Morning sunlight filtered weakly through the cracked shutters. Joshua sat cross-legged on the coarse bedding, breath steady, back straight. The sect was already noisy outside — disciples chattering about yesterday's final match — but inside, it was silent.
[Ding!]
[System 001: Post-battle report available. Would host like to review rewards?]
Joshua opened his eyes, gaze flat. "…Show me."
A pale-blue screen shimmered before him. Lines of text scrolled neatly.
[Rewards Acquired:
– Soul Fragment (Major) ×1
– Soul Fragment (Minor) ×2
– Total Fragments Held: 3
– Skill Acquired: Flow Control (Passive) – improves movement efficiency under pressure, reduces wasted stamina.
– Skill Acquired: Rhythm Sense (Passive) – ability to detect patterns in movement and fighting styles.
– Skill Acquired: Steady Blade (Basic) – increases weapon stability.
– Points Accumulated: 112]
Joshua's gaze lingered. "Fragments… three."
[Yes. This world contains five fragments. Two remain.]
His fingers twitched faintly against his knee. "…How do I retrieve them?"
[They will appear when the correct conditions are met. Attempting to seize them early will fail.]
Joshua's jaw tightened a fraction. "Vague."
[Direct instruction would alter fate. Host must proceed naturally.]
Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly. "When do I leave this vessel?"
The System paused.
[Condition for world exit: the vessel's death.]
Joshua's gaze chilled further. "…Death?"
[Yes. The host will remain in this body until it reaches its natural end — old age, illness, or combat. Only then will the transfer occur.]
Joshua's lashes lowered. His chest rose and fell once, shallow. "…So I am bound until the end."
[Affirmative.]
Silence stretched. Joshua's hand lifted faintly, brushing the mole under his eye, though his expression didn't change.
"…Then so be it."
His voice was quiet when he spoke again. "…The fragments. Whose are they?"
The System did not answer immediately.
Finally, a line of text glowed.
[Identity locked. Host must uncover the truth without assistance.]
Joshua's gaze was steady, unreadable. "…Uncover."
[When the final fragment is restored, memory will return.]
Joshua pressed a hand lightly against his chest, where the ache pulsed faintly, sharper after each fight. A voice — teasing, bright, laughing — brushed the edges of his mind.
He stilled, expression frozen. "…I see."
The screen dimmed.
[Debrief complete. Continue the vessel's life until natural conclusion.]
A knock struck the thin door.
"Mo Xuanyu! Report to the elders' pavilion immediately!"
Joshua rose in one smooth movement, robes settling over his thin frame. His gaze swept once toward the fading panel, eyes cold.
"…Fragments, memory, death. All locked away."
He slid the door open.
Lucian stood there already, grin bright, golden eyes gleaming. "Ghost! You've been summoned. The elders want you. See? I told you — once you shine, you'll blind them all."
Joshua passed him without slowing. "…Ridiculous."
But Lucian followed anyway, humming under his breath, steps light and certain.
High above, the elders waited.
Illusion Mountain.