"I am an immortal. Why would I lie to a low-level being like you?" the voice boomed, calm yet dripping with disdain.
Ethan's face darkened. Low-level? Even if death stood at his door, he still had pride. "Then I guess I should be on my way. I'll leave here."
"Leave? Where would you even go? You've been lucky to survive this long. You know you can't escape this place," the voice said.
Ethan paused. It was right. He had nowhere else to go. "…Then how do I get out?"
"Simple," the voice replied. "I will give you a test. If you pass, the power of the God of Space and Time shall be yours."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What kind of power?"
"You need not know. Your mind is too weak to comprehend it."
"Hah. Then I'll just sit here forever if you don't tell me," Ethan snorted.
"You may stay as long as you like," the voice said arrogantly. "How many years can a mortal live? A hundred? Two hundred? We shall see."
"Well, I thought your old ass was already on its last rope," Ethan mocked.
"Foolish child. Even as a fading remnant, I can linger for fifty thousand years more. Can you?"
The temple fell silent. Ethan clenched his fists, weighing pride against survival. At last, he asked, "…What's the price?"
"Nothing," the voice replied smoothly. "All you must do is pass one test."
One test… that means it's hell itself, Ethan thought grimly.
"First, I will give you this to prepare."
A burst of azure light surged out, piercing into Ethan's body.
It wasn't painful—but what came next froze him in shock.
[Congratulations! You have gained the ASTRUM SYSTEM]
[New skill acquired: Star Sword Technique]
[New armor acquired: Lightning Armor – Rank 3]
[New weapon acquired: Starless Sword – Rank 4]
[Immortal Pavilion unlocked]
Blue message boxes hovered in front of Ethan like a holographic screen. His eyes widened. "What the hell… a gaming system?!"
"It is your guide to true power," the voice said.
Ethan tapped the glowing [Home] icon, and on the right corner, he found his attributes:
[Name: Ethan Sylvester]
[Race: Human]
[Rank: Ascended – Level 98]
[Life Expectancy: 150 years]
[EXP: ???]
[Aspect: Water Control (A)]
[Health: 100]
[Attributes:Strength: 165, Stamina: 189, Agility: 135, Speed: 190, Mana: 160, Intelligence: 100, Charm: 12]
[Skills:Phantom Ghost (A+), Water Serpent (B+),Swallow Step (A),Traceless Sword Technique (B–), Star Sword Technique (Locked – train in Immortal Pavilion)]
[Inventory level 1: capacity 10, Exp: 0 – Upgradable:Lightning Armor (Rank 3),Starless Sword (Rank 4)]
Ethan let out a low whistle. "Not bad, old man. Not bad at all."
The voice didn't answer, but he didn't care—his excitement grew.
He tapped the Lightning Armor icon.
[Lightning Armor – Rank 3
Adds: +10 Speed, +10 Stamina, +5 Health,Active Skill: None]
"Not bad!" Ethan grinned, summoning it.
A sleek silver armor materialized around his body, plain but strong, covering him entirely except his head. It felt light, free of restrictions, as if it were made for him. "This is at least on par with Sacred Soul Armor," he murmured, flexing. Still, he missed his Black Panther armor and its Shadow skill.
Then he checked the sword.
[Starless Sword – Rank 4, Resonates with Star Sword Technique, Adds: +50 Strength, +50 Agility]
"Holy…" Ethan's eyes shone. "A weapon that resonates with a skill?!"
He knew just how terrifying that synergy was. His panther armor had been proof enough—when weapon and skill aligned, the result was monstrous.
He summoned the sword.
A silver blade, thirty centimeters long, five meters wide, two centimeters thick. Constellations and stars glittered along its steel, giving it a mysterious, ancient glow. The handle was sapphire-blue, fitting perfectly into his palm.
The weapon thrummed with starlight, as if it had waited for him.
Ethan smirked. "Now this… this feels like destiny."