.
Jin Kang had seen that fiery confidence before—a shield against loneliness in a world where only the strong mattered.
Jin Kang bowed, a wide, sheepish grin. "Just my fate, I guess. Not everyone's born a genius."
Across the yard, Yu Xinyi, her kind eyes watchful, caught Jin's self-deprecating wink and giggled. "Don't listen to Lin Mei. Sometimes the slow ones win the race!"
Yu Xinyi, in contrast, was the kind of disciple who always made space for others. Her smile could soften the sternest elder's glare, and her laughter turned group punishments into shared jokes. With nimble fingers and gentle words, she tended to cuts and bruises, encouraging everyone without judgment. Jin Kang felt a sense of ease around Xinyi—she greeted him each morning like an old friend and brushed past his clumsy act with genuine warmth, always believing there was something special in everyone.
Jin Kang laughed, feeling more comfortable. Every word, every act, reinforced his mask—and, he realized, the system was tracking it all.
A faint chime sounded in his mind:
Achievement: Fooled a Genius. Concealment success.
Reward: Minor Qi Reflection unlocked.
He grinned inside. This was the life he'd dreamed of—a world of martial arts, talent, adventure—and the perfect excuse to keep his strength secret.
Later, during sword drills, Grandmaster Shen strode among the students, stern eyes missing nothing. Jin Kang, hands intentionally shaky, fumbled with his blade while others performed dazzling moves.
As he dropped his sword for the third time, Lin Mei sighed loudly. "Can someone help Jin Kang before he hurts himself?"
Grandmaster Shen paused at Jin's side, inspecting him. Jin tensed, feeling a sudden rush—the system's warning:
Warning: Grandmaster suspects abnormality.
Suggestion: Commit small errors, feign exhaustion.
Jin Kang obeyed. He tripped, winced, and nearly landed on his face. The master shook his head. "Keep practicing. Carelessness breeds defeat."
Lin Mei snickered. Yu Xinyi gave him a sympathetic look. The rest of the yard forgot him immediately.
Jin Kang kept his smile, but inside, he marveled.
Nobody noticed the faint golden Qi running through his veins—nobody knew he understood sword techniques better than the senior disciples.
Lunch brought laughter. Jin Kang ate alone at first, then found Yu Xinyi plopping down beside him with her healer's satchel.
"Why do you look so gloomy? Training wasn't that bad, was it?"
Jin Kang shrugged. "It's more fun to watch the experts. Honestly, I barely manage a proper swing."
Yu grinned. "You know, you're the only one who doesn't try to impress anyone. That's pretty special."
Special. Jin Kang almost laughed. If only you knew…
The system chimed gently:
Achievement: Genuine Bond formed. Mask maintained.
Reward: Flash-step (Beginner) unlocked.
Jin felt the power ripple inside—control over his movement, sudden speed waiting at his command. He closed his eyes, letting satisfaction settle in.
As dusk drew near, the senior disciples sparred in the hall.
Lin Mei challenged Zhao Long, the infamous braggart. Their swords danced, Qi bursting in each clash. The younger students watched in awe.
Jin Kang stood back, hands in his sleeves, mind calculating.
I could beat them… but what's the point?
He remembered the MCs he idolized—always hiding, only acting at key moments.
Grandmaster Shen called for volunteers to attack the "unbeatable" Zhao Long.
Lin Mei and others jumped in, all were quickly defeated. The sect master looked at Jin.
"You, Jin Kang. Try."
Jin hesitated, deliberately awkward. "Me? I'll try, but don't expect much…"
He walked forward, face blank. Zhao Long smirked, waving him in. "Don't embarrass yourself, weakling."
Jin Kang stepped lightly, letting his body act just a fraction faster than a normal disciple. In an instant, he dodged Zhao's attack—not with dazzling power, but with perfect, subtle timing.
Zhao stumbled, surprised. Jin faked a slip, almost dropped his sword, and managed a wild, lucky counter that grazed Zhao's sleeve.
The crowd burst into laughter—at Zhao.
Jin Kang bowed, feigning humility. Grandmaster Shen raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Achievement: Masked Victory!
Reward: Qi Channeling (Beginner) unlocked.
That night in his quarters, Jin Kang lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The system pulsed softly.
You have unlocked three beginner skills, kept your strength hidden, and formed a bond.
Continue on this path, and further mastery awaits—if you never let the world see your true face.
Jin Kang smiled, wide, excited.
Let everyone think I'm average… until it's time for legends to rise.
And somewhere in the heart of murim, the legend of the masked master began, as all good stories do—with a secret no one could guess.